Page 169 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir’s teeth gritted. “You.”
Nubia stepped out, hugging herself. She was bleeding from the cracks in her skin, and her braids were a tangled mess. She clenched her jaw, her cheeks wet with tears. “Menes.”
Namir barreled forward, grabbing Nubia’s arms and thrusting her against the table.
“Namir,” Zahra cautioned.
Nubia let out a cry as Namir shook her. “Why?! Why have you done this? You were my sister!”
Nubia pushed her ash-and-blood-covered hands against his chest, grunting. “I was never your sister!”
“What of all the years we spent together? What of the days you read to me or the things you taught me? You were the one who told me of Re’s miracles!”
“Re is a liar,” Nubia spat. “His promises meannothing.”
Namir clenched his jaw. “How could you say that? His power is what saved your life! You remembered that night all along, and yet you chose to lie to me. Why?!”
“Your choice that night was a mistake,” Nubia growled. “You never cared for me, only for Jt and Mwt’s affection! Our childhood was a lie. I only spent time with you to gain Mwt’s favor.”
“She always favored you,” Namir said. “She was the one that advised me to use your plans, to name you Vizier. She spoke highly of you, and youkilledher!”
Nubia clenched her jaw, digging her nails into Namir’s arms. “I had no choice! It was me or her.”
“You had every choice! You chose this path!”
“Enough!” Zahra put down the lamp and bag, shoving between the two of them and separating them. “We don’t have time for this.”
“The Pharaoh Queen is right,” Waaiz said. “The longer we are here, the more likely more of those beasts will come for us.”
Namir thrust an accusing finger toward Nubia. “Then how has she survived? If she has been hiding in here this entire time, thekereswould have attacked her.”
“Because they see her as one of their own.” Zahra looked at Nubia. “You can hear Iset and her servants, can’t you? That’s why you are hiding here in the city. It’s not too late. You can still help us, help your people.”
Nubia laughed. “You are a fool,sobki. Face it—Aur is doomed.”
Namir gritted his teeth, stepping toward Nubia once more. “Nubia?—”
The ground shook and screams came from outside, along with the growls ofkeres.
“No,” Zahra said, grabbing the bag with the Thoth.
The oil lamp rolled and snuffed out as Namir, Zahra, and Waaiz ran toward the front doors, leaving Nubia behind in the darkness.
40
Half of the Sky
Zahra stumbled out the doors of the Pharaohs’ Library, stunned at the scene before her.Kereswere everywhere, pulling the citizens of Aur out into the streets. Her people were screaming, running from thekeresand usingkhopeshesor improvised weapons to fend off the beasts. Themedjaythey had brought with them fought valiantly against the foes, but they were outnumbered, and many had already fallen.
Zahra shot forward to join the fight, but Namir wrapped his arms around her torso, pulling her back. “No. No!” Namir pushed her against the wall, gritting his teeth. “We can’t help them.”
“They’re dying,” Zahra cried. “They’reourpeople, and they’re dying!”
“But they will all die if we don’t stick to our plan,” Namir stated. “Please, Zahra. We must evacuate the few we can.”
Zahra fought back tears. She nodded, and Namir released her, taking her hand.
Waaiz motioned for them to follow, and they went down the steps of the Pharaohs’ Library. Namir led them to where they had left Victory. The Naqada Ionians were fightingkeresnearby.
