---
Lily smiled in relief, then continued at once, "Do you need blood all the time?"
The humor faded from his face, though not into darkness this time. Into honesty.
"No," he said. "Not constantly. Not like an animal with no mind. But hunger is real. It can become strong. Stronger after battle. Stronger after using certain abilities. Stronger during blood awakening changes."
Lily listened carefully.
"And if you do not drink?"
"I weaken over time. My control becomes worse. The blood god Will inside me becomes harder to manage."
Her mouth parted slightly. "Blood god will..."
Sekhmet nodded once. "That part is still… developing."
"That is a terrible word to use for something called blood god will."
"I am aware."
Lily looked at him for a long second. "Does it hurt?"
The question surprised him enough that he showed it.
"When the hunger rises?"
"Yes."
He thought about it.
