Seeker Of Relics: Forgotten Gods, #12

By Laura Greenwood

A war goddess searches for absolution which leads to an unexpected heist.

 

Having lost the trust of the other gods, Anat knows she needs to do something to earn it back.

 

When Ma'at asks her to recover an ancient relic from a museum, Anat knows this is her chance to win the support of an influential goddess. A simple heist wouldn't be a problem, except that she has to have a bodyguard in tow to make sure she does things the right way.

 

Can the two of them find a way to work together and retrieve the relic without getting caught?

 

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Seeker Of Relics is part of the Forgotten Gods series and is based on Egyptian mythology. It includes a dash of adventure, a m/f romance, and can be read as a standalone.

 

If you enjoy Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses, quests and adventures, and a modern setting, then you should start the Forgotten Gods series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Nov 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201009175

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

One

I leaned back in my seat and swilled wine around my glass, trying not to appear too bored by the festivities surrounding me. The gods of Karnak certainly knew how to throw a banquet, and it was a far cry from the tense affairs that I had to endure while living in Seth's compound.

But that didn't change the fact that I knew I wasn't welcome here. No one trusted me, and if I was honest, I didn't really trust myself all of the time. I'd spent too long allowing myself to be held beholden to Seth and his whims, and now that I was free, I was missing a crucial piece of my puzzle.

I sighed and took a drink. I knew I needed to stay here until the end of the banquet lest anyone think that I was up to no good, but it was hard to do so when there were very few people around who would talk to me.

Why do you look as if you're about to bite someone's head off? Astarte asked as she dropped into the seat next to me.

I glanced at my adoptive sister as she flicked her hair over her shoulder. The action drew the attention of several of the gods surrounding us, male and female alike. I supposed that was the downside to being a goddess of sexuality and love. I was glad I didn't have to deal with Astarte's beauty.

I thought you'd be busy trying to flirt your way out of trouble, I murmured.

I already did that, Astarte responded. We are now forgiven and fully back in the good graces of the gods here.

I'm sure that's not true.

She shrugged. All it takes is a little sweet talking, you should try it sometime.

Did you ever think that we might deserve being outcasts here? We sided with Seth.

She sighed and turned to face me, a more serious expression settling on her as she did. We had no choice.

There's always a choice.

She snorted. Seth gave us no choice, and you know it.

We could have run away.

She gave me an incredulous look. You saw what happened to the people who tried to run from Seth. They died, Anat. Is that what you wanted for us?

But those were demi-gods. We can't die, remember?

Don't be so obtuse. There are too many stories of gods nearing death for that to be true.

There's no proof that it is.

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

All right, I see your point, I said, though it was mostly an attempt to get her to stop talking about this. None of it changed my guilt over the way things had played out.

This wasn't about being on the losing side and paying the price for that. This was about me and what I'd let myself become. Throughout the years, I'd tried to be kind where possible and avoid doing anything to hurt anyone, but I was still aware that by lending my support to someone that I shouldn't.

You need to stop being so hard on yourself, Anat, my sister said. The only person you're making miserable is you.

Hmm.

Someone cleared their throat and I looked up, my eyes widening as I found Ma'at standing in front of us with a serious expression on her face.

I resisted the urge to bow. This was one of the most powerful goddesses in the room, both in actual magic, and with the connections she had.

Do you have a moment to walk with me, Anat? she asked.

My eyes widened, half-surprised that she even knew my name.

Of course, I said, setting down my wine and getting to my feet.

Astarte threw me a look that said she wasn't surprised by the turn of events, though I had no idea why that might be.

Ma'at gestured for me to fall into step beside her. I did without question. Not only would it be foolish for me to ignore her considering the power she wielded, but I was genuinely curious about what she wanted from me.

How are you finding reacclimatising to Karnak? she asked as we passed out of the banquet hall and into one of the courtyards.

It has been an experience so far.

To my surprise, she chuckled. Have people been making it difficult?

Not on purpose, I don't think, I responded, not wanting to make it seem like I was complaining too much. I think it's just difficult for people to accept those of us who sided with Seth back into the community.

Then perhaps they need a reminder that almost everyone has sided with Seth at one point or another.

You haven't.

She raised an eyebrow. True. But he is the god of chaos. I know a lot of people believe that Osiris is Seth's opposite, but that isn't true.

It's you, I responded needlessly.

You know how it works, Ma'at said. Order needs chaos to survive, while chaos can't exist if there is normally no order. Whether Seth wishes to admit it or not, we are two sides of the same force, and that makes it virtually impossible for us to ever be on the same side.

Unless you need something from him.

That hasn't happened yet, Ma'at responded. But I suppose it is not outside the realm of possibility.

Why are you telling me all of this? I blurted.

She raised an eyebrow in response. None of what I've said is a secret. And you're not a new goddess, Anat, I know you're aware of how this all works. She gestured for us to take a seat on a stone bench by a beautiful pool filled with brightly coloured fish.

That's still not why you're telling me, I said.

You're observant.

Comes with the territory of being a war goddess. I shrugged.

Why did Seth never use your abilities? she asked. I've been watching you since you returned to Karnak. You seem to be astute in working out the truth in situations. And that's without hearing the fearsome stories your followers brought into Egypt when you joined us originally.

I don't know whether you're asking if I'm not as good as the stories say?

Not at all. I'm asking why Seth didn't think to use that against us. You could have taken Karnak if you'd tried.

I don't think that's true. Especially when her alliance with Maahes is so well known that I even heard about it when I was in Seth's compound. If I had a good reputation as a war goddess, then I wouldn't like to be the one to come up with a word to describe the one Maahes had made for himself.

Okay, perhaps not Karnak. But it's clear to me that he didn't think to use your talents. Why not?

I shrugged and turned my attention to a fish nibbling on one of the lotus leaves floating on the