Fantasy

410

In this thrilling novel, two archaeologists uncover the tomb of an Egyptian high priestess and embark on an adventure of magic, mystery, and unrequited love.

California archaeology student Chione Ini-Herit has vivid dreams about the discovery of an opulent tomb. After learning that Chione’s dreams are playing out in Egypt, the founder of the California Institute of Archaeology accepts an offer to examine a mysterious site in Valley of the Queens. When they discover a tomb, things begin to unravel.Magical spells encoded into the hieroglyphs on the tomb’s walls transport Chione and her former boyfriend—fellow archaeologist Aaron Ashby—back 3,500 years to ancient Egypt. Even stranger, Aaron and Chione begin to morph into Tutankhamon and Tauret, a priestess in Pharaoh’s Court, after learning that Tauret coded the magical spells into the hieroglyphs to keep her and Pharaoh irrevocably joined in the afterlife.When other team members speak the spells aloud, they, too, are affected in unfathomable ways by the Ka—the spirit of the entombed person. Chione and Aaron learn that Tauret has conjured powerful spells to provide Tutankhamon with a living heir, and Tauret has chosen Chione and Aaron to complete her destiny...         

Excerpt
“Hey, I’ve found something,” Kendra said in a few moments. “Right where it should be.” She pointed along several deep slashes. “Right about here.”

“How do you figure?” Clifford asked, straining to see.

“Look closely,” she said, nudging him to bring his face up to the wall. “These cracks were purposely made to look like artistic tool marks, then painted over.” Again she traced up one side, across the top and down the other. “Here’s our doorway.”

“A solid block wedged so tightly you’d think the seams were carved in as part of the design,” Clifford said, shaking his head in amazement.

Everyone stepped back for filming of the mural before the engineers would cut through. Chione accompanied Bebe and Clifford to sit on the steps near the portcullis shaft allowing a breath of fresh air. Words and exclamations in mixed languages floated through the passageway as the crews worked. The job of loosening a disguised stone block without damaging surrounding portions of the wall would be tedious. More equipment was needed. A nimble Egyptian scaled a notched rope hanging in the portcullis shaft. Soon, he returned with his equipment lowered to him. After what seemed hours, they heard stone grating as it slid loose, excited voices, and Dr. Withers calling them back to the fold.

Two muscular laborers strained to pull the loosened granite block outward; taking what precautions they could to avoid scratching the stone floor. Using tenuous finger holds, they pulled and rocked the stone side to side. No one wished to cause damage that could be avoided.

With the two-foot thick block almost free allowing a small opening into the chamber, a thick gush of putrid air escaped. Suddenly that moaning came again! Clearly, the noise originated from inside the chamber.

They covered their noses and mouths with facemasks. For all their effort to clear, preserve, and enter through the only passage available, who or what could possibly be inside that chamber making those moaning sounds?

They waited. No more noises. Finally, Aaron shrugged and began helping to dislodge the stone. More putrid air belched out. He grimaced, cheeks puffing as he paused to blow out a couple breaths to clear the odor from his lungs and sinuses.

Unbelievably, the block began moving by itself! A dirty hand slipped around the edge. Aaron took two paces back, grabbed a tripod and raised it like a club. His eyes bulged in their sockets. They stepped back. Way back. Several workers fled.

“What is it?” Dr. Withers asked, straining to see from a distance.

A dirty arm, with blood on a torn sleeve poked through as the block moved again. Then dirty, disheveled, and favoring the bloody arm, a figure hobbled into the passageway like the dead coming to life.