Gene of Isis

complete awe.

‘Magic,’ I teased, returning to the previous page.

Albray knew I was teasing him, and he gave me a disappointed look.

‘Research,’ I replied more honestly. ‘I was looking into the Gene-of-Isis.’

And how is the reading going?

I drew a deep breath. ‘I’m up to where Ashlee flees Paris, and I’ve got to ask you…how is it possible that my boss, Christian Molier, could be the same man Ashlee fled from in Paris and the same man who killed you nearly six hundred years before that?’

Star-Fire, Albray replied. Or, in Molier’s case, mainly just the Fire. He’s been taking it so long to sustain himself that he can no longer expose himself to sunlight without risk of brain damage.

‘Albray…’ I thought it time to give him a little science lesson. ‘Molier can’t go out in the sun because he has a high pineal gland secretion.’ As I said this, I realised that this was something else my boss had in common with Ashlee’s Mr Molier.

And what do you think caused this condition of Molier’s? Albray posited, as if he already knew the answer.

‘A defect in Molier’s DNA.’ I shrugged and then thought to explain. ‘DNA is—’

I realise you refer to his genetic code, Albray said, surprising me with his knowledge. In Molier’s case it was a forced mutation…he was not born with the disorder.

‘How do you know?’ I asked, as he sounded so sure about it.

I knew Christian Molier when he could still frequent the great outdoors in the daylight hours. It was not until that day in the library with Mrs Devere that I learned of his skin condition.

‘And you’re sure it was the same Christian Molier?’ It was not a favourable look I received in response. ‘I’m sorry.’ I accepted that it was a stupid question. ‘Then explain to me how this Fire substance works, and what it is made up of. I mean, I understand the Star substance and most of its creation process.’

Star-Fire is the melding of Heaven and Earth, male and female, the physical, emotional and mental bodies with the spiritual body. The Fire preceded the Star; it promoted perception, awareness and intuition, stamina, the immune system and, thus, longevity. Ever wonder why the leaders of the ancient world lived so long? They were fed this ambrosia. But the Fire was not brewed to enhance psychic ability… that could only be activated upon a pleasurable union with a female of the sacred bloodline. Still, the light would remain, although dormant, in a spiritually unawakened person.

‘But what was the substance made of to make it so sacred and vitality-promoting?’

It is said that the Fire vial contains an extract drawn from the menstrual flow of the Nefilim goddess, Ninharsag, also known as Isis, Albray baldly stated, and I began to feel sick. ‘Oh, my god!’ I covered my mouth, shocked. ‘Is that what you meant when you said Molier was a vampire?’

Albray nodded and I really felt sick. If it makes you feel any better, the drinking of blood was banned before my time by the church, who wished to undermine the power of the ancient order of Star-Fire priestesses. But by that time, alchemy had come of age and the process to create the Star was rediscovered and then lost. But together they are the body and blood, the bread and the wine, of Christianity, and in Egyptian belief they are the white wheat and red barley fields of Heaven.

There was a desperate scratching at my tent flap.

‘Come in!’

It was Andre who crawled in under my door. ‘Bonsoir, Mia. I was just heading up to the Hathor Complex. I think the storm is dying down a bit, and, in any case, inside the complex we will be protected from the elements. I thought you might want to come have a look?’

‘Ah…?’ I glanced at Albray, who rolled his eyes and gave me leave with a wave. ‘Yeah, that would be great, but can I meet you in the mess? I just need to get changed.’

‘Aw, you take all the fun out of life,’ Andre grumbled. ‘I could just turn around. I promise I won’t look.’

I just folded my arms with a smile and waited for him to depart.

We need to work on your psychic skills, Albray impressed on me as soon as Andre left.

‘Look, I’m really sorry to disappoint you but I don’t have any psychic talent.’ I stripped off my shorts and pulled on a pair of jeans. ‘And here in the real world, I have to work.’ I looked up to find Albray gobsmacked, and then I realised I had changed my outfit and he probably wasn’t too used to women doing that in front of him. ‘Look, if my body is so offensive, you could leave, or turn away, or—’

On the contrary, I am honoured. He tried not to smile too broadly.

Inside, my heart leapt. Albray finally saw me! ‘So you are human after all?’ I posed the question in a suggestive manner to see if he’d bite.

He leant back a little. I think that you Grail women enjoy teasing me.

‘I never tease,’ I informed him bluntly.

Then what do you call this?

I gasped in amusement at his implication. ‘You know what I think…I think you’re the tease, Albray.’

He appeared even more amused and shocked when the accusation was thrown back at him. I don’t know what you mean.

‘Is that right?’ If he wasn’t going to admit to feeling anything for me, there was little point in pursuing this conversation any further. ‘Well then, I’m going.’ I turned away from Albray, removed my singlet and replaced it with