"Good man," Kalugal murmured. "I'm lucky to have him, and I would hate to lose him."
"Why would you lose him?" Roven asked. "People here would kill for his job."
Kalugal sighed. "I've long suspected that Joseph might be a Dormant, but I’ve been dragging my feet about telling him that and testing him. It's not fair to him, though."
"We haven't encountered any Dormants in five thousand years," Esag said. "But then it's not like they have their genetic makeup tattooed on their foreheads. How can you identify Dormants when you don't know who their parents are?"
Kalugal tapped his nose. "I have a sense for it. Or at least I believe I have. Testing my hypothesis should be easy enough with a male Dormant, though."
"Do you intend to induce him yourself?" Esag asked.
"I'd rather not. Perhaps I'll ask one of my men to do it; however, I need to tell Joseph first." He chuckled. "I can just imagine his reaction. He already thinks I'm strange."
Esag frowned. "He called you Professor Gunter. Is this the last name you are going by?"
Kalugal nodded. "When I travel. In the village, I'm just Kalugal."
"I could induce him for you," Davuh offered. "It has been over five thousand years since I induced a Dormant."
Kalugal smiled. "Do you think you still know how to do it? I mean, biting is instinctive, but the trick is to stop before killing the guy."
Davuh looked offended. "This is not something an immortal ever forgets."
"I'll take your offer under consideration," Kalugal said, right as Joseph entered with a pile of clothing.
"Thank you, Joseph." Kalugal took it from him and placed it on one of the beds, waiting for the guy to leave. "After you have freshened up, I will arrange a video call with the Clan Mother. She will be overjoyed to talk to you."
Esag swallowed. "Did you tell her that you found us?"
"Not yet. I will deliver the good news while you are showering and give her time to prepare emotionally for the conversation with you. She will be overjoyed."
"We need time to prepare to speak to our princess as well," Esag said. "I still think that I'm dreaming."
Kalugal nodded. "I understand, and I know how to help you relax. When you come downstairs, I'll treat you to some excellent whiskey and cigars."
Roven grinned. "You are officially my favorite guy."
"Hey, I thought I was your favorite." Davuh pretended offense.
"You've been moved down to second place." Roven clapped him on his back. "Kalugal wins."
"What about me?" Esag asked. "I'm the one who fed and clothed you for five thousand years, you ungrateful mongrels."
Kalugal observed their banter with a smile. "I'll leave you gentlemen to shower and change, and I will do the same." He brushed a hand over his khaki pants. "I'm dusty and sweaty, and Joseph will have an aneurysm if I show up like this to dinner."
He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Joseph was waiting for him on the second-floor landing. "Is there anything else you need from me before dinner, sir?"
"Yes. I'd like you to contact our usual shipping crew. We have a workshop full of artifacts that need to be carefully packed and sent to America."
They had a dedicated and trustworthy team that they used for smuggling all the archaeological finds out of Egypt. He wouldn't entrust a task like that to anyone else.
"Consider it done, sir. I'll make the arrangements immediately. Anything else?"
Kalugal leaned against the balustrades. "How would you like to work for me in my other home in America?"
The transformation in Joseph was instant and dramatic. His usual composed demeanor cracked like an egg, revealing pure, undiluted excitement beneath. "America, sir? Of course. When do I leave?"
