Page 146 of Lost

“Fussing with the Red Army. He should return any moment,” Neferet said.

“Good. I’m going to tell him if assigning Stinky to me was his idea of a joke,I am not amused.”

“Hm. That’s interesting.” Neferet’s gaze went back to the field below them where the bands had finished and the players were warming up. “Unlike this game. But I know how I can make it much more interesting. Artus, get that microphone from that inconsequential human over there and give it to me. It’s time.”

Aphrodite felt sick. “Time for what?”

“Aren’t you the Prophetess? Can’t you tell me?” Neferet’s sharp eyes trapped her.

Aphrodite did her best to look confused. “No. I haven’t had a vision since the one about the hayfield.”

“Well, then, watch and learn.” Neferet took the mic her Warrior had taken from the commentator. “I need that camera on me. It should play on that screen with the score so everyone can see me.”

“Human! Turn the camera on the High Priestess!” Artus commanded.

The poor guy was trembling so badly that he almost couldn’t get the camera turned around to face Neferet.

“What are you going to do?” Aphrodite’s stomach flipped around so hard she was finding it difficult to breath.

“Why, I’m simply going to liven things up. Is it ready?”

“Y-y-y-yes, ma’am.”

“High Priestess!” Neferet shrieked. “How many times do I have to tell you ridiculously simple humans, especially youmales,that my title is High Priestess, not sweetheart, not honey, and not ma’am!”

“I-I’m s-sorry, High Priestess,” he groveled.

“Of course you are. I forgive you.” Her smile was reptilian. “Now turn that thing on.”

The red light blinked, and the man nodded to her. Aphrodite glanced at the field to see Neferet’s face suddenly being broadcast on each scoreboard and every video monitor in the stadium.

“Good evening, everyone. I am Neferet. Your High Priestess. I amthrilledyou accepted my invitation and came to celebrate Bedlam with me. Now, I am quite sure that many of you—especially those of you wearing orange—are feeling disappointed and, perhaps, a little bored with how the game is going. I know I certainly am. Thankfully, I prepared a solution, though I was going to save it until the game was officially over. But, no matter. Now is the perfect time.

“Perhaps you noticed my lovely Red Army is field-level, guarding every exit. With their smell they are certainly difficult to miss!” She laughed at her own joke before continuing. “Well, as with everything I do, stationing them there was purposefully done, and here is why. The winning team will take home that silly glass bell. The losing team—their cheerleaders, their band, and their coaches—they will all be fed to my Red Army. I do despise losers, don’t you? So, carry on, and do your best. Half of you have a very short time left to live.”