The Mummy (17 page)

“I didn't. I had almost given up. Then I found you lying there unconscious, and I knew I'd been given one last chance.”

If that wasn't Blair, Lana thought, then who? Who else had pretended to be Nefra tonight? Or — or — The other possibility was too impossible to believe. Wasn't it?

And the night she had woken up to see him? Thinking she was still dreaming. Knowing she wasn't.

“Lana, are you all right?” Marge took her arm.

“Yes. Yes. Sure.” Never, Lana added to herself.

The museum had extra security for the exhibit and the party. Dr. Walters motioned for two guards to take charge of Blair until she could be hospitalized and some proper place could be found for her long-term care.

When the uniformed man and woman took her arms, Blair fought them like Seti would fight if cornered. She screamed and tossed her long hair wildly about her face.

“You were perfect,” Blair screamed at Lana again as the guards dragged her away. “You would have satisfied the gods. Nefra would have been pleased.”

Lana stepped back and shivered again. She knew Blair was right. She knew Nefra would be pleased with her. He had told her so himself. She felt Josh's arm cradle her shoulders. Seti rubbed at her ankles.

“Can you forgive her, Lana?” Marge asked.

“Of course, Marge. She's not herself. All the suffering, all the losses she has experienced, have twisted her mind.”

“But Antef was just greedy.” Marge pointed to where two more guards led Antef away to wait for the police.

“He's so young,” Lana said, trying to understand. “Maybe he was given too much responsibility too soon.”

Marge took Lana's arm, linking her own through it. “I'm going to walk with Lana to get her coat and boots, Josh. I suspect she's had enough excitement for tonight.”

“That's for sure.” Lana was perfectly willing to leave the party. She stooped and picked up Seti, cradled him in her arms. “Seti found me. I knew you could, Seti. Thank you. Thank you.”

She kissed Seti on the top of his head, hearing the faint purr.

“Did you hear what Blair said when Seti attacked her, Lana? She called him Nefra. What do you think she meant by that?”

“I think she didn't know what she was saying,” Lana answered. “She knew she was caught, that her plan to return Urbena, well, me instead of Urbena, was foiled.”

Josh took Lana home, kissed her with extra warmth, and said he hoped life would return to normal. The museum staff packed up the exhibit in order to return it to Cairo with all the artifacts intact. But on the next Monday, the day before the relics were shipped, Lana had to rethink Blair's words.

That night, Seti, still wearing the beautiful rhinestone collar from the party, demanded to be let out through the window. Lana gave in. The weather had cleared and more Indian summer days were in progress. The night was warm and clear.

Seti paused in the window and looked at Lana for a long time. Lana returned his stare. He wore that look she was sure was a tiny smile. She saw and felt the love in his eyes. And she returned that love. In fact, she grabbed him, squeezed him, and kissed the top of his head again before she let him go.

“Be careful, Seti. I love you.” She watched him leap to the limb of the big tree closest to her window. He turned again and meowed. Then he scampered down, out of sight.

She felt terribly sad when he didn't return in the night. Nor did he come when she called from the back door next morning.

“He's on an exploring trip,” her mother assured her. “He'll be here when you come home from school.”

Somehow Lana didn't think so. Seti had come to her with the exhibit. He had left when the exhibit left. What did that mean?

She could never be sure. But she knew what she believed. There was no proof and never would be, but she wanted to believe it. Her heart believed.

He was like no other cat. Of that she was sure. He got immediately into her head and her heart. Came when she needed him. Actually protected her several times.

He'd found her in the coffin. And he'd led her to Blair. Lana remembered Blair's words.
“Nefra, leave me alone.”

What Lana — and Blair — believed was impossible. Wasn't it?

“I'm sorry, Nefra,” she whispered to the cool, crisp morning as she started to school. “I'm sorry I couldn't return with you this time. But maybe, someday, I will know you again.”

About the Author

Barbara Steiner (1934–2014) was an acclaimed author known for her books for children and young adults. Steiner authored over seventy titles, including picture books, early chapter books, mysteries, young adult thrillers, historical novels, and romances. In her lifetime, Steiner visited more than ninety-four countries and all seven continents, and many of her books were inspired by her travels. She lived in Boulder with her family until her death in January 2014.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 1995 by Barbara Steiner

Cover design by Mimi Bark

ISBN: 978-1-4976-2860-1

This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

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EBOOKS BY BARBARA STEINER

FROM OPEN ROAD MEDIA