All That Glitters (Avalon: Web of Magic #2) Read Online Free Page B

so,” Kara said. “How about a blog?”
    “We can’t go blogging this all over the place,” Adriane argued. “A website is more secure.”
    “The original website went down two years ago,” Emily said.
    “Just about when Mr. Gardener disappeared,” Adriane noted.
    Henry Gardener, the owner of Ravenswood, had mysteriously vanished, leaving the preserve under the care of Adriane’s grandmother.
    “It would be a lot easier if we could find Mr. Gardener’s computer,” Emily continued. “Maybe we can use his files to set up the site.”
    “Probably buried under all this stuff.” Kara gestured at globes, telescopes, dragon-shaped chess pieces and compasses littering a broad mahogany table.
    “Let’s see the instructions from the council.”
    “Here.” Kara reached into her tote and handed a printout of the council’s latest email to Emily.
    “We should list all the animals: numbers, physical descriptions, habits and habitats, patterns—”
    “Oh, really? You gonna add dwimbees?” Kara asked.
    “Brimbees,” Emily corrected.
    “Yeah, those, too.”
    “Let’s check for wi-fi,” Adriane suggested.
    “With what?” Kara asked, waving her arms around. “I don’t see a computer here, do you?”
    Adriane and Emily looked at her.
    “What? Oh, no! You’re not using my new laptop.”
    “Come on, Kara, just to get us started,” Emily said.
    “I see how it works,” Kara huffed. “You only want me for my stuff. Fine!” She pulled the pink laptop out of her backpack and opened it.
    Emily booted up, opened the browser, and typed the town council’s web address. “We have a connection.”
    The computer whirred, buzzed . . . and crashed.
    “Great!” Kara yelled.
    “That’s strange,” Emily mused as she rebooted. “We lost the council server.”
    “The line live?” Adriane asked.
    Two texts pinged onscreen.
    beachbunny: Hey Kstar dance class was awesome ;) can’t believe u missed it
    goodgollymolly: Kstar who’s gonna be at the bbq?
    Kara pushed past Emily’s shoulder and flicked her fingers across the keypad.
    kstar: not home, still working, just be there at 6
    beachbunny: not home? u still at that creepy preserve with those creepy girls?
    Kara felt her face flush.
    kstar: g2g l8rz
    She turned off the IMs.
    “Thanks for giving up your precious time for us creeps! ” Adriane seethed behind her.
    “I didn’t say that,” Kara said meekly, stepping away.
    “You can’t judge Kara by her friends,” Emily chided.
    “She may be your friend, but she’s not mine!” Adriane glared.
    Kara was shocked.
    “Kara, Adriane didn’t mean that,” Emily said.
    “There wouldn’t even be a club without me,” Kara burst out.
    “This is not a club!” Adriane yelled back.
    Kara pressed on. “You like the fact that you have a magic jewel and I don’t. And if I never find one, that would suit you just fine, wouldn’t it?”
    “Nobody’s trying to keep you from finding a stone,” Emily assured her.
    “You want my stuff, fine. But don’t expect me to stand around and be insulted.” With that she turned and stormed to the far side of the room.
    “Give her some space,” Emily said, turning back to the laptop.
    “I’d like to give her outer space,” Adriane replied.
    Kara pushed through the door, slammed it behind her, and stomped down the stairs. How dare they treat her that way? Especially when she was giving up a Saturday with her friends to be with them!
    A feeling of righteous indignation swept over her as she walked outside and crossed the stone terrace behind the manor. She stopped to look up at the library windows, checking to see if Emily and Adriane were watching. But the big oval windows only reflected the sunny sky.
    “They can keep their magical stuff,” she grumbled. “Magic doesn’t like me anyway!”
    Kara marched straight across the lawn toward a row of giant hedges. She didn’t notice the swarm of colorful creatures diving from the skies to follow her.



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