Isle of Wysteria: The Monolith Crumbles Read Online Free Page A

yet!” Dr. Griffin struggled with his wiry old limbs.
    Margaret dropped her face in her hands. “He’s so gross.”
    “Wait, Athel, let me be a part of your staff too!” Dr. Griffin yelled as the guards pulled him towards the exit. “I still haven’t found out what they wear underneath those armored dresses!”
    “And you’re not going to find out, pig,” one of the guards spat, twisting his arm.
    “Ouch! Hey, I’ve helped you tons! Athel, remember when I removed the afet from your body? You would have remained a brainwashed maid without me.”
    At her wordless command the guards paused. The Queen stepped forward, her long train of living roses trailing decorously behind her.
    Ignoring the smell of his stained lab coat, she leaned in and whispered. “Do you also remember when you put me in that immodest outfit and made me dance for hours?”
    Dr. Griffin grinned lewdly. “Yeah…”
    Queen Forsythia stood back up. “Take him away.”
    “Awwww!” Dr. Griffin pouted as he was dragged into the corridor beyond.
    “I won’t miss him,” Margaret commented. “I think he was stealing my underwear.”
    “Make sure he is assigned to male patients only,” The Queen added.
    “How dare you! I don’t want to treat hairy, sweaty men!” Dr. Griffin hollered through his yellow teeth as the doors snapped shut.
    The air became very awkward in the silence that followed. Mina looked over at the High Priestess apologetically. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I suppose we’re not doing a very good job of convincing you that foreigners are trustworthy.
    “Indeed,” Oleander said, trying to comport herself as best she could. “Which brings us back to the main reason for my visit. I have discussed the matter with the other priestesses, and we feel that the best solution to all of this is to turn the baby over to us.”
    “To you?” Evere repeated sternly.
    “Yes, the church will decide his fate.”
    “Excuse me, High Priestess, but his fate was decided from the moment he was born,” Alder stated, quite boldly for him, standing up on wobbly legs as he shielded the newborn from her.
    “He is the first born of the Queen’s tree,” Alder said to his wife, his eyes pleading. “Athel, he should be raised in the Forsythia household.”
    Oleander tried to conceal her affront. “Know your place, Mister Forsythia. You may not address your Queen so casually.”
    Mina raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I mean, he’s her husband. That makes him the king, right?”
    Oleander brought her hands up to suppress a scoff.
    Alder shook his head. “No, I am what is known as a royal consort. My daughters will be royal, but I will never be.”
    Mina threw up her arms. “Ugh, this island is so messed up.”
    “It’s like, the opposite of where I grew up,” Margaret said sadly.
    Hanner plucked another apple and threw it down his gullet. “You Wysterians talk too much. If the law says anoint the brat, then anoint the brat.”
    The High Priestess ignored him and stepped closer, dropping her voice to the lowest of whispers. “Please, my Queen. You know the hearts of the Matrons. They will not stand for this. The entire forest would revolt if we proceed with the anointment.”
    “So much for the scriptures, eh?” Mina scoffed. “If you ignore them as soon as they become unpopular, how sacred can they really be?”
    Oleander turned a harsh eye to Mina for listening in.
    Mina tugged on one of her tall, fox-like ears, her tail swishing about playfully. “Sorry, can’t help it. Mesdans have crisp hearing.”
    “Then listen well, Mesdan. You should not presume to lecture me on my duty. As speaker for Milia, I am perfectly within my rights to assert my authority in this matter.”
    Captain Evere stepped in front of Alder, shielding him and the baby. “You will not lay a hand on my spirit-son.”
    Her jaw dropped open. “You would dare threaten a priestess of Milia?
    “Tomani don’t make threats, lass. We make promises.”
    Mina