Tomb of the Mechanical Pharaoh

Chapter 24

Rebecca's heart was still pounding in her ears as they sat on the airship, watching the city of Cairo fall away beneath them.

Simonetta was looking out the window while Mr. Crocodile seemed quite relaxed considering they had just run through the streets of Cairo.

"They will come for us," Simonetta muttered.

"They will indeed," Mr. Crocodile said, as he leaned back into his seat. "But we needn't have run. They know exactly where we're going."

"And they shall follow?" Rebecca said, stealing a glance at Simonetta. She still remembered the look on Nadjmit's face right before the goons shoved her down onto the desk. "I had come so close to falling under her spell."

"The gods were watching over you," Mr. Crocodile said, with a tired smile. "The Khairataw will watch us, but they won't dare move against a member of the Order of Sabik in Crocodilopolis."

"And once we arrive at the dig site...?" Rebecca asked.

"We should be ready," Mr. Crocodile replied. They traveled in silence for some time until Mr. Crocodile started snoring. Rebecca got up and walked over to the window where Simonetta was sitting. Simonetta gave a look in her direction but did not say anything.

"Simonetta..." Rebecca started.

"Grazie," Simonetta said. "For rescuing me from the Khairataw."

"I wouldn't have left you there," Rebecca said looking at her dark stained fingers. Several more minutes of silence before Rebecca found the courage to bring it up. "About the night before..."

"What about it?" Simonetta said, looking out the window. "I have dallied with women before, but most of my lovers have been men."

"It was special to me," Rebecca said. "The only other woman in my life like that was Evelyn and—" With a sigh, Simonetta turned away from the window and her gaze settled on Rebecca. "Did last night mean something to you, Simonetta?"

Simonetta averted her eyes. "I was under a spell, Rebecca. I had no control over what I was doing."

"Simonetta..."

"No, listen Rebecca, please," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "The Khairataw found me three days before you came back. That woman put that spell on my neck and sent me to seduce you. I was with you to get your guard down and then bring you to the Khairataw. If not for Mr. Crocodile, you would be under their control as well right now. The fact that I could have done that and you still feel..."

Rebecca felt the same fear as when she was pinned to the desk, but pushed it away. "It's all right, Simonetta. I care for you."

"You don't even know me."

Rebecca reached out to Simonetta. "But I want to know you." She shook off Rebecca's hand.

"After everything I did, nearly delivering you to them?" She looked away, wiping her eyes.

"Yes." Rebecca had never seen Simonetta so vulnerable as she struggled to hold back even more tears.

"They put that spell on my back and I was theirs, to do with as they pleased," Simonetta sobbed, pounding her fist on the armrest. "I swore I would never be at someone else's mercy. Never again and they went and did it to me. I am Simonetta Belzoni, and they stripped all that away. Damn them! I was just that scared little bastard Menrit again." She looked at Rebecca. "And worst of all they sent me to use your affections against you." Simonetta turned away. "Don't look at me!"

"It's all right," Rebecca said, putting her arms around Simonetta. Simonetta did not protest, but they spent the rest of the ride in silence. Rebecca watched the Nile and then the desert pass by beneath them as they reached the city of Crocodilopolis.