"H-How did you know we were coming?" I stammered.
"I know lots of things, thanks to Zapherte here." The girl laughed like I was an idiot asking that question.
The black dog gave a little growl. "Do you mind? You know, when you call me that it-" he was cut off.
"Agitates you. Blah blah blah." She teased.
"Well, I guess I should explain. My name is Stephanie, if you didn't know. And I am no mere mortal. You're thinking, Of course! You're blood of the Pharaohs! But that's not what I mean. I belong to Barkida."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sadie clasped her amulet. The Knot of Isis. I have the eye of Horus.
"Zap? Why don't you explain? You have a better history than I do." Stephanie glanced at the dog.
"I will introduce myself first." His voice sounded brave and powerful.
"I-I didn't know dogs could talk." I looked at the other two. "Can they talk?"
"Of course we can!" The golden one snarled.
"What are you, an ididog?" the black one accused.
The large dog sighed. "That's Summer." he pointed to the golden one. "And that's Bailey." he pointed to the black one. "I am Zap. Zap Wolf Bolt."
"Woah woah woah." Sadie moved her hands in the air, indicating for him to stop. "Back up. Dogs can talk. Dogs can talk?"
"Of course! Now shut your snout before I bite it off!" Zap snapped. Sadie looked surprised. I mean, I guess she's wasn't used to people talking back to her, let alone dogs.
"See, I am half wolf, half black Newfoundland dog. I am the heir to the White Wolf, and I must destroy the evil Black Wolf. I am a wizard. A wizard of Embarkida. Embarkida is where us canine wizards go to learn our magic. Oh and Barkida is the dog wizard dimension. The White Wolf is our mystical ruler. She's I guess what you could call a goddess. She created everything with the help of the Black Wolf, who's evil. He wasn't always evil, but that's another story. He has equal power, but on the dark side." Zap explained.
"You were the dog we saw when that beast attacked." Sadie had recovered.
"Oh, Swallower? Please!" Zap rolled his eyes. "He's my beast. All of us wizards have one. He's one of the most powerful. And I don't mean to brag, but I am the heir to the White Wolf, so I get all the good stuff."
"Wait. You are Zap Wolf Bolt, canine agent at Dog H.Q?" Bast asked.
"Yeah…" Zap replied. "You know some M.E.O.W.S. agents?"
"Yup."
"What the heck is Dog H.Q.?" Sadie and I both asked.
"It's classified." Zap, Stephanie, Summer, Bailey and Bast all said at the same time.
"Oookay…" I was a little weirded out. I mean, this kid, who's younger than me by three years knows more than I do. Then we find out dogs can talk! Then we find out about this Barkida place. Oh, and don't forget the Swallower incident! But Sadie was not as calm about it.
"What is going on here? I want answers!" She shouted. Luckily our invisibility suits made us soundproof too, but only to those who didn't know we were there."And Bast! You're in on this too?"
"It's difficult." Bast sighed.
"Quite." Summer glared at Sadie.
"Indeed." Agreed Bailey.
"Is the key safe?" Zap asked Stephanie, as if he was suspecting us.
"Of course! We wouldn't want anyone to get their hands on it." she replied.
"What key?" Sadie demanded.
"It's nothing really." Zap glowered. "Just the Key of Barkida. Nothing you would consider, with all you're Egyptian stuff." I hated the way he emphasized the 's' in 'stuff'. Almost like he was scoffing us.
I looked over at Stephanie. She was making that strange sound, that clicking sound you make when you want your dog to come. She slapped her hands together. And you'll never guess who appeared. Anubis. The god of funerals.