“Now the tattoos," Zia announced."Brilliant!" I said."On your tongue," she added."Excuse me?”

“Oh, god,” I said. “Sorry, sorry. Do I die now?”--Sadie to Zia”

“My name is Zia Rashid.” She tilted her head as if listening.Right on cue, the entire building rumbled. Dust sprinkled from the ceiling, and the slithering sounds of scorpion doubled in volume behind us.“And right now,” Zia continued, sounding a bit disappointed, “I must save your miserable lives.”

“I'll let you and Zia have some quality time," she told me. "Just the two of you and your coat.”

“I woke to a bucket of ice water in my face.“Sadie! Get up,” Zia said.“God!” I yelled. “Was that necessary?”“No,” admitted Zia.”

“The Temple of Dendur," Zia said. "Actually it was built by the Romans - ""When they occupied Egypt," Carter said, like this was delightful information. "Augustus commissioned it.""Yes," Zia said."Fascinating," I murmured. "Would you two like to be left alone with a history textbook?”

“Zia," I said, "that's a goddess. She defeated Bast. What chance do you have?"Zia held up her staff and the carved lion's head burst into flames - a small red fireball so bright, it lit the entire room. "I am a scribe in the House of Life, Sadie Kane. I am trained to fight gods.”