Chapter Five

Mara

I hadn't exactly planned on kissing a jackal in my lifetime, but that certainly didn't stop me from giving it a go. Anubis's fur felt surprisingly soft beneath my fingertips, and the warmth of his breath against my lips was both unexpected and exhilarating.

The best part? The sound of his tail wagging behind him.

The kiss was a blend of strange sensations: the coolness of his otherworldly essence mingling with the warmth of our shared breath. It was unlike any kiss I'd ever experienced, a mix of ancient mystery and raw, undeniable attraction.

Perhaps he was feeling the same tension I had been since our initial meeting.

Anubis responded with a fierce, controlled passion, his arms encircling me in a way that conveyed both tenderness and a possessive claim. His touch, while gentle, was firm, as though he was anchoring me in this extraordinary reality.

When we finally pulled away, I found myself breathless and slightly disoriented, as if I'd been swept away by a tide of emotions—beyond infatuation—I hadn't fully anticipated. Anubis's eyes locked onto mine, revealing a depth of feeling that went beyond words. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, a profound connection that transcended the boundaries of our respective worlds.

"I didn't think kissing a deity would feel quite like that," I murmured, my voice trembling with the weight of the experience.

Anubis's lips curled into a rare, enigmatic smile. "And I didn't anticipate that I would find such... unexpected pleasure in it. Though I do not like to think you've been pondering over kissing other deities."

I arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on my lips. Was that jealousy I heard? Of course, I couldn't help myself but to prod a little more. "Oh, you caught me. I've been secretly compiling a list of deities to kiss, and you were, without a doubt, at the top."

Anubis's eyes narrowed slightly, a possessive edge sharpening his gaze. "Is that so? I trust you're not planning on testing out your list anytime soon. After all, I wouldn't want to see any other deity fall into unexpected misfortunes."

His words sent a shiver of excitement through me. I hadn't expected such an assertive response, and yet, there was something undeniably thrilling about his possessiveness. He made me feel like I was someone special to him, not just a passing curiosity.

And what girl didn't like that? Cue face-fanning moment.

"Well, you've certainly set a high bar," I said, my voice tinged with genuine admiration. "I'm not sure any other deity could match up to such a unique... experience."

I threaded my fingers along the fur of his chest and smiled as his tag began wagging again. Maybe he lacked a range of emotions because his tail did it all for him.

Anubis's lips curved into a rare, almost dangerously fanged smile. "Flattery will get you far, but remember, Mara, in this realm, I prefer to keep what's mine. Consider this your warning."

I took a step closer, feeling the intensity of his gaze and the weight of his words. The thrill of being so singularly desired was intoxicating. My heart raced, not just from the proximity but from the way his possessive tone made me feel undeniably cherished.

I wondered if all my chosen victims felt the same way, I laughed to myself.

"Noted," I said with a playful edge, trying to mask the fluttering of my heart. "I'll make sure to keep my attention focused right where it seems to be most appreciated."

The moment lingered between us, charged with the unspoken promises and possibilities that lay ahead. As we resumed our journey, the underworld seemed to pulse with a newfound energy, the shadows around us whispering of secrets yet to be uncovered and connections still to be explored.

We had just stepped into a secluded alcove, a quiet corner of the vast underworld, where the flickering torchlight cast long shadows on the walls. I could feel the intensity of the moment as if the very air was holding its breath.

Anubis turned to me. His usual composed demeanor was momentarily softened by the closeness, his gaze lingering on mine with a hint of something I couldn't quite place.

"Your curiosity about Duat has been... unexpected," he said, his voice low and rough, as though he were grappling with his own emotions.

I felt my heart race, the warmth of his proximity contrasting sharply with the coolness of the underworld. "And your willingness to show me around has been... unexpected too," I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper.

We stood there, inches apart, the tension between us crackling like electricity. Was he going to kiss me again or should I go for it this time? Would a second kiss solidify us as a couple?

I could feel the magnetic pull of Anubis's presence, his eyes dark and intense, holding me in a way that made my heart race with both excitement and a hint of apprehension.

Just as I was about to bridge the gap between us, the sudden appearance of Ma'at shattered the moment. She materialized, once again, with an air of effortless grace. Her presence was as sharp as a dagger and just as unwelcome.

"Ah, Anubis," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Still attached to your little undead pet, I see, minus the annoying insect of a spirit that followed you all the last time. How delightful to see you two getting along so well ."

Anubis's posture stiffened, and his gaze turned to her with a mix of frustration and resignation. "Ma'at. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Ma'at's eyes flicked over to me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "Well, I couldn't help but notice that you're getting rather... cozy with your guest. However, I'm afraid I have to point out a small, rather inconvenient detail."

Though I braced myself for whatever came next, I wasn't prepared for Ma'at's next words. "Mara here, as charming as she is, isn't actually dead. Therefore, she doesn't quite fit the criteria for permanent residency in Duat. She can't stay."

My heart sank. Well, wasn't that just peachy? I glanced at Anubis, hoping for a sign that this was all some twisted joke. His face, usually a mask of inscrutable calm, now carried a shadow of disappointment.

"Is that so?" I said, trying to mask the sting of Ma'at's announcement with a forced casualness. "Well, it seems I've managed to crash the afterlife party at just the wrong moment. How typical."

Anubis's eyes were locked on mine, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he processed Ma'at's interruption. My awkward attempt at humor felt like a small, futile attempt to deflect from the embarrassment of the situation.

Ma'at gave a half-hearted shrug. "Timing is everything, dear. And unfortunately, you're on borrowed time."

With that, Ma'at's form began to dissipate.

"So," I continued, trying to sound nonchalant despite the shifting mood, "since I'm not exactly on the guest list for eternity, how about you show me a few more highlights of Duat before I'm, you know, unceremoniously booted out?"

Anubis's lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile playing at the corners as he regarded me with an amused, if slightly resigned, expression. "I suppose we can make the most of the time we have. Let's proceed."

As we continued through the underworld, the weight of Ma'at's revelation lingered, but I tried to push it aside. I focused on the fleeting moments of our unexpected connection, savoring them even as I prepared myself for the inevitable departure. The ancient corridors of Duat seemed to stretch endlessly before us, a blend of eerie beauty and chilling, albeit sometimes morbid, grandeur.

My mind raced with thoughts of how I could possibly find a way back to Anubis, despite the constraints Ma'at had laid out. It wasn't in my nature to accept things at face value, and I was determined not to let this be the end of our encounter. I mean, who knew if this was the last time I'd get to have a chat with a deity who wasn't just trying to trap me in eternal torment?

As we passed through a particularly grand archway, a thought struck me. My heart quickened as a plan began to form. Maybe there was a way to leverage my unique situation, to use my outsider status to gain an advantage. I was practically vibrating with the thrill of potentially outsmarting the underworld's finest. And let's be honest, if I could turn this mess into a victory, it'd be a great story to brag about—adding to my killer resume.

I chuckled at the inside joke.

"What if..." I started, more to myself than to Anubis, "there's a way to make this work? What if there's something I could do that would allow me to stay longer?"

Anubis glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "What do you have in mind?"

Before I could answer, Ma'at's voice echoed through the corridor, her presence felt even if she was nowhere to be seen. "Ah, scheming already? I do enjoy a good game. But remember, Mara, the rules are not as flexible as you might hope."

Creepy. Was she spying on us? Ma'at the voyeur.

I exchanged a determined look with Anubis, my mind already racing through possibilities. Had I finally reached the point where I was outwitting ancient deities? My inner voice was practically screaming, Talk about overachieving.

With a determined grin, I whispered, "Give me a moment."

As we turned a corner, I began to formulate a plan, piecing together fragments of ancient lore and legal loopholes that might just give me a fighting chance. It felt a bit like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while blindfolded. My heart pounded with anticipation, knowing that the next steps could change everything. Or at least make for a very entertaining catastrophe.

Just as I was about to reveal my idea to Anubis, a sudden burst of light illuminated the corridor ahead, casting long, ominous shadows on the walls. My breath caught as I saw a figure emerging from the light—an entity cloaked in shifting darkness and ancient power. The figure's presence seemed to ripple through the very fabric of Duat, and my pulse raced with both fear and excitement.

Great, I thought. Just when I'm on the verge of a genius move, a dramatic plot twist comes in to upstage me. Anubis's eyes widened slightly, his usual composure momentarily disrupted.

I glanced at him, my mind still reeling from the possibilities. The figure moved closer, and I realized that my window of opportunity was closing fast. Whatever was about to unfold could either be the key to my plan or the end of it.

With a deep breath, I prepared to tell him what I had planned when a large hand clamped on my shoulder and jerked me away from Anubis.

Ugh. Can't a girl catch a break?