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"No, carry on," I said "But the hed "Don’t worry about theine their ba will go on to whatever Roman afterlife awaits them As it should be"
He put his hand over his as billowed out, coalesced into a glowing ba, and flew off down the corridor
Walt pointed after the spirit bird "Did you just--"
"Yes" Ptah sighed "I really try not to talk at all That’s how I create, you see, ords They can get me into trouble Once just for fun I made up the word ‘platypus’ and--"
Instantly, a duckbilled, furry thing appeared on the floor, scrabbling around in a panic
"Oh, dear," Ptah said "Yes, that’s exactly what happened Slip of the tongue Really the only way so like that could have been created"
He waved his hand, and the platypus disappeared "At any rate, I have to be careful, so I can’t talk long I’lad you found the Book of Ra! I always did like the old chap I would have helped earlier, when you asked, but it took a while to get here from the Duat Also, I can open only one door per custoht you had that blocked corridor well in hand But there’s a much more important door that you need"
"Sorry?" I asked
"Your brother," Ptah said "He’s in a great deal of trouble"
As exhausted, bedraggled, and covered with rat scratches as I was, that news setCarter needed help I had to save my brother’s ridiculous hide
"Can you send us there?" I asked
Ptah sht you’d never ask"
He pointed to the nearest wall The stones dissolved into a portal of swirling sand
"And, my dear, soe Hope Sacrifice"
I wasn’t sure whether he was reading those qualities withinthe traits I needed, the way he’d created the ba and the platypus Whatever the case, I suddenly felt warinning to understand," he told me "Words are the source of all power And names are more than just a collection of letters Well done, Sadie You may succeed yet"
I stared at the funnel of sand "What e face on the other side?"
"Enemies and friends," Ptah said "But which are which, I can’t say If you survive, go to the top of the Great Pyramid That should do nicely for an entry point into the Duat When you read the Book of Ra--"
He choked, doubling over and dropping his rifle
"I reat deal of effort "This host can’t stand any more But, Walt…" He smiled sadly "Thank you for the beef jerky and juice There is an answer for you It’s not one you’ll like, but it is the best way"
"What do you mean?" Walt asked "What answer?"
The farmer blinked Suddenly his eyes were nor in Arabic and raised his gun
I grabbed Walt’s hand, and together we jumped into the portal
17 Menshikov Hires a Happy Death Squad
I GUESS WE’RE EVEN, SADIE First, Walt and I rushed off to save you in London Then, you and Walt rushed off to save ot shafted on both deals was Walt Poor guy gets hauled all over the world pulling us out of trouble But I’ll ad fluorescent cage Zia was convinced ere ene a crook and flail that were apparently stolen property, and two of the icians in the world, Michel Desjardins and Vlad the Inhaler, were ready to arrest me, try me, and execute me--not necessarily in that order
I backed up to the steps of Zia’s too Red e and dead fish I couldn’t run or hide, which gave ht
Menshikov’s scarred eyes glittered "Feel free to resist, Kane Using deadly force would make my job so much easier"
"Vladi on his staff "Carter, don’t be foolish Surrender now"
Three o, Desjardins would’ve been thrilled to blast me to bits Now he looked sad and tired, like my execution was an unpleasant necessity Zia stood next to hilanced warily at Menshikov, as if she could sense so evil about the man
If I could use that, possibly buy some time…