Warrior's Queen

Chapter 6

They drive in a car through the desert of Egypt to get to our old friend Izzy's Flying Carpet airline service. If you can call it that. Ardeth separated from us to go inform his tripe about Imhotep's rising and Alex's kidnapping. He promised to meet them here at Izzy's.

It was then Rick pulled the car to a stop next to a sign labelled 'Magic Carpet Airways'. Jasmine stared at the sign. So that was what he meant by them needing a magic carpet.

"This is the magic carpet?" Evie asked.

"We'll be fine. He's a professional," Rick promised, leading the way to the entrance of the building.

The man in question opened the door and walked out, humming merrily and not expecting guests. But at Rick's overly-friendly exclamation of "Izzy!", he quickly turned and disappeared behind his door again, locking it in the process.

The smile was gone from Rick's face in an instant. "Hey!"

"He definitely remembers you," Evie commented innocently.

Rick made a face. "He's a little shy. Jonathan, get our bags," he added as Jonathan joined them by the door.

"Ah, my hands are full," he protested, though the only thing he was carrying was his prized gold stick. "Get Jasmine to do it -, can't she?"

"Okie," Jasmine replied him sweetly, went to get the bag but was stopped by Rick who pulled her beside him and said, "You are not going anywhere."

Rick snatched the sceptre out of his hands, leaving the poor man with no choice but to do so. "Now!" he snapped.

"Right, right, I'll get the bags," Jonathan agreed at once, obediently making his way back to the car.

"I'll deal with the flight details," Rick muttered, pulling his handgun out and shooting the lock off the door.

Evie stepped forward, remarking "Honey, you're not a subtle man," as she did so.

"We don't have time for subtle," Rick reminded her, and without further ado, he abused the already beaten-up door by kicking it open with a lot more force than needed. How Jasmine ended up having such a violent brother, she would never know.

"Izzy, come here!" Rick ordered, but the man ignored him and began gathering the maps and documents scattered about the desks.

Evie watched with amusement. "Doesn't look happy to see - "

"Hasn't turned me down yet," Rick pointed out, but it appeared that he had spoken too soon.

"Whatever it is, whatever you need, I don't care! Forget it, O'Connell! Every time I hook up with you, I get shot! Last time I got shot in the ass! I'm in mourning for my ass!"

Jasmine gave Rick a dark look. "I'm not that surprised," she said dryly, and he cringed in response.

"Remember that bank job in Marrakesh?" Izzy ranted on. It was clear he had some unpleasant memories when it came to Rick, and knowing her brother, Jasmine couldn't blame him.

"Bank job?" Evie echoed, suspicion evident in her voice. Jasmine raised an eyebrow at Rick as well.

"It's not like it sounds!" Rick defended immediately.

Izzy wasn't done yet. "Uh, it's exactly how it sounds! I'm flying high, hiding in the sun. The white boy here flags me down, so I fly in low for the pickup. Next thing you know, I get shot! I'm lying in the middle of the road with my spleen hanging out, and I see him waltzing up with some belly-dancer girl!"

"Belly dancer girl?" Evie repeated. "Izzy, I think you and I should talk."

"Oh, me, too, I'm very much interested in what happened before the belly-dancer girl part," Jasmine put in, and she couldn't help but grin at the look of horror that had dawned on her brother's face.