“What was his new power?”
“A type of hypnotic control. Those subject to his gaze became spellbound. They had no choice but to do his bidding. He was given a new nickname, the Eater of Souls, not only because he threw victims to crocodiles but also because of his ability to control the undead.”
“Creepy.”
“Yes. Apophis relished his new power but soon found he was not satisfied merely to lead mere mortals, so he made a pact with Seth, who promised him immortality if he could find a way to displace Amun-Ra and Horus, Seth’s longtime enemies. Suffice it to say, Aphophis was defeated.”
“What happened to him?”
“Seth never intended to keep his promise, so Apophis attempted to extend his life in other gruesome ways. However, in endeavoring to cheat death, he ended up turning himself into a monster.”
“A monster like the ones roaming outside?”
Dr. Hassan raised his head, listening, while he considered his answer. “Let’s just say that the creatures outside would be considered exuberant, yipping puppies compared with what he became.”
“So you think that Apophis has returned,” I stated, not really wanting to hear the answer. The idea that there was a powerful magician even more monstrous than the things outside that wanted to devour me frightened me more than I liked to admit. I wrung my hands, wondering where Amon was.
Dr. Hassan continued, “Not him exactly, but another like him who has taken his place and who serves Seth in a similar manner—a dark necromancer with the ability to summon the creatures that attacked you.”
“But how do you know?”
“That we have another necromancer on our hands?”
I nodded.
“The fact that he raised dark shabtis was the first clue. Only one with the power of a god or the ability to summon the dead can give life to a shabti.”
“And the second clue?”
“The presence of the biloko outside.”
“Biloko?”
“Invisible demons with crocodile snouts that, like Apophis, have a taste for females, though, in their case, they prefer the sweetmeats of the eyes, intestines, liver, and heart.”
I shuddered. “Glad they didn’t go for those first.” My arm throbbed and I fingered the bandage Dr. Hassan had wrapped around it. “I’m not…” I gazed at him in the darkness. “I’m not going to turn into one of those demon croc things, am I?”
“I shouldn’t think so. According to the legends, there are no female biloko. In the stories about them they do not replicate like a vampire or a werewolf might. Their only desire—”
“Is to consume my flesh.”
“Yes. I am sorry.”
“Me too.”
The crash of the patio table caused me to jump to my feet and duck behind Dr. Hassan, clutching his arm. The wind pushed even harder at the windows, gritty sand thumping against the house like small hailstones determined to rip it apart, and then, suddenly, the wind was gone. Silence descended, and I found the lack of noise even creepier than the heavy thuds of the creatures roaming the deck. The sound of our breathing seemed louder than the rushing wind had been.
Cautiously, Dr. Hassan lifted the curtain and we peered into the darkness. The rooftop deck was trashed. The furniture looked like it had been spat out of a wood chipper. The cushions that remained had been ripped apart, and soft white fluff drifted across the deck like falling snow. But the storm was moving away from us, back in the direction it had come, and the stars were visible once more.
“Do you think it’s safe?” I asked.
“It would appear to be. Please stay here while I check.”