Page 65 of Fighting for Mallory

Dr. Samir ignored her and snapped her fingers. A handmaiden poured oil onto her hands and rubbed it into Mallory’s hair.

“How cliché. You snap your fingers, and a sheep blindly does your bidding. You believe you’re powerful, Dr. Samir, but you’re as impotent as Osiris.”

She felt a hard tug on her hair as the handmaiden braided it.

“You verbally attack me to assert what little power you possess.”

“I don’t deny it.”

“A childish reaction under the circumstances.”

“Perhaps.”

Dr. Samir didn’t respond. Mallory watched as they continued their preparations. The women offered the fruit and cheese to Osiris, asking the god to bless it, she guessed. One brought the platter to her and set it on the bench.

“You may eat,” Dr. Samir said.

“The condemned’s last meal?”

“If that is how you wish to view it.”

No matter how she viewed it, Mallory partook of the plump grapes, the sweet strawberries, tart apple slices, and cubes of cheddar cheese. She ate slowly, savoring the flavors in between sips of cool water.

When she finished eating, Dr. Samir ordered her to return to her sleeping bag. A handmaiden bound her hands and feet with cable ties.

“What happens now?”

“In a little less than ten hours the harvest moon will be at its brightest.” Dr. Samir didn’t elucidate, so Mallory assumed that was when her heart would be weighed.

Dr. Samir clapped her hands, and the handmaidens went to work gathering their burdens and returning the wooden tub to its hidden location in the tunnel. When they left her alone, despair threatened to suffocate her hope.

“Luca, I know you can feel me. I know you’re doing everything in your power to find me. But please, baby, hurry! The harvest moon has risen, and I only have a few hours left to live.”

Mallory choked on a sob, then yelped in fright when someone touched her shoulder.

“Do not be frightened, Mallory Hayes. It is I. Ali.”

Tears spurted from her eyes. “Ali! You came back.”

“I did. I observed the forbidden preparations from my hiding place. I do not understand why it is forbidden to men. I confess I saw you naked but a moment.”

Mallory laughed through her tears. “I forgive you.”

“I believe you sufficiently interrupted the sanctity of the preparations. I blushed when you used foul language. I did not think you capable of it.”

“Don’t think too ill of me. I did it merely to irritate Dr. Samir.”

“She was highly agitated.”

“Ali, what have you decided?”

He cocked his head and pressed a finger against her mouth. “Shh. Someone comes. I will withdraw to my hiding place.”

Neheb and a small contingent of men entered the cavern and approached her. One man hauled her roughly to her feet, and she spat at him. He raised his fist to strike her, but Neheb stayed his hand.

“Do not hit her.” Neheb lifted her chin and studied her face. “She has been marred enough.” He walked around her, examining her with his emotionless eyes. “Yes, you are perfect.”

Mallory’s rage soared anew. “Far from it. I’ve changed my mind. Why did you choose me? I’m a sinner. I lusted after another man while a married woman. I would have committed adultery if Luca had been less noble.”

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