Read Online The Ruby Moon by Trisha Priebe - Free Book Online Page B

think she would harm you.”
    “At least tell me if she’s related to me, knows my family, told you anything more at all—”
    The man held up his hands, and Avery knew she would receive no more information.
    He labored to his feet with great effort. “I hope at least I’ve convinced you you have nothing to fear from me. And if you don’t mind, I will stay alert to any threats you might face.”
    “Well, I appreciate that,” Avery said, rising to help Babs with his coat. As she moved around behind him to get his arms into it, she noticed peeking from one of his pockets the daily bulletin announcing the reward for her capture. Avery slid it from his coat and slipped it into the pocket of her dress.
    Almost taken in by a hearty laugh, a warm smile, and a fishwife tale,
she thought, angry with herself.
No wonder he couldn’t describe the woman or tell me anything about her. She doesn’t exist! Babs, if that’s even his name, just wants to cash in on me.
    For the briefest moment, Avery had allowed herself a glimmer of hope.

Chapter 20
Queen Kate
    Kendrick would know what to do about Babs. She would tell him everything.
    But, as usual, he was nowhere to be found.
    He had been leaving in the middle of meals and missing council meetings altogether, never offering an excuse.
    When Avery couldn’t find him in any of the usual places, she instructed a scout to take her to him. The scout hesitated, which only confirmed her suspicion that Kendrick was up to something. “He and I have important business and no time to lose, so let’s go.”
    Clearly reluctant, the scout led her to a tiny room that looked like an ordinary bedchamber and swept aside the blanket partition.
    “Kendrick?” Avery called.
    He dove in front of an elaborate structure fashioned of tiny wooden planks, his face red as a toddler’s caught with his finger in the sugar box.
    “Don’t blame the scout,” Avery said. “I made him bring me.”
    As the scout retreated, she moved closer to a dazzling miniature replica of the castle—but not
just
the castle—the elaborate stairwell and entire underbelly as well. How much time and energy had Kendrick invested in research alone, not to mention the hours to build this?
    “You must have the patience of a saint!” she said, kneeling to peer into the tiny rooms that made up the labyrinth of the castle. “Where did you learn to do this?”
    “You’re not supposed to be here,” he said, wedging himself between her and the model.
    “I thought we were no longer keeping secrets from each other.”
    Kendrick didn’t budge. “I never agreed to that. Now
get out
.”
    “At least tell me
why
you built this.”
    Kendrick didn’t budge. He stood facing Avery, shielding the replica castle with his body.
    Avery stood equally determined.
    Kendrick sighed. “I thought it would help us better understand the disappearances. An actual model instead of obscure, hand-drawn maps can maybe tell us where everyone went and lead to better strategies.”
    Avery marveled at the maze of chambers. “Impressive.”
    Kendrick’s look told her he neither needed nor wanted her approval.

    The big news at the next council meeting was Queen Angelina’s search for a new lady-in-waiting. Apparently she had dismissed one, accusing her of stealing. That likely meant a death sentence.
    “She’s looking for intelligence, confidence, and trustworthiness,” a scout reported.
    “Which rules out anybody I know,” Kendrick mumbled.
    Avery playfully punched him.
    Actually, the idea of planting a thirteen-year-old among Angelina’s ladies invigorated the council members, who spent the morning discussing the ways it could benefit them.
    “For one thing, first-person access to every decision she makes!” Tuck offered.
    “Of course, we also risk one of our own being hung for a false accusation,” Kendrick said.
    “I say the rewards outweigh the risks,” Tuck said. “I’m open to suggestions for a candidate. The queen interviews