Read Online The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - Free Book Online Page B

interloper, an uninvited guest. Glerk much preferred poetry.
    â€œI’ll be using the same principle as the protective cocoon that she sleeps in. All that magic is kept inside. But in this case, it will be inside
her.
Right at the front of her brain, behind the center of her forehead. I can keep it contained and
tiny
. A grain of sand. All that power in a grain of sand. Can you imagine?”
    Glerk said nothing. He gazed down at the child in his arms. She didn’t move.
    â€œIt won’t—” he began. His voice was thick. He cleared his throat and started again. “It won’t . . .
ruin
things, will it? I think I rather like her brain. I would like to see it unharmed.”
    â€œOh, piffle,” Xan admonished. “Her brain will be perfectly fine. At least I’m more than fairly sure it will be fine.”
    â€œ
Xan!
”
    â€œOh, I’m only kidding! Of course she will be fine. This will simply buy us some time to make sure she has the good sense to know what to do with her magic once it is unleashed. She needs to be educated. She needs to know the contents of those books, there. She needs to understand the movements of the stars and the origins of the universe and the requirements of kindness. She needs to know mathematics and poetry. She must ask questions. She must seek to understand. She must understand the laws of cause and effect and unintended consequences. She must learn compassion and curiosity and awe. All of these things. We have to instruct her, Glerk. All three of us. It is a great responsibility.”
    The air in the room became suddenly heavy. Xan grunted as she pushed the chalk through the last edges of the thirteen-­pointed star. Even Glerk, who normally wouldn’t be affected, found himself both sweaty and nauseous.
    â€œAnd what about you?” Glerk said. “Will the siphoning of
your
magic stop?”
    Xan shrugged. “It will slow, I expect.” She pressed her lips together. “Little bit by bit by bit. And then she will turn thirteen and it will flow out all at once. No more magic. I will be an empty vessel with nothing left to keep these old bones moving. And then I’ll be gone.” Xan’s voice was quiet and smooth, like the surface of the swamp—and lovely, as the swamp is lovely. Glerk felt an ache in his chest. Xan attempted to smile. “Still, if I had my druthers, it’s better to leave her orphaned
after
I can teach her a thing or two. Get her raised up properly. Prepare her. And I’d rather go all at once instead of wasting away like poor Zosimos.”
    â€œDeath is always sudden,” Glerk said. His eyes had begun to itch. “Even when it isn’t.” He wanted to clasp Xan in his third and fourth arms, but he knew the Witch wouldn’t stand for it, so he held Luna a little bit closer instead, as Xan began to unwind the magical cocoon. The little girl smacked her lips together a few times and cuddled in close to his damp chest, warming him through. Her black hair shone like the night sky. She slept deeply. Glerk looked at the shape on the ground. There was still an open walkway for him to pass through with the girl. Once Luna was in place and Glerk was safely outside the chalk rim, Xan would complete the circle, and the spell would begin.
    He hesitated.
    â€œYou’re sure, Xan?” he said. “Are you very, very sure?”
    â€œYes. Assuming I’ve done this right, the seed of magic will open on her thirteenth birthday. We don’t know the exact day, of course, but we can make our guesses. That’s when her magic will come. And that’s when I will go. It’s enough. I’ve already outlasted any reasonable allotment of life on this earth. And I’m ever so curious to know what comes next. Come. Let’s begin.”
    And the air smelled of milk and sweat and baking bread. Then sharp spice and skinned knees and damp hair. Then working muscles and soapy