Page 35

KALUGAL

K alugal watched with satisfaction as Esag, Davuh, and Roven took in the splendor of his Cairo estate. After the dusty, cramped confines of the City of the Dead, the mansion's soaring ceilings and marble floors must have seemed like a step into another world.

"Welcome to my home away from home," Kalugal said, spreading his arms wide. "The one I have in America is very different than this one. You'll see when you get there. In the meantime, you're safe here."

Roven let out a low whistle as his gaze traveled up the curved staircase to the stained-glass skylight three stories above. "Are you that rich? Or is Annani paying for all of this?"

That was a direct question that might have been considered rude by some, but Kalugal had no problem answering it. "I'm not financially reliant on the clan. I'm a self-made billionaire." He liked how it sounded, and even more how round the three immortals' eyes had gotten after hearing him say that.

"What do you do?" Davuh asked.

"I'm an investor. I identify new emerging technologies, purchase them, develop them, and then sell them."

"Sounds complicated," Esag said. "I thought you were into antiques."

"My hobby is archaeology, but as in everything else I do, I go all in. No half-measures for me."

The upstairs door opened, and a moment later, Jacki descended the stairs with Darius in her arms. Their son's face lit up at the sight of his daddy, or maybe the new people, and he immediately began babbling in his unique mixture of baby talk and actual words.

"Hello," Jacki said, her smile warm and welcoming. "I'm Jacki, Kalugal's wife, and this little charmer is our son Darius."

Kalugal watched with amusement as the three ancients seemed to melt at the sight of the little boy.

Darius, who was usually shy around strangers, seemed fascinated with Esag's flaming red hair, and he reached out his chubby arms toward him.

Jacki and Kalugal exchanged glances. "He wants you to hold him," she said. "Which is surprising since he is usually reserved around strangers."

Esag grinned. "Babies love me." He reached for the boy with the assurance of someone who had been holding babies his entire life.

As Darius settled happily into Esag's arms, he immediately reached for his flame-red locks.

"Don't pull, Darius," Jacki warned.

"That's okay," Esag was still grinning. "I don't mind."

Joseph chose that moment to appear. "Professor Gunter, the room is ready.

" He smiled at their new guests. "I have to apologize, but with so many guests staying at the mansion right now, I have you all staying in one suite.

It's spacious, and I had two additional beds delivered, but ideally, I would have you each staying in your own room. "

"That's okay," Davuh said. "We are used to sharing, and we've never stayed in an affluent house like this, so this is an upgrade."

"Thank you, Joseph," Kalugal said.

"If you'll follow me," his house manager motioned toward the stairs, "I'll show you to your room so you can freshen up." He gave their dusty old clothing a once-over. "I will bring your luggage up."

"We don't have any," Esag said. "We will go back to pack our things later."

"Would you allow me to offer you a change of clothing?" Kalugal suggested as tactfully as he could. "I have plenty of new things I can part with, and we are all about the same size."

The males looked uncomfortable, but given the look Joseph was giving them, they must have realized that staying in this house came with certain standards, which they were not meeting.

"Thank you," Esag said.

After Joseph left them to scavenge for clothing in Kalugal's closet, Kalugal led them up the stairs to their bedroom.

"When I renovated the house, I turned all the rooms into suites, so you will have plenty of space despite having to share." He opened the double doors and motioned for them to go in.

The large double bed was in its usual place, and the two portable single beds occupied the space that had previously been the seating area. Joseph had pushed the couch against the foot of the double bed, and somehow it all worked well.

"Good man," Kalugal murmured. "I'm lucky to have him, and I would hate to lose him."

"Why would you lose him?" Roven asked. "People here would kill for his job."

Kalugal sighed. "I've long suspected that Joseph might be a Dormant, but I’ve been dragging my feet about telling him that and testing him. It's not fair to him, though."

"We haven't encountered any Dormants in five thousand years," Esag said. "But then it's not like they have their genetic makeup tattooed on their foreheads. How can you identify Dormants when you don't know who their parents are?"

Kalugal tapped his nose. "I have a sense for it. Or at least I believe I have. Testing my hypothesis should be easy enough with a male Dormant, though."

"Do you intend to induce him yourself?" Esag asked.

"I'd rather not. Perhaps I'll ask one of my men to do it; however, I need to tell Joseph first." He chuckled. "I can just imagine his reaction. He already thinks I'm strange."

Esag frowned. "He called you Professor Gunter. Is this the last name you are going by?"

Kalugal nodded. "When I travel. In the village, I'm just Kalugal."

"I could induce him for you," Davuh offered. "It has been over five thousand years since I induced a Dormant."

Kalugal smiled. "Do you think you still know how to do it? I mean, biting is instinctive, but the trick is to stop before killing the guy."

Davuh looked offended. "This is not something an immortal ever forgets."

"I'll take your offer under consideration," Kalugal said, right as Joseph entered with a pile of clothing.

"Thank you, Joseph." Kalugal took it from him and placed it on one of the beds, waiting for the guy to leave. "After you have freshened up, I will arrange a video call with the Clan Mother. She will be overjoyed to talk to you."

Esag swallowed. "Did you tell her that you found us?"

"Not yet. I will deliver the good news while you are showering and give her time to prepare emotionally for the conversation with you. She will be overjoyed."

"We need time to prepare to speak to our princess as well," Esag said. "I still think that I'm dreaming."

Kalugal nodded. "I understand, and I know how to help you relax. When you come downstairs, I'll treat you to some excellent whiskey and cigars."

Roven grinned. "You are officially my favorite guy."

"Hey, I thought I was your favorite." Davuh pretended offense.

"You've been moved down to second place." Roven clapped him on his back. "Kalugal wins."

"What about me?" Esag asked. "I'm the one who fed and clothed you for five thousand years, you ungrateful mongrels."

Kalugal observed their banter with a smile. "I'll leave you gentlemen to shower and change, and I will do the same." He brushed a hand over his khaki pants. "I'm dusty and sweaty, and Joseph will have an aneurysm if I show up like this to dinner."

He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Joseph was waiting for him on the second-floor landing. "Is there anything else you need from me before dinner, sir?"

"Yes. I'd like you to contact our usual shipping crew. We have a workshop full of artifacts that need to be carefully packed and sent to America."

They had a dedicated and trustworthy team that they used for smuggling all the archaeological finds out of Egypt. He wouldn't entrust a task like that to anyone else.

"Consider it done, sir. I'll make the arrangements immediately. Anything else?"

Kalugal leaned against the balustrades. "How would you like to work for me in my other home in America?"

The transformation in Joseph was instant and dramatic. His usual composed demeanor cracked like an egg, revealing pure, undiluted excitement beneath. "America, sir? Of course. When do I leave?"

Chuckling, Kalugal lifted his hand. "Not so fast. I'd need someone to take over here first. This house doesn't run itself."

"I'll find the perfect replacement!" Joseph said immediately, practically vibrating with energy.

"Ahmed's son Hamid is smart and a hard-working young man.

Naturally, he's very trustworthy given who his father is.

I could train him. How long would I have?

When would we leave? What would my duties be? "

Kalugal held up a hand. "Slow down, Joseph. Nothing's decided yet. First, I would like to interview the young man."

"Of course, sir. I'll go check on the preparations for dinner and call the shipping team."

"Please do."

If Kalugal's hunch about Joseph being a Dormant proved wrong, he could find him a job in his office building in Los Angeles. The guy was intelligent and eager to please, so finding something for him to do wouldn't be a problem.

Kalugal found Jacki in their master suite, relaxing on the couch with a book.

"Where is Darius?" he asked.

"Shamash has him. How are our guests doing?"

"Nervous about talking to Annani." He wanted to sit next to her, but he was dusty and didn't want to dirty the fine fabric covering the couch.

"I should hit the shower and would love for you to join me.

I need someone to reach that spot on my back that I always miss, and I promise to return the favor. "

She laughed. "Is that so?"

"Yes. It is." He offered her a hand up.