“That is not unusual. The Bennu comes and goes as it pleases. It always returns when it is time,” Anubis reasoned.
Osiris nodded, but he didn’t relax. “Yes, but this is different. There have been no signs. No one has seen it in centuries.”
Unease shot through Anubis.
Before the Bennu’s return, the world always changed. Healers saw breakthroughs, and humanity strengthened. New beginnings moved through communities, drawing the most jaded souls to notice. Among the gods, long-held grudges eased, and chaos calmed.
The Bennu carried the promise of change. Of second chances.
But none of that had happened this time. There’d been no hints of renewal. The world appeared stagnant; as if something were missing.
Or stolen.
“And you think it needs to be found?” Anubis guessed.
“Possibly. If it has been forced into hiding, we need to know why. The ceremony cannot be delayed. Any error might be catastrophic.”
Anubis tried not to tense. Osiris was right, but Iliana needed him. “I gave my word to the Greeks.”
“And you think they would stand aside to let the world fall?” Osiris asked.
The Greeks would be interested if he brought them this news. But would it distract them from protecting Iliana? She came first.
“I will ask around. But I will not hunt after a bird that does not wantto be found.”
Osiris sighed. “Not now, but at some point I might need you to search for it.” He waved his hand, looking off into the distance before returning his gaze to Anubis. “I have heard rumors of the Kabeiroi being spotted. Have you seen them?”
Anubis tensed. Had more than one Kabeiroi been witnessed? “I have seen one. It was near the safe house.”
“The last time I saw one of them was on Lemnos, haunting an old shrine. Do you think they will interfere?”
Anubis shook his head. The Kabeiroi had only watched before leaving. Had Hermes’ warning prevented an attack? Was that what they’d been waiting for? Was Iliana still under attack? The thought made him tense, and the only reason his shoulders relaxed was because of the knowledge that Thanatos and Hypnos were watching over her. If there were a problem, they’d contact him immediately.
“I do not think so,” Anubis admitted. “The one I encountered merely observed.”
Osiris hummed. “That is troubling. Why would they care about your human?”
Anubis considered revealing his suspicions that Iliana’s connection to the Fates and her hidden prophecy drew their attention, but something prevented him from doing so. Not yet. Not until he knew more.
A violent summons tore through his mind—
“Iliana! No!”
Hypnos’ voice was harsh and desperate in a way Anubis had never heard from him before. His heart stopped. The Duat, Osiris, the Bennu—none of it mattered. She was in danger. And he wasn’t there.
“Anubis—” Osiris started.
He didn’t hear the rest. He left without explanation, without permission. His divine power ripped him out of the Duat with brutal speed.
Faster. He needed to move faster.
What if he was too late? What if Hypnos couldn’t hold off whatever was attacking? If he found her—
No, don’t think. Just move.
The yurt lay in ruins.
Anubis assessed the scene as he arrived with Thanatos. The walls had collapsed, wooden beams snapped, debris spattered with divine blood.
