Clockwork Gypsy by Jeri Westerson

Author:Jeri Westerson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jeri Westerson
Published: 2020-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“THERE’S A SHAFT a few yards that way,” said Thacker. “It starts with a ladder and then I suppose you’d have to crawl the rest of the way. Miss Zhao, I know it ain’t convenient, you being a woman and all…”

“I’ll do what I must to survive, Inspector.”

“So you would,” he muttered. “Well then. I’ll lead the way. But quiet like, because there was a group of them goblins nearby coming this way.”

They followed Thacker. “It’s a fair sight easier to navigate when you’re walking through the walls,” Thacker said, conversationally, “but I suppose that ain’t no option for the rest of you. I think the turn should be around here somewhere.” He floated slowly forward, peering strangely with an elongated neck, until he seemed to spy what he was looking for. “Down here.”

Leopold heard Mingli’s enhanced eye scope swivel and lengthen. He wondered what it was she could see, almost envied it.

Leopold himself hadn’t noticed the rift in the wall when they had traveled this way before. It was most cleverly hidden in the texture of the rock. The imp went first, followed by Mingli, while Leopold took up the rear guard. The passage itself was dark, but the slight glowing from his ghostly friend was enough illumination for them to see their way through. The path led downward and soon they came to an area that opened into a shaft. And just as Thacker had said, there was a ladder that descended into darkness.

“I’ll go first, shall I?” offered Leopold.

Mingli sighed. “I suppose those wearing skirts should go first.”

“Why?” He was affronted by her pushing him aside…until he caught up to what she said. “Oh! Well…yes, of course! You…you should definitely go first. It’s just that I…”

“You wanted to protect me. I understand, Mr. Kazsmer.” She smiled mischievously and grabbed hold of the top of the ladder before she began her descent.

Leopold quickly turned to Thacker and in a hushed whisper, said, “She understood what I meant, didn’t she?”

Thacker chuckled. “Oh, you’re hooked good, aren’t you?” He nodded to the ladder. “Best catch up.”

Mingli had disappeared down the ladder and Leopold scrambled to climb down with the imp above him, giving him a most distasteful view. Had Mingli been above him… Oh, yes. It would have been far better, but likely more dangerous to his concentration.

Down they went, lit faintly again by the ghost’s illumination, until he heard Mingli say, “Is this it, Inspector?”

Leopold met them all again on another narrow ledge where there was a short tunnel hewn from the rock. “Suchah, I think you should go first. Can you make some light for us?”

“Flesh Master’s magic has not returned?”

“I’m afraid not. Not enough to do us any good. So…in you go.”

The imp, just as insolent as before but with a question glittering in his eyes, snapped his fingers to create a glowing orb that gave off considerably more light than the ghost of Inspector Thacker, and ducked down into the tunnel.

“Perhaps you will allow me to go ahead of you now, Miss Zhao.

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