Book Three: Chapter 87

Opening its mouth, it spat out a crumpled figure on the floor.

“Sofia,” Mike whispered. The cyclops was motionless, but still breathing.

“Troublesome little mortals, snooping around my chamber.” The voice came from the snake, though its mouth was motionless. The voice was feminine, with a very thick accent. Circling Mike, it stared down at him. “You have sent a small army in to retrieve my treasure, haven’t you Caretaker?”

“We came to retrieve what is rightfully ours,” Mike said, his mouth and throat suddenly dry. “We have no interest in your belongings and would prefer to leave you in peace.”

The snake chuckled. “Isn’t that what all intruders say? We didn’t mean it?” The snake’s body kept going, winding its way around the chamber. Mike couldn’t see the end of it. “I suppose if I just give you the goggles, you will be on your way?”

“Yeah. That’s the gist of it.”

“Ha!” The snake’s mouth opened this time, revealing three foot long fangs. “So I hand