Secrets of the Tomb

By Deva Shore

Natasha has been plagued by dreams of Egypt for years. Taunted about her weight by her classmates, she throws herself into her studies. Spurred on by her obsession with all things Egypt, she enters a competition and wins a trip to Egypt to work on a dig with archaeologists. As a precondition, she must lose weight to meet the physical requirements of the trip.

Her need to lose weight fast leads her to a hypnotherapist. Under hypnosis, she discovers she once lived an extraordinary former life as Tilia, a serving girl to Princess Zenithia of Egypt.

As her incredible journey begins, she discovers who she was, who she is now, and who she will ultimately become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Independent Publishers Group
• Release date: Jan 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646566693

Deva Shore

Australian writer Deva Shore is an award winning short story author, poet and children’s writer whose work has been published worldwide. She was thrilled to have had a ten minute play titled, ‘Why Mummy,’ produced in Sydney, Australia and has also been a feature writer with Burial Day Books in the US and Little Raven Publishing in Australia.Deva is a voracious writer writing in most genres. Secrets of the Tomb was written while completing her Diploma in Writing and Editing at Adult Education Centre in Melbourne.Deva has three amazing daughters, three and a half grandchildren who are the loves of her life and adores surf fishing with her partner Mick at their beachside haven.

Book preview

Secrets of the Tomb

By Deva Shore

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2021 Deva Shore

ISBN 9781646566693

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

* * * *

Secrets of the Tomb

By Deva Shore

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Prologue

Princess Zenithia’s bed was already turned down. Tending to her nightly ritual, Tilia dressed her in a silken robe, and brushed her long glossy hair before hurrying from the room. She was eager to meet someone. A man. Rushing along the many passageways, she peered about nervously, hoping she wouldn’t be seen before reaching a doorway which was hidden among the stonework. Pushing the fifth stone upwards, she heard a creak and then another before the door yawned open.

Slipping inside she waited, peering into the darkness and beyond. Tilia knew riches were stowed far back in the recess of the room and this made her even more fearful. Entry was forbidden for females, yet she took this risk, wanting nothing more than to feel his arms around her, but after a time she came to realize that he would not be coming. Reluctantly she retraced her steps.

Disappointment consumed her as she made her way to her abode, yet she still entered the secret corridor which led from her room to the Princess’s. She did this every evening before retiring. Peering through a small cavity her eyes opened wide as she witnessed a man leaning over the Princess. Gasping with shock, her hands fluttered to her mouth to still a cry.

His back was familiar, but it was his hand that transfixed her. One was clenched cruelly over the Princess’s mouth. She watched in disbelief, paralyzed with fear, as Princess Zenithia struggled against him, her legs thrashing about, trying to escape his clutches, but he was stronger. A moment longer and she was still.

He waited only a second before scurrying towards the window without even a backward glance at the Princess who lay with her head askew, her eyes wide open. Tilia knew that something was very, very wrong.

Natasha could feel Tilia’s fear, her own heart racing, palms sweating. Tilia’s anxiousness when she could not awaken the Princess was palpable. Tilia hurried from the room to summon the queen. With Tilia leading the way, they rushed to the Princess’s bedside. When the queen and Tilia realized Princess Zenithia had indeed gone to the gods they knelt at her bedside and wailed, grief-stricken.

That’s when the intruder saw his opportunity and leaped from the window.

Chapter 1

Natasha discovered the hard way she hated flying. She was restless, couldn’t sleep properly, and when she eventually did fall into a thankful dreamless slumber, the steward woke her to ask if she wanted something to eat. It was a nightmare. The air conditioning was too hot causing the overhead vents to dry her out even further. Her eyes were sore and gritty. She was uncomfortable as her legs continued to cramp, so she climbed over Rebecca to take a walk and stretch her legs.

Many of the people on the plane were sleeping. Some were hanging over the arms of their aisle seats, so she carefully skirted around, trying hard not to disturb them. Brandon and Christopher were in the center aisle of the plane. Brandon had fallen asleep on Christopher’s shoulder. He looked adorable, even if he was drooling. She wished she could take Christopher’s place and was half tempted to bump into him.

She did a few laps of the plane, each time hoping that Brandon would wake and join her, but he didn’t. Aware she needed to keep her circulation flowing she lingered at the back of the plane with some of the other passengers who were also drained with the rigors of flying.

First time to Cairo? an elderly woman asked.

Yes, Natasha said. I didn’t realize the trip would be so long.

You’ll love it. But all this flying, she moaned. It doesn’t agree with my arthritis. My bones are getting too old and stiff for flying. If only I was young again like you.

She prattled on for a while before Natasha could make a hasty escape. She used the toilet and washed her face, splashing water on her tired eyes. Calling into the galley she asked for a bottle of water to replenish her fluids as the air conditioning continued to dehydrate. Back in her seat she put on the headphones and listened to music. As the hours dragged on, she retrieved her journal flipping through to the most transformative part about her life and how she’d managed to be here, sitting on this plane.

I stayed in my room all night and no one even bothered to see if I was okay. If Dad doesn’t change his mind, I’m never speaking to him again. This morning when I came down to breakfast Mum had a bowl of Albran covered in skim milk with sliced bananas and a glass of orange juice waiting for me. Well, I could hardly contain myself. What a feast!

Forgive me, but when I looked at her, I pictured her with an apple in her mouth slowly being rotated on a spit. Childish I know, but I was still angry.

Sulking, I sat down hoping to get Mum to feel sorry for me. She was prattling on about drinking lots of water and how she’d prepared a salad for my lunch.

I think it would be a good idea if you walk to school. Why don’t you take your bathers and gym gear with you? You could call into the gym on the way home for a workout.

Sure, I said. Sounds like fun.

Mum snapped that she was only trying to be helpful.

I felt bad then. Why is it that parents can turn a situation around and make us feel guilty when we aren’t the ones who have done anything wrong?

Anyway, at assembly Mr. Carney broke the news to the rest of the school. He asked me to come out to the front, to stand on the podium with him.

He said I deserved a round of applause. God, I was so embarrassed. I could feel myself getting redder and redder. As I glanced at the in crowd I wondered if any of them realize just what a big deal this was.

Probably not.

She flicked through some pages skimming through her handwriting, her eyes scratchy and sore.

For weeks she’d been eating everything her mother had prepared. She’d walked to and from school, spent two hours at the gym every night with her father and for what?

All she’d lost was two kilos, nothing more. In another eight weeks she had to meet with Dr. Goodman, and more than anything she wanted him to see how hard she’d been working, but for what?

She wondered what she was going to do. Why couldn’t she lose weight like everyone else?

She found the entry she’d been searching for. A sentence had been underlined many times showing her frustration at the time. Smiling to herself she peered down again and read on.

There has to be a reason. There’s only one other thing left to do. I’m going to enlist help from Caitlin on the side and find out all I need to know about hypnosis.

What Mum and Dad don’t know won’t hurt them.

Closing the journal she sighed, her eyelids drooping as she remembered how it eventually had panned out.

* * * *

Her father had seen her at the bus stop on his way home from work and pulled over to give her a lift. She could hardly contain herself as he drove.

You look like you’ve won the lottery, he said.

It’s better than that.

Better than winning the lottery? I can’t imagine what’s better than that. Come on, tell me. I’m dying to know.

I’ll explain everything when we were all together, Natasha said, fidgeting in her seat.

Tasha, come on. You know you can’t keep a secret from me. Now tell me, he teased as he watched her shake her head.

It was so hard not to give in to him, to not even hint, but in the back of her mind she was beginning to wonder what her parent’s reaction would be considering she had done this without their permission. She hoped once they heard the whole story they would be as elated as she was.

She hoped.

Pushing all negative thoughts from her mind she squeezed her eyes shut, willing the pyramids and Egypt to flood her mind with nothing but happy thoughts.

Before she knew it, they were parked in their driveway. Rushing into the house she called for her mother and Caitlin. She found her mother in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Pulling her by the arm, practically dragging her into the lounge room, she forced her mother to sit on the couch next to her father. Caitlin bounded down the stairs glancing from one to the other, biting her bottom lip.

What’s up? Caitlin said.

She had a suspicion of what might be coming and hoped this wouldn’t backfire on them.

Well, out with it then, her father said. He was laughing, totally oblivious of her escapade.

She stared at them a moment longer, their faces eager for the news she had and so she began. It was like opening a gateway. The words flowed out as quickly as water from of a burst pipe. She was so busy telling them every detail she could remember that she didn’t notice the look of total outrage on her father’s face.

She was focusing on Caitlin, whose eyes were shining with happiness. It was because of her that Natasha would now be able to conquer her problem. If she hadn’t introduced Natasha to Eric, then they all wouldn’t be here to help celebrate her good fortune.

How dare you do this? Her father roared.

Natasha was taken aback. She stopped mid-sentence; mouth open. The look on her father’s face was frightening. She’d never seen him like this in her entire life. None of them had. At first his face went pale but the angrier he became the redder it flushed.

Darling, please, her mother said, grabbing at his arm. Calm down. Remember your blood pressure.

Blood pressure. Who cares about my blood pressure? Did you even hear what she said, what she did?

Natasha thought they’d be disappointed at first, but when they heard of the amazing life she’d lived, she assumed they would be as excited as she was.

Dad, you aren’t listening? she began.

Of all the stupid things that you could do, this would be it. You’ve never gone against our wishes before. How could you, knowing how we felt about it?

But Dad, I… she began.

How could you put yourself in danger like that when we’d already expressed our feelings on the subject? He rose angrily, pacing the floor. Why…this…this friend of Caitlin’s could have made the whole thing up.

He didn’t. I saw the footage.

I don’t care what you saw. He could have coerced it from you before he brought you around, fiddled around with the footage.

He didn’t, I swear it’s all true and… Her voice began to quiver as tears welled.

Natasha, her mother said quietly, Your father is only concerned because of…

This whole scenario is ridiculous, he ranted. A serving girl. Come on now, you don’t believe all that crap, do you?

Dad, Eric’s not like that, Caitlin said.

Her father ignored her. Because of your upcoming trip…he…he put this…this ridiculous story into your head to probably further his own career.

Dad, weren’t you listening to me? It’s not a hoax. He wouldn’t have had time to edit and produce a tape while I was under. He did this to help me and it has.

How? How has this helped? he shouted.

Natasha was stunned beyond belief. She’d always had an excellent relationship with both her parents, so for this to turn out so ugly was a real shock. Her mother was shaking her head slowly, indicating she should stop but she couldn’t. This was her future, her past had been hell, and even though her father’s face was flushed and beads of sweat had popped out on his forehead, she continued.

Why can’t you be happy for me? Natasha’s voice quivered as she continued on with her plight. Why can’t you see it? It explains so much. The overeating, the obsession with everything about Egypt. It makes sense. Eric says that he’s never heard of…

If you say his name one more time, I’ll… He gripped the dining table, his knuckles turning white. Never in my life have I been so angry with you, Natasha.

He stood there for a moment longer. Their eyes locked in defiance before her mother guided him to a chair. Natasha was about to open her mouth to retaliate but a quick look at her mother’s disapproving expression changed her mind and instead she fled upstairs to her room.

Caitlin followed. She knocked lightly, opening the door before Natasha could answer. Sitting on the edge of her bed she rubbed Natasha’s back as she lay there sobbing into her pillow. I’ve never seen Dad like that, she said. I feel guilty now about taking you to Eric.

Natasha sat up, her face flushed, tears still running down her cheeks.

Don’t. Don’t ever say that. I’m sorry Dad is upset, but I’m not sorry I went.

I had no idea this was going to happen. Not so fast.

Neither did I.

Did you say he videotaped the whole session? she whispered.

Yes. Oh Caitlin, it was so amazing. You should have seen me as Tilia. It was weird to watch, to think that I…well…my body, or my brain…I still can’t get my head around it. Anyway, to think I’ve lived before.

I wonder if I have too.

Maybe, you could have been Cleopatra, Joan of Arc or…or Jack the Ripper, Natasha giggled.

Or knowing my luck I was probably a fish or an ant. Something boring, nothing as exciting as Tilia.

I wonder if it’s short for Nefertilia or something glamorous like that.

What does that mean?

Nefer means beautiful, Nefertilia, sounds good, yeah?

Cool.

I don’t understand why can’t they be happy? Nothing bad happened. At least now we know why I have the eating disorder, don’t we? It explains so much.

Doesn’t it though. Listen; don’t say anything else tonight, okay? It will just aggravate Dad even further.

But…

No buts. Let Dad cool down and hopefully he’ll see things differently in the morning. I mean when they think about it rationally and see that you haven’t been affected in any way they’ll come round.

You think?

Yeah, now wash your face and think about something else. Congratulations, Tilia, Caitlin said, bowing dramatically before leaving her room.

What a day. Natasha lay back on her bed to stare up at the old stars still stuck on her ceiling. She was trying to comprehend it all. She was indebted to Caitlin for introducing her to Eric, for helping her get to the root of her problem. Now she would be able to lose the weight and concentrate on her trip.

All she needed was her parent’s