Isis rose slowly, and Ana?s was the first to notice that the goddess’s body was no longer as vibrant and steady as before. Her legs trembled, cking strength, and she had to stand still for a few moments before she could walk. The extraction of the curse had also weakened the goddess, as she had used her own energy to expel it from the young girl’s body. Ana?s hurried to her side, offering her arm to help her walk. Isis didn’t even object to using her as support, which Ana?s took as a sign of her advanced weakness.

  The group moved to the collector’s office, guided by Emsaf and his butler. The two young women followed while Anubis brought up the rear, his worried gaze fixed on his mother.

  "I’ll need about an hour to regain enough strength to return to the Duat," she expined in a low voice so that only Ana?s and Anubis could hear. "Let’s listen to the information he has to offer, then return to the tavern."

  Both nodded, having no objection to the goddess’s pn. After the stress of recent events, Ana?s wouldn’t mind a cold beer to rex. She looked forward to going back, and especially to spending some quiet time alone with her partner again.

  The trio sat once more in what had almost become their designated spots, while Emsaf seated himself opposite them, all smiles. He was beaming now that his daughter was cured as if he had completely shed his armor in their presence and fully trusted them. This trust was quickly confirmed by the information he began to share.

  "I’ve been tracking the fragments for some time now. The two in your possession were easily obtained through my treasure hunters. I then learned that the temple of Pik has a leg. The information circutes quite freely among artifact enthusiasts, which means a handful of people are aware of its location, but it should be safe at the temple. The priestesses, however, refused to sell it to me, despite my very generous offer. Yesterday, though, I managed to locate three more fragments in the possession of a group of bandits. They’re trying to sell them for an exorbitant price, which I was more than willing to pay."

  "Can you tell us where they are?" Anubis asked without hesitation.

  "I can do even better," Emsaf continued. "If you give me forty-eight hours, I can arrange a meeting for you, so that you can retrieve them yourself without any danger. The bandits know my reputation, so if I keep pretending I want to buy them, they’ll meet with me as soon as possible. After what you’ve done for my daughter, I could even handle the exchange and negotiations myself, if you permit it."

  This time, the decision was Anubis’s to make, judging by his mother’s gaze. He thought for half a minute, careful not to rush his conclusion.

  "Arrange the meeting," confirmed the jackal god. "We’ll meet at your residence in two days at noon. We’ll devise a pn during that time."

  "Very well," the collector agreed, cpping his hands with a smile. "Please, rest here before you leave. Healing my daughter must have taken a toll on you. Khephren will bring you a cup of revitalizing tea and some fruit to replenish your energy."

  Emsaf was an observant man; it was no surprise that he had noticed Isis’s current weakness. Ana?s gave the goddess a pointed look, silently urging her to accept the merchant’s offer. Resting here was far better than walking back to the tavern and braving the crowds and their constant noise—though she wouldn’t get her beer here. She could have it in the quiet of Anubis’s vil, which, on reflection, was an even better option. Especially if he pnned to keep her company.

  "All right," she finally relented. "One cup of tea, and then we’ll leave. I wouldn’t want to overstay your hospitality."

  "I understand," Emsaf said with a smile, making no effort to insist further.

  They spent the next hour resting in the company of the collector, who used the time to recount some of his adventures and discoveries. Emsaf had been a true adventurer in his twenties, personally seeking out the artifacts in his collection before commissioning treasure hunters after marrying in his mid-thirties. The merchant was resourceful and full of surprises, with plenty of amusing and remarkable anecdotes to share. Ana?s couldn’t help but think of him as a good man and an intriguing individual. All in all, it wasn’t the most unpleasant hour of the day.

  When Isis regained some of her colors, the trio finally took their leave, reminding the collector of their meeting in forty-eight hours at the same location. This time, Emsaf himself escorted them to the front door, warmly bidding them farewell and thanking them once more before closing the door behind them. Ana?s sighed with relief at the thought of finally heading home, though her nerves would only fully settle once they had crossed the portal to the Duat. In the world of the living, their presence was never entirely free from danger, even if Seth remained unaware of their quest.

  And once again, her instincts proved right. As they turned the next corner, taking a street parallel to the souk to avoid the crowds, they came face-to-face with four guards surrounding a hooded and masked figure who seemed to be waiting for them. They stopped immediately, the two women looking to Anubis for guidance, unsure of what to do. The soldiers didn’t point their swords or spears at them, but they were armed, and it was impossible to tell whether they intended to attack. Moreover, the hidden figure could just as easily be an ally as an enemy. It was difficult to guess someone’s intentions when their face was concealed.

  "Please follow us," a woman’s voice commanded in a firm but non-aggressive tone.

  "What do we do?" Ana?s murmured, moving as slowly as possible to avoid arming the armed men.

  "Let’s do as she says," Anubis suggested, stepping forward to meet them.

  The armed group led them a few streets away, into a small alley shielded from the sun and prying eyes. Ana?s’s vivid imagination couldn’t help but compare the scene to an assassination attempt, as they had just been led to the perfect spot for such a thing. Their bodies would only be discovered hours ter, likely by a drunkard stumbling over them after nightfall...

  "You’re searching for the fragments of Osiris, aren’t you?" the woman’s voice asked. "You’ve embarked on a very dangerous quest..."

  Anubis was on guard, unlike Isis, whose features showed confusion. No one knew how to respond—at least until the goddess’s face lit up as though she’d had a revetion.

  "Ouseret?" she asked, uncertain.

  The masked woman pushed back her hood and removed the cloth hiding her face. Ana?s didn’t know what she looked like and couldn’t confirm whether Isis’s guess was correct, but judging by the smile that spread across her face, it seemed she had guessed right.

  "Forgive me for approaching you this way, but I assumed you’d want to keep your presence here discreet," expined Woseret. "However, I cannot afford to leave without an escort in these troubled times. Caution is the mother of safety."

  "Of course," excimed Isis, also smiling. "We understand. To what do we owe the honor of your presence outside the walls of your temple, Ouseret?"

  Anubis had expined earlier that Ouseret was a priestess-goddess, guardian of the city of Ouaset and its most powerful relic, the Scepter of the Gods. This magical catalyst was formidable and wielded by only a select few deities, but it had been decided that the relic would remain sealed and safeguarded by Ouseret and her husband, Sesostris, to prevent it from falling into malicious hands. While her husband oversaw the city, Ouseret managed the temple and the Scepter, making them the most influential figures in the city. No information escaped their attention, so it was unsurprising that Ouseret had learned of their presence.

  "I felt it necessary to warn you," she announced, looking troubled. "The tale of Osiris and the rumor of the fragments’ existence are spreading like wildfire. Sesostris and I ensured that Emsaf kept his possession of the fragments a secret, knowing they would be safe in his home until you came to retrieve them. You can trust him; he is a man of his word. He will help you recover the other three pieces he was trying to acquire, correct?"

  "Yes," confirmed Anubis. "He also informed us that a leg is located at the temple of Pik, though the information seems to be spreading more than expected."

  "Indeed," Ouseret continued with a grimace. "That is what I wanted to discuss. Seth knows about the temple of Pik. He suspects that you are searching for the fragments and is even spreading the rumor about the leg of Osiris being there. I believe he hopes to ambush you."

  A shadow passed over Isis’s face as Anubis sighed, seemingly unsurprised by the news. The fact that the information was circuting so widely was indeed suspicious, and it was only a matter of time before Seth interfered with their quest. Though he did not know they still had the amulet’s detection power, he likely assumed they wouldn’t abandon the search so easily—especially with a rumor about a fragment’s location nding conveniently in their path, as he had likely pnned. Even without the amulet’s properties, Isis would almost certainly leap at the chance to recover part of her husband.

  Which means that the moment we go to retrieve the leg, Seth will have confirmation of our goal, Ana?s deduced. It will likely be our final destination.

  "We are deeply grateful that you crossed the city to warn us," Isis said with gratitude. "Your information will be more than helpful."

  Ouseret nodded, satisfied. She then repced her hood and mask, concealing her identity once more, but not before offering the trio a final smile.

  "Good luck," she wished them sincerely. "I cannot assist you further without risking both our positions and yours. Seth is particurly watchful of known allies of Osiris. Emsaf will have more freedom to act discreetly; you can trust him."

  Ouseret and her guards disappeared into the next alley, leaving them alone once again to continue toward the Duat. Ana?s sincerely hoped no further events would prevent them from returning this time, though the goddess’s warning had been necessary. She was starting to feel drained from all the emotions and could only imagine how exhausted Isis must be after performing magical healing on Inefer. They had recovered two new fragments; it was time to rest and pn their next steps.

  "Knowing where the next fragment is doesn't help much if we draw Seth's attention while retrieving it," sighed Anubis.

  "I intended to let Nephthys discuss it with you tonight at dinner," Isis revealed, taking the lead. "I've entrusted her with preparing the cenotaphs for the ritual. We'll retrieve the leg once the preparations are complete, allowing us to begin the resurrection as soon as Seth is alerted. We knew from the start that we couldn't progress indefinitely without him finding out and attempting to stop us from collecting all of Osiris's parts. However, if he learns only at the st fragment, that's a victory. Let's head back and devise a detailed pn when the time comes."

  The journey back was slow, as Isis had not yet fully recovered from her magical exertions. Their pace resembled a leisurely Sunday stroll rather than a triumphant march. Still, tension was palpable among the trio. Ana?s yearned to get the fragments to safety and take a well-deserved rest for the remainder of the day—at least until dinner—and she was certain Isis and Anubis felt the same.

  When they reached the portal and set foot on the gray sands of the Kheret-Nedjer, they finally exhaled, their shoulders rexing as relief washed over them. The remainder of their path to the center of Imentet passed in complete silence, as none of them seemed inclined to disturb the peace that had settled over the group. The two gods appeared lost in thought, leaving Ana?s with far too much time for her mind to wander, searching for ways to unwind—especially knowing that she and Anubis would finally be alone for the rest of the afternoon.

  "I expect you for dinner at seven," Isis informed them.

  Anubis handed his mother the eye and hand of Osiris before they parted ways. A sense of release washed over Ana?s as Isis's silhouette disappeared from view. Finally, her body could rex. It almost felt like the end of a workday, except that dinner with the equivalent of a boss still awaited her.

  "Good catch?" a familiar voice suddenly called out.

  The grinning face of Sobek greeted them as they arrived at Anubis's vil. Ana?s couldn't help but roll her eyes at his appearance. So much for a quiet afternoon alone together. Something told her the crocodile god intended to keep them company until it was time to join Isis at her home. Perhaps it was the jar of wine he held aloft to catch their attention.

  Well, I wanted rexation... Looks like a god answered my call, she mused wryly as she greeted him.

  The remainder of the afternoon passed in a lighthearted, festive atmosphere, thanks to Sobek's cheerful presence. The trio settled outside to enjoy a gss or two of wine—or a double helping for Sobek, who never held back when it came to drinking. Ana?s found herself savoring the moment as her muscles began to unwind.

  After Anubis confirmed they could trust Sobek, Ana?s recounted their recent acquisition of Osiris's fragments. In return, Sobek regaled them with tales of his recent escapades. He often ventured into the mortal world for such occasions, sometimes donning a disguise when visiting the capital to ensure discretion. Most humans were too preoccupied with drinking and celebrating to bother him, but he remained cautious, avoiding any encounters with Seth's allies who might recognize him and attempt to extract information about Anubis. It was no secret that Anubis and Sobek had been close friends for centuries.

  The more Ana?s learned about Sobek, the more her affection for him grew. She pitied the women who fell for him, given his free-spirited nature and penchant for seduction. Sobek refused to be tied down, even by great beauties. Nevertheless, he was a loyal friend. Though Ana?s didn't approve of his lifestyle, it wasn't her pce to dictate how he lived his eternity—especially since he regarded her more as a friend than a romantic prospect. She attributed this to her ambiguous retionship with Anubis, which likely kept Sobek at bay. His treatment of her—with respect and camaraderie—made him a friend worth having.

  "I could try to gather some information about the guards of the Pik temple," Sobek suddenly proposed after a moment of thought. "One of my acquaintances from the city’s ruling circle regurly hosts social gatherings. I could try to snoop around and ask a few questions."

  "I’m not sure that’s a good idea," Anubis responded, lost in thought. "If Seth finds out someone is investigating, he might tighten security. It would confirm to him that we’re after the leg."

  "But he already knows we’re going to try to retrieve it," Ana?s objected. "Otherwise, he wouldn’t be trying to set a trap for us. In any case, he’s expecting us. If we can get a head start by learning exactly how the piece is being guarded, maybe we can steal it without alerting Seth too much… or just buy enough time to escape and reach the ritual site. By the way, what are cenotaphs?"

  "Funerary monuments shaped like tombs, reserved for the wealthiest of humans," Anubis expined first, before considering the young woman’s arguments. "It all depends on how discreetly Sobek can question the guests without raising suspicion."

  "Oh, come on," the crocodile god chimed in with a mockingly offended pout. "You know I’m a master at distracting my conversation partners, not to mention a born smooth-talker. And after a few gsses of wine, they won’t even remember what the conversation was about. I’ll make sure of it."

  "Then we’ll trust you," Anubis finally approved. "Do whatever you want."

  The time to leave the vil and head to Isis’s house was fast approaching. Ana?s had limited herself to two gsses of wine in the afternoon under Anubis’s watchful gaze, silently pleading with her not to overindulge before they met his mother for dinner. He didn’t need to say it—she was just as reluctant as he was to risk embarrassing herself or making a misstep. She had only wanted to rex a bit, that was all. She fully understood that the goddess had invited them to discuss serious matters.

  Sobek had left them half an hour before their departure to give them time to prepare. Ana?s took the opportunity to freshen up and touch up her makeup. There was no need for her to change—she was already dressed well enough for dinner. She pnned to enjoy a nice bath once she returned home before slipping into her nightgown and heading to bed. Anubis, on the other hand, chose to abandon his luxurious clothing and heavy jewelry, opting instead for simple linen trousers and a shirt. The pair’s contrasting styles now stood out starkly, but she knew no one would be shocked.

  An hour ter, Ana?s was seated at the table, picking apart a chicken leg and listening to Nepthys talk about the choice of cenotaph locations and their progress. Nepthys had selected various sites to confuse any prying eyes, employing simple craftsmen under the pretext that the monuments were intended for noble families from across Egypt. Some of these families were real, and Nepthys used their names after securing their agreement and support for their cause. This added credibility to the deception, though it increased the risk that someone might betray them to Seth with every individual who learned the true reason for constructing the cenotaphs.

  "Even if Seth finds out why we’re building them, he won’t know which one we’ll use for the ritual," Nepthys expined. "We’ll decide that on the day itself so the information doesn’t leak."

  Anubis took the opportunity to share Sobek’s proposal. Isis didn’t immediately approve, but Ana?s intervened, reiterating the arguments she’d made against her son. The goddess eventually admitted that their friend’s investigation could prove useful.

  The rest of the dinner passed calmly after they’d exchanged all their information. The next forty-eight hours promised to be retively uneventful since they had to wait for the collector to arrange the meeting with the bandits. Ana?s and Anubis’s only task was to locate the remaining pieces whose whereabouts were still unknown. It was a simple hour’s work, but it also meant the pair would need to work closely together again, blending their magic. The day’s events had distracted Ana?s from her burning fme, but it would return with lightning speed when they found themselves alone with the possibility of contact.

  But skin-to-skin wasn’t in the cards tonight. Upon their return, Anubis excused himself to jot down the test information they’d gathered, ensuring no important details were forgotten. Ana?s decided to take the bath she’d promised herself, luxuriating in the hot water for a good hour. When she emerged, the jackal god was still shut away in his office, leaving her no choice but to retire to her room and try to get some early sleep to wake up refreshed the next day. They had forty-eight hours to spend together—one missed evening wouldn’t matter.

  Her dreams, filled as always with the god and the feel of his bronzed skin against hers, did little to ease her frustration.