The Undying Kingdom: An Archaeological Thriller (The Jack Reilly Adventures Book 4) by Matt James

Author:Matt James [James, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2022-10-13T16:00:00+00:00

32

“Why?” Kalsang stood and joined Jack. “What did you see?”

Jack knelt in the center of the room. “You won’t believe me.”

“Try us,” May snorted, stepping up next to him.

“It walked like a man but looked like a bear—what I could see, anyway. Fur covered its thickly built body.” Jack looked up at May. “You heard the grunts, right?” She nodded. “That was speech.”

“We don’t know that,” May said. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself that was the case.

Kalsang sighed. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” Jack said, burning holes into the man.

The Sherpa nodded. “The Snow Lions symbolize strength, so if they were real, I’d imagine they’d be big and powerful.”

“Check,” Jack said.

“They also represent protection, that of the physical Buddha. And they are thought to only exist in the high mountains as they are seen as the ‘king of beasts’ and would tower over other animals of the lower realms.”

“Anything else?” Jack asked.

“Yes,” Kalsang replied, “when you grow up in the very same mountains, you learn a thing or two, though I still don’t believe they are Snow Lions.”

“What do you think they are, if they aren’t bears or wolves? Give me something crazy.”

“Well, when I was a boy, I once heard an elder at my village describe them as being similar to a migoi.”

“Migoi?” Jack asked. “I know that word.”

“You do?” May asked.

Jack eyed her. “Yeah, but I’m not sure from where.” He returned his attention to the Sherpa. “What does it mean?”

Kalsang looked uncomfortable with what he was about to say.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked. He removed his ski cap and tossed his hair with his free hand.

“You won’t believe me.”

Jack grinned. He used May’s line from earlier. “Try us.”

“Okay, well…” Kalsang blew out a long, calming breath, “in Tibetan, migoi means ‘wild man.’”

Jack’s eyes opened wide, and he stood and stepped away from his companions. His hands found his head and he gripped his hair. Everything came rushing in all at once. If he wasn’t where he was and had seen what he had seen, he’d have thought the idea of a ‘wild man’ being in their midst was crazy.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” May asked, worry creeping into her voice. “What are you two talking about?”

Jack faced her with a serious gaze. “Well, you see, in some Himalayan cultures—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—but a ‘wild man’ is also commonly referred to as a Yeti.” He sighed. “I think we’re being hunted by Yetis.”

May smiled, but Jack and Kalsang didn’t join in on the joke. “Wait, you’re both being serious?” She exhaled out a short laugh. “I don’t believe it.”

“Me either,” Jack said, “yet, here we are. You don’t have to believe me, but I know what I saw.”

“You didn’t see much of anything,” she countered. “It was dark, and you’re tired. They could be anything.”

He closed his eyes and turned his head up to the ceiling. “I am, and boy, I hope you’re right.”

May’s hand found his shoulder. He opened his eyes and met hers.

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