The Pillars of Ponderay by Lindsay Cummings Read Free Book Online Page A

very convinced. He stood up, motioning for Hydra to do so, too.
    â€œFor now, work your hardest in the training Pit. Become the best Balance Keepers you can be.”
    â€œWe will,” Albert, Birdie, and Leroy promised together.
    They turned, ready to leave. But before they were out of earshot, Professor Flynn called out.
    â€œAlbert?”
    Albert turned. “Yeah, Dad?”
    â€œDon’t worry about your mom and siblings. Your mom’s a smart woman. She’ll get them out of there safely.”
    â€œI hope so,” Albert said.
    His dad lowered his voice. “Watch your back, kiddo. If there’s a traitor in our midst, a Tile like yours might be the very thing that person wants to seize for their own.”
    Albert nodded.
    He turned and followed his friends out of the room, a chill running up and down his spine.

CHAPTER 7

Return to the Pit
    W hen Petra saw the looks on his three friends’ faces, he frowned.
    â€œThat bad, huh?”
    â€œWorse,” Albert sighed.
    Leroy patted Albert on the back. Birdie’s shoulders drooped, and Farnsworth sang out a mournful howl.
    â€œThen I guess this is a bad time to tell you that you’re due in the Pit, like, now?” Petra said. He was looking at Hydra like they’d be seriously disturbed.
    But Albert’s face broke into a smile.
    â€œNo, Petra,” he said, walking a little bit faster. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day!”
    â€œLet’s go!” Birdie clapped her hands.
    â€œI never thought I’d say this,” Leroy sighed. “But let’s do this, dudes.”
    Farnsworth yipped and sprinted down the tunnel with Albert, Birdie, and Leroy fresh on his heels.
    They didn’t see the worried look on Petra’s face as they left him behind.
    The pathway to the Pit was the most welcome sight Albert had seen since his return to the Core. Being a Balance Keeper made Albert crave danger, the same way Leroy craved cake.
    â€œFirst one to the top wins!” Albert shouted as they burst through the old wooden door that led to the pathway to the Pit.
    â€œThen that’ll be me!” Birdie giggled, shoving past the boys.
    Inside was a massive, towering cavern, and an uneven pathway that zigzagged left and right, higher and higher. Leroy groaned—no doubt at the lack of railings. Waterfalls fell at random over the path, creating a misty, dreamlike atmosphere.
    Albert sprinted forward. Farnsworth wiggled past him and raced up the narrow pathway, barking and howling.
    Birdie was fast and light on her feet.
    But Albert had been secretly training while he was back in New York, running on his stepdad’s treadmill every night. He pulled ahead, the soles of his boots just barely hanging over the edge of the path.
    â€œOh, no way!” Birdie yelled behind him.
    Albert could hear her breathing, so he really laid on the speed.
    Left, right.
    Through a waterfall, then skidding to a near stop as the pathway went left again.
    Albert reached the top and dove onto the orange platform where Farnsworth was already waiting. The little dog howled as if to announce Albert as the winner.
    Birdie came up just a few seconds behind him.
    â€œYou were using your Master Tile!” she groaned, wiping sweat from her forehead.
    Albert shook his head. “Nope. Just plain old Albert magic, nothing extra added on.”
    â€œRematch next time, then,” Birdie said, bending to stretch her legs. “Hey, where’s Leroy?”
    Together, Albert and Birdie looked down. Far below, Leroy was inching his way up the path, as slow as a worm in the mud.
    â€œIt’ll probably take him a day or two to settle back into the way things are here,” Albert said. He cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled down. “Come on, Leroy! Let’s go!”
    â€œWe’re gonna be late, Leroy!” Birdie shouted. “Pick up the pace!”
    â€œHaven’t you read any books, you