Get out your popcorn, tourists beware, here comes a paranormal adventure with a historical twist, set in Egypt--and Britain.
From Chapter 29 'Darkness': 'Did I just try to dive into that goo to get at a dead guy?' Trueth asked.
Define dead,' Me...
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Only a day later, Trueth once more found herself in the glittery grey corridor in front of the second wall, together with five of what Metjen claimed to be the fitter of the Servants. And his sister. The latter had been an unwelcome addition to their team. Metjen had prevented Nebmutef from joining, claiming that somebody needed to run the temple. But he stood no chance with Rani-Ra who blithely ignored her brother's suggestion all Al-Nours with limited or no magical talents should stay in the safety of their home.
'I'm coming, whether you like it or not,' she declared. Next, she went to the safe, took out the scarab ring and put it on her finger. 'Amasis was a female Guardian, so I'll wear it.'
Metjen scowled but did not object. He did not complain either when Nebmutef suggested the five Servants as reinforcements. Brother Gebu and Brother Amenemhet, aka the 'Bouncers', were sturdy enough, as were Sister Nefer and Sister Isis. Brother Eje, however, was not. He was in his late seventies and had fallen behind. When he caught up with the others he was wheezing so hard, Trueth worried for his health.
Metjen never noticed; he beckoned for his sister to join him at the wall. 'Right, make yourself useful and do your 'Sesame open' thingy.'
Rani-Ra pressed the scarab into the indentation. For a moment, nothing happened until the wall flickered and dissolved into a bluish mist.
'Yee-hah.' Rani-Ra stepped into the blue and vanished.
Right behind her, the mist congealed again into a solid surface made of stone—complete with indentation. Unfortunately, the ring had disappeared together with its bearer.
'I can't believe this.' Metjen stared at the wall, then knocked on it and prodded the little mark. Nothing happened.
'Rani-Ra?'
No response.
Metjen's face went from white to red as he shouted, swore and cursed, willing the wall to release his sister. The wall remained unimpressed. Prayers spoken by their priestly escorts left no impression either.
With a cold feeling in her stomach, Trueth approached the wall. 'Let me try. The sparks were blue, maybe that thing likes my magic better?' She focussed and released a bolt at the mark. It flashed briefly. But it did not release its prey.
'Bloody Imhotep and his light, it's all his fault.' Metjen rushed past her and kicked the obstacle.
The bluish mist reappeared together with Rani-Ra's head. 'Where are you folks, I've been waiting for ages? This place is real creepy.'
Among shouts of joys from the Servants, Metjen rushed into the mist and must have got hold of his sister, for she complained, and parts of her showed as she was rubbing her arm.
Metjen stuck his head back out. 'You stay with me and the others go through—now.'
Nobody needed another invitation. Trueth went last. She found it difficult getting appendages to work which had until recently been a serviceable pair of legs. She flowed through what felt like liquid ice, shivered to the core and froze to a halt.
