Anck-Su-Namun-Su-Namun awoke. Lock-Nah-Nah awoke. They stirred, finally gaining their bearings and pushing themselves off the ground. Anck-Su-Namun found herself in a darkened building. Raising her dark eyes, she saw the figure of a huge man. She got to her feet, Lock-Nah behind her, doing the same. Catching sight of the Black Book of The Dead in the little light there was, Anck-Su-Namun regarded the stranger.
The deep voice reverberated inside the tiny shelter, speaking Ancient Egyptian, "It is I who have brought you back. I now command you or I will return you to the sands."
Lock-Nah began to bow, but Anck-Su-Namun spoke first, "I do not bow to anyone anymore." She insisted, speaking his language. Her memories were very vivid. Nefertiri had made her lose everything. Even Imhotep. She had questioned herself, her strength, and lost her nerve. She had abandoned her love. She never would have had it not been for the O'Connells. She and Imhotep would be together now, commanding the Army of Anubis. Hatred heated her blood, "I bow only to revenge."
"Anubis has chosen the two of you as my servants. He has given me visions of princess Nefertiri, a Medjai, and a small boy." The Scorpion King told her.
"The O'Connell's." Lock-Nah interjected. He wanted nothing more than to slowly kill Alex O'Connel
"I have promised Anubis a soul." The Scorpion King added, "I want the Medjai O'Connell."
"If I help you, I want to kill Nereftiri." Anck-Su-Namun announced.
The Scorpion King narrowed his eyes. He did not like stipulations.
"And the boy is mine to kill." Lock-Nah said immediately after her.
The Scorpion King had no choice but to agree, at least for now, "I will honor these requests." He said and there was a satisfied pause among them.
"Now, where do I find the o'Connell's?"
Evelyn's first day at the museum was spent scheduling meetings with dealers, writing histories, researching, and organizing until evening came along. Jonathan had agreed, much to Alex's delight, to watch the young O'Connell and Evie found him at a card table in the study, shuffling cards when she arrived home.
"Hello, Jonathan." She greeted, her spirits high in anticipation of the evening.
"It's about time you got here, Alex and I have a very important game to play." He said, much less friendly than her greeting had been
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at him, "I'm not sure I appreciate you teaching my son how to gamble."
"He's the one who wanted to play." Jonathan pointed out, "And we're working in pence here, not pounds."
Evie let it go, "We'll be out of your hair soon enough then. I just have to get dressed."
Twenty minutes later, Rick sat on the couch waiting for his wife. He was dressed in a black suit ready for a night on the town. Jonathan and Alex sat a few feet away, discussing bets. Movement caught Rick's eye and he looked up at Evie on top of the stairs. His breath came short and his eyes went wide. It was not unusual for Rick's heart to beat a little faster whenever Evie came into a room, but her curve hugging black dress gave him a wistful smile as he admired her. It made him want to skip dinner and go straight to foreplay.
"Wow." Rick stood.
Jonathan rolled his eyes, but whistled at her anyway.
She descended the stairs, smiling at Rick, "You look wonderful, Darling."
"I was going to say something similar about you, but my heart got caught in my throat." He said with a smile.
"Be good." She said, kissing Alex on the crown of the head and taking Rick's hand. The couple left and Alex and Jonathan watched them go, making sure they were gone before pulling out several more pounds out of their pockets.
