Shadow Fall by Seressia Glass

amuse Hammond and this monkey-suited crowd. “Why don’t you show us how it’s done, Doctor?”
    Very carefully, he placed the heart-stone in the center of the measuring pan opposite the feather. The gilded pans began to rise and lower, slowly swinging as it measured the weights. It seemed that everyone held their collective breath, but the scales finally stopped in perfect balance.
    The sudden tension eased. “What happens if the heart doesn’t balance with the feather?” someone asked.
    The director paused dramatically. “On those rare occasions, the Ammit creature will slide forward, jaws gnashing and stage-effect ‘steam’ issuing from its mouth, and snatch the soul away.”
    Hammond chuckled. “Of course, that won’t really happen. However, we do advise that the young ones bypass this part of the exhibit as it may be too intense for some.” He gestured toward the open doors at the end of the panoramic display. “Shall we?”
    They followed him out through the doors, spilling back into the open area near the gift shop entrance. “The gift shop will sell trinkets as souvenirs of the experience, including hard-carved gemstone scarabs. We hope that you’ll come back and journey through the interactive exhibit as it is meant to be experienced, and therefore gain a better understanding of the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. Thank you all for your generous time—and donations.”
    He turned to Kira. “My apologies, Kira. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot back there.”
    Kira waved him off. “No worries, Mr. Hammond,” she said. “I suppose I was as surprised as everyone else by the breadth and depth of the display you have there.”
    He beamed. “It is genius, isn’t it?”
    Kira couldn’t bring herself to agree and settled for “It’s certainly impressive. Who designed it?”
    “The production company brought in some set designers who’ve worked on big-budget Hollywood films,” Hammond explained. “We gave them the most exciting portions of the Book of Gates, the Amduat, and the Book of the Dead, and they created sections in each of the tomb rooms.”
    With a total disregard for a logical or accurate progression through the pathway. Then again, the collection of prayers and spells was supposed to protect the dead, not make sense to the living. “I’m sure you’ll thrill lots of visitors, Mr. Hammond.”
    “I certainly hope so.” He pulled out a handkerchief, dabbed at his forehead. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m being called over for an interview. Every bit of publicity helps. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening.”
    Khefar sidled up next to her. “You know how I’ll enjoy the rest of my evening?”
    “Getting the hell out of here?”
    “It’s as if you read my mind.”

Chap†er 6

    W hat was that?” Khefar asked as soon as they reached the car.
    “I have no idea,” Kira said, pulling off her stilettos and tossing them in the backseat. She wriggled her toes back to life with a sigh. “I worked on acquiring and the display of the artifacts, and I wasn’t here when they installed the papyrus of Ani. I didn’t have the time or inclination to visit the third hall to see what they were developing. Now I wish I had.”
    Khefar pulled out of the parking deck, revving the engine more than needed. “It was the way we saw it,” he said, his voice clipped. “The Hall of Judgment. The gods, the scales, and Ammit, all there. Exactly the way we saw it.”
    “I know.” Kira shimmied out of her pantyhose, wishing she’d thought to put a pair of sweats in the car. She might freeze her butt off getting into the house, but at least she’d be able to move quickly.
    “And you knew nothing about it?”
    The tone of his voice stopped her, had her turning to face him. “What are you trying to say? That I decided to re-create the most harrowing and beautiful spiritual experience of my life to become a sideshow amusement for complete strangers? I know you don’t know me that well, but