Chapter 17
Charlotte
Back in the chamber designated for their headquarters, Horus has changed and geared up with shoulder holsters, each filled with a small pistol. After he shrugs on a tan jacket to hide the guns, he folds his arms and looks at me. “I’m assuming there isn’t a way to talk you out of going with me to look for the tablet?”
“You could always just put her under a sleeping spell. She won’t have a choice then,” Thoth says while working on computers across the room.
One of my brows shoots up. “You wound me, Thoth. I thought we had moved past hating the only mortal in the room.”
“Maybe I’m being selfish.” His mouth tilts with a small smile while still typing away on the computer. “If he leaves you behind, I get more of you to myself. That smart mind is starting to grow on me”
Horus immediately straightens and frowns at the god with fists clenched. “Fine, I could use the company. Just be aware that it could be dangerous. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
“I know the risks, muscles,” I reply as I nudge his shoulder. “Besides, I’ve got a big, strong god to protect me now.”
Horus’s face relaxes into a genuine smile and butterflies invade my stomach. If Horus was handsome before, a smile on his face makes him arrestingly gorgeous.
His gaze flicks to my lips before Thoth interrupts the moment by asking, “I’m assuming I should set the portal coordinates for the British Museum?”
“No,” I interrupt before Horus can confirm. “Can you set it for my flat? I really need some supplies like a change of clothes, hairbrush, and I’d rather get my personal laptop. I’m off the museum servers on my work one, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I’m sure if someone really wanted to, they could track this laptop.”
Thoth looks to Horus for confirmation, and he nods his head in agreement. Those arresting, golden eyes then turn to me. “Portal travel can be a little taxing for mortals. It’s been likened to having motion sickness. Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, Horus. I’m ready.” He searches my eyes and must see my determination because he nods once and puts his hand on the small of my back as he walks us to one of the portals on the back wall.
“Can you please supply me with your address, Ms. Fletcher?” Thoth asks as he swivels his chair to another computer in the raised dais that is closer to the portals.
I give him the address and he starts typing on the computer. Within moments the hair on my arms and neck raises and a chill moves through the room.
When I look to the portal we are standing in front of, the gray and purple mist swirls at a much faster rate. Eventually, it swirls until there is a circular pattern spinning quickly in the portal archway. It looks like a swirling mass of dark energy.
Horus must sense my apprehension because he leans down and whispers in my ear, “I’m right here, Charlotte. Hold my hand and we will step through together.”
My toes curl at the husky way he says my name and my worries fall to the wayside. His calloused fingers wrap around mine and he pulls me a little closer to his tall frame.
“Wait!” Thoth exclaims. “You need your portal-key to get back here.” In a couple of strides, he comes down from the dais holding a small metal disk with hieroglyphs etched into the surface.
Horus takes the disk in his hand and clasps Thoth on the back. “Don’t have any fun without us, old bird.”
“Depends on what you mean by fun.” The ever, dry and serious Thoth winks at Horus, and I try to contain my shock that the god of wisdom has a playful side.
Horus looks down at our clasped hands and back up to me. “On three, we take a step into the portal together. I’ll be here the whole time.”
I nod and squeeze his hand. He gives a gentle squeeze in return and looks back towards the swirling portal. “One… two… three.”
As we both take a step into the portal, my whole body feels like its in a free fall and I can’t seem to focus my eyes on anything concrete. My heartrate feels like it’s about to spiral but thankfully, after just a couple seconds, a light comes into view. The falling sensation fades as we step into the living area of my flat.