The Sorcerer's Curse: The Mummy's Curse Series, #2

By J Raven Wilde

Will Laney choose to stay with Serkhet or will she take the Sorcerer's offer?

Things were going well for me and Serkhet, or so I thought. I had graduated from college and received my bachelor's degree, which was a momentous occasion, but it was trumped by Serkhet's second marriage proposal. This time, it was more romantic. I was glowing with happiness, but it didn't last long. Everything started to go downhill after Serkhet asked for us to move to Egypt. Maybe he was just homesick. But I started to notice things. I thought the curse was broken or maybe I was just starting to see who Serkhet really was. Then, I met a man who calls himself the sorcerer. He offered me a chance to change events in my past, putting me on a different path. A way to alter my future. Would Serkhet go back to being the man I knew him as, or would I decide to take the sorcerer's offer?

Publisher'sNote: The Sorcerer's Curse is the second book in The Mummy's Curse three-book mini-series. Reading order is: The Mummy's Curse, The Sorcerer's Curse, and The Curse of Anubis.

This book contains an MFM menagerie romance and will have many explicit adult scenes that will leave you hot and bothered. If such material offends you, do not buy this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Raven Wilde
• Release date: Jul 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393940562

J Raven Wilde

J. Raven had spent most of her life traveling around the US or abroad, managing to find a bookstore in every city she visited. She began writing when she was a little girl and it slowly grew into something she loved doing.  Now that she isn’t traveling as much anymore, she spends her time writing romance stories at her quiet little home out in the country.

Book preview

Chapter One

The flight from Egypt was blissfully uneventful. Laney made sure to go over everything that was going to happen with Serkhet long before they boarded the plane, so there were no surprises. It was going to take a long time for him to fully adjust to the 21st century. As the plane flew over the Pacific, the two shared glasses of champagne to celebrate their new relationship. Laney couldn’t help smiling at Serkhet’s expression toward flying in a plane. The mere thought of even flying in the sky was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Once they landed in California, it was just a taxi ride from the airport back to Laney’s apartment. She was relieved to be getting back home, after the wildest adventure of her life. Her place was modest, but at least it was her own space. Though, things were probably going to have to change with the arrival of Serkhet.

Tarrick had stayed in Egypt, after Serkhet relieved him of his duties as his servant. Now that Serkhet was free of his prison and the full extent of his magic readily available, he no longer required Tarrick’s service to bring unsuspecting people into his tomb for energy. He and Laney could be together whenever they desired, giving Serkhet the life energy he required.

When Laney returned to her classes after spring break, she doubled down on her studies to finish the semester as strongly as she had started it. She felt comfortable leaving Serkhet alone after a few days of reacclimating him to the basics of human interaction so he wouldn’t raise any questions when he engaged in social situations. His confidence in leaving the apartment grew more and more each day, as he would excitedly tell her about the conversations he would have in the coffee shops and grocery stores when she returned from campus. Each of his outings gained length and distance with his growing competence.

Naturally, they fell into a routine in their relationship as well. Every day, Laney woke to her alarm with strong arms enveloping her from behind. She’d groan something sleepily, shuffle around to face Serkhet, and kiss him lazily. Some mornings, she’d get right up after that morning kiss and get ready for her classes. Others, she would press snooze and allow Serkhet’s hand to absentmindedly wander between her legs.

She never knew being so close to someone could be this easy, this wonderful. Building their life together meant so much to her, she was unlikely to ever let it go.

Several months flew by as each of them progressed in their respective tasks. Inspired by her time in Egypt and her relationship with Serkhet, Laney changed her major halfway through her junior year. And before she knew it, Laney was walking across the stage at graduation to receive her bachelor’s degree in Archaeology. Her friends — and of course, Serkhet — watched with pride as she accepted her certification of many years of hard work. She only wished that her parents were still alive to watch her cross the stage.

That night, Laney met her Uncle Tom for a celebratory dinner at one of the local restaurants she could never afford if he wasn’t treating. After he had called and made the plans a few weeks ago, she’d had a few minutes of internal debate before deciding to just go for it and let him know about her new boyfriend. She mentioned him nervously, unsure of how he would react, but her uncle insisted on inviting Serkhet to their celebration to meet him.

Serkhet was as charming as ever, and treated Laney with the same adoration he did every day — though without the obvious sensual comments whispered into her ear that made her blush. Laney pasted a smile on her face but felt nervous underneath her façade. Tom took Laney in after her parent’s tragic car accident when she was a little girl. Though he was married to his work in archaeology, he was overprotective of Laney.

Her uncle aimed the typical barrage of questions Serkhet’s way, which he handled with practiced ease. After all, Serkhet was no stranger to bending his truth to make his story more aligned with society’s norms now. Eventually, her uncle tired of the interrogation and seemed to relax with approval. Laney couldn’t seem to get rid of the smile on her face after that. Surrounded by the people that she loved most and receiving the same in return, everything was going well for Laney and Serkhet.

They finished dinner and Laney bade her uncle a long goodbye. He was flying back to New York that night, unable to stay any longer without missing work.

She missed her parents awfully but seeing her uncle and receiving his blessing on dating Serkhet was enough to bring her a joyous night.

After they exited the restaurant, she started to walk in the direction of their apartment before Serkhet stopped her.

Let’s walk a little before the sun sets, hm? I have a bit of a graduation present for you. He gave his charming half smile while she agreed easily.

Laney thought that they were wandering aimlessly through the streets of the city, but Serkhet guided her off the sidewalk and into the local wooded park. The scene was beautiful, with the silhouettes of the trees black against the orange and purple of the dusk sky.

The park was deserted, given the setting sun. Laney let herself be guided to a small alcove set into the brick wall separating the higher level of the sloped grass from the lower level. There was dark ivy crawling up the brick, contrasting nicely. Fresh flowers and blossoms scented the spring air, letting her breathe in the new life that surrounded her. It was a beautiful place, but she wasn’t sure why she’d been guided there specifically. Serkhet turned and grasped her hands in his, facing her with a light smile on his face.

I am so grateful to you, Laney. You have no idea the gratitude I feel for our story. I am no longer resentful for my curse, because without it, I would have never met you. His voice grew softer with his appreciation and genuine adoration. The curl of his lips was soft, almost wistful. Laney flicked her eyes back up to meet his gaze. Now that we’ve been together for even this short time, all my previous endeavors pale in comparison to the moments I wake up and see you lying next to me. His fingers came up to gently lift the pendant resting upon her sternum. It was a