Tut's Trumpet

by Allie Burton

  Saving Grandfather was more important than my insignificant life. He was intelligent and knew more about ancient musical instruments than anyone. If anyone could figure out how to end the power of the trumpet, he could. As long as he had his health and his freedom.

  Jeb’s tongue poked inside his cheek, making his skin pucker. “Play now, Aria. Prove to me you’d sacrifice yourself.” Jeb pulled the trumpet from my grandfather.

  Grandfather’s eyes widened. His chin jiggled, coming out of a stupor. His gaze fell to me. He lurched back and his mouth dropped open in horror.

  “Get up, Professor York.” Jeb grabbed Grandfather’s arm and yanked. “Aria is taking your place.”

  Grandfather stumbled. “No.” His hoarse voice was only a whisper. He was willing to sacrifice himself for me.

  I got to my feet to help him. He appeared weak and disoriented. My sympathy reached out to him, wishing I could give him my strength.

  Jeb waved the gun at me. “You made a deal. Sacrificed yourself for this old man.”

  Moving slowly, I sat in the chair vacated by Grandfather. I felt no urgency. No searing need to grab the trumpet and blow. It was odd how I didn’t desire to play. It was as if the trumpet didn’t own me anymore.

  A breath whooshed. My body lightened and my mind soared. I was free.

  I couldn’t show my freedom. If I did, Jeb would force me to play and I’d be back under the trumpet’s spell.

  Gripping the trumpet’s neck, power surged up my spine. I tugged the trumpet closer to my mouth, delaying, trying to figure out a plan. My panicked thoughts circled, a chorus coming back to the same place. A plan that wouldn’t make me fall under the trumpet’s influence again, a plan that would save me and Grandfather.

  Jeb swung the barrel of the gun toward the front of the stage. “I see you brought another player.”

  My panicked thoughts stuck in place. My body froze. My gaze glued to Falcon, marching up the steps. His gaze did not connect with mine. He stared forward with a blank expression.

  His dirty jeans clung to his thighs. A trim waist tapered up to broad shoulders. The leather jacket he wore hung open, exposing his bare chest with streaks of soot from the fire. His face was streaked, too. His chin firmed with grim determination. His eyes remained blank.

  The panic dug into my stomach, making the acid rise and burn. Burn my lungs and my heart. Falcon seemed to be under the trumpet’s trance again. He hadn’t felt the trumpet’s call outside the warehouse. I’d wondered if the closer he got to the sound of the trumpet the more he’d be affected. Was his return to trumpet slavery my fault, too?

  The burning sensation flared, scorching every muscle and joint. Incinerating me with guilt and anxiety over the two most important men in my life. We all were slaves to the trumpet.

  Except no one was playing.

  Reality slapped me on the cheek. No one was playing the trumpet. Falcon was pretending to be under the trumpet’s spell. He was here to help.

  Hope flared, calming my earlier panic. We had to be quick. Jeb would realize Falcon was faking.

  “I’d wondered if Falcon had played the trumpet, too.” Jeb’s beady eyes focused on Falcon like he was prey. “He knew where you lived and that you’d played the trumpet before my spies figured it out.”

  Falcon marched closer showing no change in expression. He stepped in front of me.

  “This is perfect. Just perfect.” Jeb’s voice sounded like he was rubbing his hands together. He swung the gun away from Falcon and my shoulders relaxed. Jeb wouldn’t shoot Falcon.

  “We won’t have need for the old man anymore.” Jeb pointed the gun at Grandfather.

  Shock jolted and my pulse jumped. From relief to horror in milliseconds. My mouth gaped and I surged to my feet. “No!”

  Falcon yanked the trumpet out of my hands and swung it similar to a baseball bat.

  The gun shot.

  The bullet raced.

  The target, Grandfather, didn’t have time to react.

  My body swayed. I felt the force of the bullet as if it was heading toward me. Its heavy metal and sharp point. Its deadly pain.

  Falcon positioned the trumpet in front of Grandfather. A shield. The bullet clanged off the bronze trumpet. It ricocheted, heading back the way it came.

  Toward Jeb.

  The bullet slammed into Jeb. His face paled. He gaped at the hole in his chest. Clutching his midsection, he fell backward, hitting the stage floor.

  I released the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and glanced away from Jeb, bleeding on the ground. I couldn’t focus on him now, I needed to make sure Grandfather was okay. Rushing toward Grandfather, my muscles morphed to mush. My heart throbbed at an incredible speed, except now it was with happiness.

  He hugged me. His caramel scent wrapped around me. His love penetrated deep inside, making everything better.

  “I love you, Grandfather.” It was so important to say the words first. Words I should’ve said long ago. “I was so scared you’d die.”

  He squeezed me tight and then leaned back to look at me. “You were willing to sacrifice yourself because of your unselfish love for me. That’s what broke the spell of the trumpet.” He raised his head to size up Falcon. “Right, son?”

  Falcon had his fingers pressed to Jeb’s neck. “He’s dead.”

  A sympathetic tune sung in my soul. I didn’t want anyone to die.

  Falcon stood and scooped the trumpet off the ground. “Correct, Professor. Self-sacrifice and unselfish love breaks the spell of the trumpet of war.”

  Sweetness ran through my veins. Once Falcon had confessed his love for me and had become my protector, the spell of the trumpet had been broken on him. I’d confessed my love for him too, but I’d obviously had another person I’d had to sacrifice myself for.

  Grandfather.

  “Everybody freeze!” The dark-skinned cop with the black mustache stood at the bottom of the stage. Two hands holding a gun pointed at us.

  My body did as ordered. Every limb, every muscle, every thought, froze in place. But my mind whirled and my heart thrashed.

  I recognized this officer. He was the same cop who’d come to my house when Grandfather was taken, and the same cop who’d been with the police at the Crucis Museum.

  He was working with Jeb and the Society of Aten.

  Chapter Thirty

  Aria

  Standing in the circle of Grandfather’s arms, I didn’t know what to do. My body stayed pinned in place while I studied the situation. Grandfather and Falcon didn’t realize the cop was bad.

  And Jeb, one of the Society’s leaders, was dead on the ground beside us. What would the cop think? “There’s an injured man over here.”

  Maybe the cop would get distracted because of his worry about Jeb. Maybe he’d call for help from police officers who weren’t part of the Society.

  Grandfather dropped his arms from around me. His body bent from age and his knuckles turned white, gripping the metal edge of the folding chair. The playing and stress must’ve affected him.

  A knife sunk in my belly and twisted. I’d finally told him I loved him. I couldn’t lose him now.

  Grandfather picked up the chair and whipped it toward the officer. The chair flew at Mach speed, sailing through the air like a torpedo.

  A torpedo that reverberated in my soul. My worry vanished. Vanished with my shock. I stared at my elderly grandfather. He had powers. He’d only pretended to be weak.

  The cop dove behind a bench. The thrown chair clattered to the ground, one of the metal legs piercing the wooden back of the bench.

  Falcon dropped the trumpet and grabbed Jeb’s gun, pointing in the direction the chair had sailed.

  I kept staring at Grandfather, unable to comprehend what him and I having powers meant.

  “What? I played the trumpet, too.” Grandfather sounded sassy.

  A puff of air escaped me. Grandfather had powers like me. “You were only acting frail.”

  “That’s ri
ght.” He beamed, his lips reaching so high I’d thought they’d reach his eyes.

  “I’m on your side.” The cop held up his hands.

  My nerves frayed into strips of anxiety and disbelief.

  With the gun trained on the cop, Falcon stepped off the stage and moved toward him. “One of my contacts said a cop took the trumpet from the warehouse when they raided it, before setting the building on fire. Was it you?”

  “No.” The cop got to his feet, holding his hands in the air.

  Grandfather pointed a finger. “I saw you at the Crucis Museum where they kept me prisoner.”

  “I was undercover.” The cop’s wiry black hair stood out under his cap.

  “Undercover as a cop?” I didn’t believe a word. “You practically accused Grandfather of being involved in Mr. Gordon’s murder.”

  “Internal affairs. I’m Officer Hill.” The cop spread his large fingers wide and went into his coat pocket.

  “I know that name.” Grandfather stepped forward. “Gordon told me I couldn’t trust the police. If I had problems while the trumpet was in my possession I should talk to an Officer Hill.”

  Hill pulled out a badge. “I’ve been investigating the Society of Aten’s involvement with the local police. I believe a rogue officer stole the trumpet and set the warehouse on fire.”

  Just as Falcon had suspected.

  “How do you know?” Falcon took the badge the cop offered.

  Officer Hill returned his hands to the air. He was trying to appear harmless. “I was involved in a case for a missing Egyptian amulet from a local museum.”

  “Olivia’s amulet.” Falcon’s interested tone told me he’d made the connection. “Go on.”

  “The amulet disappeared. The perpetrators were never prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Evidence that went missing from our department.”

  Olivia had mentioned the bad guys had gotten away. She’d thought it was because she and Xander didn’t prosecute, afraid they’d be sent into the foster care system. They were better off on their own and helping the warriors.

  “Jeb was one of those arrested and I was asked to keep tabs on him.” Officer Hill used his chin to point to Jeb lying on the ground. “Should we do something with him? I want to get him to trial this time.”

  The twisting in my stomach increased to massive churning. “Jeb is dead. The bullet he shot at my grandfather ricocheted off the trumpet and killed him.”

  “That trumpet sure is something else.” Hill spoke with wonder in his voice.

  “What do you know about the trumpet?” Falcon’s question threatened.

  The fewer people who knew about the magical artifacts the better.

  “I’ve seen what it can do.” The wonder stayed in the cop’s tone.

  “And you believe it?” Grandfather used his scholarly voice. The one that made you feel a bit unsure of yourself.

  Officer Hill shook his head back and forth in a slow, I-shouldn’t-believe-but-I-do expression. “After learning about the Society of Aten, I believe a lot of crazy things. And believe there’s more to see.”

  I totally understood what he said. I’d seen so many unbelievable, incredible things, and I knew there were more magical artifacts in the world. Glancing at Falcon, knowing his quest, I decided I was going to help find the relics and put them in safe hands. I’d become a warrior fighting for goodness and light and love.

  * * *

  While Officer Hill helped Grandfather set up Jeb’s death to appear self-inflicted—he’d declared it was the easiest way for us not to be hauled into the station and have to explain the magical element—Falcon and I took a seat on a bench.

  Fog crept across the park, chilling my skin. Steepling my fingers together, I moved them back and forth and back and forth. I’d asked Falcon to talk, and yet I didn’t know how to start this conversation. “You seemed embarrassed when Grandfather asked about unselfish love. Why?”

  Falcon’s stiff posture was straight, resembling the back of the wooden bench. “No reason.”

  “Talk to me.” I bumped my shoulder against his, hoping a little contact would break his uncommunicative stance. “We’ve been through so much together. We’ve confessed our love—”

  “Do you?” He shot a stone-cold glance at me. “Do you really love me?”

  Shock bolted through my body and confusion squirmed in my head. “I told you I did.”

  “Why didn’t the spell of the trumpet break on you?” The question was more of an accusation. He sounded surly, showing he didn’t believe me. “Like it did for me.”

  The accusation sliced. I controlled the ache inside. “Grandfather said it would take a self-sacrifice type of love.”

  “So you don’t love me as deeply?” His hurt tone corresponded with a glint in his gaze.

  I took hold of his chin, peering straight at him. My feelings for him welled in my chest and in my eyes. My heart pounded with the rhythm of my love. “I love you. Just as deeply as you love me. And just as strong. But you didn’t need me like I needed you.”

  “I need you.” The three words sounded raw and meaningful.

  I clung to the emotion in his voice. We’d straighten out this emotional misunderstanding and move on, be stronger because of this discussion.

  “That’s not what I meant.” How to explain? “You’d do anything to protect me. Sacrifice yourself.”

  “Of course I would.” Now, he sounded offended.

  “You didn’t need my protection, though. So even though I love you I didn’t need to sacrifice myself for you.” Speaking, my thoughts became clearer. “I needed to protect my Grandfather.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Falcon, you didn’t need me to sacrifice myself for you. Grandfather did. That’s why the spell of the trumpet only broke on me when I decided to save Grandfather.”

  “Are you saying if I was in trouble you wouldn’t have sacrificed yourself for me?” Falcon broke eye contact. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for me or anyone.”

  “I would have.” A smile bloomed on my face, spreading joy throughout my body. He was cute when flustered. “The point is, you didn’t need me to sacrifice myself.”

  His brow furrowed and his eyelids flickered, as he processed our discussion. “So you love me?”

  The joy burst, exploding out in words. “I love you as deep as the Nile River is long.”

  His brow smoothed and his gaze cleared with understanding. His eyes shone with light and love. “I love you too, Aria We’ll always be together.”

  My body sung. My heart beat in tune with Falcon’s.

  “Forever, if I truly do have immortality like you.” I quirked my lips. “Think you can put up with me for that long?”

  “Even if we didn’t have immortality, our souls are bonded. We’ll be together forever in this world or the next.” He shoved his fingers into my hair and his mouth came down on mine.

  The sealing of our deal felt more profound than a simple kiss. Our lips locked and our souls united. Our bodies connected and our minds melded. This kiss held meaning and memories. This kiss held potential and promises. This kiss held our future.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” Grandfather’s voice penetrated the deep haze I was under. “We have things to discuss.”

  The warmth from Falcon’s kiss extinguished. Heat, an embarrassed heat, flared inside. My arms dropped from around Falcon.

  “Sorry, sir.” Staring at the ground, Falcon stood. His flushed skin showed he was embarrassed. “Aria and I are a couple.”

  “I can see that.” Grandfather’s lips twitched. “Which complicates my suggestion.”

  I jumped to my feet. I didn’t want Grandfather to be against mine and Falcon’s relationship. “What suggestion?”

  “Officer Hill explained Falcon and his warriors have lost their temporary home. I—” Grandfather regarded me and cleared his throat. “—we have a large basement that could be adapted to accommodate them.”

  I h
ugged him, letting him feel my thanks and my happiness. “Oh, Grandfather.”

  “Since it appears you will be involved with the warriors on a couple of levels with your powers.” Grandfather’s tone stiffened, even though his hug was warm. “It makes sense for them to be close.”

  “What about your powers, Professor?” Falcon asked.

  Grandfather scratched his scraggly grey beard. “I might have powers, but I’m an old man who is missing an ear. I’ll be happy providing guidance and assistance.”

  “And so will I.” Officer Hill slipped off the plastic gloves he’d put on to deal with the body. His determined expression confirmed what Grandfather had declared. We could trust Officer Hill.

  “We’re trying to locate the silver trumpet of peace, the second of Tut’s musical instruments.” Falcon put his arm around my shoulders. “We need to reunite the two trumpets before destroying their power. Even though the trumpet of war doesn’t have control over us anymore, it’s still an evil artifact.”

  Grandfather arched a brow, but didn’t say anything about the contact. “I’ll lock up the trumpet of war at our house until the two can be reunited.”

  “Now that the Society of Aten is crippled with Jeb gone, the Magical Order of Crucis will be in a position to take the lead.” Grandfather gazed at Falcon and Hill. “While being held at the Crucis Museum, I learned they have an illegal shipment arriving from Egypt soon.”

  “So?” I didn’t understand what the other group’s activities had to do with me, Falcon, Olivia, and the other warriors.

  “We don’t have a lot of time. I called Jeb’s death in, and other officers and the coroner will be here soon.” Officer Hill scanned the area, checking to see if anyone had arrived yet. “I believe several of the items shipped from Egypt might have similar properties to the trumpet of war and the amulet.”

  The hairs on my arms rippled, even though there was no wind. My heart beat an increased tempo. I gripped Falcon’s hand, knowing we’d be dealing with this together. I knew what the properties were. “Dangerous.”