Gene of Isis

‘You expect me to believe you didn’t know?’ Devere saw through me. ‘And you’re a far better psychic than I am.’

‘It is what your brotherhood wanted from this union.’ I decided to be frank. ‘And the truth is, I was doubtful that you would risk your prime goal to allow me to complete my quest.’

‘The ambitions of my order are not the reason I would see you return to England.’ Devere was angered by my assumptions, as deep down I knew he would be. ‘Have you no regard for the life of our child that you would risk its future?’

All I divined from my husband’s words was that he wished me to return home. ‘You are so predictable!’ I hurried dressing. ‘Is it any wonder I don’t confide in you?’

‘You are not running away from this argument.’ Devere began dressing himself, just in case he needed to pursue me.

‘And you are not taking me back to England!’ I secured the stone’s bracelet around my wrist, grabbed my weapons belt and coat, and made for the door.

‘Please, Ashlee, be reasonable.’ Devere grabbed my arm to delay me.

I glared at him a moment and then stated resolutely, ‘In the name of the goddess, I repel you!’

‘No, Ash,’ Devere appealed as he was drawn to the bed and compelled to lie down. ‘Please don’t forsake me again. Don’t forsake our ch—’

‘I blind you to my being.’ I spoke up before I could be touched by his appeal. Devere’s eyes closed despite his struggle and he immediately fell into a deep sleep. ‘And I banish you from my thoughts and heart until my quest is done,’ I concluded solemnly. ‘May the goddess keep you safe until then…may she keep us all safe.’ I stroked my flat belly, yet to show any trace of my condition, and then opened the door.

‘My dear lady.’

I gasped when I found Cingar standing at my door, dressed in a light Arab cloak with a hood.

‘I have arranged passage on a merchant boat to Cairo, but unfortunately it leaves tonight,’ he informed me.

‘That suits me fine.’ I stepped into the hall to join Cingar and closed the door behind me.

‘Are you not going to wake Devere?’ The gypsy was puzzled by my actions.

‘My husband is not coming with us,’ I announced coldly, making my way downstairs before I had to contend with an argument.

‘Oh, not again!’ the gypsy whined in my husband’s defence. ‘Abandoning your spouse at every given opportunity is no way to run a successful marriage,’ he scolded.

‘Hah, look who’s talking!’ I responded lightly, but the gypsy did not look amused. ‘Are you coming with me, or staying with Mr Devere?’

He gave me a hurt look, surprised I had asked. ‘You know I am always at your service.’

‘Then come aid me to buy an Arab cloak from Mr Maximoff, so that we may be on our way to Cairo.’

Cingar drew a deep, uneasy breath. ‘As you wish, my lady.’ He reluctantly left the door to my room and followed me downstairs.

LESSON 21

FEARS FROM THE HONEYMOON JOURNAL OF LADY SUSAN DEVERE

We had been anchored three days in the harbour of Alexandria before we witnessed the arrival of our kin. Lord Devere had yet to disclose the name of his brother’s vessel to our captor, so it took Malory a bit longer to become aware that Ashlee and Mr Devere were now in the city.

Coming on to evening, my lord and I were loaded into a boat and rowed to shore—after admiring the ancient city from the ship for many days, I was rather curious to take a closer look.

‘The Deveres are at the home of Mr Frinkulo Maximoff for the night,’ Malory’s spy informed him. ‘He’s a gypsy trader on the far side of Little Europe.’

We had already established that Lord Devere and myself were being taken along on the ambush as leverage, and I had a strong suspicion that our kidnapping was about to turn ugly.

The streets of the city were still a hive of activity; the smells of spicy food and the sound of fevered music, played on exotic instruments, had me quite enchanted. I had a burning desire to get amongst the crowd and enjoy the carnival atmosphere, but had little chance of fulfilling my desire, surrounded by Malory’s knights as we were.

I could see why they called the Frankish end of town Little Europe. It was far more developed, staid and civilised.

Our party did not go unnoticed as we passed up the main thoroughfare. An English gentleman crossed the road from a salon to introduce himself to our party as Mr Banks, the English consul in Alexandria. Malory was inwardly annoyed when Mr Banks invited us to sign the consular book.

‘Unfortunately, we have a previous engagement.’ Malory attempted to decline.

‘Come, come, Lord Malory.’ Lord Devere decided to complicate the issue. ‘It won’t take long, and Mr Banks is sure to have vital information regarding our stay in Alexandria.’

‘That I do.’ The gentleman seemed most eager to be our host.

‘Tomorrow morning, perhaps,’ Malory adamantly insisted.