Rick O’Connell was just about fed up with Egypt.
It all began back in Giza where he, Jonathon and Djau searched for Amel Hazim, the merchant that Katy hold sold the urn to. Not only did they find the unfortunate man dead, decapitated in his own shop, they also had no luck whatsoever in finding the urn. In fact, Rick quickly came to the conclusion that Hazim had been murdered for the urn, as everything else in his shop was untouched, including money. So they had been left with little to no clues as to where to begin looking for the urn and time quickly running out on them as women all around the city were dying from unseen forces, a strange epidemic the tourists believed.
Then Evy had shown up.
To say that Rick had been less than pleased with her disobeying him was an understatement. Luckily, she had left Alex with a professor friend of hers or Rick would have abandoned the search for the urn, left his sister under the care of the Medjai and headed straight back to England with the family. As it was, he and Evy had their typical argument – him trying to get her to be reasonable and stay home where she was safe while she used both logic and feminine wiles to convince him that he needed her help. He remained stalwart against her this time. Well, at least for the first hour.
With Evy’s help, they began searching more deeply through Giza until they came across information regarding an American company called Zion that had been showing an interest in all things Egyptian of late -- especially all things Egyptian that included special curses or magic. So after finding a warehouse recently purchased by Zion, the group of four broke in late one night, found the urn they sought, and were quickly discovered on their way out. That they made it out of Giza alive, with the urn intact, was a miracle. That they had yet not been found by the army of men that seemed to work for Zion seemed even more miraculous. Especially considering they had been waiting outside El Kab for over a week with still no sign of Katy and Ardeth.
To top it all off, Evy had spent the week telling Rick and Jonathon everything she had learned regarding the curse of the Amulet of Isis. As he should have expected, it involved nothing less than the Apocalypse, hordes of rising mummies and the occasional Anubis warrior who would, most likely, be under the control of Seth. According to his wife, the only way to defeat Seth once he fully gained his power from Anubis was to call upon the god Osiris and let them fight it out. Of course, there was a catch to the whole thing. Apparently, the god Osiris would only make his appearance if it were necessary -- that is, only if his sister/wife were in danger. Well, considering Isis was long dead – and in Rick’s opinion simply another silly myth – such a thing would never occur. Which meant they had to get with Ardeth and think up another plan – fast!
So when Katy and the Medjai warriors finally did ride up, Rick was not in the least bit surprised when his sister threw herself into his arms and began bawling hysterically. After all, he should have expected it, the way everything else was going.
Rick glanced up at Ardeth and his warriors, sitting stoically on their mounts, as if they too had expected such a reunion between brother and sister. “Er… Mind if I ask what’s going on?” Rick cocked an eyebrow at the Chieftain as Katy hiccupped against him.
Ardeth remained silent, slowly slipping from his horse as the other warriors dismounted and began setting up a temporary camp, encircling the one already set by Rick, Evy and Jonathon.
Evy appeared at his side, immediately taking his sister from him – for which Rick was immensely grateful – and wrapping her in a warm embrace. “Oh you poor dear!” she exclaimed. “What happened?” And, as all females are gifted with the psychic ability of knowing exactly when one of their sex has been injured by one of the opposite sex, Evy cast a glare at Ardeth. “What did you do to her?”
The warrior seemed taken aback by the question, and then a flash of guilt flickered through his eyes.
Evy had seen enough. “Come on, Katy. You must be exhausted. Let’s go sit by the fire and we can talk all about it.” She never took her dark gaze from the Chieftain as she led her sister-in-law away.
Rick walked up to the Arab, staring at the departing women. “What the hell was that all about?”
“I am not certain,” Ardeth lied, turning his gaze to Rick as if challenging him to bring the matter up again.
“Well, that’s just about what I figured.” He sighed. “By the way, what took so long? We’ve been sitting out here for over a week, waiting for our hides to get shot off by those lunatics we had to take the urn from.”
“Djau never made it to camp,” Ardeth replied.
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. He was a good man.” Silence, then, “What now?”
“In the morning we will continue on to Aswan where hopefully your sister can lead us to this chamber.”
As if there were nothing more to say, Ardeth moved off, joining his men as they began taking their positions for the night ahead. Rick frowned. He was used to the Medjai Chieftain being withdrawn and none too talkative, but he appeared much worse than usual. Glancing toward the fire, he saw his sister and Evy sitting together with Jonathon across from them, listening intently to whatever it was Katy was telling them. Realizing his sister would be more forthcoming with information than the Medjai, he moved over to join them.
“There were at least two dozen of them altogether,” Katy was saying as Rick entered the small circle and sat next to his wife, slipping his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him, but her eyes remained on Katy.
“And the warriors weren’t there?” Jonathon questioned.
“They were off training. They arrived just in time though. I mean, they were about to take my head off for the damn thing when Ard – when they were stopped.” Katy sighed, not wanting to speak his name. It was childish of her, but she felt he was being just as childish, so she would simply refuse to speak his name and then maybe everything would be all right. Or so she reasoned.
“Who was going to take your head off? What’d I miss?” Rick looked around with a frown.
“Some bloody bastards attacked the Medjai camp – probably Zion,” Jonathon replied to him, taking a sip from his silver flask. “Tried to get the amulet by taking your sister’s head off and everything!”
“I’m sorry you’ve been through so much,” Evy said softly, reaching out to touch Katy’s arm soothingly.
Katy shook her head, not certain of what to say. She caught her brother staring at her. “What?”
“Where is the amulet? You’re not wearing anything around your neck!”
Evy and Jonathon both followed his gaze and Katy squirmed under their scrutiny, reflexively reaching up to touch the necklace that was no longer there. “The Medjai Chieftain has it.”
Medjai Chieftain? Rick frowned. Ardeth and Katy had been in one another’s company for two weeks and she refused to call him by his name. He knew his sister better than that. She should have known the entire tribe by name. “Er… Katy – “
“I say, old girl,” Jonathon jumped in. “How the hell did that happen? I thought you couldn’t take the bleedin’ thing off?”
“It’s a long story,” Katy told them.
“We have time,” her brother replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Katy sighed but slowly began to recount the tale of what had occurred at the oasis. She told them everything, leaving out only what had occurred between her and Ardeth, even recounting the memories of Isis and the final words spoken between her and the spirit of Seth. She then told them how she awoke to found the wound in her shoulder had healed and the change in behavior from the Medjai – how they truly believed she was the reincarnation of the goddess Isis.
Evy, being the only one besides Katy who understood the underlying statement of what was going on, jumped to her feet in outrage. “Why that bastard!” she announced in uncharacteristic anger. “I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!”
“Evy, don’t!” Katy pleaded.
Luckily, Rick grabbed his wife’s wrist before she could storm off and pulled her back down beside him. “What is up with you?” He grinned uncomprehendingly. “You of all people should understand how the Medjai think. This is simply another silly superstition of theirs, and Katy shouldn’t let it get to her.” Rick turned to his sister, not noticing the look that passed between the two women. “Really, sis. I think you would be better off letting them ignore you. They have this penchant for bringing trouble with them wherever they venture. That, and a really pessimistic outlook on life.”
“I’ll drink to that!” Jonathon chimed in, taking another sip from his flask. “With them it’s always some dramatic end to the world. Rather depressing bunch.”
“Yes, well.” Evy stood, holding her hand out to Katy. “I am going to help get Katy settled in for the night since we obviously have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Leading her sister-in-law off, Evy glanced over her shoulder at her husband, ready to kick some sense into him. She was going to have to explain to him after Katy went to sleep exactly what had obviously occurred between his sister and Ardeth Bay. How men could be so completely oblivious to such things was a wonder to her. Misery was written all over Katy’s face, she refused to speak of the man and yet her eyes continually wandered to the edge of the camp where she knew he remained hidden in the shadows. Katy was in love with the Medjai Chieftain but he had pushed her away. Evy could only imagine how she was feeling.
Rolling out the bedroll, Evy coaxed Katy into lying down and getting some sleep. “I’m certain we will be leaving in a few hours,” she told her. “Your brother is anxious to get this over and done with. Those men we met in Giza – the ones who work for Zion – they seemed extremely determined. I doubt we have seen the last of them.”
“I am sorry I pulled you both into this,” Katy apologized, true remorse in her voice. “I don’t know why you followed us here. You should have remained in England with Alex.”
“I came because I love my husband,” Evy told her. “And he needs me, though he will never admit it, the big goon! I am sure you are aware of his habit to just rush into things with guns blazing without thinking things through. I did the research I felt was necessary and came as soon as I could. Besides, I am his wife, his equal, and not his to command.”
“One would begin to think you came here to prove to him that he couldn’t boss you around more than anything else,” Katy commented as she lay back, gazing at the stars above her.
Evy grinned. “Rule number one in love, Katy. Never let them have the last word.” She leaned over and kissed her sister-in-law’s cheek. “Goodnight, sis. Try to sleep.”
“I will. Thanks, Evy.”
Katy lay awake long after Evy left her, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. She had never imagined it would be possible to feel so empty inside, so hopeless. Her body ached to have Ardeth beside her, touching her, holding her. She wanted to hear his voice whispering into her ear, feel his warm breath against her skin. The pain inside was almost unbearable.
I know it hurts.
Katy could not even bring herself to be frightened of the soft Egyptian words that echoed through her mind. She accepted it, as a part of her, though she found she hated the idea that she could not be alone in her misery.
But sometimes the only way that love is worth anything is to fight for it.
Leave me alone, Katy told the voice, which she knew belonged to Isis.
I will. Eventually. But not now. A brief pause. Would you fight that which was meant to be?
Yes, Katy replied without hesitation.
I see. The voice was disapproving. You cannot deny fate, Katy O’Connell. Two souls have searched many millennia for one another. And now you would deny them peace.
It is not my choice. Did you ever consider that it was simply not meant to be?
Silence. Katy could feel the other being inside of her – and it was as if there was a completely different person there – considering her words. She felt Isis sigh, like a breeze across her nerves.
You will help me? To defeat Seth?
Yes.
Katy could feel the other’s pleasure.
That is all I can ask for now. Again, a sigh. My love does not remember who he was. It is as if only the whisper of Ankhefenmut remains within him, simply an echo of the soul that was he. Perhaps I have truly lost him. He does not remember his Isis. She is no more than an icon to him.
I am sorry. Katy meant it. She understood what it meant to suddenly realize that the one you loved could not see you for who you were.
It is not your fault. Our time is not yours. Return me to Osiris, grant me passage to the Afterlife and you will be released.
Katy worried her lower lip. That doesn’t sound easy.
Nothing worth fighting for ever is. Sleep now. I feel Seth gathering his strength. We will need all of yours in the time ahead.
Katy fought to keep her eyes open but quickly lost the battle. She dreamed once more of Ancient Egypt and the love triangle of which she had unwittingly became a part of.
It was just before dawn when Jonathon was shaking Katy, attempting to get her to wake up. “Hey, Red. Wake up, old girl. Another glorious day ahead of us in the desert.”
Katy opened her eyes, blinking for a moment as Jonathon’s features swam before her until they finally came into focus. “Ugh,” she groaned.
The Englishman frowned. “I say, I’m not that bad a looking bloke!”
“I didn’t mean that,” Katy laughed shortly. “I’m just not feeling very well.”
“Yah, well you won’t be the only one once your brother is done. I say, that was a rotten thing for ol’ Ardeth to do to you, Red. Being that he is supposed to be a protector of sorts and such.”
“What?” Katy jumped to her feet, her eyes adjusting to the gray dawn light around her as she searched the camp.
“Oh, Evy filled us in last night. I must say, I didn’t really picture you and the Medjai – Hey! Where ya goin’, Red?”
Rick O’Connell was checking the ammunition in his pistols as Ardeth approached him with the purpose of discussing their forthcoming journey. His guard down, the Medjai was completely unprepared when Rick suddenly holstered his weapon then swung out with a right hook, catching Ardeth in the jaw and knocking him flat on his back.
The warrior looked up at the man standing over him as if he had lost his mind. Katy ran up beside her brother, an expression of complete horror and humiliation on her pretty face. She slapped her brother’s arm hard.
“Ouch!”
“Oh Rick! How could you?” She turned, not casting another glance at Ardeth, and hurried off toward the horses.
Rick sighed, thinking all women were born slightly insane, then reached his hand out to his friend. Ardeth hesitated a moment before accepting the gesture and climbed to his feet.
“That, was for my sister,” Rick told him softly. “Now she’s a big girl and can certainly make her own decisions but she is also extremely naïve and trusting. I had thought you would be honorable enough to see that. Unfortunately, I guess I was wrong about you. Now that you’ve done your damage, I want you to stay away. Understand?”
Ardeth gritted his teeth, wanting nothing more than to tell O’Connell to mind his own business but he knew the man was only looking out for his sister, which was as it should be. Still, O’Connell did not understand the situation. Ardeth knew that if he attempted to explain to him that he did indeed love Katy, it would only end up making matters worse. So instead, he simply nodded.
“Good.” Rick flashed a smile, glad to get that over with. It was not easy playing Big Brother, and he was rusty at it besides. He patted the warrior on the back. “Now, let’s go find us a god or two, hmm?”
Ardeth shook his head as the American walked off. He could live forever and still never make sense of Westerners.
They were well into their journey by the time the sun peaked over the horizon. Katy rode between Evy and Rick, with Jonathon just behind them. The Medjai rode in a group around them, with Ardeth in the lead. They had been riding for over two hours when the Chieftain suddenly held up his hand, bringing them to a halt. Rick moved his horse forward until he came to stop beside the Arab.
“What is it?” His blue eyes followed Ardeth’s gaze across the desert but saw nothing.
Ardeth shook his head. “I am not certain. I thought – “
The horses chose that moment to go mad. None of the riders were able to control their mounts as they began dancing around, rearing up, bucking wildly and bolting in an attempt to escape the unseen danger that surrounded them. Evy’s mare spun wildly in a circle until it tossed its rider over its flanks into the sand. Stunned, Evy barely missed being stepped on by Jonathon’s mount, which bucked into the air, sending the surprised Englishman soaring over the animal’s head, face first into a sand dune. As Katy’s stallion rose up on its legs, she instinctively moved forward, urging him back to the ground, holding with a death grip to his mane as the warriors around her fought with their mounts as well, horses knocking into one another, some toppling to the ground while others simply took off at a run, their riders unable to rein them in.
It lasted for no more than a minute or two but Katy could have sworn it was much longer before she finally got Ramses settled beneath her, his flanks blowing hard against her legs with the strength he exerted in the fight for control. She collected herself as well, sitting up, patting the stallion gently against his neck while she glanced over the others, making certain everyone was all right. Rick had joined Evy on the ground, helping her to her feet and then moving off to gather her mare while a Medjai warrior did the same for Jonathon. Only two horses had successfully bolted far enough that some of the warriors would have to double up to continue the journey. Otherwise, everything seemed to fall back into order.
“Are you alright, Katy?” Ardeth asked, coming to stand beside her, holding the reins of his stallion in his hands.
With everything going crazy around her, Katy’s ire sparked. “Shouldn’t you be referring to me as “My Queen” or something a little more respectful, Medjai?” she snapped. She hated that he would not meet her gaze.
Ardeth tensed under her tone. That she would dare to blame him for fate’s manipulation was impossible to conceive. He tossed his mount’s reins over its neck and swung onto the stallion’s back. “Forgive me, My Queen. I meant no disrespect.” Then he savagely turned the animal and rode back ahead to the front of the group.
“What was that all about?” Rick rode up beside his sister once more, Evy and Jonathon joining them.
“Arab arrogance,” Katy bit out.
Rick chuckled. “Get used to it.” He patted the animal beneath him soothingly. “No, I actually meant what happened with the horses?”
“It’s Seth,” Katy replied, knowing the information was fed to her from Isis. “He has gathered his strength. And he is waiting for us.”
“Well that’s just great,” Jonathon groaned. “Can we never sneak up on people? Why do they always have to be bleedin’ prepared for our arrival?”
“And you are certain of this how?” Rick asked disbelievingly.
“She is correct,” Ardeth replied, riding up to them. He nodded toward the direction of Aswan and they saw dark clouds forming over the sky. Ominous clouds that signaled a lot more than a simple storm. “The gods are displeased,” he told them. “They are angry that Seth has been allowed into our world.”
Katy stared at Ardeth, willing him to look at her, to face her. When he refused to do so, she turned to her brother, commenting loudly, “See Rick? Goddesses can be right about some things.”
Ardeth’s face turned into a dark frown but he did not fall for the bait. Instead he called out to his warriors in Arabic and glanced at Rick. “We must continue. With luck, this will be over by morning.”
Rick nodded, looking over at his sister as they began moving forward once more. “You know, you aren’t making this any easier.”
“Why should I want to do that?” she snapped, wishing everyone would leave her alone.
“Look, I know what he did was rotten –”
“I don’t want to discuss this with you, Rick.”
“Katy, stop being a little brat –”
“Rick!” Evy stopped him, moving her horse between the siblings. “Enough of this. Katy has enough on her mind without dealing with Ardeth at the moment. Now, we need to all stop this ridiculous fighting and focus. We don’t know what lies ahead, but speculating on the past isn’t going to help us any.”
“You’re right, honey.” Rick leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’m sorry. Katy, I’m sorry for pushing. I seem to forget that you are old enough to handle things like this yourself.”
Katy did not reply. The truth was, she would have given anything to be able to simply climb up into her big brother’s lap and cry her eyes out.
They rode hard but passed through Aswan within a few hours’ time. The sky above them had continued to darken with the mysterious clouds, all but blocking the sun’s comforting rays. Thunder rumbled across the sky and the riders had to work to keep their mounts calm as they skittered nervously beneath them. Not far outside Philae, Katy kicked Ramses forward, joining Ardeth at the head of the column. They rode silently for a moment before she brought the stallion to a halt, causing the Arab to do the same beside her.
“We are here?” he questioned softly. The silence that suddenly stretched across the desert seemed to demand respect. He looked out across the land ahead of them. Not far was the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae and near it, Biga Island, the sacred mound where the Ancients believed the earth began. The supposed resting place of the body of Osiris.
Katy nodded in reply, saying nothing, staring ahead.
“Katy I…” He wanted to say he was sorry but the words would not form. He could not bring himself to understand why he should apologize for the beliefs of his people, for honoring tradition. If she could not understand that aspect of him, then what kind of future could they have ever had together? He watched silently as she jumped down from her mount, Rick and Evy joining her. The short moment offered to him had passed. Ardeth sighed, dismounting.
“The tunnel is over there,” Katy was telling her brother, pointing ahead in the darkness to an outcropping of rocks that formed a small hill.
Rick nodding, thinking to himself what a perfect place for an ambush.
“Well, what now?” Evy asked, more than ready to get whatever lay ahead of them over with. She reached out for Katy’s hand and gave it a small squeeze.
“Guess we go in and find Seth.” Rick turned back to his horse, opening the saddlebag to remove the urn. He handed it over to Evy who would be the one needed to read the inscriptions. “We need that amulet for anything?” he asked Ardeth as the warrior moved up beside him.
Before Ardeth could reply, it was Evy who answered. “Yes. Katy is going to have to destroy it at the end of the incantation in order to break the curse.”
“Whoa!” Jonathon protested behind them, almost stumbling from his horse in his haste to dismount. “What’s this? Destroy that gorgeous necklace? I don’t know about this, Evy.”
Ignoring his protests, Ardeth moved over to Katy, reaching inside his robes and holding the amulet out to her. She stared at the jewel for a long moment before reaching out to take it from him, her fingers brushing across his palm. The reaction was immediate between them and they both looked up, their gazes locking. Katy could barely contain a gasp at the misery she glimpsed in the dark eyes of the man before her. Suddenly she realized, no matter how much he loved her – and he did love her! – Ardeth Bay could not go against tradition, no matter what hung in the balance. It was a part of him, who he was, the part of him that she had fallen in love with. And in that moment, she could not decide if this realization made her feel better or worse.
Taking the necklace into her hand, Katy broke her gaze away from his, turning to Rick and Evy. “Well, I am ready if you are.”
They nodded and the three of them moved into the lead with the Medjai warriors following and Jonathon bringing up the rear, still complaining as to why such an obviously valuable piece of jewelry needed to be destroyed. Lighting torches, they meandered their way into the tunnel, spreading into a single line formation with Rick in the lead, his wife sticking closely behind him. Katy remained behind Evy with Ardeth following closely on her heels, the safety of his presence washing over her like a soothing balm to her spirit. Though there would never be a chance for them, Katy found herself pleased that she had at least had the time with him that she did. For that small amount of happiness, she was eternally grateful.
A scream suddenly rent the air that caused the hairs on the back of Katy’s neck to stand up in fright. The entire procession came to a halt and Katy found herself reflexively moving back against Ardeth.
“What was that?” Rick whispered, his voice slightly higher than normal.
“That,” Ardeth replied grimly. “Was the battle cry of an Anubis warrior.”
Rick glanced back at the Arab. “You sure?”
Ardeth nodded. “Pretty sure.”
“They are Seth’s protectors,” Katy commented, hearing the voice of Isis speaking softly in her mind. “Anubis has granted them to him from the Underworld.”
Rick was staring at his sister as if she had horns sprouting out of her head. “And you know this how?”
“I…” Katy sighed, not wanting to sound as if she had lost her sanity. “I just know… that’s all.”
The battle cry echoed through the tunnel once more, causing the party to cringe. In a blink, Jonathon had moved up, standing beside Katy, his back to the wall.
“I am not even going to ask what that is,” he moaned, his eyes searching the cavern. When he noticed Katy was about to speak, he added, “And I don’t want anyone telling me, either!”
Ardeth turned to his men and spoke to them briefly before looking back at the others. “My men will stay behind and deal with whatever is coming. They have battled the Anubis warriors before. They will be able to handle it.”
Rick nodded. “Good. Well then, let’s go look for Seth, shall we?”
The group moved on once more while the warriors hung back, waiting for the terror that was following them through the tunnel. Twice, Katy found herself slowing, an unreasonable fear building within her, demanding that she not go further. The second time she actually stopped, watching with bated breath as Rick, Evy and Jonathon continued on ahead of her. Only Ardeth stopped with her, watching her silently as she battled with her fears and what she knew had to be done. When it seemed she might not go on, he reached out and gently laid his hand against her back, not pushing, simply providing her with his own strength. Though she did not acknowledge his touch, she did finally move forward once more, her step quickening to catch up to the others.
As they continued into the darkness, the tunnel began angling downward and the earth around them grew soft and held a thick musty smell. Dampness and moss grew up all around them and it was Rick who finally commented in a slightly shaky voice that it appeared they were under the Nile, and it was apparent from his tone that he did not particularly relish the idea. Secretly, Katy could not blame him. She realized she should have warned them as to where the corridor would lead them, but she had enough trouble quelling frightening scenarios that continually flashed through her mind of the ground giving way and the waters rushing in, carrying them all to a watery grave. She hated water, had an unreasonable fear of it. During her first venture, she had talked to herself the whole way in. Only when she discovered the amulet had her mind been drawn away from where she was and the fact that she still had to get out. Silently, Katy tried to remind herself that she was not alone. She had the utmost faith in her brother to get them out of there safely. And then there was Ardeth. As angry as she was with him, she still could not help but feel completely safe when he was near. Giving over to this realization, Katy quietly reached out and took his hand in hers. Instantly, her nerves calmed.
Ardeth started when he felt Katy take his hand. He glanced her direction but she kept her gaze focused ahead, her eyes and ears alert to anything she might recognize. Or her soul might recognize, he reminded himself, unable to get over the realization that the woman beside him was the reincarnation of Isis. Or at least was a part of her spirit. That she held his hand was a simple declaration of the love she felt for him, even after all that had happened, the words they had said to one another in anger. Anger over the pain of not being able to share a life together. Ardeth’s resolve tightened suddenly, and his eyes narrowed in the darkness. After they sent Seth back to the Underworld where he belonged, he would return to the Elders and inform them that he was taking Katy O’Connell as his wife. The simple fact that she harbored the spirit of Isis was enough to prove her heart was Egyptian, if not her appearance. And after all, she had chosen him, hadn’t she? So did that not make it all right to love her, to be with her, be she a goddess or not? Sometimes traditions had to be changed to fit the time, to fit the circumstances. Katy O’Connell had not asked to be who she was; it simply happened. It was in Ardeth to believe that the bond he felt with the woman beside him would have occurred no matter what the situation was, who they were, where they were or what age it was. Sometimes, two souls simply came together in mutual need. Surely the Elders would see this.
Her hand seemed so tiny in his, and yet he could not allow himself to believe she was fragile or delicate. Like Evy O’Connell, Katy was strong, brave and intelligent. It was true that ever since the occasion at the oasis, she had withdrawn into herself, allowing her fears to move to the forefront. It was bound to happen, after she had been faced with the true horror of her situation, of what it was she was facing. But, Ardeth reminded himself, this was the same woman who courageously faced death as his people were attacked. The same woman who fought beside them, protected them, ignoring her own pain and injury to help those who could not help themselves. How could he not want her by his side for all eternity? He squeezed the hand he held, wishing he could convey to her secretly how much he loved her, and ask her to trust in his love for her that everything would be right in the end. He would make it right.
Rick held up his hand and the small group came to a halt. They had come to a fork in the tunnel. He glanced back at Katy, who jerked her head toward the right and he nodded, moving them forward once more. It was only a few hundred yards before they finally reached the tiny chamber, to which they could only gain access through a crevice that stood about three feet off the ground in the rock. Releasing her hold on Ardeth’s hand, Katy moved toward it, peering into the darkness beyond.
“How did you find this thing?” Rick questioned.
Katy shrugged. “Innate curiosity. I knew Zion was digging here for a reason. I just had to know what that was. Here.” She handed him her torch, then grabbed the edge of the crevice and pushed herself up, crawling forward into it. Her hand reached back out for the torch, which Rick handed back to her, and then she disappeared into the opening once more, whispering, “Come on.”
“Let me.” Ardeth moved up to go first, wanting to be there in case anything or anyone was awaiting Katy when she reached her destination. Evy went next, followed by Jonathon, and Rick brought up the rear.
Dropping into the chamber, Katy found she was not the least surprised that torches were already lit and the altar where she had found the amulet had been cleared and covered with a velvet cloth. The rest of the room remained untouched, down to the three mummies of the priests who had been in charge of protecting the amulet and urn. She felt Ardeth jump down beside her, his body immediately tensed and prepared for a battle. Moving away from him, Katy walked over to one of the sconces that had caught her eye. She stood before it, watching as the flame seemed to dive and flicker and dance before her gaze. Holding up a hand, she moved it in front of the flame until she found the direction of the breeze that affected it. Glancing across the room, Katy noticed that the edge of a door had been cleared that had not been noticeable the last time she had been there.
As Evy, Jonathon and Rick joined them, Katy walked over to the hidden door, feeling much more comfortable about her eventual plan to open it when Ardeth joined her.
“Do you know where this leads?” he asked her softly.
“Seth.”
Ardeth placed his hand over the door, preventing her from opening it. “Katy, we need a plan before we go through this door. I am not… I do not wish to take any chances.”
Katy nodded, turning back to her brother and Evy, who was placing the urn on the altar, her hands moving over the inscriptions. Rick glanced up at his sister and Ardeth, then focused his gaze on the Medjai.
“So, how does this whole ritual work? We didn’t need to bring a goat or anything did we? If so, I guess we could use Jonathon.”
Evy’s brother flashed a glare at the comment but did not bother replying, used as he was to Rick’s taunting. He leaned back against a wall, waiting for instruction. He just hoped it did not have anything to do with battling Anubis warriors or regenerated mummies.
“The words will need to be recited on the urn until the god Osiris is awakened,” Ardeth instructed. “In order to end any hold that Seth may have over Katy, the amulet will need to be destroyed in Seth’s presence, so that he can see there is no longer a connection between them. Osiris will then return Seth to the Underworld. Evelyn, you will need to notify Katy once the recitation is finished.”
Evy nodded.
“Well this all sounds bloody simple,” Jonathon said with obvious relief. “Much easier than the whole mummy thing. I say, I could get to like spirits.”
Ardeth ignored the Englishman. “Once you begin the incantation, Seth will know. It will be important to keep him distracted until Osiris can arise.”
“Oh,” Jonathon sighed. “Now he adds the fine print.”
Rick nodded. “Right. So while Evy reads from the urn, Jonathon and I will stay here and guard her. Ardeth, you make certain my sister is protected until she gets that amulet destroyed, understand?”
The warrior nodded to Rick, though his gaze settled on Katy. I will protect you with my life, Katebet, he thought silently.
“Sounds like we get the fun job of keeping Seth occupied,” Katy grinned up at Ardeth.
Her unexpected smile constricted his heart. He wanted to kiss her suddenly.
The familiar scream of an Anubis warrior plunged the chamber into a tense silence. Katy and Ardeth both glanced to the door they would soon need to step through. The cry had come from the other side.
“I say,” Jonathon perked up. “Looks like I don’t have such a bad job this time around after all. ‘Luck, Red. Things could get nasty out there.”
Rick made a face. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
Ardeth slipped a scimitar from his scabbard while Katy began applying pressure to the door. Just before she opened it, he touched her arm. She glanced up at him, their eyes meeting once again.
“The only way to kill an Anubis warrior is by taking its head. Let me take care of them. Concentrate on destroying the amulet once Evy says it is time. Then it will be over.”
Katy nodded. “I won’t let you or your people down, Ardeth.”
Her words tore at him. Without another thought, his mouth brushed across hers in a tender kiss. He wanted so much more, but knew there was no time left. “You never could, Katebet.”
“Oh cripes!” Jonathon muttered in the corner while Evy and Rick shared a secret smile. “Can’t we get through anything without all of this kissing?”
“Ready?” Ardeth asked her.
Katy nodded, and gave one last push against the door.