“We demand that you remain forever bound to the underworld,” Meri shouted, finishing the incantation.
Apep stopped. He cocked his head to one side, his tongue flickering, seeming to anticipate more.
“Something feels really wrong,” Sudi whispered, taking a step backward and pulling Meri and Dalila with her.
“I sense it, too,” Meri said as they continued backing up. “What did we forget to do?”
“I’m sure we said the right incantation,” Dalila added. “I’m positive we did.”
Apep inched forward, testing them. His tongue shot out and wagged, inches from Meri’s face.
“Do you think the incantation worked?” Meri asked.
“I don’t think we should worry about that now,” Dalila said, “because if the incantation did work, then the entrance to Apep’s lair is starting to close, and we need to hurry.”
“Let’s go,” Sudi said. “I definitely don’t want to get stuck here.” She turned to leave and nudged Meri. “Come on.”
Dalila took the lead, sloshing through the mud, but when Meri started to follow, a soft, swooshing sound made her glance back. She didn’t like what she saw.
She whirled around, and her feet sank into the silt. “Why is Apep following us?”
Sudi and Dalila joined her, each clutching one of her arms.
“We didn’t tell him that he had to stay in one place,” Dalila offered, and as she spoke Apep threw his body forward, squirming toward them.
“What do we do now?” Meri asked.
“Run!” Sudi yelled.
Meri tugged her feet out of the mud and tromped forward. “I think I forgot to add one little part when we cast the spell,” she called out.
“What?” Dalila shouted, running clumsily. Grime splashed over her legs.
“I forgot to command Apep to allow us to leave the Netherworld without harm,” Meri answered as she darted around a fire.
“It’s not like we had time to memorize the spell,” Sudi complained. She leapt over a woman sitting in her path. “We probably all messed up the words.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Dalila answered, panting and gasping for air. “We’ll outrun Apep. He’ll never catch us.”
Meri ran with her head down, her arms pumping at her sides. She felt grateful that her friends didn’t blame her, but she also knew that she was the one who had forgotten to say the words that would have ensured their safety.
“Be careful!” Dalila shouted.
Meri looked up.
The condemned had crawled from their hiding places and were crowding the path back to the lake. They squeezed against one another, weeping and howling, their hands reaching for Sudi, Meri, and Dalila.
“They want to use us to return to the world above,” Dalila warned.
Meri hurdled over an outstretched hand. When she landed, she skidded in the mud and almost fell. Sudi caught her, and with a burst of energy, half dragged, half carried Meri forward.
Apep whipped over the thin bodies of the condemned, relentless in his chase.
The girls held hands and raced away.
By the time they reached the water’s edge, Meri could feel Apep behind her, his fetid breath surrounding her.
“We can’t fight him in the water,” Dalila said. “He’s too strong there.”
“He’d swallow us whole,” Sudi agreed. “Let’s cast the spell again.”
But already bubbles and waves agitated the surface of the lake. Something turbulent was rocking the depths below.
“There isn’t time.” Meri shoved Sudi into the water. Before Dalila could turn, Meri pushed her hard, and she tumbled in with a huge splash after Sudi.
Sudi grabbed Dalila, and they stared up at Meri, surprised.
“I’m the one who forgot the words,” Meri explained. “Leave while you still can.”
“We’re not going to go back without you.” Sudi treaded water, holding Dalila.
“You have to,” Meri said, hopelessly. “Don’t let my death be for nothing.”
Reluctantly, Meri turned and faced Apep.
The monster coiled around her, ravenous, eager for her soul. His breath, a bitter, venomous cloud, misted over her. She breathed in, and her lungs froze. Why had she believed she could possibly command the ancient gods and fight demons? Abdel was wrong. She was nothing: a nameless orphan from the streets of Cairo.
Through her stupor, Meri became aware of a sharp twinge in her temple. Her birthmark throbbed, awakening her, forcing her to rise and stand. The soul of ancient Egypt pulsed within her—the power of the ages. Her chest heaved. She wiggled the numbness from her fingers, then reached behind her back and grabbed the amulet. As she brought the charm forward, her pain gave way to courage.
With her remaining strength, she jabbed the talisman into Apep’s side.
The monster shrieked, releasing her from his deadly coils.
“I am a Descendant, a Sister of Isis,” Meri said, her lips still sluggish, the words jumbled and slurred. “I command that you allow us to leave the Netherworld.”
She pulled back her amulet and opened it, then recited Apep’s secret names: “Shat ebut. He te tebe te she. Art ebu haya.”
Apep recoiled. His tongue twitched irritably.
Meri stepped away, her feet numb, her thoughts groggy. This time, the demon had to let her leave. But when she reached the embankment, Apep’s head shot around, and the tip of one fang stabbed her shoulder. Poison stung her and streamed under her skin, down into muscle and bone.
She cried out and fell to her knees, bending over in anguish.
Apep drew back, screeching his victory, his giant tail switching jubilantly as he curled over and around his massive body, sweeping away from her.
Meri groaned. She had failed again. She had forgotten to add “without harm” to her command, and that mistake had left her without magical protection.
She dragged herself to the edge of the bank and rolled off, splashing into the water near Dalila and Sudi. The cold hit her chest and stole what little breath she still had.
“We’ll help you,” Sudi said, and tried to take her hand.
But Meri shook her head. “I’m all right,” Meri lied. “You take Dalila back. I can make it on my own.”
She filled her lungs and dove below the surface. She’d only slow her friends down, and she wanted them to survive, even if she couldn’t. She extended her arms, ignoring the pain, and swam into the black depths.
Sand and pebbles roiled around her as the entrance to Apep’s lair closed. Currents lashed back and forth, tumbling her about, and then the waters calmed. The barrier between the two worlds was again solid and secure.
Meri rose to the surface and floated on her back to the edge of the Tidal Basin, breathing in the aroma of an autumn night. The skies were clearing, the moon shining through the thinning clouds.
Sudi and Dalila pulled her from the water and helped her lie down on the walkway.
“You don’t look very good,” Sudi said. “I’m going to find help.” She started to stand, but Meri grabbed her wrist.
“No one will know how to treat Apep’s venom,” Meri whispered. “Stay with me. I don’t want to—”
Dalila pressed her fingers over Meri’s lips before Meri could say, “die alone.”
“Don’t say it,” Dalila pleaded, and began mumbling prayers.
Sudi wept quietly, her warm tears falling onto Meri’s face.
Meri grasped her amulet as blackness clouded around her. She held the talisman against her motionless chest.
“Medou netjer,” she whispered to herself. She had spoken the words of the gods to save the world, and now she needed their divine help. She wanted to live.
“Heka. Sia. Hu.” She repeated the words inscribed on the amulet, calling forth the benevolence of the universe to let her stay.
The night became windless, the world still, and Meri started to rise out of her body.
A woman walked through the silence toward her and held up
her hand.
“It is I, the great Isis, speaker of spells, divine protector of the Descendants,” the woman said. “I come to you as mistress of charms and enchantments, to remove the serpent’s venom.”
She touched Meri’s shoulder, placing her hand over the snakebite. “I have made the poison fall out on to the ground. You shall live, and the poison shall die.”
Meri fell back into her body and sucked in air. She let it out with a jagged cough. Her lungs began working. Air wheezed in and out. A fire burned inside her, but she welcomed the pain; she knew it was life, coming back to her.
She blinked and the night became filled with noise again: the rumble of traffic and planes, and the excited voices of photographers camped on the other side of the Tidal Basin.
Dalila screamed with joy. “You’re back!” she yelled. “I prayed we wouldn’t lose you.”
Sudi grabbed Meri and planted big kisses all over her face.
“Quit with the mushy stuff. You’re suffocating me.”
“How did you return to us?” Dalila asked as she helped Meri stand up.
“Isis was here,” Meri said, feeling dizzy. She craned her neck to get a look at her shoulder. “She healed me.”
“You have a mark,” Sudi said, “but the wound is gone. It doesn’t look like a snakebite, it—”
“Cool tattoo,” someone behind them said.
All three girls froze.
Meri became suddenly aware that she was standing outside in wet, clinging underwear.
“Brian?” Sudi shouted.
Meri picked up her dress and yanked it over her head.
“Brian, why are you here?” Sudi demanded as she struggled into her jeans. A blank look crossed Brian’s face. He shrugged. Then he glanced at the photographers across the lake. They had gathered their equipment and were racing down the walkway toward Meri, Sudi, and Dalila.
“I came here to save your butts,” Brian said gruffly. “Just get in the car.”
He turned and started walking back to the giant Cadillac that was parked illegally on the grass, belching smoke.
“How did he drive his car into the park without getting caught?” Sudi asked as she picked up her boots. “I can’t even toss a banana peel without having a dozen cops telling me to pick it up.”
“Right now, I don’t even care,” Meri said. She grabbed her purse and started after Brian. “I just want to get away from here.”
“Brian, did you join the cult?” Sudi asked.
“Hell, no,” he said as he squeezed in behind the steering wheel. “You know I hate that touchyfeely junk.”
“I think there’s something magical about Brian,” Dalila said, zipping up her skirt.
“Brian?” Sudi and Meri exclaimed in unison.
“Isis is using him,” Dalila explained. “I’m certain that she is. The same way Seth used Stanley. The goddess has provided us with a chauffeur and a ride home.”
“Isis might be the goddess of many names,” Sudi said. “But she’s definitely got bad taste in boyfriends.”
They crawled into the back seat of the Cadillac, and before Meri had even closed the door, Brian sped away.
Sirens sounded in the distance, but Meri was more concerned about the photographers who stood in their path.
Brian jerked the steering wheel to the left, and the car jounced wildly. The back wheels spun chunks of mud and grass into the air, hitting the photographers who were chasing after them.
Meri sank low in her seat and tried to hide her face.
“I’m going to be in so much trouble!” Sudi squealed. She bowed her head. “I’ll be grounded until I’m twenty-one.”
“The hell you will,” Brian shouted, speeding through a red light. “No one’s going to catch us. I borrowed the license plates from a black sedan parked by the FBI building before I did this deal.” He grinned, proud of his cunning.
Dalila smiled, enjoying the reckless ride. “Isis knew that Brian wouldn’t falter. Of all the young men we know—”
“—He’s the biggest fool,” Sudi finished for her.
“The one with the criminal mind, you mean,” Meri said, praying no one ever found out about this night.
“But he is doing exactly what is needed to protect our secret,” Dalila countered, with a satisfied look.
The tires squealed as Brian drove the car around the corner, and again at the next intersection. Meri glanced out the back window. The street was empty.
Finally, Sudi leaned forward. “Brian, no one is chasing us. Can you just take us home?”
Meri turned back in time to catch Brian’s reflection in the rearview mirror. He looked disappointed.
“Yeah, sure,” he said. The car slowed.
“Drop me off in Georgetown,” Meri said.
“Why are you going back to Abdel’s house?” Sudi asked.
“I’m not ready to face my mom yet,” Meri explained.
Moments later, Meri was at Abdel’s front door. She stole inside and climbed the stairs to the second-floor bedroom. She sat on Abdel’s bed, then snuggled down into his pillows and breathed in the scent of his cologne.
As she started to fall asleep, the front door opened downstairs. She sat up in alarm, her heart beating frantically. She had been foolish to think that Seth would allow her to survive. The lord of chaos would demand revenge, and he undoubtedly knew that she was alone in Abdel’s house, unprotected and vulnerable. A chill raced through her as she wondered who the ancient god had sent to destroy her.
Meri crept across the carpet, her amulet clutched in her fist. She hid in the shadows at the top of the stairs and then slowly leaned over the banister, peering down into the room below. Abdel stood near the hearth, staring at the fire. Flames sputtered and sparked, and the faint smell of smoke filled the air.
“Abdel!” Meri cried as she ran down the steps.
He spun around, startled. “Meri, what are you doing here?”
She fell against him, loving the feel of his body. “I’m so glad you didn’t leave after all.” She hugged him harder. “I have so much to tell you.”
“What happened?” he asked, still looking stunned. He touched the ends of her wet hair.
“You’ll be so proud of what we’ve done,” she said excitedly and began telling him everything, starting with the letter she had found in his jacket pocket.
When she had finished, he placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her with something close to misery in his eyes. “The three of you promised me that you wouldn’t act on your own,” he reminded her. “What you did was dangerous.”
“People were dying,” she explained. “How could we wait?”
He shook his head. “Even the smallest ritual, when done without thought, can have unexpected consequences,” he said. “Dalila and Sudi started to summon Seth, but then you stopped them before the spell was complete. The three of you failed to offer a counterspell to close the magic that Sudi and Dalila opened. What will be the final outcome from that breach? You could have altered the very structure of the universe.”
“We thought we were doing the right thing,” Meri said, looking down.
“Meri, you were the reason I became an Hour priest,” he confided.
“Me?” she asked. “How can that be?”
“You haven’t lived those memories yet,” he answered. “I never thought I would see you again, and now that I have…”
He didn’t finish his sentence but instead kissed her with such tenderness and longing that she knew he thought this would be their last embrace. She closed her eyes and let her hands move up his sides. He gently pushed her back, before she was ready to end the kiss. She leaned forward for another.
“I can’t let my feelings for you interfere with what I’ve been sent to do,” he said. “I will fulfill my sacred vow to Isis.”
“Isis doesn’t care,” Meri insisted. “She’s the goddess of love, among other things. I know it’s allowed.”
“It’s impossible,” he answered.
/> “Nothing’s impossible for me,” she said adamantly. “I stopped the lord of chaos from coming into the world, and I battled the ancient demon Apep. I almost died tonight. I deserve more from you.”
Then she realized what she had said, and she rushed outside, feeling foolish. Abdel came out onto his porch and joined her. His hands slipped around her waist, and he pulled her to him. He kissed her again.
That was what she loved about D.C.; the possibilities were endless. Magic happened here.
“Go home, Meri,” Abdel whispered. He kissed her gently once more; then he went back inside.
She stepped into the shadows and changed herself into a cat, then stretched, enjoying the luxurious pulse of ancient Egypt that rushed through her. She didn’t care what her mother, or Michelle, or Abdel thought. She had done the right thing, and had been true to her real self, a divine Descendant, an Egyptian goddess who had repelled the dark forces of chaos and saved the world. For a night.
Lynne Ewing, Sisters of Isis: Volume 1
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