by Allie Burton
The strained silence between us sounded louder than my burp. I bit my lower lip and rocked back and forth trying to calm myself. Now, that the excitement of our almost-kiss was gone, fear invaded my bones like an ever-advancing army.
“Is there an air vent in here?” My voice sounded shaky.
“No.”
“How long have you stayed in here? At one time?”
His eyes questioned. “I don’t know.”
I don’t know divided by two people. My breath came quicker, shallower.
“Are you okay?” His smooth and strong hands fiddled with the signet ring on his finger.
“Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Could he tell I was freaking out?
He shrugged. “Maybe someday we can go. Together.”
“Go where?” Cause I didn’t want to go back to that last scene. If we ever tried to kiss again, I’d remember this non-momentous moment.
“A baseball game.”
All righty then. His mind was already off the kiss. Maybe it wasn’t as non-momentous for him as it had been for me. Boys go from one subject to the next without angst-ing at all.
Maybe he’d forget the burp, too. One could only hope.
A new trickle of sweat poured down my back. The walls wavered. Maybe he’d forget if I freaked out completely.
The waiting, the uncertainty of possibly being found, of being trapped in the cubby like a rat in a hole, had my mind and my emotions running around in circles. Scared about my future, fearful of being caught, embarrassed about the kiss and the burp, panicked about my feelings for Xander, terrified of this small space—all of it thrashed around in my head. I needed a distraction, something to keep my brain occupied and my feelings at bay.
Swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat, I tried to control my thoughts of doom. I didn’t see any way out. If I somehow survived this tiny trap, would I use too much power, burn up and die? Surely, Tut thought of these things when he used the amulet.
“What about the anointment process?” I yanked out the papers I’d shoved in my pocket and smoothed the creases. Puzzling the clues out might keep my mind off of…no, I wasn’t going to think about it.
I read, “The Mighty Amulet of Aten bestowed upon King Tutankhamen the blessed powers of the sun god. When he died his soul did not move to the Afterlife. Instead, Tut awaits the appropriate host to continue the use of the sun’s powers.”
“When Tut died the entire kingdom melted down.” Xander used his knowledge again. “The period was so disruptive Queen Ankhesenamen even appealed to the enemy for help.”
“Tut’s soul will be lost until such a time that a proper host is found and the sacred chant is read on the night when the summer solstice and a full lunar eclipse coincide.”
“Last night.”
“To gain full use of Tut’s god-like powers, the seven essential oils must be anointed on the host in a sacred ceremony.”
“That must be the ceremony I was supposed to go to after receiving Tut’s soul.” Xander put the pieces together. “It says nothing about ending the burn out.”
Heat burned in my gut. The fire was real. I’d seen it, used it twice at the park last night. “As the host uses the powers, the sun’s heat will continue to burn inside causing the host to die.”
This was a curse. I would burn out and die. And while awaiting death, no comforting touch from the ones I loved.
My heart fumbled its beat. My hands dropped, still holding the papers. Numbness spread through out.
“Let me see.” Xander ripped the papers out of my hands. “King Tutankhamun’s host will perish unless…” Xander’s brow furrowed in concentration. He continued to read in silence.
The furrow didn’t detract from his movie-star looks, only made him appear more intelligent and intense. He frowned and I wished I could make him smile again. When he smiled, I lightened inside. And forgot my fear.
A fear that ate away at my stomach lining. A fear that gnawed at my nerves. A fear that doubled downed on my claustrophobia. I felt like I was going to burst at the seams.
He gazed at me. “What?”
I tried to gather my thoughts. “I was wondering what it said.” Not. I wrapped my arms around my knees to control myself.
“This is a modified version that Jeb wrote based on ancient scrolls. The seven essential oils must be collected for the anointing ceremony.”
“Right.”
“Let me finish.” Xander flipped to another page. “The old text said the oils could be collected from their original source. Jeb made a notation that the Society had accumulated all the oils needed for the ceremony in the 1920’s. One of the sacred duties of the host is to collect all the oils. They’ve been hidden, moved and then re-hidden for safekeeping in various places since.”
“Hidden in the mansion?” Hope shot through me spreading across my skin in a fresh bloom. I glanced around the confined space of Xander’s secret hiding place. A good reason to get out of here. Now. “Maybe that was the intent for this space.”
“I would’ve found anything hidden in here.”
“You didn’t find the oil in Queen Ankhesenamen’s bust.” My snarkiness returned. He might be the expert but I hosted the soul.
Xander continued, “In case the Secret Holder of the Society died before the transfer occurred the Society left clues on each of the oil vessels to find the next.”
“Like a treasure hunt.” I unwrapped my arms. “So, the Society needs all the oils to carry out their plan.” A bit of relief took the edge off my tension. They not only needed me, they needed the oils as well.
His lips quirked. “We have the Lotus oil.”
I held out my hand. “Can I see the oil container?”
He rummaged in his pocket and took out the small container painted to look like a jewel and dropped it in my palm. He continued reading in silence.
I examined the gold container, pushing the blurriness of claustrophobia away. I had to learn to control this fear, especially if I continued with a life of crime. If I had to hide from the cops, I’d have to learn to deal with small spaces.
There was a mark where I’d tried to rub what I thought was a jewel. I ran my finger over it. Scratches marred the surface. Running my finger over again, I paid attention to the grooves. “I don’t think these are random marks.” I held the container toward the only light source in the room. Tiny pictures emerged. “Hieroglyphics.”
His hands jerked. “W-what?”
“Pyramid sighted. Souls united.” Not only could I understand ancient Egyptian but I could read hieroglyphics. Thanks, Tut.
“What do you think it means?” Folding one of the pages in half, he sounded distracted.
“Useless words. Just stupid poetry from ancient times.” My clipped tone had an edge to it. The miniscule room was still affecting me.
“This container isn’t ancient.” Xander ran his fingers over the edge of the paper. “The construction is twentieth century.”
“So, it’s a modern bad poem.” I dropped the container into his backpack and shut my eyes trying to tune out the blurriness around my vision.
My lungs scraped in oxygen. The sucked-in air felt filled with sharp, tiny particles that scratched and grated removing the inner lining. Currently, I was locked in a secret compartment of a closet in the mansion of the enemy. They were searching for me, wanted to use me to rule the world. To destroy the world. I just wanted out.
A muffled ripping sound filled the silence.
I opened my eyes. “What’re you doing?”
“I tore Jeb’s instructions by accident while shoving it in the backpack.” Xander held up the the five printed pages covering the expression on his face. The second page had the bottom portion missing. “Nothing important is ruined.” He took the pages and stuck them in the backpack.
His voice came from an echo-ey distance. My body swayed. I opened my mouth to ask something else but the question drifted away. I sucked down air unable to fill my lungs. Heat b
urned in my chest like a fire. My entire body felt hot. I licked my dry lips.
“We should go.” I fell to my knees like I was going to crawl out.
“Go where?”
I couldn’t take it anymore. The walls were getting closer. The single light bulb was getting darker. The air was running out. “Find…” What had he said? “Find the clues.”
Any excuse to get out of this place. My skin crawled. Energy pulsed beneath my skin like a bomb was about to detonate. I pushed against the panel and it dropped into the closet.
“Wait.” He extended a hand. “What if someone’s out there?”
I didn’t care if I got caught. Let the Society do what they wanted. Let me burn up and die. I’d rather end that way, than in a small sarcophagus of Xander’s making. He couldn’t stop me because he couldn’t touch me.
I crawled over the edge of the panel, shoved the clothes aside and jumped to my feet. I burst out of the closet door. Dragging in huge breaths of air, I filled my lungs and sank to the ground in Xander’s bedroom.
Happy to be alive and out of the cramped coffin. Happy to see sunlight again.
Not happy to hear…Jeb’s voice as the bedroom doorknob turned.
Chapter Thirteen
All my relief shut down like the hot water heater at Fitch’s. Jeb was coming into Xander’s room. He was going to find me lying on the floor like easy pocket pickings at Union Square. I might’ve thought I didn’t care, but I did. Or, I did now.
I scrambled to my feet. My gaze scattered around the room looking for a place to hide. But nothing enclosed. I wasn’t ready for that yet.
Under the bed. My gaze zeroed in on the pedestal the bed sat on. My chest squeaked. There was no under the bed.
The door opened slightly. “I’ll be right there.” Jeb answered someone’s call.
I swiveled in circles, searching for escape. The window? I knew I couldn’t jump.
The curtains? I scurried over to the white, silky window coverings that matched the canopy of the bed. Lifting an edge, I then swirled them around careful to cover my feet.
Please look natural. Please look natural.
The door must’ve been thrown open because it banged against the wall. Jeb’s muffled footsteps crossed the carpeted floor. I hoped Xander stayed in his little hidey hole.
I stared out the window, trying to control my breath. In and out. In and out. Calm down. Don’t give yourself away. My heart slowed to almost normal. I blew out between puckered lips trying not to make noise. I didn’t notice the waves surging in and out. I didn’t notice the people moving on the cliffs. I didn’t notice the blue sky or even the sun. But relief swelled through me taking in the openness of the world.
A dresser drawer slid open. Something was slipped out. The drawer closed again. Steps turned and headed toward the door.
My shoulders relaxed. My bones liquefied. He’d come in the room for something, not someone. He wasn’t looking for me or Xander. I let out a large breath.
Jeb’s footsteps stopped. I pictured him turning toward the sound. Toward me.
I should’ve learned my lesson from the museum guard. I held perfectly still. Held my breath. Didn’t blink. Tried to make my heart stop its pounding.
The steps continued toward the bedroom door and into the hallway. The door swung closed.
I collapsed onto the floor and held my head in my hands. If I had stayed in Xander’s cramped space, I wouldn’t have almost been caught.
“Olivia.” Xander whispered into the room. He sounded worried, upset. “Olivia.”
“Over here.” I pushed at the curtain with weak hands.
“Where?” His voice was closer.
“Behind the curtain.” I controlled an urge to sob. He couldn’t see me like this. Bad enough I’d freaked and scurried out of the closet.
The curtain was pushed aside. “What happened?”
“Jeb almost caught me.” I felt so stupid. I’d risked everything.
“What happened to make you go berserk?”
A choked laugh escaped my throat. Berserk was an appropriate term. “Nothing.”
“That wasn’t nothing.”
“I don’t like small spaces.”
“Claustrophobia?” Of course, he knew the medical term.
I had to look it up online at the library. “Yes.”
“How can a thief—”
“It doesn’t matter.” I forced my voice to sound strong and angry when I felt neither. “Let’s get out of here.” Walking to the door, my legs trembled from knees to toes. I opened the door a crack.
Voices came down the long hallway from the front of the house.
Xander gripped the edge of the door and opened it wider. “This way.” He led us in the opposite direction and slid the back door open. “Hurry.” He slipped onto the stone patio that hung over a cliff. The area was surrounded by a railed fence.
I followed him to a wooden staircase set off the side of the patio. The stairs led down to the ocean, their private stairway to paradise. “We’ll get trapped if we go down there.”
“We can follow the edge of the water to a public path a few houses down.” Xander started going down the steps. “This way Jeb and the Society won’t see us on the roads.”
“Good idea.” We ran down the zigzagging steps until we were level with the sprayed wet rocks and out of view of the mansion.
“Hold up.” Xander slipped the backpack from his shoulders.
I leaned against the wood rail, pausing to catch my breath. Relief washed over me like the waves below. We’d escaped.
My body relaxed, practically sinking into the ground. My gaze roamed over the distance. White caps foamed off shore. The waves rolled in between the rocks and patches of sand. The rocks formed a natural barrier like protection. Could they protect us?
I glanced back up the stairs. No voices on the patio. No footsteps on the stairs.
Relaxing even more, I looked at the inspiring sight before me. Best view ever.
Until I turned and saw Xander stripping off his dirty borrowed shirt. Trim waist leading to broad shoulders. Six pack abs. Defined chest.
Best. View. Ever.
My eyelids flickered. My heart fluttered. My tummy flipped. This was the guy who’d almost kissed me. And I’d burped. I dropped my head in shame. I peeked under lowered lids.
He tugged his own T-shirt over his chest covering the most incredible specimen of manhood I’d ever seen.
Bummer.
And would never be able to touch.
Double bummer.
Turning away, I watched the surf hit the sandy shore in the small cove below. The water rushed in and then back out. A four-inch round pole with markings on the side stuck out of the water. The pole didn’t look like it belonged. The markings were picture-like.
Hieroglyphics? My mind now wired to think Egyptian.
“What’s that pole sticking out by the rocks?” I climbed over the railing and balanced on a rock nearby, wanting to get closer.
Xander stepped beside me still wearing the borrowed homeless man’s pants but his own T-shirt. The black shirt hugged his chest like I wished I could.
Where had that thought come from? Of course, I didn’t. It’s only because I can’t touch him that I crave to. Just like the almost-kiss in the closet.
Yeah, keep trying to convince yourself.
“It’s a Nilometer used for measuring water on the Nile.”
The guy has everything—intelligence, good looks, and an incredible personality. He’d lived in a house the size of a palace while I’d grown up with nothing, and now had less than nothing.
“Learn that in your training lessons?” I couldn’t stop the snarkiness squeaking through. If he got the training, he should’ve gotten the soul. Even though I took the amulet, I blamed him. “Why is one here? This is the Pacific Ocean not the Nile.”
“The Society said they needed to keep track of the tides.”
“So when they changed the water level of the ocean w
ith the power they’d know?” I jumped to a lower rock. The partially submerged column had markings at even intervals. “There are websites for that.” I scrambled closer to the Nilometer. My foot slipped on the wet rocks. Rebalancing, I moved closer.
The markings were definitely hieroglyphics. I could read the picture words talking about the inundation of the Nile.
I moved even closer. The rocks spread farther apart the further down I went. I jumped from outcropping to outcropping. The water rushed in and out around the rocks with the tide.
The Nilometer was situated near a large boulder that had just been sprayed by surf. A wave returned to the sea. Measuring the distance, I jumped to the rock.
My foot slipped. My body pitched forward. Toward the ocean.
“Aaagh!” I waved my arms, trying to recover.
I sucked in a breath. Darkness overwhelmed my chest. Blood pounded behind my eyeballs. What would happen to the ocean when I touched it?
Not just with my finger but my entire body. Would the entire Pacific evaporate?
As I fell, a wave rushed toward me.
I was about to find out.
Chapter Fourteen
My gut churned like the ocean below. My ears clanged. Air rushed by, cooling my skin. Spray stung my arms and legs as I flew into a spread eagle position. I tasted salt on my lips. Like a slow motion video, my fall lasted forever though I had been positioned only a few feet above the water.
In a last desperate attempt to stop myself from tumbling, I reached out and grabbed for the Nilometer. Maybe the pole could stop my forward momentum. My hand grasped the wood taking the full force of my body. The top of the pole broke off and hung from the side.
Breath whooshed out of my chest. I continued to fall forward. I saw the beige and brown sand at the bottom of the turquoise green water. Saw green seaweed and tiny plankton floating with the current. Saw the jagged rocks I needed to avoid.
Right before contact, I closed my mouth and held my breath. My body hit with a large splash. The water sizzled. Steam rose all around engulfing me in a cloud. It was like entering a deep fog that enshrouded the coast in the early spring.
