"An aura of light surrounds you..."

These words stuck out in Laini's mind the most. 

She couldn't help but wonder what he meant and she was never before this moment prompted to think about it.

Maybe there was something she missed.

Maybe she did see things but dismissed them as normal.

There were stories of such things. Creatures that walk as men do during the day but take on a whole other form at night. Creatures that can trap a human or animal in their own mind and use their voice to speak. Creatures that prowl in the dark places and drain one of their blood.

Whispers in shadows confused for the wind.

Between the words of her father and brother, she began to wonder if she should start paying more attention to her surroundings.

Laini stood in front of a wall where firelight danced along the surface and found herself staring at the pictures. Images of Osiris and his bride Isis going about their lover's business along the Nile. Servants in the middle assisting their day to day lives.

Her father claimed that even gods existed and she wondered if these two were among them.

But more importantly, why would her father say such things to her in the first place? Why would he plant the seed of curiosity?

What is it that he is worried about?

There was someone lurking in the shadow, watching her stare at the alabaster stone. 

Nebedtka sighed and couldn't help but feel perturbed by his sister's sudden shift in attitude. Their father did, in fact, mention this 'aura of light' to him as well and needed to know if he told her the same thing.

But not this night.

He needed to think before confronting his beloved sister on such a subject. He had read how power such as what is found in the spirit world can easily corrupt and it should be approached with caution. He would be heartbroken if Laini were ever caught up on the wrong side of this battle.

He also knew that just because something claims to be of the light it does not make it good. Nebedtka did not want to lose his sister to a force hungry to destroy through her. 

Especially forces they were just barely beginning to understand...if they were actually understanding anything at all...