As Long As by Jackie Ivie

as black. He repeated the action. At the third chamber, he stood for a moment. Yes. He was certain this was correct. It was hard to think, however. She was making it difficult. Her heart had sped up, taking his heart rate with it. Her breathing came in short gasps, dragging his into rhythm, and she’d wrapped her arms about his neck and clung there, making their embrace incredibly vibrant. And heart-stirring.
    Left .
    He pushed the left side of the left wall. The rock slid forward. He stepped through. It shut behind them. Then he turned right again. She stopped him with a few words.
    “Holy crap, Sokar. I mean...holy crap.”
    He grinned. It was probably a good thing she couldn’t see. “You are impressed?”
    “Um. Yes. Mightily.”
    He couldn’t help it. He tossed his head back and shouted the joy. That was a mistake. The chamber wasn’t large. The sound amplified and overwhelmed. She cried out and shoved her head into his shoulder. And she was shaking again. He pressed a palm to her exposed ear as the din slowly subsided. Sokar was rocking her again, and crooning some forgotten tune. She was just so perfect...and so infinitely precious! He stopped humming the moment it became obvious. She might think it another insult. He hoped it was soon enough. He moved his hand away, grunted, and shifted sideways, so he could smack his shoulder into the wall on their right. She stopped him again. This time with a whisper.
    “Um. Sokar?”
    “Yes?”
    “Are we almost there?”
    “Yes.”
    “How can you even see? And don’t answer that.”
    “Very well. I will not.”
    I...really hope I can handle this.”
    Anything he said might be taken as an insult. He debated options. Discarded each one. She spoke again, saving him from an answer.
    “I mean...what if it’s true? And...you really are a vampire?”
    Elation sent a shiver rippling over him. It raised goose bumps. She might have felt them since she lifted her head away from his shoulder.
    “It is not so horrid, habibi. ”
    “Well, it’s crazy. Okay? Out there. Insane. I mean...will I have to admit I’ve gone insane?”
    “Hold that thought,” he replied, and slammed into the wall.
    He hadn’t been here in decades. Odors assailed him. He hadn’t realized the tomb had a smell. It was a blend of ancient wood, woven basketry, paint, and dust. He set her on her feet and turned, placing her back against him, facing outward. They were on the threshold. Several steps above the tomb floor. This room was the largest. He made out shapes of statues, chariots, and the long shape of a funerary boat along one wall.
    “Oh. Wow. I hope you have another flashlight hidden.”
    “No need. I have it wired. One moment...”
    He reached for the lever.
    “You brought electricity in here? Why? If a thief sees wires, they’ll look for why. Your compound will be compromised. They’ll find you.”
    Sokar waited with his hand on the lever, stalled halfway to connecting the alternating current. “If anyone reaches this far, that will mean I have failed. The only way that would happen is if I am dead.”
    “Wait! What? You can’t die. You’re immortal.”
    “Does that mean you believe me?” he asked.
    “Just answer me, Sokar. Okay? How can you die?”
    “A vampire can be killed many ways. A wooden stake to the heart. A beheading. A draining of fluid.”
    “Who would dare?”
    “Anyone with the right tools.”
    “Ah. Right. That would be...sunlight. Or...down here, maybe a sunlamp?”
    “Not exactly. I have lived long enough sunlight has little effect.”
    “How about Holy Water? A crucifix?”
    “I am almost four thousand years old, habibi. Christian symbols were not in existence. They cannot harm me. Although...”
    “Yes?”
    “You are not planning my demise, are you?”
    “I’m just trying to figure things out. You know. Act normal. That way...maybe when I return to reality, I can pretend none of this happened.”
    That stupid promise .
    His heart hurt. Sokar blinked