Chapter 9: The Kidnapping I

The golden arrows hovered in the air for a moment, glowing faintly before fading and disappearing.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “The first thing I’ll do when I fully recover my power back,” he muttered, his voice low and steady, “is find a way to kill her. Then you’re next, Isis.”

“We'll see about that,” she scoffed.

He snapped his fingers and teleported to his temple. “Meru” he called.

Meru scrambled toward him, nearly tripping over his own robes.

“Prepare yourself,” Anubis announced, not looking back. “We are leaving with that girl"

Meru scratched his head, blinking in confusion. “You mean... your bride? The one who—”

How in the world did he end up with this foolish servant. He rubbed his temples in frustration

“ Just pack your stuffs”

“Of course, my Lord,” Meru squeaked, bowing low. He hesitated, curiosity getting the better of his fear. “And... the meeting with Her Highness, Lady Isis? Did it go well?”

“Don't mention that snake”

“Understood, my Lord.” Meru turned to leave, but Anubis’s voice stopped him—colder now, devoid of the earlier heat.

“Meru. Once the girl helps us retrieve the artifact, you will kill her.”

The air left Meru’s lungs. “Kill her? But my Lord... she is your bride. You gave her your word. You promised to help her find her parents.”

Anubis stepped forward, placing a heavy hand on Meru’s shoulder. The god’s touch sent a violent shiver through the servant.

“Call her my bride one more time and you'll die in her place dear servant” he warned.

“But-”

“No buts” he placed his hand on his shoulder, making him shiver in fear “I don't make promises”

The next evening, the team arrived at the airport, their luggage in tow. The hum of announcements and rolling suitcases filled the air,Caleb guided them through the crowd. “France isn’t going to explore itself,” he said, a half-smile on his face.

Emily clutched her carry-on, her eyes darting to every shadow. “I just hope this trip is less... cursed than the last one.”

“I hope so too” Ivana said, she couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her. She turned her head frantically, shivering slightly.

“Are you okay?” Caleb asked, noticing her tense posture.

“I… yeah,” she lied, forcing a small smile. “Just thinking about… work.”

“Guys let's go,” Emily said anxiously.

“Can't wait to get out of here huh?” Eric said with a laugh.

“Let her be Eric,” Ivana chuckled.

“Let’s get going,” Caleb said, and they boarded the plane, each settling into their seat.

Ivana slid into her window seat, trying to focus on the hum of the engines. She stared at the city lights fading below.

A sudden chill ran down her spine. She glanced to her side—and froze.

There he was. Anubis. His golden eyes now disguised as brown.

“I… how—?” she stammered, voice barely above a whisper.

He clicked his tongue at her startled expression. “I want to make sure my treasure is safe.”

Ivana took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Makes sense.”

“Your eyes… they’re brown now,” she said again, trying to make conversation.

“Meru said something about blending in,” he replied simply, closing his eyes.

“And where is he?” she asked, straining her neck to see Meru.

“I thought I told you not to speak without my permission,” he said, opening his eyes slowly, staring at her with that cold, unyielding gaze.

“Yes… I’m sorry, Lord Anubis,” she whispered, shivering as memories of kneeling before him rushed back.

Her eyes went back to staring at the window and clouds, her eyelids grew heavy and within a few minutes she fell asleep.

Her head slowly tilted to the side, and before she realized it, she had leaned against his shoulder.

Instantly, a firm hand pushed her back. She jolted awake, heart racing, meeting his cold, golden-brown eyes.

“Insolent,” he said sharply, wiping his shoulder like he was touched by dirt.

Ivana swallowed hard, cheeks flushing. “I… I’m sorry, Lord Anubis,” she whispered, sliding back into her seat, now painfully aware of the distance he demanded.

To avoid being shoved again, Ivana took out her laptop and started a movie, muttering under her breath, Did he have to shove me like that? The plane began its descent, the engines humming steadily as the city lights of France grew closer below.

As they gathered their luggage, Ivana leaned slightly toward him. “I’ll introduce you to my friends as Jack,” she murmured with a small smile, “you know… since you’re a Jackal.”

He remained unbothered, his expression unreadable, as if he hadn’t even heard her. Meru appeared beside him, bowing slightly before falling in step with them.

Ivana’s eyes softened as she glanced at Meru. “Good to see you again, Meru.”

Meru’s lips twitched into a nervous, shy smile. “My Lady…” he murmured.

“You can just call me Ivana,” she said warmly, shaking her head.

Anubis’ cold voice cut through, his gaze fixed ahead. “Meru, address her by her name. She is just an insignificant human.”

Meru hesitated, opening his mouth. “But my Lord… she’s your—”

Anubis’ death stare froze him mid-sentence. Meru swallowed hard, shutting his mouth and bowing slightly.

Just then, footsteps approached. Caleb, Eric, and Emily appeared, luggage in tow, scanning the crowd for Ivana.

“Ivana! Who’s this?” Caleb called, stopping in his tracks as he spotted her.

“This is our employer,” Ivana said quickly, nodding toward Anubis, who remained perfectly still and unbothered. “He wants us to find an artifact.”

Emily stood frozen, her mouth slightly open. She was clearly starstruck by the stranger’s sharp, unnatural beauty. Eric, ever the optimist, stepped forward with an extended hand. “Glad to have you on board, I guess?”

Anubis didn't even look at the hand. He simply turned his gaze to the exit, dismissing Eric’s existence entirely.

Caleb grabbed Ivana’s arm, pulling her a few feet away. “A word? Now.”

“What is it?” she murmured, keeping her tone calm.

“Why would you get us another employer without even telling me?” he asked, lowering his voice. “We work as a team, Ivana.”

She took a deep breath, meeting his eyes steadily. “Caleb… he’s the only lead I have to finding my parents,” she said quietly, her words tinged with urgency. “I can’t afford to wait or ignore any opportunity.”

Caleb’s expression softened, though concern still lingered in his eyes. “I get it… I just wish you’d told me first,” he murmured.

“I know,” she replied, offering a small, apologetic smile before turning back to the group.

As they stepped into the waiting van, a figure slipped into the shadows nearby, watching silently. A low, gravelly voice muttered into a communicator, “I’ve got eyes on her… and her boss.”