Chosen (15 page)

Suddenly he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her backward. She shrieked and splashed, but he just laughed and picked her up in his arms. “I’m taking my damsel in distress ashore,” he said.

“Great,” she said, relaxing a bit. “But my hero is as blind as a bat.”

“That’s true,” he admitted, releasing her in the shallow waters. “Perhaps we can stand for a minute while we wait for our eyes to clear. I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel more secure.”

Ten minutes later their vision was back to normal. They waded out of the water and immediately showered under spouts of cold, fresh water, rinsing off the stinging salt that coated their bodies.

From the Dead Sea they drove south to Masada. In the face of desert heat without a hint of breeze, they elected to ride the tram to the top of the mountain butte, rather than climb the famous “snake trail.” Alexana pointed down to the path as they sailed past, high above. “There’s another good feature story for you,” she said.

“What’s that?” he asked, searching the steep hillside below.

“The Israeli soldiers climb that path each year in a parade of lights, commemorating the deaths of those Jews who held out on Masada against the Romans.”

“That’d be a sight to see,” Ridge said.

“It’s very dramatic,” she mused.

At the top they entered the remains of what was once Herod’s winter palace and later a Jewish fortress and compound. After three years spent building a ramp to reach the Jews, the Romans found,
once inside, that there was no one to capture; after surviving the long siege, the Jews had cast lots and killed each other with knives, rather than surrendering to the Romans.

“Their defiance is legendary,” Alexana said. “It inspired the motto you see in graffiti throughout Israel: ‘Masada shall not fall again.’ ”

Together, they explored the giant underground cisterns that had supplied the Jews with water over the years, the complex series of houses that were built to accommodate Jewish lifestyles, and the remains of the Herodian palace, steam baths, and beautiful mosaic floors and columns.

“It’s astounding,” Ridge said. “To think of them all here. Herod, at one time. Refugees, at another. Conquerors with no captives later. Coming from a country that’s only two hundred years old, that much history is overwhelming.”

“Welcome to my world,” Alexana said with a grin. Her hair had dried slicked-back after her seaside shower, emphasizing her big blue eyes.

Ridge took a deep breath. “Thanks for letting me be a part of your world.” He pulled her to a stop by a Masada fortress wall bordering the Dead Sea, then put his arm around her and looked out toward the blue-green waters.

“That’s
another
story idea,” Alexana began, looking at the sea. “Due to evaporation and diversion of the water from the Jordan River by both Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is shrinking at an alarming rate. There have been ambitious, hugely expensive pipeline projects proposed—”

Ridge turned her toward him and silenced her with a kiss. “And you call
me
a workaholic,” he said, tenderly stroking her cheek. “I
have enough story ideas for a month’s work. Let’s enjoy a romantic moment, shall we?”

“We shall,” she declared happily, kissing his dimpled chin, then rested her head on his chest as the sun’s last rays filtered through the mountains behind them, casting deep shadows on the desert and sea below.

I
’ve enjoyed being away! Thank you for inviting me!” Alexana shouted, pushing back tendrils of hair that had escaped from her braid and were whipping in the wind.

Ridge smiled and nodded but remained silent.

Alexana noted the growing crease in his brow and reached over to play with the curls at the base of his neck. When he looked over, his face clearly expressed his concern.

Ridge pulled off the road and took her hand in his. He sighed heavily. “I realize that by taking you away, I was trying to protect you as much as get to know you. Now all I can think of is that I’m taking you right back into the danger zone, while I will probably be sent out on assignment. There’s no way I can keep you under lock and key.”

“You couldn’t do that anyway,” Alexana said gently, lifting her chin. “I have a life to live, and I won’t hide away just because some threats have been made.”

He turned to her, his frown deepening. “But Alexana, you can’t just treat these warnings like idle threats; messing with the Jihad and Hamas is serious business. They believe this is a holy war. They blow up entire busloads of people; why would they hesitate to kill one archaeologist? You can’t consider yourself exempt anymore. People
like Khalil—who were once like family to you—most certainly consider you the enemy.”

She leaned her elbow on the door and cradled her forehead in her hand. “Do you think I’m naive?” Her stomach churned as the tension between them mounted.

“In some ways, yes.” He paused, thinking. “It’s just that your passion for your work blinds you to reality.”

“I am well aware of my world,” Alexana said defensively. “I’ve grown up here.”

“Yes, but maybe growing up here has made you callous. You think you’re untouchable. But your flesh is as soft and vulnerable as the next person’s. One bullet could end it all, and that makes me frantic to try and protect you.”

She turned toward him in the seat. “I understand what you’re saying, Ridge. But
I’m
not the one who was shot while on assignment. Don’t you see? Your work is just as dangerous, if not more so. My family has ridden the wave of Israeli politics for years. In some ways, that protects me.” She grabbed his hand. “I hear what you’re saying. And I appreciate your fear for me. I’ll take precautions, okay? But don’t ask me to give this up.”

Ridge’s cellular phone rang, interrupting their intense gaze.

Grimacing, he flipped open the receiver. “McIntyre here.”

“We’re on assignment,” Steve said without preamble. “Where are you?”

“Ten miles outside the Old City,” Ridge said tiredly. “Where are we headed?”

“Gaza. The team they sent has only been doing a mediocre job. They want Mr. Ratings out there ASAP to draw back some viewers from the networks.”

“How long, do you suppose?”

“If we leave today, three, maybe four days. Could be longer. Depends on what’s happening.”

“Okay. I’ll grab some clean clothes at the hotel and meet you there in an hour.”

“I’ll be there.”

Ridge sighed and clung to the steering wheel as if it might somehow sustain him. He looked over at Alexana, who waited silently to hear the news. “Suddenly my life has gotten more complicated, Dr. Roarke. Infinitely more interesting, but much more complicated.”

Taking comfort in the fact that the dig was still more than a week away, placing Alexana temporarily out of danger, Ridge dropped her off at the Damascus Gate.

“I think I can manage it from here,” she said as he opened the door and she stepped from the Jeep. “You need to get to your hotel. Steve will be waiting.”

He looked with consternation from the gate to her. Then, giving in, he lifted her chin with his strong hand and kissed her softly. “Please, Alexana, be careful. You become more important to me each day. If you won’t take precautions for yourself, do it for me, okay?”

She reached over and poked him in the chest. “And you do the same. Going to Gaza isn’t exactly like going to Honolulu.”

“Deal.” He kissed her once more, briefly, then hopped in the Jeep. “I’ll call as soon as I’m back. I don’t think I’ll have much opportunity to contact you from there.”

“That’s fine.” Alexana tried not to let her disappointment show. “I enjoyed being with you. I’ll be praying for you,” she said softly.

“And I’ll try my hand at doing the same for you,” he promised, his smile returning. “Until later …”

“Until then,” she said. Knowing they would stand there for hours unless she made a move, Alexana smiled, turned, and disappeared through the gate.

Alexana was surprised by what awaited her at the apartment.

“Sam!” she said, pleased to see her brother but not expecting a visit from him. Although he had a key to her apartment, he had his own flat on the other side of the city. “What are you doing—” Her voice broke off as she saw the reason for his visit.

In the kitchen Lydia hummed and stirred a steaming pot, apparently unaware that anyone else had arrived. “Oh no,” Alexana said. “Or should I say,
Wow?
What is going on?”

Hearing the sound of Alexana’s voice, Lydia turned with a taster spoon still in her mouth. Looking embarrassed, she dropped the spoon and moved toward Alexana to explain.

“We couldn’t wait any longer,” Sam said. “We’ve been apart for over two years now, and when we saw one another in the suk today, we knew that nothing had changed.” Lydia came to stand by his side and he put an arm around her. “We’re still in love and always will be,” he said confidently, smiling down at the woman he adored.

“And I made a decision that I would say good-bye to my family if they could not accept it,” Lydia said. “I’m hoping Father will come around. But if not, you will have to be my family now.”

Alexana nodded soberly, her smile slowly growing. “I’m so happy for you both. It’s been torture to watch you spend this time apart, knowing you were still in love.” Her face took on a faraway look as she wondered how often she and Ridge would have to be separated.
I suppose that means I think we’re in love too,
she thought.
Please, Lord, help me to keep some perspective in my crazy life.

“And where have you been?” Sam asked. “I’m sorry to just barge in here, but I couldn’t reach you on the phone, and I thought it would be better to meet here than to have Lydia come to my apartment.”

“Of course,” Alexana said. If Lydia were seen entering a man’s home—even under the most innocent of circumstances—her reputation in the tight-knit Palestinian community could be demolished. “We went to Galilee and then down to the Dead Sea.”

“We?”

“Ridge and I,” she said nonchalantly, setting her backpack down on the sofa beside her. But she could not keep the grin from her face.

“Uh-oh,” her brother said. “Something tells me we’re not the only ones head over heels in love.”

Alexana ducked her head, smiling. “I’m not sure it’s love yet, but I’m sure getting pulled in.”

“You will be a beautiful bride!” Lydia exclaimed.

“Whoa!” Alexana laughed. “Hold on! I just said I didn’t know if it was love.”

“But your eyes, your face, tell me something different,” Lydia said confidently. “I’ve seen it on my own in the mirror. If you do not know now, it’s only a matter of time until you do.”

“You’re a romantic, my friend,” Alexana said.

“And I think she’s right, little sister,” Sam said. “Are you sure he’s right for you?”

Alexana hesitated. “I’m not sure of anything. All I know is that he has come to Christ and that I think he’s wonderful!”

“Does he find you to be the same?” Lydia asked.

“I think so,” Alexana said sheepishly. “If only love could be as buttoned down as archaeology!”

Five days later Alexana unexpectedly received the go-ahead to proceed at the Haram. She had her team of twelve assembled and in the city within two more days. The group worked quietly, trying not to draw attention to themselves—or to their mission—as they explored the outside of the Double and Triple Gates, continued research at the École Biblique, and arranged for delivery of needed equipment.

As the muezzin’s plaintive cry called the Muslim faithful to prayer, Alexana and Sam made their way onto the Haram and around the El Aksa Mosque. Al Azeh himself unlocked the steel door and let them into the tunnel that led down to Solomon’s Stables.

Even from below, they could hear the high wail of the prayer call, and Alexana shivered in the darkness. The muffled sound—though she had heard it since childhood—lent an eerie feel to the blackness that surrounded them. Sam worked quickly, setting up several lanterns. Their bright light illuminated the huge archways that supported the weight of the Temple Mount above them. At one time, the entryways had consisted of nothing but archways covering a staircase that led the people into the temple. But over the centuries, deterioration and hysterical overprotection had led people to fill in many caverns with rock and cement, leaving few of them clear.

Alexana and Sam planned to explore the tunnels for several hours, then emerge into the crowd when the next prayer time was called, hopefully escaping the notice of the many Muslims who gathered
at the mosque each day. “I wish Professor O’Malley could be here,” Alexana said, forcing herself not to whisper.

“He would’ve drawn too much attention,” Sam said. “There isn’t a Muslim on the Haram who doesn’t notice when the prof comes to explore.”

“If he can get away with coming here, why can’t we?” Alexana complained, thinking of the graffiti written on her wall. Even with two coats of white paint over it, the red lettering still showed through.

“The professor has always come to look, not to dig,” Sam reminded her. “But they don’t like him coming down here either, even though he’s done so for years.”

“Sometimes the paranoia gets to me,” Alexana said, flashing her light around one massive Herodian block.

Sam set up the last lamp and stood to face her. “You’re absolutely sure that no one on the team has connections to the Kahane.”

“Oh, come on, Sam,” Alexana sighed in frustration. “You know these people as well as I do.”

“Yes,” he admitted. “But even the most stalwart person can be swayed by the right sum of money—and it’d be worth a lot to the Kahane to destroy the Haram.”

“I can’t let myself think that. I’d have to watch every team member every second. They’d feel the tension; it would affect our work.”

Sam did not relent. “I think you and I need to keep an eye out for danger signals. Let’s not be naive, Sana; let’s be careful. The stakes are high enough as it is without a bomb planted in a rocky alcove—”

She raised her hands in surrender. “All right, all right. We’ll keep
an eye on everyone. But let’s be subtle about it, okay? Now, let’s get to the task at hand while we have the time. Where do we start?”