by Sarah Noffke
~~~
In cat form Manx led the way to the stone arch, which was flanked by torches set in golden brackets. A door stood before the group. Wait, was it a door? The closer they got, the more transparent it appeared. At an angle, a hallway could be seen on the other side. If you turned your head the other way, the door was solid stone.
Azure paused only a few inches from the door/not door. “What do you make of this?”
“Maybe it’s a test, and we have to complete the right tasks to get through,” Manx offered.
“Maybe it’s a door and we have to knock,” Laurel said.
“Maybe it’s a trick,” Monet hissed.
“Maybe its appearance depends on who stares at it,” Ever said, approaching the door and turning to face the group. “Tell me what you each see.”
Azure answered first. “I see a long hallway with tall columns, mosaic floors, and a golden sarcophagus on the far wall.”
“I see a door but kind of can see past it, and also not really,” Manx said, squinting.
“Hallway,” Monet answered at once.
Laurel scratched her head, confused. “I only see a door.”
Ever turned and looked at the entryway. “I see everything that Azure does, as well as the door.”
“So what does that mean? Laurel can’t see it, Manx kind of can, and the three of us can totally see the hallway,” Azure mused, and then she knew. She held her hand out and pushed it through the door, not meeting any obstacles. “Those with magic can pass. Those with little or none cannot.”
“Those are my thoughts too,” Ever said, extending his own hand.
“I have magic,” Manx complained, walking forward. His head hit the door first, and while he wasn’t blocked from passing, it was like he had rammed into a soft pillow. He moved backward, sat on his hind legs, and looked offended.
“You have magic, but it’s limited to your shapeshifting. I’m guessing you could pass if you wanted to, but it might take some effort,” Azure said.
“And I can’t pass at all.” Laurel’s voice was dejected, and her face spoke of her feelings at being left out.
“It’s how these witches guard against vampires and other creatures that might mean them harm. Those without magic can’t pass into their headquarters.” Azure sank down and picked up Manx, then stepped forward and held the cat out to Laurel. “I’m sorry you can’t accompany us, Laurel, but would you two please look after each other?”
Laurel took the pooka a bit begrudgingly. “I wish Nenet would have mentioned this before dragging us all out here.”
“I’m sure she wasn’t quite thinking clearly, as none of us would have been in her position,” Azure said.
Manx changed into a large black dog and Laurel nearly fell backward from the weight of the giant animal. She dropped him at once. “Damn it! You’re a jerk.”
He wagged his tail and barked delightedly at her. “Oh, come on. I thought that was funny. Why don’t we race back to the hotel? Whoever arrives there first gets the first shot of Monet’s centaur vodka.”
“Don’t touch my stash, Dog Bone,” Monet warned.
Azure shook her head. “We’ll return to the hotel as soon as we can. Please keep an eye out for Finswick. And I want both of you to be careful. Since it’s night, vampires could be prowling the streets. Stick together.”
The dog and the werecat nodded, and Azure turned her attention to the barrier. She gave Ever, who stood to one side of her, a tentative look. “Are you ready—”
Monet grabbed her wrist and strolled forward. “Come on, Queeny. Let’s make some new friends.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A melodic trickling sound echoed throughout the long hallway from the fountains next to each of the red columns. The passage was dark, since the only light came from the large fire basins on the far side of the room. The ceiling was riddled with skylights which would light the space during the day.
At the far end of the hallway, the golden sarcophagus sat flush against the wall. There were no doors or other outlets.
“What do you suppose we’re to do?” Azure asked, wand out and eyes scanning the space.
“Your new friend Nenet has a horrible reputation already for leaving out pertinent details,” Monet said, earning a nod from Ever. The Light Elf looked as perplexed as Azure.
“Well, we know one must have magic to come this far, so it stands to reason that we need to use magic to get any farther into the headquarters,” Azure said, thinking aloud. She strode over to the sarcophagus, which had been detailed very much like the head on the Sphinx they were currently underneath. She gripped her wand and tried a few different spells, but none of them had an effect.
“Queen Azure, why don’t you try a simple opening spell?” a voice said at their backs. All three wheeled around to find a girl who looked remarkably like Nenet staring back at them. She had the same brownish-black hair and olive-green eyes, but this girl still had the tattoos.
“Nenet?” Azure asked, peering at her with fear but also interest. Had the vampire come back? Were they safe?
The girl shook her head and hurried forward, picking up her long white robes. “No, but I see you’ve met my twin sister. I’m Nefertiti.”
“Oh. How did you guess that I am Queen Azure?”
“Well, few dress in Victorian gowns in New Egypt since the heat doesn’t allow for such things,” Nefertiti said, scanning Ever and then Monet briefly.
Azure suddenly felt dumb for wearing such a dress. Shortsighted. “Yes, well, you’re right. My gran is not the practical type, and she all but forced me into the dress.”
Nefertiti, who was somehow more beautiful than her vampire sister, narrowed her eyes at Azure, a smug look on her pink mouth. “And here I thought you were queen and able to make your own decisions. You should at the very least be able to dress yourself.”
“I am.” Azure snapped the two words, her cheeks flushing pink. Then she remembered about Nenet. This was her twin, and she’d have to break the news to her. Shoving away her ego, she inclined her head to the door. “You said a simple opening spell would work?”
“Yes, but where is my sister? I suppose she found you,” Nefertiti said, looking around.
“She did, and led us here to the Sphinx. Nenet told us to speak with Chibale,” Azure said, trying to determine how she could break such devastating news to this girl. Nenet was her twin, and now she was lost to her forever. It wasn’t right. But she didn’t know how to say what she must, so instead Azure said, “Will you lead us through and introduce us?”
Nefertiti considered her for a moment and then nodded. “Follow me,” she said, flicking her wand at the sarcophagus and muttering, “Patentibus.”
The wall behind the sarcophagus shook. Azure had expected the chest to slide out of the way, but instead the wall split behind it and receded. Nefertiti strolled through the resulting door, her chin in the air and her hands clasped in front of her.
The commotion in the next room was a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of the hallway. Witches and wizards in flowing white robes lounged around a pool of water that ran the length of the great room. A tall fountain graced the middle of the atrium-like room, trickling water hovering in arcs over the surface. Most people were talking excitedly when the group entered, but all stopped conversing after laying their eyes on the three foreigners.
“Good thinking, wearing the red dress. You stand out like a bloody thumb,” Monet said, hardly parting his lips.
“You’re one to talk, Green-hair McGoo-head,” Azure said. It was an old nickname that she hadn’t used for Monet in quite some time. Her nervousness must have brought it to mind.
A man with a group of witches and wizards gathered around him parted from the crowd and hurried over to them. He wore a white linen button-up shirt and his loose-fitting pants matched. His long black hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, and his bright blue eyes were curiously fixed on the group of three. Symbolic tattoos covered the man’s hands, arms, che
st, neck, and half his face. He looked neither old nor young, but absolutely had a sophisticated attractiveness that gave Azure pause. This man, with his exotic appearance and the trusting eyes, was unlike anyone she’d ever seen. He had a rare grace.
“Nefertiti, thank you for escorting the queen here, but I did ask your sister to do that,” the man said.
“I just allowed them into this room. Nenet brought them here, but I don’t know where she is,” the young witch said.
The man smiled at Azure, a knowing expression in his eyes. “Queen Azure, may we please start with introductions, and then you can fill us in before we do the same.”
He extended his tattooed hand. Azure had never seen so many designs on a person. Looking over the man’s shoulder, she noted that everyone in the large room was covered in tattoos. The bare legs of the women wading in the long pool were marked, although most people’s arms were covered so she couldn’t see them. However, no one had any markings on their face, unlike the man before her.
She took his hand and shook it.
“My name is Chibale and I welcome you to New Egypt, although I wish it were under better circumstances.”
Azure’s smile dropped. “You are a member of the council, aren’t you? My tour was made known to you?”
Chibale nodded, pointing to a narrow passage off the main room. “Will you follow me? There’s much for us to discuss, and I sense you will not want others around for what you must disclose.”
Did he know about Nenet? It seemed like he knew something. “Of course, but first… These gentlemen are members of my cabinet, Monet and Ever.” She presented the man on either side of her to Chibale.
“Ah, yes…Monet Torrance. The news of your work with potions has traveled far and wide. I was glad to hear that you’d be accompanying the queen. We could use your expertise, if you wish to converse with our Potion Masters.” When he looked at Ever he simply smiled and nodded, but there was something under it, as if he didn’t trust the Light Elf.
Azure followed when Chibale turned and strode down the long hallway. The walls sparkled with blue tiles, and the gold under their feet and above their heads made them feel as if they were walking on the beaches of the river.
“You must forgive me, Queen Azure. You know by now that New Egypt is being overrun by vampires. I knew of it when you sent your announcement of the tour, and I knowingly allowed you to enter the city without telling you or your cabinet about it,” Chibale disclosed, but there was no guilt on his tattooed face.
“You knew that my cabinet would never allow me in the kingdom if there were vampires roaming about, didn’t you?” Azure asked, not yet mad. Maybe this wasn’t something to be upset about. She hadn’t decided yet.
“I did, but I also knew that we needed alliances. Strong and powerful ones, although that presents a double-edged sword now. I know what you did to save your people from the virus they were infected with by the Land of Terran,” Chibale said.
“I have forgiven the people of Terran and we have peaceful relations now. My brother is one of my closest allies,” Azure said proudly.
“I understand that. I’m merely speaking of your reputation for overcoming the odds.”
“If you wanted my help, why didn’t you just ask for it?” Azure said.
“I know of no witch or wizard or other magical species who will run to help a society that’s being picked off by vampires. We are helpless against founders, and followers present other threats. For this reason, we’ve kept the danger a secret from those outside our borders.” His eyes swiveled to the ruby gem around her neck, interest growing in his gaze.
“I’m not like others, nor are my people. We are all Oricerans, and will fight to help our people wherever they are,” Azure said, meaning it.
“I’d heard about your devotion, but now I see it isn’t simply rumor,” Chibale said. “The truth is that the river speaks to us, telling us secrets. It has spoken your name many times in connection with our current vampire problem. I knew I must allow you to come to New Egypt, but I had to wait until you arrived to disclose why. Now I realize that the river was right. You’re already a part of the solution.”
“Why would you say that? I’ve done nothing to help since I’ve been here.” Azure thought of Nenet and a pang of guilt hit her. Maybe she’d actually done something to hinder by getting Nenet bitten. The witch had been there to meet her, after all.
The two leaders strolled down the long corridor shoulder to shoulder, Chibale with his hands clasped behind his back. Monet and Ever were directly behind them, eyes down and ears listening intently. “I know that the river was correct because you’ve been given something that none of us own and all wish to possess. That necklace… Where did you get it?”
Azure’s hands clasped the stone on her chest. At first she wanted to say it was her soul stone, but then she remembered the truth. “A witch in a shop gave it to me. She said it fit, and that it was from Mage Lenore.”
Chibale nodded like this all made perfect sense. “You’ve been chosen, then.”
Azure stopped. “Chosen for what?”
“To protect. That necklace is the only one in existence, and it protects the wearer from being bitten by a founder or follower vampire.”
“Wait, Azure is immune?” Ever asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Chibale nodded. “She is.” He reached out, fingers inches away from the necklace and eyes curious. Azure froze, unsure if she should pull away or stand still in an act of trust. She closed her fists and remained unmoving. The wizard lifted his blue eyes, a smile in them as he looked at her. “Mage Lenore must have great faith in you.”
“Is it true that you found her home on the Mountain of Truth?” a voice asked from the stone floor. Azure peered down to find a sleek black cat with large pointy black ears staring up at her. The feline wore a thick gold collar that resembled a snake and she’d seemingly appeared from nowhere, as cats were wont to do.
“We found Mage Lenore’s house,” she said, looking at the cat.
“Then you are the first and only witch to meet her in over a century.” The animal looked up at Chibale, a blank expression on its face. “The river might be right about her one day replacing the great mage.”
The wizard’s cheek twitched ever so slightly, but the reaction had been there. The cat had said too much. “This is my familiar, Cleo. She is very, very old and some say a bit senile.”
Chibale walked on, and Azure followed at once. They soon came to a round room with stone bas-reliefs of the Egyptian god Anubis, stood around the space. The figures were all caryatids, and they held up the intricate crown molding that graced the room. The ceiling was a dome, painted with a cloudy blue sky. In the middle of the room sat a throne covered in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Azure was not surprised when Chibale took a seat in the throne and looked at her with a noble expression. “Would you like to tell me about Nenet now? I fear it is bad news.”
Azure gulped. “I’m afraid you’re correct. We found her tonight next to my carriage. She’d been bitten by a founder.”
If Chibale was shocked, his face didn’t show it. His expression remained stony, as if he were one of the men with jackal heads lining the room. “Nenet was waiting for me when a founder bit her. We gave her animal blood, and she brought us here. I tried to get her to stay and told her we could help her fight the craving, but she said she’d been summoned. Before I could—”
“You cannot battle the dominance a founder has over a follower. We have tried,” Chibale said coolly, crossing one leg over the other. His pants rose to show more tattoos on his legs and feet. “Now, did I hear correctly? That you tried to take care of Nenet after she’d been bitten?”
“We told her it was a daft idea, but Azure likes to get herself into mischief. It’s part of her charm.” Monet was at her side and he tilted his head as he looked at her affectionately. “You’re just not happy if you’re not giving one of us a heart attack by doing something dumb, are you?” He chipped his fist
playfully at her jaw.
“I couldn’t leave her there. I thought we could save her somehow. This was my first time with a vampire,” Azure said to Chibale, trying to defend her actions.
“Your instincts proved useful because you couldn’t be harmed. Not while wearing the necklace,” Chibale said.
Azure looked around for a seat or something else, but there was only the one throne in the round room. It felt strange to stand idly while this king sat staring regally at them. She had never liked her own throne and refused to sit in it, but now she recognized how it put those standing in a subservient position. She held up her wand and circled it three times. Before the king, three chairs almost identical to his sprang from the floor.
“You don’t mind, do you?” she asked Chibale. “I’ve been on my feet all night, and unfortunately my gran doesn’t think I should wear practical shoes on this trip—only things that will make me twist my ankles.”
Chibale slid his eyes to the side with an air of calm superiority. “I guess not,” he said mildly.
Azure took a seat, but Ever remained standing while Monet strolled around the room, eyeing the walls. From the entrance, Cleo watched the group, her yellow eyes studying them.
“Will you tell me about your coven? I’m really intrigued by your people. You do not dislodge a soul stone, is that right?” Azure hadn’t seen a single witch or wizard with a purple amethyst like the one fastened into the leather band around Monet’s wrist.
“That’s correct. I understand that each coven is different in that way, somehow dictated by the energy of Oriceran in their geographical homeland. Here in New Egypt, when a witch or wizard comes into power the magic draws the first tattoo on their body, usually on the fingertips or hand.”
Chibale tapped his fingers rhythmically on the arm of the chair. Each was covered in symbols from the tip to the second knuckle. The top of his hand had larger streaked designs that circled until they met the wrists. Different artwork covered his arms and shoulders, most of it symbols or patterns. Even more intricate patterns that ran over his chest peeked from his shirt. Tattoos had been drawn on his neck and his face, and the leg that was exposed by his pants riding up had a cast of black ink that ran all the way to his toes.