Soul Awakened by Jean Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

creeps.
    The sentry’s black eyes swept the hallway and vista. He stood at seven feet tall with large bands of muscle and had similar scarification tattoos, but not to the extent of Bomani’s. The two sabers strapped to his chest were eye candy compared to the formidability of the warrior.
    He had placed his body between her and the open balcony that overlooked the serpentine river that snaked its way through Aaru. The sand of the beach sparkled in the new dawn light. The cycle of the day was in opposition to the human realm. Nighttime had arrived in the motherland of Egypt.
    Tilting her head upward, she looked up at his massive shoulders to his angular jaw that was tightly set. “What’s your name?”
    “Ari.” His eyes never left their surroundings.
    She made the translation of his name in her head. “That means guardian, doesn’t it?”
    “Yes.”
    As if he didn’t know , she silently chastised herself. She was never that good at conversing with the opposite sex. Based on Ari’s tone, he wasn’t there for small talk or to become her friend.
    She missed Bomani. Their friendship had grown over the last several weeks while she conducted her research in the library. So at ease with him, she almost forgot he was this powerful warrior. It was probably best he wasn’t here. Her ability to keep smiling waned with each passing day.
    They approached the iron gate and broad steps of the dungeon. Ari nodded to the sentries and the heavy iron door swung open. She checked her pocket for her flashlight and then pulled her robe in tighter around her chest.
    In short order Bakari’s cell loomed ahead. Doors she had been through countless times. The sentry at the entrance simply sidestepped and nodded his acknowledgement. He scanned her body with a light of curiosity. She had never shown up in a bath robe and slippers before. Normally, she would have chuckled and smiled, but she wasn’t quite feeling like herself.
    The coldness of the rock seeped through the thin soles of her slippers momentarily distracting her from her throbbing headache. She clasped her arms, attempting to wipe away the fresh set of goose bumps covering her skin. The sensation would pass, it always did. She laid her hand on the top of the sarcophagus and covered the intricate carvings with her palm. “Good morning, Bakari.” Her voice sounded flat even to her own ears. There was nothing good about any of this.
    She retraced the hieroglyphics that covered the entire lid, looking for some small clue she had missed. At the head of the sarcophagus she laid her forehead against the wood. “Bakari, I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I need you to tell me how to open this—please.”
    She had asked that question every day she had entered this cell. With of course, no response. The tomb still remained silent to her touch. She fisted her hand. “Come on, talk to me. Tell me what I want to hear.” Her voice rose, along with her desperation. 
    “I have been asking him the same thing.”
    Kendra jumped at the sound of a deep voice. Knocked off balance, she toppled butt-first over a stack of texts that lay on the floor. She landed on her back with a resounding thump.
    “Kendra!” Asar stepped forward out of the shadows. “I am sorry. I did not mean to scare you.”
    Lying on her back with her slippered feet in the air, she pressed her palm to her forehead. God, this happened way too much. Asar held out his hand. She clasped his thick palm. “I’m okay.” Her cheeks filled with warmth, embarrassed that she lived up to her fumbling reputation.
    “I should have announced myself.”
    Standing up, Kendra pulled her robe together and smoothed her wild hair. Gathering her pride, she looked up into the concerned face of her new brother-in-law. “I didn’t mean to speak so harshly to him.” She looked away to hide the tears that welled in her eyes. Trapped in his own grief, the Underworld god didn’t seem to notice.
    “How long have you been here?”
    “A