“However, Isis was clever. She crafted a magical serpent out of dust and Ra’s spittle and placed it in the sun god’s path. The serpent bit him, and Ra—being the most powerful god of all—commanded the poison to leave his body. Yet his magic would not work, for the serpent was made from Ra’s spittle, and therefore, he was unable to cure himself of the poison running through his veins. He called upon Isis, a great healer herself, to withdraw the poison. Isis, though, told him she could only heal him if she knew his secret name. A large request, considering. You see, knowing a god’s true name gives the other person their power. In this case, Isis would gain the power of creation itself.”
Natti thought back her first day at Setemple High when Seth had “stolen” her name in gym class. She understood exactly how the Egyptians felt. It left her feeling violated and betrayed.
“As the pain of the poison spread, Ra finally submitted. He gave her his name in secret and in confidence that no one other than herself shall ever know. Isis agreed and cured Ra of her serpent’s poison.” Seth’s voice became soft and slow. “When she returned to her husband’s side, she took him into her arms, called on the power of Ra, and breathed life back into his body.”
Focused on Seth’s words and his eyes, Natti hardly realized how close his lips had come to hers. They brushed up against her mouth, sending sparks across her flesh. Her heart galloped with excitement. Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.
Seth leaned in, about to let his lips fall onto hers, when Kandi’s hand slammed the check on the table. Natti jumped and pulled away. Seth quickly turned his focus on his mug and pretended nothing had happened.
“You can pay whenever you’re ready,” Kandi snapped and pushed the check in Natti’s direction.
Natti nodded, unable to speak. She tried to catch her breath. Kandi stormed to the cash register, and Seth took the check while pulling out his wallet from his back pocket.
“Wow,” Natti finally spoke when she found her voice again. “That’s . . . That’s some story.”
“Yeah, well, it was all for nothing,” Seth told her. “Even after Osiris’s resurrection, he could not rejoin the living world. He was forced to stay in Amenti and became the protector of the akhs, the spirits that are true of voice. As for Set, he took his rightful place as ruler until Horus rose up against him and cast him into Duat, the Netherlands, for all eternity.”
“And what about Isis?” Natti asked in a soft voice.
“She still stands at her husband’s side, living in Amenti with him.”
Natti smiled. “Then it wasn’t for nothing.”
Seth’s head shot up. “What?”
“It wasn’t for nothing. She’s with the man she loves most dear.” Seth snorted with distaste, which Natti decided to ignore. “So, why honor Set? He sounds like a common murderer to me.”
Seth’s eyes blazed, making Natti nervous. “He wasn’t a common murderer, Natti! He did the impossible! He killed a god!”
“So?”
“So he’s powerful!” he snapped. “The god of darkness and chaos! Forces in this world that we should harness and build from! We should learn from his example!”
Natti snapped. “Learn what exactly? To victimize people like Mandy and Ashley?” Seth’s hurt expression showed how much her last question had been a low blow, yet she couldn’t help it. Her own family was victimized, and she couldn’t see how he could support a god who murdered his own brother for power. “Besides, Isis was powerful too. It was her love that brought back Osiris.”
Seth snorted. “Love,” he growled. “Love is for the weak.”
“You can’t seriously mean that.” Natti gaped.
“Look where love got them, Natti. Isis gave up everything, including her power, to be with him. A stupid mistake, if you ask me.” He leaned over his coffee, breaking the stirrer into pieces. “She should have used Ra’s power and taken her place as Set’s queen. She should have ruled Egypt with a firm hand by his side.”
“Isis’s intent wasn’t to gain power,” she argued. “She wanted to restore her husband’s life after death, so that they could be rejoined. And she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths if it weren’t for love.”
“That’s not how I see it.”
Natti shifted, troubled by the sudden darkness that was taking hold of Seth. “So you don’t believe love has any power?”
“Love is a useless emotion. A weakness in man that must be destroyed.”
Natti felt the weight of his words. “You don’t believe that.”
Seth cast an icy glare in her direction. “I believe what I said.”
“No.” She gazed at him, the heaviness against her chest increasing. “Not truly.”
“Look, Natti. I’ve seen how the world works, and love will get you nowhere in it. It only brings death!”
Natti lowered her head, her heart shattering as his words cut her like a knife. Why would he say this? And why had he suddenly gone cold? Her mind spiraled into confusion, her breathing became shallow, and tears threatened to fill her eyes. A long and heavy silence lay over the booth while she tried to collect her emotions.
“I think I better go.” She picked up the jackal. “It’s getting late.”
She began to slide over the bench when Seth laid his hand on hers. Natti froze in her place and turned to face Seth’s gaze.
“I’ll walk you if you like,” he told her.
Natti shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine on my own.”