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At the front of the ballroom, the band changed songs, alerting everyone the countdown to midnight had begun.
“Why did my uncle send for you when we’ve already found Cleo—” I broke off when Whit aimed a pointed look in my direction. I quickly amended my statement, and in a more moderate tone continued with, “Why does my uncle want the ring back? He doesn’t need it to find her.”
He didn’t, because he’d hadme.
Whit remained silent, his arms folded tight across his chest. “Can you truly think of no reason why your uncle would want the ring back?”
It was the way he said it that made me realize what had been so obvious to my uncle. Mr. Sterling could use the ring to find Cleopatra’s tomb himself. If he was part of The Company, then he had a way to find Cleopatra. If he ever found her tomb, what would become of her? Would she be allowed to stay in Egypt? Would her possessions adorn exhibits in foreign countries?
I didn’t like to think of the probable outcome.
“It may not matter,” I said slowly. “The magic might have transferred to him regardless. He wouldn’t need the ring in order to find her tomb.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so, because he would have gone to Philae by now. The magic makes that kind of transfer depending on the strength of the spell, or if it bloody wants to. Think of how many people might have handled the ring since the spell was cast. There could have been dozens before it was eventually put inside her tomb.”
“And then my father, me, and, finally, Mr. Sterling,” I listed. “So, how are you going to steal it? That piece of jewelry is jammed onto his finger.”
“I have my methods.”
My uncle would make sure my cousin and I were on the next available train to Alexandria, but before then, I wanted to do something to aid my uncle after everything I’d done. Papá had entrusted that ring to me, and Mr. Sterling had stolen it right off my finger. “Let me help you.”
Whit shook his head. “I have contacts in the city who can assist me. You’d only get in the way, Inez. And besides… you’re leaving.”
“I can do something before then,” I said desperately. “I made a messand it’s killing me that you both are having to clean it up and I won’t even behere.”
It was killing me that I would never know Papá’s fate. I did not want to stop looking for him. How would I continue the search from another continent?
He stared at me steadily, and it struck me how tired he looked. Deep shadows marred the skin under his blue eyes. “There’s nothing you can do. Think about Elvira. Would it be fair to spend your last couple of days here ignoring her? This isn’t your problem anymore, Inez.”
My gaze skittered to the ornate clock at the front of the ballroom. “Two minutes until midnight.”
“So it is,” he said. “This is goodbye.”
The hand moved forward on the clock.
“One more minute,” I breathed.
Whit was grim and serious as everyone around us clapped and cheered, the gentlemen throwing their hats, the ladies twirling their handkerchiefs in the air. I remained utterly motionless, trapped by Whit’s incendiary stare. He slowly leaned forward and whispered, “Happy New Year, Inez.”
“Feliz año nuevo, Whit.”
The noise around us rose to a deafening crescendo as he softly brushed his lips against my cheek. Then he straightened, and melted into the riotous crowd.
CAPÍTULO TREINTA Y TRES
Elvira and I walked back up to our room, filled with the taste of champagne and the music lingering in our ears. With every step, the cracks in my heart deepened. One day, I’d have to put all the pieces back together.
But tonight there was no escaping my misery.
I was never going to see Whitford Hayes again.
“Did you kiss him?”
I blinked at her. “Surely you’re not going to interrogate me after I’ve had too much to drink?”
“You look so sad,” she said. “I thought he might be the reason why.”
“Like I told you earlier, he’s getting married.” I cleared my dry throat. “I might ask if you kissed any of the men you danced with.”
