“You don’t understand how this could hurt my mom,” Meri added. “She wants to run for president.”
“It’s too late,” Abdel answered. “You left me before I was able to explain the spells on your papyri—”
“That’s not our fault,” Meri interrupted, angrily. “You were scaring us.”
“The ceremony was needed to awaken your divine spirits,” Abdel countered.
Sudi looked at the overstuffed armchairs in the living room. “You should have brought us here and told us everything.”
“You never would have come,” Abdel answered. “But I knew you wouldn’t refuse an invitation to the Sky Terrace restaurant, and none of you did. My only mistake was in assuming that the three of you would listen to me until I had finished telling you everything you needed to know.”
“Any rational person would have left long before we did,” Meri charged.
“Even so, I can’t do anything to change what has happened,” Abdel said and leaned back against a table near the door. “I can see the difference in your eyes, and I know that each of you has already accepted her fate.”
“We did not agree to this,” Dalila said.
“But you did,” Abdel answered. “You’ve used the spell to awaken your power of transmutation.”
“Our what?” Sudi asked.
“Like Horus, who could transform into a falcon and fly over his kingdom, each Descendant has the ability to change into an animal. That power came alive when you recited the proper spell from your papyrus. Once the spell is spoken, the ability remains for life, and by speaking the incantation you accepted your destiny. Usually it’s done in a ceremony—”
“It’s not like I knew what I was doing,” Meri said. “I ate a mouse! Do you really think I wanted to do that?”
“And my cat almost ate me,” Sudi added. “I hate being a bird. It’s scary to fly so high.”
Dalila hesitated, then pressed her hands against her cheeks. “I turn into Ammut, the monster with the head of a crocodile and the forepaws of a lion. I have the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. How am I ever going to find a husband looking like that?”
“Dalila,” Abdel said gently. “You’re supposed to turn into a fire-breathing cobra like the goddess Wadjet. You must yield to your power and not be afraid. You’re limiting yourself and not becoming what you were meant to be because of your disbelief and fear.”
“I can’t do this.” Dalila leaned against Sudi. “Don’t you see? You’re sending us to our deaths.”
No one spoke for a long moment. Sudi felt defeated. Dalila’s soft crying was the only sound in the gloomy room.
Finally, Abdel spoke. “As long as all three of you are here, we should begin your training.”
“We refuse,” Sudi answered with a bravery she did not feel. “You’ll have to find others.”
Abdel started up the steep stairs anyway, the old wood creaking under his weight. When he reached the first landing, he turned back and looked down at them.
“The longer you wait to learn what you need to know, the longer you will live in terrible danger. The cult doesn’t care that you don’t want to fulfill your destiny. The leaders will send demons to kill you, and if you’re not concerned for your own safety, then at least consider the welfare of your families.”
“Our families,” all three girls said as one.
Sudi couldn’t let anything happen to her sisters or her parents. She clutched the newel post. “I don’t know if I can,” she said, her stomach churning.
“It’s hard,” Abdel whispered. “No one would freely choose the life you have been given.”
Sudi started up the stairs. Meri and Dalila followed after her with slow, reluctant steps.
“You tricked us,” Sudi said when she reached Abdel. “You gave us the scrolls with the right incantations knowing we would speak them.”
“That deception has been done before.” Abdel nodded, but he didn’t seem to take any joy in his trickery. “I knew that once I had awakened the soul of Egypt within you, destiny would find a way to make you read the incantation and bind your fate to that of a Descendant.”
On the third floor, Abdel took a large key from his pocket and undid the lock on a door with three clicking turns. He pushed the door open and stepped into a dark, stuffy room.
A flame flared, and Sudi watched as Abdel continued to light the white wicks floating inside oil-filled clay bowls. When he finished, twenty or more flames flickered, and a soft haze hung in the stale air.
“Please, take a seat,” he said when he noticed that they were still standing in the doorway.
The girls circled a low, round table in the center of the room and sat down on roughly made stools.
Abdel set a copper chest on the table, opened it, and took out three cylindrical leather cases. “This is only the first of many from the Book of Thoth that you will be required to study.” He reached inside the first worn pouch and carefully pulled out a scroll.
“The secrets of the gods, written by Djehuti,” Dalila whispered, and reverentially touched the tattered papyrus. “The Book of Thoth is mentioned in many papyri, but no copy has ever been found by archaeologists. Scholars thought all copies were lost in the fire that destroyed the library in Alexandria.”
“The Hour priests have kept the scrolls hidden to protect the knowledge written on them,” Abdel explained, “because whoever possesses the Book of Thoth has the power to command the gods of ancient Egypt, and even understand the language of animals and fly through the night unseen. Of course, there are risks.”
“Great,” Meri said and folded her arms.
Abdel sat down, seeming pleased with himself. “Now I will take you back with a story to the beginning of time,” he announced, “so you will know your enemy. Many myths are told to explain creation, but all stories originate with the primeval waters and the mound which rose from them. The story I tell you is the true one.”
He paused as if he were beginning the recitation of a text he had memorized as a boy. “From the primordial waters of chaos came the mound of creation, and on it sat Amun-Re. The great god brought forth life, and, soon after, the opposing gods of order and chaos, Osiris and Seth, were born.”
Sudi had an odd feeling that she wasn’t in the row house anymore, but when she glanced around, she saw the same tall bookcases, the flickering flames, and the thin smoke rising to the ceiling.
“Osiris married the goddess Isis,” Abdel continued, “and together they ruled Egypt and brought order to the land. Isis was a devoted and faithful wife. Everyone loved her. But the evil god Seth grew jealous of his brother’s good fortune. He killed Osiris and seized the throne.”
Abdel shuddered as if he had witnessed the crime. “Grief-stricken, Isis stole the Book of Thoth from the gods and used its magic to resurrect Osiris long enough to conceive an heir, a son named Horus.
“When Horus came of age, he challenged his uncle Seth, and, after much struggle, the gods declared that Horus was the true pharaoh. Isis had her revenge, but she feared Seth would retaliate by freeing the demons that lived in the chaos at the edge of the universe.”
Abdel looked at each of the girls to make sure he had their full attention before he continued. “For that reason, Isis gave the Book of Thoth to the Hour priests and directed them to watch the night skies. When the stars warned of evil forces threatening the kingdom, the priests were instructed to give the Book of Thoth to the pharaoh so he could use its magic to protect the world.”
“That is why I am here,” Abdel said. “The stars are warning of terrible days ahead unless the Cult of Anubis is stopped.”
He glanced up, and the firelight made his eyes glint. “No one can change your fate, not even the gods. You must stand against evil and protect the world. You are the Descendants of the great kings of Egypt.”
Sudi cursed under her breath and slouched against the table. Her throat tightened as daydreams of falling in love and losing her virginity were replaced by hideous kung fu image
s of running from monsters and losing her life.
Blue smoke spiraled around the closed room, coming from incense burning within reddish gold plates. The scent settled over Sudi, too sweet and strong. She had worn a halter top, and the sticky vapor felt as if it were seeping into the bare skin of her arms and back. She wondered if kids at school could smell the cloying fragrance on her. For three weeks she had come to Abdel’s house to read the Book of Thoth and memorize spells, but her thoughts kept jumping ahead to Michelle’s party.
More than anything, Sudi wanted to go, but Abdel had told her it was too dangerous for her to be out at night until she learned more magic. She hadn’t bothered to tell him that so far she hadn’t memorized any spells. She glanced down at the invitation poking out of her backpack. Abdel wasn’t her parent, so he couldn’t actually keep her from going.
Everyone said Michelle’s extravaganza was going to be the social event of the year. No one cared that it was on a school night, because Michelle’s parents had hired Grammy-winner Sienna to sing, and Sunday night was the only time available in her frenzied schedule.
Sudi leaned back and opened the shutter, feeling the familiar longing to be outside. Meri’s driver waited in the black Lincoln Continental parked at the curb. Red leaves from a maple tree fell on the car hood.
“Abdel is stifling our fun,” Sudi blurted out.
“He’s only being cautious,” Dalila said, without looking up.
“If he really cares about us,” Sudi argued, “then why does he always disappear when we come over here? I thought a mentor was supposed to guide us, not leave us in a stinking room with boring translations to do.”
“I love doing this,” Dalila said, and looked up this time. She smiled, as if studying were bliss.
“Some of us aren’t scholars,” Sudi explained.
“I hear footsteps upstairs,” Meri put in. “I think Abdel stays nearby in case we do need him.”
“Let’s go somewhere,” Sudi said. “We need a break.”
“You don’t understand the seriousness—” Dalila began.
“I think I know,” Sudi snapped. “I’m the one who got jackal saliva all over her face.”
Sudi regretted her outburst, but Dalila stood and began rolling up her papyrus. “You’re right,” Dalila said. “We need a break. Then we’ll come back and study.”
“Let’s go to Dean & DeLuca,” Sudi said, grabbing her backpack. “It’s not far from here.”
Meri started for the door. “My driver will take us.”
A few minutes later, Sudi ordered a cappuccino at the outside counter of Dean & DeLuca. She breathed in the rich scent of coffee, then sipped the frothy milk from the top as she sauntered toward a table in the sunlight.
The sunshine warmed her bare arms and back, and she was glad she had worn the loose halter top. She dropped her backpack beside the metal chair, but just as she started to sit down, she saw Michelle push through the doors.
Michelle walked with an exaggerated swing of her hips, her feet coming down like a runway model’s as she carried sandwiches to a table in the shade. Then Sudi saw the reason. Scott, Brian, and Carter lolled on the chairs. They wore shorts and long-sleeved rugby shirts with horizontal stripes in alternating blue and red. Brian’s knee was bleeding, and he stretched his leg out into the aisle so that everyone passing could see the gash. Scott sat in a corner, his arm slung over the back of the chair. Sunglasses hid Carter’s eyes, and even though he didn’t wave, Sudi sensed that he was watching her.
“What’s up?” Meri asked, setting her latte down and biting into a cookie.
“Carter told me that he played rugby with Scott, but I didn’t know Brian played on the same team,” Sudi said. “Do you think they talk?”
“About you?” Meri said with a teasing grin. “Sure, and right now Michelle is probably leading the conversation. She’s so jealous.”
Sudi glanced back. Michelle was standing behind Scott, rubbing his shoulders.
“Let’s leave,” Sudi said, grabbing the strap of her backpack.
Dalila surprised her by blocking her retreat. “You can’t leave now.”
“Why not?” Sudi asked.
“Because there are no coincidences,” Dalila said, setting an espresso on the table. “Fate brought you here. Now be brave enough to see what destiny is going to offer you.”
“My last big encounter with destiny was a jackal-headed god named Anubis,” Sudi argued. “I don’t think I want to know what providence is handing me today.”
“Sit down,” Meri said. “They probably won’t even notice we’re here.”
Sudi slumped in her chair. Something tickled her neck. She brushed back her hair, but instead of going away the feeling crawled across her collarbone. She scratched at her skin.
Meri sat straight up, jarring the table. Her eyes widened. “A bug,” she said, pointing to Sudi’s chest. “A really big bug. It’s as long as my finger.”
“It’s a cicada,” Dalila said, unconcerned. “Just flick it away.”
“Get it off me!” Sudi cried.
“I hate bugs more than anything,” Meri said. “I’m not going to touch it. What if it bites me?”
“Do cicadas bite?” Sudi asked and jumped up. Her chair scraped the ground with an ear-piercing shriek of metal legs on stone. If Brian, Carter, and Scott hadn’t been aware of her presence before, they were definitely watching her now.
She slapped at her neck.
The frightened cicada flitted back and forth, then scrambled under her halter. Tiny, prickly insect feet scurried across her chest. The bug quivered and made a high-pitched, droning sound.
“Get it out. Get it out.” Sudi grabbed the hem of her halter and waved it up and down, trying to shoo the bug away.
Dalila jumped up, looking horrified.
“It’s not a cicada after all, is it?” Sudi shouted, as new terror found her. From the shocked expression on Dalila’s face, Sudi knew the insect was something poisonous.
“Stop!” Dalila yelled.
“What is it?” Sudi screamed and shook the halter vigorously, flapping it up and down. “Am I going to die?”
“Calm down,” Dalila ordered and tried to grab Sudi’s hands.
People gathered and looked alarmed. But no one stepped forward to save Sudi from the lethal insect.
“Help me,” Sudi pleaded.
Then Scott pushed through the crowd. His hand darted forward, and his fingers brushed over Sudi’s breast. He scooped the bug into his hand, then held it in his palm as if it were a pet.
“It’s only a cicada,” he said. “You don’t need to be afraid.”
“Put your top down,” Dalila said, prying Sudi’s fingers from the hem of the halter.
Sudi gasped and let go. Finally, she understood.
“It’s all right,” Dalila whispered and went back to her seat.
Sudi smoothed her bodice, making sure the halter top covered her breasts. A blush burned her cheeks.
“A cicada can’t hurt you,” Scott continued. He tossed the broad-headed insect into the air. “It was probably afraid of you.”
Sudi couldn’t speak. She stared down at the ground, humiliated.
Scott leaned closer. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her ear. “I was getting a bug off of you, so it doesn’t count.”
She ventured a glance up, but Scott was already heading back to his seat. Carter stood in front of her.
“Great show,” Carter said, lifting his sunglasses. “I’ll definitely be there for your next performance.”
He followed Scott back to their table.
People who had gathered to watch her hysterics smiled and dispersed.
Only Brian and Michelle remained.
“Nice try, Sudi,” Brian said with a lopsided grin. “But even that show won’t get me back.”
“As if,” Sudi answered, more flustered than before.
Meri pushed in front of Sudi. “Please. Why would she want you back?”
“Why w
ouldn’t she?” Brian said with the conceit that Sudi had come to hate. He smirked and walked away.
“I can’t believe you,” Michelle said, fuming. “You were flashing Scott on purpose.”
“I was attacked by a bug,” Sudi said.
“Don’t think for a minute that I believe you’re afraid of a cicada. We used to catch them in my backyard, remember?”
Sudi started to defend herself, but stopped. “Whatever, Michelle.”
“You’re so déclassé,” Michelle said. “Pathetic, really. I feel like taking back your invitation to my party.”
Dalila stood up and slowly walked around the table. Her regal bearing made Michelle pause.
“Go back to pretending you’re perfect,” Dalila said with calm authority, “and let us drink our coffee without your rude comments.”
Michelle stared at Dalila, but she didn’t reply. She seemed suddenly unsure of herself and glanced at Sudi, then took two careful steps backward before hurrying back to her table.
“Can you believe she and I were once best friends?” Sudi asked.
“You’re better off without her,” Meri said. “She’s such a poser.”
“What do you suppose she’s doing with them?” Sudi asked.
“Talking trash about you,” Meri said and playfully nudged Sudi.
“At least now I don’t have to figure out what to wear to the party tonight,” Sudi said. “Because I’m definitely not going.”
“We’ll go with you,” Dalila said, still gazing after Michelle.
“I can’t face Scott,” Sudi said.
“You’re going,” Meri said. “Because if you don’t show up, then Michelle will think she’s won.”
“But you have to learn at least one incantation to stop an evil creature from attacking you,” Dalila said.
“Just in case,” Meri agreed.
“Nothing’s going to happen at the party,” Sudi said. She didn’t want to go back to that dark little room with its smelly incense and lantern light.
“You need to know a spell,” Meri persisted.
“Fine. I’ll learn one,” Sudi promised, even though she didn’t sense any danger. Who was going to send a demon after her at a party where 300 people could witness the attack? The cult leaders wouldn’t be that stupid. Besides she had watched enough scary movies to know the monsters would descend upon them, as before, when they were alone and vulnerable.