*

Evy sat slumped against the wall, tired but otherwise all right.  Every now and then she would touch Ardeth's forehead and check the fever that had been burning him up.  It seemed to have dimmed down by now.  She had no idea how long had passed since Meela chased them down here.  She had not dared fall asleep, fearing that someone would come hunting them again.

Beside her the Med-Jai stirred and groaned.  "Evelyn?" he questioned softly.

"I'm here," she replied, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.  He still sounded worn out.  "How are you feeling?"

He exhaled in the darkness and didn't answer right away.  Getting out of here would not be easy.  He might not even make it.  "A little better," was his answer, though she could tell by the sound of his voice he was trying to make light of the spell on him.  "How long have I been asleep?"

"A few hours," she guessed.  She couldn't hide the fearful catch in her voice from him.

She could hear the sounds of Ardeth moving, most likely sitting up straight.  "This isn't going to get better with rest," he told her, referring to his weariness.  "We've got to escape and get help."

Get help.  That reminded her of something she wanted to ask him.  "Ardeth, before you fell asleep you said something about getting help from Hamunaptra.  Are there Med-Jai there who can help us?"

"No," he said in a tone that said he was trying to convince himself of something.  He touched her hand and she could feel him lean back.  "Evelyn, let me explain the story of Asenath before we speak again of Hamunaptra."  Evy squeezed the hand she held, conveying that she would listen.  He inhaled deeply.  "Before Imhotep was cursed with the Hom-Dai, Asenath, High Priestess of Set was in Thebes.  She came unwelcome, but powerful.  No one was certain of why she risked her life to enter the city, but she came and hid herself for a long time.  The ancient texts say a little under a year.  Eventually, though, someone found her out and exposed her.  Asenath became very angry and called forth the might of her evil god, the enemy of Horus and the murderer of Osiris, Set.  She tried very hard to conquer Thebes to rule, but the priests of Horus and Osiris joined together to stop her when the Med-Jai of that time could do nothing.

"They used spells and chants that weren't written down for anyone's eyes but their own.  The texts they used were never found.  Using these spells they locked the demon of Set within 3 wooden seals, because their powers could destroy neither Set nor his High Priestess.  Once the demon was locked away they moved against Asenath and laid her in a sarcophagus which they placed here in the Temple of Horus.  They placed around her seals, the Eye of Horus symbol and as long as those symbols were unbroken she couldn't leave the confines of her coffin."  He stopped at that, gathering his breath.

Evy took that opportunity to speak.  "Didn't Asenath die eventually?  She wasn't cursed of the Hom-Dai, was she?"

The Med-Jai inhaled deeply.  "No, she wasn't.  She did die, but the priests wanted to punish her.  They confined her soul to her body, forever to lay in her coffin within the shell of her corpse."

"Like Imhotep," she mused wryly.

"Yes," Ardeth continued tiredly.  "But the difference is she would not bring the plagues of Egypt with her rising, nor would she have to regenerate.  If someone such as Meela knew how to awaken her, she would rise with her powers intact.  They did this out of fear of the wrath of their gods.  Even when they locked the demon Set behind those three seals they were wary.  Now it falls to us to protect them from her.  Even I do not know where all three are hidden."

Evy looked around the dark hallway, frustrated she couldn't see anything but blackness.  The floor was getting colder with each passing moment.  "So, no one knows how to stop her."

He hesitated for only a moment before replying, "No one alive."

It slowly dawned on her what he might be suggesting and that made her wonder if he were all together able to think straight.  Certainly he wouldn't be thinking what she suspected.  "Ardeth," she said quietly, "what are you planning?"

He slowly began pushing himself up, pulling her up with him.  She couldn't see him, but perceived he was facing her.  "You must trust me, Evelyn."

"I do," she told him without missing a beat.  She did trust him with her life, but if he were suggesting the unthinkable what could she say then?  Was he delusional?

He pet her hand and began walking slowly towards where Meela and Asenath held Omar still.  The halls twisted and turned every which way and after ten minutes the absurd idea of screaming for help came to Evy.  Rolling her eyes, she continued to follow Ardeth, praying he knew what he was doing.  She could hear him wheezing deep in his chest as they slowly walked through the darkness.  Instinctively she touched his shoulder, hiding her fear within her.  He wouldn't be able to fight, she knew.  He could die.

It took some work, but finally Evy saw light.  Her eyes were thankful.  They quietly crept towards the room where Omar was and listened.  Not a sound came from the room.  Ardeth leaned over and peered into the dim room and Evy unconsciously did the same.  Omar was propped against the wall, his eyes closed and his skin bruised and bleeding.  She heard Ardeth take a sharp breath at the sight of his nearly dead friend.

"If you think I don't know you're there," came the voice of Meela suddenly, startling Evy half to death, "then you are gravely mistaken."

Ardeth wearily pulled himself away from the wall and entered the room.  The element of surprise wouldn't be available to them.  Evy stayed back, not sure if he wanted her with him.  "If you let them go, I will stay in their place.  They know nothing.  I am the son of one of the tribal leaders.  It is I you need."

Evy's stomach hurt as he said what he did.  She couldn't just leave this place without him.  Meela laughed at that and stepped forward, circling him and looking into the hall where Evy was.  "You can come out of hiding," she assured her mockingly.  Her eyes then slid to Ardeth.  "Not good enough, I'm afraid.  You see, your friend here has already told me where one of the seals are.  That is where my mistress is.  It was foolish of the priests of Horus to put one in this very temple, don't you think?"

Ardeth turned and looked to Omar, his eyes wide.  Omar coughed and groaned in pain.  "I'm sorry, Ardeth.  They threatened my children.  They can do nothing without all three."  The older Med-Jai's face was stricken.

Closing his eyes, Ardeth asked, "What do you want then?"  He opened his dark eyes again and looked at Meela, obviously fighting the weariness that was building.  Every move he made seem to cost much more of his energy than it should.  "What price will you ask?"

Meela's eyes sparkled as she looked him over, his torn shirt and bloody, scarred chest.  "I've never defiled a Med-Jai before," she spoke softly, her voice amused.  "Give to me not only yourself, but your obedience and I'll let Nefertiri and your friend to go."

Evy stepped in at that, strongly against what Meela was suggesting.  "I won't hear of it!" she yelled, not so much angry as she was worried he would agree.

The priestess shrugged and turned away, walking towards the wall and dusting it lightly with her fingers.  "Is is too much to ask?  Give me yourself, Warrior, in exchange for their safety?  Are you afraid I might steal your soul?"  She turned and smiled, crossing her arms.  "What do you say?"

Ardeth closed his eyes, knowing exactly what she was asking him for.  She wanted him to willingly stay with her, willingly not raise a hand against her.  Willingly give in to her seduction and then she would have the answers she desired.  If she couldn't torment the location of the seals from him, she would tempt him.  But she wouldn't find her answers that way.  He would never let it come that far, had no way of revealing what he didn't know.  So it was the perfect bargain.  "I will do it."

Evelyn shook her head quickly and moved to stand in front of Ardeth.  "No!" she forbid, holding her hands up.  "Absolutely not!"

"Evy," he said firmly, taking her arms in his hands and wavering on his feet.  He drew every ounce of strength in him and pulled her slightly away from Meela, turning his back to her.  His eyes were grave, telling Evy to listen carefully.  He embraced her, burying his face into her neck and whispered as lightly as he could, "Our only hope is you.  Go to the city and wake him."  He pulled away then and searched her for understanding and assurance.

Her eyes moistened, but she nodded, not sure she could do what she thought he was asking.  "Ardeth..." she said softly, wanting to persuade him against this.

Meela came up behind Ardeth and set her hand on his shoulder.  The weakness in him drove him to his knees at her push and she crouched beside him.  "I have your obedience?" she asked him.

Ardeth lowered his head and nodded.  "Yes."

"Done, then," Meela said, her voice triumphant.  She pulled Omar from his place and threw him into Evy, who almost fell with him.  "Get him out of here.  If you return your Med-Jai will die."

Evy hesitated, struggling to hold the wounded Med-Jai up.  She looked to Ardeth for some sort of signal or sign, but received nothing.  His eyes were cast downward as he sat on his knees, ready to give himself up for their sake.  Asenath would kill him eventually if he refused to give her the information she wanted.  Our only hope is you.  His words jarred her into doing what she didn't know she could.  She took Omar and began for the exit.  Her mind swam as she aided the warrior at her side.  What would happen now?  Could she do this thing her friend had asked?  How could such an innocent trip have turned out so horrible?

*

Rick and Jonathan walked side by side, leading their camels.  The night air was cool and their sore behinds made a walk sound lovely.  Jonathan hummed softly to himself, wondering where Evy had disappeared to.  Those two Med-Jai had seemed worried and that made Jonathan worry.  Oh, true he wasn't exactly the epitome of responsibility himself, but his sister could very well get into trouble easily herself.  He could only hope she hadn't disturbed some angry mummy again.  The last thing Jonathan needed was to have to deal with Imhotep again, or anyone like him.  But even if she had, he could never be angry with her.  He sighed.

Rick noticed and elbowed his arm.  "We'll find her," he told his friend.  Jonathan could hear the worry in his voice.  He wondered what ever went wrong between them.

"Yeah," Jonathan agreed, nodding his head.  "I know.  And when we do, we'll tie her to a camel and never let her come back to Egypt."  He laughed.

Rick also laughed, shaking his head.  "I don't think we could ever keep her away.  This place is in her blood."

Evy's brother inhaled the cool night air and looked out over the dark desert.  "That it is, old boy.  It's shame it's also in the blood of who knows how many sacred, evil, all-powerful beings too."

The ex-Legionarre gave Jonathan a sidelong glance as he fiddled with the reigns.  "You Carnahans sure know how to pick company."

Before Jonathan could comment something caught his attention.  He looked to Rick, seeing his friend also listening intently.  "You hear that?"

Rick held up a forestalling hand and listened.  "Sounds like crying," he said, his brow furrowed.  He pointed ahead.  "Let's investigate."

The duo walked on towards the sounds of muffled whimpering as it echoed through the open desert.  The closer they got, the clearer the cries became.  It was a woman.

They saw her over a small sand dune.  She was crouched, her head in her arms and beside her was the form of a man.  He didn't look healthy.  "Hey," Rick ventured.

When she looked up, Jonathan gasped and let the camel go.  Running to his sister, he scooped her into his arms and tried to comfort her.  "Evy?  Evybug, what's wrong?"

"Thank God," she cried, holding to him tightly.  For the moment she seemed to ignore that he and Rick had come out of nowhere to help her.  "I thought we were going to die out here.  When we came out of the temple the horses had run away.  I can't get him back to the Med-Jai alone."

Rick touched her shoulder and walked past, kneeling by the man's side.  "Hey, pal, are you okay?"

"Shhhh," Jonathan soothed, looking into his sister's face.  "What's happened?  You're so upset.  Did Meela come with you?"

At that Evy began crying again, wiping frantically at her tears.  "It's all my fault, Jonathan.  We came and woke up another mummy and now she's got Ardeth."

Jonathan pet Evy's hair and looked at her sympathetically.  "Is he hurt?"

Evy nodded sadly, wiping her cheeks and calming herself.  She looked absently at Rick and answered, "She put some spell on him.  He's weak from it."

Rick stood up from the injured Med-Jai.  Dusting his hands off, he came to them and looked at Evy softly.  "We'll get him back.  Where are they?"

She pointed out towards the blackness ahead.  "Still in the temple, but Rick you don't know what she can do.  Meela's not alone.  The mummy priestess is with her and she's very powerful and not only that, they can raise some sort of illusion of a demon.  I'll say this for it, it didn't look friendly."  She pointed at the man that lay on the sand.  "He's got to get help."

Jonathan exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair.  "I knew this wasn't going to be a happy vacation the moment we stepped onto the sand.  Should I start a camp fire?"

O'Connell nodded, his face flitting between mixed expressions as he looked from Evy to the Med-Jai and back.  It was a lot to absorb in just a moment.  "Yeah...yeah."  He rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the camels.  "I think you'd better tell us everything from the beginning, Evy."

Between the three of them it didn't take long at all for a decent campsite to be made after the proper greetings.  They comforted Omar as much as they could, putting a cloth beneath his head and giving him cool water to drink.  Jonathan and Rick offered their sleeping mats to Evy and Omar, roughing it on the sand for the night.  Jonathan looked nervously around for scorpions as he settled down by the fire.  Evy tended Omar's wounds and began to explain.  "I think there's something you two should know," she said near the conclusion of her story.

Jonathan exchanged glances with Rick at the strange tone in Evy's voice.  "Let's have it, old mum."

Evy looked down at the Med-Jai beneath her hands, tying off a bandage around his leg.  "Ardeth asked me to do something before I left."  Her glance at both of them was momentary.  "He wanted me to raise our old friend."

It took a second or two for it to sink in, then Rick shook his head and said with a note of finality, "Uh-uh."

Jonathan's sister sighed.  "He was very intent on it, Rick.  What if it's our only hope?"

"It is our only hope," Omar cut in, speaking up.  The injured Med-Jai propped himself up on his elbows and looked at his companions gravely.  "Ardeth would never have suggested such a thing if he thought there were any other way around it.  The priests of Horus and Osiris kept their most sacred spells hidden from everyone.  We need either a priest of Horus or a priest of Osiris.  There is only one available."

O'Connell again shook his head, his expression intent.  "Can't we just find out where some other priests were buried and raise them?"

Omar laid back down again.  His voice was troubled as he grudgingly answered, "No.  To raise someone unbound to this earth would require a death sacrifice.  Imhotep is bound to his earth and he has dealt personally with Asenath.   That's another reason that he is the logical choice."

Jonathan leaned forward, very interested in finding another way.  He reasoned he especially had reason to be afraid.  It was he who'd ordered Ancksunamun's body destroyed.  Imhotep hadn't looked exactly happy about it.  "Couldn't we just get the Gold Book and..." he waved his hand and trailed off.

"No," Evy sighed, leaving Omar to rest and climbing onto her mat.  "I already asked Ardeth.  Those spells won't work on her.  We have to do what Imhotep and the other priests did so long ago.  No one knows what they did except Imhotep himself."

"Evy, this is crazy," Rick insisted, looking over the fire at her.  "He'll kill us right then if we wake him up!"

Jonathan watched his sister look at her hands, something she did when she was going to say something she didn't want to.  The unpleasant task of discussion would like fall to her.  "I don't want to wake him," she said in that quiet voice that always made Jonathan's heart pang for her.  She was afraid.  Her dark eyes took them all in.  "But I've seen what we're up against.  There must be some chance Imhotep will see reason and help us, otherwise Ardeth wouldn't have told me to raise him."

Rick looked away and exhaled loudly.  "And even if he helps us, he'll probably then kill us and take over the world."

Omar watched Rick silently, his black eyes agreeing and yet knowing there was nothing else that could be done.  "But we know how to take care of him."

*

Ardeth was grateful for the rest that Meela and Asenath allowed him while they argued.  The high priestess wasn't completely happy with her new servant for letting Evy and Omar go.  Taking in a breath, he listened as they fought.  "Why have you done this?" Asenath shouted in her rich voice.

Meela held her ground, her black eyes defiant and willful.  "Is it not the wish of our god that we take what is pure and defile it?  This was my mission long ago...have my orders changed?"

Asenath exhaled, stepping away.  It seemed Set did in fact delight in such horrid acts as the turning of a good soul and the high priestess knew Set would be pleased if Meela succeeded.  "It is the wish of Set we do such acts, you are correct.  But they will warn others that I am awakened and the danger of our god is at hand."

"But what do we care for that?" Meela replied.  "The only ones who could stop you are now dead.  We will triumph!"

Asenath nodded softly, her blue eyes forgiving and understanding.  She touched the shoulder of the young priestess.  "We will triumph," she agreed.  "Have fun with your Med-Jai, Ancksunamun and wrest the location of the remaining two seals from him."

Ardeth laid there, wondering if he'd heard that right.  Surely it couldn't be.  A thousand questions rushed through his mind, but he could not ask her any of them.  It didn't seem like they had any idea that within the knowledge of the Med-Jai lay the possibility of raising Imhotep from the grave and he wanted to keep it that way.

The pretty young woman came to him as her priestess left the room for whatever reason.  He was now alone with Meela and he wondered what she would do to him.  She sat down on her knees beside him, her face calm and nurturing.  Her fingers brushed over his lips and she smiled.  "Poor Ardeth.  You must be thirsty."

He nodded, watching her warily.  Most assuredly this was another lead into torment.  "Do you really enjoy serving that demon, Meela?" he asked her, ignoring his thirst.

Her eyes hardened a little at that.  "My name is no longer Meela, my Med-Jai.  That woman exists no more."

"Ancksunamun," he ventured, hoping she would give him any information on her background without him having to let her know he knew her story already.  He wanted to know if she were really that same girl that Imhotep had loved so long ago.

Meela took the pack she had brought with her from Cairo and opened it.  From inside she took a small canteen out and opened it, drinking.  "I am far older than you could imagine," she said, then leaned over him and touched his face.  "Would you like some water, Med-Jai?"

"Yes," Ardeth answered truthfully, knowing he wouldn't be given any.  His lips felt dry.

"Then you must tell me where the seals are."  She held the water tantalizingly close, even let a drop of the precious liquid fall to his lips.  "At least tell me where one is.  What can we do without all three?"

He shook his head, firmly against telling her.  "I was trusted with the location of only one.  You have it already."

"So you tricked me into letting them go."  Her eyes became frustrated, but remained calm.  She tossed the water down and shook her head.  "Well, it doesn't matter, Ardeth.  You will still fail."  She slapped him hard and he turned his head with the impact.  It made him feel dizzy and he felt his cheek sting.  She must have scratched him.  It would begin now.  Her anger at his disobedience would now lead to his torture.

She pursed her lips and drew forth her dagger.  Ardeth reached weakly up in a vain attempt to try and pushed her hands away, but she merely slashed at his fingers.  "That's right," she mocked as he continued to grab at her wrists.  "Fight me.  Show me what a strong warrior you really are."

Ardeth pushed himself up and tried to hold her arms, but she was too strong in his current condition.  She smiled at his weak attempts and suddenly pushed him back, sending him into the wall.  He groaned and swallowed, opening his eyes to a spinning room.  Still, he wouldn't allow her the satisfaction of him laying back and letting her hurt him.  He again reached for her, grabbing her wrists.  He pulled her into his arms and held her as tightly as he could, at the same time trying to grab the dagger in her hand.

Of course Meela fought back, struggling in his grasp.  He took advantage of her surprise and gripped the hand that held the knife, squeezing it hard.  She gasped and when he let go she opened her fist.  The dagger hit the floor and he pushed her to the floor on her stomach.  But she was quick and well trained.  Fighting from his grasp, she stood up and kicked him in the stomach.

Ardeth doubled over and groaned, dizzy and breathless.  It was like something was blocking his lungs partly, allowing him air but only sparingly.  He saw stars from the sudden lack of oxygen and she kicked him to his chest.  He felt her straddle his back and she yanked his arms behind him, binding them with a nearby rope.  "You won't last long," she sneered, pulling him up and shoving him chest first into the wall.  He leaned against the cool surface, fighting for air.  "I suggest you stay there on your knees.  If you lay down I'd have to punish you more and I would really hate to have to do that."

He didn't have time to even think of responding.  She had gone to the fireplace in the room and ripped one of the metal pokers from the wall.  She used it against his back, the hard metal bruising him and the sharp end occasionally knicking his flesh.  He lost track of how many times she hit him and how many minutes passed until she stopped.  When the rod ceased hitting him he could only lean there against the wall and wait for her command.

Meela came to him and knelt behind him, running her hands across his shoulders.  "My poor Ardeth."  She eased him back and made him look at her.  "You don't look so good."

He was dizzy and could barely think straight as she pulled him close and kissed him.  He was so thankful that the beating had stopped that he didn't even pull away.  "Yes," she breathed, caressing her hands through his dark, moist hair.  "It feels so good to be rewarded instead of punished, doesn't it?"  She didn't even let him reply, sending her lips over his again and deepening the kiss.

Ardeth stayed helpless in her grasp, the spinning in his head finally lessening and his sore body starting to relax.  At this point a hard stone bench in the blistering sun would have felt better than the punishments she liked to dish out.  He could feel a hand travel softly down his side and he jerked at the tickle.  She smiled, leaving her lips against his and moved her hand to the rim of his pants.

At that he would bear no more.  He pulled his lips from hers and yanked away, hissing, "Don't put your hands on me again."

She only laughed and got to her feet.  Kicking him down, she began to walk away.  "You'll come around, Med-Jai."

He didn't dignify her with an answer.  Rolling to lay on his side, Ardeth closed his eyes and desperately sought the blackness of sleep.  He could only hope Evy and Omar were all right.

*

Morning had come bright and early.  Evy slumped in her saddle, her eyes half closed.  She could have handled another few hours of sleep, but despite the weariness that had settled in over her, there was a nervous flutter in her stomach.  Today was the day.  Hamunaptra was very close, which meant Imhotep was close.  She would awaken him very soon and she was sure he wouldn't be very friendly when he got up.

Omar rode on Jonathan's camel and behind him Jonathan clung uncomfortably to the seat that held the Med-Jai.  He had steadfastly refused to let them delay by taking him to his people.  They would need a Med-Jai with them to enter Hamunaptra safely anyway.  Now they were on their way to do something that a year ago they had fought harder than they ever had to reverse.  She wasn't sure what she was going to say to the dark priest once he stirred.  He would likely try to kill them right then and there.

"How the devil are we supposed to get into the city anyway," Jonathan was asking.  "Isn't it all sort of caved in?"

Omar, who also slumped in his saddle for reasons other than sleep, answered him.  "There are ways to enter the ruins and get into the main chambers.  We cleared a path so that we could find the books."

Evy gasped suddenly, remembering.  "I need the black book!  I don't remember the chant to wake him."

The Med-Jai looked at her reassuringly and nodded.  "It is there.  We left them at the city and stand guard against any who would trespass.  We watched you and your friend for quite some time, wondering where you two were bound."

"Yeah," Evy mumbled, looking at the blue horizon ahead.  She still felt the burden of guilt for what happened.  "I wish we had never come."  The others didn't respond to that, making her feel all the worse, but there was nothing she could do.  It had happened and now she was going to take care of it.

The day wore on slowly and that made the anticipation of what was going to take place worsen gradually, but soon they reached the ruins.  Evy felt a whole new wave of nausea hit her as she looked upon the shattered pillars upon the ground.  "Well," Jonathan breathed, looking out across the city with dread.  "Why don't I just go back to Cairo and you can call me when it's over?"

Evy exhaled in irritation and snapped, "No!  I need you here, Jonathan.  I need you all.  I'm afraid."

"Yes," her brother replied, still trying to weasel out of it.  "But you see I sort of killed his girlfriend last time and he likely hates me in particular and well..."

She faced him then and pleaded with her eyes.  To tell the truth she didn't know if she could do this with their help, much less without.  It was bad enough that Rick, who sat behind her, hadn't said much all morning.  "Please, Jonathan.  Help me do this."

His face softened at that and he nodded.  He reached out and grasped her hand, giving it a little squeeze.  "I'll be here."

When they reached the edge of Hamunaptra Rick threw himself from the camel and helped Evy down.  Across the desert she saw a group of black riders and she went to Omar.  "Will they come?"

Rick and Jonathan helped him down and to stand.  "They know I am here with you.  I'm not sure what they will do, but for now they know someone in authority is allowing you into the city."

The foursome then became quiet as Omar led them to the pathway inside, helped by Jonathan and Rick.  The atmosphere felt tense and grave.  Evy wasn't looking forward to this at all.  Inside the threshold Rick pulled a torch from his bag and set it on fire.

The walls were crumbled now and the floor caked with dirt.  Evy frowned and coughed at the smell of dust that hung in the air.  Each step echoed and it seemed to take an eternity, yet when they finally arrived at the main chamber where Imhotep rested Evy despaired at how far away the outside was.  Omar told Rick where the books were hidden and he retrieved them.

Evy shivered when he gave her the Book of the Dead and Jonathan came from the hall Omar had sent him down, handing her the key.  She opened the book and gave Jonathan the key and the Book of Ra to open in case Imhotep proved too volatile to handle.  When she came to the page she was to read from she stopped.  Fear barred those words from her lips.

Her eyes rested on the waters that held Imhotep's corpse and she was simply too afraid.  "Omar, can't you do this?" she asked in a shaky voice.

He shook his head, his eyes sympathetic.  He sat on the slab Imhotep had once chained Evy down on to kill her.  "I am forbidden by an oath I took not to awaken him.  When he comes I suggest you go down on your knees and hold your hands up.  Tell him you are his servant."

"What?" Rick cut in quick, furrowing his brow.

"You must trust me," Omar retorted seriously.

Evy touched Rick's arm, stalling his anger with her eyes.  He frowned and turned his back to what was going to happen, not wanting to see her put herself in such a position to the monster she would awaken.  Ignoring that for now she again opened the book and looked at the words.  They came out slowly and at barely a whisper, but she said them.

At first nothing happened, but as she repeated the chant again the waters stirred.  Suddenly a decomposed head broke the surface.  Evy watched the creature stand at full height slowly, his skin reshaping before their eyes.  "The Book of the Dead is no longer in it's case," Omar explained.  "The curse is already consummated."

By the time Imhotep's foot hit the floor above the pool it was completely formed.  Evy looked into his eyes and saw the surprised fury burning there.  She went to her knees and cried in ancient Egyptian, "I am your servant!"

The angry priest looked at each of them, then turned his gaze back on the woman below him.  "You will regret returning to me the gift of life, Nefertiri.  Now I shall kill you all."

***
Thanks again and again to my reviewers!:)  This one I felt dragged on, but I'll let the readers decide if it bites or not.  hehehe!  I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to more. - Angela