Read Online Quest Maker by Laurie McKay - Free Book Online Page B

They hated one another as much as everyone else.
    As he turned back, a group of sixth-grade girls and boys waved at him. As Caden was gracious and royal, he smiled and waved back. They broke into giggles.
    Tito clanked his plate down on the table. It was full of apple-and-cheese something—apple gratin, Tito called it—and vegetarian pizza. “Don’t you already have a beautifulsorceress?” he said, and motioned to the pack of students. “Stop flirting with sixth graders. She’ll curse you again.”
    Caden was offended. And confused. How was this flirting, and why was he being accused of it? “I was being gracious,” he said.
    â€œYou tell Brynne that and see how that works for you.”
    Brynne and Jane sat down across from them. Jane had a plate of food, and Brynne had a spoon. “Tell me what?” Brynne said.
    Though Caden’s graciousness was none of her concern, it was more important to share what had happened. He explained his agreement with Ms. Primrose, then added, “It’s a great honor to be given a quest.”
    He glanced at the cafeteria line. Rath Dunn was there, handing out sweet potato and walnut rolls. Had he been involved in the accident? Caden had seen him standing with Mr. Bellows and Ms. Jackson on the lawn, and Mr. Bellows had wanted to get into the destroyed classroom.
    â€œIf Rath Dunn was involved in that not-accident,” Caden said, “Ms. Primrose will eat him. Jasan will then be safe from her and him.”
    Tito paused with the pizza a finger’s length from his mouth. “Bro, you always think Rath Dunn’s involved. You thought he poisoned that bunch of hedges.”
    Jane glared toward the serving line.
    â€œIt’s more likely Ms. Jackson’s doing,” Jane said. “She’s the ritual magic master.”
    Ms. Jackson was Jane’s greatest enemy. Like every other day, Jane had gone through the lunch line, had her plate filled, but wasn’t eating. Once lunch ended, Jane made a show of throwing it away.
    Caden appreciated that type of commitment. He considered. “I agree—she’s likely involved, too.”
    Brynne stole a spoonful of apple gratin from Tito’s plate. Jane never allowed her to steal bites from her plate. “So, prince, we must find a saboteur to save your banished brother.” She set the spoon down. “And if we fail, he and you die?”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œAnd we have only seven days.”
    â€œYes.”
    Brynne scrunched up her pretty face. “Ms. Primrose likes you. I didn’t think she’d eat you unless you did something stupid.” She peered at him as if she sensed he hadn’t told her every detail. “It seems strange to me.”
    There was no reason to tell her that his negotiations for her and others’ safety had led to the danger for his life. That information would change nothing. “She is hungry. Perhaps it clouds her judgment?”
    Tito chewed on his pizza. Jane nodded in agreement.
    Brynne looked unconvinced. “You still shouldn’t have agreed to it,” she said.
    â€œI didn’t really have any choice,” Caden said.
    That night, Caden couldn’t sleep. He hadn’t warned Jasan about Rath Dunn. Despite searching the halls between classes, he’d found no clues as to who had caused the gas not-accident. Worst of all, the rigging dagger remained tucked in his treasure box. How could he sleep with that item under his bed? Chadwin’s blood was on it.
    On the other side of the taped line, Tito was sprawled across his purple quilt. His hair was loose and falling over his face, and he was drooling. Quietly, so as not to wake Tito, Caden got out of bed and got dressed. He lowered his escape rope from the window. If he couldn’t sleep, he could find somewhere to bury the rigging dagger.
    He landed quietly on the soft grass. The night was dark, the moon completely covered