𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑷𝑬𝑻𝑶𝑴𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑨 - Ardeth Bay

thirteen

"He does seem to like you, Evy." Jonathan teased as they walked into the Museum of Antiquites, searching for Tiyes father.

"Yeah, what's that about?" Rick asked aloud.

"What's this guy want anyhow?" Daniels questioned, following Evy as she led them all through the corridors of the museum.

"There's only one person I know that can possibly give us any answers." She answered as they walked into the main room, Dr. Bey standing at the entrance speaking to Ardeth. "You?"

"Miss. Carnahan." The curator greeted the woman as Rick grabbed his guns, aiming them at the Chieftain. "Gentlemen."

"What is he doing here?" Evelyn spat.

"Do you really want to know, or would you prefer to just shoot us?" The curator asked, glancing between them all.

"After what I just saw, I'm willing to go on a little faith here." Rick said, putting away his guns. Tiye pushed her way to the front to see who they were all talking about.

"Ardeth!" She gasped, running forwards and wrapping her arms around his neck. Ardeth leaned down and connected their lips not caring that there were others in the room. "You are okay."

"What the hell?" Jonathan furrowed his brows in confusion as he watched the pair.

"Oh, right." Tiye remembered that her friends did not know about her past and her fiancè. "Everyone, I would like you to meet my fiancè, Ardeth Bay."

"You knew this man this entire time and decided not to inform us?" Evelyn questioned, feeling hurt by her friends hidden truth.

"I am sorry, I will explain everything later but for now we need to deal with our new friend."  Tiye smiled at the others, gripping Ardeths hand nervously.

"We are part of an ancient secret society." Dr. Bey began to explain after everyone had settled down and found somewhere to stand or sit. Tiye stood beside Ardeth, her body leaning against his with exhaustion. "For over 3,000 years we have guarded the City of the Dead. We're sworn at manhood to do any and all in our part to stop the High Priest Imhotep from being reborn into this world."

"And now, because of you, we have failed." Ardeth inputted, directing it at Evelyn.

"And you think this justifies the killing of innocent people?" She asked, playing with her necklace out of nervousness.

"To stop this creature? Let me think." The curator stated sarcastically.

"Yes!" He and Ardeth said at the same time.

"Question- Why doesn't he like cats?" Rick raised his hand like a school kid.

"Well cats are the guardians of the underworld. He will fear them until he is fully regenerated." Dr. Bey explained, watching as Evy paced back and forth.

"And then he will fear nothing." Tiye spoke up, finally understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"Yeah, and you know how he gets hisself fully regenerated?" Henderson stated.

"By killin' everyone who opened that chest." Daniels finished, playing with his gun.

"And suckin' 'em dry! That's how." Henderson freaked out. Tiye sighed, burying her head in Ardeths chest, wishing for this all to go away.

"You okay?"

"Save me."

"What?"

"I love you." Tiye leaned up and kissed his cheek before burying herself back into his chest.

"You are strange." Ardeth chuckled. Tiye knew that was his way of saying it back but still wishes for him to really say it. Although she ran out on their wedding, there is not a day she has not regretted leaving him.

"Jonathan, will you stop playing with that." Evelyn said to her brother. Tiye twisted around to see Jonathan messing around with the life size figurine he was standing on. "When I saw him alive at Hamunaptra, he called me Anck-su-namun. And then just now in Mr. Burns's quarters, he tried to kiss me."

"It's because of his love for Anck-su-namun that he was cursed." The curator said to Ardeth, the two starting a conversation between themselves. "Apparently, even after 3,000 years-"

"He is still in love with her." Ardeth finished.

"Yes, well, that's very romantic, but what has it got to do with me?" Evelyn inputted, breaking the two men apart.

"Perhaps he will once again try to raise her from the Dead." Ardeth suggested, moving away from Tiye and leaning towards her father.

"Yes. And it appears he has already chosen his human sacrifice." The two men glanced at Evy.

"Bad luck, old mum." Jonathan sighed. Tiye moved towards Evelyn and brought her in for a reassuring hug.

"On the contrary, it may just give us the time we need to kill the creature." Dr. Bey stood up and walked towards the two women.

"We will need all the help we can get. His powers are growing." Ardeth said, glancing up. Everyone followed his stare and watched as the moon covered the sun, the whole of Egypt being cast with darkness.

""And he stretched forth his hand towards the heavens, and there was darkness throughout the land of Egypt."" Jonathan quoted. Evelyn reached down and gripped Tiyes hand with fear, the two women not knowing what is to come.