On hearing his warning, Natti tried to not let the liquid pass her lips. Yet when Sean raised Natti’s head up, her jaw automatically fell open. He tipped the liquid into her mouth and rubbed his thumb along her throat. Natti’s gag reflex triggered at first, but a second breath caused her to take a giant gulp. A visible shiver spread throughout her body.
Sean placed a hand on her forehead. “I, Sean O’Keefe, Hem-netjer of the House of Set, call on my god, O Set, the lord of darkness and chaos, to take this woman, Natara Stone, into his power, enslave her essence, and take hold of her will.”
“No!” Seth cried.
His father pulled out a piece of leather and tied one knot into the band. “Natara Stone.” The call pulled Natti’s attention to Sean, her eyes losing their focus.
“Natti!” Seth struggled forward.
Sean tied a second knot. “Ren.” A dazed look took over her serene features as the spell ripped away her first element, her name.
“Nat—” Ky wrapped his hand over Seth’s mouth, muffling his cry.
Sean smiled and continued on with the third knot. “Sheut.” The spell called forth Natti’s shadow, a cold breeze flicking the flames of the fire. Her breathing turned shallow. Her body quivered. “Ka.” Natti’s muscles contracted and suddenly released, her life energy dwindling. “Ib.” A sharp gasp escaped Natti’s lips, Set’s power griping her heart. “Ba.” Her body gave a sudden jerk under the restraints, and then slowly melted into the cold stone altar. Her soul now the property of Set himself.
With a single touch, Sean brought Natti back to full consciousness. She searched her surrounding until her eyes finally settled on him. He sneered at her and moved toward her feet. Wrapping the leather around her ankle, he tied the seventh knot. Natti tensed up, cringing and sinking her nails into the stone. After a moment of shock, she was left weak and unable to fight.
“With this seventh knot, I bind you to the services of our god, Set. To submit to his will and the will of his followers. You, Natara Stone, shall obey.”
Sean paused, applying a little charm while tracing her jawline. Natti’s trembling body relaxed. A little moan escaped from her parted lips. He brushed his mouth over hers, kissing her on the corner of her mouth.
“You are completely at my mercy, Natara Stone. Set’s power has stripped you of your very essence, enslaving you to his will. Not even Ma ‘at can protect you now.” He laid his hand over her heart. “Now, lie completely still.”
Seth’s stomach wanted to turn when he watched her body respond. She shuttered into complete stillness, allowing Sean to remove the restraints. She didn’t sit up or try to run. She didn’t even turn her head. The only sign she was still there, trapped inside her own body, was the tears that poured down her cheeks.
Sean glanced at Seth, a smug grin on his lips. Seth lunged, his temper boiling. The beast in him craved blood, his father’s blood.
Eyes gleaming with pleasure, his father returned to the offering table, picked up the bowl of Natti’s blood, and continued the Egyptian ritual. “I, Hem-netjer of the House of Set, offer you, O Set, this drink, your enemy’s blood. Let it help rebuild the strength stolen—”
Q leaned toward Seth and whispered, “It’s over, Seth.” Seth paused, the gaze he turned on his friend blazed with fury. “Your keys are in the ignition, and your personal effects are in the back seat.”
Seth raised his brow, confused. He jerked his mouth free from Ky’s grip. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because once Ky lightens his grip, you’re going to make a run for it. I have it all planned out.”
Sean placed the bowl of blood at the top of the slab and began to prepare for the final offering, the cutting out of Natti’s heart and cursing her soul to Duat. He dipped the dagger in special oils, whispering the blessing softly to himself.
“I’m not leaving without Natti!” Seth hissed.
“Would you forget the bitch!” Q lowered his voice. “It’s over for her, Seth. She belongs to Set.”
Seth shook his head. “I can still save her.”
“Think logically, Seth! She’s one of them! Our mortal enemy! A Daughter of Isis! We hunt them! We kill them! Her fate has been decided!”
Seth glowered at Q, trying to curb his rage.
“‘Live for thyself, and thyself only,’” Q spoke the ancient words in a whisper then quickly reverted to English again. “Stop trying to be someone you’re not. You are one of us.”
Seth watched his father approach Natti with the dagger by his side. He laid a hand over her chest. “I offer this woman’s heart. A heart of great power. A heart that carries a sliver of Ma ‘at. Take it and use it against those who have used Ma ‘at against you.”
Seth hadn’t noticed his eyes were even moist until a tear landed on the stone. Afraid to show any weakness, he took a few deep breaths and built a wall to restrain his emotions.
“All right.” Seth looked at Q and nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Q rubbed Seth’s shoulder. “You’re making the right choice.”