The Spy Princess by Sherwood Smith Read Free Book Online

has to do with seeing how spaces fit together. The toughest part is finding the release mechanisms. Some are obvious. Others, you really have to search for. I’m about to give you your first dangerous job, Lilah. You’ll have to be the one to let Derek out. The passage is too steep and twists too much for me.”
    I couldn’t wait. “Where is it?”
    â€œThe library.” Peitar removed the stocking from the bottom of his crutch. “Wear dark colors so no one sees you. The release is the lower right-hand brick in the fireplace.” He went on to describe the passage very carefully so I would know just what to expect. “Avoid treading on the last step until you are both in the passage, or one of you will be left inside the treasure room, and there is no way to open it from the inside. Then hide him in your room. Lizana will take him from there—she says she has a plan.”
    â€œWhen should I go?”
    â€œSoon as night falls. He can get away then, especially if it rains as threatened.” He leaned over to tuck the stocking in a drawer.
    At last I was getting answers! I hurried to another question. What is ‘black wool and ambition’?”
    â€œI knew you’d ask that. An adventure that befell Derek and Bernal—his brother—when someone captured boys and girls with the idea of training them up to do evil things. It changed his mind about including kids in his plans.”
    â€œSo, what about—”
    â€œShh.” Peitar raised a hand.
    We heard our father on the landing. Peitar motioned, and I dove under the bed.
    The door opened, and Father said, “Peitar? There you are. What are you doing up here?”
    â€œSorting my boyhood books, looking for—”
    â€œWill you join me for the midday meal?”
    â€œI’m happy to oblige, Father. But I’m not really hungry. Can we not meet for dinner in our customary manner?”
    â€œVery well.”
    Father left, and I crawled out from under the bed and made for my room.
    Lizana was there, straightening the bed things. Peitar had told me to trust her. I took a deep breath and said, “Peitar says that you’re in on our plan to rescue Derek. Peitar told me about the secret passage to the old treasure room. It goes through Father’s study.”
    â€œAh. That was the first one your mother found, not long after we came here,” Lizana said. She looked grim. “He was caught on my account. I will not sleep easy until he’s on his way.”
    As soon as she was gone, I opened my window. Big drops of rain spattered my face, warm and wet. It would be a big help if the storm made a lot of noise.
    I sat down to write up the day’s adventures. By the time I was done, the sky had turned a threatening purple-gray, and the thunder was much nearer. Lightning flashed off to the west.
    Once again time crawled. When the dinner bell rang at last, I changed into my dark blue nightgown and opened my door. From Father’s formal dining room came his and Peitar’s voices and the ring of crystal.
    My father’s mealtime ritual was old-fashioned. First, he and Peitar would sit in the library, over wine. Then they’d go to the dining room.
    On the way downstairs, I rehearsed a reason to be in the library in case I was caught—I’d say I wanted to read a family history. Father was proud of the Selennas and our past. No one was posted by the double doors to my father’s wing. He clearly wasn’t worried Derek might escape.
    I slipped inside the library and quietly closed the door. Just in case, I selected a book and laid it down near the fireplace. Then, after double-checking, I pressed the lower right-hand brick.
    Thunder covered the faint
graunch
of heavy stone and metal. I snatched a candle from one of the candelabra, lit it with the sparker, and ducked into the space behind the grating. When I trod on the first step of the hidden staircase, the stone