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They sat in the SUV staring at each other in shock.

“What I don’t get is why the one man was healed and the other was mutilated like that,” Liam said. “Why was it only his eyes? Why didn’t his face get scorched? It was almost like his eyes were burned with laser-like precision. But how is that even possible? And why did he keep looking out the window if he couldn’t see?”

“I don’t know,” Kami said, shuddering and shaking her head. “It’s awful.”

“Clearly he’s nervous about something,” Samuel said. “Maybe he expected someone, or something, to come.”

“What do we do now?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know,” Yasmin said. “We visited every place I thought Gedo might be.”

Haji, who had been silent to this point, spoke up.

“Someone needs to know, about the shadow creatures, about the jar, about all of this. Someone with the power to fight it.”

Yasmin’s face brightened.

“I know. We should speak with Hassan Ramzi. He is the antiquities minister and a close friend of Gedo's. Gedo may have contacted him, but even if not, it would be important to make sure he is aware of what is going on. He has important connections.”

As they drove to the ministry building, Haji told them about the district of Zamalek, a hotspot for expatriates and the wealthy with many mansions and even palaces. As they crossed a bridge over the Nile River onto Gezira Island, Kami almost felt like she was entering another country. It was upscale and modern, with streets lined with exclusive boutiques, high-end restaurants, art galleries, and museums. According to Haji, the Gezirah Palace was now the central part of the Cairo Marriott Hotel, with its rooftop having an open-air theater facing the Nile. There were quiet neighborhoods too, with elegant homes and stately trees that proudly stretched their limbs. It was a stark contrast after visiting Jemal Ibrahim’s hideout.

They pulled in front of the ministry building that housed Ramzi’s office.

“I don’t believe it!” Yasmin gasped as she stepped out. She shielded her eyes for a better look at something. “After everything we've been through, he's here!”

“What?” Kami asked, looking in the same direction.

“Gedo! Gedo’s on the steps in front of the ministry building!”

Kami looked at the man Yasmin was pointing at. Gedo had a full head of dark hair with streaks of silver and wore wrinkled khaki trousers and a blue shirt rolled back to expose his hairy forearms. His shirt was drenched in sweat. He had scruff on his face and looked as if he hadn’t slept for days. It made it a little harder to recognize him, but she couldn’t mistake those fierce eyebrows and that scowl. Gedo was checking his watch.

Kami swallowed hard and followed the others. She was about to meet the man that had separated her family from her Egyptian relatives. She felt fluttery in her stomach. She  wondered how he was going to explain why he hadn’t been at the airport.

“Gedo, where have you been? One of those shadow creatures stole your artifacts from the library. The security was a joke. Where’s Neina?” Yasmin asked.

“Who are all these people?” Gedo asked Yasmin gruffly, eyeing the group warily.

“These people are helping me search for you and Neina. This is Samuel Towers, his nephew Chris, Liam, Haji, and Kami.”

Kami couldn’t understand how Yasmin wasn’t intimidated by Gedo. His eyes touched on her briefly, then moved on. She flushed. She could understand a cool reception considering the circumstances, but to be ignored completely?

“So?” Yasmin asked impatiently.

“Hassan has to see reason,” Gedo said, clearly distracted. “If I don’t receive permission in time, everything is lost.”

“What? You are not making sense.”

“I am trying to do what she wants. I am not sure if I can convince them. I keep going back. I have to convince them to let me secure the area. If not—”

He trailed off, his eyes darting desperately, his hands trembling slightly.

“If not, what?” Yasmin asked, clutching his arm.

“Your Neina dies.”

“What?” Yasmin gasped.

“It is too dangerous. I cannot tell you anymore,” Gedo said.

“At least tell me where she is,” Yasmin insisted.

He paused and looked at his granddaughter.

“Meet me back here in an hour when my meeting is finished. I’ll share what I can.”

He turned on his heel and entered the building.

There was a long pause as they stared at each other, lost for words. But that didn’t last long.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. I saw a food cart about a block away. I’ve got a hankering for some falafel,” Samuel announced.

“My grandmother might die, and all you can think about is your stomach?” Yasmin said.

He shrugged.

“Without strength, we won’t be of much use to her.”

Yasmin couldn’t deny the logic, so they followed the food, Samuel leading the way. They passed an outdoor market which fascinated Kami, with its rows of juicy oranges, lemons, mangoes, and huge bunches of bananas that hung from hooks. Nearby, intricately embroidered garments hung on racks. Another vendor offered deeply hued and fragrant spices in burlap sacks, including saffron, oregano, mint, and cinnamon. A table was covered with figs and dates, perfume oils, and golden honey. Dried eggplant and okra hung like leis. Yet another stall displayed row after row of rugs in beautiful designs. A display of scarves caught her eye, and she lingered as the others walked on. Liam held back to keep her company.

“I like the green one, though the blue one’s beautiful too,” Kami said, wistfully fingering the brightly colored scarves.

“Get them both,” Liam shrugged.

“Right, Mr. Moneybags. Some of us have a budget.”

“You don’t think you have to stick to the price, do you? This is Egypt. Everything’s negotiable.”

“Not that negotiable.”

“Sure, it’s that negotiable. What do you bet I can buy both of these and still meet your budget?” Liam asked.

“There’s no way she’d go that low.”

“What will you give me if she does?”

“What do you want?” Kami asked.

What did he want? Liam stared deeply into her eyes.

“You have to answer a question,” he said finally. “A question of my choosing.”

“A question?” Kami said, wrinkling her nose. “Kinda weird, but sure, why not? You’re never gonna pull it off anyway.”

“Did you just challenge me?” he said in mock disbelief.

“Maybe.”

“Fine,” Liam said. “Watch this.”

He started walking toward the vendor, then stopped short and turned back.

“I forgot to ask. What’s your budget?”

Kami told him and he swallowed hard. It wasn’t exactly impossible, but it would be tough. She started laughing.

“Guess you should have asked before making a foolish bet. We can still call it off if you want, Liam. Just admit you’re defeated.”

“No, I’ve got this,” he said with a determined voice. “Give me your money.”

She handed it over.

“Well then,” she nodded at the vendor. “Knock yourself out.”

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What's going on with Neina? Predictions for Liam's success?

Today's dedication goes out to an awesome BoS reader. He's been a silent reader for the most part, but he has a seriously amazing hidden talent! He left some incredible Egyptian emoticons on my Congratulations board at the Wattpad Class of 2014 Extravaganza page. So naturally, I had to plaster my message board with them. You should check them out - seriously cool. Thanks so much @Walt88! You're one in a million! And if you haven't had a chance to check the party out, you can do it on my Profile page.