Page 65 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

were no longer cat-like. Her true beauty became apparent even through the matted hair and dirty

face. She looked at GoGo.

“I understand,” Sygnosis said.

GoGo and Sygnosis’ eyes met. After a moment of indecision, GoGo nodded to Sooth. He

stepped back and the heavy curtain closed.

GoGo walked over to a candle and lifted it from its floor length candelabra. She placed it

under a bowl of incense until the strong aromatic smoke billowed into the room filling it with

fragrance and masking the bad odor.

Sygnosis inhaled the air. “Manajoose of Atlantis—so rare,” she said.

The incense filled her senses. GoGo lifted the washcloth from the bowl. She placed it over

Sygnosis’ head and squeezed the warm water over her hair and face. Sygnosis closed her eyes and

seemed to enjoy the sensation.

“May I touch you?” GoGo asked.

“Yes.”

GoGo gently touched the strange brand on Sygnosis’ chest above her left breast that said,

“NORN”.

“Norn?” GoGo asked and looked at Sygnosis hoping for a response, but the vampire was

silent. GoGo was content for now not to inquire again as to its meaning. She touched Sygnosis’

head and gently pulled out the hardened molasses matting her hair.

“I am Queen Go’Ngola Khan. But I am called GoGo Bah, a name of endearment.”

She ran her fingers through Sygnosis’ locks, separating the long silky layers and washing them

clean. GoGo gently bathed her body, still held in bondage between the posts. The vampire

grimaced in pain as the water rolled down into the wounds under the cruel metal shackles.

Seeing her pain, GoGo stepped back and removed a large key from her waist pouch. She held it up

for Sygnosis to see there was no threat. She placed the key into the right wrist shackle and turned

it. The shackle dropped against the wooden post. GoGo bent down and unlocked the right foot

shackle. The brutal wounds on the vampire’s wrist and ankle slowly vanished leaving her skin