'Molier likes to know everything about everyone who works for him.' Akbar further inflamed my fears.

'Then how is it that you managed to obtain employment?' I wasn't sure I believed that this expedition was as cloak and dagger as he implied.

'I am just an Arab,' Akbar explained, 'and not considered a threat.'

What if the surveillance situation was true? What would anyone listening make of my conversations with Albray? If Molier had killed Albray, would he suspect to whom I referred? I looked at Albray, who was asking what the term 'bugged' meant. It is an electronic means of listening in to the conversations going on in my tent, It is an electronic means of listening in to the conversations going on in my tent, I explained simply. I explained simply.

Albray was worried. That would mean that Molier could be aware of my presence here! That would mean that Molier could be aware of my presence here!

I'm so sorry. Now, because I was too lazy to use our psychic link, I might have given my ace-in-the-hole away. Now, because I was too lazy to use our psychic link, I might have given my ace-in-the-hole away. He can't harm you, can he? He can't harm you, can he?

I'm not worried for me, Albray clarified. Albray clarified. Molier has the know-how to banish me in order to get to you. You must not let him get his hands on the stone. Molier has the know-how to banish me in order to get to you. You must not let him get his hands on the stone.

I will not, I vowed, touched that Albray was more concerned about my welfare than his own. 'What interest does Molier have in me?' I asked Akbar. I vowed, touched that Albray was more concerned about my welfare than his own. 'What interest does Molier have in me?' I asked Akbar.

'His is a sinister and perverse purpose. He has a l.u.s.t for supernatural power and sacred knowledge that is second to none and he will do anything to achieve his goals.'

What did I tell you! Albray was impressed by Akbar's a.s.sessment. Albray was impressed by Akbar's a.s.sessment.

'But what is Molier's agenda?'

Akbar fixed me in his gaze. 'He seeks the Plane of Shar-on.'

I frowned. 'But the Plain of Sharon is in Israel.'

'That is a longstanding confusion,' he informed me. 'The Plane of Shar-on is not of this world. In pyramid texts it is called the Field of Iaru.'

'The dimension of the blessed.' I had heard of that.

'It is the dimension of the orbit of light,' Akbar stated.

'Well, that sounds like a nice place. I can understand why Molier would want to go there.' I rolled with it. 'I still don't see the malicious intent.'

'Molier shall never achieve his goal,' Akbar a.s.sured me. 'An abomination such as he could never ascend to Shar-on. The porthole would be shut down forever if he attempted to utilise it. Our problem is that Molier still believes this avenue is open to him, via a daughter of Isis, such as you are.'

From reading about Earnest Devere's heightened psychic awareness, obtained through his union with Ashlee, I suspected I knew what Akbar was driving at. 'Then...I would not be of use to Molier unless I love him.'

'Exactly.' Akbar was pleased that I was following his explanation. 'But Molier could enchant you into believing that he is a man you love. If you currently hold feelings for someone he could a.s.sume their appearance in order to get to you. Does any one man hold your heart at this time?'

What an embarra.s.sing question to be asked with Albray crouched right alongside me. If I said no, I might give Albray the wrong impression, and as I doubted that Molier could impersonate a ghost and get away with it, there was no point trying to explain Albray to Akbar.

'I would not ask if the answer was not vital for your protection,' Akbar prompted, as I was taking so long to reply.

'There is not a man alive who interests me at present,' I told him in all honesty.

'Are you sure?' Akbar grilled. 'No movie stars you have a crush on?'

I laughed and shook my head. 'I'm far more likely to have a crush on a professor than a movie star, but all the same, there is no one.'

'Then that only leaves Molier the option of enchanting you into believing that you are in love with him.' Akbar was thinking out loud.

'You make him sound like a sorcerer.'

'That is exactly what he is.' Akbar awarded me his full attention once more. 'He has cheated his physical nature on every level, and now he seeks to cheat the cosmic order on a spiritual level as well.'

'He expects that a union with me is going to do that for him?'

'No.' Akbar smiled, amused by my naivety. 'He would seduce you only in order to open the door to the temple complex inside this mountain. He needs a daughter of the blood to do that.'

'So he does.' I bit my lip as I considered this. 'So, Molier is of the blood too,' I a.s.sumed.

Akbar shook his head. 'That is why he is an abomination. No other man in recorded history who did not carry the Gene of Isis has ever been fed the "ambrosia of the G.o.ds". It is our understanding that only those souls who are ready for spiritual advancement will be born into the bloodline, and to abuse divine order is an offence against the G.o.ds. Molier does not carry the gene of Isis in his molecular structure, so the Fire-Stone substance could not react on it to activate his spiritual enlightenment. However, it has mutated his DNA in ways that we could not, and cannot, predict. He is the only abomination of his kind that we know of so there is no precedent for his crime.'

'So Molier is after the Star and Fire vials,' I ventured, 'but to what end? It is my understanding that the Star substance is virtually useless to a man unless he has the love of a daughter of the bloodline.'

'You know about the vials?' Akbar was obviously very curious to know how I got that information.

I only nodded so that he would continue to fill me in on what he knew.

'Urim-Schumir and and Thummim-Schethiya Thummim-Schethiya-the Fire-Stone and the Highward Fire-Stone-are treasures of the House of Gold. When these are brought together over the Ark of the Covenant they manifest unified light and perfection and create a porthole to the Plane of Shar-on.'

Now I was beginning to fathom the big picture, although I could scarcely believe it. 'Are you trying to tell me that the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in this mountain?' In Hereford's account regarding the Star-Fire Temple, he and his wife had never opened the door in that inner chamber. Was this this what it contained? what it contained?

'I could not tell you,' Akbar conceded, as the door to the complex had not been opened in several lifetimes. 'But it is said that one of the Arks is still hidden here.'

'One of the Arks?' I queried, believing that only one existed.

'Even a text as incomplete as the Bible clearly hints at this, for it mentions both the Ark of the Covenant that was made by Bezaleel to house the Tables of Testimony and the Ark built by Moses, supposedly to house the Ten Commandments.'

'And which of these is thought to be housed in this mountain?' I queried.

'Hard to say,' Akbar admitted, 'for both were fashioned here on Mt Serabit.'

'Well, what is the worst that could happen if Molier succeeded in his aims? The porthole to Sharon would be closed?'

'That would be the beginning of the end for this world,' Akbar said emphatically. 'Denied access to the Plane of Shar-on, Molier would still have access to the most powerful tool known to mankind, but there are specific instructions for the handling of the Ark. If these rules are not obeyed it will kill without warning, and the fury of its unleashed power will cause plagues and tumours upon the earth.'

'I see.' I exhaled deeply, not really wanting to think about the most obvious solution to our troubles. 'Perhaps I should just go home,' I ventured, though it pained me to say it.

'There is no point now,' Akbar hastened to tell me. 'Molier knows of your existence and he will hunt you down.'

'You make it sound like he's stalking me.'

'He is!' is!' Both Akbar and Albray responded at once. Both Akbar and Albray responded at once.

It seemed to follow that if the daughters of Isis were Molier's fetish, he had had one within his grasp two centuries ago! Ashlee hasn't mentioned being stalked by him. Ashlee hasn't mentioned being stalked by him.

Yet! Albray emphasised. Albray emphasised. You haven't finished reading her journal. You haven't finished reading her journal.

'Then what would you have me do?' I put the question to Akbar and Albray.

'You must combat Molier and defeat him,' Akbar replied as if the answer was obvious.

Exactly, Albray concurred. I Albray concurred. I keep telling you that we need to work on your psychic talents, as it will take more than a sword to defeat Molier . .. I am the non-living proof of that. keep telling you that we need to work on your psychic talents, as it will take more than a sword to defeat Molier . .. I am the non-living proof of that.

I was so horrified by the suggestion that I couldn't speak.

'I a.s.sumed that you knew your mission here.' Akbar clearly hadn't wanted to alarm me. 'You have such talent with a sword that I a.s.sumed you had been trained for the purpose.'

Overwhelmed as I was, I didn't want to alarm Akbar either. 'You might say I am still in training,' I clarified for his benefit. 'I hope to be ready by the time Molier arrives here in the Sinai, if indeed he intends to come here.'

'He will come now he knows you are here.' Of this Akbar seemed very certain. 'As time is of the essence, I shall not distract you from your studies any longer.'

My nerves were making me feel queasy and as the heat in the cave wasn't helping, I was more than happy to seize the opportunity to depart. 'I'll let you know if Molier sends word of his arrival.' I stood to make good my escape.

'Make haste with your preparations,' he encouraged, voicing his concern. 'There is much at stake.'

'I know,' I managed to reply without sounding sceptical. The truth was that with all the information I'd been subjected to of late from various people, I would be a fool to discount their accounts and theories.

Albray was more attentive and up-vibe than usual that evening; I, for a change, was quiet and thoughtful. I picked at my dinner and then thought about returning to Ashlee's story, but I couldn't concentrate on the text. I read the first sentence several times over and each time my mind drifted back to the Cave of Hathor and my conversation with Akbar.

So how do I develop my psychic skills? I queried telepathically, not prepared to risk speaking aloud to Albray, who was currently fascinated with the screensaver on my computer. I queried telepathically, not prepared to risk speaking aloud to Albray, who was currently fascinated with the screensaver on my computer.

Well... He dragged his enchanted sights from all the pretty colours on my screen. He dragged his enchanted sights from all the pretty colours on my screen. The first thing you have to do is actually believe in psychic skill. The first thing you have to do is actually believe in psychic skill.

And what if I'm a dud? I appealed, so afraid this was the case. I appealed, so afraid this was the case.

A dud, dud, Albray repeated, unfamiliar with the term, although he caught my meaning and it amused him. I guess Albray repeated, unfamiliar with the term, although he caught my meaning and it amused him. I guess that you won't know until you try. that you won't know until you try.

Fair enough. I closed Ashlee's book to concentrate on Albray's instruction. I closed Ashlee's book to concentrate on Albray's instruction. Let's give it a go then. Let's give it a go then.

My knight ran through a short meditation to calm and focus me, and then we worked on activating my etheric vision, although I don't know how much success we had. As I was pretty much the only living thing in my tent, Albray had me focusing upon myself in the mirror. He was telling me to concentrate on my third eye area in order to look beyond my physical self to see my light-body. I began to see a kind of negative impression of my being superimposed upon my reflection.

That's how it starts, good, Albray encouraged. Albray encouraged. What you are seeing is the etheric sh.e.l.l. Now, if you stay focused and endeavour to see beyond that, you should start to perceive the light-body and its auric hues. What you are seeing is the etheric sh.e.l.l. Now, if you stay focused and endeavour to see beyond that, you should start to perceive the light-body and its auric hues.

I strained and I focused, I really did, but I just couldn't see anything beyond the negative impression. A couple of times I lost sight of myself in the mirror altogether and I felt as if I was on the verge of a breakthrough, but when excitement welled, my perception regressed back to my etheric sh.e.l.l and then my physical image once more.

'I can't do this,' I muttered, feeling frustrated, drained and rather silly for believing that I could accomplish a supernatural feat; deep down I doubted that anyone could. I left my seated position before the mirror and collapsed onto my bed.

You've done really well for your first attempt. Albray sounded surprised. Albray sounded surprised.

Yeah, right, I scoffed in my mind. I scoffed in my mind. Ashlee had more talent when she was still in the cradle. Ashlee had more talent when she was still in the cradle.

It's really not fair to compare yourself with Miss Granville . .. most of the mystics that ever lived would pale by comparison.

Well, if Ashlee was so d.a.m.n talented then why didn't she destroy Molier and save me the trouble? I was moody and tired. I was moody and tired.

You'll read all about that tomorrow, I should think. Albray maintained his sweet mood, understanding that I was exhausted. Albray maintained his sweet mood, understanding that I was exhausted. For today, it might be time we both retired. For today, it might be time we both retired.

You wish to be dismissed? I hauled my bag up onto the bed and fished around for the stone. I hauled my bag up onto the bed and fished around for the stone.

I do, but I would ask a favour of you. do, but I would ask a favour of you. Albray sat down on the bed beside me to make his request. Albray sat down on the bed beside me to make his request. I I want you to sleep with the stone in the palm of your hand. want you to sleep with the stone in the palm of your hand.

'Why?' I tried not to sound alarmed by his request. How was I possibly going to drift into a dream s.p.a.ce without fantasising about my knight?

Would you? Please, he appealed once more, obviously having no intention of explaining his request. With those big dark eyes gazing into mine, he didn't need to explain himself. I found myself nodding in agreement. he appealed once more, obviously having no intention of explaining his request. With those big dark eyes gazing into mine, he didn't need to explain himself. I found myself nodding in agreement.

Sleep came upon me quickly that evening, and I awoke feeling like I'd barely closed my eyes.

My tent was brilliantly illuminated this morning. Even under the brightest sunlight my quarters didn't usually have this much natural light. I rolled over to look at the clock on my bedside table to find Albray lying on the bed beside me, minus the weapons and chain mail he usually wore. His shirt was gaping open and all I could think about was planting a kiss upon his smooth muscular torso...and so I did.

Placing a finger under my chin Albray raised my face and engaged my lips in a kiss.

Yes, I was dreaming again, but what a dream! His body pressed hard against mine; I hadn't ever wanted a man so desperately and the touch of his hands upon my body excited me beyond all reason. We were both half naked and well worked up into a pa.s.sionate frenzy before my sensibilities found me. I thought, Wow...and I had the impression Albray wasn't interested in me. Wow...and I had the impression Albray wasn't interested in me.

Then Akbar's concerns today surfaced in my mind. That only leaves Molier the option of enchanting you into believing that you are in love with him. If you That only leaves Molier the option of enchanting you into believing that you are in love with him. If you currently hold feelings for someone he could a.s.sume their appearance in order to get to you. currently hold feelings for someone he could a.s.sume their appearance in order to get to you.

The next moment I was out of bed, panting in the wake of abandoning my bliss, and covering my bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s with my discarded shirt.

'This is too sudden for you,' Albray a.s.sumed, bemused at being abandoned. 'I fear I have misread your-'

'How do I know you are not Molier?' I stated my true concern, which seemed to soothe Albray somewhat.

He smiled and sat up to reason with me. 'Ask me a question. Something that Molier wouldn't know.'

'All right.' I mulled it over. I had to ask him something about our relationship that had occurred prior to setting foot in the Middle East. 'Where did we first meet, and what was your first impression of me?'

'We first met in your home, in the...sitting room? Or that is what such a room might have been called in Miss Granville's time.'

'Close enough,' I warranted, breathing a little easier. 'And?' I prompted him to finish answering my query.

'And I thought upon sighting you...' He paused to recall his feelings. 'Here is a G.o.ddess...' This, I very much doubted, until he added: 'And she's half naked.' He chuckled in conclusion and I rolled my eyes, for this observation of Albray's I did remember. 'And I was worried by your obvious scepticism and ignorance of your own potential.'

'Albray?' I queried, wanting so much to believe that it was him and that he did hold feelings for me, or, at the very least, that this was my own dream that I could feel at liberty to pursue.

'Yes,' Albray said, 'it is is me.' me.'

Now I was confused. 'You've never shown the slightest interest in me before today.'

'Have I not?' Albray had to grin. 'I must be a better actor than I thought. I felt sure that during our duel with Akbar my feelings for you had been betrayed.'

The overwhelming feeling of love I had experienced upon surrendering to Albray's control had been his feelings for me! My heart exploded in my chest at this realisation.

'My timing is terrible, considering what you learned today from Akbar,' he conceded. 'But an unrequited love has had me preoccupied for many a long year, and it took nearly losing you for me to admit to myself that I was falling in love with you. And then then I had to consider whether encouraging your love was not an abuse of my position.' At the last, he waved off the whole idea. 'I made a mistake-' I had to consider whether encouraging your love was not an abuse of my position.' At the last, he waved off the whole idea. 'I made a mistake-'