Steven Saylor - Raiders of the Nile

“Seriously, Ismene-”

“If you don’t want the answer, don’t pose the question!” she snapped.

In fact, there were a great many other questions I wanted to ask her, but Ismene turned her attention to Bethesda. The two of them fell to chatting as they walked down the beach with their arms around each other. I followed behind.

Suddenly Ismene gave a stifled cry and pointed toward the surf. “There! Did you see that?”

“What?” I saw only foam and bits of seaweed.

“There, that glint of red!” She disengaged herself from Bethesda and strode a few steps into the water, then bent down and appeared to pick up something.

“What is it?” said Bethesda.

“See for yourself.” Ismene extended her arm toward us. Resting on her open palm was a dazzling ruby.

I looked from the stone to Ismene and back again. “This can’t be the same ruby that-”

“It’s come back to me!” she declared. “I cast it into the sea, gave it up to Poseidon-but now it comes back to me, washed clean of all its curses.”

For a moment I was astounded at such a coincidence. Then it occurred to me that Ismene might have only pretended to throw the ruby from the Medusa, and had now pretended to find it.

She saw the doubt on my face and tucked the jewel away. “Do you know the Hebrew proverb about rubies, Gordianus? You must know it, Bethesda. No?” Ismene affectionately touched Bethesda’s face, then looked straight at me as she quoted the verse. “‘Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is above rubies.’ Wise words for you, Gordianus.”

I cleared my throat. “As I think you know, Ismene, I have no wife.”

The witch smiled. “Not yet, Gordianus. Not yet.”