Hi peoples!
Sorry for the wait. I was at an awesome youth conference called Steubenville NYC. It was AMAZING!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone besides Jasmine.
"Look what we found!" Jasmine said, rushing over to the fire where her father and Jonathan sat, along with the Americans. She sat down next to Jonathan, holding one of the skeletons in her hand.
"Scarab skeletons. We found them in our friend's coffin. Flesh eaters." Evie said, sitting next to Rick, and ignoring his scrambling friend, Beni.
"They can survive for years feasting on the flesh of another being. Unfortunately for our friend, he was still alive when they began to eat him." Jasmine continued. Rick flinched slightly, and Jonathan gagged.
"According to my readings, he suffered the Hom-Dai, the worst of all Ancient Egyptian curses. It was reserved for only the worst of blasphemers. In all my research, I've never heard of it actually being performed." Evie said, and Rick raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like somebody got a little too frisky with the pharaoh's daughter." He said, earning chuckles from the other Americans. Jasmine felt sick. Or the pharaoh's mistress, she thought. After coming to terms with her dreams, Jasmine knew that Asim's death was merciful, because he could have suffered the same fate as the mummy. Evie sent her a comforting smile, which Jasmine returned gratefully.
"Well, gentlemen, Evie, I've had an exciting day, so I'm going to catch some shut-eye. Goodnight." She said, standing up, and going to her own spot on the ground, next to Rick's, and shut her eyes, attempting to sleep.
"Kida, I don't care what happens." Asim said, brushing Kidashka's cheek with his hand. They stood together in the small alcove that they always met in. Kidashka pulled away, turning her face from Asim. Tears filled her eyes.
"Asim, you could be killed, or worse, you could suffer the Hom-Dai. I love you too much for that to happen to you." She said, shaking her head. She wrapped her arms around herself, looking down. She began to walk away, her tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. Asim grabbed her arm, turning her to face him.
"I am willing to go through that if it means we can be together, even for a short time. I would do anything to be with you, Kida." he told her. Kidashka looked into his eyes, and found only sincerity. She gave him a small smile.
"And I would do anything as well. I just don't want to lose you. You and Tiri are all I have. Ever since Anck-Su-Namun came, Father has neglected me." She confessed, and Asim pulled her into his arms, and hugged her to his chest.
"I will always be there when you need me, Kida." He whispered, pressing his lips to her temple.
"You must not read from the book!" Jasmine shot awake, hearing the doctor's yell. She saw Evie and Rick kneeling in front of a familiar book.
"The Book of the Dead." Jasmine said in a whisper. She let out a small scream as the ground below her shook, and Jasmine spotted a cloud of black flying towards them. A small mound of sand began to rise up, until it burst, and live scarabs appeared, swarming towards them.
"Come on, Jaz!" Rick shouted, and grabbed Jasmine's and Evie's hands, pulling them with him towards the entrance to the underground of Hamunaptra. The Americans followed, and Evie and Jasmine jumped onto a ledge, huddled against the wall as the scarabs passed them. Jasmine let out a shriek as the wall behind her and Evie flung backwards, and throwing the two into another room.
"Where are we?" Jasmine asked, and Evie looked around. A moan caught their attention, and the two rounded a corner, and saw one of the others in the middle of the room.
"Oh, Mr. Burns! I thought we were all alone." Evie said in relief, and Jasmine began to smile, but it fell when he turned. His eyes were empty sockets.
"My eyes. My eyes!" Burns said, as he fell backwards. Jasmine turned, and saw the mummy they had found staring at her. She screamed, and ran across the room, tripping over a piece of stone as Evie ran the other way, leaving her and Burns in the room with the creature. The mummy walked over to Jasmine, who tried to crawl back. He seemed to recognize her, even with the scarf across her face.
"Princess Kidashka. You will be mine." The mummy said, and Jasmine's eyes widened. It couldn't be!
"Imhotep." She spat. The mummy let out a bone-chilling laugh, and turned towards Burns, who was oblivious. Right as he was about to attack, the black-clad men from before came into the room. The one in front was the one who resembled Asim. Imhotep glared at them all, him most harshly, and Jasmine slowly stood, meeting his cruel eyes. He came closer, brushing a skeletal hand over Jasmine's cheek, making her shiver. It was nothing like the kind touch that Asim had given Kidashka in her dream. As if knowing what she was thinking, Imhotep let out a hiss, ignoring the men around them. He pulled down Jasmine's face scarf, and looked at her, his hand continuing to caress the side of her cheek. Jasmine felt her stomach churn.
"Remember the curse, Princess Kidashka. You shall never find him." Imhotep said, and Jasmine took a deep breath.
"Then I shall just have to defeat you, Imhotep. You shall never resurrect Anck-Su-Namun, and I shall be reunited with Asim." She said, and Imhotep turned to face the men, all of whom were prepared to fight, his hand having drifted down to grip Jasmine's arm tightly. She attempted to release her arm, but Imhotep ignored her.
"She shall never be yours." he hissed to the leader, whose grip tightened on his sword. Jasmine looked at the two in confusion. Imhotep burst into a cloud of sand, almost taking Jasmine with him, but the leader reached forward, grabbing Jasmine's free hand, and pulling her back as Imhotep disappeared. Jasmine let out the breath that she was holding as the leader let go of her hand. She straightened her scarf, hiding her terrified face behind it.
"How do I get out of here?" she asked.
"Follow me." The leader said, and Jasmine trailed after him, with two men supporting Burns behind them.
"Thank you." Jasmine said to the man after a moment of silence. He glanced at her.
"For what?" he asked.
"You saved my life." She replied, "I'm Jasmine." She held out a hand, and the man looked at her for a moment, before shaking it.
"Ardeth Bay. I doubt the creature would have killed you." He said, and Jasmine shook her head.
"Imhotep would have gotten me if you hadn't shown up." She told him. Ardeth looked at her, surprise on his face.
"You know the creature's name." he stated. Jasmine nodded, and they reached the opening, where the Americans, and Jasmine's group were waiting for them. She flinched, feeling the disgusting touch of Imhotep still on her face.
"Jazzy!" Rick exclaimed, and Jasmine felt tears in her eyes, running to her father. She threw caution into the wind.
"DAD!" she yelled, and she threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest, and ignoring everyone around them, "He was right in front of me. He touched me." She didn't bother to hide her voice. Rick hugged her tightly. Jasmine began to tremble.
"Don't worry, baby. You'll be fine." He said, comforting her. Evie came over, and gently took Jasmine, putting an arm around her shoulders, and Jasmine hid her face in her shoulder.
"He said I'm his, Evie. I'll never find Asim as long as he's around." Jasmine whispered, and Evie rubbed her shoulder.
"I doubt that, Jasmine. From what you've told me, he'll find you. And what's this about O'Connell being your father?" she asked, and Jasmine laughed quietly.
"I'll tell you later." She replied.
"No mortal weapon can kill this creature. Leave now, while you are still alive." Ardeth told the group, and walked past them. Jasmine met his eyes, and gasped slightly. Being closer to him, he looked exactly like Asim.
"Oh no." she whispered. Evie looked at her in worry, then glanced over at Ardeth. Suddenly, what Imhotep had said before, and Ardeth's reaction made sense. "Asim."
"Jasmine…?" she began, and Jasmine looked away.
"Later, Evie." She replied. The men left, and Rick hugged Jasmine again.
"Are you alright?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yeah. He was terrifying." Jasmine replied, and Rick sighed.
"Come on. We're going back to Cairo." he said, and Jasmine walked back to their small camp, and Evie helped her pack their belongings.
"Dad adopted me when I was little. My parents were the people I told you about, and Dad found me in an orphanage at Cairo, and he's taken care of me ever since. I was actually pretty surprised when my dad allowed me to come with you guys. He's really protective of me." Jasmine explained, and Evie nodded.
"I understand. Have you told him about your dreams?" she asked. Jasmine shook her head, not meeting the British woman's eyes.
"No. I'll tell him when I'm ready, Evie. If Imhotep really is back, I'm not going to be able to stay here in Cairo. If Dad leaves, so do I." she replied, walking over to the camels, and putting her bags on one of the saddles.
"Jasmine…" Evie started, placing a hand on her arm.
"Evie, I have to. Imhotep will be looking for me. He won't rest until both me and Asim are dead." Jasmine said, then her eyes widened, and she gasped.
"What is it?" Evie asked.
"Evie, that man, Ardeth. He looked exactly like Asim! Oh my gosh." Jasmine said, and Evie smiled.
"You've found him at last, Jaz." she said. Jasmine blushed slightly, despite the situation.
"Come on, girls. Let's get back to Cairo." Rick said, and Jasmine nodded, and pulled herself onto her camel.
"Dad, what are we going to do?" she asked as they rode away from Hamunaptra. Rick sighed, and reached over, taking Jasmine's hand.
"I don't know, baby girl. I don't know." he said.
Please review!
You all are amazing and wonderful people, and I love each and every one of you.
See you soon, mummies, pharaohs, and medjai!
Love,
Enchantress