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Chapter 9
Ardeths POV
The group of men gathered their belongings and began to dismiss out of the Museum. I noticed Elisabeth fidget and break her knuckles one by one. She was obvious thinking about what she should do.
I round up all theories in my head to what we could do to stall the creature from regenerating any further.
"If I may, Mr. O'Connel. I believe Miss McGlothin should stay behind with us." Terrence asked the man. He shot him a confused look and scuffed, shaking his head as well.
"No, She stays in my sight at all times." He declared and gripped Elisabeths arm towards the doors.
She struggled to get out of his grasp. "Rick, Just listen."
"Don't trust us?" Terrence asked.
"After being threatened by Medjai only two days ago, why should I?" O'Connel added.
" They won't hurt me." She argued with him.
" Mr. O'Connel, You need to take into consideration that both of these women are in danger. If Imotep should find you, he'll take them both. If we separate then we can get more time." the old man explained.
I watched as O'Connel took a minute and thought this through. I walked over to him and put a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I promise to keep your friend safe. I will give my life before hers." I promised, and offered my hand.
He looked at me, and knew I was speaking the truth. He let out a frustrated sigh and nodded taking my hand firmin his.
" Just keep her safe." He told me, but it was more of a demand. I nodded in agreement.
He grasped her hand and cupped her chin. "Will you be alright here?"
Elisabeth nodded, giving me a glance.
"I'll be alright. Keep Evy safe." she looked at him as if he were leaving for battle. She embraced him, and whispered in his ear " See you soon."
The other American came over to her and held out his hand to her. She stared at him confused.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry for my disrespecting you from the moment we met. Can I ask a lady for forgiveness?"
She smiled and agree'd "Apology accepted."
"When we make it out of this, May I ask for your hand at Dinner?" He asked, continuing to be polite. I grew Jealous, I wanted her for myself. It wasn't fair. She glanced my way, then returned her gaze at the man in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Henderson. But I'm afraid i'm already in fair for someone else."
O'Connell gave her a sharp look, wondering who she could possibly refer to.
The man nodded and lifted her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "It was a pleasure, Ms. McGlothin." He nodded again in farewell and followed Jonathan and Daniels out of the museum.
She sighed, and watched as they left.
I walked over to her and watched her features go from sad to worry.
"Elisabeth, You will see them again. They are strong leaders." I explained, but she shook her head as I saw a single tear fall from her eye.
"Doesn't make me less worried." She muttered and walked over to Dr. Bey as he continued to evaluate her.
Rick's POV
We all made it back to Evelyns quarters. I took a stand next to the window and observed two men watching the eclipse.
'How could she agree to stay with them?' I questioned myself over and over. 'For someone who always took my side, she took theres. And in fair for who? Not the Madjai. He is too dangerous, yet I shook his hand for his promise.'
"We must stop him from regenerating! Who opened that chest?" I heard evelyn ask. It brought me out of my questions and back to what I was suppose to do.
"Well there was me and Daniels here, The egyptologist fella, and Burns obviously." Henderson explained. I turned my head to them and asked.
"What about my buddy Benny?"
Daniels shook his head no. "He got out of there before we opened that damn thing. He was the smart one."
I nodded, knowing " It sounds like Benny."
Evelyn jumped to her thoughts. "We must find the Egyptologist and bring him here and protect him from the creature."
"Right- She stays here, You three come with me."
I turned and to my surprise all were feuding with the idea of going and staying. I walked over to Evy and picked her up. She screamed and protested, but I plopt her of the bed and locked her in the bedroom. I could hear her pounding on the door to let her out.
I grabbed Daniels and stared at his eyes. "This door doesn't open. She doesn't come out, and no one goes in. Right?"
He agree'd instantly, as well as Henderson.
"I clapped the heels of my guns together. "Let's go Jonathan."
He scuffed and then followed.
Elisabeths POV
I bounced my knee under the table as I looked on the article about Freja. She was written to have the purest blue eyes, that made men admire her. It was claimed that her necklace held a large emerald, and mine was cut into a small heart. So much added up, and I didn't want it to be true.
I felt someone tap my shoulder and I jumped in fright. When I saw it was Ardeth I relaxed a bit.
" You must relax. Nothing will harm you here." He told me, his voice sounded so smooth and confident.
"Well, you don't have a mummy out to use your body now do you?" I snapped at him, and the moment they flew out of my mouth I regretted it. I let out a breath and looked at him once more. "I'm sorry. You are trying to make me calm, but it's just hard."
He nodded. "We all have moments. Even I have moments of uneasiness."
I laughed, looking back at my book to get away from his beautiful eyes. "Sure, A brave strong man such as yourself. What makes you so uneasy?"
"You." He whispered. I looked at him now, and I felt myself calm again.
"Why? Do I…frighten you?"
He let out a laugh whack showed a remarkable smile. " Quite Opposite. I have never been more fascinated about a woman my entire existence."
I wanted to smile at first taking his compliment to my heart, but then my eyes glanced down at the paper which revealed the Goddess who attracted men by her beauty, and the thought of smiling dissolved.
" Well, It's because of this. Not me." I pointed to the article. "So for your own sake, You must best keep your distance." I warned and walked away from him towards the exit.
"Wait, Please. That is not why." Ardeth tried to reason, but I couldn't believe him.
" Explain then? Because i've been told all my life by men that I am nothing more then a pretty face. Even that sleaze Henderson refered me to 'Beauty' so explain to me why i'm different to you."
"Because I've seen past just your face, or your long golden hair, and eyes as blue as crystals that make my heart pound every time you look at me….I see your strength, your heart. Freja used her beauty to manipulate men, as you deny them away. Your heart is pure, otherwise you wouldn't be so willing to give your life for others." he described to me, and I almost couldn't keep my composure.
"You went to help Burns when everyone else ran. The night my men attacked, you hid from site to protect Miss Carnahan, O'Connell and Jonathan. So you are nothing like this woman."
He stormed away, as I sobbed. I sank to the floor and hid my face in my knees letting the tears fall.
Ardeths POV
Watching her eyes fill with tears, and walking away without holding her has been the hardest choice I ever made. But she had to know that she was more to me then just her beauty. I turned around and saw her on the floor. Her face hid behind her knees.
"You shouldn't let her fool you." Terrence spoke from behind me.
"I am not. I am trying to prove she is more then just a Reincarnated Goddess." I claimed, turning to him with warning in my voice.
"But that is what she is, Ardeth. She is in site of a monster, one who will use her and destroy everything. There was only one reason why we needed her with us." I heard his footsteps come toward me and when he got to my side, he presented me with a dagger.
" We swore as Madjai to protect the world and to stop the creature, even the innocent die." he reminded me.
He wanted me to kill her. True, this action would take away one of the many threats Imotep would bring, but she was innocent. I took the blade and gripped his neck, placing the blade only inches from his neck.
"I am no fool. I made a promise, and I'm keeping it. She will not be harmed! and if you dare lay a finger on her, you last breath will be mine." I said, tossing him to the ground. He scrambled back to his feet.
"Ardeth, you must consider..."
"Never. I am leader of Madjai, and you will obey orders. This argument never happened, we need to keep her trust." I said, and moved back to Elisabeth, but she was gone.
Elisabeths POV
I ran, as fast as I could away from the museum. Mr. Bey had ordered Ardeth to kill me. He promised to keep me safe and I trusted him.
I rushed into Eny's quarters and I saw Daniels and Jonathan collect a body off the floor. It was mummified to the bone and the blond hair made me realize it was Henderson. I clasped my hand over my mouth in shock. He was dead.
"What are you doing here?" I heard Rick yell at me, gripping both of my arms.
I got nervous, I didn't know what to say. "I...I.."
" Elisabeth, what happened? Was the creature there? Did he hurt you or kill the Madjai?" he asked, getting more worried.
"I..I.." I can't tell him that they wanted to kill me because...Ardeth didn't want to kill me. The thought of him threatening Mr. Bey and the kind words he spoke to me reminded me that I couldn't let Rick be angry with them. "I ran, Just wondered if you needed any extra help." I croaked.
"Well, we are going back. We need to figure out about the book of Amunrah. Evy said something about the book killing him." He explained and dragged me to the car. Sadly, even though Ardeth was there and he would protect me , I still wouldn't feel safe with Mr. Bey in my view.
So as you can see, this was a short chapter. Thank you again for reviewing and as Always- the more reviews the faster the chapter will come! LisaBGreen.
