---
"Master can feel," she whispered, suspicious now. "The master is like witch."
Sekhmet stared at her.
"I am not a witch," he said.
Bat Bat pointed at Elena.
"Elena is witch," Bat Bat corrected confidently. "Elena makes Bat Bat write. That is curse."
Elena lifted one eyebrow.
Bat Bat instantly shut up again and yawned a second time.
Elena stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Bat Bat's shoulder.
"You will stay with me tonight," Elena said.
Bat Bat's eyes snapped open.
"No," she protested immediately. "Bat Bat sleeps with Master. Master is a safe bed. Elena bed is homework bed."
Elena did not blink.
"Yes," Elena replied.
Bat Bat turned to Sekhmet desperately, wings fluttering.
"Master," she pleaded, "tell Elena no."
Sekhmet looked at Bat Bat, then looked at Elena. Then he spoke calmly.
"Bat Bat will sleep with Elena tonight," Sekhmet said.
Bat Bat's face crumpled like tragedy made into flesh.
"You betray Bat Bat again," she whispered.
Sekhmet did not flinch.
