Page 56 of Immortal Sun

“I’d like that.” I unbuckle my seatbelt. “I’m starving.”

“Good.” He’s at my door, opening it before I’m able to do it myself. His place has a garage door that’s open on one side with heaters above every single outdoor seat. It’s modern and edgy with dark wood colors and black paint, and there are white accents at the bar in the middle of the pub. It looks like it belongs on a TV set, everything is immaculate and expensive looking right down to the red leather wingback chairs and black marble tables.

“It’s beautiful.” I beam up at him. “I like the feel of it.”

“Good.” His warm smile is the first thing that makes me feel relaxed in the last two days. I follow him to a corner seat where I can experience the outside and inside at the same time.

The view of the mountains is right across the street, men and women in boats are going in and out from the marina. Moms are walking with their kids and dogs, people are laughing and talking.

It’s alive and beautiful. I could probably sit there forever.

I don’t realize Apep’s gone until I look back at the bar. He’s grabbing a chilled bottle of white wine and instructs the bartender to do something, hopefully get us food.

Apep sets the wine glasses on the table with the uncorked bottle. He doesn’t even ask, just pours me a healthy amount and does the same for himself before sitting down and glancing at the view. “It’s precious, Deer Harbor.”

“What a great word for it.” I reach for the wine. “It feels like I’ve stepped into a different country.”

“You’re not the first to say that.” He swirls the wine in his glass. “Most people come here for the view of Puget Sound and the mountains. Others for relaxation.” His face falls. He sips his wine like he’s deep in thought then sets the glass down on the table. “Most come to take the relaxation we provide only to go back to chaos.”

“I can see why people stay then, though I’m not feeling super relaxed after that spear incident.” I laugh.

He cracks a smile. “It’s a conduit, the spear. It needs to be attached to heat to actually come off. Nobody truly knows why. Some say it’s the metal, others say it’s because it was wielded by Ra himself even though it wasn’t the real thing. Either way, all you need…” He leans forward and presses a hand on mine. “…is either the heat of the sun or someone who can disrupt it and the spear releases itself, in our case, it was just muscle.”

“Wow, and here I thought the spear was alive,” I joke, offering a weak laugh.

“All things are, though.” He shrugs. “Even metals.”

I don’t argue. “Well, maybe the world should see how cool it is? Cyrus is in charge of the local museum, that might be a cool addition.”

He nods his head. “You’d have to run it by him, but I’m sure loads of people would love to see a replica of Ra’s weapon. If anything it would give them some hope, however fake.?”

“It feels mean, but at least they can dream.” I lean forward. “I found some really crazy things from my brother’s research.” I can feel the paper in my coat. It’s loud like it wants to be read and seen. “Anyway, it mentions a spear, and a book of old mythologies that are interesting, but it’s not like it’s truth.”

He’s quiet for a minute. “I don’t think it matters if it’s true or not, it’s a story and people need that in order to survive their mundane lives, don’t you think? Isn’t that why you’re here? Because you have hope to find your brother?”

“You’re right.” I nod. “I’ll see what Cyrus says, I mean I’m not an intern but maybe I can at least suggest it.”

“Good girl.” Apep grins. “Ah, the Spear of Ra out in the open, what a glorious night that would be.”

I frown. Night? Doesn’t he mean day?

The bartender walks up with three different plates of food. One has cheeses, nuts, and an assortment of breads and jams, the other has small sandwiches, and the third has vegetables and hummus.

It’s exactly like something you’d eat in New York but also pay at least two hundred dollars for because the cheese was somehow milked from a special European goat and only kept in specific temperatures all before its milk was made into cheese.

“Enjoy.” Apep reaches for the wine bottle and tops both of us off. “I had them prepare a bit of everything. I wasn’t sure how hungry you’d be.”

“I’m starving, actually.” Once I get into my work or, you know, attached to an artifact, I forget to eat.” I dive in and grab a few pieces of fruit and two mini-sandwiches. The minute I bite into the first sandwich, I almost moan. Why does it taste so good? The wine’s incredible too. Everything just seems…better. Not that Cyrus’s breakfast the other day was bad, this just has an almost sweet fresh flavor to it. “Mmm.” I take another bite. “I was so hungry!”

Apep chuckles and reaches for one solitary nut, pops it in his mouth, and makes a face. “Can’t say the same, so eat up.”

“You’re not going to eat?”

“I eat less and less the older I get.” He sighs like he’s ancient.

I roll my eyes. “Be honest, did you sell your soul to Satan to look so young with full grown sons?”

He bursts out laughing. “As if she could beat me.”

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