Crucible of Fate

versa.”
    “Why would the mate matter?”
    “A good mate is key for the health and well-being of the semel. They are the person who you first seek counsel from, the person with whom secrets are shared in the bedroom, either on purpose or unwittingly. And they are the one who simply sleeps beside you at night.”
    “Jin is the best mate Logan could ever have.”
    “You’ll get no argument from me. We’ve watched the semel-netjer and his mate, seen trials of separation that we could have prevented or ended but had to watch play out. We have seen the growth in both, but again, while there is no better mate for a semel than his destined reah, the nekhene that Jin Church is, is not a good mate for a semel-aten. The nekhene cat is safest in that small town up on that mountain, away from prying eyes. To have Jin here for an extended amount of time invites danger,” he said ruefully. “I once listened to Ammon rant and rave about how dangerous Jin Church is. And while I disagreed with what he thought should be done, I couldn’t fault his logic. As Jin’s power grows, how combustible will it become?”
    “Jin will never hurt anyone as long as he has Logan there beside him.”
    “Precisely,” he agreed. “So the semel-netjer can do only that for the rest of his life. He will lead his tribe and love his mate. The fact is, that’s all he wants to do—he has no desire for power. It’s a great blessing that the nekhene cat wound up with a mate like Logan Church and not a madman. Think of the horror that could have been.”
    “Now I understand why the priest wanted Logan.”
    “Did want.” Kabore exhaled. “In the end, he agreed with me that fate had stepped in and given us the gift of you. You must know that he truly embraced your reign before he passed.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    “When I suggested to him that we reveal ourselves to you, he agreed that it was for the best. And he also proposed that we offer his seat on the tribunal to the semel-netjer.”
    I could have Logan with me? My safety net intact? “Is that an option?”
    “Yes, it is. We’ve all agreed that he would make a fine addition.”
    “As my counsel, I would want you.”
    He was surprised. “My lord, I am only a steward. Simply a vehicle to help you reach your destiny and no—”
    “It’s you, Kabore. Tell them.”
    He was nodding. “Thank you, my lord. The trust and faith is—” He was touched, it was evident in his tone. “You honor me.”
    But I didn’t have time to wallow in sentiment; my mind was racing. “If you police the world, how was Jin ever kidnapped? How was the sepat allowed to go on? How was Ammon El Masry allowed to abuse Ebere? How was the travesty I just interrupted allowed to continue? I don’t understand.”
    He shook his head. “Just like any military operation. I mean, are soldiers sent to stop domestic violence? Are they sent to punish corrupt politicians or find missing children? This is what we’re talking about. We prevent someone from going on the news to out themselves on live TV as a werepanther, but we don’t investigate a semel using his power to defile young girls.”
    “That’s why the priest had to call the sepat, the honor challenge, against Ammon El Masry, when all those parents came to him for justice after what Ammon did to their daughters?”
    “Yes. We could do nothing. Not then. But if you will take the reins, then we will do as we do now and serve you and your cause of change and rebuilding. There are so many things that need to be ratified, but there are also laws that are set in stone, and both must be upheld.”
    I was starting to get it. “You want to be like Yuri, an extension of me, so panthers the world over will see the office of the semel-aten and truly believe I am the most powerful werepanther in the world. It won’t just be in name, it will be because if I say something, it will happen, because I have the muscle to back it up.”
    “Yes.”
    “And what if the power goes to my head and I go nuts?”
    He tipped his head to one side. “It seems to me that you’ve already had your epiphany, have you not, my lord?”
    “In having my original tribe ended, you mean?”
    “Yes. Your original line, your original house, was ended by a man who you call brother. The tribe of Menhit can never rise again. If you were to fall into darkness, would it not have happened then?”
    I shrugged. “Maybe.”
    “Your mother died when you were still an infant. Your father was abusive,