The Lost Queen by Frewin Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

confused. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”
    â€œHow did she pay?” Tania prompted. “Did she use a card?”
    The waitress frowned. “Cash, I think. I remember her sitting at that table over there. She had a briefcase with her and a large brown envelope—you know, one of those big padded ones. She was writing the address on it.” She smiled again. “Sorry, I’d better go and earn my keep. I love your hair, though. I’m totally envious!”
    Tania and Edric sat staring at each other.
    â€œIt was her,” Tania said. “She was in here last week—with the book.” She put her hand to her chest. “Edric, she was here ! We’ve found her. Now all we have to do is ask around the neighborhood, in shops and restaurants—everywhere. Someone must know who she is and where she lives.”
    She broke off as her cell phone chimed. She scooped it out of her bag. “Uh-oh. It’s home,” she said, looking at the lit-up screen. She pressed a button. “Hello?”
    â€œHello, dear.” Her mother’s voice. “Your dad and I are going out to do a bit of shopping soon, and as we’ll be near the school, we thought we might as well stop off there on the way back. How much longer do you think you’re going to be?”
    â€œI’m not sure—a little while yet.”
    â€œNot to worry. We’ll be there about half one. We can wait if you’re not quite finished.”
    â€œThere’s no need,” Tania said.
    â€œIt’s not a bother,” her mother said brightly. “It’ll save us going home and coming out again. I won’t interrupt you any longer. Bye, now.”
    Tania pressed another button on her phone to bring up the time. 12:14.
    She had exactly one hour and sixteen minutes to get back to the school. They could do it—just—but only if they left right now.
    â€œWe have to go,” she said.
    â€œI know. I heard,” said Edric. “I could stay if you like—start asking around.”
    She frowned. “I’d rather we did it together.” She trusted Edric, of course, but part of her couldn’t bear for him to find Titania without her. “I’ll try and get away again tomorrow.”
    This delay was frustrating—they were potentially only a few steps away from finding out where Titania lived—but Tania’s well-meaning mother had put a halt to their search just when things were looking promising.
    Tania knew one thing for sure: She was going to do everything she could to get away tomorrow. She was about to be reunited with her Faerie mother after five long centuries of separation, and there was nothing that would keep her from that.
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    They had luck with the tube trains, and it was still only twenty past one when Tania and Edric arrived back in Camden. They stood on the street corner, looking down toward the high wire fence that surrounded the school.
    Tania peered up and down the street at the parked cars. “Good, they’re not here yet,” she said. “But they could turn up at any minute. You’d better make yourself scarce. I’ll wait outside the gate for them.”
    â€œCall me,” Edric said, reluctant to let go of her hand.
    â€œI will. Don’t worry. I’ll get away somehow tomorrow. I’ll tell them I’m going to Camden Market with Jade.”
    He looked up into the clear blue sky. “It’s the first night of the full moon tonight,” he said. “In Faerie the full moon in July is called the Traveler’s Moon.” A wistful tone came into his voice and his fingers tightened on hers. “A long time ago—before the Long Twilight came—on the first night of the Traveler’s Moon, everyone from the palace would board ship and sail off to the island of Logris. The celebrations on Logris would go on all night: It was called the Festival of the