Curse of Sekhmet: Casters of Syndrial, #3

By Rain Oxford

Nathan is preparing to fight a dangerous caster, but the real threat to Syndrial takes everyone by surprise. When he writes about murders that start coming true, he has to stop a killer that is closer than he thinks. Time is against him. 

To save Syndrial from a devastating threat, Nathan and his brother will have to work with some unusual allies. As they face old and new opponents, they uncover secrets that hit a little too close to home for Nathan. His Writer ability has been a powerful tool, but this time, it might be a curse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rain Oxford
• Release date: Nov 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386207467

Rain Oxford

Rain Oxford is a retired teacher who has been writing stories since she was twelve. She attended Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Some of her interests include magic, psychology, and ancient history. She has four children: a Maltese, a Chihuahua, a Great Pyrenees puppy, and a Golden Retriever puppy. The only thing missing in her family is a dragon. When she’s not creating worlds, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, or photographing exotic wildlife.

Book preview

Previously, in Casters of Syndrial...

I was a completely normal guy. I worked at a used bookstore while getting a degree in literature. In my free time, I mastered escape rooms, played strategy games, read, wrote crime fiction, and enjoyed a healthy coffee addiction. I was also cursed; everyone I cared about got hurt.

My brother, Luca, was my best friend and a huge pain in the ass. He was brilliant, loved everything about ancient history, and stuck by me when everyone else was scared off by my curse. We could solve any problem together.

Then, on my twenty-fourth birthday, we fell through a portal and landed on a world called Syndrial. Syndrial was full of magic and monsters, ruled by multiple gods. Ancient Egypt originated from the culture of this world. People who did magic were called casters and everyone knew about the gods. Most people lived in cities, and each city had a temple filled with priests and a pyramid that the temple wrapped around.

Every child on Syndrial was tested for magic on their birthdays between five and ten. Boys found with strong enough magic were admitted to the temple to be trained. Girls with magic were exiled to the desert. When an apprentice was ready, he went through a series of trials that tested his mind and magic. The purpose of these trials was to win over one of the gods, who would then give him a special ability in exchange for loyalty. The boy would become a priest and be called by his title, which was based on his ability.

Since Luca and I appeared in the middle of one of the cities, we were taken to the priests and tested. I had magic, while Luca didn’t. Their first response was to kill Luca, which I wasn’t okay with. Thus, they decided to kill us both, but before they could, the goddess Isis appeared and told us she and the other gods needed our help. I was skeptical.

Isis wrote down the true names of every person and god of Syndrial. On Syndrial, names were power, and even a lousy caster could kill someone with that person’s name. A powerful one could control the gods. Thus, Syndrial natives were all given false names when they were born and their true names were kept secret.

It turns out I was born on Syndrial, but I was sent away on the day I was born and so my name wasn’t included in the book. That meant the book couldn’t be used against me, and when it was stolen, the gods wanted me to recover it. The one they believe stole it was a demigod called the Painter.

I reluctantly agreed to help to get myself and Luca home alive. I started studying magic, and along the way, I met some strange people, including Keira, who I later learned was the cat goddess, Bast. She helped me a few times in her feline form, which was a large black jaguar. Unlike the other gods who took vessels, she created her own body. With it, she could shapeshift, but she couldn’t live with the other gods in their realm.

Every temple surrounded a pyramid. Each temple worshiped one particular god, except for the High Temple (where the apprentices were trained). Excluding Bast, every god had a mortal vessel. These vessels were Syndrial natives who lived alone in the pyramids, only ever seeing the one priest who took care of them. When the gods wanted to visit Syndrial, they possessed their vessel. The High Temple and High Pyramid were neutral ground. The vessels were kept completely pure, never allowed to leave their pyramids without the gods inside them.

Luca and I accidentally rescued a trapped wizard from another world, who offered me a magic ring and a magic book in gratitude. The ring could transport me to the last world and time I was on as long as I was wearing it. The book could hide or change my spells in it in case someone else ever got their hands on it.

With Luca’s help, I discovered my mother had been the vessel of Isis. I also learned that several of the priests were killing children for their power rather than exiling them. I met the Painter and he wasn’t particularly vicious, so when one of the renegade priests took Luca, I immediately went to Painter for help in defeating them.

His advice was to take the trials, which I did. In fact, I impressed enough gods in my trials that I had a choice in who I wanted. I chose Thoth, and the ability I was given was writing. Anything that I wrote would come true, as long as I was strong enough and determined enough. I became the Writer.

Painter and I banished the murderous priests to Kradga— Syndrial’s version of Hell. It wasn’t actually that hard since we worked great together. The Painter also had a magic ring that made him immortal and magic art supplies that made his magic ridiculously efficient. Immediately afterward, Painter’s disguise fell and I learned that he was my identical twin brother. I was understandably freaked, but he explained everything that led up to his psycho-killer tendencies.

Set had impregnated our mother to produce an heir who could get the Book of Names, which Isis had entrusted to her vessel. Our mother sent us away to different worlds to protect us from Witness, the priest who attacked her immediately after our birth. The Painter knew this because he was there... twice.

He had been abused by everyone who was supposed to take care of him and love him, including our father. When Set sent him back in time to be trained by the priests, Painter was a prodigy. Set was proud and as soon as Painter passed his trials, Set welcomed him. Then Painter was supposed to get the book from our mother, but he ended up saving her and us instead. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to stop Witness from stabbing our mother in the chest and pushing her through the portal.

After hearing this story, we attacked Witness and took the Book of Names, which he had stolen. Witness was the priest in charge of taking care of her. We were so angry that we had Isis take him away to be dealt with later.

Then I learned that the Painter’s lies were much deeper than I had feared. I remembered growing up with Luca, but all those memories had been fabricated by the Painter, who became Luca whenever he put on the amulet he got from our mother. That wasn’t the worst of it, though. He had only been with me for a short time. When he was Luca, he was powerless and had all the memories and weaknesses that he gave himself.

I could have forgiven all of that. I could have accepted and loved my brother. I could have healed the emotional wounds inflicted on him by everyone else. But he had also killed my adoptive parents and my first girlfriend. He was the curse that hurt everyone I cared about.

I trapped him in a book. It was like a fantasy world where he could do anything he could want, except it wouldn’t affect anyone in the real world. I swore to myself that I would become powerful enough to save him from himself before I released him from the book.

When the gods came to me, wanting Painter and me to recover a magical sword from another god, I refused to work with Painter. Anubis agreed to trap Painter in the form of Luca, blocking his magic and murderous nature. It worked, and Luca thanked me, saying he was happy that way.

The Sword of Draskara was a powerful sword created to kill a god. It was drawn by combining a special magic ring and dagger. Every time it was drawn, it had to kill someone, or it would kill the person who drew it. Furthermore, when it did kill someone, it transferred their power to the wielder.

We went after Maori and learned that he didn’t have the sword... and that our mother was still alive. In fact, she had been living on Earth with her wizard husband. Knowing that Luca and I had the Book of Names, Maori captured our mother to trade.

However, in saving her, Luca got captured, because he didn’t have any magic. Once I got my mother to safety, I tried to save Luca. I failed, but realized that whether he was Painter or Luca, he was my brother. I loved him. Thus, I broke Anubis’s spell and released Luca’s power. Painter and I overthrew Maori easily, and Painter stabbed Maori with the sword. Painter absorbed Maori’s abilities, but not the inherent knowledge of how to use them.

We also got a lot of help from Painter’s former mentor, Langril. He wasn’t a good guy by any means, but he was powerful.

As soon as we got the Sword of Draskara, it was stolen by Witness. Witness had the ability to be unseen, and with the sword, he could steal any number of abilities. Since I wasn’t confident in my ability to fight with magic, I convinced Langril to train me in magic. All I owed him was a favor.

While we were waiting for Witness to screw up and reveal his location, Painter decided that Kradga needed a ruler and it was his responsibility. Also, he could work off his aggression.

Prologue

Keeper was preparing for his nightly prayers when Scribe threw open the courtyard door, startling the old man. Keeper restrained himself, though, because the new priest was clearly in a state of panic.

The high council! You have to see the council!

What’s wrong?

Scribe shook his head, too frantic to relay the message.

Keeper stood, his feeble knees protesting the strain. He ignored Scribe’s abject fear and made his way to the council chamber with dignity.

In the corner of two hallways, he pressed two of the blocks on the wall. The floor split in a straight line and a ten-foot-wide section sunk into steps. He made his way down the steps into the lower room.

It was round, twenty feet in diameter, and well-lit. Five torches surrounded three lavish, plush thrones made of royal blue fabric and gold. Each of the thrones was occupied by a woman with long, white blond hair, light blue eyes, and silver robes. They wore silver jewelry around their necks, in their hair, and on their robes. The seer of the past was in her fifties, the seer of the present was in her mid-twenties, and the seer of the future was in her mid-teens.

I was told you have made a prophecy, Keeper said.

The end is near, all three women said simultaneously.

The death that swept across our world and devastated our lands... Past started.

Is returning to take what is left, Future finished.

Syndrial growls already, burning with fury, Present said.

What can we do to stop it? Keeper asked.

Nothing, the women all said at once.

There is only one caster who can save us, Present said.

But he does not live here, Past said.

We cannot find him, Future said.

What’s his name? Keeper asked.

We do not know.

I’ll find him and bring him here to save us, Keeper promised. He left without asking anything else. The seers were not known for their reliability. They couldn’t even tell twins apart. Of course, Painter and Writer were the only twins born to Syndrial since... Keeper forced the thought away. He was loyal to his world and his gods above his grandsons.

When the priests discovered he had a daughter and took her from him, he didn’t fight them. They made her a vessel, which they said was an honor. He visited his daughter in secret, but he didn’t help her escape. He didn’t even object when they decided to kill her to stop her son from being born.

Only it wasn’t a single child, but a set of twins that she brought into this world. Although he was proud of her, he couldn’t save her. Fortunately, he kept her secrets, so he knew that they had failed to kill her.

Keeper was also almost certain that Nathan was the savior his world needed.

The close sound of metal clinking startled him. He quickly looked down both ends of the hallway, but he saw no one else. Then a blade scraped against the stone wall beside him.

Chapter 1

The killer waited outside the open window until he was certain his victim was asleep. Then he silently entered. The killer’s night vision was impeccable. He hesitated, because the cluttered, colorful room was a little disorienting. After a moment, he spotted his sleeping victim and advanced on him like a hunting cat.

––––––––

When I couldn’t move my pen, I blinked and looked up, forcefully dragging my attention back to the real world. Keira was sitting next to me. Although she was ancient, she looked my age with long, straight, raven-black hair and emerald-green eyes. Her aura was equally sweet, innocent, and exotic. I was used to her amused expression. She let go of my hand. We’re going to be late.

I glanced at the window in front of us. The whale shark was swimming near the glass. We were at Kaiyukan aquarium in Osaka, Japan. It wasn’t a special holiday or a honeymoon; it was a casual date. Over the two months since Witness got the Sword of Draskara and we were under constant threat, Keira and I experimented with ways to relax.

Luca and I were gamers and puzzle-solvers. Keira, being a goddess and jaguar shifter, wasn’t interested in virtual adventure. Thus, we thought it would be appropriate to explore what Earth had to offer. Whether it was morning coffee in Italy, an afternoon lunch at a temple in Japan, or a fancy dinner in France, we decided we weren’t going to waste a day. Keira usually transported us to our destination based on pictures from the internet, and then I would transport us home using my transportation ring. This was valuable practice.

I put my notebook in my pocket and stood, only to stumble a step. She quickly stood and put her hands around me to stable me. Sorry, I said, trying to shake the numbness out of my legs.

She laughed. You’ve been sitting motionless for hours. I’m not surprised you’re sore.

I bet you could get all the kinks out of my muscles.

If only we had a little time.

Are you sure you don’t want my help? I asked.

She kissed my cheek. She wasn’t big on public displays of affection. All of the cats on Syndrial have disappeared. Whatever the reason, I can handle it. You shouldn’t miss work. You’re the one funding our excursions.

I loved her teasing. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and she rested her face in the crook of my neck. Come home safe.

I always will. Her warm breath tickled my sensitive skin.

* * *

Throughout my shift at the bookstore, I considered causes for the cats of Syndrial to disappear. I really hoped my girlfriend wasn’t getting involved in something dangerous. She was powerful, but I worried about her nonetheless.

It was a quiet work night, as usual. I never minded with Luca to keep me company, but with him gone, it was a depressing reminder that our lives were very different. Although I was proud of my brother for taking responsibility, I missed him. I hadn’t seen him once since he took over Kradga.

I didn’t know if he was suffering or if he was enjoying his life without me. Either way, I didn’t want to know.

* * *

I dropped by my favorite coffee shop before heading home. I was only a couple of blocks from the apartments when I heard a distinctive click. I couldn’t think of a more dangerous sound at that moment. I froze before my attacker ordered, Don’t move. The barrel of the gun pressed against my spine between my shoulder blades. Back up, slowly, and step into the alley.

I did as he ordered without arguing. I was a crime-fiction writer; I had spent numerous hours researching crimes like this. The easiest way for the criminal to get away with it was to shoot me.

Give me your wallet. I started to reach for my wallet when he dug the gun into my back. Slowly!

Okay, I said, keeping my tone submissive and calm. If I showed fear or arrogance, it would only make him nervous and more likely to shoot. I was reaching for my wallet, but what I touched first gave me an idea. I slipped the ring on my finger and ducked in the same motion.

What the fuck? the mugger shrieked. To him, I vanished. Unfortunately, it spooked him into pulling the trigger. The bullet struck my arm, but it was the least of my problems at the moment.

I hit the ground, smearing blood everywhere, and rolled onto my back. The mugger was wearing a leather jacket with a hood up, but I got a glimpse of his face as his eyes searched for me. Megyar, I said, unleashing my power on him.

He screamed and dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. I wouldn’t hold the spell for long because it was strenuous and unnecessary; he wasn’t getting up any time soon. I struggled to my feet, cradling my wound with my right hand. He curled into a fetal position, his shouting changing into soft whimpers. I pulled the ring off and put it back in my pocket. Before I could leave, he reached out and aimed the gun at me. I kicked it away, but I didn’t bother taking it.

The poor bastard made a mistake in choosing me as his victim. I pulled out my phone and called the police. I told them that I had just been mugged and the location. When they asked my name, I said, Oh, my name is—- and hung up.

I didn’t have insurance, and I wasn’t going to spend thousands of dollars for the hospital to put a bandage on me. I didn’t like hospitals. They couldn’t save my parents and the only time I had ever gone to the hospital, it was to visit people who were hurt by my magic.

I knew they could track my cell phone number, but that wasn’t my concern. Being a caster of Syndrial gave me an escape plan.

I walked home. The adrenaline that had been keeping the pain at bay was fading, and both pain and lethargy were slowing me down. I knew three healers, but getting to one would take strength that I was quickly losing. I reached the front door of my apartment. Fortunately, I was on the first floor, or I wouldn’t have made it.

I was cold and shaking, no doubt going into shock. I leaned against the door to rest for a moment. The door to the left of mine opened and my neighbor stuck her head out. Violet was in her early twenties with dark brown hair and subtle eye makeup. Despite her normal appearance, she was one of the most goth people I had ever met. She was so goth that she didn’t have to dress up; it oozed from her every time she spoke.

Why are you bleeding? she asked. She had a white pen between her fingers to mimic smoking a cigarette.

How did you know I was bleeding out here?

I can smell it. I’m a vampire, remember? Did someone try to sacrifice you?

No.

Good. I already claimed you as my sacrifice.

I know. You’ve told me that on multiple occasions.

At that point, her husband stuck his head out. Hi, Nathan. Unlike Violet, Jonas was a friendly and goofy guy, but he wasn’t terribly bright. He had light brown hair and bright blue eyes. Hey, did you know you’re bleeding?

I stabbed him, Violet lied.

Jonas laughed. Oh, babe, you’ve got to stop doing that. Do you need a ride to the hospital, Nathan?

No, I’ll just stitch it up myself.

That’s so cool, Violet said. Can I do it?

No.

If you pass out and drown in your blood, can I do it?

No.

Too bad. If you pass out, I’m doing it anyway. Jonas, let me stab you so I can stitch you up.

He wrapped his arm around her. Now, babe, we talked about that. You need to practice with taxidermy first.

I opened my door and went in. I liked Violet and Jonas, but they were like kids in a lot of ways. The day they moved into the apartment, they tried to wash their clothes in the dishwasher with shampoo. Luca and I always expected them to burn the apartments down. Keira adored them because she loved their innocence.

The living room included a blue couch, a brown reclining chair, a scuffed coffee table, and a fifty-five-inch smart TV. Along the south wall of the living room were three doors; two bedrooms and a bathroom between them. On the east wall was the kitchen doorway. 

Once inside with the door locked, I focused on my mother and her home and said, There’s no place like home, three times. The ring had to be activated using a phrase, and that was the one the wizard who gave it to me used. Langril modified it to take me anywhere I had been before, but he wasn’t willing to change the phrase. I was getting used to it, anyway. None of the Syndrial natives understood it and I rarely needed it on Earth except to go to Langril’s lair for my lessons.

Light faded from the world and when it returned, I was standing in a new place. The house was quaint with dark carpet and light panel walls in the living room. On the north wall was a doorway into the kitchen. A light brown, suede couch was to the right of the doorway, with a rustic wooden coffee table. On the south wall was a fireplace and fifty-inch television. On the east wall was a sliding glass door opening to the backyard.

My mother and her husband were sitting on the couch, cuddling together. My mother was a petite woman with long red hair and bright blue eyes. Everything about her, from her soft facial features to her quiet demeanor, indicated that she was harmless.

Christopher had a medium build with a natural tan, dark brown hair, and gray eyes that often looked purple. He was not harmless. He was a human wizard who dedicated his magic to healing. I’d been worried that he couldn’t protect my mother, but as I got to know him, I learned that his looks were deceptive. He was strong enough to handle my mother’s problem, yet gentle enough that she wasn’t afraid of him.

At my mother’s feet was a golden retriever puppy, who hid under the coffee table and barked at me.

I staggered and dropped to my knees. The pain in my arm increased and my body lost its remaining strength. My mother shook. Can you... heal this? I asked Christopher.

Put pressure on the wound, he said, jumping up. I’ll get a healing potion and some bandages.

If you have any whiskey, that would be nice, too, I said. My mother knelt beside me and put her hands on my arm in the wrong spots, causing me to groan.

I’m sorry! my mother said, panic in her voice. Your entire arm is covered in blood!

I know. I was mugged.

Chris returned and handed me a potion bottle. Drink this. He disappeared into the bathroom to grab a first-aid kit. I drank the potion, which tasted like sweet spinach and had the texture of gritty cough syrup. It immediately warmed the chill that was filling my body, but the pain was much slower to fade. Take off your shirt, Chris said, sitting on the floor next to me. I couldn’t get the buttons free, so he tore it off. Although the wound was gorier than I had expected, it befitted the pain.

I had suffered a lot of injuries in my life, but this was my first gunshot wound.

Fortunately, as he cleaned and wrapped the wound, the pain relented. The lethargy, on the other hand, grew.

I probably should have warned you... super strong healing potions like this have a soporific effect.

Great. And then I passed out.

* * *

I woke in a guest room to the smell of breakfast. It was a small room with tan carpets, light green walls, a closet next to the door, and a window opposite of the closet. I was in a twin-sized bed. Next to it was a small table. Since that was all the room was decorated with, I figured they didn’t have guests too often. On the table was a dark blue shirt. I sat up and got my bearings before gently prodding my arm. It didn’t hurt at all. I put on the shirt and went to the kitchen, where my mother was cooking eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Chris was sitting at the table with a mug of coffee and a newspaper.

The kitchen had white cabinets, linoleum countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. The curtains for the window over the sink had apples on them. It was a little too quaint for me.

Keira was perfect for me, but we didn’t have a standard relationship. She was a goddess and jaguar shifter while I was a human and caster of Syndrial. Julia, my adoptive mother, hadn’t been a homemaker. Since I could remember, there was something wrong with me. After my parents died and Luca joined me, our life was exciting, but not normal. Talot, my biological mother, was a vessel of Isis, completely innocent. Everything she’d learned about Earth’s culture was from Chris, television, and books.

Chris gestured to the coffee pot and I got myself a mug. I sat at the table. Thank you for patching me up. I will get out of your hair, because I’m sure you two have things you want to do.

No, my mother said. I’m glad that you’re visiting. I would like you to stay. In fact, Chris and I were discussing you and your brother a lot recently. We want you two to move to White Hills.

I shook my head. I don’t think that will work out well.

She took my hand. This wouldn’t have happened to you if your brother was looking after you like he should have been.

Luca has a big job to do, and he needs to find his own way.

I don’t understand, she said.

His life can’t revolve around me.

It does, just like yours revolves around him. You two need each other.

That’s not—- I started.

If I may cut in, Chris interrupted, Tal, Nathan needs space to get over what happened.

What happened? she asked, honestly confused.

I thought you knew, I said. He killed my adoptive parents.

So?

I chugged my coffee and set it down too hard. "I loved them! They were my family. Painter took them from me and then lied to me. That’s not easy to get over. I love him and I will work with him, but that kind of betrayal can’t be healed with a few apologies. I know he will do anything to protect me. However, he doesn’t