Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

honored,
Hathor, fulfill the rest.”

    She whispers the last line a few times sharply, and I try to disappear into the dark corner beside the doorway as I hear her rush out. I hold my breath as she whips past me, too concerned with escape to look around. I hurry into the chamber to see a thin scroll ignited in one of my altar fire pits. Using the fire tender, I quickly sweep it from the fire onto the floor and blow it out. Once the embers dancing on the edges darken, I open up the charred paper to see my name intertwined with hers, bound with crimson blood—a conjured love spell. Bastet is more powerful than I gave her credit for, and I find her all the more seductive for it.
    That night, as I arrive for the evening purification, Bastet stands at the edge of the glimmering cleansing pool bare, her skin glistening with oil. I try to take in her beauty, but the stolists disrupt my view, tying her dress around her waist. I stand beside her while she’s painted with kohl. Disrobing in front of her, I notice she doesn’t turn away.
    Fully immersed in the pool, I bring only my eyes out of the water, and I see she’s still watching me. I disappear beneath the surface once again, and my heart sinks when I reemerge as she’s walking away. Right before she rounds the corner, she extends her arm out, curling her finger for me to follow. Rising from the pool and ripping the loincloth from the stolist’s extended hands, I hurry to catch her, slipping as I secure the linen around my waist. She’s waiting, leaning back in the shadows, shimmering. I grab her in the corridor outside the dream chamber, pin her to the wall, and kiss her.
    She pulls her lips away after too short a moment but stays within my embrace.
    “You must tell Nebu you need to come for dream incubation. I will make sure we are alone by having my slave watch the door. We will have no interruption. No one will ever know of our bliss.”
    “There are consequences that can come from such bliss, consequences that the Royal Daughter is not allowed.”
    I look into her darkened eyes. “There are trusted potions for such things.”
    She hesitates as I kiss down her neck. “But will we never get into the afterlife if we continue further?”
    “Don’t we priests feast from the gods’ morning offerings after they have taken their spiritual fill? How is this not different?”
    She kisses me back in passionate agreement and hurries back to Nebu. I turn to go into the incubation room, and Khons, the house scribe, is standing there leaning on the altar where his son left him. His failing body, so riddled with stiffness, renders him utterly dependent on his son’s assistance.
    “Khons, you got here so fast.” I check to see the distance between where he’s standing and where I exchanged with Bastet.
    He laughs. “I do not think I get anywhere fast anymore.”
    I’m relieved at how jovial he is, assured he hadn’t overheard. In his advanced years, he must be somewhat deaf by now.
    “That may be so, but your wisdom is priceless to the House of Life. What new fascinating topic are you writing about today?”
    “Oh, you would not believe the magic that surrounds us, Sokaris! Each day I wake up in pain and wonder why I want to trudge through another day, and by every night, I am mystified and charged by all the charms that encircle us.” He swirls his hands above his head to illustrate before continuing. “Today I met with a man from Thebes who swears he is a master of rain charms. He showed me the very documents from the King’s Library of Periods of Drought. He performed his enchantments, and sure enough, it rained! Amazing, what an amazing world.”
    His sagging brown eyes glisten with excitement.
    I smile. “What answers do you seek tonight?”
    “I suddenly need some clarification on a topic I am trying to understand better.” He sighs.
    “By all means, let me assist you to your chamber.” I help him to the bed and lay him down on the linen sheets. After lighting his lamp for him, I ask him again if he needs anything, and he shakes his head. I walk out on the rooftop terrace before retiring in the dream chamber. The sky is burning red on the horizon.
    ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
    Bastet and I are feasting at a table displaying an assortment of fruits, breads, and meats. I turn and see she has both her hands full of a large melon. She gorges on it; the juices drip down her perfect face.
    I awake and shake Nun’s scrawny form to his