Set
another step toward Zia.
"Ah, Nephthys," I croon. "At the beginning of time, you were my treacherous sister. In another incarnation, in another age, you were my treacherous wife. Now, I think you'll make a nice appetizer. True, you're the weakest of us all, but you're still one of the five, and there is power in collecting the complete set."
I pause, then grin. I'm loving the English language! "The complete Set! That's funny! Now let's consume your energy and entomb your soul, shall we?"
Zia thrusts out her wand. A red sphere of defensive energy glows dimly around her. It's almost impressive how weak it is. I shoot a blast of sand from my staff and the sphere collapses. Zia stumbles backward, the sand ripping at her hair and clothes. Her eyes are still on the boy.
"Carter, I'm not important!" she yells. "Stay focused! Don't resist!"
She raises her staff and shouts, "The House of Life!"
She launches a bolt of fire at me—an attack that must have cost all of her remaining energy. I bat the flames aside and tug at the air as if pulling an invisible rope. Zia flies toward me like a useless rag doll, straight into my hand.
I have been waiting for this moment for so long. Don't