“We’re leaving,” he barked as he strode past.
“What’s going on?” Amina asked. She and Leila grabbed their things and shoved them back into their bags.
“Sandstorm,” he said, tugging his scarf over the lower half of his face. “We need to find shelter.”
He pulled a rope from a bag that hung from the side of his camel and tied one end to the saddle. The wind lashed at them as they scrambled to attach the rope to the other two camels. Once the line was secured and the three of them were mounted, the camels stood and resumed the trek into the mountains.
Leila gripped the reins with one hand as Fatma fell into a bouncy trot at the end of the line. The dust and sand would really get everywhere now. Worse than it already had. She wrapped the loose end of her head scarf around her face.
A minute later, they turned a corner, and there she saw it. Nothing like what she’d seen in Saqqara before. Rising on the horizon was a billowing wall of darkness that looked to be miles high. Black clouds hung low in the sky. Lightning flashed inside the dense mass. And it surged straight toward them.
CHAPTER 25
“So, I told my sister I couldn’t date Antonio because he had an inguinal hernia and wouldn’t seek medical attention for it. He has an irrational fear of doctors,” Emma said in one breath. She propped her bare feet up on the dashboard as they jolted down the seemingly endless rutted tire path. “The next day, the whole town was talking about it. It was so embarrassing. I didn’t think my sister would blab to everyone. I couldn’t show my face for weeks.” She dumped out the rest of a package of M&M’s into her palm. “Learned my lesson big time.”
Poor Antonio.
Xander pressed his lips together, trying to ignore the pounding in his head. They had already wasted their first evening at one Bedouin camp, where there had been no sightings of Leila.
It had been too late to continue driving and he had been too tired to even consider it, anyway. Instead, they waited until morning to head to the next camp, roughly thirty miles north.
His gut twisted, praying the Bedouin there would be able to help him. If they hadn’t seen or heard of Leila, the chances of ever finding her were low. Very low.
Emma, on the other hand, seemed intent on keeping him distracted from his grim thoughts. Which unfortunately meant pouring her heart out to him about past boyfriends or almost boyfriends.
“And that was four years ago now. Been out on a few dates since then but they were total losers.” Emma leaned forward and picked at a toenail. “I don’t know what it is. I think guys are scared of me.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Xander shrugged innocently.
“But you know what? I think despite everything, Antonio would still marry me at the drop of a hat.”
“Then why don’t you?” He released a soft sigh.
“You don’t know him,” Emma whined. “He’s such a bore. I would be so miserable. And that would make him miserable. I’ve already done enough damage. So…” Emma gave Xander a sideways glance and waggled her eyebrows. “When are you and Leila getting hitched? After all this, it’d better be next week.”
The question hit him like a punch in the gut. He should have done it months ago. Should have just forgotten about pomp and ceremony and perfect moments. They should have flown to Vegas when they had the chance. He could only groan.
“Emma, please stop.”
“It’s a legitimate question.”
He squeezed his eyebrows together and concentrated on the road. As if he’d tell her. But he would get his chance. He had to keep believing it. Blind faith was the only thing holding him together. The road continued in a straight line for the horizon. Then, to the right, three dark, rectangular shapes cropped up on the vista. As they approached, the shapes grew bigger and more lopsided in form. Trees popped into view behind them.
“I think we’re there,” he announced, thankful to change the subject. His heart pounded as the oasis drew nearer. If he didn’t find Leila here, what would he do? He’d never be able to find her in the open desert. He swallowed down the painful lump in his throat and parked on the outskirts of the camp. A small crowd had already gathered in front of the tents.
“All right.” Xander took in a shaky breath and hung his sunglasses over the neck of his T-shirt. “Let’s get this over with.”
Emma licked her lips and nodded. They both climbed out of the jeep. Men, women, and children watched their approach. He strained to hear Leila’s voice among them. If she’d seen him, she’d let him know. The looks on the Bedouin’s faces were mostly curious, however some he could even interpret as confused. They must not get many visitors.
Was that a good sign or not?
He and Emma stopped a few yards before the crowd. Xander met Emma’s gaze. Together, they nodded. Good. She remembered their agreement that he would do the introductions.
He took a step forward and greeted the crowd. “As-salam alaykom.”
An older man shuffled toward him and returned his greeting in a quiet voice. “Wa alaykom as-salam.” He looked up at Xander with a tilted head and narrowed, leery eyes.
Xander drew his eyebrows together at the unusually cool welcome, but went on to introduce himself anyway, “My name is Xander Harrison. This is Emma Giovanni,” he said in Arabic, waving a hand in her direction. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the photo of Leila, holding it out to the man. “My friend and I are searching for this young woman. She’s been lost for five days and all we know is that she’s somewhere out here.”
The man took the photograph with his withered, knobbly fingers.
“Have you seen her?”
No answer. The man studied the picture, his lips curved into a deep frown.
Xander’s throat tightened. “Please. I’m begging you.”
Instead of answering, the old man whirled around and strode off. Something must have clicked. Xander threw a glance over his shoulder at Emma, the weight in his chest lifting for the first time in days.
Emma grinned and gave him a thumbs up.
Xander turned to follow the old man and stopped. The crowd had vanished. Instead, a wall of men stood in front of him, their faces stern. The barrels of their rifles directed straight at him and Emma, ready to fire.
“Whoa!” Emma yelped, taking a step backward. “What’s this all about?”
Xander lifted his hands, palms facing out. “Emma, be quiet,” he hissed. “Just keep your hands up. Let me handle this.”
She widened her eyes at him, but slowly put her hands in the air.
