In Deep Dark Wood by Marita Conlon-Mckenna Read Free Book Online Page A

fluttering of wings, was tossed to the ground, and the self-satisfied cat crawled through the window and rubbed itself against her legs.
    Glancing down at the cat’s smooth, silky coat, Mia noticed the slightly raised marking on the cat’s forehead which resembled dragon’s wings, and realised that it was, in fact, Bella herself. Mia backed away, aghast, and watched as Bella changed back into herself again.
    ‘I don’t like interference,’ she said sharply.
    Mia was scared. What if Bella turned her into something and refused to turn her back again? The sorceress was staring at her intently, waiting for her reaction.
    ‘When will you leave Glenkilty?’ Mia asked softly.
    ‘Tomorrow, perhaps, or the next night. When the wind is right and the moon is full, to guide us on our journey. You know we cannot delay much longer, child, or we risk thedragons being discovered. Can you imagine what your newspapers and television and radio would do if they found out about them! No, it’s best that we leave for Dragon Wood and the castle as soon as possible. The dragons will be safe there.’
    ‘What about Trig? He can’t fly.’
    ‘Aah!’ said Bella, sighing ‘Your favourite. Trig is a weakling, and besides, as you say, he cannot fly yet. How would I manage him along with the seven others? No, I will have to leave him behind.’
    Hope swelled in Mia’s heart. ‘Let me mind him, keep him safe here with me,’ she pleaded. ‘I’ll look after him, Bella, I promise.’
    ‘Child, you know little of dragons. Trig would never survive here on his own. He is not a pet, like that little barking dog of yours. Trig is a dragon, one of the most complicated and rarest of creatures and, as you know, the blues are the most difficult to raise and train. Without the others, and left to survive in this modern world of yours, I’m afraid that Trig will die. It may take a few weeks, longer maybe, and I know those will be hard weeks for you as you are fond of him, but I’m afraid he will die.’
    Mia didn’t know what to say or do. Bella couldn’t mean it, just leaving Trig to die like that, pretending he didn’t matter. Mia wouldn’t stand for it!
    ‘Take him with you! Take him to the castle too!’ she pleaded. ‘You can’t just give up on him, he’s such a beauty.’
    ‘How can I take him?’ the old woman shouted angrily at her.‘I have seven other dragons to mind, young dragons who have barely learned to fly and who have a long journey ahead of them. Do you want me to abandon them for the sake of one who is already weaker and injured and may not survive anyway?’
    Mia shook her head.
    ‘Come with me, child!’ cajoled the old woman. ‘You can carry Trig safely. He would travel with you, I know he would!’
    Mia didn’t know what to say. She suspected the old woman was manipulating her, using her love of Trig against her, but at this moment she felt she had no choice but to go.
    ‘If I go with you, you must promise me that you’ll let me return home when I want. Do you promise?’ she insisted fiercely. ‘I’m only going to help you with Trig and then I’ll come back to Glenkilty! Promise that you’ll set me free then!’
    The old woman glanced down at the floor furtively.
    ‘Promise!’ insisted Mia, forcing the woman to look her in the eye.
    ‘Aye, I promise,’ said Bella slowly, her blue eyes seeming sincere and truthful.
    Mia took a long, deep breath. She wasn’t sure exactly what lay ahead, but she couldn’t deny the stirring feeling of excitement that rippled through her at the thought of being an apprentice magician and dragon keeper, even if it were only for a short time.
    ‘Come, Mia, there is much for us to do before the moon has completed its full circle and our journey begins.’

Chapter 9
Stolen Child
    M ia gazed up at the moon, which hung like a giant yellow cheese in the dark sky. She was confused by all that Bella had told her. She didn’t want to leave her family, but what about Trig? There