Tarek grabbed me by the arm, Horus grabbed the other, and then we were running down the palace stairs and jumping onto soldiers’ horses—ones who were conveniently on the ground with blood spewing from their mouths.
Horus got on mine with me and kicked his heels into the mare’s belly. We took off so fast I nearly fell off.
“Sorry.” He gritted his teeth. “We don’t have much time.”
“How do we get back?”
“Pray,” he shouted over the thundering hooves.
“What?”
“You heard me.” He hit the reins harder as the horses galloped outside the city walls. “You must pray.”
“And say what?” Was he insane?
“Ask to return to your time, to right a wrong, pray to the Creator. He has long since forgotten the sound of my voice.”
“But you’re a god.
“Still a creation,” he pointed out. “Hurry. Even now I can feel my father stir.”
“Okay.” Tears ran down my cheeks as the sand-filled wind whipped against my face. “Please, take us home, take us back, so Horus can save Timber, so we can right this wrong…” Panic hit me in the chest as the horse tripped. “Please, Creator, please!”
What was I even doing?
The sun was ahead, it was hot against my skin, too hot. I blinked slowly as it started to set and then like a final bow, it winked—everything went immediately dark, cold.
I woke up with a start and stared into Cassius’s sad eyes. They had turned completely white, and the room was chilled, frost clung to his face.
I was afraid to ask, but I had to. “Is Timber okay?”
“He’s improving… slightly.” Cassius looked down at the couch, and I followed his gaze.
Timber lay there, very still. His color was back, but the tattoo remained.
Trapped. My heart sank. He was still trapped. Even though I’d made a different choice.
Tarek, Alex, and Mason appeared to my left.
And then finally, Horus, looking every inch the god as he stared down at his brother and shook his head. “You idiot.”
Cassius’s eyebrows shot up, his gaze was deadly. “And who are you?”
“Horus, Prince of Light, and your only chance at saving that demon and restoring him.”
“He’s been restored, his soul that is.” Cassius pointed out.
“That’s the problem.” Horus moved to the couch and pressed a hand to Timber’s head. “You restored the cursed soul of a god. What did you think was going to happen? It’s been trying to break free, but it’s warring with the borrowed soul—the borrowed soul will continue to suck the life from the original until nothing is left but darkness—nothing is left but his demonic self.”
“Who is he again?” Ethan walked in and gave Horus a once over. “Is there a costume party nobody told me about?”
Horus let out a growl. “Careful, vampire, my bark is worse than your bite.”
I’d never seen Ethan react so violently as his fangs descended, eyes turning a bright shade of green.
“Horus!” My voice cracked. “Please, you have to help him.”
Horus nodded. “I’m going to try.” He pressed a massive hand to Timber’s chest. “Remember, brother, remember what you are—who you are, remember your calling.” He pressed both hands down. “I rebuke the borrowed soul in the name of the Creator. Be free!”