IT'S DISTURBING TO WAKE UP as a chicken.
My ba floated through dark water. My glowing wings flapped as I tried to figure out which way was up. I assumed my body was somewhere close by, possibly already drowned in the back of the Mercedes, but I couldn't figure out how to return to it.
Why on earth had Bes driven us through an underwater portal? I hoped poor Carter had somehow survived; perhaps Bes was able to pull him free. But dying from poison rather than drowning didn't seem much of an improvement.
A current caught me and whisked me into the Duat. The water changed into cold fog. Wailing and growling filled the darkness. My acceleration slowed, and when the mist dissipated, I was back in Brooklyn House, floating just outside the infirmary door. On a bench against the wall, sitting together like old friends, were Anubis and Walt Stone. They looked like they were waiting for bad news. Walt's hands were folded in his lap. His shoulders slumped. He'd changed clothes-a new sleeveless tee, a new pair of running shorts-but he looked like he hadn't slept since returning from London.
Anubis talked to him in soothing tones, as if trying to ease his grief. I'd never seen Anubis in traditional Egyptian clothes before: bare-chested with a gold and ruby collar around his neck, a simple black kilt wrapped around his waist. It wasn't a look I'd recommend for most guys, but Anubis pulled it off. I'd always imagined he would look rather skinny with his shirt off (not that I imagined that a lot, mind you) but he was in excellent shape. They must've had quite a good gym in the underworld, bench-pressing tombstones and whatnot.
At any rate, after the shock of seeing them together, my first thought was that something terrible must've happened to Jaz.
"What is it?" I asked, not sure if they could hear me. "What's happened?"
Walt didn't react, but Anubis looked up. As usual my heart did a little happy dance quite without my permission. His eyes were so mesmerizing, I completely forgot how to use my brain.
I said, "Um."
I know, Liz would've been proud.
"Sadie," Anubis said. "You shouldn't be here. Carter is dying."
That jarred me back to my senses. "I know that, jackal boy! I didn't ask to be-Wait, why am I here?"
Anubis pointed at the door of the infirmary. "I suspect Jaz's spirit called to you."
"Is she dead? Am I dead?"
"Neither," Anubis said. "But you are both on death's doorstep, which means your souls can speak to each other quite easily. Just don't stay long."
Walt still hadn't acknowledged me. He muttered: "Couldn't tell her. Why couldn't I tell her?" He opened his hands. Cradled in his palms was a golden shen amulet exactly like the one he'd given me.
"Anubis, what's wrong with him?" I asked. "Can't he hear me?"
Anubis put his hand on Walt's shoulder. "He can't see either of us, though I think he can sense my presence. He called to me for guidance. That's why I'm here."
"Guidance from you? Why?"
I suppose it sounded harsher than I intended, but of all the gods Walt might've called, Anubis seemed the least likely choice.
Anubis looked up at me, his eyes even more melancholy than usual.
"You should pass on now, Sadie," he said. "You have very little time. I promise I'll do my best to ease Walt's pain."
"His pain?" I asked. "Hang on-"
But the infirmary door swung open, and the currents of the Duat pulled me inside.
