Two weeks passed since they had uncovered Zara, and life at the dig had finally found some rhythm.
Though Mr. Jones had hoped for a treasure trove of relics, all they'd found were fractured scripts, dust worn pottery, and whispers of stories half buried in the stones. When Sean and Iris called to report their findings, his voice crackled through the speaker like a storm cloud.
"This is what you call progress?" Jones barked. "I should cut your pay in half."
Sean straightened in his chair. "With all due respect, that's not fair. We've been working around the clock..."
"Oh please," Jones scoffed. "I gave you a direct task. If you can't find the necklace, what's the point of you being there?"
Iris leaned forward. "You gave us an extra assignment behind the board's back. Shall I report that instead?"
There was a pause long enough to taste the tension.
Jones sneered. "Don't push it, Iris."
The call ended abruptly. Iris exhaled, rubbing her temples. "What a miserable, fossil headed man."
Sean slumped back. "I've never wanted to throw a shovel at someone more in my life."
Later that evening, Sean booked tickets to return to the city .The flight was scheduled to take off in the afternoon the next day.
"Hey, Zara," he called as she stepped into the lobby, eyes adjusting to the warm lights. "You ever flown before?"
Zara blinked, puzzled. "Flown… as in wings?"
Iris laughed, looping her arm around Zara's. "Oh my god, you're going to have a hell of a flight."
"Don't worry," Sean added, grinning. "I'll sit next to you. I'll explain everything. Even the snacks and you can squeeze my hand if you feel scared."
Zara gave a small nod, a rare smile curling on her lips. For some reason, knowing Sean would be nearby made her feel safe.
That night, the hotel was hosting a cultural mixer for the guests "A Taste of the World" night, a semi formal event where visitors from different nations could share food, drink, and music.
"We should go," Iris said, excitedly holding up a flyer. "It's our last night here. Come on ,we deserve it."
Sean looked at her disapproving ,he just wanted to rest until the next day ,he was tired from their expedition and kind of irritated by Jones knowing that he didn't make empty promises,he was sure his salary would be cut in half.
Iris whispered something in his hear and a blush crept up his ears .Sean straightened up and cleared his throat,"I suppose there is no harm in going."
"Yes ! "Iris jumped up excited then looked at Sean with a smirk that spelt mischief.Sean looked away pretending he didn't see it ,he regreted saying yes,not because he didn't want to but because of Iris's method of convincing him.
They hadn't packed anything remotely party worthy, so that afternoon, they ventured into the city's boutique stretch. It took Iris twenty minutes to convince Sean to come help ,this time he didn't fall in Iris's trap hence played hard to get even though he was very willing from the beginning.
"I don't see the point," he grumbled. "Everything looks good on both of you. I'm a useless blond prop at this point."Even though he said that his eyes never lied ,when Zara came out with a garnet ,dress with an open front just above her chest that accentuated her curves,his eyes glowed like he wanted her to pick that but didn't want to voice his opinion.
Iris noticed,she smirked "Zara should totally have this dress , don't you think Sean,"she wiggled her brows at him and Zara turned looking at Sean expectantly. Sean glared at Iris but Iris giggled mischievously with a knowing look in her eyes .That said busted .He stumbled for words before he scratched his neck and nodded.Zara liked the dress too and was glad Sean thought it looked nice.
Iris went for a satin emerald green gown with a thigh slit, her hair curled to give her that 'soft yet dangerous' look. Zara let two strands of hair fall to frame her face, tying the rest back in a low, artistic twist. Iris did both their makeup, giving Zara a golden glow with a subtle smoky eye.
By nine pm the music was pulsing softly through the hotel's main hall. Guests milled around, sampling dishes, sipping cocktails, laughing.
Zara sipped her first glass of red wine and immediately made a face like she'd bitten a lemon. "Is this supposed to taste like that?"
Sean laughed. "Try this one instead," he said, handing her a glass of deep red Moscato.
Zara took a sip and her eyes lit up. "This is divine."
They mingled, laughed, danced. Sean took Iris's hand first, spinning her into a lazy twirl. Then he turned to Zara. " May I have this dance?"
Zara hesitated, her body unsure, but Iris gave her a little nudge. "It's just dancing, not a duel,plus Sean would not mind if you stepped on his toe from time time."
Soon they were laughing, stepping on each other's toes and losing themselves in the rhythm. Iris excused herself ,her breath was unsteady her face flushed and despite the fact she tried her best to walk straight her feet wobbled ,she swore she could see Sean' s stupid smug face .
He had indeed warned her no to mix wine and shots but who was Iris his words slipped from one ear to the other and then out it went, and then she did what she wanted and now she was suffering the consequences.
"Is she alright?" Zara asked her concern obvious.
"Don't worry about her , she's a big girl ."Sean assured her and she let out a sigh.She kept watching her until she disappeared into a corner .Once Iris was out of sight she turned back only to collide with someone.
Zara put her glass down and apologized,as she tried to wipe the mess she had made on the white suit.The man held her hands and that's when she looked up .
"It's okay,"he had said but she did not hear it .
Zara looked horrified as if she had seen a ghost.Her face was pale as she stepped back , clutching her hands to her chest .She struggled to breathe ,her chest hurt .She opened her mouth trying to force air into her lungs , suffocating as if someone were holding her by the neck blocking her air way .
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks and her legs were about to give out but Sean caught her in time.
Everyone stared,some with concern,others with contempt as the music was cut , the party vibe stil hanging awkwardly in the air.
"Hey Zara I'm here .Breathe ."Sean whispered ,hands steady,voice like an anchor rope."You're okay look at me ."Sean turned her head slowly towards him.Whatever he was doing, it was working.She calmed down and everyone went back to partying as if nothing had happened and the man had disappeared with the crowd feeling awkward.Sean ,still holding her shoulders led her out ,that was enough partying for one night.
Iris staggered, her heels dragging along the corridor floor as the alcohol clung to her bones. She leaned against the wall, breathing hard and then shook her head firmly as if that would sober her up.
When she opened her eyes a pair of feet stood before her, bare, veiny, a man's feet. Her eyes crawled upward: she looked at his outfit and deemed it ridiculous ,he had on a robe that looked ancient and not your normal pajamas and for a party with people with suits and ties or other informal clothes ,he stood out awkwardly. Then her gaze landed on his eyes.
Those black,void of light, the way they looked at her as if it could suck her in an abyss of no return. They pulled at her not just her attention, but her soul. There was darkness in them that felt familiar.
The man took some steps back and Iris stepped forward as if she was possessed, and again and again until she was chasing him.
It was inexplicable she couldn't explain the pull in her chest or the urge to follow the man. Maybe it was the shots she had that was taking over. She bent forward holding her knees gasping for breath.When she looked up, he was right there.
A sad expression on his face and a tear dropped from his left eye. She froze when she also saw a sword pierced his chest. Her hand gripping the hilt. She gasped, tried to let go but he grabbed her wrist and forced her to push it deeper. "No," she whimpered, voice shaking. "Let go please."
His grip tightened.
"Why shoud I let go?" He hissed. Didn't it feel good holding it the first time? His words stung like venom. His hands were very strong and firm. No matter how she twisted, pulled, cried they didn't budge. Her tears blurred everything.
"Why are you crying? His voice cracked, thick with fury. "I'm the one with the sword in my chest.
He let her go and she staggered and the sword tore free with her movement. Flesh ripped. Blood gushed, a chunk of his chest hung open. She let go of the sword and clutched her mouth, with blood stained hands. Her face looked pale as she trembled, she felt her stomach churning and food from earlier rise up her gut.
"Why, Nefira I did nothing wrong but love you. "He whispered as he stepped forward pushing Iris to the wall. "Why did you betray me ?Was it hate? Fear ? Answer me damn it."He punched the wall just near Iris She flinched shaking more violently as she cried
"Ramsees please....I didn't..." She heard herself say. Her voice was different more of a soft bass and the words that came out of her mouth were alien to her.She didn't know what she ways saying .