TITLE: CURSE OF THE BLACK BOOK

AUTHOR: Ardeth Saunders

RATING: "M." For mature audiences only. This story will contain adult content, language, and violence.

GENRE: Adventure/Romance

SYNOPSIS: The descendents of Ardeth Bay, Rick, and Evy O'Connell must stop two evil souls that live have come to wreak havoc the only way they know how. It is up to this worthy group to stop the evil before the world is destroyed. Along the way, Ardeth Bay's great grandson must realize a truth much too complex for him to face alone.

A/N: This story does not have anything to do with time travel or bringing Ardeth Bay or the O'Connell's to the future. This story grew out of an idea that a Fehr Lady mentioned during a hot tub excursion in Orlando. She said she would like to see the descendents from The Mummy movies brought to the present without utilizing time travel. Thanks to her, and her request, this story has come to life. Thank you and ALL those at the FLMB for making me feel welcomed and wanted. Special thanks to Cyndee and Shel. Cyndee, thank you for giving me permission to use the idea and to Shel for being the best friend I could ever hope to find. Last but not least, to the Fehr Ladies at FLMB for having one heck of a convention!!!!

DISCLAIMER: Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios own Ardeth Bay, Alex O'Connell, Imhotep, Ancksunamun, The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns. The author is borrowing them for a short time to work out a continued admiration for everything Ardeth Bay. There is absolutely NO infringement intended. The original characters, concepts, places, and themes belong to the sick, twisted, and often vivid imagination of the author. If anyone would like to borrow from this story, please ask. I do not place 'ownership' on a name, or its exact spelling. However, please seek permission from either I or Cyndee before lifting the plot, theme, etc. As always, I hope you enjoy the story. RnR if you please! THANKS!

Cinder University loomed behind a sheet of drenching rain. The campus was normally bright and cheery, inviting to the shyest of students. Cinder attracted only the best and brightest of the nation. Today, it wouldn't attract anything but frogs that seemed to continually cry for rain. Even the students were missing this morning. There were no bustling bodies rushing toward a class. Who could blame them? Certainly not Dr. Aiden Bay, professor of Paleontology and resident Egyptologist.

Aiden struggled with his backpack as he grabbed an umbrella. Unlike most of his peers, he refused to carry a briefcase. Those pieces of junk separated a professor from his students, immediately creating a 'them' against 'us' mentality. On days like today, he wished he had conceded. His umbrella would not protect the bag, only its contents and owner. Ah, but it is destiny, he thought with a smile. He was thinking like his great grandfather again. It happened with age. When he first heard of Ardeth Bay, who he was, what he stood for, he scoffed. The older he grew, the more respect he felt, but he still had enough of realism inside him to continually possess doubt.

He had never met Ardeth Bay. From what his great grandmother told him before dying at the ripe age of 99, he passed on honorably. He hadn't known much else, other than Grandfather Bay was some type of great warrior. Aiden didn't understand, had never pretended to do so. It was a story that fascinated him when he was a boy. His mother often told him more colorful tales passed from his grandmother. She had always let him know that he looked a lot like this Ardeth Bay, except for the honorable marks of the Medjai. He remembered asking about the 'honorable marks,' and he was shown crude drawings of Arabic characters. He had no way of knowing what they meant. Despite that, despite scoffing, Aiden often stared down at those characters, wondering why they held such great importance. Even as a grown man, Aiden still didn't understand. He wasn't altogether certain he ever would. Be that as it may, he was Cinder's Egyptology man. He was the person his colleagues turned to when they had a question. Oddly, Aiden didn't exactly think he would enjoy Egyptology. It was basically thrust upon him. He remembered the night as if it happened yesterday.

Six years ago, Dr. Bay had been given tenure after years of service. During the reception, it was announced that a fierce competition had came to an end. Two worthy colleagues had been named to attend an exclusive sabbatical in Egypt. Aiden was told he was chosen third in the unlikely 'contest,' and would not be forced to serve unless something happened to his other colleagues. He figured it was a one in a million shot, so he basically didn't hold his breath. Unfortunately that very evening, the chosen colleague had a heart attack. The poor fellow died during surgery. The second came down with a mysterious illness. The university was then left with a decision: either cancel the sabbatical or send another person. Aiden insisted out of honor for his colleagues that the trip be canceled immediately. However, the current departmental chair, who was also the smarmy daughter of the university founder, insisted that someone else go. Aiden was handpicked for the trip. He didn't know what it was about Aubrey Setine that pissed him off, but whenever he heard her name, he became sick to his stomach. She knew he didn't like her. He knew the feeling was mutual. She treated him as if he were her enemy. He couldn't pinpoint the animosity. The entire time Aiden had taught at Cinder, they had spoken no more than a dozen words to each other. Actually, he didn't care to pinpoint anything having to do with Aubrey. The longer he stayed away from her, the happier he was. A long sabbatical in Egypt was almost the perfect opportunity to separate himself from the she-demon. Yet, he didn't want to leave his students behind. Aubrey didn't give him much of a choice. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, he acquiesced to her demand.

He actually enjoyed the sabbatical. He enjoyed it so much that he went back to school, earning a credit here or there until his second doctoral degree was finished. His best buddy dubbed him "Doctor Egypt." He wasn't certain he had necessarily earned that honor, but it was nevertheless a moniker he would probably never lose. Much like my heritage. It wasn't that he was ashamed of it. It was more like a calm burden. Does that make sense? It probably didn't matter. Lots of things in his life didn't make sense. What mattered was that he would have to make a mad dash to the building or suffer the consequences of dallying around in the pouring rain.

Dakota Marlow saw Aiden Bay, watched as he ran toward the sprawling Liberal Arts complex. He was a tall man, like his great grandfather, with the same black hair. Unlike him, Dr. Bay chose to wear his long locks tied back with a hank of rawhide. His soft, often menacing eyes were covered by fashionable eyeglasses. He had yet to meet or understand his destiny, past, or future. It was, perhaps, what she had been born to do. Her only problem was whether or not he would believe her. Why would anyone?

Dakota was just a wee slip of a girl when her mother told her of her many past lives. She loved her mother, but everyone in town thought she was crazy. Dakota didn't know what to think of her mother's claims of the afterlife and reincarnation until her dreams began. As much as Evelyn O'Connell before her, she had begun to understand her past life eons ago in ancient Egypt. Yet, she wasn't a princess like Evy had been. It had taken years for her to discover that. She hoped it wouldn't be the destruction of her in the coming months. Despite that, she accepted her destiny. Others weren't so easily convinced. She was certain that Aiden Bay would not be swayed. However, she had no choice but to confront him.

She laughed softly behind her hand as she imagined dozens of campus security agents rushing toward the complex to shackle this poor, crazy woman whom had lived thousands of years ago, whom had killed Aiden Bay when he was known only as Abul. He had been her lover. Nine months to the day of Abul's death, she had given birth to a son, who would go on to sire the forefathers of Ardeth Bay.

Aiden had just sunk his teeth into the meat of his intricate lecture on the Egyptian deity Hathor when he was distracted by the classroom door creaking open. Normally, latecomers to his class didn't offer that great of a distraction. Today, it was irritating as hell. The door squealed like that of a tomb which hadn't been opened in three thousand years. A tomb…wherein lies a black book… The person who entered was not a regular student. His classes were popular and always filled to capacity, but he made it a point to learn not only the faces, but names of his students as well. The young woman with soft brown hair had no business here. It was close to midterm, so she wouldn't be auditing his class this late in the semester. Aiden gave her a cursory glance before diving back into his lecture. He would deal with the…interloper…woman after class.

A female student toward the front of the class raised her hand to make a comment. When Aiden acknowledged her, the young…interloper…woman spoke, clearly purposely interrupting his student. "What of the Medjai, Dr. Bay," she asked with a loud, almost husky voice.

Aiden was stunned. No one here on campus knew of his ancient, forgotten heritage. What makes you believe she knows? He made eye contact with her. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why he felt an instant, primal hatred for her. She was smirking at him. "We can discuss that after my lecture, Miss?" …Myla…

Dakota noticed his right eyebrow was lifted. His great grandfather had always done the same when challenged. "Marlow," she said evenly.

Marlow. The name meant nothing to him. She was not Marlow. She was not who she said she was. She was Myla. She was one woman who had betrayed him. One for whom he had sacrificed his life. He lay dying in a pool of his own blood as she stood over him, a huge blade in her hand. Allah help him, but the heartless wench was smiling down at him, saying something, speaking a language he did not understand. English. English. What the hell? As the thoughts flew into his head, he saw an ancient structure, resembling columns. They were built to enormous proportions, nearly reaching the heavens and beyond. He reached out, touched the columns and drew his hand back with a hiss. They were made of adobe, hot to the touch, baking his flesh and blood into a gory sludge. As soon as the image popped into his head, it disappeared.

Aiden bit his lip. Bit it hard. She is with child. She schemed to be such. He had no idea where his thoughts or feelings were coming from. Although he was unaware, his students sat in stunned silence. Before them was a man who seemed to be in the throes of a massive heart attack.

Breathing deeply for several minutes, he brought himself back slowly, his face now blank. Thoughts of a lost lover, a child, a past he did not care to revisit were left behind, where they needed to be. "Enough for today," he managed to spit out.

"Dr. Bay, are you all right?"

It was the student Miss Marlow…Myla…interrupted. She touched his arm gently, with concern. He hadn't noticed her approaching him. "Yes, Patty, I am fine." I am fine? Am I? Will I be? He should have stayed out in the rain. Perhaps he could have contracted pneumonia and died. Then he wouldn't have had to come here to stare this woman in the face ever again. Stare her in the face again? What the hell? Three thousand years too soon. "Don't worry about me." He looked up to the sea of faces seated feet away. "Read chapters twelve and thirteen. I expect each of you to hand in a five page summary of what you read first thing Wednesday morning. Please don't give me paraphrased versions of what you might think I'd like. Your original thoughts, please. I don't want regurgitation." His directives were met with groans and incoherent grumbling. Finally. Normalcy. "Now please," he said with a weak smile. "Get lost."

Dakota stayed rooted to her spot as she watched every student make his or her exit out of the lecture hall. Between people, her eyes wandered toward Aiden. He wasn't looking at her. Had her presence given him the vivid flashbacks that had been haunting her for years? They came on violently strong, hitting harder than fifteen burly football players. His face was hollow, his eyes likely wounded. It was never easy facing one's past, especially when his death had been so violent.

After the last of the students left, Dakota descended downward toward Dr. Bay. He had yet to move from his podium. She noticed how all his things had their places. He was stuffy and meticulous. Despite his attempts at being hip, he is a typical college professor, she thought somewhat unkindly. It was enough to make her laugh, but she resisted. That was Myla's way, not hers. Myla fought hard to show herself at every turn. It was especially true once she found Aiden Bay. Myla wanted to kill him again, but Dakota wouldn't let her. I hope I can keep her violence at bay, at least until we find the Radi Kitab. Once we have that, I can rid myself of Myla forever. Shivering a little, she shook the thoughts away. Honestly, it was enough to drive one crazy.

"If you're a treasure seeker, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I know nothing of it," he said as…Myla…she approached.

Her eyes were light, a violet color that shouldn't have existed in the real world. Then again, he didn't think she wore contacts, either. He could see no clear edge around her eyeball. Her lips were full, still holding her smirk almost petulantly. She seemed to be on the verge of laughter. How cruel is she?

"I do not seek treasure, Dr. Bay," she began. "What I seek is you."

Her statement visibly shook him. His forehead was too high, his face too broad to wear a slicked back ponytail. She figured he tried to pass as a Native American, when his heritage was pure Egyptian. Why was he so ashamed of who he was? Perhaps it had everything to do with how Abul died.

"My class is full," he commented glibly.

"I have no interest in your class, Dr. Bay. I think you already know that. I suggest we go for a coffee. Don't beg off, either. I know your next class isn't until noon."

Without arguing, he mutely followed her out of the classroom where they left the complex and ran through the rain across the quad. They quickly ducked into the student union. They found the coffee shop, choosing a table in the back. Aiden was comfortable here. He came every day without fail. However, it was usually late in the day and his company was either Jess or Luke O'Connell, not this…interloper…woman from…his past…wherever she called home.

Before Aiden could move, Dakota was on her feet to order their coffee. He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His head was aching now, ferociously so. He looked up at her. He saw her differently now. He saw…Myla…her in a white peasant's dress with intricate designs around the collar. He saw shackles about her ankles. She was a…Hebrew…slave? When she turned back to face him, he saw her as she was, smartly dressed in dark slacks and a red sweater. She regarded his expression with only more mirth as she placed his coffee before him. It was café au lait, his favorite. How could she know so much?

"Are you okay, Dr. Bay," she asked.

He looked up at her, his eyes filled with rage. "Who are you? What do you want?"

His teeth made an audible popping noise as he gritted them together. He was so much like his great grandfather. As he should be. "I'm Dakota Marlow and I am here to ask for your help."

He sipped at his coffee, hastily wiping his mouth with a napkin. "My help? I can't help you. I see hundreds of treasure seekers every day. I know nothing of Seti's fortune other than the purely academic side of it."

"Dr. Bay, I told you I'm not interested in treasure. I could find Seti's fortune alone if I wanted it." She took a sip of her drink, leaving behind a thin film of foam on her upper lip.

Aiden found it difficult to look away from the foam on her mouth. She was young and uncultured…like Myla… "What do you want," he asked again, as if she hadn't heard him the first time.

"Did your family ever mention the Book of the Dead?"

They had, but he remembered dismissing it. Jess and Luke's grandfather spoke of it often. He had great respect for his teacher, for his mentor, but Alex O'Connell told more stories than his family ever thought of telling. He had an overdeveloped sense of whimsy, just like his mother. "Only vaguely."

Dakota smiled before using a napkin to clean away the foam. "I thought you would say that. What your family doesn't know is that a more powerful Black Book exists, one with the ability to undo all the curses in the world. It also has the power to restructure the world as we know it."

She was clearly insane. No such book existed. If it did, Alex O'Connell would be the first to know of it. "I can't help you."

She finally found a moment where she could freely laugh. "You think I'm crazy, don't you?" She laughed again before drinking more of her latte. "I knew you would. I can assure you that I'm not. You see, others know of this book. If they find it before we do, all this will be gone," she said, sweeping her arms dramatically around her.

Aiden stood up abruptly. "Thank you for the coffee, Miss Marlow, but you're wasting my time."

Before making his exit, Dakota took hold of his wrist. "Please don't leave."

Her plea was sincere, its sincerity forcing another flashback to assault him. He couldn't see it. He refused. Calmly, he sat back down. "I can't help you, but I know who can."

She smiled, genuinely this time. There was no smirk. No mirth. "The O'Connell family?"

Once again, he found himself in a quandary. "Who are you," he asked.

He had asked the question many times already. This time, however, he meant it more deeply. "Some day, I'll tell you."

To be continued…