Lynette said nothing. She didn’t know how to share her concerns with Neferet. If her mistress could not see that this world’s version of her was a monster, then she had a lot more to worry about than what would happen when the creature was let loose. Lynette had to worry about what immortality would do to her Neferet.
As if reading her mind, Neferet reached forward across the little table that held their food and drinks and rested her hand on Lynette’s. “My dearest friend, I am not agreeing with the methods this world’s version of me used. She was crass. She had no army to protect her. She killed indiscriminately. I have learned from my mistakes, and from hers as well. Loren made it clear to me that I have an army of Warriors awaiting my return, and you have shown me how blind I have been to the value of humans. My goal is to make our world safe for those of us who will not be controlled by the archaic leadership of the House of Night, as well as the ignorance of the human patriarchy. Trust me. I shall not fail you.”
Relief washed through Lynette as she clung to Neferet’s hand. “I trust you completely! And I absolutely believe that you will not fail. Do you know how you will break the seal of the tomb?”
“I believe so. I wish I could simply bring the sprites a sacrifice they find worthy and have them do it, but they have that annoying rule about not taking sides unless it is to correct an abomination—and while I could make the case that entombing an immortal is an abomination, after hearing your report of all that Neferet did before she was stopped, I do not think I can make the case that it is an abomination to entomb her, even though she’s an immortal.”
“That is a shame,” agreed Lynette.
“But a seal is not an immortal. It is only the residue of one’s power. It seems everyone at this House of Night believes that it cannot be broken unless another immortal makes a similar sacrifice, but what they are forgetting is that there is another immortal present. From what you told me, Neferet was gravely injured before they trapped her—and since she has been entombed, she has had no way of healing herself and regaining her powers. All I need do is to find a way to empower her and she will break the seal herself.”
“That is brilliant, my lady!”
“Of course it is.” Neferet smiled serenely and sipped her wine and blood mixture. “Now, I need the help of those ridiculous young women. I want them to disguise me so that you and I may pretend to be humans who have come to leave offerings at Neferet’s tomb. I will have my children attempt to commune with hers and prepare her for freedom.”
“Do you know how you’re going to get power to that Neferet?”
“Sadly, I believe I will have to send it to her myself. I have the power of generations of High Priestesses flowing through my veins. I will simply cast a circle—perhaps using the ladies whose atrociously bad taste ruined this lovely villa—and call down the might of the full moon. Lynette, dearest, would you check and see how long before the next full moon?”
Much to Vanessa’s obvious irritation, Lynette had completely commandeered her laptop. She opened it and hastily searched for the next full moon. Lynette looked over the screen at Neferet. “Well, not for a while. The moon phase calendar says that it’ll be a new moon tomorrow night, so that means the full moon won’t be for another couple weeks.” Lynette’s stomach soured at the thought of being in this world for two more weeks.
“How wonderful! A new moon is actually even more powerful for what I intend! All that dark energy is perfect. So, we need to move quickly. Are those girls returned from school yet?”
Lynette’s smile disappeared. “Yes. Wait ’til you see what they’re wearing. They think they’re honoring you. It’s the silliest thing I’ve seen in a long time. It’s like their lives are a series of one dress-up event after another.”
“Ah, but their foolishness has allowed us to use them, though my children could simply kill them if they give us any problems.”
“I don’t like them. At all.”
Neferet tilted her head and studied Lynette. “I would sacrifice them for you should you desire it. It could be done easily before we return to our world. Actually, unless I become a goddess instantly and discover how to open the portal for us, I will have to call on the aid of the sprites again. I am quite sure that Oak would enjoy the novelty of drinking dry five vapid humans.”
Goosebumps crested across Lynette’s arms at the power she could wield with one word. “I don’t really want their deaths on my conscience, but if we need to sacrifice them to return to our world, I’m sure my conscience would understand.”
“If it happens, do not give it a second thought. I am your goddess. Their deaths shall be on my conscience. Now, tell them I have summoned them. I need to go to that tomb and no one must recognize me, which means I shall temporarily transform into a rather vapid, though attractive, human.”
9
Other Lynette
With what Vanessa called her expertise, Neferet was transformed into a tall, slender human with long blond hair who looked about the same age as the five TU seniors. She
