Pharaoh-mones - Kendra Moreno Page 0,2

had been buried so deep. The alien conspiracy people came out in full force, claiming only intelligent life forms from other planets could be responsible, but I knew otherwise. There had been studies done to show exactly how the pyramids could have been built without current technology. It was fascinating stuff, and sometimes, I wondered if the alien theorists forgot the capabilities of humanity when determined to build themselves up.

Regardless, I hadn’t been expecting to get the job. I’d graduated at the top of my class with my doctorate in archeology, full honors, but that didn’t guarantee I’d be hired at amazing digs. Nowadays, you had to be selected for a project as large as this one, and the government handled the specifics. There were miles and miles of red tape to circumvent. Whatever was found in Egypt belonged to the people of Egypt, and they decided who got to be in charge.

For the Mystery Pyramid, the only name they currently had for it, the person in charge was Dagen Crenshaw, a world-renowned archaeologist. He had so many discoveries under his belt, I wasn’t sure how he kept track of them all. He was a celebrity in the world of archeology, his name everywhere in the textbooks I’d studied. When the opportunity to work with him on a mysterious Egyptian pyramid showed up, I’d filled out the form and jumped through the hoops, hoping I would get the chance. I figured they wouldn’t choose someone with such little experience under my belt. I’d been working in museums since I graduated, a few minor digs under my belt, but I didn’t have any specific Egypt experience under my belt, not for lack of trying. The jobs I’d held had been great, but they weren’t the adventure I’d hoped for. Surely there were other applicants who had travelled the world and discovered things on their own, but I was the one who’d received a personal call from Dr. Crenshaw. I might not have had his experience, but I would now. Going from dinosaur digs to a mystery pyramid in Egypt was a game changer for my career.

The trip was completely paid for by the Egyptian government, and my name would be written right next to Dr. Dagen Crenshaw when this discovery was placed in the history books. I would be his partner, not his understudy. I couldn’t imagine such a thing yet. It was still surreal.

I wished my mom were there to see it. She’d always believed in me, always knew I would do great things. She never got the chance to stick around and see me do great things. Cancer took her a year before I graduated with my doctorate. Her final words to me were even now etched into the metal bracelet on my wrist.

Do great things. Be kind. Make your mark. I love you.

The bracelet was one of my greatest possessions, the words written exactly in her handwriting. I never took it off. She would have been so proud to see me standing where I was now, about to make my mark on the world after all the years of hard work.

Even as a child, I knew I’d wanted to be an archaeologist, and I credited a lot of that to my mother. When I was little, she used to take coins and bits of things into the sandbox in the backyard and bury them. I’d sit out there for hours sifting through the sand, digging, searching. She did it every single day, always finding new things to hide, and I always got to keep everything I found. When I’d walked across the stage for my doctoral graduation, I’d told that story and watched as everyone understood. We didn’t always know what we wanted out of life, but sometimes, it was an easy choice. My dreams were born from a mother who saw my explorer soul and encouraged it. I was incredibly lucky to have her in my life for as long as I did.

Of course, the other influence in my life, and how I leapt full-fledged into archeology after my mother helped me, was Brendan Fraser, but that didn’t make for as great of a speech.

When we pulled up to the Anubis Hotel, I raised my brow. It was nicer than I expected, more luxurious than I planned for. My single nice dress might not be enough if I had to attend more than one special event. I might have to take a shopping trip. Hopefully, I wouldn’t