Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane - 2 by Suzanne Collins Read Free Book Online

that?"

    "My cousins. They must have just arrived in Regalia," Luxa said stiffly.

    Gregor looked at the group in surprise. "I thought your only cousins were Henry and, what's her name, the nervous girl?"

    "Nerissa," said Luxa. "Yes, Nerissa and...Henry." The name cost her some effort to say.
    "They are the only royal cousins I have ever had. Our fathers were brothers, sons of a king, and of the royal family."

    The cousins at the entrance spotted Luxa and began to head over. She nodded at them with obvious dislike. "These five I am related to on my mother's side. They are not of royal blood, although they greatly desire to be so."

    "Not crazy about them, huh?" said Gregor.

    "They make fun of Nerissa. Of her gift and her frailty," said Luxa. "No, we do not...that is, I do not like them."

    Gregor could tell that she and Henry had been "we" for so long that even months after his death she had trouble thinking of herself apart from him. This was, of course, complicated by the fact that he had utterly betrayed her to the rats in order to gain power himself. If you thought about it, it was no wonder Luxa had those lilac circles under her eyes.

    "They are only here on a visit from the Fount. Hopefully it will be a short one," said Luxa.

    Luxa and her cousins exchanged brief, formal greetings, and then she introduced Gregor to them. The oldest, Howard, was probably about sixteen and looked like he worked out a lot.
    There was a girl named Stellovet, maybe thirteen or so, who had flowing, silvery blond curls and was strikingly pretty. Next in line was a pair of younger twins, a girl named Hero and a boy called Kent. Lastly, there was a little girl, maybe five or so, clinging to Stellovet's hand. Her name sounded like the word "chimney," but he didn't think he'd gotten that right.

    They had trouble taking their eyes off Gregor. He was probably the first Overlander they'd ever seen.

    "Greetings, Gregor the Overlander. We have heard much of your deeds and are grateful for your return," Howard said, civilly enough.

    "No problem," Gregor said, although his return was very problematic.

    "Oh," said Stellovet, her voice dripping with honey, "we were so glad you were there to defend Luxa on the quest."

    "Uh-huh. Well, I'd have been rat meat about three times if it wasn't for Luxa, so I guess it evens out," said Gregor.

    Stellovet's eyes narrowed, but she gave him a sweet smile. "Yes, Luxa is something of an expert on rats. No matter how many legs they have."

    It was a horrible thing to say. It was clear she meant Henry. Gregor knew kids like that, kids who would take something really awful in your life and use it against you. And there was nothing you could say about it because the thing was true. He felt a deep and instant dislike of Stellovet.

    To his credit, Howard seemed embarrassed. Stellovet and the twins were smirking. The little girl, Chimney or whatever her name was, was wide-eyed and confused. Gregor didn't have to look at Luxa to know the pain that must be registering on her face.

    Gregor stared at Stellovet for a moment and then said casually, "So, where are you guys from?"

    "We live at the Fount. Our father is in charge there," Stellovet said with pride.

    "You get a lot of rats at the Fount?" asked Gregor.

    "Not many," said Stellovet. Now she was watching Gregor more closely. "They are no doubt afraid of our fighting abilities."

    "They have little reason to come," Howard said, giving his sister a disapproving look.
    "They would have to swim their way up treacherous river rapids, and we have no crops or Overlanders worth destroying."

    "Oh, so have you ever even seen a rat?" Gregor said pointedly to Stellovet.

    She blushed, turning bright pink from head to toe. "Yes! I have seen a rat! On the riverbank! As close as I am to you!"

    "But, Stellovet," said little Chimney, tugging on her hand, "that rat was dead."

    Stellovet blushed an even deeper shade of pink. "Hush!" she said to Chimney angrily.

    "That's about