Lazy Days (45 page)

Never had Rainey been happier to see a humble
home than when their rental came into view. While still on their camels below
the bluff, she glanced up at the home nestled on top. Their caravan reached the
narrow dirt road and slowly plodded upward. Rainey wanted to scream with
frustration. She could probably beat the camels in a foot race to the top. She
sighed and resigned herself to moving in slow motion, thinking about Roth
instead. He'd seemed different all day, aloof and non-communicative, as if he
didn't want to acknowledge her presence.

After she'd risen and felt the salve on her
legs, she'd been embarrassed by the fact he'd removed her clothing and touched
her in such an intimate way, but she'd also been grateful that he'd cared
enough about her discomfort to do so. She shook her head. The man was an
enigma. The sooner she convinced him to return to the States, the better. Her
father would hire the most prominent Egyptologist to decipher the hieroglyphs.
She was curious about the translation, of course, but the notion that they
contained secrets about sound was ridiculous.

The road leveled and they reached the front
drive. Rainey wanted to cry. She could take a bath and wash her hair. She
pulled the burqa over her head and pushed her filthy hair away from her face.
Their Toyota had been returned and parked in front of the house. Two young men
sat under the shade of an olive tree and stood to await their approach. Tahnoon
called a greeting and the men responded with a respectful bow for their leader.
The camels lowered their bodies and Roth dismounted. He turned to help her, but
she shrugged away and found the strength to alight by herself. If he wanted to
ignore her, she would play the same game.

Rainey kept her hand on the camel's back until
she felt her land legs. Roth held the reins and waited. When she felt stable,
she approached Tahnoon and Zayed to say goodbye. Although they couldn't
understand her words, she said them anyway.

"Goodbye Tahnoon and Zayed, I will never,
never
forget either of you or our adventure." She couldn't help the smile that
escaped. Although neither spoke, they acknowledged with a slight bow and
responding smile. Tahnoon looked from her to Roth and grinned. She didn't know
what that was all about and she didn't want to know. She reached the front
entrance and then realized she didn't have the key. Turning, she almost bumped
into Roth holding the key in his outstretched hand.

"Thank God. Hurry and open the door. I
can't take another minute of this filth."

"Spoken like a true heiress?"

"Listen, Roth, I don't know what's happened
since last night, but you've become a royal pain-in-the-ass again. Back
off!"

* * *

Roth's eagle eyes spotted Rainey standing at the
edge of the bluff. High above, he watched her scan the sky for him. He remained
at a height invisible to her naked eye, waiting for her to return to the house.
When she didn't, he finally circled to the front drive and landed under a tree,
shifting into his human form. He stalked to the back of the house. Rainey
turned when she heard his footsteps.

"What are you doing out so late? You need
to rest," he demanded.

"I don't want to rest."

"Why are you out here? Tell me."

"You wouldn't understand. Go away."

"Maybe I understand more than you
think."

"Go away, Roth."

"We're leaving tomorrow. You should
rest."

"Wh-where are we going? Back to the
U.S.?" She sounded hopeful.

"Luxor, on the Nile River."

"No! I want to go home and continue my
work. Why are we going to Luxor?"

"We need the hieroglyphs translated. I
believe there may be someone living there who can do that."

"For God sake, Roth, you can have them
deciphered in the U.S. My father will hire the foremost Egyptian scholar to do
so."

"No, Rainey, the Sacred Cave
must
remain a secret. I gave my word to Tahnoon. There's only one person I trust to
do the translation."

"I won't tell anyone and you won't tell
anyone. And my father can get a translator to sign a contract of secrecy. So
what's the problem?"

"I believe the hieroglyphs contain answers
to questions that falling into the wrong hands could result in dire
consequences for the earth."

"That's crazy! I'm going in the
house!"

Rainey side-stepped Roth, but his hand shot out
and grasped her upper arm, drawing her against his chest. Using one hand to
hold her against him, he clasped her chin with his other, forcing her to look
into his eyes. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an "O".

"I once told you your mouth would get you
into trouble,
Soiuer
." Slowly, he moved his mouth towards hers,
pausing only a second before making contact. Her open mouth made the kiss all
the more enticing. A strangled cry escaped her throat, followed by a
half-hearted push against his chest. His lips moved gently over hers. She
resisted less. She stopped resisting. She moved her hands up his chest to
encircle the back of his head, pulling his mouth harder against hers,
increasing the friction. Her fingers roamed through his longish hair.

He wanted more and drew his tongue from her
mouth to her neck, and lower. She sighed and echoed his desire.
"More."

Roth stopped his exploration and jerked upright.
He cursed a shapeling profanity,
"Miyu wiod hereio!"
Turning
on his heel he stormed back to the house.

* * *

With their backpacks tossed into the Toyota,
Roth slid into the driver's seat and slammed his door. Turning the ignition, he
revved the motor to warm the engine. Glancing once at Rainey, sitting stiffly
and looking straight ahead, he jerked the car into gear and peeled from the
drive. It was no small effort to keep from jamming down the narrow, winding
road.

Rainey hadn't said a word all morning. The few
sentences he'd directed her way had been orders to get her crapola together and
loaded into the car. She'd obeyed, but not without fire shooting from her eyes.
He'd almost felt bad about his macho persona until he'd remembered his
encounter with her the previous night. He didn't know with whom he was more
angry, himself or her. His anger toward himself stemmed from the fact that he
had lost control of his emotions—not a good thing for a bodyguard. His anger at
her, however, didn't make sense. She'd made him furious because her plain-Jane
exterior belied what he had experienced—steaming passion. He reached the highway
and squealed onto it, punching the accelerator until the car surpassed any
reasonable speed.

"You may have a death wish, but I
don't!" Rainey finally broke her silence.

"I know how to drive."

"That's a matter of opinion."

Roth gripped the steering wheel and flexed his
jaw. "Rainey, we need to talk about last night."

"Oh, no, we don't. I'm pretending it was a
nightmare and wiping it from my mind."

"Really? You obviously enjoyed the
nightmare for as long as it lasted."

"That's also a matter of opinion."

Roth's knuckles turned white from his grip on
the wheel. "I want you to know that I do not become involved with
clients."

"Could have fooled me."

"You don't have to worry about it happening
again."

"Do I look worried? The only thing worrying
me is your driving ability."

Roth swore,
"Miyu wiod hereio!"

"There's that strange language again. Dare
I ask what you just said?"

"Believe me, you don't want to know."

"At least tell me what language it
is."

"One you've never heard of."

"You're so full of yourself!" Rainey
turned until only her back faced him.

After an hour on the road, she still hadn't
turned from the window.

"Doesn't your back hurt from sitting like
that so long?" Roth asked.

She didn't answer.

"Rainey, this is ridiculous. We're stuck
with each other for the unforeseeable future. Can we at least call a
truce?"

Slowly she swiveled to face the front window.

Roth continued, "Look, I'm really sorry
about last night. I can't do my job effectively if you won't talk or even look
at me. I wish I could take you back to the U.S., but until we know who's after
you, we can't risk it. Your work is important and I want to make sure you live
long enough to complete it. I'm waving the white flag, Rainey. Will you forgive
me?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Roth watched her
swipe a hand across her forehead.

"It's hot as hell. Who do you know in Luxor
that can translate the hieroglyphs?"

"Someone who's a fanatic when it comes to
studying the culture and history of Egypt. I trust him completely."

Rainey leaned her head against the headrest and
blew a breath.

"Do we have a truce?" Roth pressed the
issue.

"Yeah, okay. A truce for the time
being."

"Thank you. Since we're on speaking terms
again, how about I give you a geography and history lesson to pass the
time?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Okay, there are seven oases west of the
Nile: Fayyum, Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga, and Baris.

"How do you know all this?"

"Let's just say I'm a history buff. And as
I told you before, I've been to Egypt. Do you want to know about the oases?"

"Sure."

 "The oasis Fayyum is of interest because
in the first three centuries
A.D.,
the people not only mummified their dead, but created lifelike wooden portraits
of them that they placed over the mummy wrapping. Essentially, they formed the
likeness by mixing pigments with beeswax. The dry desert has preserved these
mummies, giving modern man a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient Egyptians,
Greeks, Romans, Syrians, Libyans and others." Roth paused.

"Okay, you've got my attention; tell me
about the next oasis."

"The next one, Siwa, was home to the Oracle
of Amun, famous because Alexander the Great visited the Oracle in the fourth
century seeking confirmation that he was the son of Zeus." Roth chuckled.
"No one knows what the Oracle whispered in Alexander's ear."

"Probably something to inflate his ego.
Next?"

"That would be the oasis we stayed at,
Bahariya. It's believed that Alexander the Great passed through there on his
return from visiting the Oracle. There's a ruin of a temple dedicated to Alexander
there."

"Next?"

"Next is Dakhla. It's believed that
settlements began there over 12,000 years ago by hunter-gathers when the
climate was much wetter."

"That makes five. Tell me about the
sixth."

"Kharga is the most modernized of the
oases. Sadly, the old architecture is almost obliterated. However, the Temple
of Hibis remains, which was dedicated to the family of gods: Amun, Mut and
Khonsu."

"Why are they considered a family of
gods?"

"Amun is the husband of Mut and Khonsu is
their son."

"Thank goodness we don't have all these
gods to remember and worship today. Ancient peoples were certainly naïve."

"Really? So you think modern man is
superior to them?"

"Only superior in knowledge and technology,
not as human beings."

Roth chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?" Rainey sounded
offended.

"Because
you
are the naïve one,
Rainey."

"Are you telling me that you
believe
in all these so-called gods?"

"There are forces in this universe you
cannot fathom because your mind is closed."

"You didn't answer my question. Do you
believe in these gods?"

"Yes, in a certain aspect."

"What the hell does that mean—in a certain
aspect. You're talking in riddles."

"I guess I am. How about in the aspect that
they represent forces greater than you or I, mystical forces. But I can see you're
not ready for that. Let's drop the subject. The last oasis is Baris, which is
small and sparsely populated."

"Thanks for the lesson," Rainey said
sarcastically.

"Remember our truce."

"Humph."

They reached the outskirts of Luxor late in the
afternoon.

Roth glanced at Rainey. "Luxor was the
ancient city of Thebes and part of the trade route for exotic imports/exports.
It was known as the City of Amun. About half a million people live here
now."

"Another history lesson? Where are we going
in Luxor?"

"I'm working on that."

Rainey furrowed her brow, but didn't comment.

Roth spotted an outcropping of rocks and pulled
the car to the side of the road. He needed privacy. "Wait here," he
said, and stepped from the car.

"Where are you going?"

He didn't answer. Walking to one of the smaller
boulders, he sat with his back facing Rainey. Bowing his head, he prayed the
Prayer of Connection. In his previous prayer, he had received the word
Luxor.
This prayer gave him a specific location,
Temple of Karnak.
He smiled
and thanked the Source.

Returning to the car, he maneuvered back onto
the highway and waited for Rainey's barrage of questions.

"Okay, Roth, that was weird. Are you going
to tell me what you were doing?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. You looked like you
were praying. Were you?"

"Maybe. We're going to the Temple of
Karnak."

"A few minutes ago you said you didn't know
where we were going, and now you've just figured it out?"

"Yes."

Rainey exploded. "You are impossible! I
don't know why I put up with you!"

"I wasn't aware that you did."

Roth spotted a small restaurant and parked.
"Our snack food is gone and you must be hungry. Let's relax and eat before
going to the temple."

"We're going there today? Why don't we rent
a hotel room and go tomorrow? I'm hot, sweaty, tired-"

"-and irritable. Come on Rainey, let's eat.
Maybe it'll help your mood."

He opened his door and circled the car to open
hers. With an exasperated look, she joined him and entered the restaurant.
Requesting a secluded table, he followed the hostess to the back of the room
while guiding Rainey with the tip of his index finger on her back. After his
stupidity the night before, he intended to keep contact at a minimum. He pulled
out her chair and then seated himself. The pretty waitress wearing a lovely
blue hijab covering her hair gave him a menu and a wide smile.
At least some
human women are pleasant and comely.
He looked at Rainey's severe hairstyle
and disgruntled expression, and sighed. She started to say something and he held
up his hand to stop her. "Not now, Rainey."

After perusing the large menu, he beckoned the
waitress back. Because their time was limited, he ordered for both of them—
chicken kebabs and kurshari for the main meal, and ruz bi laban for
dessert. For their drinks, he requested a large pitcher of black tea. After
handing
the menu back to the waitress and receiving another beauteous smile, he turned
his attention to Rainey.

She asked, "Since I had no say in our
order, what is it I'm supposed to eat?"

"Chicken and a dish made of rice, lentils,
and macaroni; for dessert, rice pudding. Trust me, you'll like it."

"Since when do
you
know what I
like?"

Roth quirked an eyebrow and watched her turn all
shades of pink.

* * *

Evening colors of yellow and gold painted the
sky by the time Roth located a marina to hire a felucca to transport them
across the Nile. After paying the fee, he moved the Toyota to the parking area
and instructed Rainey to gather her backpack.

"So, we're going to cross the Nile and go
to the Temple of Karnak when it's probably about to close. What sense does that
make?"

Roth gathered his own backpack and motioned for
her to follow.

"You didn't answer me, Roth."

"Rainey, consider this another adventure
and stop asking questions."

He walked to the felucca with a disgruntled
female murmuring behind him. A waiting boatman assisted them on board.

"What kind of boat is this?" she
asked.

"It's called a felucca; a cross between a
sail boat and a row boat. It's the same style boat that transported most of the
tons of granite used in building the pyramids and temples. We'll be on the
other side in less than thirty minutes."

Rainey maneuvered to the stern of the boat and
sat in a molded chair. Roth stayed at the bow and talked with the old boatman
while a younger man set sail. The old man steered them across the Nile on the
wings of a gentle breeze. When they reached the center of the river, Roth
glanced at Rainey. Her hair captured the light of the sinking sun and her face,
tilted upward, eyes closed, reminded him of a queen demanding respect. He
thought about Tahnoon's words, "She is the mother of a prince."

Mesmerized by her exotic stance, he couldn't
draw his gaze away from her. She opened her eyes, gazing skyward. He read her
thoughts. She was searching for the eagle. Fighting his body's instinct to
shapeshift and soar for her eyes only, he gripped the side of the boat. She
looked at him, staring deep into his soul. In that gaze, there existed no
truce, no animosity, no secrets…

He glanced past her. They were nearing shore. He
flexed his shoulders and returned his attention to the old boatman. A few
minutes after docking he'd hailed a taxi, and within a short time they'd
reached the temple complex.

Leading Rainey to the avenue of ram-headed
sphinxes, entrance to Karnak, he reveled in his return to the temple. Flooding
his senses was the remembrance of his first mission—Shapeling Protector to
Titi, daughter of Ramesses III—in the form of a large black cat. He wanted to
shift into that cat and stalk the temple grounds searching for his contact.

Casting his desire aside and returning to the
present, he considered where to begin his search. Should he look first in the
temple of Amun, or perhaps the temple of Mut, or the smaller temple dedicated
to Khonsu? Maybe he should visit the Great Hypostyle Hall with its massive
pillars.

Instead of looking in any of those places,
however, he veered toward the Holy Lake. When they came within sight of the
water, Rainey exclaimed, "Oh my, that's incredible."

Roth scanned the manmade lake of almost two
hundred feet in width and four hundred feet in length. His gaze stopped at a
figure leaning against a palm. The figured stepped forward and Roth recognized
a much aged Endesha, his guide and mentor. Like a child, he wanted to run and
embrace him after such a long absence. Pacing his steps, he approached the
former shapeling who had cared for, and taught him after his parents were
killed.

Standing face-to-face, Roth and Endesha measured
each other. Rainey stood to the side. Roth noticed her quizzical expression and
said, "Rainey, I'd like you to meet Endesha, someone I haven't seen for
many cycles of…years." He looked back at his mentor.

Endesha slowly smiled before turning that smile
on Rainey.

She said, "I'm please to meet you Mr. Ende-"

"Just Endesha, without the 'Mister' part.
I'm pleased to meet you too, Rainey. That's a lovely name."

"Thank you."

Endesha returned his gaze to Roth, and asked,
"Where are you two staying? Have you eaten?"

"We ate before coming here. I don't know
where were staying yet."

"Then you must join me at my home. It seems
we have much to discuss."

Roth placed a hand on Endesha's shoulder and
pulled him into a hug. Quietly, he said in his ear, "Yes, much."