Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos-Theo 1 by R. L. Lafevers, Yoko Tanaka Read Free Book Online Page B

down her nose at me and sniffed. "Hmm. Is that mother of yours home yet from her gadding about?"
    I gritted my teeth. "Yes. Mother just returned from Egypt this afternoon." Grandmother Throckmorton always says the most awful things about Mother. She thinks Mum is far too modern and unconventional. "She found some absolutely wonderful artifacts," I said in her defense.
    "Hmph. Rummaging around in dusty old tombs. Can't imagine there's very much that's wonderful in there."
    I clenched my fists but didn't rise to the bait. After all, Grandmother Throckmorton had just rescued me from my pursuer, even if she didn't realize it.
    "When is that scamp of a brother of yours due home?" she asked.
    "Tomorrow."
    The carriage rolled to a stop and the footman opened the door. Staring straight ahead at no one in particular, he announced, "We've reached the museum, ma'am."

    I leaped to my feet. "Thank you ever so much for the ride, ma'am."
    "I should think so," she said. As I scrambled down out of the carriage she called out, "I'm going to speak to your father about that governess of yours."
    Bother.

The Cozy Family Dinner That Wasn't

    I MADE IT BACK TO THE MUSEUM just as darkness swallowed up the streets of London. Shivering, I climbed the front steps and slipped inside just before Flimp locked the door for the night. I thought briefly about trying to coax Mother and Father out of the workroom, then realized the fastest way to get their attention was to entice them with the smell of food.
    As I headed down the dim hallway that led to the staff rooms, a dark squalling blur shot out of the shadows. My heart leaped into my throat as the blur attached itself to my shoulder with a vicious yowl.
    I was halfway to apoplexy before I realized it was not a true demon, only Isis. I still couldn't believe I'd botched things so badly.

    Her little heart was pounding as fast as mine was and her claws were firmly enmeshed in my coat. Her ears lay flat against her head and her eyes swirled madly in their sockets. "Isis, shh. It's all right. Here, let's get you a bite of sausage, shall we?" I wrestled a bit of meat out of one of the pies and held it out to her. She paused and her eyes cleared, just for a second, and I caught a glimpse of my old cat. Then the wild look was back and she hissed at me before launching herself back into the shadows, where she streaked away.
    I had to fix my cat. Soon.
If
I could catch her, that is. And
if
I could find a way to de-curse her. Was that even possible? Finding out would be my first order of business after dinner.
    I reached the staff breakfast room that we used as a family room and got busy unwrapping the food, hoping the delicious aroma would reach my parents.
    Two minutes later, Father poked his head in the door. "Back already, Theodosia?"
    Already? It felt like I'd been gone ages, what with being followed and all, but I just said, "Yes, Father."
    "Excellent." He came into the room and put the kettle on. "Mum's on her way up."
    "Was she really in a lot of danger on this trip?" The question popped out. I hadn't even realized I'd been thinking it until it landed on the table like a flopping fish.

    Father turned to face me. "Really, Theodosia. If I had thought your mother was in true danger, I would have gone with her myself."
    Charming! Then I would have been missing two parents!
    "Your mother knows her way around Egypt. And she could twist a German or two around that little finger of hers if she'd a mind to. However"—his face grew stern—"you shouldn't listen in on conversations that don't concern you. We'll have to be more careful next time."
    Honestly. What was I? A cab cushion? How could I
not
have heard their conversation? That's why I rarely ask my parents anything—when they realize I've heard them they resolve to clam up whenever I'm about. I don't know how they expect me to learn anything...
    Just then Mum walked in. "Ooh, darling! It smells wonderful in here." She came over and kissed me on the cheek.