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13

Logan breathed deeply of the cold night air. At least he assumed it was

cold. He couldn't really tell anymore. Worries of the flesh--temperature, for

example--had held no sway over him since his change. Even the act of breathing

was little more than a habit formed from memories of life, as such functions

were no longer necessary to his survival.

He strolled across Tahrir Square at a leisurely pace, enjoying the

solitude given to him by the late hour. The streets were empty of movement save

for his effortless stride, almost gliding across the ground as he made his way

toward the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.

He had followed Will, Jenna and David to the museum earlier that day,

watching per Carmina's command. He had kept a discreet distance as they met

with the old archaeologist--Max, Logan believed he had heard him called. He had

first held no interest in the elderly human--until that is his inhumanly sharp

hearing had picked up on two useful pieces of information.

The first thing Logan had learned was that Max believed himself capable

of reversing Jenna's transformation. Logan rather doubted this was true. He had

seen Carmina's power, and he knew it wouldn't be so easy to undo. Not only

that, but through the mental link he and his mistress shared, he knew she felt

as unconcerned about it as she did.

No, it was the other piece of information that had caught Carmina's

attention, certainly more than it had caught his. She had seen and heard

through him of the amulet in the museum that supposedly housed an ancient and

dangerous power. Thus was his reason for returning to the museum. Now that it

had emptied of the throngs of humans, he was to investigate this relic,

discover if it really did have any power, and if so, how that power could be

used.

He moved like a wraith up to the museum's doors, reaching out to pull one

open. It was, as he had expected, locked. He sighed, almost sadly. Part of him

wanted to rip the doors from its hinges, to demonstrate his inhuman strength in

a show of defiance to the weakness of his old life and the species to which he

once belonged. But, he knew better than that, and that a surreptitious method

of entry would be preferable.

Logan let go of the door handle and dropped his hand a few inches to the

lock, placing a single pale finger against it. Hidden by the dark of night, he

sent a stream of black energy into the keyhole. After a second or two the

mechanism clicked, and the way was open for him to proceed.

He opened the door with a slight squeak of the hinges, the sound far

louder in the silence of night than it would be normally. He waited for a

moment, and when no reaction came to the sound, he slipped into the building,

letting the door close behind him.

He slowly picked his way through the displays and exhibits, dodging the

occasional guard, ascending to the second floor, and making his way to the area

where the amulet was kept. There was a lamp above the artifact, and he could

see two guards flanking the display, alert for intruders even in the darkness

that surrounded their oasis of light. Logan smirked. He was guessing though,

that the guard would be unprepared for a shadow like himself.

He approached with at a deadly slow pace, coming up on the side of the

left guard. He was but a few feet away when he struck like a flash, slamming

the man against the wall, knocking him out cold and leaving a crack in the

structure, likely leaving a similar injury on the mans skull.

Before the second guard could react Logan was on him, grabbing him by the

throat. He grinned at the look of fright in the guard's eyes. He decided, in

that moment, that he would make a meal of this guard, seeing as it had been

days since his last feeding.

He struck out, sinking his fangs into the man's neck, feeling a faint

buzz of energy as he began to drain the man of his very essence. Though there

was no taste to this prey--nor could there be, as Logan had no sense of taste

any longer--he could still sense certain things in the energy he drained. Fear.

Desperation. Anger. Each energy had a different sort of...feel to it, and Logan

was almost delighted as each one passed through his teeth and into his body.

More than that though he couldn't quell a rising sense of his own

superiority, much like the way that humans think themselves superior to the

creatures that they hunt and butcher for food. It was a sense of pride almost,

in the knowledge that he held the same power over humans that they might hold

over a cow.

When at last, after several minutes of declining struggle from the guard,

the poor man's eyes shut and his breathing stopped, Logan released his grip and

let the body fall to the floor. His hunger satisfied, he turned to look at the

object which was his purpose for being there.

Judging by its appearance he wasn't impressed. It was a mundane looking

sort of thing that only people interested in gold or history would take more

than a glance at. Being essentially immortal, neither wealth, nor the past held

any interest for him. But still, he had to discover its secrets.

First the panel of glass between him and the artifact would have to go.

He raised a hand and placed it against the pane, sending tendrils of black

energy spidering across the surface. A slight contraction of his hand and the

glass was no more, shattering into so many pieces.

Logan smiled. Raw power. Finite control. It appeared as though he had

both at his disposal. He found himself wondering, for but a moment, just how

much stronger he could become.

Now wasn't the time for self interest though. He eyed the amulet for a

moment, wondering at the wisdom of tampering with the artifact. He felt a burst

of impatience in the recesses of his mind. No more stalling then, lest Carmina

become angry with him.

He reached into the display and wrapped his hand around the amulet. It

was slightly larger than his palm, letting him just hold onto it with the tips

of his fingers. He immediately felt a strange presence press against his mind,

not unlike how it felt when Carmina touched his mind. It was different though,

feeling vast but constrained at the same time.

The archaeologist had said exposing it to energy would awaken its power.

Taking that to heart, Logan funneled some of his own black energy into the

amulet, forming a temporary aura around the object that faded a few seconds

later.

A few moments passed with that relic appearing unchanged. He scowled. It

seemed this had been a waste of his time. He was about to toss the amulet back

into the display case when he heard quiet chuckling.

He looked around, confused. One guard was out cold, and the other was

dead...and he certainly didn't think they would be laughing were they not. Then

came the voice, a voice that was smooth and flowing.

Apologies for keeping you waiting, Night Stalker. It

took me a moment to...wake up.

The voice almost seemed to emanate from the amulet, drawing Logan's eye

back to it. He eyed it cautiously, and, feeling more than a bit insane, asked,

"Are you speaking to me?"

Yes.

"But how can a piece of metal speak?"

The amulet chuckled again, irritating Logan. A shadowy aura appeared

around the amulet then, growing in size until it flowed off the artifact,

though staying connected to it. It was a shapeless shadow at first, but the

shape began to change. It became sleek and compacted, looking like a thick

serpentine body with its tail attached to the amulet. At the end opposite the

relic the shape continued to change, forming a head shaped like that of a

jackal. Finally, from somewhere in the recesses of the black mass appeared two

spots of glowing red that formed angular eyes on the 'face' of the shadow.

This is my true form, or at least as much of it as I

can manifest at the moment.

Logan was more than a bit impressed, but kept a level head, asking, "Who

are you? What are you?"

Who? Hmm...I haven't though of such a thing for many a

millennia. In days long since passed I was called 'The Shadow of Anubis'. I

suppose you could call me as such. As for what...that is more complex a question

you pose, young Night Stalker. The simplest response is that I am an entity

created by the spell weavers of the ancient kingdoms.

Several more questions instantly jumped into Logan's mind. "What is your

purpose? And why did they create you? Also...why do you keep calling me 'Night

Stalker'?"

The shadowy creature cocked its head to one side, just as a real canine

might.

I call you that because it is what you are, is it

not? You are certainly not human. I could feel that the moment you awakened me.

You are a predator of humans, confined to the shadows and living of their life.

In my time your kind were...not common, but not as rare as your thoughts tell me

they are now.

Logan felt a jolt of concern, both in his own mind and from Carmina's. He

voiced a question that was both of theirs. "You can read my mind?"

Another chuckle came before the response.

Yes Night Stalker. Though it is not so much reading

as...absorbing your knowledge. It is what I was designed for. Quiet the questions

I can feel forming on your lips, and allow me to explain. Then you may ask any

other questions you may have, whether they belong to you, or the other presence

I feel in your mind.

Logan nodded compliantly, feeling a sense of mild irritation from Carmina

Pleased with this, the Shadow began to tell its story with the silken

sound of its mind voice.

I come from an age when different cultures had no

easy way to communicate. Even now I can see in your mind that the languages of

the world make it difficult. It was more so then, when language was still

relatively young. Discerning the meaning of one language for the use of those

who spoke another was a laborious task. Thus was the thought of me conceived,

though I was not originally meant to think for myself.

I was created with a simple idea in mind. The

ancient spell weavers wanted a device that could absorb the knowledge of one

person, and transfer it into another, to facilitate communication, whether it

would be for trade, diplomacy, or any other purpose. But they made an error

when crafting the spell. As opposed to simply making the amulet itself able to

perform this task, they created a consciousness within the amulet. Thus, I was

born.

At first, they believed they had succeeded more

greatly than they had conceived was possible. I could speak and think for

myself. When they saw I was without shape they presented me with many images of

animals and their so-called 'gods'. When I decided to use the shape of the

jackal headed god Anubis, they named me after him.

They used me for my intended purpose then, and I

gained much knowledge. Every person the amulet touched would add their

knowledge to my own. After many of these mental transfers, I noticed I could

sense more than the knowledge of those I touched. I could feel the essence of

their lives.

I began to feed on humans, in small bursts at first.

A bit of energy here, or a suddenly exhausted emissary there kept me sustained,

and even strengthened me. I began to wonder how much I could absorb at once. I

also began to wonder, 'If I can touch their minds, can I control

them?'

Once I had enough strength, this was what I tried. I

took control of an unsuspecting scribe who took the amulet in hand. His body

became mine to use, and with him serving as my vessel, I began to drain more

and more life, becoming ever stronger. I quickly came to realize that while

they created me, humans could not control me. I was my own master, not a slave

to such weak beings.

But my creators were...not pleased. They untied their

power, and drained me of mine, sealing me within the amulet, and locking it

away with the hope that none would ever uncover their...mistakes. I slew so many

of this pitiful prey...and for that I've spent millennia in a sort of waking

death. Though my mind was dormant, I still felt and saw the passage of time.

Monotonous years that dragged on without end. This is the curse of immortality.

But now...now I am free once more, thanks to you.

Logan was silent for a moment, as he thought over all he had heard. This

creature was clearly dangerous, but could be a powerful ally. Perhaps--

Tell me Night Stalker, I can tell from your mind

that you have realized you are superior to your prey, so why do you serve one

of their kind?

"I...what?"

You serve the will of a mere human. Your mind tells

me you believe her your superior, because she created you...but you have risen

above her. So why does she even still live?

Logan's brow furrowed as he considered the question. "I...serve her because

she is powerful, and because she was the one to gift me with this power."

The Shadow flowed through the air, circling around Logan, staying

connected to the amulet the whole while, acting as an anchor that limited its

movement.

Yes, but she gave you more than just power. She gave

you the ability to carve your own path, to follow your own choices. So why

serve her?

Logan was unable to answer, as Carmina responded through him.

Tread

lightly, Shadow of Anubis. I may be human, but I am greater than any other. If

you should continue to try to turn my servant upon me than I shall--

The Shadow laughed.

So you finally speak with me directly, and it is to

make a threat? One you cannot act upon no less, give the distance between us. Save

your energy witch. You have no power over me, and I have no need to turn your

servant against you, as he could turn himself any time he so chooses. But, we

aren't here to discuss him, are we? No, you wanted to know of the power in the

amulet--I can see that in your mind--and if it could be used by you. Know that I

will NOT serve a human again...but I would be willing to...strike a deal. My one

condition in any deal is for you to assist in my continued freedom. Beyond

that, you may name any request in my power, and I will grant it, save for

servitude.

Logan could almost feel the tension in the air as these two entities

communicated through his mind. He waited silently, wondering what Carmina would

decide. She had cut herself off from him, and he couldn't help but wonder if

that meant she was beyond the reach of the Shadow as well. As he wondered he

failed to notice a tendril coming off the Shadow to touch him on the shoulder,

giving him a mild jolt. He looked at the Shadow with a mixture of concern and

irritation. "What was that?"

The Shadow almost seemed to smile.

I can transfer knowledge to others...and I just gave

you some that you may make use of should you ever wish for...mental privacy.

Before Logan could ask more, he felt Carmina reopen the connection

between them.

I

have made a decision, Shadow of Anubis.

The Shadow chuckled. It sounded almost sarcastic when it next spoke.

Please, do share witch. I wait with great

anticipation.

Logan felt a flare of irritation from Carmina, but it was quickly suppressed.

I

would like you to dispose of someone. I would rather not have Logan reveal

himself more than he has, and a potential problem has arisen that could not

only ruin my fun...but also my plans for the future. There is an archaeologist--

The Shadow nodded.

I see it all in your mind. You fear this curse

breaker could return the wolf girl to her true form...the 'fun' you speak of. And

you worry that the wolf girl's mate could put a stop to those grand plans you

think so highly of, as he already did once before. Very well then, I will act

as your assassin, though it is beneath me.

Logan felt a strange mixture of pleasure and distaste from Carmina then

she spoke to him directly.

Logan,

you will assist the Shadow of Anubis and keep an eye on it until it has

completed this task. Afterward, it may do as it deems fit with its freedom.

His connection to her closed, leaving him alone with the Shadow. Turning

his attention to the entity he asked, "What do you require?"

The Shadow was quick to answer, apparently eager to attain its freedom in

full.

I will need a host so I can move freely. A living

human. And I see that you left one of the two humans who guarded me alive. He

will do, for now. I will need a stronger host eventually, but I shall...make do.

"A stronger host?"

Yes. The limits of my power are based on the body I

inhabit. In a human strong with magic, I could become quite powerful.

Otherwise, my strength is not paramount, and I will be all the more vulnerable.

Logan raised a brow. "You're vulnerable now?"

As I am I cannot properly protect the amulet. If it

meets its end, so too will I.

Logan filed that information away for later, knowing that the Shadow knew

he had. He then gestured to the guard that still lived and asked, "Well then,

how do I help you with possessing this human?"

Simply place the amulet around his neck, and then,

my return to this world will truly begin.

Logan did as it said, and knelt beside the unconscious guard, slipping

the chain over his neck. The spectral shape of the Shadow vanished from sight

almost instantly, and the guard was surrounded in a faint black aura. The man

began to rise in a puppet like fashion before starting to move more fluidly as

the Shadow attained full control. When the man's eyes opened, they glowed with

the same red as the Shadow's 'eyes'. When he spoke, he spoke with the Shadow's

voice. "This body will do for now.

Shall we be going then, Night Stalker?"

Logan nodded, the two making their way out of the museum to the empty

city streets, disappearing into the dark of night as suddenly as they had come.

Silence and stillness returned to the sleeping city, its residents

blissfully unaware of the horror that had been unleashed in their midst.