Shadow of the Sheikh (20 page)

F
or the hundredth time that hour, Gemma gazed down at the gorgeous engagement ring on her finger. It was so beautiful she could hardly believe it was real.

But it was. When Shahin had offered to conjure one for her right after his proposal, she'd insisted on waiting for the real thing.

“I don't want it suddenly disappearing,” she'd said with a grin.

That had been two days ago. She was still deliriously happy. She loved Shahin with all her heart, and he loved her. Once he'd confessed his love, he'd literally showered her with gifts and
affection. The man was spoiling her, and she was basking in it.

Who'd have thought the notorious death warrior could have such sweet, tender feelings? She'd better not let it get out. His legendary bad-boy image would be all shot to hell.

The only thing marring their happiness was Seth. The demigod brooded day and night about the fate of his beloved sister, Nephtys, and true to his threat, he also refused to listen to a single word about Josslyn. She was still out there somewhere on her own, blissfully unaware she had been used as a pawn in a high-stakes game of supernatural palace intrigue.

But the vampire was in dire need of a blood sacrifice. He was growing weaker by the hour, and the
shemsu
of Khepesh were all beginning to worry. He had turned away any immortal woman who had offered him blood and had refused permission to seek a mortal aboveground who might accommodate his need. Gemma's sacrifice had not lasted long. He must have taken very little, indeed.

Shahin had even suggested to her that they offer to share magic again, just to get his friend to feed. Seeing how quickly Seth-Aziz was declining, she'd reluctantly agreed. But the vampire would have no part of it.

She was concerned for Seth. And she was even more concerned for Josslyn's safety. Something had to be done.

“Let it alone,” Shahin had advised her as they lay in bed together that morning after making love, and she'd brought it up again. “Seth will come around soon. He has to.”

But Gemma wasn't willing to take the chance with her sister's life. Shahin's spies had reported trouble brewing in Petru. The priestess Nephtys had refused to become Haru-Re's consort until she had performed some ritual which would take an entire year to complete, and the high priest of Re-Horakhti was beyond furious. Gemma was deathly afraid he would renege on his agreement to leave Joss alone. And angry as he was, she feared even more that the result would not be pretty.

She'd thought about it all day.

And decided there was only one thing left to do.

She stole quietly to the secret place where she'd hidden the small scroll that Gillian had given her in the dream, and gingerly pulled it out.

If the high priest Seth-Aziz wouldn't allow
Gemma to go out and bring her sister safely back to the palace…well, she really had no choice, did she?

Slowly she smiled and glanced at the scroll. She'd just have to get her sister to come to Khepesh all on her own….