It had been said by irreverent that the gods had a sense of humor. As the blade pressed against her throat Sythemis wondered if it they had a point. She should still a desert statue, motionless save for the throb of her heartbeat in her supple body. For a moment they stood together in silence.

"I asked Ishtar to reveal a great thief to me," Sythemis said calmly and simply.

"I did not expect her to answer so swiftly," she admitted truthfully. That was something of an understatement, by Temple Law it was death for any man to set foot within this chamber. It should have been impossible for anyone to find there way into this hallowed space.