The Blue Lotus

by Marisa Chenery

  Perplexed, Kendra listened to the sound of Nefertem's footfalls on the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. A few seconds later, she heard him returning. When he was once more within sight, she arched a questioning brow at him. “Okay, now what was that all about?"

  Nefertem opened his right hand to reveal the pendant held within his grasp. Moving to stand in front of her, he slipped the heavy gold chain over her head. The pendant came to rest between her breasts. Kendra looked up at him even more confused.

  Lowering himself so he sat on the edge of the coffee table in front of Kendra, Nefertem gently brushed the pendant with his index finger. “I want you to wear this at all time. Don't remove it for whatever reason you feel you should."

  Kendra shook her head in protest. “Nefertem, I can't go outside wearing this. It is a much too expensive piece. I would stand out in a crowd wearing it."

  "But you must. That is what Ptah told me. As long as the pendant is around your neck I can't harm you."

  "It is not necessary for me to wear the pendant. I know you wouldn't hurt me."

  "How do you know that? I ... I don't even know that myself. Just wear the pendant. Please?” Nefertem asked pleadingly.

  Sighing deeply, Kendra nodded her head. “All right, I will wear it, but I can't see how a mere pendant would keep me from harm, unless I use it to knock you over the head. Even at that, it doesn't make much of a weapon."

  "That is not what the pendant is for.” Nefertem remarked lightly. “Since you now possess the pendant, and as long as you wear it, I cannot harm you because you were the one who summoned me."

  "So in other words, I started all this and therefore am immune, so to speak."

  "Yes."

  It finally dawned on Kendra why Nefertem had not divulged this new information in front of Scott and Tory. “And you mean it will protect me and only me."

  "Correct.” After gently caressing her cheek, he spoke once more. “So please leave the pendant on. At all costs."

  * * * *

  Scott's apartment was that of a typical unmarried man's place. The furnishings were utilitarian and not over abundant. The colour scheme was browns, tans, and beiges. Not a single pastel colour was in sight. Plunking herself down on one of the couches, Tory wearily rubbed her eyes.

  Noticing her movements, Scott shook his head. “Quit your worrying. You are worse than a mother hen. Kendra is an adult and can look after herself. She doesn't need you fretting over her."

  "I can't help myself. Ever since we first met, I have felt I should watch out for her. If you could have seen Kendra when she was the lonely, withdrawn teenager who had just lost both her parents, you would understand better."

  "You are a good friend to her, Tory. I'm sure Kendra knows that, but I don't think she will take too kindly to you interfering in her relationship with Nefertem."

  Tory snorted. “I know I told Kendra I would be happy for her, but why did she have to pick Nefertem?” When Scott gave her a look that said she must have been joking, Tory back tracked a bit. “Okay, I can understand some of the reasons why. I will admit that the man has a face that would have any woman panting over him, and a body to match, but those eyes ... They really do creep me out. Cat eyes do not in any way, shape or form be constituted as normal."

  "No, but you can't put Nefertem in the category of being a normal man. He is an all together different animal entirely."

  "You got that right, he is an animal."

  Knowing Tory was not going to so easily change her opinion of Nefertem, Scott went to get what textbooks he had at home. He liked Nefertem, not just the man himself, but what he represented. He was living, breathing, proof that all he had studied over the years was indeed real. That the events carved in hieroglyphs were true, and the people involved were as real as he was. A chance like this only came once in a lifetime, if at all, and he planned to learn what he could from Nefertem before his departure from the mortal world.

  Scooping up the four large volumes sitting on the desk in his bedroom, Scott returned to Tory. She still seemed to be stewing over her decision about leaving Kendra.

  "Okay, enough of that. We have a lot of work ahead of us and I don't expect the answers to jump right out at us. I think we could be at this for at least a couple days. So let's get cracking.” Loosening his grip, Scott let all four books drop into Tory's lap. She grunted in response.

  Moving the books so they sat on the couch beside her, Tory picked up the top volume and read the title. It was a book about the ancient histories of Egypt. The next one was about the ancient Egyptian gods and the myths surrounding them. Inwardly, Tory groaned to herself. The size and thickness of just these two books were enough to send her running from the room. School had never been her passion and studying had been a chore. How would she even last an hour reading these? What had she gotten herself into?

  Finally realizing Scott was still standing in front of her watching her reaction; Tory pasted a smile on her face and looked back up at him. “I guess I'll start with these two.” She grabbed the top two textbooks.

  It wasn't hard to miss the look of reluctance on Tory's face, even though she tried to hide it with a tight-lipped smile. To Scott, researching was not something he disliked, quite the opposite in fact. But not everyone thought the same way about it as he did.

  "If you would prefer not to do this Tory, then you don't have to. I can manage on my own."

  "No ... no I don't mind. Really."

  "But?"

  She gave Scott a sheepish grin. “If I fall asleep, please don't take it personally."

  Scott laughed. “I won't. How about I make you a deal? We work on the research for a few hours then I'll take you out for a nice dinner."

  "You have a deal.” Opening the first text, Tory settled herself more comfortably on the couch and began to read.

  Chapter Thirteen

  She ended up getting a headache. Not just a slight throbbing pain, but a massive, feel like someone is pounding on your head with a hammer ache. Rubbing her eyes, Tory tried to focus once more on the open book sitting on her lap. She finally gave up. Taking a quick glance at her watch, Tory found that two hours had gone by since they had started this arduous task. She looked over at Scott who sat on the love seat across from her. He was totally immersed in what he was doing, completely oblivious to anything going on around him. Tory smiled to herself.

  Once again, she thought about how different Scott was from the other men she had dated in the past. Contrary to what Kendra may have thought, she had not slept with Scott yet. Their first date had not ended up with their having sex. Even though she had ended up staying the night at his place. All they had done was talk for hours.

  Closing her book with a snap, Tory signaled that she was done. Scott raised his eyes from the page he had been reading. “Had enough, have you?"

  "More than enough. I need a break."

  "Sorry, I tend to get a little lost in the past when I do research."

  "I could tell.” Putting the book on the couch, Tory moved to sit next to Scott. “You did have that far away look on your face."

  Impulsively, Tory reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair off Scott's forehead. She let her fingers trail down to his temple and over his stubble roughened cheek. Finally, they came to rest on his square jaw. Her eyes became riveted to his firm, chiseled lips. Leaning in slightly, she let her lips softly brush his, then once again. Leaving her hand still cupped around his chin, Tory pulled back a bit to look into Scott's eyes.

  The far away look was most definitely gone. It had been replaced by one so hot she could almost feel her skin sizzling under his regard. Tory swallowed hard. That look was causing her body to respond at a most alarming rate.

  Scott pulled Tory into his arms, crushing her up against his chest. With a moan, he claimed her lips in a soul-searing kiss. The book he had been holding fell to the carpeted floor, unnoticed. The whole apartment could have come crashing down around them and Tory wouldn't have cared. For a self-confesse
d bookworm, Scott knew how to kiss a woman senseless. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she held him close.

  It was a long time before they surfaced for air. Both were panting. Both knew there would be no going back if they continued.

  Knowing what they both wanted, Scott pulled Tory closer, stood, and picked her up off her feet. Kissing her as he walked, he headed toward his bedroom. Once he reached his destination, he broke their kiss. “Tell me now, Tory, if you want this or not. I won't make you do anything you're not ready for."

  Just his asking her was all she needed to hear. That he would ask and not just take, was more than enough for her to make her decision. “Don't stop. I want this as much as you do."

  Taking the two steps it took to reach the bed, Scott set Tory down onto it. He only took the time to rid himself of his shirt before joining her there.

  Tory sucked in a breath. Scott had been hiding a well-toned chest under his loose fitting t-shirt. Even though he wasn't as muscular as Nefertem, he still had well defined pecs and abs. She couldn't resist skimming her hand across his washboard stomach. Scott didn't miss the surprised look on Tory's face when he had taken off his shirt. Nor the heated way her eyes looked at him. “Though my chosen profession has me sitting behind a desk most of the time that does not mean I will allow myself to turn into a fat slob."

  "Well, I do like surprises.” Grabbing a fistful of his hair, Tory pulled Scott's head down and claimed his lips, effectively stopping any further conversation.

  In short order, both sets of clothing found their way to the floor, for each craved the feel of naked skin next to their own.

  They kissed and explored each other's body until their passion reached a fevered pitch. Only then did Scott join his body with hers. It didn't take long for them to reach the pleasure they were striving for.

  Collapsing on top of Tory, Scott waited a few seconds before he rolled to his side taking her with him. The last coherent thought he had before sleep claimed him was that he wasn't going to let this woman slip through his fingers again. Tory may not know it, but she was well and truly his from this moment on.

  * * * *

  Kendra was in that in-between place. Not really in a deep sleep and not really awake. It didn't really matter which sleep realm she inhabited, she just didn't want to wake up and leave it.

  She bit back a moan as the hand caressing her body delved into a sensory overloaded spot, rubbing the little nubbin of flesh between her legs. Even though they had made love before going to sleep, Kendra could never get enough of Nefertem. If he wanted her again, she was more than willing to comply. She craved his touch like a flower craves the sun. And like the sun, Nefertem made her body burn for his touch.

  Rolling into her lover's caress, Kendra went to wrap her arms around him. Instead of encountering Nefertem's reclining form her hand came in contact with something else, something hard and unyielding. Slowly allowing herself to wake up to awareness, she blinked a few times before opening her eyes fully.

  Focusing her eyes on what her hand rested upon, Kendra blinked again, hoping her eyes were deceiving her. That the scabbard she touched was just in her dreams, a figment of her imagination. Also, that it wasn't attached to a man whom she had never met before, who was even now stroking her body, intimately. Unable to stop herself, she followed the length of the scabbard up, across the large expanse of naked male chest, then to a face that was breath-taking. Kendra gasped. Reaching for his roving hand, she tried to push him away. He chuckled in response, but did nothing to remove his offending hand.

  Nefertem must have heard her, for one moment he was lying next to her, and the next he was holding the stranger's wrist in a vice like grip. Giving a warning snarl, he forced the other's hand from her body. “Keep your hands off her."

  Kendra looked at Nefertem and then looked back at the other man. It was obvious they both knew each other. The one other telling clue was the stranger's clothes. He wore the same styled kilt Nefertem had worn when he had first arrived. Then it dawned on her, Nefertem hadn't spoken in English either. She could only assume he had used ancient Egyptian as well.

  "Come now, Nefertem. You have always shared with me in the past."

  "Not this time, Mahes."

  "Why so possessive of this one? She is just a mortal to be used for our pleasure."

  A full-throated growl reverberated off the bedroom walls. “You will not touch her. She is mine."

  Starting to get more than a little worried, Kendra shifted into a sitting position on the bed. She held the sheets tightly to her chest. Not being able to understand what the two men were saying was doing nothing to settle her mind either.

  The two men glared at each other with Kendra sitting between them. After a few minutes of being subjected to this silent display of male posturing, she couldn't keep silent anymore. “Nefertem, who is this?"

  Without taking his eyes off the man in question, Nefertem said, “No one important. He won't be staying."

  Mahes looked at Nefertem and the woman in the bed next to him. “What language is it that she speaks? It is not the language of the Pharaohs."

  "This is not the land of the Pharaoh. She is speaking English. Now leave."

  As if he just realized there was something unfamiliar with the bedroom, Mahes looked around the room. “I can see that now. I was a little too distracted before to notice."

  "Good, now leave."

  "If you keep telling me to leave like that, I may start to have my feelings hurt."

  "I don't care. You are not wanted here."

  "I don't know about that.” Mahes turned to look at Kendra. He then switched to English. “You don't mind if I stay do you, sweet lady? You were quite welcoming not so long before."

  Kendra wasn't at all surprised by how quickly their visitor had mastered speaking English. Nefertem had been the same. Even the heavily accented English they both spoke sounded the same. “If Nefertem wants you to leave, I think you should do just that."

  "My, my, what a warm welcome I am getting now."

  Nefertem left the bed, not giving his nudity a second thought. Walking over to the other side of the bed, he grabbed Mahes by the arm and dragged him from it. “I did not call for you. This is the last time I will tell you Mahes. Leave!"

  "Do I need a reason to come and see my own brother?"

  Now that Nefertem and Mahes stood next to each other, Kendra realized there was more than their shared way of speaking that was similar. Both stood well over six foot, both had the same muscular build. Also, they both were drop dead gorgeous. She could now easily see the family resemblance, as well. The only difference was Mahes's eyes. His were not like a cat's as Nefertem's were.

  Both men were silent for so long, Kendra managed to finally drag her eyes off the great deal of naked male flesh displayed before her, and looked up at their faces. She felt her face flush a bright red. She had been caught staring at them.

  She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. “Sorry, but what do you expect? If you are both going to walk around half clothed, or in your case Nefertem, butt naked, I'm going to look."

  Her words caused Nefertem to mutter something under his breath as he pulled one of the covers off the bed and wrapped it around his narrow hips. Mahes only chuckled.

  "Well, brother, are you going to introduce me to your companion? Or do I have to get back in that bed with her and introduce myself?"

  "You do and you will be very sorry you did.” Nefertem growled. “I can see you will not let this go. Kendra, this is my younger brother, Mahes."

  Still holding the sheet loosely to her chest with one hand, Kendra stuck out the other to shake Mahes's hand. As she leaned forward, the pendant around her neck swung free of the sheet. Mahes's eyes latched onto it.

  "So it is true. It was a woman and not Pharaoh who summoned you, Nefertem."

  Stiffening, Nefertem asked, “Who told you that?"

  Mahes shifted his eyes from the pendant so he could look at his brother. “Mother did. She is
the one who sent me to you."

  "Why?"

  "Why else, but to make sure you do what you are supposed to do. She has sensed a change in you and is not pleased."

  "I do not need you watching over me. You know as well as I do when the change is complete I have no choice."

  "I can see it has started.” Mahes noted the change in Nefertem's eyes. “Be that as it may, you are different.” He slid his gaze knowingly toward the bed where Kendra still sat.

  Nefertem closed his eyes for a few seconds. This was going from merely being a nuisance to being a major problem. He really had no choice now. His hand was forced. Acting quickly, before Mahes realized what he was doing, Nefertem uttered a string of words in Egyptian.

  The air in the room suddenly became charged with some unknown energy, causing the hair on Kendra's arms to stand on end. A split second later, an eerie blue light surrounded Mahes. When it disappeared he gasped, much like someone who had been holding his breath for a long period of time and could finally fill his lungs with air once again.

  "What have you done?” roared Mahes.

  "You should have left when you had the chance. You were always too smart for your own good, Mahes. I can't have you running back to mother filling her head with tales. This was the only recourse open to me. So I used it against you."

  "There was no need to go to such extreme measures."

  "Oh, yes there was."

  "What goes on here, Nefertem? Mother was right; there is something different about you."

  Nefertem couldn't stop his gaze from straying to Kendra. “You are right, Mahes. I have changed. For the better."

  Mahes was surprised to see how Nefertem stared at the woman with such tenderness. Usually, once the change had started to take hold of him Nefertem cared for nothing, especially a mortal. “You're up to something. If you weren't, why else would you do what you did."

  Nailing his brother with a stern look, Nefertem took a step closer to him. “And if I am? You won't stop me. I won't allow it."

  "What is it you are trying to do?"