Cult of Osiris by Andy McDermott

Author:Andy McDermott
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Azizex666, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Suspense, Adventure, Historical, Thriller
ISBN: 9780755354634
Publisher: Headline Export
Published: 2010-04-15T04:00:00+00:00

Or what was left of him. The body was mummified, tightly wrapped in a discoloured shroud, arms folded over its chest. The head was covered by a death mask, silver and gold shaped to match the face beneath. Unlike the famous burial masks of pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Psusennes, this was surprisingly modest, lacking their elaborate headdresses. If the mask were an accurate representation of the dead ruler, Osiris had possessed a surprisingly youthful appearance for one so powerful and revered.

Everyone leaned closer to look, even Kralj glancing up from his work. The recess in which the body lay had been matched almost perfectly to its shape, less than a centimetre to spare all round it. The lid had its own precisely shaped indentation set into the solid metal.

Osir gazed down at the man from whom he had taken his name. 'Osiris,' he whispered. 'The god-king, granter of eternal life . . .'

You almost sound like you believe it,' Nina scoffed.

A month ago, would you have believed Osiris was not just a myth?' he countered. Perhaps there's more truth here than either of us thought.'

Not your version of the truth. You know, the skip-the-awkward-parts one you push on your followers.'

Who is to say that my interpretation of the story of Osiris is any less valid than another?' said Osir smugly. In fact, I'd say that this,' he indicated the mummy, makes it more valid. I found the tomb of Osiris because I was destined to find it. It proves I really do possess the spirit of Osiris. Wouldn't you say?

No, and nor would you if you were actually being honest with the dopes who hand you their money.' Osir merely chuckled, but she noticed Shaban's face tensing once more.

Before she could remark on it, Kralj looked up from his microscope. 'Mr Osir!'

Osir went to him. 'What's the result of the test?'

Kralj carefully removed a slide from the microscope. The test result,' he said excitedly, is . . . positive. There are spores of a yeast strain present.'

Osir could barely contain his exultation. Oh, yes! Yes!' He clenched his fists in glee. 'I was right! The story of the bread of Osiris was true - and it's going to make me rich, Sebak, rich beyond belief!' He clasped his hands round his brother's shoulders and shook him. 'Rich!'

Shaban seemed disgusted. 'Money. Is that all that matters to you?

Of course not.' Osir grinned and lowered his voice to a fake whisper. 'There is the sex, too!' He cackled.

You are pathetic,' Shaban said coldly. 'A disgrace to our family, and an insult to the gods. And I am no longer going to let that insult stand.' The gun came up . . . and pointed at his brother's chest.

Osir at first didn't seem to register it, his mind refusing to accept what his eyes were seeing. What are you doing, Sebak?' he finally said with a half-laugh, which faded as he looked into Shaban's face and saw nothing there but anger and hatred. 'Sebak? What is this?'

This is the end, my brother/ he spat.

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