Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

Nebu notices the trance she put me under, but she too is watching the girl. She claps her hands. “Satisfactory.” Then, motioning to the harpist to begin playing, she commands, “Sing for Serapis.”
    When it’s my dancing girl’s turn to sing, she doesn’t have perfect pitch, as did other girls, but she sings quietly and so sweetly. Her eyes! Her eyes are large, honey pools you can fall into and never climb out! She is the most intriguing and captivating woman I’ve ever seen. Something is different about her—something powerful—something mystifying. She moves, and my eyes follow; she speaks, and my ears tune out all other sound. I feel far away from her and want to be closer. I wish no one else were in the room.
    Nebu interrupts my pain. “I see you agree with my choice.”
    I pretend to be only slightly interested. “There are many talented girls for you to pick from, but one does seem to have a magic air to her.”
    “Ah, you have noticed. Yes, that is a good way to put it.” She smiles while gazing upon her. “I wonder, though, if she seems devout and disciplined enough?”
    “That is hard to see in the arts. We will need to probe deeper and let our ancient knowledge guide us.”
    My heart races at the thought that I’ll get to spend some time alone with her.
    “Yes, we will have to trust the ancients—and you, Sokaris.”
    I leave to take my place in the dream-incubation chamber before Nebu sends her. I have to regain composure and steady myself for the important task ahead. I look up at my reflection in the brass incense burner, and I see her float in behind me. I turn, avoiding her eyes, and stare at my papyrus.
    “Name?” I ask.
    “Bastet, daughter of Ketuh.” Her voice is melodious.
    “Age?”
    “Fifteen and a half years.”
    She’s older than most royal daughters, but it is not unheard of for someone her age to be considered. Her blue glass ear studs catch my eye.
    “Let me see your palm.”
    She outstretches a fragile, long-fingered hand and slowly turns it within my palm as she looks directly in my eyes. I feel a charge at her touch but continue my task. She has many great talents on her hand but carries three of the most ominous signs: a weak and broken lifeline that foretells a short life; she lacks the gift of willpower whorl on her thumb; and most intriguing to me, her mount of Venus is well padded, showing immense passion. Normally I wouldn’t even let a candidate stay after this miserable reading, but I can’t stand the thought of her leaving.
    “Please follow me to your chamber for the night.”
    I lead her to the smaller chambers where dream incubation takes place. I motion her to enter the room first, pushing aside the urge to pull her to the bed with me.
    She sits down on the side of the linen-draped bed and asks, “Who is looking upon me as I sleep?”
    I freeze at her unabashed forwardness but thaw when she points to the carving on the headboard.
    “That is the midget god, Bes: the Dream Protector.” I motion her to come to the table beside me. When she nears, I can smell the remnants of scented wax in her braided wig releasing its sweet perfume. “Tonight you must pray to the god Serapis to send you a fortuitous dream, one that can tell us of your destiny with him. Please write his name on the papyrus.”
    She obeys with some skill, and I roll it up and place it in a lamp beside her bed.
    I pray, “Will it be granted that Bastet, daughter of Ketuh, be Royal Daughter to Serapis? Reveal it to me; answer this little written prayer.”
    I light the papyrus to burn while she sleeps. She bows, and I leave her chamber to attempt to retire in the chamber next to hers. It must have been hours before my body relaxed enough to sleep, knowing she is so close.
    I’m getting back into bed and am fixing the scroll with my god’s name when I feel something move by my leg under the sheet. I throw back the sheet to expose a writhing mass of snakes crawling and hissing on top of me. I scream as they all bite into me at once, igniting me in flames .
    I wake, thrashing and breathing hard.
    The same dream again and again!
    I write on my papyrus: GET SEHKET!

Chapter 3
    Bastet wakes in the morning and hands me her night vision to interpret. She walks away from me, her hips swaying in a beaded wrap as it plays a mesmerizing song. Regardless of what foretelling I hold in my hands, I know I’ll create my own to keep her in my life. Yet I am curious and open her scroll to