A protective feeling swelled in my chest. Elvira was irreplaceable, a human being I had adored with all my heart. And now here was Isadora, a sister that I’d always wanted. The family I could hold on to for the rest of my life.
If something were to happen to her…
“I have been taking care of myself for a long time,” she said, eyeing me shrewdly, accurately reading my thoughts. “It seems to me that you have two options. Stay in Egypt with hardly any funds and complete the daunting task of locating our mother and work with the authorities in charging her for her crimes with the ultimate goal of her landing in prison. Or you can return home and regroup. Perhaps there are ways for you to acquire more funding. I’m assuming you own property, yes? Well, then. Hope is not lost.”
“If I go, what happens to you?”
“Well,” she said slowly. “I’ve always wanted to visit South America.”
I raised my brows, struck by the idea. I’d fought for so long to stay in Egypt—I’d gotten married to ensure that—and it hurt my brain to consider another option. But I wouldn’t be going home alone. I’d have a sister who could help me reassess and calculate a better plan.
“Think about it,” she said. “I’ll support you in whatever you decide. For now, return the tickets and give yourself time to think about whatyouwant to do.”
“If I stay, I’d be riskingbothof our lives.”
She reached over and clasped my hand. Her voice was warm, rich like honey and just as comforting. “I know. But it’s my decision.”
I met her eyes. Hazel to her blue. “Yes, it is.”
I hoped she wouldn’t come to regret it.
“Here’s your change, Señorita Olivera,” Salaam, the hotel manager, said, handing me an envelope near bursting at the seams. “The concierge was able to return your train tickets, and your passage to Argentina was refunded in its entirety.” He smiled. “I’m pleased you’ve extended your stay in Egypt.”
I nodded, unable to match his pleasant tone. “Shokran.”
As I turned away, a tall figure leaning against a granite pillar caught my attention. His arms were folded tight across his chest, as if he had to physically restrain himself from drawing near. I pivoted and marched toward the stairs, but moments later, his footsteps thundered after me. I looked over my shoulder as he took hold of my arm and swung me into one of the alcoves off the main lobby.
“Please sit,” he said.
I remained standing. “I thought I told you I don’t want to speak to you. I don’t want to be near you. I don’t want—”
“You’ve been very clear,” he said in an even tone.
“Apparently not,” I muttered.
“I can chase you,” he said in a chillingly soft voice, “or you can take a minute and listen to what I have to say and then decide never to speak with me again.”
“Say what you have to say, then,” I said, pulling free from his grasp. I sat on the low-backed chair and drew my legs as far from the opposite chair as possible.
Whit settled across from me. “You want to find your mother.”
It wasn’t a question, so I remained silent.
“I have some ideas where she might be.”
My lips parted. “Where?”
“She has a cache of artifacts,” he began. “It’s too risky to hold on to them for too long, and so she’ll have to—”
“Sell them at Tradesman’s Gate,” I broke in smugly. “I’m aware.”
Whit pinched his lips, the only sign I’d annoyed him. But I didn’t care. He wasn’t relaying anything I hadn’t figured out for myself. “If that’s all,” I said, rising. Once, I would have talked to him about the choice I had to make. Back then, I would have trusted him to give me his honest opinion and advice. But he had ruined that for the both of us. There was no way that I could tell him I was considering leaving. I couldn’t bear to see the relief on his face.
“Sit down.”
I dropped back into the chair, startled.
Whit leaned forward, elbows propped on his knees. “The gate always moves, from one location to another. I can find out where it will be next.”
