Read Online The Amulet of Amon-Ra by Leslie Carmichael - Free Book Online Page B

right below her.
    â€œI think Dje-Nefer’s amulet will protect her,” said Neferhotep. “Surely the demons wouldn’t be interested in a mere girl.”
    â€œPerhaps. I am concerned that she fell asleep in their garden. Has she been acting oddly?”
    â€œA…little.”
    â€œA demon may well have bitten her ka. If you like, I can help you put together the herbs and spells of protection. The girl will need to carry it with her for a few days.”
    â€œThat heart scarab she wears is hollow. She could put it in there.”
    â€œExcellent. But we may yet have to perform an exorcism,” said Ka-Aper.
    â€œOh,” said Neferhotep. He paused. “Must it come to that?”
    â€œWe’ll see. Now, you go back in and stay in these wonderfully homey surroundings. I envy you your family.”
    â€œThey are good people,” said Neferhotep. “Are you sure you can’t stay? It’s so late…”
    Ka-Aper laughed, a booming sound that echoed between the buildings. “What? Are you worried that the night demons will attack me? Remember that Ka-Aper is a priest of mighty Amon-Ra. I have my own protections.”
    â€œOf course, sir.”
    â€œYou have stayed up late enough on my account. You go ahead and stay the night. I will see you tomorrow, in the temple.”
    â€œGood night, sir, and thank you,” said Neferhotep. He reopened the door and slipped into the house.
    Jennifer clutched her amulet. So Neferhotep thought she’d been acting strange. She’d have to watch herself more carefully.
    Ka-Aper walked down the street. Jennifer was about to pull her head back through the reeds, when she noticed him slowing down. She jerked back as he glanced up. When she peered out again a moment later, he had disappeared.
    She squinted, trying to see where he was. There! Just emerging from a house on the corner, a small wrapped bundle in one hand. He slipped it under the leopard skin, then checked the street. Then he strode away, swallowed by the darkness.
    â€œNow what was he doing, sneaking around like that?” Jennifer whispered.
    â€œDje-Nefer?”
    Jennifer turned, stumbling backwards into the reed border. Someone was standing in the doorway.

“Dje-Nefer? What are you doing out here?” It was Mentmose. “Uncle Neferhotep said you weren’t suppose to go outside.”
    â€œI know,” said Jennifer. “I couldn’t help it. I heard voices.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œNefer…I mean, Uncle Neferhotep and…Ka-Aper.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t eavesdrop on people,” said Mentmose, frowning. “What were they saying?”
    â€œThey were talking about demons,” said Jennifer. “You don’t believe in demons, do you? Uncle Neferhotep seems to.”
    â€œOh, you know Uncle Neferhotep. He believes in a lot of strange things. He once told me he thought the stars that make up Nut’s jewelry might be suns for other lands. And that some day, we could have light without fire. Or buildings that reach to the sky, even higher than the pyramids.”
    â€œWell, um,” said Jennifer, biting her lip. She didn’t think she ought to tell Mentmose that Neferhotep had accurately predicted electricity and skyscrapers!
    â€œHe also said he had actually seen Amon-Ra once,” said Mentmose, frowning. “I overheard him telling that to Father.”
    â€œReally?” asked Jennifer.
    Mentmose shrugged. “Anyway, if there are demons, I’ve never seen one. Now come back inside.”
    Jennifer gave the bent reeds one more glance. “All right.”
    â€œI don’t think I like the honorable Ka-Aper,” Mentmose said, mostly to himself.
    â€œMe neither,” said Jennifer, as they walked back through the garden. “He, um, did a weird thing when I was watching.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œHe got a package from the house down the street,” said