Devi Read Online Free PDF Page B

me.”
    “No problem.” She closed the book and gestured for him to take the only other free chair in the room. “Now, I believe on the phone you said something about hieroglyphics.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He removed the bracelet from his pocket and handed it over, placing it on the recently closed book as he drew the chair closer to the desk. “I would love to know what it means. If it means anything.” He knew he could have asked Devi when he returned it but he was curious and wanted to know now.
    “Exquisite craftsmanship,” she murmured, more to herself than to him, as she retook her seat and adjusted the light to shine more directly upon the jewellery.
    He sat in silence while she stared at the bracelet and deciphered the glyphs. Each second of time that passed, he wanted it back in his possession. When she finally lifted her gaze back to his, he could see confusion in her eyes.
    “Well?” he asked.
    “Where did you get this?” She looked back at the chain as she worked over each link in a meticulous fashion.
    “It belongs to a friend of mine.”
    “Amazing. Do you know where your friend got it?” She stared at him again.
    “No. Do you know what it says?”
    She blinked a few times. “Yes. Yes, I know. The name in the cartouche is Renpet. Now, I’m not a mythologist, but I can direct you to one. He should still be here.”
    “Mythologist?”
    “Yes. What little I know about her—Renpet, that is—is that she was a goddess. Not a very well-known one, but a goddess nonetheless.”
    Why is she wearing a bracelet with a goddess’ name on it?
    “Who is the guy you said could give me more info on her?”
    She picked up the phone and dialled a number. “Parker? Hey, it’s Allie. I have a gentleman here who has some questions for you about a goddess. Can you come down here? Thanks.” She hung up and held the bracelet back up to the light. “He’s on his way.”
    “Thank you.”
    “No problem. This is just amazing.” She continued to observe the bracelet from all angles.
    “What is?”
    “This bracelet. It’s absolutely flawless. There are no tool marks, no welds on the chain, nothing like that. The inlay around the cartouche is just…there. It’s as if it was carved out of one piece of gold. And it’s cold to the touch. After all this time it should have warmed up to my hand, just from my touching it. It hasn’t. It remains cool to the touch.”
    That was news to him. It never failed to feel hot against his own skin—a feeling he longed for again. He ignored the desire to have it back in his possession and watched Allie continue to marvel over it.
    The door behind him opened and he turned as a large bear of a man stepped into the room. His blue eyes twinkled and his moustache moved as he grinned. “Hey, Allie.”
    “Hi, Parker. This is Rhodes.”
    The men shook hands and Parker made his way back around the desk with surprising grace for a man of his size. “What do we have?” he asked, leaning over Allie.
    “This bracelet belongs to his friend. I deciphered the hieroglyphs but I don’t know anything about Renpet.”
    “That’s what it reads?” Parker reached for it only to stop and look at Rhodes. “May I?”
    Rhodes didn’t know what else to say, except ‘yes’. Parker and Allie traded places so that he could have the better light.
    “Renpet,” Parker said. “Renpet was an Egyptian goddess. One linked with time, immortality, and the cycle of life and death. She is also connected to the spring tide and youth. Often called the Mistress of Eternity. Not one of the more common deities, that’s for sure. An interesting choice for your friend to wear. Is she a woman who worships the Egyptian pantheon, who still believes the gods and goddesses exist?”
    Rhodes shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of. She was born in Egypt, so maybe that’s why she chooses to wear it.”
    Parker gave a noncommittal grunt. “Perhaps. My guess is that this piece of jewellery would have to have