Page 139 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra fingered her mother’s necklace as she thought. “The Thoth.”
Namir’s brow furrowed. “But what would that do?”
“In the oldpr-aa, the Thoth’s energy and your presence were enough to help me see the Thoth’s magic,” Zahra reasoned. “If we touch the Thoth—together—maybe a similar effect will happen.”
Namir considered her theory. “What if it does not work?”
Zahra shrugged. “Then we’ll have lost nothing.”
Namir nodded. He grinned. “I should save Ramses first.”
Zahra looped her arm through his and pulled him toward the door. “Let us find him, then.”
Waaiz was returning on his horse as Zahra and Namir left the building. Themedjayoutside stared at them, dumbfounded. Ramses was on Namir’s horse, his hands bound in front of him. He grinned when he saw Namir.
Waaiz sighed. “You could have been killed.”
“I was willing to take the risk,” Namir said. “Release him.”
Waaiz waved his hand to amedjay, a sour expression on his face. “Did you learn anything?”
“We did,” Zahra said with a smile.
Waaiz regarded her with suspicion. “Who is this?”
“My bride,” Namir said. “We are going to the Pharaohs’ Library. You may escort us if you want.”
“Perhaps I will,” Waaiz remarked. “We do not know if there are more assassins out there than the seven.”
Namir and Zahra shared a glance before trading horses with Ramses again.
The ride to the library was short, and Zahra and Namir entered with Ramses. Waaiz and the othermedjayfollowed them inside, guarding all entrances. They retrieved the scroll and key and went down to the hidden library.
Zahra breathed in its scent as she entered. “It has been too long since I have been in here.”
Namir smiled at her as he went to a corner of the room. He opened a chest, moving some things around, until finally hestood, the Thoth in his hands. Zahra could feel the energy from it radiating through the floor, and she stepped back as he set it down on the table.
Ramses held the lamp and watched the Thoth with uncertainty. “Are you sure about this?”
Zahra nodded. “We need answers.” She looked to Namir, raising her eyebrows. “You don’t have to do this with me if you don’t wish to.”
“No,” Namir said, taking her hand. “I want to be there with you. Whatever it shows us, I don’t want you to face it alone.”
Zahra smiled softly. She stepped toward the Thoth, her hand hesitating above it. She took a deep breath before letting her hand fall upon the glass.
Heat shot up her arm, and visions flooded her brow. Screams echoed around her, and she tasted blood in her mouth. She held tight to Namir, allowing the Thoth to pull them into its depths.
32
The First Night
Avision of thepr-aaunfolded before them. Namir’s past self was sitting on his bed, the Thoth in his hands.
Zosar stood above him, his hands folded in front of him. “Welcome back, my boy. Here is to another day.”
Namir grinned playfully. “The spell has only just begun, Zosar.”
“Tomorrow it will be a new day,” Zosar said with a slight smile. “The least I can do is welcome you each morning.”
