Gene of Isis

And you are?

I jumped out of my skin at the question and again when I spotted him standing by my fireplace.

He was just as Ashlee had described—dark, ruggedly handsome and very warrior-like. He had a sword strapped to his hip and another upon his back, between his shoulder blades.

‘I am…’ I was so taken by the sight of him that I forgot everything, even my own name. He was emanating a celestial brilliance that was mesmerising to look at, and I wondered how it was that Ashlee had not been more enamoured of his company.

You are, Albray decided to answer on my behalf, the first of your line to get so far into the story as to fathom my existence and summon me forth. He frowned. I wonder why fate would have it so? What is going on in your world right now? he asked earnestly.

‘Well,’ I gathered my wits to respond. ‘I’m going to Mt Serabit tomorrow, to investigate a recently unearthed entrance to the mountain.’

Albray clicked his fingers in delight. Bullseye. What year is this?

‘This is the year 2004,’ I advised, feeling self-conscious as he looked me over.

‘Women wear much less these days,’ he noted, apparently pleased by the trend.

I looked down at my singlet and old jeans. I wasn’t even wearing a bra. My fine, white-blonde wavy hair really needed a wash and was gathered back in a scruffy knot. ‘Well, I wasn’t exactly ready for company,’ I said, justifying my appearance.

But you summoned me?

‘I didn’t expect the summons to work!’ I laughed as I thought that much must be plainly obvious to him.

But you’ve read Miss Granville’s journal?

‘Some of it,’ I granted, ‘but as a scholar I don’t take any notice of all that spiritual nonsense. I think my foremother had a very grand imagination…she should have been a fiction writer.’

You’re not a medium then? He was suddenly very concerned about my potential, it seemed.

‘No, I’m a small,’ I jested, but Albray was not laughing, he was pacing. ‘Sorry. But I truly don’t understand what is happening here.’

You must have some talent? he stopped still to inquire.

‘I have a doctorate in ancient languages,’ I told him, but he looked puzzled, so I explained, ‘I have a broad knowledge of ancient languages.’

That is a trait of your line, he conceded, looking a little happier. Do you have a birthmark?

I was taken aback by his query, as indeed I did have such a mark. I nodded. ‘A small red cross, like the one Ashlee described in her journal. Still, I have yet to read about its significance, if indeed it has one.’

May I see the mark? Albray asked politely.

I raised both my hands to cover the birthmark’s location under my singlet. ‘I don’t think I really know you well enough.’

I see. The knight repressed a grin when he realised the mark’s location. Well, I’m afraid I need verification…and as I am no longer embodied, I can surely be of no threat to you.

This guy worked faster than Andre—not five minutes in my company and he was asking to see my tits. Well, my cleavage, anyway. ‘Oh, all right!’ It wasn’t like I was super-modest at the best of times. I pulled down my neckline to expose the mark to the right of my heart.

Albray smiled when he saw the mark, but it was more relief than gratification. Does anyone else in your family bear this mark?

‘They say my mother had a faint one on her back. But as she is long gone and I am an only child, I have no real knowledge of it.’ I shrugged, but he quietly awaited more information. I thought harder. ‘I don’t have any female cousins that I know of. My aunt has not mentioned having a birthmark…nor whether any of her boys have one. It had never been an issue before I read Ashlee’s journal which suggests that she believes she was descended from some ancient line of priest kings.’ I righted my attire.

No, Albray corrected. Miss Granville never really believed it until she reached Mt Serabit.

‘Why, what happened to her there?’ I was curious about my destination.

Albray raised his eyebrows, and grinned to keep me in suspense. What is the point of taking the journey, if you already know the outcome?

‘Oh, come on,’ I bantered. ‘I have to pack tonight. I don’t have time to read great-great-gran’s ancient epic before I go. Can’t you just tell me what happens, so I know what to expect?’ I suddenly realised what a coup it was to have Albray as an adviser, at my beck and call for this journey.

He observed me quietly and I had the feeling that he was not pondering my request for information. What is your name?

‘Mia Montrose.’

Well, Miss Montrose, he said rather formally, I believe it would be in your best interests to take this journey one step at a time. And I am not at your beck and call. I have made no pact with you, as I did with Miss Granville.

Jesus! He could read my mind as long as the stone was on my person. I’d forgotten