the_kane_chronicles__book_one__the_red_pyramid

the god before you, Thoth, founded the House of Life, for which this mansion is the
regional headquarters. Or at least…it used to be. I’m the only member left in the Twentyfirst
Nome. Or I was, until you two came along.”
“Hang on.” I had so many questions I could hardly think where to start. “What is the
House of Life?
Why is Thoth the only god allowed here, and why are you—”
“Carter, I understand how you feel.” Amos smiled sympathetically. “But these things are
better discussed in daylight. You need to get some sleep, and I don’t want you to have
nightmares.”
“You think I can sleep?”
“Mrow.” Muffin stretched in Sadie’s arms and let loose a huge yawn.
Amos clapped his hands. “Khufu!”
I thought he’d sneezed, because Khufu is a weird name, but then a little dude about three
feet tall with gold fur and a purple shirt came clambering down the stairs. It took me a
second to realize it was a baboon wearing an ll.A. Lakers jersey.
The baboon did a flip and landed in front of us. He showed off his fangs and made a sound
that was half roar, half belch. His breath smelled like nacho-flavored Doritos.
All I could think to say was, “The Lakers are my home team!”
The baboon slapped his head with both hands and belched again.
“Oh, Khufu likes you,” Amos said. “You’ll get along famously.”
“Right.” Sadie looked dazed. “You’ve got a monkey butler. Why not?” Muffin purred in
Sadie’s arms as if the baboon didn’t bother her at all.
“Agh!” Khufu grunted at me.
Amos chuckled. “He wants to go one-on-one with you, Carter. To, ah, see your game.” I
shifted from foot to foot. “Um, yeah. Sure. Maybe tomorrow. But how can you understand
—”
“Carter, I’m afraid you’ll have a lot to get used to,” Amos said. “But if you’re going to
survive and save your father, you have to get some rest.”
“Sorry,” Sadie said, “did you say ‘survive and save our father’? Could you expand on
that?”
“Tomorrow,” Amos said. “We’ll begin your orientation in the morning. Khufu, show them
to their rooms, please.”
“Agh-uhh!” the baboon grunted. He turned and waddled up the stairs. Unfortunately, the
Lakers jersey didn’t completely cover his multicolored rear.
We were about to follow when Amos said, “Carter, the workbag, please. It’s best if I lock
it in the library.”
I hesitated. I’d almost forgotten the bag on my shoulder, but it was all I had left of my