Saving Face

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Vault

Dr. Maerwynn paused outside of the vault behind Mr. Fleischer. The door stood partially ajar and lights glowed from within, but they could not see inside without stepping to the entrance.

Mai Luan whispered from close behind her, "They can't take any souls out of the vault."

Dr. Maerwynn waved her to silence. Mr. Fleischer was a useful puppet, but knew nothing of the truth behind their work in the vault.

Mr. Fleischer motioned the guards ahead. At the entrance they paused. "Sir, you'll want to see this."

Dr. Maerwynn followed him to the threshold, where she hesitated, just outside the door. Only rarely did she enter the vault, leaving it to Mai Luan and her ancient Cui Dashi powers. She always felt a hint of fear crossing the threshold into Mai Luan's domain, although she'd never allow the other woman to sense her discomfort.

Sarah stood twenty feet inside the vault at the head of a gurney, with a long knife held to the sleeping Marilyn's throat.

"Stop right there or she dies," Sarah said in a shaky voice.

Dr. Maerwynn stepped across the threshold, focusing on her anger at Sarah rather than the thought of the runes carved into the lintels of the vault doorway. She would have to reprimand Mr. Fleischer for pressing ahead with the full corporal transfer against her better judgment. The risk to their operation was far too great for the hoped-for return.

"You won't kill her. You're not the suicidal type."

"Better that my body die with her than let her steal it."

"Sarah, you're not helping matters," Mr. Fleischer said from close beside Dr. Maerwynn. "Put the knife down and we'll talk."

Sarah shook her head and pointed the knife at him. "Talking with you is useless. You don't listen. You won't accept any terms but your own." She glared at him. "I won't sign that contract."

"What do you want?" Dr. Maerwynn asked, taking a step forward. Sarah was right about Mr. Fleischer being a blockhead, but the foolish woman could ruin everything.

"I want my body back. I want out of this place."

"You'll release Marilyn if we agree?"

"Yes."

Dr. Maerwynn shared a glance with Mr. Fleischer. He grimaced and nodded. It would have to be done.

"Very well, Sarah. After we complete the transfer, your employment will be terminated."

"Fine by me."

She stepped closer. "Then put down the knife and we'll return to one of the transfer stations."

"No, I don't trust you."

"Then how can we proceed?"

Sarah glanced around uncertainly, and Dr. Maerwynn took another step forward. "Sarah, in order to meet your demands we need to go to a transfer station. You'll have to trust me."

Sarah hesitated and then nodded.

Dr. Maerwynn took another step forward. Good, the foolish girl would cooperate. Another few steps and she could take possession of the knife. No one had stood up to Maerwynn so effectively in decades. Usually she would appreciate the challenge, but the timing was far too inconvenient.

Another few seconds and she would introduce Sarah to tortures only recently re-discovered by their archaeological teams. She would be privileged to die by Nepthys' ancient preferred method.

Sarah moved the knife away from Marilyn as Dr. Maerwynn took another step forward. Only five steps to go.

That was when she noticed the face coffin lying open on the floor beside the gurney. Who had been stored there? How would Sarah even know to search the coffins?