Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller Read Free Book Online Page A

Naomi Throg-morton. Naomi had the honor of being the Princess’s very best friend—not to mention her favorite victim. Though she was said to be the prettiest of The Five, Naomi was also the poorest, and the Princess treated her like something she’d found floating in a public toilet.
    Thanks to Naomi, watching The Five arrive at school each morning had become something of an Atalanta spectator sport. Nothing could send the Princess into a tantrum like seeing her best friend show up in a particularly flattering outfit. Sidonia would evensend Naomi home to change whenever she thought she was in danger of being outshone. A day or two of mean jokes always followed, just in case Naomi hadn’t learned her lesson. On those days, it wasn’t unusual to come across Naomi sobbing in the girls’ room during classes. We learned very quickly to leave her alone. She may have been wounded, but she was still dangerous.
    â€œHey, Sidonia,” Naomi called. “I caught a prowler.”
    A pair of kitten heels clicked against the tile floor. The Princess turned a corner and sauntered over to where I stood. She smiled sweetly, flashing her trademark dimples before pushing me back against the locker.
    â€œDo I know you?” she sneered in her sinister accent as her yellow eyes looked me up and down.
    I shook my head, too scared to speak.
    â€œYou’re not in the ninth grade, are you?”
    â€œSeventh,” I managed to mumble.
    â€œEww,” she said, taking a step back as if I were contaminated. “What’s your name?”
    â€œAnanka Fishbein.”
    â€œIt suits you. An ugly name for an ugly little girl.”
    Naomi snickered at the Princess’s joke.
    â€œNow give me my ring,” the Princess demanded.
    â€œI didn’t take it, Sidonia.”
    â€œEww. She said my name. Don’t do that again, piglet.” The Princess jabbed a finger into the ring of baby fat I was still hoping to lose. “If you aren’t a thief, why are you breaking into my locker?”
    â€œI’m not. I just wanted to see how she did it.” I whimpered.
    â€œHow
who
did it?” the Princess growled in frustration.
    The door to the locker room swung open, and the voice of the principal echoed through the room.
    â€œWhat in heaven’s name is going on in here? Why aren’t you girls in class?”
    â€œWe caught the person who stole my ring,” said the Princess, transforming back into her sweet little girl disguise. “We were just coming to turn her in.”
    â€œIs that so?” said the principal. She was one of the few who were immune to the Princess’s charms. Peering down at me, she almost smiled. “You’re the girl in Ms. Jessel’s class. The one who wants to study giant squid. Ananka, if I’m not mistaken.”
    I nodded mutely.
    â€œSquid,” giggled Naomi.
    â€œThat’s enough,” demanded the principal. “Now, Ananka, is there any truth in what these two vigilantes are saying?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. I didn’t steal anything.”
    â€œShe’s a filthy little liar,” insisted the Princess. “We found her trying to break into my locker again. And look at what she’s wearing. She could definitely use the cash.”
    â€œWould you please empty your pockets for me, Ananka?” the principal sighed.
    I dumped the contents of my pockets—three quarters, one barrette, my retainer, and a wad of lint—onto one of the locker room benches and allowed the principal to give me a quick frisking.
    â€œSo far she appears to be telling the truth,” the principal announced.
    â€œMaybe she needs to be strip-searched,” offered Naomi.
    â€œWhy don’t you both get back to class and let me dothe detective work?” the principal snapped. “Come along, Ananka. Let’s go have a look in your locker.”
    As the principal guided me toward the stairs, I caught a glimpse