Amethyst by Rebecca Lisle Read Free Book Online

knitted when I was happy too. I just had to knit. But now …’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Well, Amber, she’s—’
    ‘What?’
    ‘She’s hidden my knitting needles. Every single one she could find. And my crochet hooks. She doesn’t want me to do it any more.’ Copper turned her green eyes on Amy. ‘Why do you think she did that?’
    ‘I don’t know.’ Amy leaned forward, hoping Copper would tell her about Amber knitting gold. Did she still do it? Where did she do it? Were they rich?
    But Copper only giggled.
    ‘I’ve no idea why she did it either,’ she said. ‘She used to like knitting too. Actually, I do still have one little pairthat Aunt Ruby gave me years ago.’ She grinned. ‘I’m keeping them hidden. Just in case Mum gets her hands on them. Have to knit, you know.’
    They heard the patter of claws on the floorboards outside and Ralick came in. He sat down at Copper’s feet. She stroked his head.
    ‘I don’t mean to say anything against your people,’ Copper said. ‘But Granite kept my mother a prisoner once. And Silver, too. Her babies died, all except Ralick. I’ll never forgive him for any of that. He locked me up. He’s mad.’
    ‘Oh, yes, well …’ Amy wondered what she could say. ‘Granite’s old-fashioned. He’d like to keep the Rockers and the Woods separate, wouldn’t he? He doesn’t like mixing.’
    ‘That’s right. He lived in the Rock up there.’ Copper pointed vaguely out towards the mountains. ‘He’s gone now. Some people say he killed Old Lord Lazulite to take over his domain. I wouldn’t be surprised … Now Granite reckons he’s the new Lord of all the Rock People. That’s what I’ve heard.’
    The cub was staring at Amy. His brow was wrinkled as if he understood what they were saying. It was really very unnerving.

10
Amy’s First Meal at Spindle House
    Copper showed Amy all over the house, then all round the snow-covered garden. Amy felt brighter outside in the cold air.
    Ralick followed them.
    ‘The lake’s frozen. Cedar says the ice is a metre thick,’ said Copper. She squatted down beside the ice and wiped away the dusting of snow. The water had turned a clotted, hazy grey. ‘We can go skating if you want. And we can go sledging later. Questrid’s been working on making a sledge for you ever since he knew you were coming.’
    ‘Has he? Why?’
    ‘To make you feel at home of course.’ Copper stared at her. ‘What a funny question!’ Copper picked up Ralick and snuggled him under her chin, kissing the flat top of his head. ‘But you can’t come, Ralick. You’ll have to stay behind.’
    Skating. There might be a chance for me to grabRalick then, Amy thought. While Copper’s busy … But it was only a fleeting thought. Stealing the cub seemed rather unimportant now. She let the idea slip back into the deeper corners of her mind.
    When Amy was alone in her room she missed Copper. Copper’s working some Wood magic on me, she told herself. How could I like her? This is madness. Granite needs my help. He is the Lord of the Rockers. He’s the one that counts, not these Woods. I must hold out against the Woods and all their charms.
    She needed to feel something Rocky. She took the stone carving she had begun on the train from her bag. She clasped the cold rock between her pale hands. The face she’d chiselled was only a blur, just a suspicion of a nose, mouth and eyes, it wasn’t revolting – yet.
    I could make it nice, for once, she thought. There’s no Uncle John or Aunt Agnes to make me spoil it.
    What if this stone was me? I’d want to be beautiful, wouldn’t I? But still hard and strong?
    A corner of her sculpture crumbled to dust and fell into her lap.
    At seven o’clock, Copper called Amy to come downstairs for supper.
    The kitchen was bright and too warm. Cedar and Amber were there. A small woman with a long striped skirt was stirring a pot on the cooker.
    ‘This is Oriole,’ said Copper. She led Amy towards her. Oriole spun round and fixed