Back at Zia’s tomb, Carter faces off against Menshikov, calling upon Horus’s power and becoming the giant hawk avatar he hasn’t had access to since breaking off from the god. Menshikov sends a spell at Carter to turn him into a snake, and just as it’s starting to take hold, Sadie and Walt emerge from their portal, destroying Bes’s cage. Bes rips off his clothes to scare Menshikov and Desjardins, who disappear. Zia passes out, and the group returns to the nomads, who drive them to Cairo.

Carter falls asleep, and his ba visits Horus, who says Carter could use Ra’s crook and flail to unite the magicians. Years ago, Menshikov tried to awaken Ra with one part of the book, which backfired and burned his eyes. Menshikov wants to awaken Ra for revenge, and Horus warns what might happen if the book doesn’t work, asking Carter if he can picture what will happen “if three times that much power is unleashed on your sister” (306). While Carter is tempted, he refuses because he doesn’t know how much of Horus’s words are the god’s own desire for power.

Next, Carter sees Menshikov and a weakened Desjardins.