I watched through the window as Dr. Hassan walked across the deck. When he put his hands on the railing, it broke off. He stood watching the storm retreat, and after a moment or two, I joined him.
The door was bent from repeated impacts, with pieces of siding ripped away all around it. Deep gouges and claw marks covered every inch of the roof. I stooped to pick up a shredded pillow. Fluff stuck out prominently, and I couldn’t help thinking that was what my intestines would look like spilling out from my slashed belly. I wondered what would happen if all my insides were consumed by demons. Would Amon still be able to benefit from my organs, or would he need a new donor?
“Do you think Amon is safe?” I asked.
“If he had been defeated, the world would be in chaos.”
“It feels pretty chaotic to me already.”
Dr. Hassan sighed. “I don’t believe the Dark One has gained enough power to defeat Amon, at least not yet. But you need to know that even should Amon be safe, there is still the possibility that we will lose this fight.”
“It’s a little ironic that the grand vizier who serves the god of the sun is adopting the attitude of a gloomy rain cloud, don’t you think? Personally, I’m not going to go there. We will find his brothers and we will complete the ceremony. I won’t allow myself to think otherwise.”
Dr. Hassan studied me briefly and then ran his hand over the edge of the broken railing. “I am sorry if this news depresses you, Lily, but I feel you and Amon must be made aware of all the possibilities. There are stories passed down that say a time would come when the ceremony to align the celestial bodies would no longer keep the Dark One at bay, and, from all appearances, that cycle has begun.”
“Let me get this straight. Are you saying there’s a chance that even if Amon sacrificed himself in this cosmic ceremony, it might not work?”
Dr. Hassan nodded. “It has been foretold.”
“But we don’t know for sure that it’s this time.”
“Nothing in this world is sure.”
“Right. So this omen, these crocodile demons—”
“Are a sign that the Dark One has mustered sufficient power, recruited enough allies, and gained a significant enough earthly foothold—”
“To give Amon and his brothers a run for their money.”
“I believe so.”
Putting my hands on my hips, I said, “Well that’s just fan-bloody-tastic.”
I was helping Dr. Hassan move the broken pieces of his deck furniture into a pile when I noticed a bright comet in the night sky. It moved toward us quickly, then slowed, changing direction as it grew closer. Golden wings soon became distinct.
“Can the neighbors see him?” I asked.
Dr. Hassan shook his head. “The great bird is visible only to those who believe in him.”
As the falcon hovered overhead, its body shimmered with magic and began to change into Amon’s familiar form. The shadow of wings beat the air as his body slowly lowered to the deck. When his feet touched the wood, the golden glimmer of his feathered wings burst into a million pinpricks of light.
Instead of lowering his arms, he held them open to me. “Lily.”
I ran into them.
Amon pressed a kiss to my temple, then addressed Dr. Hassan. “What has happened?”
“She was attacked by biloko demons.”
Amon’s grip at my waist and the back of my neck tightened.
“They came with the storm,” Dr. Hassan explained.
“Then they know.” Amon lightly massaged my neck, warmth from his fingertips soothing my tense muscles.
The Egyptologist let out a breath. “That is my fear.”
“Who knows what?” I murmured.
“The Dark One knows that Amon is weakened and that he relies upon you,” the doctor offered.
“Will they come back?” I asked against Amon’s chest.
“I will make sure that they cannot harm you,” Amon answered.
“That’s not a no.” I lifted my head and saw Amon’s frown, the worry on his face unmistakable.