Chapter 94: A sudden visit
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"You came," Sekhmet said.
Lily lifted her chin. "Of course I came," she replied. "You think I would let you eat nothing and collapse like an idiot."
Sekhmet’s eyebrow lifted. "I am not collapsing," he said.
Lily stepped closer and shoved the tray slightly toward him.
"Lunch," she declared. "You are going to eat."
Sekhmet stared. He almost wanted to argue, but her expression said she would drag him to a chair if necessary.
He exhaled. "Fine," he said. "I will eat."
Lily’s shoulders relaxed slightly, as if she had just won a battle.
They sat in the main dining area. It was not the grand banquet hall. It was the daily family dining room, still large, but warmer, more intimate, with polished wood and soft curtains.
Servants quickly arranged plates.
Lily opened the tray she brought.
Meat, rice, vegetables, and a small bowl of soup.
It smelled good.
Sekhmet tasted the soup first.
Warm.
Comforting.
For a moment, his mind felt far from caves and chains.
Lily watched him closely.
"You look better than before," she said quietly.
Sekhmet nodded.
"I am better," he replied.
Lily’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Don’t lie to me," she said. "You were training in purgatory for years. That does not disappear in one night."
Sekhmet paused. He did not deny it. He simply took another bite, letting the food fill the silence.
Lily leaned forward slightly.
"I wanted to check on you," she said. "And also... to see if you were doing something stupid."
Sekhmet’s eyes lifted.
"Am I doing something stupid," he asked.
Lily stared at him for a moment.
Then she said, "Not yet."
Sekhmet almost smiled.
Before they could continue, footsteps approached.
Elena entered, carrying a small sleeping bundle in her arms.
Bat Bat.
In bat form.
Asleep.
Her tiny face looked peaceful.
Her wings twitched once.
Elena’s expression was both victorious and tired.
She placed Bat Bat gently on a soft cushion near the table and nodded at Sekhmet.
"She learned for one hour," Elena reported.
Sekhmet nodded.
"And the rest of the time," he asked.
Elena’s eyes narrowed.
"She attempted to steal jam," Elena said. "She attempted to bite the cook. She attempted to climb the chandelier. She attempted to hide inside a teapot. She attempted to blame everything on a cat that does not exist in this house."
Sekhmet stared.
Lily stared too.
Then Lily burst out laughing.
She covered her mouth quickly, trying to act dignified, but her eyes sparkled.
"That sounds like you," Lily teased Sekhmet.
Sekhmet frowned.
"That does not sound like me," he replied.
Elena looked at Sekhmet with calm cruelty.
"It does," Elena said.
Sekhmet sighed.
Bat Bat stirred slightly, as if offended even in sleep.
Lily leaned closer to the cushion, eyes soft.
"Bat Bat is adorable," Lily whispered.
Elena’s mouth tightened.
"Adorable is how disasters begin," Elena said.
Lily giggled again.
Sekhmet ate quietly, letting the conversation roll around him.
Then Bat Bat’s eyes opened.
Bat Bat blinked.
Bat Bat looked around.
Bat Bat saw Lily.
Bat Bat’s ears perked.
"Lily," Bat Bat mumbled.
Sekhmet froze slightly.
Lily froze too.
Elena’s eyes narrowed.
Bat Bat sat up slowly and stared at Lily.
"You smell good," Bat Bat said seriously.
Lily blinked.
"Thank you," she replied, confused.
Bat Bat nodded as if confirming a fact.
Then Bat Bat suddenly shimmered.
Fzz...
Red light wrapped her body.
Sekhmet’s eyes widened slightly. He had not expected her to transform now, not in front of Lily, not during lunch, not when she was half asleep.
Bat Bat’s human form appeared on the cushion.
Six inches tall.
Red wings.
Long hair.
Tiny hands.
She yawned like a child and stretched.
Lily stared at her.
Lily’s face went blank.
Then Lily’s eyes widened.
Then Lily jumped slightly in her chair.
"What," Lily breathed.
Sekhmet lifted a hand quickly.
"Lily," he began, "she learned a new skill."
Lily did not look at Sekhmet. She stared at Bat Bat like Bat Bat had just personally insulted the laws of nature.
Bat Bat blinked at Lily.
"Why you scream," Bat Bat asked innocently.
Lily’s voice rose.
"That," Lily said, pointing at Bat Bat, "is a girl."
Sekhmet paused.
"Yes," he admitted.
Lily snapped her head toward Sekhmet.
"You," Lily accused, "kept a girl in your bed."
Sekhmet choked slightly on his food.
Elena’s eyes narrowed.
Bat Bat puffed up proudly.
"Yes," Bat Bat declared. "Bat Bat sleep on master chest."
Lily stared at Bat Bat. Then she stared at Sekhmet again. Then she stood up abruptly.
"You pervert," Lily declared.
Sekhmet’s eyebrows shot up.
"I did not—" he started.
Lily cut him off.
"You did not know," she said, voice sharp. "That makes it worse. That means you are also blind."
Sekhmet stared in disbelief.
Elena’s lips twitched faintly, as if she wanted to laugh but refused out of dignity.
Bat Bat looked offended.
"Master not pervert," Bat Bat insisted. "Master is master."
Lily pointed at Bat Bat.
"You," Lily said, "come here."
Bat Bat blinked.
"Why," Bat Bat asked.
Lily leaned down, her expression suddenly soft.
"Because," Lily said gently, "you are coming with me."
Bat Bat hesitated. Then she glanced at Sekhmet.
Sekhmet rubbed his temple. He did not know what to say.
Lily scooped Bat Bat up carefully in both hands like Bat Bat was a delicate doll, then turned toward the hallway.
"I am going to talk to her," Lily announced.
Sekhmet stared.
"Talk," he repeated.
"Yes," Lily said. "Girl talk."
Sekhmet’s expression became blank.
Lily walked away, carrying Bat Bat, Bat Bat’s wings flicking slightly as she adjusted to being held. Bat Bat looked around curiously, then started talking immediately.
"Where we go," Bat Bat asked. "Do you have blood or jam?"
Lily’s voice floated back.
"We will discuss jam," Lily replied.
Elena watched them go with a sigh.
Sekhmet sat in silence for a moment, chewing slowly.
Then he looked at Elena.
"What will they talk about," Sekhmet asked.
Elena’s expression remained calm.
"Things you cannot handle," Elena replied.
Sekhmet frowned.