by Allie Burton
“How are we going to do that?” My voice rose with my hopelessness. We really didn’t know much about the curse. And after the dream, I understood the consequences if I died while abusing the sun’s powers. I’d never achieve peace.
He stood and stretched, his T-shirt tugging up. My gaze glued to him and tingles spread out along my tummy.
“We need to go to the Society of Aten’s headquarters.”
All thoughts of his tight abs disappeared. “Are you crazy?”
He walked over to an old desk and rummaged through the drawers. “We need to find out about the anointment ceremony. What better place?” He tossed me a granola bar he found inside the drawer.
I caught the snack. “That’s like swimming in the Nile to catch a crocodile.” Strange way for me to explain it. “I need to get home. Fitch’s client is expecting the amulet.”
And Fitch would expect me back.
The grooves on Xander’s forehead deepened. He took a couple of sodas from the drawer and handed one to me. “You can’t give the amulet away, especially if we need it to end the burnout.”
My lungs squeezed. Did he have an idea of how to end this nightmare? If holding onto the amulet for awhile longer would help them solve the puzzle, I’d avoid turning it over.
We left the stables and walked through the park in the early morning light. I took a huge bite of the granola bar shoving it far into my mouth and almost choked. “Fitch was paid a cool million for the amulet. He’ll be pissed if I don’t get the jewelry to him as soon as possible.” He was probably already pissed.
“Are you willing to bet your life on that?”
Was I? Either way, I was taking a gamble. Go along with Xander and his insane plan to search the Society’s headquarters or go back to Fitch and hand over the amulet and possibly my life.
My natural instincts of question and distrust nudged me on. “Do you really think we need the amulet or are you just using that as an excuse to keep me from Fitch?”
“Honestly, I don’t know if the amulet is needed. It just seems like a risk to give it away.” Xander continued to munch on his granola as he spoke. “I feel partially responsible for the situation you’re in.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t know about the burnout and the only way to discover the truth is to go to Society headquarters and find it ourselves.” He sounded earnest, like he wanted to help. “It’s the last place they’d expect us to go.”
Xander had a point. His idea of circling back around in the park had been correct. And getting more information before telling Fitch would only help my situation.
My indecision wavered like a mirage in the Egyptian desert. “How would we get in?” Using my dirty nail, I scraped between my teeth trying to unstick the pieces of granola. Gross. All kinds of germs could spread that way. I yanked my hand down and took a large gulp of soda. “Do you expect to knock on the door and be welcomed?”
Xander shoved his hands in the pockets of the dirty pants he wore. “You’re the security expert. Can’t you break into a house?”
Did he still doubt my abilities? “Of course.” I spit a huge loogie on the ground.
Disgusting. I never did that kind of gross stuff. Especially not in front of a cute guy. The saliva gathered in my mouth again. Using my tongue, I pushed the liquid forward. I drew back ready to let loose.
Horrified, I covered my mouth. Then, I forced the saliva down and swallowed. What was going on with me? I didn’t spit. I didn’t pick my teeth. Or, talk with my mouth full. And I definitely didn’t know the word kohl.
I was acting weird. My usual routine had been changed so I was changing too. That had to be the reason. I was grasping at straws. Even my feelings for Xander turned on and off. From the minute I saw him at the museum I thought he was cute. I wondered what it would be like to hold hands or share a hug. Had my attraction grown because I couldn’t touch him?
And now, even though we’d grown closer, I didn’t want to touch him. Well, I did. But I didn’t. Was crushing on a guy always this complicated?
I watched his sexy swagger as he walked in front of me. Cute butt. Lean and defined muscles. Great hair. Tingles swirled in my tummy.
Then stopped. Shut down. Halted.
All my recent actions and thoughts collided in my mind and twisted in confusion. My skin shivered with want and revulsion. My heart squeezed.
King Tut was a guy.
King Tut’s soul lived inside me.
I had a boy’s soul inside my girl’s body. Is that why I was so confused?
Fan-pharaoh-tastic.
I reached up and pressed my palm to my cheek. Smooth skin. No inkling of beard stubble. I grabbed my nose. Pert. Narrow. Stuck out a little too much for my taste, but it was still my nose. I tugged my braid. No short boy-hair for me. Or back in Tut’s time, did guys have long hair?
I think I still looked like me. I wished I had a mirror.
“Do I look any different?” My breath stalled in my chest waiting for Xander’s response.
He angled his head and looked at me with an odd expression, probably wondering why I’d asked. “Since I met you yesterday? No.” He continued walking.
The spitting, the scratching, the talking with a mouthful all made sense. Like there was a battle of the sexes going on inside my body. I marched beside Xander, just like a boy. But I thought he was cute, like a girl.
And I wondered whether the male or female inside would win.
Chapter Ten
Olivia
With my knowledge of the transportation system and Xander’s knowledge of where the house was located, we took two buses to the closest stop on Sea Cliff Avenue. On the bus, Xander acted like a kid on a roller coaster. His lips turned up in a constant smile. His eyes shined with the thrill of trying something new. He wasn’t too snobby to take a bus. He’d never had the opportunity.
I spent the time trying to reconcile the fact I had a boy inside of me. As I thought, I searched the people the bus passed on the street for anyone familiar. Anyone who might be looking for us.
We got off the bus and walked toward the Society of Aten’s mansion—because it had to be a mansion in this neighborhood. The huge houses kept their backs to the street with multiple garage doors and high fences to keep the riff raff out. Like me. This wasn’t going to be a simple security system.
Going to the source of our problem had seemed like a good idea. But now that we were here facing the walled-off Society mansion, my mind blanked. A niggle of doubt wormed its way inside my brain. What if it was a trap? I really didn’t know Xander. Why was I trusting him?
“Are you sure about this?” The sound of the ocean rushing the shore offered no relief.
“What other choice do we have?” He scooted around the edges of the driveway. “Do you have any other ideas on how to figure out what’s happening to you?”
Dragging my feet, I followed. I’d agreed and I didn’t go back on my word so I pushed my doubts aside.
I gasped at my first glimpse of the Society’s house. Blue sky and ocean provided the backdrop for the mega-mansion. The smell of the ocean mixed with the smell of imported palm trees lining the short driveway. Arched doorways and windows added a foreign flair to the two-story home. The walls surrounded three sides to keep nosy neighbors out. Places like this only existed on TV. Certainly not in my life. Every living space shouldn’t have the same generic name as house. This didn’t compare to where I lived.
“Nice place.” I tried to hide the envy in my tone.
“For a prison.” His harsh tone matched the expression on his face. Eyebrows bunched over narrowed eyes and a deep frown.
If I had to go to prison, and if I keep up my breaking-and-entering ways I might, I wouldn’t mind a prison like this. Much better than the state ones I’d been threatened with when my practice hadn’t gone exactly like Fitch wanted. No criminals walked through these double doors. Only the super-rich or the super-famous. And the delivery people who served them because a gr
ocery delivery van was parked on the driveway leading to the side of the house.
“Perfect.” Xander straightened and walked around the van toward the garage.
“What’re you doing?”
“Our housekeeper is crushing on the delivery guy. The door is unlocked and they’ll be in the kitchen for awhile.” He peeked into the windows of the garage door. “And all the cars are gone, which means headquarters should be empty.”
“What about your maid and butler?” I was only half joking.
“The Society kept minimal and only loyal, housing staff.” He twisted the knob and the side door opened.
My shoulders hunched and I wanted to hang back. He didn’t need my skills to break in and I didn’t belong here. “I’ll wait outside.”
His questioning look skewered me. “Since we don’t know what we’re looking for we need two sets of eyes. It’ll be faster.”
My chin jerked to a haughty angle. My shoulders pulled back and my chest puffed out. This wasn’t me, but my new alter-ego taking charge. “Oh, no you don’t.”
“I don’t what?” Xander’s terse words and confused expression showed he expected an argument. But one between the two of us, not between me and King Tut.
Not as grand as my place, but it will do.
“We are not going inside.” I stomped my foot trying to force my will on a king.
“We’re here now.” Xander pushed the door open further.
“I didn’t mean you. You can go inside.” I crossed my arms and imagined my feet glued to the ground. “Tut and I are staying out here.” I didn’t belong in a place like this.
Tut had other ideas.
My feet tugged. My legs followed. I glided toward the door like a pharaoh entering his palace, or whatever they called it back in ancient Egypt. Just like almost getting hit by the bus or playing soccer in the park, I had no choice. I only hoped Tut wouldn’t waltz me in front of the enemy.
Murmurs came from behind the closed kitchen door in the narrow utility hallway. Xander held his finger to his mouth in a shushing motion.
Like I’d be dumb enough to shout out a hello. Had he forgotten my training?
Stale incense hung in the air when we reached the grand foyer, forcing a cough to my throat. I sucked the cough back. “Are you sure no one else is here?” I kept my voice low.
“I don’t think so. Most of the Society members hold outside jobs.” Xander waved at me to follow. “Or they’re all out looking for us.”
That made me feel better. Not.
Sliding along the shiny floor, I let out a slow, quiet whistle. My reflection glared back off the polished marble. Long hair that needed re-braiding, slim body with a flat chest, and legs that couldn’t stop moving. Still looked like me, even if I didn’t feel like me.
Back in control of my body because we were inside as Tut had wanted, I tiptoed following Xander down a long hallway hung with ancient Egyptian artwork. Stone frescoes with faded colors. Statues of a strange looking dog and a bull. A macramé hanging made with gold rope. The hall held more valuable pieces than the museum and were much prettier than the amulet.
He stopped in front of a set of double doors, placed his hands together, and bowed his head. “Golden sun, we worship you.”
This time I knew I heard ancient Egyptian, and understood it. “How can you still appeal to this god?”
“Just because the hosting has gone awry doesn’t mean the belief is false.” His simple expression matched his simple statement.
But there was nothing simple about this. If he still believed in this whacko-ness, then I was in danger from all followers—including him. My heart picked up its pace and my feet prepared to run. I couldn’t let him lead me into a dead end. My dead end.
I couldn’t just run either. I wanted answers. “Do you still believe in this hocus-pocus?”
“You tell me.” He arched a single dark eyebrow. “Do you or do you not host the soul of King Tut?”
I didn’t respond. Hated that Xander was right. How could I not believe in at least some of this? But it was so different from everything I’d learned, grown up to believe or not believe. Life was harsh and praying wasn’t going to make it better.
And yet I believed Tut was inside me. Knew I had powers, although the jury was still out on their usefulness.
Xander should’ve hosted Tut’s soul. They understood each other. Understood the same set of beliefs. Tut’s a guy. Xander’s a guy. The two of them wouldn’t have the drama that Tut and I did. The mystic powers, the voice in my head, the fear of the burnout combined like tangled security wires crossing their signals. I didn’t know what to feel. So, I didn’t. Didn’t feel, didn’t think. Took one step at a time. Literally.
“What’s in here?” I pointed at the doors.
“Hopefully, inspiration. Or a clue.” He cracked the doors open and we slipped inside.
The brightness hit me first. I squinted. The entire ceiling and far wall were made of glass. Like a greenhouse, the construction let in the full light of the sun.
Sliding glass doors led to an outside private courtyard where massive pylons divided the space. Poles mounted on the pylons flew long colorful streamers in the breeze.
My shoes tapping on the white marble floor as I approached the altar. An oversized sun disc with eighteen dangling rays was suspended from the ceiling. Each ray ended in a human hand, just like the amulet.
“This is the Holy of Holies where we reflect.” Xander slid open the glass doors and stepped outside. “This is where we worship privately and become rejuvenated by the sun’s rays.”
I walked outside and the sun warmed my skin. Colorful flowers, both in the ground and in pots, decorated the small green space. “But this is San Francisco, near the coast. A lot of days are foggy.”
“We had a solution.” He pointed to the lights hidden in the palm trees. “Growing lights.”
Four-foot columns surrounded the courtyard like a sentinel guard. A deep groove was carved out of the top of each.
“What are the columns for?”
“Offering stands.” He knelt beside one and again bowed his head. “Daily offerings are placed on these columns as a gift to the sun god.”
I crossed the courtyard to an alabaster statue at the end of the garden. I ran my fingers over the ornate bust of a girl with kohl lined eyes and jewels sparkling in her hair. She seemed familiar. “This is beautiful.”
“Queen Ankhesenamen, King Tut’s beloved wife.”
A breath rasped out of my throat. The girl from my dream. “Weren’t they a little young to be married?”
“Not unusual for royalty to secure the throne.” Xander’s eyes went liquid and a little dreamy.
My insides went soft thinking about having a guy look at me in that way. Having Xander look at me in that way. I’d never experienced this kind of connection with anyone before. Was it real attraction or was it because of our strange circumstances?
“What was unusual is she was his only wife. He truly loved her.”
Soulmates torn apart.
“Soulmates,” the words slipped out on a sigh.
Peer closely and behold.
I studied the artwork. The likeness to the girl in my dream was amazing. The artist had crafted an exquisite piece. The queen wore a replica of the amulet. The lines had worn with time and a red, marquis-shaped jewel, that wasn’t on the real amulet had been added. The jewel didn’t sparkle like baubles should so I rubbed the gem, wanting it to shine like the ones in her hair. The jewel jiggled.
My finger froze. “Oh, no. I broke it.”
“What?”
“This jewel is loose.”
Xander edged in beside me. “It’s not a jewel.” He tugged at the square edges. A small container slid out. “It’s disguised like a jewel.”
The lid of a gold jar had been painted to look like the jewel for the statue, but it topped a small round container, so tiny it fit in his hand. Kind of like the free sample jars of moisturizer I’d gotten from t
hat exclusive department store, only this one was made of gold.
I held my breath, anticipation building in my lungs. A secret compartment like in the movies. “What is it?”
“A vessel. It’s used to hold one of the seven essential oils.”
“Essential for what?”
“The Afterlife.” He unscrewed the lid. “Ancient Egyptians believed they could take everything with them, which is why they built great monuments like the pyramids to hold their most precious possessions.”
“Oil was one of them?” I understood why gasoline was important in today’s world, people fought wars over it, but this wasn’t crude oil. “Really?”
“Lotus oil.” He bent his head over the container and sniffed. Letting out his breath, he stared at me. “Lotus recalls the sweetness of a woman.”
His deep, sensuous voice set my heart fluttering. My stomach tightened.
I licked my dry lips. “Is-is that why it was hidden in Queen Ankhesenamen’s statue?” My heart calmed and saddened for Tut and his soulmate. They’d loved so much and died so young. No wonder Tut wanted to be reunited with her. Weird, but I sort of understood.
Xander put the stopper disguised like a jewel back in the vessel. “This could be one of the oils needed for the anointing ceremony.”
“The ceremony to stop the burnout?” If I sniffed or drank the oil would Tut go away?
Xander bit his lip. “We should take the oil with us.”
“They’ll notice the vessel missing.” I tugged a red petal off a flower from the garden and shoved it in the hole where the container had been. “All fixed.”
“For awhile.”
I tilted my face toward the sky searching for answers from the sun. Maybe Aten would help. “Where should we start looking for information?” I agreed Society headquarters was the best place, but we didn’t know what we were looking for. “We need to get out of here quickly so we don’t get caught.”
“The Society planned for everything. They always had a set of instructions or an ancient scroll.” Xander strode toward the door leading back into the hallway. New-found confidence seemed to lighten his strides. “We need to find an instruction manual or planning document on how to use your powers.”
