Page 29 of Hell’s Half Acre

Four

Sorcha couldn’t breathe as the chill of absolute terror crept over her entire body. At least seven feet tall, the creature was exceptionally muscled with the head of a jackal. A pleated, blue-and-gold striped linen nemes covered the back of its head. Two long lappets hung down just past its shoulders to frame its canine features.

Dressed in ancient Egyptian attire, it was like a horror movie come true.

Never in her life had she seen anything more terrifying.

Luke put himself between her and the creature. Sorcha clung to Luke’s arm, feeling foolish, but needing to be grounded by something.

Growling low in his throat, Luke passed a lethal grimace to the jackal. “Nubi…stop scaring my partner before she wets my floor. Did you really have to don the whole—” He held his hands up to illustrate the totality of the creature’s attire.

The giant shrugged. “Sorry. It’s been a long time since I’ve set foot here. Now I know why. Have you been outside lately?”

“Yeah. This world makes Hell seem mild.”

Nubi… Sorcha shook her head as she put it all together in her mind.

“Anubis?” she whispered to Luke, releasing his arm and straightening as if she hadn’t been terrified.

“Of course.” He gestured at the ancient Egyptian god. “Anubis, meet Sorcha. Now, why are you here?”

Anubis scowled. “Nice greeting. Least you could do is offer me mead.” He jerked his head toward the kitchen counter.

“Fresh out.” Luke’s tone was cool and calculated. Unruffled, even.

Anubis crossed his arms over his chest. “I see you’re still an asshole.”

“I’m not the one avoiding questions.” He raised a brow at the jackal.

Sorcha didn’t comment, as Luke normally was the one who avoided anything remotely personal.

A tic started in Anubis’s jaw. “I’ve been sent by your father. He wants a word with you.”

The muscles in Luke’s back drew taut. “Why not send my mother?”

Anubis gave him a harsh stare. “I didn’t ask.”

Sorcha had so, so many questions about this.

Luke, however, appeared more pissed off than anything else. “Why didn’t he come himself?”

“Again, didn’t ask. I was sent to fetch.”

“And I’m not ready to heel. Tell the old man I’ll think about it.”

Anubis gaped. “You’re kidding.”

She was as stunned by Luke’s reaction as Anubis was. All Luke had talked about since she’d met him was wanting to go home. How much he hated the mortal realm.

Now, he refused?

Something was going on here.

“I was kicked out of my home with no warning. For no reason. Banned from it. Call me provincial, but I’m not in a forgiving mood. Especially not to an ass I know will never apologize.” There was a hard edge to his voice that would’ve made a lesser…being…cower.

“Luke—” Anubis cajoled.

“Anubis. I’m not stupid. He sent you and not Sorath or my mother. This stinks worse than the lowest pit, which I don’t want to end up in.” Luke mirrored the jackal’s posture, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling.