Page 21 of Second Chance with Bastet
I let out a sigh. "Fine. What are your questions?"
"So you are Ptah?" he asked.
"No. My name is Peter," I repeated. Though like every other time that I said my current human name out loud, it didn't sound right.
"So you're not several thousand years old?"
I gave a good-natured laugh, though I could hear an edge to it. "That would be quite something. I'm thirty-five," I lied.
"Where are you heading right now?" he asked.
"To work," I responded. "So if you don't mind, I should get going. I have a meeting I don't want to be late for."
"What do you do for a living?" the man asked.
"I don't think that's something I need to disclose." Annoyance was starting to grow in me. I had no idea what was happening, or why they were so interested in me.
The man gave me an intrigued look, as if trying to work out what I was thinking.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"A journalist," he responded. "One with an interest in reporting the truth about the world." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a card, holding it out to me.
I didn't take it.
He shrugged. "Well, if you want to talk to me about the truth behind who you are, you know where to find me."
"Thank you, but no thanks," I said.
"Think about it." He leaned in and put his card in my pocket.
Anger rose inside me at the pushiness, but considering we were in the middle of the street, I knew that it was better not to let that show.
But once I got to the god realm, I was going to be doing some research into the journalist to find out more about him, because if he was trying to uncover the existence of gods, then it was better that a stop was put to it.
Chapter 11
Bastet
In a strange twist of circumstances, considering I'd spent hundreds of years avoiding the god realm, I stepped through the portal for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. And if Menhit said no to my request to get ready for my date with Ptah at her place, I'd be back for a third time later.
There were more people on the streets than there were last night, and some of them even nodded to me. It took a few moments to recognise some of them, but it soon became clear that I was remembered more than I thought I was.
A stray cat crossed my path as I approached the oasis, causing surprise to travel through me. I hadn't thought there would be strays wandering around in the god realm. But I supposed it did make sense. Cats liked to be everywhere, particularly in places they weren't supposed to be.
"Hello." I crouched down so I was more on his level and held out my hand. It was a shame that I didn't have any treats I could give him.
The cat approached cautiously at first, but he seemed calmed by my presence.
"Do you know Menhit?" I asked.
The cat cocked its head to the side, seemingly surprised that I was talking to him. Or maybe it was because he could understand me. I'd seen cats be confused by that turn of events before.
"Menhit?" I prompted.
The cat gave an affirmative chirp.
"I'm coming to see her now," I said.
