Senemut walked through the swamp cautiously.
The crescent moon was bright as it began its ascend, but its light was unnecessary.
Senemut did not need his eyes to follow Hatshepsut’s trail.
Senemut flicked his forked tongue as he looked around.
Hmm.
She came through here only moments ago.
The bayou seemed to be teeming with alligators.
Senemut could see their menacing eyes watching him from the murky depths, but they kept their distance.
Senemut knew they could sense that he was not prey but predator.
Senemut noticed something glistening on the side of a tree.
He walked over to examine the tree and found a bloody handprint.
Senemut touched it and felt that it was still wet.
Senemut flicked his tongue again to taste the air.
Now he knew why the alligators were in such frenzy.
The delicious scent of Hatshepsut’s blood hung in the air, smothering Senemut.
Senemut’s throat went dry as he tried to swallow.
I should have come for her sooner.
Senemut waited for his own hunger to rise but found something else rising in its place, dread.
It crept slowly through him, taking hold of his senses.
He took a shaky breath hoping it would calm him, but it did nothing.
I need to find her!
Panic filled Senemut’s heart as he allowed his primal side to surface.
His skin hardened and darkened as it transformed into black steel-like scales.
His nails lengthened and curved into sharp claws.
His teeth lengthen and become as venomous pins protruding from his lips.
Senemut closed his eyes.
After centuries of practice, he knew how to control this.
He wasn’t going to allow the whole transformation.
He only wanted to strengthen his already acute senses.
His vision reverted to that of a serpent, allowing him to see the body temperature of all around him.
He could make out Hatshepsut’s cool footsteps and bloody handprints almost effortlessly now.
Senemut lunged forward with great speed running through the swamp until he came to a massive wall.
Senemut used his claws to climb the wall so that he could take a peek at what was on the other side.
He flicked his tongue again and tasted Hatshepsut’s scent.
She’s here.
Senemut looked for Hatshepsut’s foot prints.
He could see the cool trail leading to the large mansion ahead.
Senemut slithered down the wall and hid behind some shrubbery.
He knew he wasn’t as fast as Hatshepsut.
He would have to use other means to get pass all the security.
Senemut glanced to his side to see someone walking towards the bush he hid behind.
As the armed man walked past, Senemut reached out, snatched the man through the bush and choked him unconscious.
Senemut studied the man’s face.
As he did, Senemut’s face began to morph into that of the guard.
Senemut compared his clothes with that of the guard.
Since they were both wearing black, Senemut figured no one would see the difference.
After he made sure no one was looking, he stepped out and continued following Hatshepsut’s trail towards the house.
He would nod occasionally as he passed other guards.
Most barely noticed him and gave no acknowledgment while others gave him a nod back.
When he came to the balcony, he looked around to make sure no one was around.
When he saw no one was around, he leaped up, grabbed the stone banister and slowly pulled himself over.
He looked at the blood smeared door and floor as he reverted back to his original form.
By the gods!
Raylin did a number on you.
Senemut looked through the paned glass of the door into the room.
He glanced around at the elegantly furnished bedroom with a large unmade bed.
Senemut silently opened the door and walked in.
He flicked his tongue.
Someone carried her through here but to where?
Senemut heard footsteps.
He quickly jumped up to the high ceiling and stretched his body as close to the ceiling as he could.
He turned his head so that he could see who was coming in.
He watched as a tall, dark man with long reddish-brown locs walk in with an unconscious Hatshepsut in his arms.
The dark man laid Hatshepsut gently on the bed.
Senemut had to stop himself from hissing as he watched the man slowly remove her boots and kiss her forehead.
Who is this?
Senemut couldn’t understand why he was so angry at this man’s actions towards Hatshepsut.
It was obvious that he meant her no harm.
Then Senemut realized he wasn’t angry.
He was jealous.
He wanted to be the one to save her, but this man had stepped in and done his job.
It took everything in Senemut to not jump off the ceiling, grab Hatshepsut up and jump out the window.
Senemut angrily grind his teeth.
Suddenly, someone burst into the room.
“Master!” a guard exclaimed.
“Don’t you see my woman lying here!” the dark man hissed back angrily.
“I’m sorry, Mr.
Kaine,” the guard said, softer, “but we have an intruder.”
“How do you know?”
“We found Lawrence knocked out behind a bush.”
“Search the house!” the dark man said sternly as he looked over at the balcony door.
“Do it as quietly as possible.”
The guard gave a nod and walked quickly out.
The dark man examined the door.
“Did I leave this open?” Senemut heard the man say to himself.
As he walked outside on the balcony, Senemut dropped from the ceiling to the floor silently and walked to the other balcony door.
He glanced at Hatshepsut briefly as he past.
A few strands of hair fell over her face.
He could hear her soft breathing.
Hatshepsut .
.
.
The urge to touch her returned with vengeance, but the sound of her friend returning stopped him from acting upon it.
As the man walked through one door, Senemut slipped out the other.
Senemut jumped from the balcony and with one last look at the house, he leaped over the wall and ran away into the night.