The Blue Lotus

by Marisa Chenery

  With her arm firmly threaded through Mahes's, Kendra let him lead her out of the room. The rest of their party followed closely behind them. Their destination was the restaurant situated in the hotel.

  Luckily for them, the restaurant was not very crowded, so they were quickly seated at a table. After that, at least for Kendra, the meal pretty well passed in a daze. She went through all the motions of ordering her food and eating it when it arrived at their table, but it all really didn't register in her senses.

  She really couldn't recall precisely what she had to eat, only that the main part of her meal had chicken in it. Her dinner companions’ conversation washed over her. If she was called upon to contribute, she only answered in monosyllables.

  Sipping on her glass of wine, totally lost in thought, Kendra didn't notice when everyone was ready to leave the restaurant until Markus took the now empty wine glass from her hand.

  "Time to go, Kendra."

  Kendra smiled sheepishly at her brother. “Oh, already? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

  "You haven't been with us mentally at all.” Markus leaned closer to Kendra so only she could hear his next words. “You don't have to do it. I hate seeing you like this."

  "Then don't look at me. I'm doing it, Markus. If I back out now I will never forgive myself. The consequences would haunt me for the rest of my life."

  Markus nodded his head in defeat. “I know it would. I just think you are taking an awful risk. I don't know Nefertem as well as you do, so I have reservations."

  "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Markus.” Kendra pulled Markus into a quick hug then went to Mahes who waited for her, effectively ending the discussion.

  Chapter Thirty

  The time was fast approaching. The need, the hunger, pulsed through his veins in a rush of hot blood and was something he could not easily ignore. Why he tortured himself by walking among the mortals when the time for him to spill their blood was so near, he could not find the answer. Usually he would have avoided them until his mother arrived, but one mortal woman drew him still. He had not been able to rid his mind of her and her scent haunted him. At times the need to be with her overpowered the need to taste mortal blood. That was something he found hard to accept.

  Wandering aimlessly among his oblivious intended victims, hidden from their view, Nefertem went on full alert when he spied a group of mortals leaving the hotel a short distance away from him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply as her scent rolled over him. Even from afar, it was potent enough to have the longing he had for her inside him become almost unbearable.

  Focusing his full attention on the woman, he gave little heed to the other mortals that were with her. Not even his brother's presence with her sparked much interest in him. He followed her movements with his eyes as she climbed into the waiting taxicab. As the vehicle pulled away from the curb, Nefertem closed his eyes and followed it with his mind until it reached its destination. He then willed himself to that spot.

  He materialized just as the woman got out of the cab. When Mahes took her hand and led her toward the Great Pyramids, Nefertem fought back the urge to strike his brother down. The sight of seeing another man handle the woman infuriated him. The mortal woman was his.

  Keeping himself hidden from their senses, he followed the small group as they looked at each of the pyramids. When they stopped to watch a show of light and sound, he stayed near, even though the music coming out of the loud speakers hurt his sensitive ears. After the performance, as the crowd began to thin out, Nefertem followed the woman to the Sphinx.

  When the group disappeared, he knew Mahes was responsible. He did not like how his brother was interfering with the mortals. He was just about to use his powers to find out where Mahes had taken them when his mother's voice filled his head.

  "Nefertem, return to me. The mortals’ time is almost up. You must prepare."

  He knew his mother would not tolerate his disobeying her wishes. And something in the back of his mind told him it was not wise to draw attention to the mortal woman. Taking one last whiff of the woman's scent, he willed himself to his mother's side.

  * * * *

  Being inside the hidden chamber once again, Kendra found all her scattered thoughts were becoming focused. It all came down to this. All that was left to do was wait for the appropriate time to perform the spell.

  To pass the long hours ahead, Scott decided to have a better look at the contents of the library. Their first visit had not allowed him the time to really investigate what was hidden away in the chamber. As it turned out, Mahes was just as curious to see what secrets the library held, so he followed Scott around the chamber.

  After the second sound of exclamation that was heard coming from Scott, Markus joined the other two men, and left Kendra and Tory alone together. They sat side by side on one of the intricately carved benches. The one they sat on was carved in the semblance of a leopard. Black ebony wood and gold inlay mimicked that particular cat's spotted coat. Markus had been busily admiring the craftsmanship just moments before.

  "Alone at last. Well as alone as we can get in here anyway.” Tory said lightly.

  Kendra arched a brow at her friend. “Don't tell me you have grown tired of being around Scott day after day."

  "Hell no.” Tory said vehemently. When she saw Kendra's lips twitch, she started to laugh. “You got me good."

  "Looks like I did.” Kendra said laughing. “About bloody time, too, I might add. I thought you would never find someone who is right for you."

  "You and me both. All I have to say is that pendant of yours was what I needed in my life."

  In response to Tory mentioning the pendant, Kendra closed her hand around it. “That is the only good thing I can say about it. It led us to the men of our dreams."

  Seeing the look of loss on Kendra's face, Tory decided to change the subject. “I wonder if old Mahes over there would notice if we pocketed something small from here as a souvenir. I know Scott would never do it, but I would like to have something as a keepsake from this grand adventure we have been on."

  Kendra chuckled. “I doubt you would get away with it. I think Mahes has eyes in the back of his head. Either that or he just heard what you said. He is watching you. Rather intently."

  Sure enough, to Tory's dismay, she looked up to find Mahes with his arms crossed over his chest staring at her from across the room. Tory stuck her tongue out at him and turned back to Kendra. Mahes's deep baritone laugh could be heard right after Tory looked away.

  "Guess you are right, Kendra. That one doesn't miss much. Oh well, was worth a shot."

  After that, Tory decided she and Kendra should do some exploring on their own. Besides housing ancient scrolls, that were treasures in themselves, there was an assortment of small statues, amulets and carved slate tablets. Some of the statues and amulets were made from pure gold.

  Tory, deciding she wanted to have some fun with Mahes, picked up a gold amulet that was about the size of her palm and calmly shoved it into her jean shorts pocket. She then nonchalantly moved onto the next item that caught her fancy. It wasn't very long before Mahes came up to Tory and silently stuck out his hand.

  "What can I do for you, Mahes?” Tory asked him sweetly.

  "Hand it over, Tory."

  "And what would ‘it’ be exactly that you are wanting?"

  With his hand still outstretched in her direction, Mahes said, “Give the amulet to me or I will take it from you myself. I would not mind, I would enjoy it as a matter of fact, but I think Scott would be a trifle angry with me afterwards. It's your decision to make."

  Smiling just as sweetly as before, Tory fished the amulet out of her pocket and plunked it into Mahes's open hand. Giving her a quick nod of his head, he returned the amulet to its rightful place.

  The next couple of hours, Mahes and Tory played this little game. Kendra was hard pressed at times not to break out in laughter as Tory managed to look innocent of any wrong-doing and Mahes would oh so p
atiently wait for her to hand over whatever she had hidden away on her person. Kendra knew they did this mostly for her benefit, to help lighten her mood, and she loved them for it.

  It was Mahes who finally called their game to an end. He calmly came to Kendra and held out his hand to her. “It is time. Are you ready?"

  Kendra silently nodded her head and placed her hand in his. Her stomach suddenly became filled with butterflies, but she didn't hesitate when Mahes led her to stand on the hieroglyphs on the floor. Scott was already there waiting for them.

  "I have translated the spell, Kendra, and wrote it out for you.” Scott handed her a small piece of paper. “All you have to do is read what I have written there."

  She nodded again. Kendra could not bring herself to speak. She didn't trust her voice not to crack and give away what she was feeling inside.

  Sucking in a fortifying breath, Kendra wrapped her hand around the pendant. She met eyes with Markus where he stood at the very edge of the glyphs. He nodded his head once in her direction. That was all she needed to let herself finally look down at the paper held in her other hand and begin to read the spell out loud.

  "I stand inside the words that hold him; I call him to my side. I lay my fate in his hands: my blood he takes to make his choice. I give my blood to change the past. Come to me now!"

  Just as the first time, the pendant began to warm in her hand. A blinding flash of light followed shortly thereafter, the same as before. When her sight cleared, she found she was not alone. Nefertem now stood on the hieroglyphs with her.

  He was dressed as he had been on that fateful night when they first met. The black leopard helmet covered his face; his bow and quiver of arrows were slung over his one shoulder. The kilt he wore low around his hips was pristine white.

  Kendra swallowed back the nervousness that welled up inside her. This was Nefertem, she reminded herself, and he would never hurt her. When he turned his golden gaze upon her, and his eyes seemed to bore right through her, she had to repeat that assurance to herself more than once.

  He soon lost interest in her. Removing his helmet, Nefertem took in his new surroundings. His eyes lit onto each of the other individuals just outside the hieroglyphs. In response to finding three mortals standing there before him, he smiled, giving them each a clear view of his fangs. He lunged toward them, only to be brought up short when he tried to step off the glyphs. He snarled with rage. He tried again, only to have the same result, which enraged him all the more.

  "Be easy, Nefertem.” Mahes's softly spoken words drew his brother's attention. “We mean you no harm.” Nefertem growled at him.

  "Why doesn't he speak to you, Mahes?” Tory asked, as she sidled up a little closer to Scott. Nefertem's fangs were doing nothing to reassure her.

  "The change is complete. Speech is beyond him now. The cat is in complete control, but I can still make Nefertem understand what I say to him."

  "That puts my mind to rest.” She said sarcastically. “If he can only understand you, how will he understand Kendra?"

  "She possesses the pendant. Whoever wears it, even if he or she is a mortal, Nefertem will understand them."

  "What now, Mahes?” Kendra didn't know what to do next. So far Nefertem was not paying the least bit of attention to her. He seemed more interested in trying to get to Tory, Scott and Markus. He was repeatedly throwing himself up against the invisible barrier that kept him trapped with her.

  "Your guess is as good as mine, Kendra. The instructions with the spell didn't say anything about his ignoring you."

  "I see. I guess I am not enticing enough to him. I must be losing my touch."

  Mahes chuckled. “Hardly. Just give him a few minutes. He will soon grow weary of trying to break free."

  The prediction Mahes made about Nefertem soon tiring turned out to be way off the mark. Ten minutes later and Nefertem was still trying to gain his freedom. He tried from every angle, even going so far as to shove Kendra out of the way so he could reach the space behind her. By now, her nervousness was completely gone. She was actually finding Nefertem's attempts at escaping quite funny. The man was stubborn to a fault.

  After being rudely shoved aside for a second time, Kendra had had enough. “This is ridiculous. Will he not accept that he can't get away?"

  "Obviously not.” Mahes said dryly.

  "All right then, I have to take matters into my own hands."

  Marching over to where Nefertem stood pushing at the invisible barrier with his hands, Kendra took him by the arm, turned him to face her and took his face in both her hands. Not giving him a chance to push her away, she yanked his head down and proceeded to kiss him thoroughly.

  At first, she was not sure whether he would accept her advances. His first reaction was to hold himself stiff as a board, but Kendra refused to let him go. She wound her fingers through his hair, holding him to her. Slipping her tongue into his mouth, she ran it across the pointed tips of his fangs. Nefertem groaned in response and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush up against his body.

  Mahes chuckled again. “Seems that you have his attention now, Kendra."

  She didn't hear Mahes. By now, the only thing that existed in her world was Nefertem. The only thing she wanted was for him to keep kissing her. Nothing else mattered.

  Just as it had been in her dream, the area outside the glyphs seemed to dim, leaving only Nefertem and herself bathed in a soft glowing light. Their kiss went on and on. Still haunted by the rest of the events that had taken place in her dream, Kendra knew she had to end their passionate exchange. She had to look into Nefertem's eyes and see how he was reacting to her being in his arms. Slowly she lifted her lips from his and looked up at him.

  A wide smile spread across her lips at what she saw. It was nothing like it had been in her dream. There was such a look of possessiveness on Nefertem's face. As if he didn't want to leave her with any lingering doubts, a single word ‘mine’ echoed inside her head.

  Kendra smiled once more at him and said out loud the same word he had put inside her head. “Mine."

  Her response must have pleased him because once the word left her mouth Nefertem threaded his fingers through her hair and claimed her lips in an ardent kiss. Kendra felt a state of euphoria wash over her. All the anxiety she had been feeling previously had been for not. Nefertem had accepted her.

  Nefertem's lips left hers as he made a trail of kisses across her jaw. Reaching her ear he traced its outline with his tongue before he gently nipped at her ear lobe with his sharp teeth. Kendra sucked in her breath.

  When his lips left her ear and slowly made their way down to the side of her neck, Kendra held her breath. She locked her arms around Nefertem's waist and held on as tightly as she could. She knew what was to come next. Bending her head to the side, she happily gave him better access to the throbbing vein in her neck.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Even though she had been expecting it, Kendra still gasped when Nefertem sank his fangs into her exposed neck. It wasn't from pain that she did so, but from the sudden rush of senses that overwhelmed her. Everything Nefertem felt, she now felt. Every sensation, every emotion, she felt as if they where her own, and she knew Nefertem was having the same experience as she. Letting all the love she felt for him well up within her, Kendra silently let him know how she truly felt. In return he flooded her mind with the full extent of his feelings for her. He loved her as well. Her heart soared with that knowledge.

  Then it was her turn. Nefertem released his hold on her and stepped back, letting some space come between them. Holding her eyes intently with his own, he used his fangs to break open the skin at his wrist. Kendra watched as blood welled from the cut. She didn't hesitate when Nefertem stuck out his wrist for her to take. Closing the space between them, she took up his wrist and brought it to her mouth. Just as when Nefertem had taken her blood, Kendra felt the same rush of emotions and sensations.

  Being as connected as she was to Nefertem, at that moment
Kendra felt the changes begin inside him even before she lifted her mouth away from his wrist. The coppery taste of Nefertem's blood lingered on her tongue. Impulsively, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

  The changes in Nefertem increased. Kendra watched as his fangs slowly receded in length until they returned to normal size. They still retained their sharp appearance, as they had been when Nefertem first arrived. His eyes as well changed back, losing the slit-like pupil. Kendra looked up into Nefertem's golden eyes and waited for a sign to let her know the change was finally complete.

  "Kendra?” Nefertem asked slowly, as if he had not spoken in a very long time.

  "Yes, it is I.” Kendra wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his broad chest. Nefertem in turn put his arms around her to hold her close to him. “We did it, Nefertem. It is finally over."

  "But how...” Nefertem let his words trail off as snatches of what had just happened rose up in his mind. He kissed the top of Kendra's head. “How could you have taken such a risk for me, Kendra?"

  She lifted her head to look up at him. “Do you really have to ask that? I would do anything for you. I love you, Nefertem. I would walk through fire if it was what I had to do to be with you."

  "As I love you and would do the same for you.” Lowering his head, Nefertem kissed Kendra with all the love he had for her.

  The sound of someone loudly clearing their throat broke them apart. For the first time Nefertem realized he and Kendra were not alone. He let his gaze rest on the four other people standing a short distance away from them. Scott held a teary-eyed Tory in his arms and Mahes had a massive grin plastered on his face. Of the other man, Nefertem had no real recollection of, only brief flashes of memory, but he resembled Kendra too much not to be her brother Markus.