Eye of the Falcon: Book 1 of the Protectors

By Jen Drapp

It is said that someone will one day uncover the Eye of Horus and harness its powers, tasked to protect it until its celestial owner claims it. For centuries, Protectors have been searching for the Eye and the one who is destined to return it, bringing peace to the world of the gods. But there have been many Protectors, and many who have found the Eye, all to be hunted down and killed before they could fulfill their purpose.

When seventeen-year-old Re Fuller discovers an ancient Egyptian amulet, he unleashes a buried power within himself, inciting the help of Kamilah and her family of Protectors.

Together, Kamilah and Re must return the artifact to its rightful owner before it destroys Re from the inside out. In doing so, they are thrust into the midst of a celestial war that leads down a path of danger and the discovery of Re’s true identity—an identity that many would kill for in order to keep it buried forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Oct 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665731331

Jen Drapp

Jen Drapp is a Southern author who loves telling stories of fantasy, magic, and myth. Her alter ego, JD Corbett, writes all kinds of romance, from the paranormal to rom-coms, and has five adult novellas currently published. Jen is a huge nerd who lives off of RockStar energy drinks and Netflix. She currently lives outside of Washington DC, with her husband, daughter, and chunky dog, Hank.

Book preview

Contents

Egypt 1500s

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Egypt 1500s

Please. I know that you do not intend to harm me. You love me. He backed away slowly from the woman he recognized as his wife. Though, the wild intensity of her glare was unfamiliar. She edged closer, her fingers curling stiffly inward like a feral animal ready to attack with only its sharp talons.

He was panting now, fear growing steadily, as he watched his once loving wife close the distance between them with a stare that could have torn him to shreds. There was once a time where her touch alone would have calmed and protected him.

But he could not remember such a time at this particular moment. Not when her once angelic face was now scrunched and morphed into a monster’s. A killer’s.

He held his hands out in front of him protectively. This is not you. Just tell me how to help you. I beg of you, do not hurt me…or anyone else. He held up the golden amulet around his neck. This amulet has only caused us suffering. Allow me to rid us of it…you do not need it.

She snarled like a beast and swung her arm out, trying to snatch the necklace from his grasp. He jerked back, her jagged nails nearly scraping over his chest. He started to back further away, realizing that whatever was in front of him was not the one he loved. Not anymore. He stumbled on a rock lying on the dusty path beneath his bare feet.

She was still coming at him, suddenly transforming into a beast right before his eyes.

Her dark brown eyes turned an emerald green and her deep brown skin transformed into a yellowish fur. Her two arms and legs doubled in size, and she was now running on all fours with actual claws on her oversized paws.

He gulped as a lion the size of a mammoth paced slowly towards him. He quickly scrambled to his feet and took off down the path, the fierce beast trailing close behind.

The sound of rustling leaves and sand being kicked up from under his feet as he ran for his life was deafening. His heart thumped wildly, and the heat emanating from the amulet swinging violently around his neck felt as if it was burning a gaping hole through his skin. His chest was heaving, and the soles of his feet screamed as they pounded roughly on the rocky path below.

He dared to glance behind him, and his eyes widened with fear. It was still chasing him.

Coming ever closer with each second. He forced his feet to move faster, and his hand instinctively closed around the amulet bouncing over his chest as he ran. The familiar scorching sensation was no longer a comfort, and he winced as he willed his legs to move even faster. He looked behind him once more to see that it was falling further behind.

But he knew he could not outrun it. Not for much longer, anyway.

Darting around a low hanging branch of a nearby tree, he threw himself on the ground behind a large boulder near the bank of the river flowing alongside him. He held his breath, hearing the footsteps growing nearer. The amulet seemed like it was about to catch fire, and his attention was drawn to the unforgiving tides of the river. Almost against his will, he rolled to the edge and slipped silently into the dark water.

The murkiness of the river made it difficult to see when it was safe to emerge. He tread through the deep waters, staying just below the surface, and his lungs began to ache, begging for air. He struggled to hover beneath the water against his own body’s need for oxygen.

He suddenly stilled when he saw a dark shadow slowly pass above the river. He could not hold his breath much longer and prayed that it would leave. Soon.

Just then, the water grew cooler, and a current pulled against his left side. He peered through the muddy water and let a scream escape as a giant pair of jaws came toward him at an alarming speed. The water flooded his lungs all at once, and his arms flailed in one last attempt at staying alive. The dark shadow returned above the surface of the water and two bright emerald eyes stared down at him as his world went black.

Chapter 1

Present Day

422.

That’s how many times the amulet had been discovered. 422.

And that’s how many people had been killed while trying to get it back to its owner. Who knew just how many Protectors had perished trying to keep those people safe and hidden.

It could have been thousands.

Kamilah Khader squinted against the blinding sunlight peeking through the tent’s door flap. It was way too early.

The sound of her father telling the story of their family’s history, again, woke her from what may have been a nice dream. A dream of just being a normal girl with normal expectations.

But that wasn’t true at all.

Since she was six years old, Kamilah had been told that she was special. And not just her, but her entire family. They had a greater purpose, a calling. A predetermined path that they were destined to follow.

Even if she really didn’t want to take the path. And why would she? She didn’t want to be involved in death number 423.

But there she was, blankly staring up at the canvas walls of her tent, on another outing that she had grown to loathe over the last ten years. Her father said these camping trips were necessary so she and her younger brother could learn how and when to get the amulet back where it belonged to avoid some major earth-ending disaster.

What he really meant was if their family had failed in their duties as Protectors.

She shut her eyes again and snuggled deeper into the warmth of the triple-layered sleeping bag, listening to her father’s voice grow more and more animated as he spoke. Kamilah imagined him making dramatic hand gestures as the story’s plot intensified.

Kamilah whispered the last lines of the story to herself as he said them aloud.

It is said that one day soon, it will be found once again, and our purpose can finally be fulfilled.

Kamilah couldn’t help but let a snort of laughter escape.

What a joke.

Kamilah? Her mother’s calm voice penetrated through the tent and disrupted Kamilah’s coziness. Are you up? I could use some help out here.

Kamilah turned her head towards the sounds of rustling outside of her make-shift home and begrudgingly unzipped the cocoon from her body and slowly emerged from the tent and into the cold outside air.

Her mother was already tending to breakfast over the fire pit. Fish. Again.

Kamilah took a seat on the grass in front of the flames and looked out over the valley under the mountain they were perched upon. The evergreens lined the valley as far as the eye could see and glowed like an emerald bracelet adorning the crystalline blue water from the lake below. Kamilah smiled and closed her eyes, allowing the cool autumn breeze to blow peacefully over her cheeks. She supposed there could be worse things that she could be doing with her weekends.

Kamilah, come and help with the fish. Her mother motioned to the stick she was resting over the fire. I need to get the tea going.

Kamilah took the stick from her mother and stared at the charring skin of the brown trout they had caught in the lake the evening before. Her mother began to brew tea in a camping tin upon their portable grill.

When can we go back home? Kamilah’s brother, Paki, lazily rolled over onto his back next to the pit across from his sister. His stark black hair was sticking up in all directions, and he was still wearing the same t-shirt he had worn the day before.

Did he ever care about his own appearance?

Never. We are leaving you to fend for yourself in the valley. Kamilah stuck her tongue out at her brother, throwing a twig at him.

Enough. Their mother handed them both a cup of tea. We will leave once we have eaten and your father returns.

Kamilah sipped from her tin cup. Where is he anyway? He was just here.

Paying obeisance to the gods. Paki picked up the twig Kamilah had tossed at him and threw it back at her. How many more of these camping trips do we have to take? I get it. Put up tents. Build a fire. Fish or hunt. Survival mode on. Paki grumbled and crossed his arms over his chest like a toddler pouting. We have school today, you know. I can’t have any more tardies on my record this quarter.

I am aware. We just want to make sure you two are safe in case we don’t find it. In case we are too late. Their mother took the stick from Kamilah and placed the grilled fish onto a plate.

No one has found it for centuries. I doubt the world will end if it isn’t found for another hundred years.

Shut up, Paki. Kamilah rolled her eyes at her brother and shook her head.

He wasn’t wrong, though. They were not the first family of Protectors, and they wouldn’t be the last. Not until the amulet was discovered and its power restored to its rightful owner.

Why are you two always arguing? Kamilah’s father was coming up the path towards them. It is imperative that you learn to work together when the time comes. There is no room for sibling squabbles. His dark brown eyes stared them both down from beneath his wire-framed glasses.

Kamilah and Paki looked at the ground and simultaneously responded, Yes, sir.

Asim Khader was an Anthropology professor at the University of Colorado and was a gentle, soft-spoken man. In fact, Kamilah couldn’t think of a time when she had ever heard her father raise his voice. But there was something about his commanding presence that instilled fear and respect into his children.

When he spoke, they listened.

Kamilah’s mother placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder. How was prayer?

Asim patted her hand and smiled at his family. The gods are in good spirits today. I think it may almost be time.

Kamilah smiled back at her father. They were all silent for a moment, most likely thinking the same thing. He always said that it was almost time. And they always smiled and nodded.

But honestly, it was unlikely that they would ever find the amulet. Not in their lifetime, anyway.

Still, they knew better than to question Asim.

Dad? How will we know? When someone finds it, I mean. Kamilah picked at the fish her mother had prepared. It stared blankly back at her from the plate, and, cringing, she set it aside.

There will be signs. You, especially, should be able to tell when we are needed. Feel it. Asim stuffed a large bite of trout into his mouth. He looked at his daughter. We will all be counting on you, Kamilah. She smiled at him.

No pressure at all. Death number 423, coming right up.

Chapter 2

Re Fuller was not dead. Not yet anyway.

His body was still and stiff as a corpse, but he was still breathing. He closed his eyes and swallowed the dryness at the back of his throat. This feeling would not control him.

Calm down.

Don’t panic.

His palms were slick with sweat. He went to wipe them on his jeans but instead gripped the sides of the granite sink in his bathroom so tightly that his knuckles were white. His chest was tight, and he couldn’t catch the breaths that were coming way too fast.

Deep breaths.

This feeling might be controlling him. He couldn’t breathe.

Re slid down to the tile floor and held his head in his hands. They began to tremble, and he balled them into fists against his temples, talking himself down.

Calm down, Re.

Re bit down hard on his lower lip and rocked slightly to prevent the ensuing panic. He took a deep breath through his nose, then let out a long breath through pursed lips to slow his heart that was bounding in his chest.

It’s ok. You’re ok.

His anxiety slowly dissipating, Re pried open his hands from their tight fists and swiped the sweat from his forehead.

He shook his head, surprised at himself. No, angry. He hadn’t had a panic attack like that in a long time.

He was past all of that. Wasn’t he? He took a few more deep breaths that were still ragged and shaking as they moved from his lungs into his throat. He winced when he peered out of the window at a brewing thunderstorm.

Great.

Hands still shaking, he gripped the counter, pulled himself off of the floor, and leaned over the sink to splash some water on his face.

He stared at his red-rimmed eyes in the mirror. He was ok. He didn’t die.

Shaking off the last of his anxiety, he made his way over to the suitcase laid out on the floor. He crouched over the folded shirts nestled neatly in his bag and sorted through his few minimal choices, wiping the remnants of sweat from his palms on his pants. Most of his things were still tightly packed into dozens of cardboard boxes that had gotten lost in transit somewhere between Milwaukee and St. Louis.

The bedroom door flew open, and the sound made Re jolt. He swung around to see his little brother standing in the doorway.

Mom says you need to hurry. His brother, Zane, leaned against the door frame. Dude! You aren’t even dressed yet? Mom’s going to be so pissed.

Well, I’d be able to get ready a lot faster if annoying little brothers would leave me alone. Re scowled over his shoulder at his brother. Zane was two years younger than him but acted like he was in charge most of the time.

You look like crap.

Thanks, Re muttered and went back to digging through his suitcase.

Why are you all sweaty? He scoffed. Oh great, did you have one of your episodes again? Zane rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

Get out, Zane. Re refused to look at his brother. No way was he going to give Zane the satisfaction of knowing that he was getting to him.

Whatever. Hurry up. Zane sneered at Re and then walked out of the room, leaving the door wide open behind him.

Privacy! Re yelled, but to no avail. Zane was already stomping down the stairs.

Re threw on the first shirt and pair of pants that were lying on top of the clothes pile, brushed his teeth, and rushed down the stairs. His mother was standing in front of the coffee maker she had stashed in the trunk of the car with the other essentials just in case the moving truck arrived later than expected.

Morning. Re went over and opened the fridge out of habit and stared at the quart of milk they had picked up from the gas station the night before.

Good morning, Sweetie. His mom didn’t look up from the brewing pot of coffee. Her eyes were lined with dark circles, and her light hair was tied up in a messy bun. Oh, hey, can you and Zane walk over and get a few groceries after school today?

Sure.

Nope, sorry. I have soccer try-outs after school today. Zane reached over Re’s shoulder and grabbed the milk. Re closed the refrigerator door and stared at Zane as he chugged the rest of the milk from the container.

How do you already have try-outs? How do you even know when they are? You haven’t even been to the school yet.

Zane wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve. I called ahead. He winked at Re and put the empty container back in the fridge.

Zane reached out to the coach last week. I completely forgot. Their mother seemed exhausted. Anyway, Re, I still need groceries.

Ok, Mom. I got it. Re eyed his brother, annoyed that he was the one who always got stuck with errands and chores.

Zane got away with everything, his sandy blonde hair and affinity for first-place medals making him, quite literally, the Golden Boy. Maybe if Re had been more involved with sports, or anything school-related, he would catch a break every once in a while.

Thanks. She kissed both boys on the cheek. I’m going to get out of here. See you both for dinner? She looked at Re as she asked.

He nodded and watched as she rushed out the door.

Re turned to his brother. Ready?

Zane grabbed their bookbags and handed off Re’s. Try not to talk to me at school, ok? I’m trying to make a good impression.

Re shook his head and snatched the bag out of Zane’s hand. Whatever, Re huffed, moving past his brother, he pushed the door open and started the walk to school. Re felt that he should be semi-excited about leaving his small town and moving to the mile-high city of Denver. Who wouldn’t prefer snow-capped mountains and skiing over the smell of cows and cornrows that had been ingrained in his scent memory since the day he was born? Still, it had been nice to at least know people. Have friends.

And what if what they said was true? What if Colorado kids were different? He knew that Colorado was much more open to recycling and composting, but were they as open to meeting new people as the mid-westerners he knew?

Re was not looking forward to finding out.

The whole day flew by, Re’s surroundings seeming to be set on fast-forward around him. He didn’t talk to anyone and walked alone through the hallways, shutting out everyone and everything. Honestly, he didn’t see the point of putting himself out there and trying to mingle. It was his senior year, and no one would give him another thought come June. He wasn’t rude about it or anything. He’d give a nod here, a smile there, but he wasn’t going to put much effort in learning names or favorite colors either.

Plus, the less he talked to people, the less chance he had of having another panic attack.

His sole focus was on the identical white-faced clocks at the front of each classroom.

Three hours to go.

Even the voices of his teachers and peers were drowned out by the infinitely slow clicking of the clock’s second hand.

Two hours and fifty-five minutes.

Staring at it doesn’t make it move faster.

Re was pulled from his stare-down with the clock and turned his attention to the voice next to him. A dark-haired girl was studying him through startling hazel eyes with a smirk on her lips.

The clock. The girl broke their eye contact and nodded toward the obnoxiously plain clock at the front of the room. If you stare at it too long, it will start to move backward. She smiled wide and raised her eyebrows, meeting his gaze again.

Re furrowed his brow and glanced between the clock and the girl sitting beside him.

It’s a joke.

Re sat up a little straighter and cleared his throat. Um, yeah, sorry. He pressed his lips together in what he hoped would pass as a sort of smile. Funny.

The girl scrutinized him for a moment, then began rifling through her bookbag lying on the shared table in front of them.

Re immediately felt awkward. He waited for her to start talking to him again, but she appeared to be looking everywhere except in his direction. He leaned a little closer. I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to be a jerk. It’s just--

You’re new.

Re sat back in his seat. Right. I’m new. Again, he waited for her to say more, but she stared ahead as if she was intentionally avoiding eye contact with him. She tapped her pen on the desk and fidgeted with her notebook as if deciding whether or not to continue their conversation.

The girl heaved a dramatic sigh and turned to face him. I’m Kamilah.

Re opened his mouth to respond, then closed it as the teacher started his lecture at the front of the room. He leaned toward her and quietly muttered, I’m Re.

Kamilah raised an eyebrow and returned her attention to the teacher, seemingly unimpressed.

For the next hour, Re was no longer focused on the endless ticking of the clock’s second hand, but rather on the girl sitting next to him. He tried to listen to the teacher’s mundane voice talking about life cycles of earthworms, but his eyes kept wandering. Landing right on Kamilah. She seemed overly engaged in the lecture, answering