Maybe this is how my story is supposed to end, he thought.
As he began to lose consciousness, a sense of peace washed over him. At least he’d finished what he’d started, and the curse would be broken.
He spared a thought for his mother, his brother, his sisters, and wished he’d been able to do better by them.
Then again, they probably already thought he was dead, so he wouldn’t be missed.
Over Setnakht’s shoulder, behind the flames, Karim swore he saw Djet watching them in the moonlight. He looked just as Karim had remembered him, bright-eyed and round-cheeked, his smile undimmed by so much tragedy.
I’m so sorry for what happened, Karim told the specter of his friend.I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. But at least it’s over now. At least it’s done.
Suddenly Karim felt the creature’s hand press against his chest, as if Setnakht were trying to feel his heartbeat. But then, the bony fingers began to dig in.
Karim recoiled, but couldn’t escape. What was it doing? Couldn’t the monster just die? It must know the end is coming, and it was furiously trying to tear Karim apart before it burned to ash.
Except why was it smiling?
The monster’s half-rotted mouth twisted into a skeletal grin as it pushed its fingers deeper into Karim’s chest.
Karim had expected fury, hatred, despair—but all he saw on the creature’s face was triumph.
It didn’t make sense. Unless—
The truth hit Karim like a lightning bolt.
The blood he’d spilled on Setnakht’s coffin.
The words in the letter:Isn’t it just what he deserves? To travel all the way West, only to be turned away at the moment of judgment? To have his miserable ka wander the earth for eternity?
Heartless in life, heartless in death.
The prayer on the map:He shall not travel West, for his work is unfinished.
It was Karim’s blood that woke the creature, connecting them, but blood hadn’t been enough to bring him back. Not completely.
Setnakht needed more. Not the amulet, but something else.
Through the flesh of an acolyte, he will live again.
Sitamun hadn’t been certain of her translation. He was now. The word wasn’tfleshorblood.
Karim finally screamed as the monster’s fingers pierced his chest.
It washeart.
The creature ripped away skin, then muscle and rib. Blood poured from Karim’s wound and sizzled in the flames, but the creature did not stop.
Karim screamed and screamed, consumed by agony. There was no fire, no moon, no ground beneath him. There was only pain.
Dimly, he was aware of Behkai charging out of the cave to attack the creature. He lunged and snarled like a demon, but Setnakht reached down and laid his hand on the dog’s face. Karim heard Behkai yelp.
Then he was silent.
Stupid dog, Karim thought, tears streaming down his face.
Deep inside him, he felt Setnakht’s fingers close like a trap.With each harsh breath, blood spilled from Karim’s chest and mouth. He was choking on it, gurgling, no longer able to scream.
Had the fire stopped burning?
