Page 31

SHAFIRA

H ow delightful to meet you, Eve Duncan.

” The silver-haired man who was walking toward the helicopter had to be Caldwell, Eve thought.

The helicopter pilot who had flown her from Angola to this heliport in the mountains and the man who’d been guarding her from the moment she’d left the Lake Cottage had almost snapped to attention when they had seen him.

He was smiling as he opened the helicopter door and helped her out to the tarmac, which was covered with massive fan-shaped banyan leaves, obviously placed there to prevent detection from above.

“Though I feel as if we’re already the best of friends.

I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent with you smiling as you looked down at me. ”

“Then you’re hallucinating,” Eve said bluntly. “Because I know I’ve never met you and I’d never willingly smile at you.”

“Well, perhaps it was a forced acquaintance.” He gestured for her to precede him down the rough jungle path toward the thatched roofs of the distant village.

“But that doesn’t matter, since I’m the one who created you in Zakira’s eyes, and if you want your son to live, you’ll do exactly what I say to keep Zakira happy. ”

“Created me?” she repeated scornfully. “You flatter yourself.”

He shook his head. “Perhaps I should say I created the image of the scenario Zakira wants his followers to believe is true. And I’ve worked hard to bring a facsimile to him to use as he sees fit.

” He added softly, “But if you destroy that image, he will probably try to reach out and crush us all. You have a lot to lose, Eve.”

“But then so do you. It appears to be to your advantage to keep this Zakira happy, and I’ve already agreed to do the death mask.

But you’ll have to help me to make it what he wants it to be.

” She added fiercely, “And you’ll have to keep him from harming Michael or I won’t give a damn if he’s happy or not.

I don’t want to see any more bruises on my son.

Give him a cot wherever you put me so that I can keep an eye on him. ”

“You’re being very demanding.” Caldwell was frowning. “You’ll take what I choose to give you.”

“But if I’m unhappy, my work may suffer,” she said quickly. “You wouldn’t want that. I’m not asking that much.”

“True. As long as you don’t make waves with Zakira that I have to correct.”

“Let’s face it, I’m not going to be able to call the shots here. You proved that when you took my boy,” Eve said. “All I can control is my skill in my profession. I’ll try to make my dealings with that priest as incident-free as possible until we can come to an agreement.”

“You’re going to get the opportunity very soon.

” He nodded at a bald man who was coming toward them from the direction of the village.

“It seems Zakira is honoring you with his presence.” Wearing sandals and dressed in camouflage pants and shirt with brilliant ribbons decorating his chest, along with a bejeweled dagger in the holster at his waist, the priest looked like a character from a B movie to Eve.

Almost as if he’d read her mind, Caldwell murmured, “Don’t make any mistakes.

Zakira may look a bit bizarre, but he attended Oxford University, and he can be sharp as a tack when it suits him.

It might be better to leave the negotiating to me.

He doesn’t have very much respect for women. ”

“Yet he chose me to do this death mask.”

“I chose you. Don’t forget that fact.” He stepped forward and bowed before Zakira. “How kind of you to honor us, Zakira. This is the woman I told you about. A little pressure and she agreed to come here to serve you. She only begs to be permitted to care for the child until the mask is done.”

Zakira took Eve’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and lifted it to look at her face. “She does not look like one who serves.”

Caldwell said quickly, “She’s been spoiled a little by the fame I told you about. But she will cause no problem if you do as I instructed regarding her training. I’ve already prepared everything for the first lesson. Will she do?”

“I’ll examine her work. We will see.” He shrugged. “But you still haven’t given me the other woman you promised. When do I get the one with the violet eyes?”

“Soon. Don’t be impatient. This woman can give you what you immediately need. You agreed she was an expert when I showed you a few of her sculptures. Her work will impress everyone.”

Zakira shrugged. “But what I do with the other woman will show the entire world that I’m master of all I survey. She will be a token of the power I wield. You promised me I would have both.”

“Violet eyes…” Eve murmured. “You’re talking about Celine Kelly?

May I say that I’m happy you may have to make do with my humble services.

From what I know about her, she seems too clever for Caldwell to use in his games.

” She gave a mocking bow. “But then I can’t guarantee that he gave you the correct information about me, either.

I don’t even know if I’ll be able to create this mask if the tomb wasn’t kept at the proper temperature and ventilated.

” She heard Caldwell mutter a curse but didn’t look at him.

There was clearly a conflict between the two men that she might be able to use if she could handle it correctly.

“Caldwell said you were both educated and intelligent, but I wasn’t certain he’d let you know that those preparations were necessary.

I don’t want my son to suffer because Caldwell was careless about giving you what you need. ”

Zakira was gazing at her with narrowed eyes.

“You might be adequate after all. For your information, Caldwell didn’t have to tell me about those advance preparations.

I told him everything and ordered him to get me both the equipment and the people I’d need to create the mask.

I’ve been planning to do this since I was a boy at my father’s knee and he first taught me about our destiny.

He knew we were meant to lead, to gain power by giving the masses a compelling connection to the ancients.

I’ve already begun that journey, but you will help me complete it.

You will have everything you need, including the services of a worker in gold and choice of gems to complete the mask. Does that sound satisfactory?”

“I’d have to examine the jewels to be used in the mask,” she said. “Did you choose them, or did you rely on Caldwell?”

“I chose them,” Zakira said impatiently. “I wouldn’t leave such an important choice to anyone else. Caldwell serves me. I do not serve him. Tell her, Caldwell.”

“Of course I do,” Caldwell said. “I obey his every command.”

“Sarcasm, Caldwell?” the priest asked. “I let you share many of my most exquisite treasures. You have only to ask. I do not appreciate sarcasm.”

“You misread me,” Caldwell said without expression. “It was not sarcasm. And I appreciate your generosity. Would you like me to take her to the temple and show her the jewels that you’ve chosen for the mask?”

“No, I will take her,” Zakira said. “There are other things in the temple I wish to point out to her. You go and get the boy and bring him to her hut so that she will see that I’ve not seen fit to damage him… yet.”

A brilliant smile lit Caldwell’s face. “What a splendid idea. Just what I’d expect of you.

As it happens, I’ve already set up the arrangements for that lesson I mentioned in the museum.

We do think alike on the important things.

Enjoy seeing all those lovely treasures Zakira will show you, Eve.

” He turned to leave. “I’ll see you after the grand tour. ”

The museum where Zakira took Eve was not large, but the glass cases it contained were almost overflowing with precious jewels and finely wrought golden objects and ornaments. It was also guarded by three uniformed guards, who stood to attention the minute the priest entered the room.

Zakira gestured toward the treasures as he led her down the first aisle.

“Are they not wonderful? I gathered the finest craftsmen I could find to work on my museum. This is only a small sample of the treasures I found when I discovered the tomb where those foul traitors had hidden the queen when they stole her from the palace after her death. I’ve secreted most of those safely away.

But I had to have a suitable display to show my importance to my subjects, so I had them create a special museum just for me and fill it with offerings. ”

“Offerings?” Eve tried not to let him see how distasteful she was finding this. “That’s a strange word to use. I’m sure the treasures you took from that queen’s tomb were offerings, but you said that you ordered your people to create and give these treasures to you.”

“They were offerings.” His eyes were narrowed on her face.

“Because I am both chief and priest here, and it was their duty to obey me. I deserved their worship and obedience. Just as I deserve your total obedience.” He added deliberately, “I’m beginning to see why Caldwell decided you needed to be shown respect.

You’re not pleasing me, Eve Duncan.” His smile was not pleasant.

“But before I let you go to your son, I know we will come to an understanding.” He gestured for her to follow him down another aisle.

“First, though, I have a few other things to show you.” He stopped before a wall where there was a photo of Eve.

“As you can see, I chose to honor you here in my museum.”

“I prefer you appreciate my work, not anything to do with me personally.”