Crystal Keepers by Brandon Mull Read Free Book Online Page B

Boone before.”
    â€œIf he gets nabbed, we’ll bust him out,” Jace said.
    â€œWell . . . ,” Joe said. “I appreciate the loyalty, but only if you find a real opportunity. Our top priority is keeping Mira safe. Second is finding Costa. If it comes to it, I want you kids to leave me behind. I wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of you getting into trouble trying to help me.”
    â€œLet’s just try to stay out of trouble to begin with,” Mira said, giving Jace a stern look. “That means not creating any of our own.”
    â€œDon’t look at me,” Jace said with a smirk. “I don’t start fights. I end them.”
    â€œYou heard me,” Mira said.
    â€œOnce you get there, don’t leave Gizmo Row,” Joe said. “I’ll come find you.”
    â€œUnless you get arrested,” Dalton said.
    â€œRight,” Joe said. “Unless I get arrested.” Turning, he started toward the monorail station.
    Picking up his pace, Jace marched toward the Gizmo Row sign, following a narrow footpath. Mira caught up to him. Cole and Dalton walked together.
    â€œThink we’ll find Jenna in Zeropolis?” Dalton wondered.
    â€œI can only guess,” Cole said, looking around. “You know all the kids who were sent with you to Elloweer, so she’s not there. I started out in Sambria, but never really searched it. She could be in any kingdom besides Elloweer. That means we have a one in four chance she’s in Zeropolis.”
    â€œUnless she stayed in Junction, between the kingdoms,” Dalton said.
    â€œYou all went there at first,” Cole said. “Did anybody stay?”
    â€œNot that I know of. I’m just trying to cover all the possibilities.”
    â€œHopefully some of Joe’s contacts here can help us,” Cole said. “Maybe they can search for her ID card or something.”
    â€œIt would be nice to catch a break,” Dalton said.
    Up ahead, Mira laughed at something Jace had said, patting him on the arm.
    â€œHe’s in heaven right now,” Cole said.
    â€œJace?”
    â€œHe has the biggest crush on her.”
    â€œShe’s pretty great.” Dalton paused. “Does it make you think of Jenna?”
    Cole inhaled sharply. He usually tried to downplay his feelings for Jenna in front of Dalton, though his friend seemed to see through it. “Yeah. Not that it really matters how I feel about her. She’s my friend. She was kidnapped. I want her safe.”
    â€œWhat if tomorrow we find out Jenna isn’t in Zeropolis? Do we stay and help Mira, or do we move on to the next kingdom?”
    Cole groaned. “I don’t know. Who’s going to help us in the next kingdom?”
    â€œWhat if Joe and Mira teach us how to contact the Unseen?” Dalton asked. “What if they give us a note or something that lets us get help from the rebels anywhere? Wouldn’t that be faster than sticking with them?”
    â€œMaybe,” Cole said, feeling torn. “Why are you asking now? Because of that message from Trillian?”
    â€œDon’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about it,” Dalton said.
    â€œI have. I don’t know. The guy is scary, but it doesn’t mean he’s wrong. Supposedly he can’t lie. Maybe my help really is important to the rebellion. I’ve saved Mira before. What she’s doing matters to this whole world. Her dad is a monster. And his shapecrafters keep building actual monsters. If Mira and her sisters can’t defeat him, this whole world could be doomed.”
    â€œYou care about Mira,” Dalton said.
    Cole felt unwanted tears sting his eyes. “Of course I do! I care about everybody. I care about her and Twitch and Jace. I care about Jenna and the other kids who got kidnapped with us too. I think me, you, Mira, and Jace make a good team. My first choice would be to find the others with their help. And to