Well, it took months but I must thank Nemo for the 6th and final review.

TigerFlower! Thanks for all the reviews and help you have given throughout the first and second book. Without your help I probably would still be stuck on the chapters and still be back on the first book XP.

Paulina! Thanks for all the reviews. Your humor is greatly appreciated and it makes me laugh each time. D

Thank you both for being such loyal reviewers!! I WILL REWARD YOU SOME HOW! In the mean time, here is the next chapter like promised. Enjoy!


Key

Of

Eternal

Darkness

-¤-

Book Two:

Isis

Chapter Two:

Recap

-¤-

ONE WEEK AGO

"Isis!" Sphinx shouts as he looks around the narrow stone pathway in front of Montu's Monster Shop. "Isis!" The demi-god calls again and remains silent for a moment before mumbling, "Maybe she's already at the first herb." He runs down the path past the Monster Shop door to the first herb on the small balcony that over looks the Abydos Plaza.

Ralix stands just inside the door of Montu's Monster Shop in the small, dimly lit hallway. An arm is around Isis's waist while his other hand is over her mouth to keep her quiet. She struggles in his arms to be freed but his grip only tightens around her.

Hearing the footsteps of Sphinx fading away, the tiger smirks. "So naïve." Slowly opening the door slightly, he glances around and makes sure no one is around before stepping out of the shop.

"Let go of me!" Isis tries to scream but her words are muffled as the tiger's hand is still over her mouth.

"Um … no. You're staying with me until the wedding."

Ralix begins to walk back to his house located within the canals near the Council Chamber.

-¤-

Isis lies on the bed in Ralix's room, trying to undo the chains around her wrists. Tugging … pulling … nothing worked. 'I'm not going to just lie here and let someone take advantage of me.' With a sigh the demi-cat stops her futile attempts of escape and looks around the room for anything that'll unlock the chains.

The room isn't big, but it's big enough to hold the necessities of a bedroom. Looking into the room from the doorway, a soft flame is present within the lamp to the left of the door; the flame softly glows on the wall and ceiling of the room as it's the only source of light. Directly in front of the door is a bed resting against the far wall with a small nightstand on the left side. To the left of the bed, against the left wall, is a dresser and Isis can only wonder what the tiger keeps in there.

The thief's eyes move back across the room and soon rest upon her staff leaning against the wall near the door. "If only there was a way …" She looks back at the chains around her wrist. Her emerald eyes scan the short chain up to the bed post at the head of the bed where the chains are locked around.

"There's nothing you can do to escape." A masculine voice says from the other side of the room.

Isis lifts her head to look at the door, only to see Ralix leaning against the doorframe. "Undo these chains," she demands.

"And have you run off back to that fucking bastard you call 'lover'? Heh, not happening."

By now, Isis is standing close to the edge of the bed with her back to Ralix. She looks over her shoulder with a deadly glare. "Don't you dare insult Sphinx."

The demi-tiger smirks as he walks up behind Isis, quickly wrapping his arms around her waist before she has time to make her next move.

"Let go of me."

Ignoring her calls of protest, he lowers his lips to her neck and begins kissing her skin gently. Isis quickly shuts her eyes tightly. Fear once again starts to spread throughout her body. She doesn't like being powerless and in a way it scares her.

"Get off of me," she repeats softly before struggling in Ralix's grasp.

His arms only tighten around her as he slightly pulls away from her neck. A hand snakes its way from her waist to her breasts and then to her chin. "There's nothing you can do."

The thief gasps when she feels him run his hand over her breasts. "Yes, there is." She lifts her foot behind her and kicks Ralix in the groin with more force than before.

Ralix growls and removes his hands from Isis's body as he takes a couple steps back. He refuses to show his weakness and stands up as straight as possible while bearing the pain.

"You will be my wife whether your want to or not, and there is nothing that damn Sphinx guy can do to stop me." He walks towards the door in a slightly awkward position. "Femi will be by tomorrow to help you get ready." Once out of the room, he slams the door shut behind him.

-¤-

Sphinx and Imhotep walk down the hallway into the Mayor's Chambers, both looking angry and displeased.

"Is this true?" Imhotep immediately shouts as he and Sphinx enter the Mayor's Chambers.

The Mayor and guards that were in a conversation turn to the Master startled. "Imhotep! What are you –" the Mayor begins but gets interrupted.

"Is it true? About Isis and Ralix getting married?" he asks again, slightly elaborating.

"Who told you that?" She sees Imhotep point to Sphinx in response and sighs. "Yes it is."

"Do you not remember our agreement? I took Isis off of your hands in exchange that this marriage was to be called off and never renewed." The Master begins shouting angrily.

"She has to get married at some point, Imhotep. Who else than the one she was originally suppose to marry?"

"How about the one she actually loves," Sphinx interjects with a hint of annoyance.

"She's --" the Mayor begins, completely dumbfounded to even finish her sentence.

"She has found a man to share her love with," Imhotep confirms.

The Mayor sighs. "There's nothing we can do to stop this wedding. You know that once a wedding is set there is no stopping it."

"Then that rule will have to be broken. I will not allow my apprentice to marry him."

"There is nothing I can do. You know that. She's forced to marry him."

Sphinx's is on the edge and his anger is about to burst. "You better find a way to stop this marriage or there will be bloodshed tomorrow."

"Sphinx, calm do--" Imhotep starts.

"No. I'm not going to stand by and do nothing when Isis is about to walk down the isle with the enemy!" The male apprentice turns around and storms down the hallway back to the Council area.

Imhotep heavily sighs and looks at the Mayor without saying anything before turning around and following his apprentice out. Upon exiting the hallway back into the Council Chamber he sees Sphinx leaning against the railing. The demi-god's hands tightly grip the top of the railing causing his knuckles to turn white.

"Do not let your anger cloud your--"

"I'm in no mood for any wise comments Master." Sphinx says trying to contain his anger. His grip tightens around the railing as he closes his eyes.

"Just promise me you will not do anything rash."

"You expect me to just sit around and do nothing while Isis goes off marry a man I despise to death!"

"I am not telling you do nothing. Like you, I will not let my apprentice marry Ralix. All I am saying is to not let your anger cloud your judgment and think of your actions."

"If the Mayor won't do anything to stop this wedding then I'll stop it myself." Sphinx says ignoring his Master's warning.

"How do you plan on doing that? Slaying Ralix?"

Sphinx narrows his eyes and sneers, "If it comes to that … then yes."


THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE WEDDING!! FINALLY!!

ONCE I GET 6 REVIEWS I WILL POST THE NEXT CHAPTER!!