“Are you sensitive to any foods? Anything you don’t like?”
A bus boy came by, turned over their glasses and filled each with sparkling water. “Anything else, sir?” he asked.
“No, thank you.”
When he was gone, Lucy said, “I’m not sensitive to anything, at least not that I know of and I’m willing to try anything once.”
“Excellent.”
Their waitress showed up. Will ordered an appetizer called sambosa, and for their main course he ordered kabobs with strawberry lemonades to drink.
“What is sambosa?” Lucy asked after the waitress left.
“They’re pastries stuffed with vegetables and meat. Quite delicious. I think you’ll enjoy them.”
“They sound fantastic.” She took a sip of the lemon flavored sparkling water. It fizzed in her nose. “And a kabob?”
“They’ll bring out shrimp, beef, and chicken that they’ve seasoned and cooked on a skewer, usually over an open flame.”
His description didn’t make sense, but if Will liked it, she thought she’d like it too.
The waitress brought the sambosa. Lucy took one and bit into it.
“What do you think?” Will asked.
“Very good,” she said after she swallowed.
Will set his down.
“Is the flavor not pleasing?” Lucy asked.
“It’s good enough, but I’m saving room for the main course.”
“I see.” Lucy took another bite.
“So tell me something about you? What’s your favorite pastime?”
While Lucy chewed she pondered his question. She loved spending time in the kitchen with Harriet and her mother. She enjoyed playing on the pianoforte. Then there was studying the sciences. And the world. “Probably my favorite thing to do is coming up with different ways to solve problems, like inventing a snake cage, or turning a pillowcase into a trap to catch a mouse.”
“You did those things?” Will asked, taking a drink of water.
“Yes, I did.” Lucy gloated, feeling proud. She considered it one of her best qualities.
“Aren’t you afraid of snakes and mice?” Admiration sparked his eyes.
“No, what is there to be afraid of? They’re just creatures trying to get along in the world, same as you and me.” She ate the last of her sambosa.
“True, but most girls don’t see them that way.”
“My maid, Harriet, and my sister Ellen are terrified of any kind of creature, except perhaps horses. I suppose that makes me odd.” She wiped her hands on the napkin in her lap.
“Odd for sure, but also amazing.” Will tilted his head as though he were reexamining a painting he hadn’t comprehended until that moment.
Siti, their waitress brought their main course. The meat sizzled on the plates. Along with the meat was a sauce she called tahini, some fresh lemon, and some couscous. “Is there anything I can get you?” she asked after all the food was on the table.
“Not now, thank you.”
Lucy stared at her plate, unsure where to begin.
Will cleared his throat. She looked up. He had the wooden piece with a string of chicken on it in one hand and a fork in the other. Lucy watched as he pressed the fork along the meat, pulling it from the skewer.
She nodded. Picked up her fork and did the same.
He dipped a piece of meat in the sauce. Chewed. Smiled. “Good.”
She dipped a piece of hers in the sauce. It was strange, unlike anything she’d tasted. There was tanginess, and some heat. But Will was right. It was good. “Very,” she agreed.
They ate in a comfortable silence a few minutes. Then Will said, “You also have a brother, correct?”
He’d remembered her ramblings of a few days ago, when she’d first arrived in this century. “Yes, his name is Beaumont.”
“And do you get along with them?” Will continued.
“For the most part.” She took a scoop of the couscous and put it in her mouth. It reminded her a little of rice and potatoes. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?” she asked when she’d finished her bite.
“I have three older brothers. They’re all übersuccessful, married to amazing wives and perfect children. At least that’s what my mom and dad think. They’re super proud.”
Lucy thought she heard a hint of bitterness as well as sadness in his voice. “And you don’t believe they’re proud of you?”
Will snorted. “I dropped out of college to travel the world, searching for statues in exchange for profit. Proud is not the word they would use to describe me.” He shook his head. “Lazy. Privileged. Arrogant. Unruly. Those words have been used more than once.”
“But if you love what you do, and you’re obviously good at it. How can they say those things?”
“You’d think that would be what they care about, I know. But my job isn’t respectable. They want to tell their friends I just took over a fortune five hundred company. Instead they have to tell their friends I’m traipsing through some godforsaken jungle looking for a trinket.”
“Ouch. I’m sorry.” She set down her fork, feeling full.
“I’ve learned to deal with their disappointment.” He smirked, shoveling another piece of meat in his mouth.
“It’s difficult to believe so little has changed in that aspect of family dynamics over the last two centuries.”
“Doubt it ever will.” He chuckled. “To change the subject, I thought we should discuss tomorrow.”
“I’m listening.”
“We’re leaving early in the morning. Seven, to be exact. Please be ready. Don’t wear heels or open toe shoes. Hopefully Ingrid packed clothing that’s appropriate for hiking.” His mouth fell into a frown.
“Not to worry. She did.”
“Good. We’ll be hiking mostly rough terrain until we reach Ra’s Mouth. At the entrance we’ll make camp for the night.”
“Sleep outside?” Lucy asked, unable to help interrupting. She’d only imagined doing such a thing.
“If you’d rather not, you’re welcome to stay at the hotel. It’s paid for.”
She shook her head. “I want to sleep outside. I’ve never done such a thing.”
Will grimaced. “It isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, trust me. You’ll have to pee in the bushes while keeping a look out for sand spiders or poisonous snakes. Usually one man watches the other’s back while he does his business. You won’t have that luxury as you’ll be the only female on the team.”
Lucy swallowed. Her throat suddenly felt like it’d been coated with sand. “No other women?”
“Correct.” He combed his fingers through his dirty blond hair. “I want you to stay with me, no matter what. If I go around a tree to avoid something, you’ll do the same. The men in the group know what they’re doing, but that doesn’t make them honest or even good. They may try to…” He paused, his vivid blue eyes piercing into her soul. “Just stay close. And remember, you promised.”
The seriousness of his words as well as the tone of his voice convinced her. “I’ll stay nearby.”
Siti reappeared. “Can I interest you in some dessert?”
Will gave Lucy a questioning look.
“We’ll take one baklava. Thank you.”
“Right away.” She cleared their plates before leaving.
“I know that in your time men and women don’t share rooms, but you’ll be sleeping in my tent with me. There cannot be a negotiation on this. I need to know you’re safe and this is the only way I can do it. I think I’ve proven trustworthy.”
Lucy’s stomach began to flutter with nerves. She could see his reasoning. And she knew she wouldn’t trust anyone but him. Still, the thought of sleeping in the same quarters as a man… She couldn’t begin to imagine what her mother would say. “I do trust you, Will.” She gave him a tight-lipped smile.
“I trust you too, Lucy.” He sipped his water. “In the morning we’ll enter the cave. Again, I need you to stay with me. Got it?”
&nbs
p; “I won’t leave your side.”
“That’s my girl.” He winked.
Lucy felt her face go hot.
“The plan is to retrieve the statue and be out of the caves before nightfall. Then we’ll stay another night at the entrance and return to New York the following day.”
Lucy did the math in her head. She would return to her time before midnight on the sixth day. That meant she wouldn’t be back in time to see her grandfather. She blinked back tears.
“What is it?” Will asked, grabbing hold of her hand.
Lucy didn’t flinch this time. She sniffled. “I’ll probably be gone before you arrive back in New York. Back… To my own time.”
Will opened his mouth, but no words came out. “I keep forgetting you’re not a part of this time,” he finally said.
“Me too.”
TWENTY-FIVE
SOUL EATERS
EARLY MORNING mist rolled along the edge of the city as Will’s contact, a tall man with dark hair and hard eyes who went by the name of Abasi, Lucy, Will, and five other men piled into separate vehicles. They were green and reminded Lucy of the protective armor she’d seen in books about knights.
None of them seemed happy to have Lucy along but they didn’t say anything. Will had made it clear he was in charge and what he said was law. It was impressive to watch the way he handled the men, without ire but still commanding respect.
Lucy had dressed in a pair shorts and a comfortable shirt that morning. Will had taken one look at her and turned her around. He dug through her clothes until he found a pair of jeans, a hot pink tee shirt, thick socks, and hearty boots. Then he’d grabbed her a navy blue raincoat.
“You shouldn’t wear your hair down.”
Lucy didn’t want to admit she didn’t know how to do her own hair.
Will started to laugh. “Come with me.” And he took her hand. Lucy loved the way her small hand felt in his. He took her into the bathroom and pulled a brush from her small suitcase. “Sit.” He found a hair tie and placed it on the counter, and then began to run the brush through her hair. He was gentle. His fingers caressed her scalp as he worked.
Lucy’s heart had never raced faster. It was the most intimate moment of her life. She closed her eyes.
Will made quick work of her hair. “Done.”
Lucy opened her eyes. Her hair had been pulled back in a ponytail. It looked wonderful. “Thank you.” A shorter tendril of hair fell forward into her eyes.
Will picked up a bobby pin, took the piece of hair and pinned it back.
Lucy smiled brightly. She didn’t know how to express her gratitude for what he’d done.
“Anytime, your Highness.” He winked.
Before Lucy could form a comeback, Will continued. “Get changed. Hurry.”
His clothes were parallel to Lucy’s. Jeans. Green tee shirt. Black raincoat. From what Lucy had read about Egypt, it rarely rained, but Will had said they were in the rainy months.
She changed and then opened the door between their rooms.
Not one to waste time, he said, “I need to check your pack.”
She’d put clothes, underclothes and lots of socks inside.
“You’ve got way too much in here.” He pulled out everything but two pairs of socks, a change of underthings, and a clean tee shirt.
She took the repacked bag and sighed with relief.
“Better, right?”
“Much.”
“Let’s go,” Will said.
***
The vehicles drove for several hours. Only stopping once at noon for lunch and to refuel. They drove away from the coastal city of Cairo and headed up into higher elevations. Around three in the afternoon they climbed out of the vehicles, and donned their gear and packs. Along with the packs, the men loaded up on ammunition, guns, and other various weapons, including a machete. The guns weren’t like any she’d seen during her father’s annual deer hunt.
“Are the guns necessary?” Lucy asked, sliding on her pack.
“Probably not. But if I’ve learned one thing during these excursions, it’s better to be prepared.” Will checked the chamber on his handgun, and then put it as well as another in their holsters. “Do you know how to use a gun?” he asked Lucy.
“If it’s a gun from eighteen fifteen,” she whispered.
Will chuckled. “Better go without then.”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s go,” Abasi hollered.
The foliage was rich. Deep green leaves hung on thick trees. The shrubbery was dense, covering most of the ground. It surprised Lucy that such a place existed in a country known for its desert landscape. The ground felt different than the soil near her home in Sothersby. It seemed to shift underfoot when she walked. Lucy guessed there was more sand mixed in the dirt than anything else.
The group headed into the forest single file. Abasi took the lead with Will following behind and Lucy directly after him. There was a trail of sorts which Abasi seemed to follow. If the vegetation grew too dense, Abasi used his machete to cut it out of the way.
The forest, which had been silent when they first started in, slowly began to come back to life. Birds sang their song. Insects buzzed and hummed. Small animals dashed across their path once in a while. Lucy tried to keep calm, but the thickness of the greenery and the loud noises had her on edge. She had no problem staying close to Will. In fact, if she could’ve climbed onto his back, she might have.
Just as she started to get used to all of the noise, it stopped. Halted altogether.
The men behind her whispered in their native tongue, their fear so palpable she could feel it.
Lucy wanted to ask what was wrong. As she was about to, Abasi froze, lifting his fisted right hand up, arm bent at the square. The group halted and the men stopped talking.
“What is it?” Will asked quietly.
“We’re being hunted.”
“You sure?”
Abasi gave Will a withering look.
“Fine. Okay.” Will turned to Lucy. “Don’t move from this spot.” His face was tight with concentration and worry.
Lucy nodded. She knew showing him she was afraid would only make matters worse. So she did exactly as he said. As he walked down the line whispering orders the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Something was out there. She searched the forest, looking for whatever it was that had Abasi on edge.
As soon as Will finished speaking with the man at the end, the man cocked his gun, turned and headed down the path, back the way they’d come. The man in front of him jogged past the other men, Lucy and Abasi.
“Where are they going?” Lucy asked.
Will spoke to her and Abasi. “I’ve sent them to scout our surroundings.”
“Very good,” Abasi said.
Lucy felt her knees start to quake. Her first instinct was to run. But which way? Did she go forward into the unknown or back the way they’d come? Which direction was safer? She didn’t know. “Is it an animal,” she asked.
“More like monsters,” Abasi returned.
Monsters? What kind of monsters? She thought the question but didn’t ask.
“Weapons out. Stay alert.” Will told the men, glaring at Abasi. Turning to Lucy, his features softened. “Stay close to me.”
She bobbed her head once, too anxious to speak.
Will held his machete in one hand and a pistol in the other. His hat had ben turned so the rim faced toward his back.
Abasi led them forward. No one spoke. The forest was deafening in its silence. Lucy held her breath, afraid to breathe. Her eyes flicked from side to side, searching for the monster that hunted them.
They continued on until they neared the mouth of the cave. The sun had set and the sky was nearly dark. Neither of the men Will sent to scout the surrounding had returned yet.
Abasi instructed the two remaining men to collect firewood. The area in front of the cave was as wild as the rest of the forest. Thick branches filled with dark green leaves blocked the en
trance. The place felt untouched.
“Let’s clear the area,” Abasi said. “We need to make room for the tents and get a fire going.” He hacked at the twisty vine-like branches obscuring the cave opening. Lucy stood off to the side, near Will, but away from the knife in his hand.
“Are we still being followed?” Lucy asked.
“We are, but they’re only watching, keeping their distance. I’m guessing they want to assess what we’re capable of before they attack.” Abasi removed his pack, took out his canteen and drank. Then wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.
The ground was covered with a deep green moss. Will went down on his knees, opened his pack, took a small shovel from inside, and began to dig.
“What are you doing?” Lucy asked.
“Getting started on a fire pit.”
“Excellent.”
Lucy watched him work, admiring the way his muscles strained under his shirt, the way a light sheen of sweat had built along his hairline. Her heartbeat increased. Despite her fear she couldn’t help but enjoy the way her body responded to him. As a woman curious about the sciences she wondered if attraction had more to do with chemicals in the brain than physical desire. With Will her attraction for him seemed physical, sure, but it was also much more.
Will, she thought, longingly.
The snap of a branch in the forest brought her out of her musings. Lucy searched for something she could do. Abasi had quite a pile of vines stacking up. The cave entrance was nearly free of them. She decided to use Will’s machete and trim back the thick branches to make the camping area larger.
When she grabbed the weapon, Will asked, “What are you doing?”
“Thought I’d cut away some of the branches lest we do not have enough room for the tents.”
“Watch for spiders,” he said.
Lucy thought spiders were the least of her worries. What was hunting them? That worried her more. And what were they waiting for?
“Thanks,” she muttered. She didn’t mind the spiders she’d found around her house in Sothersby. They were large and furry, but she’d known they were of the garden variety and wouldn’t kill her. Spiders in the forests of Egypt were another story. She had no idea what kinds there were. But she wasn’t going to change her mind now. She wanted to help. So she hacked away. It was harder than it looked. Watching Abasi, she’d thought the leaves and branches cut away easily with the sharp knife, but it took muscle. “Do you know what’s hunting us,” she asked Abasi when he came over to help. Lucy didn’t want to be a bother, but she thought knowing would help.
Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) Page 15