Surrender (3 page)

Chapter Two

Frustration clawed at his intestines. Set wanted to grab Kira and shake her, convince her that time was of the essence. The city must be taken before Jarek fully understood the powers he possessed or the jewel he held in the palm of his hand.

“What is taking you so long?” Set muttered, his hand sweeping across the glass globe that provided him a cloudy view of Kira’s whereabouts. “I could have killed him by now.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t want to kill him.”

The feminine voice stunned him, and Set took a step back, his hands clenching into fists. What madness was this?

“Kira?”

“Has it been so long since we’ve spoken that you would forget the voice of your own wife?”

Set spun around, relief flowing through his veins. “You should not be walking about. Your body will only deteriorate more rapidly.”

Nephrytys smiled. A lithe, pale version of her daughter, she walked forward on unsteady legs, holding the wall as she moved. “Set, you and I both know that my time here grows short.” Her head drooped a little. “Ma’at has already spoken to me of my destiny.”

His face hardening, he approached her, grasping shoulders so thin he could snap them in two easily. “Ma’at doesn’t know everything. Now, return to your chamber at once.” For a brief moment while looking down into her face, he softened. Over the years, he’d grown to care for this woman, and yet, he didn’t even try to convince himself she felt the same. She’d watched him kill her husband. And for that, Set supposed, Nephrytys would always hate him.

But it didn’t matter anyway. It was too late for sentiment. The battle would soon begin, and he could not afford to be swayed by foolish emotion.

“Set—” Nephrytys cleared her throat and looked up into his eyes. “Must you do things this way? Is there not another way that would not mean the destruction of more lives?”

In an instant, he forgot all about his feelings for the woman he held and released her so abruptly, her spine snapped back against the wall behind her. “You know nothing. Now do as you are told.”

She hesitated. “You’re risking my daughter’s life.”

He spun around, presenting his back to her. “Sometimes sacrifices must be made.”

“Set, please—”

“I said, go!” he shouted without looking back. He didn’t need to turn around to know she’d left him, and his shoulders sagged with relief. She didn’t understand, could never possibly understand.

He and his fellow gods had tried to take Timara once and had come up against Lamar’s fierce power. Their only recourse had been to slink away to regroup and lick their wounds, but Set had brought home a consolation prize.

Nephrytys and her daughter, Kira. The little girl known to possess extraordinary power. He smiled at the memory.

The battle had been a massive undertaking, and Set had planned it for years before actually striking. Many lives had been lost that day. Lamar called them the innocents, those citizens of Timara who did not possess the powers of the gods. But Set had felt nothing but fury at his loss, and as the battle continued to rage, he’d seen his opportunity to take home some type of victory.

The instant he’d laid eyes on the little girl, he’d known. There was something different about her, so calm and peaceful despite the war raging around her. And somehow, he’d known she was worth the taking.

Now he could only hope he’d trained her well enough to do what he could not twenty years ago.

Winter enveloped the city, and the biting, cruel winds stung her eyes as Kira sailed through the darkness. She loved the night. It called to her soul. She’d worshipped the blackness since the night her father had told her the truth about Timara and the god who ruled the vast city.

But now, something was changing inside of her. She felt herself softening, or as her father would call it, weakening. She couldn’t be sure, but her instincts were telling her that there was more to Jarek than just what she’d been told.

He was fiercely loyal to Timara and would more than likely be willing to die to protect it, but she had read no cruelty in his eyes, no willingness to sacrifice others for the sake of his own pleasure. That was what she’d been taught all these years, but that wasn’t the ruler she had just seen.

And it made her wonder about Lamar as well.

Her breath fogged in the air, and she settled her feet on the snow-covered pavement, the heels of her boots clicking audibly. The navy-blue cape she wore hid the snug-fitting bodysuit, and as she strolled down the marble-lined streets of Timara, she reveled in the freedom, taking in the sights and sounds of the city she would soon own. For, regardless of Jarek’s unity with the city, it rightfully belonged to her…if what her stepfather had told her was true.

The moment of doubt made her wince. Ever since she’d been a little girl, she’d believed in her father. Even though she wasn’t of his blood, she knew he loved her and had treated her as one of his own. How could she distrust his words now?

Stars showered her path with little sparks, glimmers lingering in the cracks of the stones at her feet. The beauty was astounding, breathtaking. Everywhere she looked, the city entranced her with its glowing buildings and glass-domed houses.

The night winds shifted, bringing the smell of the rosheather, a combination of roses and heather that was indigenous only to Timara. The winds also brought the sounds of the city, the hum of the jetcraft as they flew overhead, the low murmur of voices as the citizens gathered inside the crystal-fronted bars to swap stories of the day and sip glasses of fruit-flavored wines.

The people were happy here, content with knowing the gods were in control and that Jarek would not allow anything to happen that would compromise their freedoms. She wanted to hate him, but with each breath, each thought, she was changing. Her feelings were changing…and hate wasn’t part of the equation.

And though her father would be displeased, she knew she didn’t want to kill him. She wasn’t even sure she could. Jarek would be a formidable opponent, but perhaps there was another way. If she couldn’t break him, she could possibly bend him. After all, she possessed many skills, and she was beginning to realize she didn’t want him dead.

But she did want him.

Jarek assured the lesser gods that Timara was firmly within his control. His confidence inspired the trust needed to calm the city and restore the citizens’ faith in his ability to maintain order. Kira’s presence had caused a major upheaval at first, as the entire city knew her, just as they knew the Enunian God who’d claimed her as his daughter. Jarek still remembered those cold, red eyes.

Set. Enunian God of Evil. The one who feasted on the souls of the undead…at least, that was the legend. The god had taken Kira as his own child after he’d defeated her parents in battle, and raised her. For that, Kira believed in him, trusted him.

Jarek doubted even he could change that belief now. Too much history had passed.

The door to his chamber swung open, and he spun around, surprised someone would dare enter without knocking.

“Jarek.” Devlin’s eyes were wild. “Set is outside the city limits. He meets with his daughter now.”

Though Devlin had come alone, Jarek heard the murmurings of the other gods behind him. He drew in a deep breath and extended his arms wide.

“Then it is time for war.”

Devlin made a protesting sound. “What are you thinking? If Kira is…”

Jarek’s hand sliced the air, and Devlin fell silent. He snapped his fingers, and his cloak settled around his shoulders. Fastening the top button, he whisked to the window. “Tell the other gods to meet me in the courtyard. Prepare for battle.”

Devlin didn’t question his orders. He simply backed from the room.

Jarek put one foot on the windowsill and looked out into the vast galaxy. “Father, I need your wisdom.”

He stepped into space.

Set dropped to the ground directly in Kira’s path. “Hello, daughter.”

Kira brought herself up short to keep from running into him. “Father, what are you doing here?” She rushed forward to kiss his cheeks to hide her discomfort. Did her doubts show on her face?

He gazed at her fondly. “After much contemplation, I came to assist you.”

Kira forced herself to smile. “You know I want to do this myself. If I am to regain control of Timara, I must do it alone. Do you not think I can handle Jarek?”

Set hooked her arm through his and continued the stroll. “It is not as simple as you imagine it to be, daughter. Since you left, I have learned Jarek has obtained the powers of his father. Lamar’s ascension brought Jarek great abilities.”

Coming to a stop, Kira looked into her father’s red eyes. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a gleam of malice, and her heart jumped within her breast. Was she imagining things or perhaps seeing things that had been there all along? But then his face cleared, and she saw the warmth she’d always seen when he looked at her.

Shoulders relaxing, she tapped his arm lightly. “You worry I will not be able to overtake him.”

The god grimaced. “I would never disgrace you in that manner, Kira. You know of my love for you. Forgive me for being concerned for your welfare.”

Kira stepped into his embrace and locked her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Father, but I shall be fine. Jarek has a weak spot or two. In fact—” She looked up to see her father looking down at her. “I believe I’ve already discovered his Achilles heel.”

Set’s eyes lit up. “Do tell.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to spoil all the fun.”

He chucked her under the chin. “Very well. Your mother sends her love.”

Kira walked beside him again, falling silent as his words sank in. She missed her mother dearly, but knew this was something she must do. Nephrytys had asked her not to come to Timara, had almost seemed desperate to keep her daughter by her side, but Kira had assured her she would be okay, that this was one war the Timarans would not win.

Realizing her father was waiting for a response, she drew in a deep breath and asked a question she already knew the answer to. “How is Mother?”

Set wrapped his arm around her waist as they continued their journey. “Her life force is not as strong as it used to be.”

Kira’s eyes narrowed. Set had reassured her that once they’d overtaken Timara and her mother was back home, the agony Nephrytys suffered would dissipate. That only made her mission much more desperate. “It would be were she in her rightful place.”

“Now, now. You know we’ve talked about this, Kira. We cannot question the Fates. Your mother and I have served Enun all our lives, and we will continue to do so until we disintegrate into the dust of the earth.”

Kira winced. “I wish you wouldn’t talk like that.”

“You have long since known the Enunian gods do not have immortality, my love. We have been blessed with longevity, but eventually we must leave this world to make room for new gods and new ways.”

“But Mother isn’t Enunian, Father. That is why I do not understand her failing health now.”

Set ran his hand up and down her spine. “Your mother has been away from the city of her birth for many years, my child. I have always believed that it is the Timaran atmosphere that grants immortality, and not necessarily the blood in one’s veins.”

“Then, once Mother is able to return to Timara, its powers will heal her.” She was desperate to believe that. How else did the people live for centuries? The gods themselves had attained immortality. Surely there was something in the city’s atmosphere that granted these long lives, and it could just as easily save her mother’s life.

“We cannot be sure it is not too late.”

“If you truly believe Timara has such potent abilities, then it wouldn’t take very long to restore Mother’s health.”

“Hope is for humans, Kira, not for gods.”

“Then what is the purpose of my overtaking Timara if not to save my own mother?”

Set stopped walking and grasped hold of her chin. “Look at me, daughter, and hear me well. I know your destiny. It was foretold many years ago when your father was killed in battle, and I took you and your mother in. Your home was snatched away from you. You belong in that city and had you been allowed to remain there, you would have become the rightful ruler, as Lamar knew.”

“How do you know that, Father? Jarek was next in line for the throne.”

Set shook his head almost wildly. “No. Lamar exiled us to become king. You know that. The throne is yours!”

She lowered her head and studied her hands clasped together in front of her. She believed that Timara was her home, but if it could not save her mother’s life, she didn’t understand her father’s strong desire to take it. Were they not happy enough in Enun? Though lately, she had sensed a change in her father, especially when news of Lamar’s passing had reached the city.

“Father, do you ever wonder why Lamar chose to allow his life force to end?”

“It was the only way his son could ascend as ruler of the city.”

Kira heard the bitterness in her father’s voice. “But why was that so important?”

“Destiny is important, my child.”

She bit her lower lip. “I’m not so sure of that.”

Her father sucked in a sharp breath. “Kira, you have known your purpose since you were a child. Do you now question my authority?”

How could she explain her thoughts without angering her father further? “No, I do not. Timara is my home, and I will claim it. But I cannot help but hope it will save Mother.”

“Then have your hope, but do not allow it to stand in the way of your direction. Jarek will not succumb so easily to your powers, my sweet.”

Relieved that the conversation had taken a better turn, Kira smiled. “Do you really believe he has a choice?”

Jarek materialized inches away from father and daughter, and as he watched, he saw Set’s eyes glow a vibrant red.

“Set.” He called out in a voice that rang with authority and promise. He didn’t like the way the god stood so close to Kira. Though Kira thought of him as her father, Set was the enemy. Jarek just had to prove it to her.