by Katie Clark
Gripping her hands together so they wouldn’t shake, Skye took a wobbly breath. What in all of Sumer was she supposed to say to these people? “You honor me with your presence,” she finally choked out. “Sumer’s warm welcome, the festival, and most of all the temple, are more than I ever could have wished for.” She cringed at those last words—wasn’t it exactly what Hebat would have hoped for?
She hurried on before anyone could call her lie. “I look forward to the coming days and the festivities they will hold. Blessings on you all!”
She bowed slightly, letting them know her speech was complete. The people erupted into cheers, but she didn’t stick around to enjoy them.
Saul stood just inside the villa, grinning like a proud papa. “You honor us all with your humility, Mistress. Truly, you have blessed us already.”
Skye forced out a smile and gave him a nod. “Thank you, Saul. May I return to my room now?”
His excitement faded slightly, almost as if he’d hoped she’d change her mind about turning in once she saw the crowd. But he didn’t dwell on it. “Certainly, Mistress. Follow me.”
She stepped in line to follow him, but the noise from the streets drew her attention one last time. All these people, and they were cheering for her? Believing she was Hebat? No one suspected?
It was all too unreal. No one had ever cheered for her in her life, unless she counted Mrs. Garrison, or maybe Mr. Kilpatrick. She shook her head at the irony. If she wasn’t an imposter—and they weren’t waiting to possibly sacrifice her, she might actually be able to get used to this place.
15
Philip stood from his spot behind the trunk as soon as Saul took Skye for her speech. He turned to Ezekiel. Who knew if the guy was trustworthy? He’d come in just moments before Skye and found Philip hurling through the window. He had only a moment to tell Philip he was there to help when Skye came in with Leah.
“How did you know to find her here?” Philip demanded.
Ezekiel took slow, confident steps toward the lounge. He lowered himself onto it with a groan.
“I have been an acquaintance of Saul’s for many decades. He has hosted many fine suppers, and his guests of honor always receive royal treatment here in this wing. Guards were posted outside this door earlier in the evening, but they were gone when I approached. I took that to mean this was the mistress’s suite.”
Philip watched him closely. He didn’t trust him, but he dead sure didn’t trust Saul now that he’d tried keeping Philip and Skye apart. “Why do we need to escape?” He wanted more information than Ezekiel had given to Skye.
Ezekiel had tried explaining earlier, but the doors had opened, revealing Skye. A breathtaking Skye. Philip would never see her the same way again. Gone were the black clothes and messy hair. She was the epitome of what an ancient goddess would look like, and he’d have to be a total liar to claim she didn’t look beautiful.
“Saul does not have anything good planned for your friend. If he is not the one who will harm her, then he is holding her for the one who will.”
Philip’s heart went into triple time, and his fists clenched. “What do you mean? You said that to Skye earlier, but why would anyone harm her?” He had to work to keep his voice steady, but he didn’t want to alert the guards outside the door or those in the alley.
But Ezekiel’s relaxed face tightened. “The sacrifice is in the prophecies. There is no more time for explanations. I will reveal all as soon as we are away safely.” He shook his head. “Instead of bickering here, let us create a plan for escape.”
The old man was right, even if Philip didn’t like it. There had to be a way out of here—and a way to keep Skye safe. “Can we get rid of the guards in the hallway?”
Ezekiel looked toward the doors. “I could create a distraction. Once you have your friend safely outside, we can meet.”
“You wouldn’t be caught yourself?”
A slow grin broke across Ezekiel’s face. It was the first time Philip had seen him smile, and only a few teeth dotted the front of his mouth. “I will not be caught, as you say. Saul may not like that he must put up with me, but he knows he must, all the same.”
Ezekiel was as powerful as Saul. Good to know but creepy at the same time. Who were these guys? The workings of the modern day political systems were confusing enough, but figuring out who was in charge of what in ancient days seemed a lot murkier.
“So, you go out there and create a diversion. I sneak Skye past. Then what? Someone is bound to spot us moving through the halls.”
Ezekiel shook his head. “You will pull your head covering low. No one will question the goddess.”
It didn’t sound as fool proof as Ezekiel seemed to think, but what choice did they have?
“Shouldn’t we have a Plan B?”
Ezekiel raised his brows. “I do not understand.”
“A backup plan. Something else in place, in case things don’t go well.”
Ezekiel’s face cleared. “Ah. Perhaps you can jump back out the way you came in.”
Philip scowled. “Did you know I would be here?”
“I have eyes everywhere, and my man was following you. He alerted me that you were scaling the roofs before I made my way into the room.”
Chills raced across the back of Philip’s neck. So that was who had been watching from the other roof. It also answered why the man hadn’t come after Philip.
Philip shook off his creeps. “I can’t jump out the window with Skye. We’d never make it to the ladder.”
Ezekiel moved with confidence once again. He threw open the lid of the trunk of clothes, and pulled out a handful of colorful rope belts. “When there is no way, you make a way.”
Philip grabbed the ropes. He began knotting them, working as fast as his fingers would move. Hopefully, they wouldn’t need to climb out the window, but it was better to be prepared just in case.
At least, that was what Dad would say. Dad might be a conniving businessman, but he was still successful.
Philip grabbed another rope and kept tying. Where was Skye? How long could it take to give a short speech?
Before he could think any more about it, the giant wooden doors shook and began pushing open. He and Ezekiel dove behind the trunk.
“I thank you again, Mistress,” Saul’s deep voice boomed. “I wish you a fair rest. We have a full day of celebration planned for the morrow.”
“I look forward to it.” Skye’s voice was so sugary sweet, Philip almost laughed. She was never that nice. To anyone.
The door closed, but Philip and Ezekiel stayed put until Skye hissed, “Where are you?”
He shot out from behind the trunk, a length of rope in his hand. “Should we tie this up in case we need it at the last minute?”
Ezekiel nodded solemnly. “That is a wise idea.”
Philip hurried to the window and glanced out, but Skye was at his heels. Leah stood behind Skye, her eyes wide and worried.
“What are you doing?” Skye asked. “What’s going on?”
Philip watched the alley. The two guards stood at their posts on either end, but neither was looking his way. He quickly tied a knot around one of the bars. He didn’t like Plan B, but it would have to do. “Ezekiel will create a diversion so we can sneak out.”
He finished the knot and turned to her. For the second time, her beauty caught him off guard. He cleared his throat to hide his feelings and then stepped around her. “We don’t have time to get your regular clothes.”
“But what’s the plan?” The displeasure in her voice was obvious, even if he avoided looking at her. “Are we sneaking out the window? And where are we sneaking away to?”
This was crazy, him trying to not look at her. She was Skye, who’d been his friend since elementary school. Sure, they hadn’t gotten along lately, but that could change. Things could change, couldn’t they?
Slowly, he turned to her. “Ezekiel has offered to lead us to his villa outside the city walls, and I took him up on that.”
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br /> She nodded and surprise surged through him. She wasn’t putting up a fight? “OK, so how are we getting out?” She eyed the rope at the window. “And did you really jump through the window?”
Someone shouted from the alley, and Philip inched back to the window. The guards were rushing toward one end, running off a group of festival goers who had gotten too close.
“It’s a long story,” he answered. “I’ll tell you all about it later. For now, we need to get out of here.”
She swallowed hard and looked at the knots he’d just tied. Her eyes showed her worry. “You haven’t answered my other question. How are we getting out?”
“It will go well, Mistress,” Ezekiel said. He stepped close to Skye and took her hands. “Your friend cares much for you, and he will not put you in harm’s way. I’ll step out, and lure the guards away. Then Philip will steal you away to the marketplace. From there, I will find you and lead you to my home.” He turned to Philip, but he still held Skye’s hands. “You know where the marketplace is?”
Philip didn’t like Ezekiel touching Skye, but he kept it to himself. “Yes, it’s where we were—discovered.” He hated to say it was where they came through time. Ezekiel might know Skye wasn’t Hebat, but did he know who they really were?
Ezekiel didn’t seem to notice his hesitation. “Very good.” He turned back to Skye and squeezed her hands one last time. “May the gods be with you, Mistress.” He let go and moved to the doors. Without looking back, he stumbled into the hallway, coughing and causing a commotion.
Philip turned to Skye, bracing himself for her reaction. She was pretty strong, but she’d just been paraded in front of an entire city, calling herself the goddess of the skies. “You OK?”
Her eyes widened. Surprised he’d asked? But she took a shaky breath. “I guess so. Are you sure we can trust this guy?”
He shook his head. “Between Ezekiel and Saul, I trust Saul less. He locked me out of this house. Locked me away from being near you. I think he’s up to no good.”
Skye’s frown deepened. “Agreed. OK. We’ll sneak out, and from there we’ll find our way home. Did you find the marketplace?”
The commotion outside the doors grew, and the guards started yelling. Ezekiel yelled back. There was a thump and then stomping that moved farther away.
Philip grabbed Skye’s hand. “I’ll tell you all about it as soon as we’re out of here.”
She gripped his hand, and adrenaline pumped through him. This was it.
They crept to the door, and Skye peaked out. “They’re gone!” she hissed.
Philip shifted to move.
“Mistress?” Leah’s soft, scared voice stopped him in his tracks. He’d forgotten the girl had come back with Skye.
He turned quickly to Skye, and Skye bit her lip. “Leah, we are going to Ezekiel’s. Your mother is there. Won’t you come with us?”
They didn’t need the girl, but he wasn’t about to argue.
Leah glanced between them, and Skye reached out to the girl. Leah took Skye’s hand.
It was time to move.
Philip took the lead, and they rushed hand in hand down the giant staircase. People mingled at the bottom, but she kept her head low and her robes pulled tightly around her face. Leah trailed a few inches behind, like any good servant. No one seemed to notice them as they moved through the crowded house and onto the street. Philip breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped into the crowds surrounding the house. They’d gotten past Saul’s guards, now they just needed to get to the marketplace.
He tugged Skye’s hand to lead her away, but they ran into the back of an onlooker on the street.
The man turned, his fine robes telling everyone around that he was someone important. It was a young man, barely older than he and Skye. His dark hair hung in short waves around his face, and his dark eyes lit up when he spotted Skye.
“Mistress!”
Great.
Leah seemed to shrink, but she stayed close to Skye.
Skye pulled her hand free from Philip’s and glanced around. “Seth.”
Philip frowned. “You know this guy?”
Skye glanced between the two of them. “He was at Saul’s supper earlier.”
Seth’s brows lowered, and he leaned close. “Something is wrong, Mistress?” He threw a look at Philip.
“We are trying to get to the marketplace,” Skye said. “Undetected.”
Now his dark eyebrows shot up. “Of course. Follow me.” He cleared a discreet path in front of them, allowing Philip, Skye, and Leah to get through without any trouble.
Philip scowled at Skye, but she ignored him. Typical. But why involve someone else, especially a friend of Saul’s?
What were they supposed to do with this Seth guy when they got to the marketplace? Who knew how this night would turn out?
16
Skye fell into step behind Seth. He stood head and shoulders above Philip, and he was easy to follow. Philip scowled at her, but she looked away. What was she supposed to do? Scoot past Seth and leave him to tell Saul? She’d saved them by inviting him along, even if Philip didn’t understand that. He thought he was the only one who could make decisions? He was wrong. She knew how to use her brain, too.
Once they’d maneuvered through the mass of people around Saul’s villa, the crowd thinned out a little.
Seth slowed down and took a spot beside her. “You are feeling better, Mistress?”
She forced out a smile and nodded. He’d been her ticket out of trouble in front of Saul’s house, but now what could they do with him? “Much better, thank you. Speaking to the people invigorated me.”
A content smile broke across his face. “I am glad to hear this.” But then his smile fell, and Skye’s gut clenched. “But you require something from the market so late at night? One of the servants could have helped, surely.”
Skye swallowed her nerves, glanced at Philip and then to Leah.
“It is a spiritual meeting she has been called to,” Philip said quickly. “I am sorry, but you will not be allowed entrance. No one can witness the inner workings of the gods, not even me.”
Skye stared at him, shocked that he’d come up with such a big lie out of the blue.
Thankfully, Seth nodded seriously, not noticing her hanging jaw.
“Thank you for your help,” she said.
“Of course, Mistress. Though I still believe Saul’s guards would be better protection on a night as rowdy as this.” He glanced at Philip. “I do not think we have met.”
Skye could almost feel the waves of tension coming from Philip, but he kept quiet.
They turned a corner, and the crowd thinned even more. The homes went from large, grand buildings to small mud huts. These were simple homes, the dwellings of the common people.
“Are you sure this is the way?” Philip asked.
She looked at him, worried. He’d been to the market and back again, or at least that’s what he’d said.
But Seth was certain. “Worry not, I am taking you on a quieter route.”
They turned another corner and were stopped by men with torches. Skye pulled her head covering more tightly around her face, hoping they could scoot by without notice.
One of the men glanced their way. He spotted Skye, and his face morphed into anger. “It is she!” he growled.
“Sirs,” Seth said smoothly. “Is there a problem?”
The man growled again. His eyes bored into her, and she shivered. “She is not welcome here!”
Philip stepped in front of her, blocking her from view. “We will be on our way,” he took control.
Leah uttered a whimper and then quieted.
But the man wasn’t pacified. “You are not welcome here!” he shouted. “Your lies will be revealed! Witchcraft! Witchcraft!” He started toward them.
Philip grabbed her hand. “We have to go, now!”
Seth started running, waving them to follow. “Come, I know a different way.”
“You seem to know
a lot.” Philip’s breaths came in short bursts, but he was keeping up.
“I have lived here my entire life,” Seth said. He continued leading, but the angry group wasn’t backing down.
It wouldn’t take long before Saul knew what was going on, and he’d send his guards. His goal had been to keep her locked inside his villa. How would he feel when he realized she’d broken free?
Not good, Skye guessed.
They darted into a dark alley. It gave them just enough time to figure out what to do. “You must hide,” Seth said. “I will lead the masses past the alley, then I will return for you.”
Skye nodded and looked around. A doorway stood on their left, and she yanked Philip and Leah toward it. The entrance was just deep enough that they could stay hidden if they pressed together.
Leah hunkered down in the corner of the doorway, and Philip pulled Skye toward the other side. Then, he stood in front of her, completely blocking her from view. Seth’s footsteps pounded back toward the main street. A moment later, she heard him shout, “I saw them run this way!”
The herd followed him.
In the darkness, Skye glanced up at Philip. He stared straight ahead, his intense gaze practically burning a hole into the wooden door behind her. His arms spread out on either side of her shoulders, and his body pressed her back into the door.
She was reminded how much she’d despised him for the last year. Her cheeks burned, and she was glad for the darkness, which hid a multitude of secrets.
He cleared his throat, and she looked to him again. He met her gaze, his eyes serious and dark.
“I’m so glad you made it back to my room,” she blurted out. A nervous laugh came from her throat, and she ground her teeth and looked away. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounds.”
He shrugged. “We’re in Sumer. I don’t think anything we say can be taken how it sounds.”