Curse of the Egyptian Goddess

By Lisa Rayns

Given her ten-year curse that leaves her beaten and bruised, Emma Patrix has grown accustomed to drinking away the pain. And with a trail of dead bodies behind her, it was only a matter of time before the law caught up.

Now she's accused of murder and she must flee the country to find the one man who can help her break the curse-Calvin Konrad. She finally catches up with him in Egypt, but he's not the same sweet boy she remembers from her childhood. And getting him to help her proves more difficult than she ever imagined.

"Curse of the Egyptian Goddess is truly a twisted curse of all curses." --M.R. Polish, YA author/reviewer.

"A compelling page turner that will suck you in." --Stephanie Nelson, author of Craved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Rayns
• Release date: Sep 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466486089

Lisa Rayns

Lisa Rayns, author of the Wanted: Vampire Trilogy, lives in a small town in South Dakota. She studied Composition/Literature in college and worked with explosives and as a blackjack dealer before beginning her writing career. An avid reader, she weaves romantic stories rich with action, suspense, and her own personal flavor of the paranormal. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and Siamese cat. For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her website at www.lisarayns.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I allowed the pinkish sunrays to reach my pupils. After several blinks, fuzzy images appeared and confused my relaxed state of mind: a windshield with one tiny crack on the driver’s side—my blue sedan. Without moving, I let my eyes wander. My purse sat beside me on the seat. Out the windows I saw an empty parking lot and a white, brick building. I was parked beside the bar. I never left.

Had I been that drunk?

I reached for my purse, and pain surged through my muscles like lightning. Agony rippled up my spine, causing a gasp to leave my lips. My chest was knotted so tight I could barely breathe so the sound came out as a low rumble, and my throat ached from the attempt. My arms and legs throbbed with a raw burn as though I’d just finished a ten mile run. Panic registered, and I knew my problem wasn’t alcohol.

With shaking hands, I struggled to grab the key out of my purse and probed the ignition. When it slid in, I put the car into gear and slammed the gas pedal. The tires squealed as the car took off, and I broke into a sweat, my whole body trembling.

The aches intensified with every block of the short drive home. I tried to distract my thoughts by focusing on early morning joggers and the colorful summer flowers in bloom. Nothing helped to ease the pain. When I finally reached my parking spot, I killed the engine, threw open the door, and thrust myself out of the car. Unfortunately, my legs didn’t support me, and I crumpled to the ground.

A gust of air left my lungs on impact. Aches turned into screaming streams of pain as my body hit the concrete in a fetal position. My head pounded, and my legs felt like putty, worthless masses of nothing which I had no control over. Irritated with my useless limbs, I bit down against the throbbing.

At least no other tenants appeared at their windows. Birds sang a cheerful tune from the large oak that branched out above me, and I cringed as I imagined getting shit on and turned in for loitering all in the same morning. Gritting my teeth, I filled my lungs with the much needed oxygen and prepared to crawl into the house if needed.

Emma? a familiar voice called out to me from across the street. Are you all right? I saw you fall.

I nearly cried with relief at the life-saving words. Instead, my shaking fingers fumbled to tuck my necklace inside my shirt and zip up my lightweight jacket before he arrived. Once safe, I raised my head to my neighbor and forced a reassuring smile. Hi Dave.

My voice sounded raspier than normal, and my face would have heated with embarrassment if not for my current state of being. Exhaustion mixed with agony and reinforced my urgency to get indoors. I couldn’t think past getting inside.

When he came into view, the oil stains on his jeans and gray T-shirt told me what he was doing up so early. His gentle hands pulled me up, my body still shrieking with each movement. His muscular arms around me felt foreign yet good, supportive.

Thanks. Once on my feet, I felt a twinge of hope. Until he let go. I fell back into the seat of my car, realizing that I was unable to stand on my own. Um… I looked at him dumbfounded, then at my apartment building. From across the front lawn, the gray three-story building stared at me, teasing me. I was so close. Would you mind helping me inside? I asked, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.

Yeah, sure. Using the utmost care, he lifted me to a standing position, and his arm encircled my waist.

Despite my pain, I breathed him in, the closeness of a male, his manly odor, everything I’d always had to deny myself. His scent alone made me quake; the only silver lining around my circumstance. The strength in his arms and the feel of his skin left me in awe, and I realized how much I missed touching people.

David tried to help me walk, but when he realized my legs were doing more to trip me than to help us along, he scooped me up and carried me like a small child. I didn’t protest. I silently praised him for speeding up the excruciating and humiliating process. His flowing blond hair tickled my face as I concentrated on trying to hold in the pain and stop shaking.

Once inside my first floor apartment, he laid me on the sofa so my head rested on the overstuffed arm. He wasn’t even out of breath from the ordeal, but concern shadowed his face. Look, do you want me to call a doctor? Or an ambulance? I could drive you. You don’t look very good, and you’re shaking all over.

Don’t tempt me with morphine, David. That’s not fair.

He produced an unconvincing smile.

After a chuckle, I raised my hand and fought for the energy to wave it off like it was no big deal. I’m fine, just a little… or maybe way too much to drink, that’s all. I’ll be good as new once I get some sleep.

Well, if you’re sure that’s all it is. I’ve been known to crawl home a time or two myself, he said, adding a wink.

I smiled, grateful to be in my apartment and thankful the ache ceased when I stopped moving.

David Allvy was one of the few people I felt comfortable around. After complimenting his ’68 Firebird one time last year, he took me in and called me a friend. His love for his car, coupled with the time he spent in his garage, accounted for his recent divorce from wife number two. We had a neighborly relationship, but most often I thought of him as a long lost uncle. Except he was safer than any relative of mine. He was handsome, muscular, and five years older than me, but more importantly, he hadn’t been affected by my––

Do you want me to take you to bed?

What? My head jerked upward, causing a new ripple of pain to shoot through my upper body. I muffled my whimper with a fake cough that hurt even worse.

His hands darted up in a quick surrender. I mean, would you be more comfortable sleeping it off in there?

I took a breath and let myself relax. I’m good, I said, unwilling to move now that I’d made my destination. You’ve done enough for me today. I owe you one.

You don’t owe me anything. His lips formed a straight line, and he lowered his head, his eyes intent on mine. Were you with Chad last night?

Dread clamped around my heart, and my breath hitched. I was with Chad. What happened to him? Was he there when—A memory of him waving goodbye flickered through my mind, relieving the immediate stress, but the turmoil in my brain left it a pounding mass. Thank God Chad hadn’t been there when it happened.

I sucked in a large reassuring breath before I noticed the hard set of David’s jaw and realized his meaning. I shook my head and tried not to wince from the sharp pain it caused. Don’t get any ideas. Chad was a perfect gentleman. This is nothing, David.

Well, I don’t know him, but I don’t like him. He should have made sure you got home safe.

Thanks, Uncle Dave, I teased. Please don’t make a big deal out of it.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. All right. He pulled an afghan off the back of the sofa and laid it over my body. At least you won’t get run over in here.

That is a plus. No birds will shit on me either. I’m pretty happy about that.

He chuckled and crossed to my small kitchen. Cupboards opened and closed, then water ran before he returned with a bottle of pain reliever and a large glass of water.

Bless you, I breathed when he set them on the end table. I didn’t want to take them while he was here because I knew he’d see me shake, and that would only worry him more.

After a nod, he headed toward the door. I’m glad you made it home all right, Emma. Call me if you need anything.

Thanks. I managed one last smile to placate him.

When he left, I downed four pills in seconds and returned to the stillness where pain didn’t exist. My anxiety eased, flowing out of me like the held breath in my lungs. The world finally slowed around me, and the sense of urgency released its tight grip. I was safe. Chad was safe. And David was safe. I looked out at the only billboard visible from my window. It perched above the trees with an illustration of a white horse riding into the sunset. Over the orange and yellow sky, large black letters spelled Freedom.

Yes, I was safe. But not free. I’d never be free.

I tried to distract myself with happy thoughts of being home, but a glance around made me frown. My small one bedroom apartment held only the bare necessities: Brown sofa, white table, small black television on a stand.

Home wasn’t really home anymore.

I’d always lived in Madison, Wisconsin. Whenever my family wasn’t traveling, it was where we hung up our shovels. Up until two years ago I lived in the same large estate I’d grown up in. I moved out when my dad died. The house still waited for me, but I couldn’t bring myself to enter it. After all, it was my fault that my whole family was dead.

The thought blunted any residual pain the morning ordeal had caused, and I welcomed the numbness. I could do numb. Hell, I lived numb. It was better than facing the guilt and letting it consume me. Nothing would bring my family back, and all I had left was the constant reminder around my neck.

I eased onto my side and propped my head on the sofa arm. My thoughts lingered on the feel of David’s arms supporting me. I shivered, and my chest tightened. It was dangerous in more ways than one. I feared touching him as much as I feared killing him, and one touch only made me want more. I craved contact more than any woman should. I wanted to feel the heat from another human being, to feel comfort in a friendly hug. I just wanted to feel, period. Just for a little while.

My eyelids grew heavy with exhaustion, and I didn’t fight it. No one could understand my kind of loneliness. No one except for maybe…

Chapter 2

Darkness loomed outside the window when I awoke to the sound of a blender in the upstairs apartment. I raised my eyes enough to see the green illuminated clock on the microwave. Seven o’clock pm., twelve hours after I’d fallen asleep.

A slight panic ran through me when I remembered what I was doing on the sofa. Did it really happen? Or had I really drank

Reviews for Curse of the Egyptian Goddess

[authorraezryans · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Curse of the Egyptian Goddess is a relatively fast paced mystery and romance themed novella that packs the punch and satisfaction of a full blown novel. The premises of the story is of a young girl named Cleo Patrix (she would later change it to Emma) and boy named Calvin, who are very much in love. They find a unique and mysterious pair of necklaces when their parents are on a dig in Egypt. They take the necklaces unknowingly that they bear a curse until it's much too late. One brings on a snake that injures the wearer and kills whoever touches it, and the other is a cat in which the wearer transforms - which is meant to keep the snake at bay.


Many deaths and years later, and all that is left of the young duo are themselves. However, they have led separate lives since that fateful year in Egypt. Emma must find Calvin, but when she finally does she realizes he is no longer the boy she one knew. He is a grown man now, but has his love for her waned? Do they find a way to break it? Will they be forced to suffer for the rest of their lives? Will Calvin forgive Emma, and help to undo the curse they began as children?


I really enjoyed this story, and like any good book I wish there was more. This is not to say that the author left anything out, or even leaves you hanging. No, I just fell in love with her characters and writing style. This is an author that I will keep my eye on for more reading pleasure, and you should too!

If your seeking a quick, turn paging read that is filled with mystery, love and sensual tones than this is the story for you!

[starrk_3 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This was a novella, so it was a rather quick read. While there were moments that I enjoyed, and I definitely liked Emma and Calvin’s character, there were moments that I didn’t connect with the story. I think I liked the idea of the story more than the story itself. I enjoyed Calvin and Emma’s romance and situation; the ending changed everything for me. The romance was cut off at a pretty hot moment and there wasn’t a satisfying resolution at the end.
I hated the ending and felt that it was just a way to end the story instead of a place that the author arrived at. I like all different types of ending, they don’t have to be the kind where everything is happy, I only request that they come naturally; happy or sad. I think it would help if the story was fleshed out a little more.

[ljldml · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting short story. I received this from the author for an honest review.
I liked the story, it's a bit too short, though.
Characters are exciting and fun. Interaction between Emma and Calvin is priceless!
Hope there are more adventures in the future!
I am drawn to a story by the summary and the cover of the book (shallow, I know)
The story gets 4 stars, but the cover only gets 3.
Great writing from the author.