“No, Samuel is my father. How do you know him?”
“I don’t really know him. I met him in Egypt the day my sister and I were planning to leave. That is all. The next thing I knew, I was trapped and alone.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. And where is your sister now?”
Amani shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “I do not know.”
“Maybe my father and your sister are together, then?” Nathan offered, his tone hopeful again.
“Not likely. My sister was not very fond of humans.”
“What?” He stood and stepped away from her. “What does that mean? Who are you?”
“I don’t think the question is so much who I am, but what I am that may concern you.”
“No. I am thinking both questions are pertinent here.”
Amani sat on the edge of the bed, staring down at her hands. “I believe you were able to free me because your father was the one connected with my entrapment. I’ve played that day in my mind over and over again, but I come up short for answers every time. Maybe you can help fill in some of the voids.”
“Not until you answer why your sister isn’t fond of humans, as you say. I’m completely confused. If your sister is not human, then what is she? What are you?”
Amani moved to stand, but Nathan backed away, so she sat back down on the edge of the bed. “Please don’t be afraid of me.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Nathan snapped back.
“But you are. I can sense your fear, and I can hear your thoughts.”
“But that is impossible. An improbability.”
“I’m surprised, with all you’ve seen and uncovered, Nathan, that you still question the mystical elements of the world,” Amani replied coyly.
He stared at her, but never spoke a word—out loud, that is. Mystical elements. Like what? he thought to himself.
Like the Egyptian gods and their purposeful goals of connecting what seems impossible to be connected, she replied in his mind.
Nathan’s eyes snapped to his hand, checking for more mercury residue. “How are you doing that?”
“We are connected, your blood to me and my blood to you.” She blushed. “We belong to one another now.”
“We’re what?” Nathan shouted.
“Connected,” Amani said as she rose and stepped closer to him. Nathan started to move, but calmed the moment her fingers touched his chest. “I don’t know how or why I ended up here with you, but I know the gods have their reasons. All I ask is that you give me a chance to explain—to show you we both want the same thing.”
“And what is that?” Nathan breathed, uneasy at how close Amani was to him.
“The truth,” she whispered.
Chapter 7
Amani stared at Nathan for a long moment before speaking. “Your eyes are the color of the lotus blooms I remember as a child. Were your mother’s eyes blue?”
“Yes,” he breathed, his heart racing as she stepped closer.
“And your tawny hair?”
“My father’s side.”
“You are young.”
“I’m old enough to have experienced the world.”
Her hand brushed his. “Why does your heart beat so swiftly?”
“Because you are a beautiful woman standing inches from me, and I know in my heart you cannot be real—this whole situation cannot be real.”
“I’m here before you. Why do you keep asking if I am real?”
“Because you were in that camera not less than twenty minutes ago.”
“You saved me. I am indebted to you.”
“What are you, Amani? You’re in my thoughts. I can feel you in my blood—my bones.” He reached for her, but pulled back. “I feel an electrical current coursing through my body. Why?”
“The connection is possible because I am not like you. I’m otherworldly. Can that not be enough?”
“No. I wish it could be, but ever since I was a boy, I had to know what made things tick. I need to understand everything that has brought me here to this moment. Like how it is possible you are in these photographs,” Nathan said, reaching for the pictures on the bed and holding them up for her to see. “And now here before me.”
Amani shook her head. “I’m not sure how it is possible,” she replied as she held out her hands to look at them. She flipped through each one quickly until she was back at the original image. “Khalida isn’t in any of these? It’s like she was never there.”
“Who is Khalida?”
“My sister,” Amani replied shakily.
“Both of you are . . . otherworldly?” Nathan asked as he reached for the photos.
“Yes.”
“I was wondering about this one.” Nathan pulled out the image of the blur and showed it to Amani. “Any chance, since you are otherworldly, you see something more than I do?”
Amani shook her head. “It doesn’t look like anything, really,” she said hesitantly as she handed him back the photograph. “Can you tell me how Samuel disappeared?”
“The camera and my father disappeared on the same day. No one knows what happened to him exactly, only that he was last seen taking a photograph of two young women—you and your sister, I suppose,” he replied and sat back down on the bed. “And then he was gone. What do you know?”
“We met Samuel in the morning, not too long after we were released from our prison. Khalida had seen him with an odd box, and then images of items within the tomb visible on squares of paper. They talked, and he told her it was a camera—that it was used to take pictures of things you’d like to remember, or to document memories. She asked if he would take our photograph.”
“And he agreed, obviously.”
“Yes. He told us where to stand and not to move, but the flash was bright and startling, then it was over. We weren’t certain what would happen next. Khalida wanted to know where the picture was, but he said he needed time to develop them and that he’d have them to us before lunch.” Amani sighed. “When we met him again, he said the pictures didn’t come out, and he’d like to take new ones. Khalida was angry at needing to do it again, but I convinced her to let him.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Then I was trapped, and now I know Samuel went missing too. I’m sorry about your father, Nathan.”
“Did he ask you any questions? Wonder why you were wearing what you are wearing? Anything?”
“No,” Amani said, looking down at her dress. “Khalida told him our father was one of the men working nearby, and we were just looking at all the astonishing finds—that we were curious about the tombs being opened.”
“But that was a lie,” Nathan responded.
She nodded her head. “Tombs are sacred spaces and aren’t to be disturbed—it is our custom. The fact that we were free was odd and unexpected. We never thought the goddesses would allow it. We were fearful the watchers would find us and trap us again. Khalida made me promise to stay quiet. I had no idea anyone would be hurt as a result. Do you understand?”
“Sort of.”
“I can feel your judgment and disappointment, but you have no idea how long it had been since we had seen the real world,” Amani added.
Nathan ran his hands through his hair. “It’s just that I’d hoped when I found the satchel that it would provide me with clues. Hell, I even hoped when I received the letter from Calla Lily that I’d arrive here in Havenwood Falls and find him alive,” Nathan rambled on.
“But instead you found me, and not him,” she replied as she moved toward the window. “You said this place is in Colorado, and you received a letter that Samuel’s items were here?”
“Yes, and everything about it is as odd as this situation. The last known sighting of this bag was in Egypt. How did it end up here?”
Amani paused before responding. “This place is filled with a magical energy. I can feel it, but I’m unsure of its origin. I cannot sense its source. Maybe magic brought it here.”
“Magic? What are you talking about? Is that the explanati
on for you and the fact that you are otherworldly?”
“This Calla Lily you mentioned, may I meet her?” Amani blurted.
“I guess,” he stammered, “but it’s the middle of the night. I think we’ll have to wait until the morning to try to speak with her.”
Amani didn’t respond. Instead she pulled back the curtain. The street wasn’t empty. In fact, it was rather busy for the “middle of the night,” as Nathan insisted. There were a few cars on the street and couples milling about, and Amani even saw a wolf heading off toward the woods behind the building across the street. Amani could feel the energy—feel the magic all around her. She laid her hands on the walls and listened to the sounds of the inn.
“What are you doing?” Nathan asked.
Amani remained still, but replied, “Can’t you hear it? There are people all around, awake and enjoying life. Someone named Madame Luiza is serving up a plate of meatloaf to a wolf—no, a man—downstairs.” Amani turned to Nathan. “What is meatloaf?”
“Wait. You are concerned about meatloaf when you just said there was a wolf man downstairs?”
“Yes,” she replied flatly. “He is both man and wolf.”
“How do you know this?” Nathan questioned as he reached for her hand. “Amani, please, you have to explain things to me. None of this makes any sense. Perhaps I am actually asleep, and you and all of this have just been a glorious dream.”
Amani moved to sit next to Nathan, and when he shifted to the side to make room for her, she paused. “This is not a dream. I am as real as the bed you are sitting on. I told you, I am otherworldly. My kind do not speak of what we are. It draws attention to ourselves and makes the watchers aware. I do not wish to become a person of interest now that I am free. Can you understand that?”
Nathan shook his head slowly. “No, not really.”
Amani sat down. “How familiar are you with ancient Egyptian texts?
“Pretty familiar.”
“Do you know of the goddess Sekhmet and her brother Shu?” Amani asked.
“Of course.”
“I am born of them.”
“You are a goddess?”
“No. I am not worthy of such an honor. I am,” she paused to find the right words, “I am a daughter of the goddesses Ma’at and Hathor.” Amani beamed, pleased with herself.
“Wait, I am confused. I thought you said you were born of Sekhmet and Shu. Ma’at is the goddess of truth and the one all must meet in the Hall of Truth, yes? And Hathor is the goddess of joy and motherhood.”
“Yes,” she exclaimed, delighted he knew of whom she was speaking. “Khalida and I were both mistakes, but the goddesses Ma’at and Hathor took us under their wings and guided us—kept us safe,” she said, her smile suddenly fading. “Sekhmet and Shu are the ones who created us. We are unnatural among our kind.”
Nathan reached for her hand. “Okay, but what kind is that? Are you an angel or something? I don’t know if they have angels in Egyptian mythos, but I think you could fit the bill.”
The corner of Amani’s mouth curved into a smile as she twirled a lock of Nathan’s hair around her finger. “You had curly hair as a boy, too. It was longer then,” she replied with a slight tilt of her head. “I think you are much more handsome now.”
Nathan blushed and cleared his throat. “You’re trying to change the subject.”
“Have I upset you with my words?”
“Um, no,” he stumbled. “Well, maybe. I’m not used to a woman as stunning as you speaking to me in such a way. The women I know are more,” he paused, searching for the right word, “demure, maybe. I don’t know. I’m not used to hearing such flattery.”
“That is a shame, then. You have a beautiful soul. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
A spark shot between the two of them, but this time, Nathan took the jolt in stride. He knew now it was her. “Why is it sometimes when we touch, there is an electrical charge?”
“I’m sorry.” She dropped his lock of hair from her hand. “I do not mean to hurt you. It is part of my curse. I don’t like to release it, but I have to let some of it go, so I do it in short bursts. Please forgive me.”
“A small price to pay.”
“I suppose, but I wish I was different. I wish I was like you.”
“I understand you do not want to say how it is we are different, and for now, I will accept that, but I hope that in time, you will trust me enough to tell me the truth. Because I, like you, do not wish to cause you any harm.” Amani blushed, and he averted his gaze. “Can you tell me more about Ma’at, Hathor, and your sister?”
She shifted on the bed. “I love and honor the goddesses. They gave me a chance to be more than I was born to be. My hope is when it is time for my soul’s heart to be weighed against the feather, that mine will be lighter. It is then the soul can freely be admitted into the Field of Reeds, where I will know nothing but peace and happiness.”
“What happens if your heart is not as light as a feather?”
“Should the heart tip the scale, it is thrown to the floor of the Hall of Truth, where it is devoured by Amenti. The soul would cease to exist. This is a fate worse than death.”
“I’ve read texts, but I didn’t understand it the same way as you just described it. So this is the Egyptian belief? Does it tie in with why you cannot tell me what you are? Would your truth create an imbalance on the scale?”
Amani shook her head. “No, that is different. By speaking what I am, I put myself in danger, and thus would put you in danger. I won’t risk it for either of us.”
“Okay,” Nathan relented. “Are you tired? Wait, do you even get tired?”
Amani chuckled. “I do, and yes, but not in the same way as you, I assume.”
“I figured since we cannot go anywhere, we could rest until the sun is up, and then go to see Calla Lily.”
“I would like that.” She glanced around and saw nothing but a chair and the bed they were sitting on.
“I can take the chair,” Nathan rushed.
“I was going to ask if you minded if I lay here with you. I won’t be a bother, but a soft bed does appeal to me.”
Nathan quickly gathered the items on the opposite side of the bed and placed them back into the satchel before helping Amani get settled in. He laid a blanket over her before he walked around to lie next to her. He didn’t want to appear forward, but her fragrance was intoxicating. She smelled of cinnamon and lavender, and she was still wearing nothing more than a sheer gown that showed almost every inch of her body. She was by far the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and as if that wasn’t enough, she was something other than human. For now, Nathan decided, she was his angel—a gift in return for all he’d had to suffer with the loss of his parents. Amani was a new light within his dark world.
Chapter 8
The abandoned monastery in Russia Khalida and Khaldun had been hiding in for the past few months had been a perfect refuge after all their wandering. They had traveled the world over, spending months at a time wherever they thought would be suitable. Khalida had never looked back when Khaldun freed her all those years ago. Instead, they reveled in the offerings of the world and made certain not to draw attention to themselves in any way. If the goddesses ever found out, they both knew the punishment would be swift, and they’d never see the light of day again. However, they’d made certain to cover their tracks. There was only one person who could stand in their way, and she would never be revealing their secret.
Khalida stared out the window and watched the sun as it started to make its ascent over the mountains. She hadn’t thought about her sister, Amani, in years, and yet something stirred in her—something felt off.
“She’s been released. Someone has found the camera and set her free,” Khalida raged.
“I’ve heard nothing. Not even a whimper. How can you be sure?”
“I’m sure. Why would I be telling you if it wasn’t so?”
“Calm down. I will track her, and I w
ill end her.”
“You cannot kill her, you fool. If she dies, I die, remember?”
Khaldun moved closer to Khalida. “I’ve forgotten nothing,” he said as he loomed over her. “I will take care of the situation.”
Khalida glared at him. “You’ll need my help to do it. She is smart and will not call out our kind to draw the watchers. I can sense her only because of our bond.”
“Then where is she?”
Khalida closed her eyes and did her best to sense Amani. She assumed Amani was shadowing herself, because the link between them felt like the flicker of a candle being blown by the wind—glowing but not steadily. “I’m not certain. She is not close, and it is someplace obscure and hidden from view.”
“I’ll need more to go on than that,” Khaldun chided.
“You may be my savior, but you are not my master,” she pushed back. “That is all I can see. The rest is nothing more than a view from a window. She could be anywhere,” Khalida said, stepping away from him.
Khaldun grabbed her wrist and shoved her against the wall with her arms above her head.
“I love it when you are irate,” he said as he pressed himself against her, tilting his head downward to taste her lips.
She smirked as his lips grew nearer. “I don’t get irate these days. Nothing much to fret over, with you around.”
“Well then, let me properly piss you off so I can have you the way I prefer you, my love,” he said, tightening his grip around her wrists.
As he claimed her mouth, she moaned at his forcefulness and retaliated by biting his bottom lip, drawing blood. Khaldun laughed and ran his heavily tattooed hand up her torso, cupping her breast, tightening his grip. “I do not remember what my life was like before you, and I will die before I ever have to do without you.”
Khalida ran her tongue over the blood pooling on his lips, and the silver symbols on her skin began to shimmer. Khaldun pulled the tie on the dressing gown she wore and let it fall to the floor. Her raven hair was a sharp contrast to her pale skin. All of her was exposed, and he groaned when she pressed up against him.
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