Rogue Angel - 12 - The Soul Stealer by Alex Archer

Author:Alex Archer
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780373621309
Publisher: Gold Eagle
Published: 2008-05-13T04:00:00+00:00

22

“Are you all right?”

Annja looked up. Gregor stood in the doorway, his flashlight in one hand and concern clearly evident on his face.

“I heard you cry out. I thought there might be some trouble.”

She got to her feet. “I’m okay now.”

“Why did you come back here?”

Annja shook her head. “I thought this thing might still be alive. I didn’t want it sneaking up on us.”

“You thought there might be some truth to those folktales after all, huh?”

“I guess so.”

Gregor nodded. “Considering where we are, it’s pretty easy to imagine it, isn’t it? Surrounded by all this superstition, I suppose it’s difficult not to fall under its spell.”

Annja shrugged. “I’m done with it now. This isn’t some kind of undead goddess. It’s flesh and blood. And I killed it.”

“You’re ready to go, then?”

Annja nodded and then stopped. “Wait a minute.” She looked around on the floor and scooped up something in her hand. “All set.”

“You’re bringing that with you?”

Annja glanced down at Khosadam’s brank and nodded. “I think it’s an important reminder of what happened here.”

“Maybe you can convince the villagers that there’s no danger any longer from it. Then they’ll get back to their lives. It could be a good thing,” Gregor said.

“I’ve got more questions I’d like to see answered before I hold this overhead as a trophy.”

Gregor regarded her and then gestured over his shoulder. “Stairs are clear. I didn’t find any traps. We can leave now, Annja.”

She smiled and looked around one final time. The corpse remained exactly where it had fallen after the battle. There was no danger here any longer.

She followed him out of the secret doorway and into the tunnel. Gregor’s limp was less pronounced now. “Your leg is better?”

“Seems to be.”

Annja nodded. “What do you think it was?”

“Khosadam?” Gregor shrugged. “I don’t really know. Some sort of village idiot gone horribly awry? An escapee from a mental prison? Hell, it could have been a descendant of someone who worked in the mines. Perhaps they escaped and came out here to live in the forest.”

“And the metal jaws and claws?”

“I have no idea.” He stopped and looked at Annja.

“The truth is, there are plenty of things it could be. Before the end of communism, there were plenty of bizarre experiments going on with the government’s tacit approval. That was before my time, obviously, but you still hear rumors of the stuff.”

“I suppose.”

They reached the stairs and Gregor nodded at them. “You want me to go first or you?”

“I’ll take it,” Annja said. “You sure they’re clear?”

Gregor smiled. “I’ll be right behind you. If there’s some type of trap, we’ll both be killed.”

“That’s comforting,” Annja said.

“What I mean is, yes, they’re clear. I’m staking my life on it, obviously.”

Annja started up the stairs. The aged wooden steps creaked noticeably as she shifted her weight on them one after another. In the dim light, Annja could see that they ended at what appeared to be another door. Shafts of light outlined the door.

She looked back at Gregor.

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