The Secret of the Sacred Scarab: The Chronicles of the Stone (Book 1)

Adam felt lonely and a bit jealous that Tatiana was speaking to Justin in such a friendly way. The room was hot and crowded so he wandered out onto the deck and stood against the railing, staring gloomily at the watery darkness below. The murky waves lapped against the side of the boat. In the distance, he could hear the sounds of the river. There was the gentle susurration of the wind as it rattled the fronds of the palm trees. If he listened hard, he could hear the night noises of small, unseen creatures as they scurried through the reeds and bulrushes on the riverbanks. He stood there alone, lost in his thoughts of the scarab, the ancient tomb, and the possibility of finding it when he heard a slight noise. To his astonishment, the belly dancer was standing next to him, still dressed in her dance outfit. She smiled at him. A slow, horrible, triumphant smile, Adam thought.

What does she want with me?

Then she spoke and her lips twisted in a triumphant sneer. “Come wiz me, leetle boy.”

She beckoned to him. Her eyes glinted in the moonlight and the sequins sparkled on her costume. Her ankle bells jingled softly as she took a step forward.

Adam said crossly, “No, I won’t. Who are you anyway and what do you want? Go away!”

She came closer and Adam sidled along the railings, heading for the double doors leading back into the disco. She moved quickly round him so that she was now between him and the safety of the doors. As he retreated, she advanced on him. By now, her ankle bells were jangling harshly. Adam looked over her shoulder. He had wandered quite far down the deck so nobody was likely to see what was happening, even if they looked out onto the deck. Besides, the disco music was so loud that Adam was sure no one would hear his yells for help. However, he reckoned, if he zigzagged round her, he might be able to make a dash for safety. The woman anticipated his thoughts and took a step nearer. Adam froze.

She snarled at him like a vicious beast. “I said you will come wiz me.”