AN: Sorry sorry sorry it has taken me sooooooooo long to update. Thing is, I've just started my sophomore year at college and needed a bit of time to adjust... my Harry Potter and Presidio Med fics and other original stories have suffered as well. It's just that... man, this year looks like a real uphill climb...

Anyway, I promise I won't be such a b**** again and I'll update more regularly now. I think it'll be weekly, on Saturdays or Sundays.

Well, enough rambling. Here's the next chappy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"For Allah, they are trying to awake Imhotep," exclaimed the Chieftain in a hushed voice.

Jean and the warriors looked at each other, their eyes widened in horror and a sense of increasing foreboding seemed to settle among them.

"What do we do, Master?" Asked Hajeb.

"Just wait. We need to know what we are facing..."

They watched the men, unaware of their presence, as they performed a ritual dance.

"These people must have begun as spiritualists with a belief in reincarnation," whispered Ardeth. "For some reason, they have dedicated themselves to raising Imhotep. For what reason I don't know." He gave a grim, humorless smile. "Perhaps they are hoping for world domination."

"God…" Jean was whispering too.

"Look, they have the Book of the Dead…" Tarek pointed out.

"We must stop them!" Urged Jean.

Ardeth couldn't take it any longer and spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

The worshippers turned to Ardeth in surprise. One man, wearing a white priest robe smiled in a way that sent chills down to Jean's back. He was the only one who didn't seem Arab.

"We are asking the Dark One to come to us. We need him to rule this world," he said, in a tone that grated her nerves. Jean realized by his accent that he was probably from England.

"Are you mad? Imhotep will kill you all," intervened Tarek, stepping forward.

"Not if we make a pact with him," went on the priest, only to be cut off by Jean.

"A deal with the devil? Be careful with that. Don't play with fire if you don't want to end up burnt."

"So, you are the woman…"

"At least I was last time I checked," she retorted.

"You could have eternal life if you joined us."

"Oh, really?"

The man looked at her, sizing her up, before announcing, "You could be Anck-su-namun spirit's guest body."

Jean's eyes widened and she let out a dry laugh. "No way."

The worshippers pulled out long swords and began surrounding them.

"If you don't accept we will kill your friends," was the threat and before she could reply, the man grabbed Jean by her hair. Problem was, he faced Ardeth's sharp scimitar and was forced to let her go.

" She will not accept, believe me."

"Attack them. Kill them!" Commanded the priest.

The Med-jai fought with courage and strength, even though they were in clear disadvantage. But they managed to kill most of Imhotep's adorers. Jean did the best she could, injuring many and defending herself until Ardeth stopped her and his men.

"Enough!" He turned to the priest, who was trying to escape discretely, the Black Book in hand. "We will shed no more blood, but you must leave this place. Leave this place or die. You have one day."

Silence followed his fierce words, and Jean and the Med-jai followed their leader outside the chamber without being stopped.

"We should have taken the Book…" Said Jean as they got on their horses.

"We will get it tomorrow. Imhotep cannot be woken up after the sun sets. Anybody is hurt?" Ardeth asked while they started leaving the City of the Dead.

"No," answered Amid, "we were lucky they were only priests and not warriors."

"Indeed we were." Ardeth turned to Jean, "You could have been killed in there."

"So could you, and Tarek, and Sabi, and Hajeb and Vosloo and Amid. But we weren't," she said softly.

The five men smiled, but Ardeth was still serious. "We must not tempt fate."

Jean snorted. "Give me a break, Ardeth, I build my own destiny with every step I take every single day. Besides, I think I fought quite well."

He couldn't suppress a smile. "You did."

"Then your lessons were fruitful," said Jean smiling at the warriors.

"There was not so much to teach you. You are a natural."

"Well, thank you, Ardeth."

In a heartbeat, they were back in the camp. Jean got off Diamond and caressed his soft mane.

"You really like it, don't you?" asked Tarek.

"I adore this horse. I wish I could take him with me to USA."

"So, you are planning on leaving us?" He asked, the slight edge of sadness in his voice made Jean stop patting Diamond and turn to him.

"I came here only temporarily, Tarek."

"I know, but I… we… some of us expected you would change your mind and choose to stay here," he mumbled.

"I can't…"

He softly took her hand. "Just think about it."

"Okay, I will," she said with a smile, looking fondly at the man in front of her.

Ardeth returned from watering his horse and frowned when saw his brother holding Jean's hand.

"You should try to get some sleep until the evening meal," he told her a bit too sharply.

"You are right Ardeth. See you two later," said Jean, who took no notice of his tone and left to disappear inside her tent.

"What was that, Tarek?" Ardeth confronted his brother.

"What was what?" The younger man looked confused.

"You know what I mean," stated Ardeth shortly, glancing at Jean's tent.

Realization dawned on Tarek and he eyed his brother with his brows arched. "I was talking to Jean. Oh, wait. No way, you must be joking."

Ardeth remained silent, only giving him a quizzical look.

"You are jealous!" He declared.

"I am not!"

"You are, my brother. You have fallen for Jean," said Tarek, smiling a know-it-all smile.

"Look, Tarek…" But Ardeth wasn't allowed to finish.

"Hey, you don't have to worry about me. I was just asking her to stay for I thought she would make a wonderful wife for you and maybe she could become the first Med-jai woman."

"Why don't you mind your own businesses?" He roared.

Tarek was startled. Ardeth took a deep breath and looked almost embarrassed for his outburst. He looked into his brother's eyes and sincerely said, "I am sorry."

"I understand, Ardeth, I do."

Ardeth held his hand out to his brother. Tarek clasped it immediately.

"I will consider it, al zameel (my brother), but not now. Besides, she won't stay."

"It was worth to try. I have a letter to write…to Sheelah. See you at dinner, my brother," said Tarek, as good-naturedly as always.

Ardeth didn't answer him, for he was lost in his own thoughts about a certain red-headed woman that had won his heart.

***

I know it's shamefully short, but I needed a bit more time before starting with the real action. Thanks to everyone who read, and double thanks to those of you who reviewed.

Ruth, your email definitely made me work really hard to finish this chapter. Knowing that I have such faithful readers as you is the best food for my imagination I can think of. I'll try not to kill anyone... but I can't promise much. Thanks a lot for your interest in my story.

Deana and Cindy, more action is on the way, hold on!!!! I'm really grateful for you taking the time to follow my story and reviewing it. You make it worthwhile.

Dead-Girls-Watch, you shouldn't be thanking me for updating, I am the one who has to thank for your attention. So here it comes: thanx for the review and your kind words. See you on the next chapter!!!