Touch of the Fire God [Scions of the Ankh 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

jacket.
    “To what do you refer?” he asked, neutrally looking down at the beautiful, but clearly disturbed woman. A moment later, Rene abruptly released his arm.
    “It was nothing. I’m just a little more tired than usual.”
    Jonathan smiled at the woman and led her to the waiting car. Most certainly he had heard and felt the disturbance. It was meant to wake the dead or near-dead—he mused to himself.
    She had heard the spell working, which could only mean one thing. He had finally found her, the one he had been waiting and searching for. She had finally come home.
    The old one would be awake now and most anxious to see her. Finally, Jonathan felt as if he could repay the debt he owed his old friend.
     
    * * * *
     
    The fissure groaned and protested, but yielded to the greater power. Ralabos immediately stopped the Earth’s unrest, lest he cause damage and death to the natives. He opened his eyes, taking in the last scenery he had seen before his deep slumber. Little had changed in this land. It still appeared remote and barren.
    As he stepped out of the huge crevice, dirt and earthen debris cascaded onto his body. Within seconds, however, he was free and clean of it. She had come; now he would go to her.
    His storm gray eyes that could see both this world and the realm of sorcery and magick detected a thick ribbon of color.
    Ralabos smiled. His friend had not failed him. It was a spell to lead him where he was awaited. Immediately another spell activated. Information tumbled into his brain at lightning speed. Basic things he needed to know about this new world whirled around in his head—laws, customs, even a new basic language. Thoth had been most thorough and helpful.
    His body began to thin until it became a light, foggy vapor, which reshaped itself into the form of a large hawk.
    He took to the air, his powerful wings beating slowly, yet with such power that they propelled him forward at an alarming speed.
     
    * * * *
     
    The ride from the airport through Cairo was a blur. His name kept pulsing in her mind. Ralabos. Ralabos. Ralabos.
    Rene knew she should have been taking in the sights of Cairo. Even in darkness, what she did manage to see was beautiful.
    Jonathan seemed unnaturally preoccupied, only giving her an occasional look before retreating to his thoughts. Rene’s heart beat fast. She felt terrified. Of what, she did not know. This was only supposed to be a simple trip to make burial arrangements for Franklin and tend to his estate.
    However, Rene could not keep her mind from pointing out there was something amiss. Everything about this place seemed familiar and yet not. Even Jonathan. She had just met him, yet she felt she knew him in a way. It was the most unsettling thing her mind had ever encountered.
    “We’re here.” Jonathan’s voice cut through her musings.
    Startled, she looked out the window and realized they were well outside the limits of Cairo. A huge mansion stared at her. It seemed to have lights burning in every window. Apparently, Jonathan had enough money to be the only house on the block—for miles.
    “I like my privacy,” he commented, as if reading her thoughts.
    “No doubt,” she responded, allowing Jonathan to help her out of the car. Her eyes tried to take in the mansion as a whole, but it was impossible. Two huge Egyptian cat sculptures sat proudly on either side of the stairs leading to the front door. Bushes were cut into beautiful shapes that Rene couldn’t even begin to name. The faint sound of water caught in her ears, and she was willing to guess that a huge fountain gurgled somewhere in the back of the house.
    She felt like Alice in Wonderland. She gaped, but couldn’t help it; the place was unreal. Jonathan, bless him, was being polite not to out and out laugh, but every now and then she saw a small smirk escape. She supposed she did look like a fish, her mouth opening and closing with every new wonder as Jonathan led her inside the house and into a