The Return of the Prince

By A. R. Rand

Oliver, Pamela and her cat father enter Bast’s secluded Egyptian world. Pamela seems happy to adjust and learn ancient magic there. However, Oliver has concerns about the strict world devoted to worshiping Bast. As a non-cat, he is not welcome and must leave. His fears about the underlying viciousness come true when he is the target of human sacrifice. His fears about Charlie manifest when Charlie joins with Ogilby. Is it a ploy or has the 7-year-old betrayed his friends? The search for the Cherish wands takes Oliver, Pamela and the aunts, flying on magical creatures, to a deserted casino resort. The Copa Room turns into the cobra room. A lounge lizard holds the group hostage, forcing them to reveal their most painful secrets. To fight Ogilby, Oliver undergoes a dangerous ritual to earn a Cherish wand. On Ogilby’s orders, the wicked leprechaun at Dingbats School holds the students captive and devises a fiery competition to kill Oliver and his friends. The students ban together in a fierce battle at Ogilby’s castle fighting the Untouchables and other fiends. In the final show down, Oliver pursues Ogilby to a missile launch site for an atomic astro-blasto ending!

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. A. Randazzo
• Release date: Aug 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005222406

Book preview

Table of Contents

BOOK FOUR – THE RETURN OF THE PRINCE

Chapter 1 – Bold Journey

Chapter 2 – Tombstone Territory

Chapter 3 – Queen for a Day

Chapter 4 – A Date with Life

Chapter 5 –Wanted: Dead or Alive

Chapter 6 – The Road to Life

Chapter 7 – Mr. Peeper’s Plan

Chapter 8 – Twenty Questions

Chapter 9 –Double or Nothing

Chapter 10 – Death Valley Days

Chapter 11 – 77 Sunset Strip

Chapter 12 – One Step Beyond

Chapter 13 –Love that Blob

Chapter 14 – Leave It to Beaver

Chapter 15 – You Are There

Chapter 16 – December Bride

Chapter 17 –Teller of Tales

Chapter 18 – The Secret Storm

Chapter 19 – Destiny

Chapter 20 – I Love Lunacy

Chapter 21 –The Twilight Zone

Chapter 22 – Anyone Can Win

Chapter 23 – You Asked for It

Chapter 24 – Lock-Up

Chapter 25 – Chance of a Lifetime

Chapter 26 – Judge for Yourself

Chapter 27 – The Big Payoff

Chapter 28 – The Show Goes On

Chapter 29 – As the World Turns

Chapter 30 – The Magic Within

Chapter One

* * Bold Journey * *

Dennis would keep flying until he dropped from exhaustion if Oliver let him. The dragon’s long wings flapped like a mighty Pterodactyl. Riding on the iridescent green dragon, Oliver and Pamela had been traveling for days, leaving the village of Silver Cricket far behind. They were heading east, soaring over shadowy villages, vast forests, and farm fields toward the Make Me Laugh Mountains. At another time, the magical world of Razzmatazz would be wondrous to behold. Not now, not when they were on the run.

Oliver didn’t want to press Dennis farther and looked for a clearing to land. They had been flying all night and, in addition, the sun would soon rise. Before the sun broke on the horizon, Oliver must neatly tuck himself inside his coffin. He couldn’t think about his undead state of being now. It was better that he didn’t dwell on such things and keep his focus on his mission. He was taking Pamela to safety; at least he hoped he was. The ancient Egyptian world of Bast, the cat goddess, was unknown to him and to Pamela. They had no idea what they would find in the secluded world or if the inhabitants would welcome Pamela.

How long is this gonna take? asked Sly.

The Abyssinian cat and Pamela’s father was like a child pestering a parent with are we there yet annoying Oliver considerably. Pamela rode behind Oliver, straddling Dennis’ ridges that ran down the dragon’s back. Sly’s furry silver head stuck out of Pamela’s half-buttoned coat.

Oliver answered without turning to look behind him. I dunno, he said dully.

It was cold in the clouds. The cold didn’t affect Oliver, one of the perks of the undead. Oliver was glad the sisters had bundled Pamela in a warm coat. It was difficult to comprehend that Pamela was really a cat. The magical spell, albeit a temporary fix, had turned her into human form. She looked exactly like the red-haired, freckle-face girl he had grown up with in the Humbug world.

Their peaceful life of taking music lessons with Pamela’s aunts, the Robinson sisters, walking to school together and just hanging out had ended on Halloween night. That night was also Pamela’s eleventh birthday, a year of magical importance to a wicked wizard named Ogilby. Until that night, Ogilby was invisible to humans and without any magical powers. He had lost his powers and become invisible due to a misfired immortality spell. Pamela’s cat mother, Bath, had been his familiar and died in the mishap. Ogilby had grabbed Pamela, a newborn kitten then, to use in the spell. Things didn’t go as he planned. Instead, Pamela transformed into a human being and Ogilby lost his matter. For the next eleven years, he dwelled in the sisters’ old Victorian house making minor mischief for the students like untying shoelaces and picking at their clothes. Some students thought he was a ghost. The sisters referred to him as Mr. Ogilby, their invisible companion. Naturally, most people in their Brooklyn neighborhood thought the sisters were bats in the belfry’ to see things that weren’t there.

The revelation on that Halloween night by the sisters that Pamela was actually a cat had stunned Pamela to say the least. Oliver found it equally unimaginable. However, when Pamela reverted into cat form that same evening, he had to believe the impossible was indeed possible.

On that fateful night, Ogilby kidnapped Pamela and took her via the trunk in the belfry to Razzmatazz, a world of magical creatures and vintage 1950’s neighborhoods. Ogilby reclaimed his throne as ruler and, using Pamela as his familiar, planned to try the Immorti spell again when the time was right. Oliver was fortunate that time; he had been able to rescue Pamela before that happened. Yet, Ogilby had not given up and relentlessly pursued her. To escape Ogilby, the Robinson sisters had sent Pamela away to the one place they believed she would be safe…Bast’s world.

Pamela was just a kid Oliver thought, too young to have gone through the calamities that had befallen her at the hands of Prince Ogilby. Of course, he was a child as well. They were both eleven years old but somehow as a vampire, he felt much older than his years. He was now a descendant of a long line of vampires that had existed in the past and still existed. He tried to push the disturbing thought from his mind, but it lingered. He imagined an eternal existence, the years and years ahead of him…and the years and years without his best friend. A wave of melancholy swept over him imagining what existence would be like without Pamela, without the Robinson sisters and without Dennis, the sisters’ beloved dragon. The melody of a song went through his mind. How he loved music. How he loved to play music. It had been a long time since he was just a carefree boy playing his instruments. The song was about a dragon living forever, but not so little boys. Dragons didn’t live forever, only vile creatures like him relegated to a nightmarish existence endured. Then again, not forever…the ancient vampire Mr. Botts aged over time. Botts had wanted to use Pamela’s magic to sustain his existence. His plans ended when Charlie shot Botts with a silver-tipped arrow, turning the vampire into a mound of dust.

Charlie…there was another troubling thought. Oliver and Pamela had been best friends with Charlie, but Oliver couldn’t trust Charlie now. Charlie had sided with his father, turning his back on Oliver, Pamela, and the Robinson sisters. Pamela still believed in Charlie. Oliver wished with all his heart that he could believe in Charlie, but he had experienced first-hand Charlie’s treachery.

So, where we goin’? asked Sly interrupting his thoughts.

Miss Appley had given Oliver a map and told Dennis where to go also. Oliver hadn’t consulted the map and left the driving to Dennis.

The Isle of the Eye of the Sun, Pamela told Sly irritably.

Sounds hoity-toity, said Sly making a face.

You already said that about a billion times, Oliver snapped. And we’ve told you where we’re going about a billion times.

Oliver didn’t know and certainly didn’t care if Bast’s world was some upscale haven or not. They were going to gate crash the party, so to speak, whether the guests were ritzy or common folk. He was short tempered and so was Pamela. It had been a grueling journey and he and Pamela had argued over unimportant things. The bickering masked the real reason for their raw nerves; this was the last desperate attempt to save Pamela from Ogilby’s reach.

Oliver spotted a clearing ahead near a cliff and told Dennis to land. The dragon swooped lower, gliding on air currents to the ground. Dennis closed his wings and sniffed the air. Oliver watched, thinking the dragon was sniffing for food, then again, Dennis could be sniffing for trolls. Even Oliver could smell a troll’s dead fish stench a mile away, but he didn’t think Ogilby and his troll army was following them, not yet anyway.

Pamela slid off the dragon. Sly wiggled out of her coat and dropped to the ground. He was a purebred Abyssinian, but no prize cat. His silver fur was dull and matted and chunks were missing. His tail stuck out at an odd angle from being broken and not healing properly.

Terra firma, he said, kneading his claws in the grass. Feels good.

Oliver unhooked the harness secured to the dragon’s belly and let the coffin fall to the ground.

We’d better find a place out of sight, said Pamela.

She looked around and pointed to some dark spots at the base of the cliff. Are those caves? she said to Oliver.

Oliver and Pamela walked over to the cliff and found several cave openings. Pamela lighted a Lumino with her school wand and searched inside one of the caves. Oliver went in the other direction, searching inside another cave. He ducked under the roof and lighted a Lumino with his school wand. Oliver and Pamela had acquired the thick, battered and chipped wands as part of their studies at Dingbats School of Sword and Sorcery. Ogilby’s on-going threat had interrupted their magical education. To Oliver attending classes there seemed so long ago or just a dream remembered. He watched the ball of light glide around the cave recalling that saying aloud the magic word to light a Lumino was unnecessary, just a thought of Guiding Light would do. In any case, the cave wasn’t deep, but it was large enough for his coffin and for Pamela to take cover.

He walked back outside joining Pamela waiting for him after she had inspected several of the caves. They’re too small for us, she said.

Oliver gestured to the cave he had found. That one will do except for Dennis, he said.

Then let’s keep looking, she said as she looked over at the dragon, still sniffing the air and twitching his ears for any sounds.

Don’t worry about Dennis, said Oliver. He prefers to curl up outside. And he’s a good watch-dragon.

Okay, said Pamela, knowing the dragon could take care of himself.

Dennis suddenly stood rigid, pointing his ears. Oliver touched Pamela’s arm to alert her that Dennis sensed something. Oliver and Pamela stood still, watching and listening. Prince Ogilby could have sent any one of his spies after them. The mechanical ratters were the most efficient spying devices, but he also had other operatives like the black knights, robots, and mountain goblins that could be following them.

A bush among the tall trees swayed with movement. Oliver and Pamela pointed their school wands. They caught a flash of eyes shining in the dark underbrush.

Come out! snarled Oliver.

Don’t shoot, said Sly. The cat wandered out of the bushes. Whatta ya nuts? he said to Oliver. Can’t a guy even take a leak?

Relieved Oliver and Pamela lowered their wands.

You scared us to death, said Pamela.

Sorry Pammy, he replied. Nature called and I answered.

Oliver and Pamela hadn’t noticed that Dennis’ had directed his attention away from the woods. However, the dragon relaxed and shook off, the shiver racing down his back from head to tail, and then he yawned widely. Whatever had interested him was no longer a threat. Pamela helped Oliver drag his coffin inside the cave. She knelt beside the coffin and opened the lid.

I guess my coffin comes in handy for storage anyway, he said trying to make light of it. Actually, he was terribly embarrassed that he had to drag around a coffin. Wasn’t his undead state horrible enough without that added insult?

The coffin served as storage for the items they needed on the trip including their backpacks, food, and a sleeping bag for Pamela. Pamela opened one of the packets of dried blood and poured in some water.

Shaking the packet, she mixed it matter-of-factly as if she were making cool aid. As she handed the mixture to Oliver, he experienced another embarrassing moment.

It’s okay, Oliver, she said with an encouraging smile.

Oliver couldn’t abide her watching him drink blood. He waited until Pamela and Sly went off to find twigs to make a campfire and then drank the nourishment. Shadows covered his coffin at the back of the cave. He didn’t want her to witness this part of his unnatural existence either. He slipped inside before she returned with a measure of comfort that he had spared her from seeing him lying in a coffin. As he closed the lid, the feeling of comfort melted away, replaced by uneasiness. Was something out there in the dark woods watching them?

** **

With nightfall, Oliver awoke surprisingly refreshed. He cautiously opened the lid a crack and peeked out. Pamela was in the sleeping bag, fast asleep. Sly sat by the cave entrance looking out and keeping watch.

Oliver silently climbed out of the coffin and, hunching low to clear the cave ceiling, sat down beside him.

Any trouble? he asked.

Sly kept his eyes focused straight ahead. No trouble at all, he said lightly.

You know, Sly, said Oliver. Cattown is in this direction. We could swing by and drop you off.

Sly turned to him with a half-smile. What? And miss all the action?

I know you’re concerned about Pamela, said Oliver, but you’re not well.

Sly raised a paw in protest. Hold on, buster, he said. I only used up one cat life…well, maybe a couple of others here and there…but don’t count me out.

I’m not…I just, Oliver’s voice trailed off. Despite his concern over Sly’s well-being, he was relieved that Sly was going along.

Forget it, said Sly adamantly turning to Oliver.

Oliver nodded, knowing he would not bring the subject up again. We’d better get going. Did Dennis get some rest?

Yeah, said Sly. He was gone for a while in the woods, so I guess he found something to eat. Then he came back and had a nice snooze.

I had a nice snooze too, said Pamela.

They turned, looking at Pamela sitting up in the sleeping bag, stretching and yawning.

Oliver and Pamela hurriedly packed the coffin. Dennis waited patiently as they secured the coffin to the harness and then climbed onto his back. Sly again tucked into Pamela’s coat. The clearing wasn’t large enough for a running start. Dennis unfurled his wings and flapped hard. For a moment, Oliver thought they weren’t going anywhere and then the dragon lifted straight into the sky. The dragon climbed higher and, catching the moving wind, glided smoothly over the forest.

The mountains loomed ahead, and trails of fog rushed by in the sky. As they progressed, the fog grew denser, obscuring the view. Oliver hoped Dennis sensed the right direction because there weren’t any landmarks visible below to guide them.

Dennis flew higher trying to rise above the rolling fog. Oliver wished he had studied the map better when Miss Appley showed it to him. The fog thinned at the higher altitude, making visibility somewhat better but it was also colder. Pamela shivered despite the heavy coat and warmth of a cat nestled inside.

I hope we’re heading east, said Oliver loudly above the rush of wind.

East is the direction of Bast, said Pamela, through chattering teeth. She’s called the Lady of the East.

What else do you know about her? asked Oliver. I mean, we want to get on the good side of her, right?

Bast is the Egyptian Goddess of Animals, Dance, Fire, Happiness, Intuition, Joy, Marriage, and Music, said Pamela talking loudly.

Music, said Oliver, that’s cool.

As Oliver listened to Pamela telling him that Bast was the daughter of Ra, the sun god, a flying dark shape to his right drew his attention. The shape passed in and out of the clouds so Oliver couldn’t make it out clearly. It was too far away to gauge its size. It was only a dark speck against the night sky, but definitely moving in their direction. Oliver grew alarmed. Something was following them. Was it Ogilby’s flying Scylldra, the slithering serpent-dragons or something else?

Oliver urged Dennis to fly faster. Dennis flapped harder. The dark object kept its distance, finally disappearing in the clouds.

It took several more days to reach the Isle of the Eye of the Sun. They rested on the way, taking shelter in caves and deep within forest glens. Oliver, Dennis, and Sly had no problem with the outdoor accommodations but Oliver was worried about Pamela. She looked so small and fragile cuddled by the campfires. She hardly ate at all and the hours of flying in the cold air were taking its toll on her physically. All the while, Oliver kept alert for the flying object he had seen in the clouds. He didn’t see it again, but he knew it was there.

It was a clear night as they landed on the shore of a placid lake. After they dismounted, Oliver and Pamela stood together looking across the deep blue water streaked with a silver ribbon of moonlight. On an island in the middle of the lake was a white marble temple glowing in moonlight amid the panorama of stars.

That’s the Temple of Devine Admittance, said Pamela in a whisper.

How are we going to get there? he asked. Miss Appley told me to leave Dennis on shore, not to let him land on the island.

Too sacred for dragon paws? said Sly, sitting beside them.

I dunno, said Oliver.

Pamela scanned the shoreline. I don’t see any boats. I hope we don’t have to swim.

Cats hate water, said Sly. A cat queen oughta know that.

Bast is a goddess, dad, not a queen, said Pamela.

I knew a couple a cats named Queenie, he said ignoring her, but they meowed like the rest of us.

Pamela rolled her eyes. Bast is immortal and ancient…and well… she added sternly, just mind your manners.

Sly looked up at her with a wicked grin. What? You want me to bow down n’ kiss her butt?

Dad! Pamela howled.

Don’t worry, he said. I’ll be so polite she’ll call me Puss n’ Butts.

Oliver laughed along with Sly as Pamela scowled. A sudden motion in the water interrupted their merriment. A translucent boat with a curved bow and glowing radiantly rose from the water and skimmed silently toward them.

Looks like our ride is here, said Sly.

Oliver looked at Pamela who suddenly looked terrified. Don’t worry, he said. I’m sure Bast will welcome us.

Or blast us to kingdom come, said Sly. Oliver threw Sly a warning look. Hey, don’t worry. I’ll use my charm on her.

Sly launched into a coughing fit and then spit out a fur ball. It was Oliver’s turn to roll his eyes.

What about your coffin? asked Pamela suddenly. Shouldn’t we take it along?

I’ve got my pouch, said Oliver. It’ll hold me for a few days until we get you settled.

His answer shocked Pamela. Oliver looked away, unable to meet her wounded gaze. Her shock wasn’t about the pouch, filled with dirt from the boys’ locker room at Dingbats, the place where he had died. She knew about the pouch that temporarily sustained his existence without the need to regenerate in his coffin. He had given voice to a subject that had gone unspoken during the journey. Oliver was not staying in Bast’s world with her. A raw silence hung between them, both unable to bear the thought of the separation to come.

Oliver walked back to Dennis with other disturbing thoughts. He didn’t know what they would find in the alternate world. They could be walking into a hostile world or a world where the undead couldn’t exist. The inhabitants could capture or even kill them merely for entering.

He reached Dennis and rubbed the dragon’s snout for a sense of comfort. Listen, if I’m not back in three days you go back home, he said. Dennis stared at him with saucer-size eyes. You understand? Dennis blinked. Oliver thought Dennis understood, but the scowl that followed meant that Dennis didn’t like leaving without him.

Pamela came up behind him and he helped her take the supplies out of the coffin and put them into their backpacks. Do you think I’ll need the food? she asked.

Oliver tried to speak lightheartedly. You’d better take it. We don’t know what we’ll find there, maybe just kibbles and bits.

That sounds yummy to me, said Sly, wandering over to them.

Pamela looked worriedly at her father. Did my mother tell you anything about Bast’s world?

She didn’t like to talk about it, said Sly. All the cats serve Bast, worship Bast, that’s all she told me.

I guess there’s not much freedom of choice there, said Pamela, casting her eyes down. That’s why my mother left.

Pamela suddenly looked up searching Oliver’s eyes. Do you think I’ll be happy there?

Oliver hesitated not knowing how to answer. Sure, he said feebly. Look, we just have to take one thing at a time. It might be a cool place…like Disneyland or something.

Okay, let’s do it, said Pamela, as she squeezed his hand.

Pamela hugged Dennis and then walked with Oliver and Sly to the boat. On the isle, the white temple was eerily aglow. Was it the entrance to a place of enchantment or a waiting tomb?

Chapter Two

* * Tombstone Territory * *

The elegant translucent boat slid silently across the mirror smooth lake without a motor or oars. Oliver, Pamela, and Sly didn’t speak as they journeyed across the lake to the Isle of the Eye of the Sun. The boat glided to a stop on a sandy white shore. Oliver held out his hand to help Pamela out of the boat. Her green eyes glistened in the moonlight, not the merry eyes he knew so well, but hallowed, worried eyes. Sly leaped out of the boat and crossed the sand to the lawn surrounding the temple that was as smooth as a velvet carpet.

The temple was of modest size on the scale of a one-car garage. Unlike a wooden garage, it was made of stately marble with two pillars on either side of a bronze door.

They stood by the door, a smooth slab with a single row of raised hieroglyphics across. The first glyph looked like a milkshake glass with two angled straws and a cherry in the middle. The second symbol was a half-circle and last was a sitting woman.

That’s Bast’s name on the door, said Pamela.

Looks like we’re in the right place, Sly added.

Yeah, but how do we get in? said Oliver as he pressed his hands around the edges. The door didn’t budge. It appeared sealed.

Try some hocus pocus? said Sly.

Like what? said Oliver a bit irritated.

Like open sesame, abracadabra, rainin’ cats n’ dogs… Sly answered brightly.

Oliver pointed his school wand at the door and said Unlockable Egressious. The door remained stubbornly sealed.

While Oliver was mumbling other magic words that had no effect, Pamela was quietly studying the door.

Hello Bast, baby, called Sly. Knock, knock, let us in.

Pamela threw her father a horrified look. Dad, she said sternly.

Sly innocently shrugged in reply.

Looks like we came a long way for nothing, said Oliver.

Pamela gasped. How stupid of me. Of course, I’m wearing it.

Wearing what? asked Oliver.

The key, said Pamela.

She took out a heavy gold necklace from under her blouse and removed it from her neck. The same symbols were on the disc of the medallion.

It was my mother’s, said Pamela. Right, dad?

Yeah, that’s why I gave it to ya, he said smartly.

Holding the medallion flat, she pressed it against the symbols on the door. The indented symbols on the medallion interlocked perfectly with the raised symbols on the door. A radiant white light set the door aglow. The door started to quiver and then vanished before their eyes.

They exchanged startled glances and then stepped cautiously through the opening. They were inside the temple. Hieroglyphics in bold colors adorned the walls. On the opposite side, they stepped to an open doorway with a view of a vast marble plaza. Brightly burning torches lined the plaza on both sides. Elegant, pillared temples touched by moonlight were evenly spaced, six on each side, of the thoroughfare. The temples were identical, made of white marble and accessed by steep steps that ran the length of the front facade. On the far side was a majestic pillared white marble temple much larger than the side temples and lighted by roaring torches.

Pamela grabbed Oliver’s hand and together they stepped through the doorway onto the high platform of the entrance temple overlooking the plaza. The air was balmy and palm trees swayed in a light breeze. Somewhere far off night birds were trilling. Oliver found the sound enchanting.

Behind the side-temples were dwellings aligned in perfectly straight rows, stretching as far as the eye could see and vanishing in the darkness of a vast desert.

This city is Per-Bast, Pamela whispered to Oliver.

There were people and cats walking on the plaza and in and out of the side temples. In the distance to the left of the great temple, three massive triangles stood out against the starry indigo sky.

What are those? Oliver asked Pamela pointing to the three shapes.

Pyramids, said Pamela. The tombs of the pharaohs.

Is that where Bast hangs out? said Sly. Let’s pay her a visit.

We can’t just knock on the door, said Pamela. Besides, I don’t think a goddess hangs out in a tomb.

Oliver could feel her hand shaking as he held it.

Then we’d better find out where she hangs out, said Oliver stressing the last word. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? he added. To ask Bast for sanctuary.

Yes, said Pamela grimly. I suppose so.

Oliver and Pamela started down the steps, hand and hand, as Sly tripped on ahead. They entered the plaza passing the cats and people. None of the inhabitants seemed the least bit curious or startled by the visitors.

One thing was obvious…all the cats were shorthair Abyssinians. Their coats were different colors however - blue, fawn or silver. The cats had a tapered muzzle and a slender body. They moved lithely and gracefully on dainty paws. Most striking were their large expressive, almond-shaped eyes, gold or green in color.

Looks like a lot of chicks, said Sly. Me-ow.

Dad, said Pamela warningly.

I can look, can’t I? he said.

Among the cats, humans milled about. The males and females were similar in appearance. They all had bangs and straight shoulder-length hair in the same color as the cat’s fur…blue, fawn or silver. Their almond-shaped eyes were either gold or green. Their bodies were slender and athletic. They wore white linen togas and gold sandals. The people wore a medallion the same as Pamela’s necklace around their neck. A smaller version of the medallion dangled from the golden collar on each cat.

An old man with silver hair in the same straight hairstyle and holding a staff walked toward them. I am Bennu, guardian of the temples of our omnipotent and beloved goddess, he said calmly. You will come with me.

Oliver threw Pamela and Sly a look of caution. They had just entered Bast’s world and already the authorities had intercepted them.

We wish to see the goddess, said Pamela.

Bennu started across the plaza not answering a rather lofty request in Oliver’s opinion. He shrugged to Pamela. There didn’t seem to be anything else to do other than to follow the old man. They walked toward the grand temple at the end of the thoroughfare. It appeared they were going to meet the omnipotent goddess, for surely the elegant temple was her palace.

A queasy feeling rose through Oliver. He never met a goddess before. He guessed most, if not all, humans could say that. He still thought of himself as human even if he was no longer among the living. Outwardly, he appeared as a normal boy as long as he kept his fangs in check. Sly had smelled his undead odor. He wondered if the cats here could sniff out his secret, too.

As they neared the grand temple, their guide unexpectedly turned right and headed toward a side temple. They climbed the mountain of stairs to the top platform. Like the other temples, round pillars ran the length of the portico. Their guide stepped to a huge bronze door engraved with hieroglyphics. The double doors opened seemingly by themselves. They entered a high-ceiled chamber lined with torches and palm trees in large pots. A row of stately pillars stretched across the far end of the room. On the walls were murals embellished with hieroglyphics depicting humans and cats that looked the same as the inhabitants outside. All the figures, as was the custom of Egyptian artwork, were in profile. The scene pictured Bast with the head of a cat and body of a human seated on a golden throne. A flame blazed on her forehead and flames blazed on her open hands. Her bowing servants were dutifully bringing her bowls of fruit, milk, and honey.

They followed the old man across the room, passing between the pillars and into another large chamber. At the end of the room, high blue flames ran the length of the wall. Before the flames was a massive ebony stone statue of Bast seated on a throne. Her tapered cat’s head with its large, pointed ears rested on a female body.

This is the temple of the Lady of Flames, said Bennu. You will bow in reverence.

Pamela didn’t hesitate and bowed low. Oliver wondered if the goddess was watching as he awkwardly followed her lead. Pamela shifted her eyes to Sly with a murderous look. Sly extended his front paws in more of a stretch than a bow.

This way, said Bennu, turning.

Oliver, Pamela, and Sly followed the old man through the pillars back into the hall where they had first entered. They followed Bennu to the left toward two huge bronze doors midway on the pictorial wall. The doors swung open, and they passed into a spacious room with a pit fire in the center. Floor to ceiling drapes of shimmering silver material circled the room. Several lounges, with one side artistically curved upward, were the only sitting furniture. Candles, in tall golden holders, cast a bright light on the mural walls. Around the fire pit, Bast’s human servants were on their knees, bowing and chanting. Her cat subjects were gracefully circling the fire pit, meowing in unison. At the front of the room was a platform, backed by the shimmering curtains.

The old man indicated to Oliver, Pamela, and Sly to sit on the lounges. Servants entered from the side curtains carrying platters of fruit, nuts, and fish. They set the platters on the low tables beside the lounges.

Eat, said Bennu.

Now you’re talking, said Sly.

The old man raised his manicured eyebrow. The high priestess will attend to you shortly.

Bennu clapped his hands. The chanting stopped and the humans and cats filed out of the room. Bennu crossed the room, going out last. The bronze doors clanged shut behind him.

Pamela had waited until they were alone before speaking. Dad, don’t eat that, she said in a tense whisper. It might be poisoned.

Sly jumped on the table and sniffed the fish. Smells yummy, he said. I’ll chance it. He bit into the fish, savoring the flavor. Now that’s what I call tuna.

Pamela studied the fruit. I am hungry…

I’d test it for you but…, said Oliver.

Pamela smiled sympathetically. Maybe I shouldn’t be so suspicious.

After what you’ve been through, I’d say you should be, he answered.

On second thought, I’m too nervous to eat, she said.

Waiting in silence, Oliver and Pamela sat side by side; Oliver, twiddling his thumbs and Pamela looking around, both wondering what would happen next. Sly was on his third meal of fish when a gong sounded. Oliver and Pamela shot to their feet. At the front of the room, the silver curtains pulled back showing a wall of sheer curtains behind it. A woman seemed to materialize in front of the backdrop of shimmering curtains. She had shoulder-length silver hair and a severe look on her face. She wore a long white toga and golden sandals. She had a regal air about her as she glided toward them, stopping at the edge of the platform. Her face was expressionless, as if cast in stone. She appeared to be middle age, but Oliver sensed she was much older, perhaps ancient. Most curious of all was an oval tattoo on her forehead wherein a live blue flame burned.

Pamela addressed the mysterious woman, believing that she was Bast. O great goddess thank you for seeing us, said Pamela with an awkward bow.

The woman’s thin lips stretched into a sneer. I am not our beloved goddess, she said disdainfully. I am By, high priestess to the Lady of the Flame.

The blue flames in the fire pit flared in tall licks, casting her in a devilish color and setting her golden eyes aglow. Each temple in the divine world of Per-Bast is dedicated to the omnipotent goddess, said By. I have the glorious privilege to honor our goddess in her incarnation as the Lady of the Flame.

Oh, said Pamela smiling weakly.

Hey, got milk? interjected Sly.

Pamela gasped, throwing him a horrified look.

What? he shrugged.

The flames settled in the pit. By clapped her hands. A female servant entered through the side curtains and bowed to By. Our guest would like some milk, By said to her.

The female bowed again and, backing up, passed through the curtains.

May we talk to the goddess? asked Oliver.

By cast her stern gaze on him. You are impudent, young man, she said coldly. No one talks to our beloved giver of life. She speaks to us, and we await her word.

The servant emerged once again, this time holding a bowl of milk. She crossed the room and set the bowl on the table for Sly. Now you’re talkin’ he grinned. Thanks, sister.

The servant bowed and, walking backwards, slipped through the curtains.

You may be seated, By said to Oliver and Pamela.

Oliver and Pamela sank together on the lounge, sitting stiffly.

By turned, going upstage, and then turned back to the room. As she started to sit, a male servant, carrying a golden chair, slipped through the open curtains and placed the chair under her.

Good timin’, said Sly aside to Oliver and Pamela.

Pamela threw him another warning look. The servant backed out, through the curtains. Poised on the chair, By studied Oliver and Pamela with a cool detachment. You are strange to me, said By. You girl, what are you? Your aura is strange. And you, boy, you have no aura at all.

My name is Pamela McLane, said Pamela. At least I was told that was my name. It’s a human name. My mother was Bath.

By suddenly stood up. A look of shock broke her aloof façade. You are a cat? she said. The daughter of Bath?

Yes, said Pamela, nervously. My aura is strange because my human form is an illusion. A spell. A wizard…"

By abruptly raised her hand. We do not speak of wizards here. Wizards are vile creatures, petty and cruel. It does not surprise me that you are the victim of their cruelty.

By wouldn’t allow Pamela to explain that she had chosen to participate in the spell to appear human.

By lowered herself once again into the golden chair. Her cold eyes shifted to Oliver. And you? You are a black hole for no aura glows around you.

I…I was attacked by a vampire, he said, feeling himself blush. I’m…

Undead, said By, raising a thin brow. She was lost in thought for a moment before turning to Sly. And what are you?

A cat, he said. Meow.

By gave him a sour look. A poor example of an Abyssinian. I’ve heard such creatures as you exist in the outside world.

We get along, said Sly.

By turned back to Pamela. Why do you impose yourself on the world of Bast?

I seek sanctuary, said Pamela. There is an evil…er… prince…who wishes to use me to become immortal. I can’t let that happen.

The will of Bast determines what shall or shall not happen here, said By. "I will plead your case to our beloved goddess. If indeed you are the daughter