Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
I crack a smile. “We all have limits when it comes to time.”
She seems satisfied with that answer and turns toward the cement stairs leading up to the museum. The steps are painted in hieroglyphics that would only mean something to the locals and simple translations for someone with her.
I know the sad pathetic truth. They’re painted with the failures of the immortals that roam this town. The immortals that nobody will discuss.
Inti, who is my counterpart, part of the sky, the sun, he failed and now he is the last light humans see as he guides them to Anubis; they walk for days and then the light simply stops. He is their last warmth, and that is his punishment for failing.
Daggon, chief protector of Mesopotamia, creator; he still won’t tell anyone what he failed to protect and now he’s the chief of police.
And Enki, from Sumeria, God of Wisdom, Art, Mischief, Creativity—one of my best friends who revealed he fell in love with humanity so much he chose to fail in order to stay.
There are more, Aphrodite, Nyx.
I look away when I see Suen’s name. We still haven’t located her, but every time the moon rises, I hear her tears. She failed her trial on the last day—she saved a child from drowning in the tide and gave up her spot on Olympus because of it—the child she saved went on to become a world leader.
And yet, she still sobs when the moon is at its brightest. Humans don’t understand that when it turns red it is because her tears burn her from within and tears, emotions, they must be felt and expressed, no matter how you were created.
No matter what, a trial, a darkness will always come. Apep will always chase.
It has, it will, he will.
I look up as the sky swirls darker, the crow is long gone and in its place a menacing storm is coming. Figuratively and naturally.
How incredible that the very earth knows, the mountains moan and rumble, the sea shakes with fury, and yet everyone goes about their selfish daily ways without realizing that the sound of the cries from the very earth that they came from, are a warning.
Earthquakes.
Floods.
Fires.
Windstorms.
Death.
Destruction.
Did they think they were so powerful to create all of that themselves?
Cleo smiles over at me as she keeps looking at the stairs then grabs my arm like we’re friends. It’s a normal human reaction to be drawn to something warm on your skin and face, to stretch for the sun is as normal as reaching for the stars—they can’t help instinct.
I’ve actually never gotten this familiar with any of them. But, I like seeing her expressions when she learns something new. She’s like a sponge soaking up everything she can, and I’m going to be the one that’s going to squeeze her dry until she can no longer breathe.
A few days ago, I would have called that poetry.
In this moment, I would call it a tragedy.
“As long as it’s not with me,” she jokes.
If she only knew.
I form my lips into a smile. “I know this isn’t typical, but you’ve been curious about your brother, why don’t we go in so you can see what had him so curious. We have a theme at both bars—clearly, and this will help you answer questions and entertain guests as well.” I smile for effect. “This is actually how I met and befriended him. This very museum, after this he wanted to see my private collection and well the rest is history.” I smile warmly. “Let’s go in, yes?”
Tears fill her eyes before she nods her head. “Yes, and thank you. You didn’t really have to do all of this on my real first day here. I should be serving drinks and cleaning, not going down memory lane with a man I barely know—my boss nonetheless.”
“Jake is a good friend. He would want this. Don’t you think?” I elbow her a bit. “Plus calling me boss makes me feel ancient and I’ve had enough of that to last a lifetime.”
The building has had added architecture to make it look more like places of worship for the ancestors with different pointed roof levels, and on the inside, fresh flowers and greenery always surround the sharp arched doorway.
“Welcome to the Seattle Mythic Egyptian Museum!” An extremely perky intern walks up to us. I clearly didn’t hire her. I hate it when they’re perky. She has bouncing dark curls and brown eyes. “Did you want a free tour? We have brochures.”
Oh hell, not the brochures she thrusts them out at us like she’s offering free money. Wow.
“We’re good,” I say through clenched teeth. The urge to fire her is strong.
She finally looks over at me and stumbles back. “Cyrus. I mean Mr.—umm…”
Shit, the woman even forgot my name.
Poor thing.
“What he means…” Cleo elbows me as if we’re that familiar, and I guess that’s not surprising. It’s normal when people meet me, and I used to get annoyed by it, so why am I coughing so I don’t smile? “…is we’re fine, he’s going to give me his own tour, right?”