She glanced left and right, making sure she hadn’t touched anything, then backed away. This had to be documented, every inch had to be examined, before anyone so much as dreamed of going inside.
Her thoughts returned to Soliman. He’d been searching for this tomb for eight years, ever since he read the papyrus hinting at its existence. Here it was, right beneath him. Could she tell him? What was he planning to do when he found it?
No. For now, she had to keep it to herself. Not until she understood Soliman’s motives. But first, she had to get out of there. With renewed determination, she pivoted on her heel and started back toward the burial chamber.
A few minutes later, she crawled from the opening at the top of the staircase and returned to the rock pile. Hands on hips, she debated where to start next. Nothing had changed since she left. With her eye on the upper right corner, she picked up her chisel and hammer and went to work on dislodging a stone roughly the size of her head.
After chipping away for a while, the rock cracked in two and the pieces rolled down to her feet. She tugged at the rocks on top again and this time they gave way, crumbling down the pile. She jumped aside and waited for the small avalanche to come to a stop. The tunnel was filled to the top but at least she had found a loose spot.
She raised her chisel and stopped, holding it in mid-air. A faint sound met her ears. Her name. Someone was calling her name. She glanced up and held her breath, listening to be sure she wasn’t just hearing things.
The muffled voice came again, this time accompanied by the muted sound of rocks tumbling against each other.
Relief soared inside of her. They weren’t going to leave her here to die, after all.
“I’m here!” she yelled, jerking at rocks with renewed strength.
The rubble fell away from the top on its own, enough to make a small opening, and a yellowish glow shined through the gap. Leila stood on her tiptoes to peer through and met Xander’s gaze, an arm’s length away. His features were grayed from the dust but otherwise, he seemed to be in one piece. Although a thin, red streak cut across his left eyebrow, his eyes displayed relief.
“You all right?” he asked, sounding out of breath.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you guys okay?”
“Soliman’s hurt—probably a broken arm. I was already in the antechamber when the tunnel caved, but Soliman hadn’t made it out.”
“Oh no.” Leila frowned, hoping it wasn’t too serious. “Where is he now?”
“I’m here,” Soliman’s voice called.
Satisfied that they were both accounted for, Leila was ready to get out of the tomb.
“Okay, um, can you help me out now?” She gave a weak laugh. “Thutnekhbet hasn’t been the greatest company.”
Soon, they had a wide enough space for her to crawl through. After they were all safe in the antechamber, the three made their way back outside. Soliman limped along, though he didn’t complain as he nursed his arm with his uninjured hand.
She filled her lungs with the fresh air outside, wonderfully energizing and crisp. Letting Soliman rest, she and Xander closed up the metal doors and gates to the tomb then prepared the camels for the ride back. Even the stench of the camels was a welcoming aroma after their misadventure.
Soliman insisted he would be able to ride the camel on his own, rejecting Leila and Xander’s offers for help as he mounted. Sensing a mix of stubbornness and pride, Leila figured he would have to know what was best for himself, so she let the man be and took her spot behind Xander on the camel.
As she climbed onto the saddle, she noticed Xander watching her, his eyes fixed on a spot on her cheek.
“You’re bleeding,” he explained when she gave him a quizzical look.
She sat down behind him and lightly touched her cheek then glanced at her fingers. Sure enough, the tips were covered in dark liquid.
“Oh, it’s just a scratch.” She shrugged but accepted the tissue he handed to her and held it to her cheek.
The ride back to town was blissfully uneventful, giving her plenty of opportunity to mull over her next move. How would she break it to Soliman? He’d made it clear he wasn’t finished with the tomb yet. As soon as he was able, he’d be back. Maybe she could tell him. He’d been adamant about following Egyptian laws, after all. She was merely being paranoid.
She kept an eye on Soliman as he rode ahead of them. He showed them no signs of distress other than sitting with more of a slouch than usual, but she couldn’t help but worry. He still had to be taken to a hospital for his arm.
By 3:30, they arrived at the courtyard, and Xander slowed their camel to a stop. Without any further prompting, the camel lowered itself onto its front knees before dropping its back legs and settling onto its stomach.
Leila and Xander slid off the camel. Soliman, who had fallen behind, let out a groan.
Frowning, Leila glanced over her shoulder at him, and as if in slow motion, he fell sideways from the top of the beast to the ground.
“Soliman!” she cried out when he hit the ground with a thud.
She and Xander rushed to his side, rolling him onto his back. Soliman’s side was covered in light brown dust from the landing, his mouth hanging open and his eyes rolled back into his head. Leila and Xander both yelled, but he made no response.
Her heart pounded as she searched his wrist for a pulse with her fingers. Something was wrong, very wrong.
“Leila, stay with him. I’ll get the Jeep,” Xander told her, jumping to his feet.
She remained kneeling by the professor as Xander disappeared down the alley. His limp hand rested in hers, his rough skin cold and clammy.
Leila settled on the ground next to the professor, whispering encouragement to him until light filled the courtyard. The Jeep rumbled down the alley, stopping a few yards away. Leaving the engine running, Xander jumped out. Leila helped him carry Soliman to the vehicle and buckled him into the passenger seat.
Once the door was shut, Xander ran around to the driver’s side. Leila climbed into the backseat, her eyes on Soliman’s head rolling back and forth. The weight of helplessness pressed down on her chest as the Jeep reversed down the alley and out onto the street, leaving the camels behind in a cloud of dust.
Chapter Fifteen
A doctor glued Leila’s cheek shut during her visit to the ER. Grateful she didn’t have to get stitches and end up looking like Frankenstein’s monster, she made her way to the cardiology ward where the professor was recovering from a heart attack. Over the course of the day, Soliman went through several tests and procedures and was now resting as his medication started working. A doctor reassured Leila that Soliman should make a full recovery and cleared him for visitors.
Though the professor didn’t speak, his weary smile proved he was his old self among the tubes and cables.
It did nothing to settle her nerves. Leila lingered by the window, watching the cars and scooters zip along the streets below. Muted honks could be heard between the rhythmic beeps of the heart monitor.
