---
Now, the jars were nearly empty.
Only a few remained. The cold, old ones. The ones that felt like stale history instead of living warmth.
Sekhmet's gaze drifted to the small table where the remaining blood jars sat. Their contents were darker now. Thicker. Still useful, but the smell was not the same. It was like comparing fresh bread to dry crumbs.
His tongue pressed lightly against his teeth.
His hunger answered.
Bat Bat's eyes suddenly opened.
She sat up in bat form, staring at him like she had been waiting for this moment.
"You hungry," Bat Bat said.
Sekhmet did not respond immediately.
Bat Bat's tone sharpened, like a tiny judge.
"You hungry hungry," Bat Bat repeated, nodding as if confirming evidence.
Sekhmet turned slowly.
"How do you know," he asked.
Bat Bat blinked, then looked offended.
"Bat nose," she said, as if Sekhmet had asked a stupid question.
Sekhmet stared at her.
Bat Bat puffed up a little, wings flaring slightly.
