Guarded Treasure

by Mae Lovette

Her career as a female in Egyptology thus far had been an exercise in placating an endless parade of insufferable men just like the one she sat across from now.

“I’m not doubting that you are sufficiently knowledgeable in the subject matter at hand,” he said, offering his palms up in a gesture of graciousness. “You see, it’s just that the site of an archeological dig is hardly the place for a woman of gentility such as yourself. Don’t you agree?”

Edith wondered if she actually glowered, or if she had managed to conceal it within herself. He was American, she gathered, and she swiftly judged him to be an uneducated one at that, as he mustered all the formality of a stray dog. He was certainly no gentleman.

If she was trying to look fierce and dissuade his attention, it didn’t help. His heart had skipped a beat at first glance, but upon locking eyes with her, it skidded to a full stop.

“Gentlemen,” Edith said, drawing the attention of both men. “Isfetheru, colloquially known as the Weeping Viper, is buried beneath the oasis outside the city of Argo. Due to centuries old lore, the archeological site is unofficially known as The Cursed Tomb of the Weeping Viper in Oasis Argo. Or, abbreviated for newspapers,” Edith gestured to Pimsley, “The Cursed Tomb of Argo. We may be coming from different career fields and…” she shot a sidelong glance toward Ben, “levels of knowledge and education. But, yes Mr. Brooks, we are all talking about the same dig.”

“I don’t think you can argue that anything you’ve read in a book can prepare you for what I’ve seen with my own eyes, Miss Taylor.”

“I went from having the mummy of the Weeping Viper in my charge, to… well…” he shrugged, gesturing toward her. “To having me in your charge? A very important professor’s sister. What a disappointment for you.” “I’m not discrediting your credentials. It turns out a woman was the better man for the job.” he offered amiably.

“It’s dangerous,” he snapped, the levity suddenly drained from his voice. “It’s because I’m taking it so seriously that I don’t think you should be there.” “I can hold my own.” “Oh please,” he said with a laugh. “I had to help you get your suitcase into the luggage compartment.”

“I’d like to be introduced by my own accomplishments. Not as someone’s sister.”

“I deal in private antiquarian… acquisition.” he finally said. “A tomb raider.” she spat. “A treasure hunter.” he countered.

Edith shooed her self pity away and found comfort in moving forward. Ben was glad, as it had been his intention to guide her back to her happy place: boring history.

“So here we are.” Ben said as she joined him again and they fell back into step. “The ambitious librarian with something to prove and the petty scoundrel with nothing to lose.”

There might be nothing on earth he could bring himself to deny her. If she asked for the moon, he’d search for a ladder.

“Ben, have you told the crew not to look at me? Why on earth would you say such a thing?” He stood with his hands in his pockets, regarding her. “I didn’t tell them not to look at you. I told them what would happen if they did. It sounds like they chose to conduct themselves wisely.”

“We have an understanding.” “Oh?” “Yes. They understand that I get what I want, and they can’t stop me.”

“I have a key,” her nose crinkled slightly when the admission spilled out of her and she pulled at the chain tucked between her breasts revealing a pendant. The sight of the pendant hit him like a splash of cold water and Ben realized he was bracketing her into her seat, with one arm on the table and one hand on the back of her chair. After all of his years on the job, he knew an ancient Egyptian artifact when he saw one. He knew their materials, their methods, their quality of work, and even their taste.

An exhale rushed from Ben’s lips as he pieced together what she was saying. It was a shock to think that the secret to unlocking one of the most notorious ancient mysteries in Egypt was hidden in Edith’s bra.

“You better believe I’ll shoot anything that comes near you, without hesitation. I don’t care if I blast the Rosetta Stone to gravel in the crossfire.”

“That’s not what did it. It’s what you’ve taught me the past few days.” “What’s that?” “The secret to getting everything you want in life… having a big strong man get it for you.”

“Uptight, ambitious, gorgeous librarians who don’t like me became my type the day I met you.”

“Remember what you said,” he whispered as he lowered himself over her. “You’d do exactly what I say tonight.” “I thought you meant for our mission in the library.” Her hips began to tilt as she arched her back, her body aching for his touch. “Well,” he said with his half smile that made her stomach flip, “we are in the library, and I am on a mission.”

“Thank you, Mr. Brooks. I think that’s the most fascinating thing I’ve ever learned in a library… as a librarian, I hope you can appreciate the gravity of that confession.” He laughed and leaned in slightly, and he was just about to kiss her again, but stopped himself. With a little shake of his head he finally said. “Anytime,” with a grin, “Let’s go.”

“Edie,” he smiled, brushing dust from her cheek. “You’re the treasure I found in the Cursed Tomb of Argo. All I need to get safely out of this place… is you.”

“You are a thief,” she said primly, holding her hand out to admire her ring and fluffing her hair with the other. “You’ve stolen my heart and I don’t ever want it back.”