Gene of Isis

knew me too well.

I shrugged. ‘That depends on how soon you want your answers?’

Andre cocked an eye at me, thinking me evasive. ‘And Akbar was aiding you with your research?’

He finally arrived at the reason for his visit. ‘Well nobody knows the local history like the locals,’ I said, trying to fob him off lightheartedly, but Andre would not allow it.

‘Did Akbar threaten you?’ He put forward his concern to me plainly.

I considered the question carefully before responding. ‘Quite the other way around, I should think.’

‘I can dismiss him,’ he offered, ‘if he makes you uncomfortable.’

‘He does not,’ I insisted. ‘We just had a misunderstanding.’ Yes, the man had threatened to chop off my head and throw my body off a cliff, so why was I defending him now? Because Akbar knew something; perhaps something I didn’t know. If I had him dismissed I’d never find out. ‘But it’s sorted.’ I shrugged.

Andre nodded as though he didn’t quite believe me. ‘Then, why were you crying just now?’

A good question and the true answer was too bizarre to convey. ‘I was just reading a romantic note that my new man left in one of my books for me to find.’ It was a good lie and it reinforced my boyfriend fabrication. ‘I guess I miss him.’

’Aw,’ Andre sympathised, holding wide his arms. ‘Hug?’ He may as well have just said, ‘Sex?’

‘I told you, Andre, I’m fine,’ I replied, downplaying my emotional state. ‘I’ll be reunited with him soon enough.’ My heart welled to bursting when Albray came to mind, and though I’d known all along that I could not have him, the thought of him as just a pile of bones shattered my sensibilities and I burst into tears once again.

‘Oh, Mia, forgive me, I did not mean to upset you.’ Andre stood and gave me a purely platonic hug and it was nice, but when I noticed Albray watching us, I immediately pulled away. The hurt I saw on Albray’s face was as exciting to me as it was devastating.

‘I shall leave you in peace.’ Andre sensed my wishes. ‘Just call if you need anything.’

I nodded in acceptance, and looked at Albray when Andre departed. ‘What is the matter, Albray? You seem upset.’

I’m not upset, he insisted, straining to lower his thought conveyance to a believable tone. I was just surprised to learn about the man in your life. You have not mentioned him before.

I was amused by the mistake. ‘There’s nothing between myself and Andre. Not from my side anyway.’

I’m not talking about Andre. He rolled his eyes. I refer to this man who had you in tears just now…the one you miss so much? He endeavoured to jog my memory, as I must have appeared stumped.

‘Oh, him.’ My gut fluttered with butterflies as I summoned the courage to tell him the truth. ‘I was talking about you, Albray.’

Now he appeared stumped, but pleased nonetheless. But I have not gone anywhere…why were you crying?

I swallowed hard. Every time I imagined his bones I got teary. ‘I read Lord Hereford’s account of opening the Star-Fire Temple.’

Albray seemed disappointed with my topic of inquiry. I knew it ran contrary to his wishes.

‘I learned that you died here,’ my lips began to quaver under the stress, ‘and that upset me. I don’t know why.’ I couldn’t see the expression on his face, because my eyes had filled with tears. I reached for my tissues. ‘I mean, I know you’re dead, but…’ I bowed my head before confessing that I was falling in love with him all the same. When I could finally see Albray again, his expression was sympathetic, although he was at a loss for what to say.

You know, even if I had survived this place, I would still be dead. He tried to make light of my hurt. I think that a large part of the problem is that you’re exhausted. I should leave you be and let you rest.

I nodded, a little irked that he didn’t even think to question why his death would upset me, or perhaps he knew and wanted to avoid the subject. I waved him to leave and turned away to hide the tears welling anew.

Albray was quiet for a time, but I knew he hadn’t left. Are your feelings the reason you won’t carry the stone with you?

I shot around to face him, a little startled by the accuracy of his claim. ‘It seems you can read my thoughts anyway.’ I brushed the tears from my face quickly. I had made it fairly plain how I felt and if he didn’t feel anything for me, I wasn’t going to make a fool of myself any longer.

Albray seemed to feel a little awkward, as if juggling some weighty decision in his mind. The power of the stone works both ways, you realise.

Not for me, I grumbled, although admittedly I hadn’t really tried to master this psychic skill I was supposed to have.

Only for you, he corrected adamantly, and then he seemed annoyed at himself for pushing the issue. It is not for me to thrust psychic experience upon you, only your will can get you what you want in this world.. . Albray seemed to want to say more, but decided against it. Would you dismiss me for a while? he requested out of the blue.

My first thought was that he wanted to escape this emotional discussion; he had warned Ashlee that when it came to affairs of the heart he was useless. Then it occurred to me that he was still pining for his priestess, who, he’d confessed to Ashlee, was the love of his life. ‘If that is what you wish.’ When he nodded, I retrieved the stone.

You will keep the stone near, in case you need me? he asked rather timidly.