Temple Dogs

Guardians of the Sacred City

Archaeologist Dr. Helena Cross journeys deep into the dense jungles of Southeast Asia, drawn by rumors of an ancient temple guarded by mythical beasts. Accompanied by implacable guide Malik Thorne and his trusty canine companion Asha, Helena navigates treacherous paths and hidden traps beneath a canopy of emerald leaves. When they finally uncover the crumbling stone gateway of the Temple of the Jade Moon, they find carved reliefs of spectral hounds and inscriptions warning of a curse that befalls any who dare disturb the hallowed grounds. With her heart pounding, Helena must decide whether to press onward—knowing that some secrets are meant to remain buried.

Wolves in the Shadows

As night falls and moonlight glints off moss-covered stones, Helena’s team realizes they are not alone. Sinister silhouettes prowl the temple’s outer courtyards, their eyes glowing with intelligence beyond that of ordinary beasts. When Malik’s camp is attacked by a pack of spectral dogs, Helena discovers that the legends were true: these phantom guardians can traverse the veil between life and death. Forced into the labyrinthine corridors, she deciphers cryptic glyphs that reveal a hidden chamber where the temple’s original priest-king bound the souls of traitors to serve as eternal protectors. Each echoing howl challenges her resolve—and her very understanding of mortality.

The Heart of the Beast

In a climactic confrontation beneath the statue of the Jade Moon Goddess, Helena and Asha must confront the alpha of the spectral pack to break the temple’s curse. With crumbling pillars and shifting shadows all around, Helena uses her knowledge of ancient rites to perform a ritual of release, risking her own spirit to free the trapped souls. When the final spectral hound lets out a mournful cry and dissolves into moonlit mist, the temple falls eerily silent—and Helena realizes that her greatest discovery lies not in relics, but in the bond forged between a woman and her faithful companion.

. Robert L. Duncan, acclaimed for weaving pulse-pounding adventure and supernatural intrigue, invites readers into worlds where myth and reality collide in unforgettable fashion.