Curse of the Scarab King

by Wend Petzler

  "The coffins are identical, right? Why was the one we found today set in a shallow grave and only one cover stone unlike the traditional four? Another tell-tale sign is the crowned scarab etched above the Crook and Scepter. I believe it was placed there to identify who rested in the coffin."

  "Why didn't they put the Black Book in the Scarab King's coffin?"

  "Maybe whoever hid him decided it was unsafe and chose Amenemhet's for safekeeping."

  "But there wasn't anything but a mummy in Pharaoh Amenemhet the Fourth's coffin."

  "The Black Book wasn't put in a coffin. It was hidden in his tomb."

  Grinning when he recognized the deception, Mike slapped his knee, the facts right in front of them. “The Black Book rested with Pharaoh Amenemhet for safekeeping until the right time to rescue the Scarab King.” Horror filled his eyes, shock registered on his handsome features. “Except no one did. Oh, my God, they buried the man alive!"

  Thinking of the Scarab King's terror and his agony, dying alone in the dark, Kate shuddered. Screaming endlessly for someone to come and save him, finally realizing none would. “I think the High Priest, Imtep, left clues for someone to find the Scarab King, if something should happen to him. But no one survived to find these clues because Queen SobeKnefru destroyed the Temple of Amun Ra and the priests for hiding the Scarab King from her wrath.” His rescuers slain and all evidence he ever lived erased by an evil bitch who hated him enough to curse him in the Afterlife, the Scarab King died a horrific death.

  "What are we going to do?” He asked, seeing the determination etched on her pretty features.

  Looking at him steadily, Kate answered with a definite tone in her voice. “We are going to find the Black Book and get it before anyone figures out the deception."

  "Oh hell, I knew you were going to say that!” He groaned, wondering what trouble they were going to get into this time.

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  Chapter Eight

  Elation surged through Sabni. What started over three thousand years ago had at last come to term. Following the truck with Setti's coffin secured on board, their task almost complete. The final preparations need only be set. With the Black Book soon to be in their possession, they will awaken Setti and send him back in time to kill Queen SobeKnefru, ending her long, evil rule over Egypt.

  In the sacred scrolls written by Ra priests hiding from the Shedty hunters, SobeKnefru reaped hell upon her own people for her own pleasure. Four years after Setti's burial, the Shedty found Amenemhet's only son and killed him and his mother. SobeKnefru eliminated the last who could claim the Egyptian throne. Setti must rise from his sleep and return to ancient Egypt, setting history straight by taking back the Golden Throne of the Lion from his evil half-sister.

  By all accounts the Black Book should rest in Setti's sarcophagus. The incantations waited to be read by a man possessing immense power as he, Sabni Jaffe, another who inherited Amun Ra's Gift. Tradition in the Sacred Order of Ra, a priest possessing the sight was given the name Sabni after the last guardian of the Black Book.

  His euphoric thoughts turned to doubt, questioning his wisdom in leaving Theo Halvorson out of the loop. Would the greedy Englishman call the police? Were there members of the Shedty cult working in the police department? It was a chance he had to take. Time was running out. The Shedty hunted for Setti as well, wanting to destroy the only man strong enough to stand up to the sadistic SobeKnefru and end her reign of terror!

  * * * *

  Near to spitting, Theo glared at the patient detective who dutifully took down his report. “Well? What are you going to do?"

  Sympathetic, Detective Kheti smiled and stood, offering no hope. “Dr. Halvorson, I know this is difficult to hear, but I assure you, we will do all in our power to locate your lost treasure. I have your hotel number and will call you if anything turns up.” Ushering the Englishman out of his office, he stopped when Halvorson shrugged off his hand.

  "Fine, if you hear something, call me.” Sulking, Theo jammed his hands deep in his pockets, storming out of the hot, humid police station. Nothing more could be done except go back to work on the Temple of Amun Ra and hope they could find something of value to make their time worth the effort. With the check Jaffe had given him earlier and their visas magically renewed, he and his team had a second chance to search for more treasure. Deep down, he knew that never in his life would he find anything momentous as a lost pharaoh. Nothing compared to such a grand discovery and someone had stolen it right from under his very nose!

  Kheti closed his office door. Sitting down in the squeaky chair behind his small, metal desk, he picked up the phone and dialed. When the line picked up, he turned his back away from any prying eyes. “Kheti, here, we've got a problem. The American woman found the tomb before we could decipher her work. The worst part, Sabni has the coffin in his possession as we speak."

  "Tomorrow night the moon reaches its full potential! Sabni will raise the bastard from his sleep."

  He cringed when a masculine voice yelled at him. “Where will he take the body?"

  "Where else can he take the sarcophagus but to the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo?"

  "Why Cairo?” Kheti's brow creased in confusion.

  "There, he will show the Scarab King what SobeKnefru has done in her reign as Queen Pharaoh and will have the knowledge of our cult. He will then know how to destroy our queen."

  "I'll send our men to Cairo and stop them from resurrecting the Scarab King. Do you want to meet us there?"

  "Yes. But first, I need to locate our little American archeologist, Kate Martin. She might prove to be quite useful with our own plans, perhaps as a human sacrifice.” Almost smiling, he admired the ingenious mind of the young woman who located the lost Pharaoh when the Shedty and the priests of Amun Ra searched for over three thousand years and failed. With her intelligence, she would make a fine sacrifice to SobeKnefru's immortality.

  The woman they sought was at that very moment thinking she'd gone nuts. Kate parked in the designated area for tourists at the Magzhuna pyramid fields and shut the powerful engine off. Getting out of the Jeep, they nervously watched the tourists lining up to visit the two pyramids. The Northern Pyramid belonged to Amenemhet IV and the Southern Pyramid to SobeKnefru.

  "How the hell are we going to explore the Northern Pyramid with so many people around when I don't even know what we're looking for?” Mike reached into his back pocket for his wallet. Paying for their tickets, allowing them to enter the pyramids, he took the map held out by the girl in the booth.

  Following a large group from Germany, Kate smiled at him confidently, something she didn't feel at all. “All we need is to find the lock for our key in the burial chamber."

  "A hidden compartment?"

  "Exactly. I think it was added before they buried Amenemhet IV. Which, if I learned my studies of ancient embalming process right, the procedure takes seventy days, plenty of time to make modification to his burial chamber."

  "Ok, let's say you're right and we do retrieve the book, then what?” Mike asked as they entered the network of passageways inside the Northern Pyramid. Holding back, they abandoned the group. Opening the printed map in his hand, they headed for the lower chambers where Pharaoh's body once rested.

  "We go to Cairo and barter with Jaffe. He obviously wants the Black Book, and we want the truth about the Scarab King."

  Strung lights, set to give the beautiful designed corridors and chambers grand effect, inspired awe in those who dreamed of golden coffins and Egyptian curses. Entering the burial chamber, she read the etched hieroglyphs along the walls. Frowning, Kate paused when she saw the familiar scarab wearing the Double Crown of Egypt. Its size matched the end of the scepter in her backpack.

  Odd, she mused, most of the hieroglyphs are missing.

  Shrugging off the worn, canvas backpack, she untied the leather string and withdrew the scepter. Mike stood on look out. Kate inserted the key into the scarab and turned it. Dry, scraping
of stone against stone made her jump back, just in case it might be rigged with a booby-trap. The sandstone access, two feet long and the width of a foot, shifted to the left. Peering into the ominous darkness, cautious to put her hands inside, she took a deep breath and reached in. Feeling around, her fingers brushed against something cold and smooth. Grabbing hold, she withdrew the object.

  The Black Book of Fire!

  In awe, she reverently held the heavy book in her arms. The dark plates gleamed in the soft, golden light of the electric lamps. A chill of foreboding invaded her excitement. If what Tek told her was true, the Black Book was not an ordinary read, but where life and death was held in a delicate balance. The cost for reading the sacred incantations reaped a terrifying toll upon whoever dared invoke the ancient powers of the Underworld. Hastening, she placed it and the scepter into her backpack.

  "We've got to hurry! The Shedty believe Jaffe will find the Black Book in the Scarab King's coffin.” Grunting when she slipped the weighty backpack over her shoulder and followed Mike out of the burial chambers.

  "You don't seriously believe this book can raise the dead, do you?"

  "Let's put it this way, if we all thought the Black Book was a myth and here we have it in our grasp, don't you think anything possible at this point?” Kate tried to be calm, her mind racing. Was Jaffe really going to attempt to raise the Scarab King?

  "I need to use the restroom.” Mike started toward the building beside the ticket booth.

  "I'll meet you in the car."

  When Mike disappeared into the low roofed building, she went around her Jeep and opened the back end. Fumbling around, she grabbed her other backpack and switched the Black Book and the scepter into it. Stuffing a large, thick research book into the one she normally carried around, making it look like it held the sacred book she just found. Closing the rear of her car, she took the one containing the Black Book and scepter and stuffed it under the driver's seat. Waiting for Mike's return from the bathroom, guilt stabbed her conscience, which she quickly shoved aside. If anyone tried to rob them, the Black Book was safely hidden, and Mike could honestly say he knew nothing of its whereabouts.

  Driving back to the main highway, Kate gripped the steering wheel, the question still stumped her. “What's the purpose of bringing someone back from the dead? Is it for fame or glory, what?"

  "Maybe what we learned so far is true. The Ra priests want the Scarab King to change history, and the Shedty want their Queen to rule again but as an immortal,” he supplied as they drove into the sunset, exhausted from the last twenty four hours.

  "Want to go back to the hotel?"

  "Sounds great. I need a shower and some sleep."

  "Me, too. We've got time before we go to Cairo, and the moon won't be full until tomorrow night."

  Confused, Mike arched a tan eyebrow at her. “What does a full moon have to do with raising the dead?"

  "Don't you watch movies? In all the horror tales of raising the dead or something spooky is gonna happen, a full moon is always in the background."

  "That's just make-believe junk. You're losing your mind."

  "Maybe. But my gut instincts tell me the Shedty and the priests of Ra believe in it.” Adrenaline kept Kate going. Whatever she thought rational was completely tossed out the window. They were either helping or hindering what was destined to happen.

  Noticing the gas gauge above half, she pulled into a nearby station to fuel up. Nudging Mike, who snoozed, she smiled at him, starting to feel worn out, too. “Can you fill up the tank and check the water? I need to use the restroom."

  Rubbing his face, Mike gave her a nod. “Go on, I've got it under control."

  She hesitated, worrying about the Black Book. Was it safe? Taking a good look around her surroundings, Kate frowned when she saw a black Mercedes with dark tinted windows parked across the street. Shrugging off the disturbed chill, convinced her imagination was in overdrive, she went inside the gas station and asked for the bathroom key. From inside the bathroom stall, she heard yelling and a loud commotion. Running outside, she arrived just in time to see the black Mercedes burning rubber past her Jeep. Mike lay on the concrete, bleeding.

  "Mike!” Kate cried out and went down on her knees, cradling his head.

  Dazed, his glazed eyes tried to focus on her face. “Kate?” Trying to rise, he clutched his head from the pain. “They hit me with a pipe or something. Oh, my God! They've got the Black Book and the scepter!” He scrambled to his feet, steadying himself against the car.

  "No, they didn't,” Kate replied smugly and went to the driver's side of the Jeep. “I put them under my seat while you were in the bathroom at Magzhuna."

  A deep intake of breath was his first sign of surprise and then, he got mad! “What are you saying? Didn't you trust me?"

  Surprised by his anger, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I did it in case the Shedty or the Ra priests were following us."

  Calming down, his shoulders sagged at her words. “Sorry, I didn't think about that. Forgive me?” His eyes pleaded for her to understand.

  Swallowing back the fear, she forced a smile on her face, not believing him for a second. “Sure, not a problem. Why don't you go and clean up."

  Grimacing at the blood on his hands, he smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I'd better take care of this. Be right back,” Mike said on his way inside the gas station.

  Kate got into the Jeep and for a whole two seconds thought about her options. Starting the engine, she gassed it, leaving Mike behind. The warning bells thundered in her head about Mike's strange behavior. With the attack and his anger at her, she decided it wasn't a good sign. Feeling certain, she needed to get the Black Book to Sabni Jaffe. Although she didn't like his tactics, he appeared to be one of the good guys.

  Using the payphone, Mike looked up in time to see Kate speeding away. Cursing the American's unpredictability, he barely acknowledged the man answering on the end of the line. “Inarus, I've got bad news. Your boys didn't get the Black Book. Kate had it hidden under the car seat. It gets even better. She left me at the gas station."

  "Clever creature, dear Miss Martin is turning out to be. Do not worry, we know exactly where she's heading. We will simply intercept her before she gives Sabni the Black Book. I'll send a car to pick you up."

  The phone went dead. Hanging up, Mike wiped the blood from his brow. “Why did you have to run, Kate? Damn, you should have stayed with me.” Liking her, he felt sad by the knowledge Kate now had to die. She knew too much. Mike shook his head at the brilliant Kate Martin. How did she see through his deceit? Was she just lucky or really smart as her resume indicated?

  A gnaw of worry ate at him. He shouldn't have told her so much about their plans to resurrect Queen SobeKnefru. Kate had sidelined their plans. They had SobeKnefru's mummy in their possession. All they needed was the missing Black Book and the ruby amulet around Setti's neck to raise the dead queen and make SobeKnefru an immortal. Rationalizing, he knew the Shedty would never allow a nosey American woman stop them from their destiny. They were too close to fulfilling their destiny to allow her to interfere.

  Kate drove onward, stopping only to put more gas in the Jeep. The bitter bite of exhaustion made her rummy. Still she drove, knowing in her heart she was the Scarab King's only hope being released from whatever hell he was condemned. When at last Cairo came in view, she gave a great sigh of relief. Should she go on to the museum or find a hotel room? The setting sun cast a hazy glow of blood on the desert sand. A bad omen, she thought with a cold shudder. Museum, she decided, carefully driving through the heavy traffic of downtown Cairo.

  Finding a parking spot proved easy as people headed home for the day. Taking the heavy bundle from under the seat, Kate carried it in her arms. Looking around to see if she was being followed, she hurried to the front door of the glorious museum, which was thankfully unlocked. Inside the cool interior, Kate nearly collapsed from fatigue. A silver-haired, lean man wearing an expensive suit, made to intercept her with a kind s
mile.

  "I apologize, but we are closed for the day,” his voice smooth and well-cultured, he tried to usher her out the doors.

  "I'm sorry, but I have something of great importance for Sabni Jaffe. He recently brought a sarcophagus to your museum.” Her world spun dangerously from not eating and no real sleep.

  Startled, the man looked closer at the bundle she carried. “I see. Allow me to lock up and I shall take you to him. Please sit here. You do not look well, Miss Martin.” He helped her to a bench.

  Surprised by his use of her name, she was about to flee when she saw the tattoo of Ra's Eye on his neck. “You are one of them?” she asked hesitantly.

  "Yes, I belong to the Sacred Order of Amun Ra. Relax. We do not wish any harm to befall you. I must lock up. Afterwards, I will take you to Sabni.” He bowed to her before hurrying to set the alarms to ensure no one entered without their knowledge.

  Kate sagged, feeling safe for the first time in two days. When the man returned, he indicated for her to follow him, not bothering to take the backpack she held in a death-grip. Pressing the ‘down’ button of the elevator, he held the door for her when it opened. Following her inside, he asked politely, “Do you wish something to eat or drink?"

  "Perhaps later. Have you looked inside the Scarab King's coffin yet? Doesn't it need a key?"

  "Actually, no it does not. The scarab is the identifying mark between the Scarab King and his older brother, Amenemhet the Fourth."

  "Brothers?"

  "Yes.” He smiled sympathetically when she leaned against the elevator wall for support.

  She caught him staring at the bulky knapsack. “Do you know what I have inside my backpack?"

  Instead, the curator asked, “How did you know the item you carry was not in the coffin you found in the labyrinth?"

  Before she could answer, the elevator doors opened.

  "Yes, Miss Martin, how did you know it was a ruse?” Sabni Jaffe stood, not as a rich Egyptian but a High Priest of Ra.

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