As Long As by Jackie Ivie Page B

really cute. And really stubborn.”
    “How so?”
    “You truly believe seeing ancient artifacts will change things? Make me believe in vampires? And that you are one? And you keep saying you have time on your side. I beg to differ here. I don’t think you have enough of it.”
    “I actually have something better.”
    “Really? What?”
    “The truth.”
    He looked down at her and stopped the world with the look in his eyes. They looked much more golden than before. Molten. Hot. Geena had to look away. Quickly. Or be sucked into heaven again.
    “I’ll tell you what. Maybe I could be a good sport and let you fly us there?”
    “You understand I can only do that because I am a vampire.”
    “Oh, I don’t know. You could be an illusionist. I’ve seen tricks. Big ones. Cable specials. There are magicians who can make anyone think and see anything. Like this tunnel. It may not be as long as it looks.”
    “In that event, perhaps we should walk it.”
    “That will take some time. Six kilometers did you say?”
    “Time is on my side, Geena. Remember?”
    “Well, I’m not dressed for a hike. I’m wearing crappy little sandals.” She lifted her skirt to show him one.
    “I will carry you.”
    Oh. Heavens. That sounded like complete and total—
    She put a hand up to stop the thought. “Wait. I give. If I admit that flying could be an indication that you are a vampire, will that suffice?”
    He snatched her to him and moved. Rocks walls blurred. The row of lights hanging from the ceiling went to one long line. And then he stopped. Just like before. Without any sensation of braking. He settled her on her feet, opened his arms, and released her to face another door almost exactly like the first. Geena sucked in her lower lip and turned toward him. She regarded the top of his six-pack at her approximate eye level. Her voice shook.
    “You could be truly frightening, Sokar. I hope you know that.”
    “I will fetch the torch.”
    “Torch? Won’t the smoke damage things?”
    He grinned. Reached into a niche and pulled out a bundle. Started unwinding it. All kinds of muscle in his arms and chest flexed. Geena moved her glance to anything else. His chin looked safe.
    “I mean a flashlight. I keep forgetting. Along with borders and countries, the world changes words and meanings, as well.”
    “You don’t have power? Wait. You have to. The lights are still on out here.”
    “My Isis name is Amun-Kamose . I was named for the god of hiddenness.”
    “ Isis name?”
    “Before becoming pharaoh, I had two names. Every Egyptian does, even the lowest born. One name is known to all. The other name is one only his mother and Isis knows.”
    “Oh, yeah. The curse thing.”
    “Exactly. If any man places a curse on another man, it will fail because they did not use the real – or Isis –name.”
    “Got it. But I’m a little at sea over the electricity thing and what that has to do with being named after Amun. ”
    “Being able to generate power is a new invention. I waited until I could access it without leaving any traces.”
    “Only you would call electricity a new invention, Sokar. But, please. Go on.”
    “I am grateful to have had such foresight. I have just seen how easy it is to view the earth from an internet link. I installed solar panels. They are hidden throughout the desert. The wires stretch for miles underground.”
    “Smart. Very smart.”
    “Well, I did have years to figure things out.”
    “And now, you’ll link this somehow to the need for a flashlight in your tomb?”
    He straightened. Inhaled deeply. Puffed out his chest. And spoke like he was a Shakespearean actor orating at a theater. It wasn’t necessary with his voice.
    “I am the eldest son of Pharaoh Amenemhet the Fourth. I failed him as heir. My brother murdered me. I did not fail him in the afterlife. I moved the tomb after robbers destroyed his pyramid at Dashur. I have guarded it ever since.”
    Wow. Her spine tingled.
    “Um.” Geena