Read Online The Book of Beasts by John Barrowman - Free Book Online

glass doors behind her. A shriek for her own powerlessness, her grief for Matt and Jeannie.
    When she finally quietened, her face was red and her throat was raw. She felt better; calmer and in control. Taking a long deep breath, she unclenched her fists and loosened her neck muscles. Then she turned and marched back inside.
    She glared first at her mum, and then at Renard. ‘When exactly were you planning to tell me that we… that I have a living grandmother?’
    â€˜It’s not an easy conversation to have,’ said Sandie. ‘Your father’s mother is not a friend of ours.’
    Did you know about this, Zach?
    Em was shocked to see how pale and trembling Zach was. She realized with a stab of guilt that her explosive tantrum had sliced through his mind like a cleaver. His response to her inquiry was faint.
    News to me, too.
    Em was filled with remorse. I’m so sorry. Are you OK?
    I will be. But don’t do that again without a warning.
    Em sat down, and looked searchingly at the adults. ‘Explain,’ she said.
    â€˜Don’t look at me,’ Simon said, catching Sandie’s glance. ‘I never wanted to keep Henrietta a secret in the first place.’
    â€˜Henrietta and I never got along,’ said Renard finally. ‘And she wanted to travel, to see the world… she did not want to live here for longer than she had to. One day she packed up and left with your dad when he was about five or six. I remained here.’
    â€˜Why didn’t you go with them?’
    This time, the emotions among the adults were more subtle, complex and confusing. Em concentrated to catch the full range and depth of them. A volatile mix of regret and revenge was the strongest, but there were others too difficult to describe. They were emanating most strongly from Renard and Vaughn. The best Em could come up with was a discordant mash-up of loathing and longing.
    Do you feel that?
    Zach gave a subtle nod. It’s like love and hate at the same time. Is that possible?
    â€˜Please, Renard… Grandpa,’ said Em, holding her grandfather’s attention in her mind, gently soothing it. ‘Tell me everything.’
    Renard gave a throaty guffaw that flushed his grey face with colour and animated his worried eyes. ‘Emily Calder, are you trying to inspirit me?’
    Em flushed as Vaughn started to laugh. Then Simon and Sandie. Soon everyone was roaring, and the tension of the past half-hour was broken.
    â€˜Not cool, Em,’ Vaughn grinned, ‘but awesome for trying.’

TWENTY
    When the laughter settled, Renard clasped his hands on the table.
    â€˜I did not leave the island and travel with your grandmother for two significant reasons,’ he said. ‘Firstly, I thought that your father would be better living with his mother for a while, and seeing the world while he could.’
    An odd use of words, Em thought.
    â€˜Malcolm was schooled in Paris, Berlin and Hong Kong,’ Renard continued. ‘He lived in Brazil and Bangkok and he grew up to be an excellent Guardian.’ He hesitated. ‘Or so I thought.’
    Vaughn jumped in. ‘We have recently had confirmation that Henrietta had been planning a coup among Guardians for decades, and grooming Malcolm to lead it. I believe that when Malcolm discovered Hollow Earth was not just a story, he shared the information with Henrietta. For her, the power and wealth that controlling such an enchanted place would give them… I think it was irresistible.’
    â€˜What was the second significant reason?’ signed Zach.
    â€˜I cannot travel,’ Renard said after a moment. ‘At least, not for as long as Henrietta would have had me do.’
    â€˜But you’re always travelling!’ Em said in surprise.
    As she spoke, however, she realized Renard hadn’t left the island since Jeannie and Matt’s disappearance.
    â€˜The treasures created by Animare that we keep in the Abbey