---
Sekhmet's mind remained cautious. Summons could be unstable. Divine blood could have unpredictable effects. He had also consumed a drop himself, and he could still feel that deep steady power moving inside him like a quiet ocean.
He needed to absorb it properly. He needed to see if anything would go wrong.
Sekhmet stepped back and spoke carefully.
"Auri," he said. "Standby. Guard me."
"Bat Bat you absorb the blood too." He said.
Auri's eyes sharpened. She nodded. "I will protect you with my life," she said without hesitation.
Bat Bat hopped off the bed and strutted toward Auri, circling her like a tiny inspector.
"You… bat people," Bat Bat said.
Auri blinked, then lowered her gaze slightly to look at Bat Bat.
"You are Bat Bat," she said calmly, as if she already knew.
Bat Bat froze.
"How you know," Bat Bat demanded suspiciously.
Auri smiled faintly. "I heard the master calling you," she replied.
