The beads in his braids clinked together as he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He hadn’t cared for anyone since Anput left him. He wouldn’t start now.
Anubis forced himself to look away from her. The deceptive silence broke with a nearly imperceptible sound behind the gates. It set his nerves on edge. Stillness in the Underworld couldn’t be trusted.
When Thanatos spoke in his mind, Anubis exhaled.
“Ani?”
“What is the verdict?” he asked.
“Hades approved a temporary stay in Hyp’s cave. We cannot allow her to leave or enter the cave on foot. We will need to take her in and out when we are ready to return her to the mortal world.”
Thanatos hadn’t saidwhowas in charge of that duty.
“When will you return for the girl?” Anubis asked, his concern growing. Hades never granted favors lightly.
“I need you to take the girl to Hyp,” Thanatos admitted.
“That is all you want me to do?” Anubis was tired of wandering the Duat with only his duties and the souls that he judged. He needed a change; a new purpose that would snap him out of centuries of boredom.
“If you have time, see if you recognize the curse. I have things to take care of for Hades.”
Anubis frowned. “What things?” The Greek gods could be unpredictable. Some were twisted. “We can take her elsewhere if the price is too high.”
Thanatos let out a humorless laugh. “He asked me to be his proxy for three days while he spends the last days of winter with Persephone.”
Anubis laughed at the idea of the quiet death god having to deal with the Underworld’s inhabitants. But that amusement faded fast.“That offer seems too generous. Are you sure there is no ulterior motive?”
Thanatos paused.“He asked nothing about the girl. Most of it was about my duties and the threats he would make good on if his realm fell into chaos. I think he genuinely wants more time with his wife before their separation.”
He’d do the same if he had only half the year with the woman he loved, though that worry was gone now. Helping Thanatos with this human was the most involvement he’d allowed in centuries.
“I will take the human to your brother’s cave,” Anubis said at last. “I have things to handle at home before I can return, but I will help with whatever you need. Will Hypnos be capable of watching her while we are both away?”
“Hyp will be cranky about it, but he will not let anything happen to her. I’ll make sure he knows to keep her safe at all costs.”
Anubis would remind the god of sleep when dropping off the girl.If she woke confused, it could get complicated. Hypnos, once peaceful, had grown moody and unpredictable after withdrawing from the world.
“I will take her now,” Anubis said. “Do you want to warn him first or let my visit be a surprise?”
Thanatos chuckled and pulled away from his mind without answering.
Anubis grinned, excitement filling him. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as dull as he’d expected.
Chapter six
HYPNOS
Hypnos lounged on the sofa, pretending nothing would interrupt his solitude. No one would invade his quiet, empty home.
But his peace would be shattered, and by a human, of all things. He should’ve refused outright, shutting down his brother’s request when his twin asked for help.
That hesitation ate away at him now.
He’d been waiting for Thanatos to get in touch, to say he didn’t need him. But nothing came. No messages. No updates. There were other beings in the world who’d know more about curses than Hypnos could dream of. It was possible his brother didn’t need his help after all.
Thanatos was too considerate to leave him waiting. His brother was fine. He had to be.
Shaking off his unease, Hypnos pushed himself up from the couch. He might as well prepare. He stepped into the guest room. There was only a simple wooden dresser and a bed, both unused for decades. He covered the mattress with pink bedding, then changed the room’s wallpaper to match.
