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To Evelyn's complete lack of surprise, the candle belonged to Alex. She was making her way along the corridor softly, with frequent glances back over her shoulder to be certain no one was following her.

Before she reached the spot where Evelyn was standing, Alex turned off down a branching corridor, one whose entrance was so narrow Evelyn hadn't noticed it previously. She softly approached the entrance, waiting until Alex's light had receded, and then began to squeeze through, stopping with a gasp of fright when something grasped her arm.

"It is only I," breathed Ardeth's familiar voice in her ear.

"Where is she going?"

"One can only guess." There was a sadness in his tone, and Evelyn marveled anew at how quickly a sympathy had sprung up between their medjai friend and this strange, suspicious woman. Perhaps Ardeth saw something foreign and intriguing in Alex, or perhaps he was simply caught by her vulnerability. There was no accounting for taste, apparently.

"Let's find out."

Evelyn could feel Ardeth nodding in the dark, and she squeezed through the crack and followed the rapidly dimming light of Alex's candle. There was silence behind her, but she knew Ardeth was there.

Eventually the light began to grow again as they came closer to the end of the corridor, and Ardeth put a hand on Evelyn's arm again to stop her from moving. They both stood still, hardly daring to breathe, listening for any sounds.

There was chanting, faint and rhythmic, and then a hasty whisper. Two voices, but the words were impossible to make out. As one, Ardeth and Evelyn moved closer, stepping very carefully. Evelyn wished she was wearing softer-soled shoes. Something to think about the next time she went exploring in tombs and caves—more practical clothing.

It was hard to judge how close to get, because they didn't want to step into the light coming from the chamber Alex had disappeared into, but they needed to hear what was happening. Evelyn could make out Alex's voice and that of Osiris, but none of the words were clear enough to understand.

One more slow, cautious step, then another, and the next sentence Alex spoke was clear enough. "I can't do it. Not any longer. Don't ask me."

"You must. You have no other choice."

"No." It was a moan of pain more than a determined stance, and Evelyn resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the other woman's weakness only because Ardeth might have sensed her reaction.

"You swore an oath, do you remember? When I found you in that pitiful slum and promised to bring you out, to give you everything you had ever wanted. You swore an oath in blood to serve me, to obey my orders unquestioningly."

"I … didn't know. I was so hungry." Alex's voice was small, that of a much younger person suddenly.

"You will be so again if you fail me."

There was silence, and Evelyn wondered what was happening. Then Alex spoke again, her voice stronger, more determined. "I will not betray him—them. You can kill me if you have to, but I am finished with this."

Osiris's voice was a sharp hiss as he replied, "There are much worse things than death, I'm afraid. And you court such a fate when you deny me what I want."

"But I'm telling you I don't know where it is!"

"They have it. There were signs that someone was digging in the pathway where it was dropped. One of them has it, no doubt on their person. Search them."

"In their sleep? They don't trust me. That woman would stop me before I laid a hand on her precious Rick. I'm no good to you, I told you that!"

She wasn't wrong. Evelyn wouldn't have let Alex get near Rick, or Jonathan for that matter. Probably not Rana. Ardeth, on the other hand … She glanced at him in the faint light that came from the chamber ahead. He was listening sharply, but his face was expressionless. Evelyn wished she knew how to do that. She was afraid her own face was an open book all too often.

Still, she wondered what Ardeth was thinking. Alex's position was one anyone might have found themselves in, Evelyn had to admit—down on your luck, nowhere to turn, no money or food. Surely you would take the first offer of betterment that came your way, regardless of its morality. And just as surely, once secure and well-fed, you might be grateful to the one who lifted you up, grateful enough to continue to do what he wanted, even if it was wrong. Even if … she looked at Ardeth again with more sympathy. Even if your heart wanted something very different.

Osiris's voice, when it came again, was lower, almost a snarl. "You will find that missing piece and you will do so quickly."

"Let go of me."

Next to Evelyn, Ardeth tensed. Was he going to spring to Alex's defense, even though they didn't know Osiris's capabilities or how many other people might be in the chamber with them? Evelyn hoped not, but she knew if he was determined to do such a thing, she couldn't hold him.

Fortunately, she didn't need to try, as Osiris spoke again in a more controlled tone, closer to his usual smooth manner. "Very well. I believe I have made my point. You will find the piece?"

"I'll … I'll try."

"You should return to the others before they notice you have gone. Tell them you became lost."

"I'm supposed to know what I'm about," Alex argued.

"Tell them whatever you think they will believe, then," Osiris said dismissively.

Ardeth touched Evelyn on the hand at that. Alex would be coming back soon—they didn't want her to catch them here. He led the way and Evelyn followed closely behind him, although not so closely that she would risk treading on his heels. Alex would have a candle, and would be able to move faster than they did. Their only hope was to reach the main passageway of the tomb before she caught up to them.

Evelyn was used to moving around in dimly lit libraries, and Ardeth had excellent night vision, so they were able to move fairly quickly. Still, it was a relief to Evelyn when they emerged from the corridor into the wider passage, and an even greater relief to see a torch coming toward them.

"There you are!" Jonathan frowned at them both. "You haven't seen Alex, have you? Never seen such a mess, everyone getting lost everywhere."

"You, too? Have you lost Rick? And Rana," Evelyn remembered to add.

"No, they're up ahead. Rick sent me back to see who I could find while he got Rana settled. I think he's trying to talk her into helping."

A faint chill went through Evelyn at the idea of what persuasive techniques Rick must have used on Rana in the past—but that was the past, and he wouldn't dream of doing any such thing now. She knew it as well as she knew herself.

"Why don't you and Ardeth keep looking for Alex," she said in a deliberately raised voice, so that Alex could hear it if she was in the corridor, "and I'll go join Rick and Rana."

Jonathan sighed. He clearly would have been happier with a less active role. But he joined Ardeth, and they started moving back toward the first camp. Evelyn took a glance down the narrow corridor, seeing the faint light of Alex's candle coming toward her, then hurried to catch up with Rick.