Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 508
"I improvised," she said.
"You’re brilliant," he said, and hugged her with one arm.
Then they ran over to the crypt.
The doors were bronze, very solid, and very closed. He
pulled hard on the ring set into the right panel, but it didn’t
budge.
"Lock," said Marya, pointing.
"I know, I know." He took out the pistol. "Cover your
eyes."
The metal glowed, groaned, and a hole appeared above
the lock. Axel kicked the door. It held fast. "Bastard!" He
shot the lock again.
"Axel!" They were surrounded again. Marya stepped
between Axel and the soldiers, shouting, "Get the door!"
"Get the door? What are you going to do, hold them off
with your bare hands?"
Someone tackled Marya from the side. They rolled out
of sight around the corner of the crypt.
Axel shot the door again and as they came for him he hit
it with his shoulder. It gave way just as if someone on the
other side had opened it and he fell through.
Luckily, it was only three steps down. Axel hit all three
on his way to the floor. When he rose, cursing, he was entirely
in darkness, except for a panel of grey representing the door. A
man was silhouetted there. The man was saying, "I’m not
going in there."
"Wise!" shouted Axel.
"We’ve got your accomplice!" said another voice.
"Come out or she’s done for."
Axel barked a laugh. He stepped up, fumbled until he
found the hot edge of the door, and said, "Get stuffed." Then
he closed it.