Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1) by Rachel Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

Alice.” Adriane laughed and smacked the backpack again.
    “It’s Ozzie!”
    The road ended at the circular drive in front of the manor house. Emily stared in awe at the old architectural monstrosity. Close up, it seemed spookier than ever, but at the same time, it looked inviting, full of secrets waiting to be revealed.
    “You actually live here?” Emily walked over and peered in the sidelight windows that framed the enormous wooden front door. Ozzie clambered out of her backpack and leaped to the ground.
    “No, we live in a cottage around the back,” Adriane explained.
    “I wonder what it’s like inside,” Emily murmured, burning with curiosity.
    “Most of the place is locked up,” Adriane told her. “But it has a ton of rooms and an old library up top.”
    “That sounds cool.” Emily stepped back and looked at the huge brass door knocker. It was shaped like the head of a lion. “Kevin told me they used to have tours here.”
    “Yeah, that was a long time ago.”
    “So what do you think happened to Mr. Gardener?” Emily asked.
    “I don’t know. He just disappeared.”
    “I hope he ended up better than I did,” Ozzie commented.
    A sudden scuffling noise from inside the house made them jump.
    “Maybe he’s still inside,” Emily said, uncertainly.
    “No way,” Adriane scoffed.
    “Should we knock?” Emily pressed on the door—it was open. She glanced at Adriane with a look of surprise, then pushed the door in all the way. The hinges squealed softly.
    The girls peered in. Ozzie craned his head around Emily’s legs to get a look for himself. A wide hallway ran from the front door to an open foyer filled with couches, tables, and chairs. The girls were careful to leave the door open behind them. In silence, they edged forward, into the foyer. Emily let out a loud breath.
    “Wow! Look at this place!”
    Paintings hung on the walls: animals in beautiful garden settings; the mansion itself, in all its early glory; gardens filled with deer, peacocks—even lions and tigers!
    “These are amazing!” Emily stopped in front of a large painting of a man surrounded by three white tigers. “Who’s that?” she asked.
    Adriane glanced up. “That’s Mr. Gardener.”
    Creeeaaakkk—thud!
    The front door had closed. The girls whirled around as a figure stepped out from a column of dusty sunlight.
    “I see you’ve made some new friends, Little Bird.”
    It was an old woman. She had dark wrinkled skin, and piercing dark eyes like Adriane’s. A long white braid hung over her shoulder in sharp contrast to her forest green ankle-length dress. Her arms jingled with silver and turquoise bracelets.
    “Gran, we were just looking for you,” Adriane exclaimed. “This is Emily… and this is, um…”
    Ozzie stood beside Emily, arms crossed, tapping one paw on the floor. He didn’t say a word.
    Gran bowed to him. “Welcome, Woodland Spirit,” she said. Ozzie’s eyes widened.
    Then Gran turned and looked Emily up and down with a piercing gaze. “Come here, child. I don’t bite.”
    Emily shuddered. Kevin had said this woman was a witch. She knew that had to be nonsense, but staring at the old woman now, she suddenly wasn't so sure. She glanced uncertainly at Adriane, who just rolled her eyes.
    Gran reached out and touched Emily’s cheek with gentle fingers. “You are a special one, child.”
    “Thank you…I think.”
    Gran chuckled. “It is good to see Little Bird with friends. My name is Nakoda, but you can call me Gran.”
    “These pictures…” Emily asked. “Do all those animals live here, on the preserve?”
    “At one time or another,” Gran replied. “I have been with Mr. Gardener for over forty-five years now.”
    “Where is Mr. Gardener?” Emily asked.
    “Oh, I’m sure he’s on important business.”
    “Something to do with animals?” Emily pressed.
    “Most probably. He’s quite the animal expert.”
    “My mom’s a vet. We love animals.”
    “I can tell. Come, its so dusty here,