Read Online Chase Tinker & The House of Magic by Malia Ann Haberman - Free Book Online Page B

Scotland, how did it get here?"
    "Thomas teleported it fifty years ago. We
wanted it to be in a new secret location. Because of the size, it
wasn't easy to move. We had to combine all our magic to do it."
    "Hey, Grandfather," said Andy, "will you help
us practice the shielding power?"
    "Splendid idea, Andy!" exclaimed Grandfather.
"Let's all give it a go."
    Everyone scrambled to their feet.
    "When you wish to make a shield," said
Grandfather, "say ' shield ' and focus on where you want it to
materialize."
    " Shield! " yelled Chase. He
concentrated with all his might until he was surrounded by a
glowing barrier. "Okay, Grandfather, throw a fireball at me." The
flashing-orange ball whizzed toward him, but the shield fizzled
before it got there and, BANG! his t-shirt had a big, black hole in
it. He gaped at his ruined shirt. "Oh no! This was my
favorite."
    "Oops. So sorry, Chase." Grandfather's
mustache twitched as he tried not to smile. He cleared his throat.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll have shielding mastered in no time at
all."
    They spent the rest of the afternoon
practicing. Andy even managed to freeze Maxwell when he attempted
to sneak off with Grandfather's slipper again.
    Taking a break, Chase flopped into a chair
and grabbed another cookie. Looking out the window, he watched the
storm grow wilder by the second. Hail stones pounded the wooden
deck while glowing lightning flashes were followed by booming waves
of thunder.
    He'd just swallowed another mouthful of
snickerdoodle when the deck's French doors burst open. Persephone
stumbled in, bringing with her a swirling wind that swept through
the room, blew the papers from the desk and showered everyone in a
cool mist. She was soaked, her hair plastered to her head.
    "Mr. Hiram! You have to come now!"
     

CHAPTER
SEVEN
The Return
    G randfather pushed
himself to his feet. "Persephone, what's wrong?"
    "In—in the b—backyard!" she sputtered through
the water pouring down her face. "Please hurry." She waved at them
to follow her then darted away.
    Grandfather, Chase, Andy and Janie ran out
into the drenching downpour and across the slippery deck. The next
lightning strike felt so near Chase thought his hair must be
standing on end. BOOM! The thunder crashed again.
    They sprinted around the corner of the house
where Persephone fell to her knees next to someone in the vegetable
garden outside the kitchen door.
    "Mom!" screamed Janie. She dropped to the
muddy ground. "Grandfather, we've got to help her!"
    "Let's get her into the house," said
Grandfather. He waved his hand and conjured a stretcher. "Chase,
Andy, lift Clair's legs, Janie and I will take her shoulders."
    Gooey mud oozed around Chase's sneakers as he
grasped Clair's sopping pant leg. He couldn't believe how thin and
fragile she felt, even through the thick fabric. Besides that, her
jeans and shirt were torn and bloody, and one shoe was missing.
    They laid her carefully on the long canvas
carrier. Grandfather pointed his finger. A glowing, green beam
flowed from the tip, surrounding Clair and the stretcher. They
floated up and over the garden.
    Persephone held the door open as the
bedraggled group tramped into the kitchen.
    "Miranda, we're taking Clair to the Healing
room," said Grandfather. "Will you please get some hot water and
warm towels ready and bring them as soon as possible?"
    The housekeeper nodded and set to work while
a mop scurried behind the others and scrubbed the muddy floor.
    They followed Clair through the house, the
stretcher magically bending around furniture and tight corners.
    "Poor Aunt Clair," murmured Andy when she was
resting on the Healing Room's four-poster bed at last.
    Her breathing was quick and shallow as if she
had just run a marathon, and even through the mud, her face looked
red and feverish. "Ha—have to get home," she mumbled. "Need Dad.
Must—must get away. Hurry, they're coming. Don't let go! Help! Help
me please—"
    The kids looked at each other. "What's she
talking