“I’ve heard word that my father has woken!”

The tallest of the group broke away from the others and bowed deeply. His face was hidden by a cowl. The Blood of Ka symbol had been embroidered in crimson on his ankle-length robe. As he straightened, he shook back his cowl.

Marika let out a small gasp and covered her mouth.

The man looked as handsome as a film star, like an Egyptian James Bond. His eyes sparkled, and his features were somehow both rugged and soft, all supported by a square chin. He offered the smallest of smiles to Nefertiti, which hinted at the well of charms hidden beneath the surface.

But Jake knew Marika’s reaction had nothing to do with his movie star good looks. It was what glowed upon the man’s forehead. A third eye had been tattooed above his eyebrows, so perfect that it looked real.

“Such glad tidings,” the man said. “The pharaoh has indeed woken from his slumber and asks for you.”

“I must go up to him!” Nefertiti sidestepped the man and headed toward the arched opening into the pyramid.

“And what of your prisoners?” the man called after her.

Nefertiti glanced back, pinching her brows together in irritation. “I leave them to you, Master Kree. They say they are from Calypsos.”

The man stiffened in shock. For a moment, something ugly flashed across those handsome features. But it vanished, like a fish darting back underwater.

“Calypsos … surely that can’t be true.”

Nefertiti waved away such doubts. “That is for you and your witch to decide. I must see my father.”

The eyes of Master Kree—all three of them—focused on Jake, Marika, Pindor, Bach’uuk, and Kady in turn. “Take them to the dungeons. I will question them in a moment.”

That didn’t sound good.

Their guards closed more tightly around Jake’s group.

Kady protested when a spear poked through her shirt. She slapped it away. “Do you know how much this blouse costs?”

As they were marched into the pyramid, Jake glanced at one of the guards. Their eyes met. The giant black man looked ashamed. Jake knew why.

“We helped you,” Jake said. “Back on the windrider.”

The guard didn’t speak. He only eyed Master Kree as they passed. A tiny shake of his head warned Jake to be quiet.

Once inside, they were quickly marched down a narrow, spiral ramp that drilled deep underground, lit by torches at every turn. Oily smoke crawled across the low ceiling, drifting upward, seeking a way out.

Bach’uuk studied one of the torches with a crinkled brow as they passed, plainly bothered by something.

Before Jake could ask, the guard finally leaned closer, his voice a low rumble. “It pains me to do this to you, but the Blood of Ka must be obeyed. Kree has ears everywhere and wields powerful alchemies. None dare speak against him. They’d end up rotting here. Or worse, used as sport in their bloody games.”

The guard stared heavenward. “With the pharaoh waking, we all pray things may change.” His eyes found Jake again. “But first, Outlander, you must live long enough for that to happen. So be careful. Master Kree is not an enemy you want to make.”