His mouth was slightly parted and it didn’t take enhanced vision to see his pulse jumping at his throat. “Oh, yes,” he answered, and swallowed. “The sensation was…it was startling. I’ve never experienced such a thing in the afterlife.” He paused, then added quietly, “Or any life for that matter. Thank you.” He turned away.
My heart beat erratically, thoughts muddy and confused.
“We were pleased to touch you,” Tia admitted flatly.
Asten’s smile grew, his eyes darting back up to meet mine. “I’m glad,” he said, not a drop of mirth in his words. “Feel free to practice on me anytime.”
Shifting slightly away, I asked, “How long until we get there?”
“We must pass through the burning tree first,” Ahmose said.
It wasn’t long before I could no longer see the white forms in the shallow river and when we came to a wooden dock, another one where Amon did not wait for us, my heart fell. Ahmose guided us up to it and tied off the boat. When Asten got out, he turned to me and offered his hand. “May I?” he asked.
Something about the way he looked at me and wrapped his arm around my waist to steady me as I stepped onto the dock made me feel both elated and sad. He kept hold of my hand as we walked up the path and I didn’t withdraw it. I knew he couldn’t feel my touch unless I was channeling the power of the sphinx, but I could very much feel his, and it didn’t feel like the way a brother would hold my hand.
There was a part of me that thought he could be something more if he wanted to and guilt filled me. Against my shoulder I felt the beat of Amon’s heart, and I wondered if he was dreaming at that exact moment, seeing me hold hands with Asten, and if that would make him upset enough to want to give in to a second death.
Giving Asten a tiny smile, I withdrew my hand, and though he seemed to understand, I could tell he was disappointed. He wasn’t the only one either. Tia’s discontent filled my mind, too, though she didn’t say anything. My feelings were so jumbled I was surprised I could function at all.
Ahmose led us down a path until we came to a giant tree encircled by fire, its heat washing over us.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“You must find a way to the other side,” he answered.
“How?”
“We cannot tell you. Each soul that journeys the Isle of the Dead must find its own way.”
Letting out a breath, I nodded and headed to the right, but there was no end to the flames. Going left didn’t get me anywhere either, and the longer we stayed close to the blaze, the more concerned Tia became.
We cannot make it, she cried in my mind. You must ask the guardians for help.
But they can’t help us. They told us as much. I craned my neck to try to see over the wall. The tall tree beckoned with thick trunks and very green leaves despite the fire surrounding it. Maybe we can climb over it, I suggested.
Tia hated the idea but helped me focus my eyes to try and discover tree limbs that overshot the crackling flames. There were none.
Should we walk through it? I suggested. Maybe it’s a test.
Absolutely not! Tia insisted.
Then what’s your big idea? Not hearing too much from you. And I’d think I would, considering how vocal you’ve been lately.
I did not know my thoughts were so repulsive to you.
Not repulsive. And it’s not your thoughts I’m having a problem with—it’s the surprise takeovers. I sighed. It’s just…getting hard to keep us separate sometimes.
I, too, am having a hard time remembering myself. We are…bleeding into one another.
Maybe that’s a good thing.
Maybe.
So then let’s use that to our advantage, I said.
What do you mean, Lily?
Let’s call on our power.
I didn’t need to hear her words to know she agreed. Closing my eyes, we drew upon the power of the sphinx and I felt Tia’s thoughts entwine with mine, our purpose becoming one. We wanted to get over the wall of fire.
We called upon the wind and it banked the flames enough that we could traverse them. Backing up a few feet, we ran, leapt, and then somersaulted in the air before landing on our feet safely on the other side. The moment our feet touched ground, the flames disappeared and Asten and Ahmose