Outside of Cairo along the bank of the Nile River:<br/><br/>Alexandra had risen from the bed, naked, her pale skin and hair glimmering in the soft light that reflected off of the water of the star lit Nile. Standing quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping male that had shared her bed, she stepped toward the table. The man’s name was Hondo, a scion like she was, a son of Horus, a member of the British local guard and for the past several weeks he had been her lover. With Hondo and his close friend, another scion of the pesedjet, Alexandra had learned that sex could be pleasurable and fun but making love was even better. Perhaps if she had the time she could even fall in love. Wouldn’t that be a great gamble?<br/><br/>Alex as she was called, by those close to her, walked as silent as a cat to the table. On the table was an engraved mahogany box that had arrived a few days earlier, arrived from some source known to the gods. She had opened it on its arrival to find an hour glass made of the finest crystal and woods and filled, she knew, with sands from the depths of the pyramids. Bastet had told her she would be able to use her gift of seeing when the sands arrived and till now she had been hesitant to try.<br/><br/>Something drove her now, called to her as her fingertips traced the hourglass. Finally pulling it free from the box she moved to the balcony and sat crossed legged on the mat. Naked under the dim moon and bright stars she began to clear her mind.<br/><br/>Hondo’s hand gripping her breast and massaging the hard nipple as his other held her wrists behind her back… her moans and gasps as she rode his hard cock leaning her back against his strong chest…the feeling of pleasure that had gripped her as well as the helplessness… the rocking of the carriage…the smirk from Samuel setting across the carriage…faded from her thoughts.<br/><br/>The wild ride across the desert, Hondo and Samuel and herself, the night air, the whisper of silks and linen…flashing of swords, fists and feet connecting…the sounds of gunfire…Pushing back the zombies that had spilled forth…faded from her thoughts.<br/><br/>Her father murdered…her rape by the three men…faded from her thoughts.<br/><br/>Slowly she reached out and turned the hourglass and as the first grains of sand fell she was falling as well, falling into a whirl wind of sand that surrounded her...stinging her skin blinding her.<br/><br/>As Alex spun in the sand images began to take shape.<br/><br/><em>A ship on the ocean, in the distance New Orleans…faces and names spoken in her voice…then a sudden harsh fear that made her tremble…dark nameless things barely seen but dangerous…a train car rocking and clicking along the tracks…horses...creatures...monsters…the stench of death…gunfire…swords flashing…<br/><br/>A man on a horse with a sword at his side, blonde and blue eyed and a name spoken…Brandon…a woman with one silver eye with raven hair…Katie…Red hair as deep as a rose, golden eyes, a monkey tail and a name…Sulan...more faces and names…blood…death…stillness as the sands swirl.<br/><br/>Then the image of a town emerges, a sign with a name, the faces converging as she stands in a bar, the music of a piano flowing in the grains…fear again…fear and danger and death all rolled together as if trying to make her run…a nightmare cloaked in swirling shadow with a skull's head and a great sword...</em><br/><br/>Then there was a grey spotted cat talking…talking...meowing…”wake the heck up”… “I want milk now”…<br/><br/>Suddenly as if a string snapped she was aware again, her breath catching in her chest.<br/><br/>“Merowww…’bout damn time you came back. I am hungry” the grey spotted cat that was standing on the top of the hourglass was speaking to her. Alex shook her head, trying to get her mind working again.<br/><br/>“MerrOOww…are ya going to just sit there two legged or are you at least going to introduce yourself and then get me some milk. I am Pharaoh, lord of the mau, and queen bastet begged me to come help you and I agreed as long as we both know who is boss”<br/><br/>“Yo… You talk, um I am Alexandra” Alex’s eye look up to see the hint of pink as dawn creeps up from the horizon and then she half jumps as from behind her Hondo’s voice speaks, “Alex, I was a worried you were in that trance for hours. I see you have been blessed that is a very rare Egyptian Mau cat that seems to be speaking to you. So tell me what you saw while I have the servants bring some breakfast.<br/><br/>“Milk…*MeerOOww* umm Honeyed milk and sardines if you have them is requested by Pharaoh, the cat...umm his lordship” Slowly Alex stands and replaces the hour glass in the box. Her naked beauty making Hondo’s breath catch as she walks over to the bed.<br/><br/>“Well I know I have to go back to North America. New Orleans at least and then someplace else” her voice was soft as she spoke.<br/><br/>“Enough, damnable ability anyway, maybe I will make you stay. Perhaps as a harem girl, collared and in silks to be at my desire when I wish”<br/><br/>“Hondo we both know that Bastet would not approve…though it might be fun another time…*giggling at the image*” Alex slides into the bed. “I don’t have to leave right this minute you know”<br/><br/>As the two kiss a “MERrrrrOOWWW” is heard.