Read Online Rio 2 by Christa Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

rehearsal.
    â€œNo problem,” Blu replied, walking away.
    Â 
    On the makeshift stage, Charlie was practicing some dance moves. Nigel wasn’t having it. “No. Stop. Stop. Stop. Cut! Cut! Stop!” He grew more exasperated with each second. He stormed onstage. “Glitter! Where is my glitter? Glitter is absolutely essential for a magical performance. Do you know nothing?” he shouted. “Ugh, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see brilliant choreography being butchered. If we want this plan to work, you have to be perfect!”
    Nigel showed Charlie the steps once more. “It’s spin, right, grapevine left, and then, with you stage left, I will do my flourish—ta da!—and Gabi, that will be the cue for you to do the deadly deed.”
    Gabi let out a sigh. “Oh, Nigel. You are the maestro of mayhem.”
    Suddenly, Nigel stopped short. Something was missing.
    Charlie dutifully went off in search of glitter. Gabi gazed at Nigel, lovestruck. “Did that Shakespeare guy ever write anything about a pair of star-crossed lovers separated by a fate beyond their control?” she asked softly.
    â€œ Romeo and Juliet ,” Nigel snapped, getting back into the rehearsal. “A tragedy. Both of them die in the end. It was a poisonous love.”
    Gabi thought that was the most romantic thing she’d ever heard.

Chapter 11

    It was another beautiful, sunny day in the rain forest. Jewel zoomed in, her feathers ruffling in the morning breeze. “Woo-hoooo!” she cried, blasting past the nest and landing on a nearby branch. “What a glorious morning! I forgot I could have mornings like this.”
    Roberto landed nearby, carrying a large branch full of Brazil nut pods. “Your favorite,” he told her, handing her a large nut.
    â€œYou remembered!” Jewel squealed. “Isn’t that nice?” She yanked a nut off the branch with her claws and tore into it. “Oh, it’s so crazy good! Thank you so much, Roberto!”
    Roberto smiled down at her. “Not at all. And may I say, you look lovely this morning.”
    Jewel flushed. “Oh, stop it, Beto.” They leaned in for a kiss.
    â€œYeah,” Blu said, seething. “You heard her. Stop it!”
    And it was at that moment that Blu jolted awake. His brow was covered with sweat. Jewel, Roberto, kissing . . . it had only been a nightmare. Jewel and the kids were still fast asleep.
    Shaking off the horrible dream, Blu crept silently past his family and reached for his fanny pack. Click! He slid the buckle in place, relieved that the sound didn’t wake Jewel up. Then he snuck out of the nest and flew off.
    â€œ I’ll be the one to surprise her,” he told himself, filled with determination. “Breakfast in bed, coming up!”
    Â 
    Linda and Tulio continued to search for more Spix’s Macaws. They had climbed up in a tree for a better vantage point, when a bunch of bats flew out of a hole in the tree, startling Tulio. He lost his grip and suddenly found himself dangling from the ropes.
    â€œTulio!” Linda cried. “Tulio, are you okay?”
    â€œI’m fine,” Tulio told her. “I’m okay.”
    But something wasn’t okay. In the distance they could make out smoke. They hurried to investigate. A long double row of trees was marked with red X’s spray painted on them. In between the rows, the underbrush had been cut and slashed, leaving an ugly gaping hole in the greenery. A chain saw was roaring nearby.
    â€œTulio, they’re cutting down the forest,” Linda whispered, her voice shaking with rage. She pushed past him, toward the loggers.
    â€œLinda!” Tulio exclaimed. “Where are you going?”
    Linda kept moving. “To talk to them. You talk to birds, I talk to humans.”
    â€œNo, wait! Don’t!” Tulio pleaded.
    Linda stepped up behind a huge man using a chain saw. “Hey! Hey,