The Empress's Tomb Read Online Free

enjoy a thrilling adventure from time totime. What you
do
need is a little common sense—and some practical advice. That’s what I’m here to offer. I may not be the world’s greatest adventurer, but what I’ve learned, I’ve learned from the best. (And I tend to take
very
good notes.)
    Let’s start with something simple. How would you like to intrigue other people, inspire novels, and possibly become a legend in your own time? You don’t need a criminal past, a dangerous secret, or even a trench coat to appear mysterious.
Silence Screams
    If you’re the sort of person who’s willing to tell her entire life story to someone she meets on the subway, you may find it hard to cultivate an air of mystery. (Don’t worry—you’ll probably enjoy a fabulous future as a talk-show host.) Nothing will make you seem less mysterious than a bad case of verbal diarrhea. That doesn’t mean you should be sullen or unfriendly. Simply keep your mouth shut and let people do what they enjoy most—talk about
themselves.
Invent a Secret
    Choose a subject to avoid in conversation. It could be your job (or a parent’s profession), what happened on your summer vacation, or why there’s always a bodyguard following you. Whenever the topic comes up, just smile and change the subject.
Look the Part
    Bold colors and exposed flesh don’t say
mysterious.
Instead, think black, streamlined, and sophisticated. Also, have at least one curious item that you’re never seen without. It doesn’t need to be a set of nunchakus—an old locket, a strange Indian armlet, or a well-worn copy of
International Affairs
could work just as well.
Flaunt Your Scar
    Few things are more intriguing than a scar. If you already have one, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t, you should be able to find a reasonable alternative at a costume store. Once again, it’s best not to discuss it. No story you invent will be as fascinating as the ones people will concoct for themselves.
Choose an Area of Expertise
    Take a lock-picking course. Learn how to hot-wire a car. Work toward a black belt in karate. Get to know the stock market. But never brag about your expertise. Instead, wait for the right opportunity to showcase your skills and watch all the jaws drop.
Learn How to Vanish
    Disappearing is easier than it seems. Always have lunch with your friends in the same spot? Pick one day to eat your tuna fish in a new location. Don’t explain your absence. Refuse to answer your phone or respond to e-mails for twenty-four hours. Tell people you were
busy.
When out with a group, wait until no one’s watching and ditch them. When asked, say you
had something to do.
Start a Secret Society
    Once you’ve managed to create an aura of mystery, it may be time to pass your knowledge on to a few friends. Find a cause you can all rally around—whether it’s saving baby squirrels or world domination—and start your own secret society. Consider creating your own logo, but remember—in order to be a
secret
society, it must always remain a SECRET.

CHAPTER TWO
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?
    I think it’s safe to say that most fourteen-year-old girls with criminal histories would have steered clear of Fat Frankie’s diner. Every morning, dozens of police officers crammed the small coffee shop to scarf down breakfast before their morning shifts. But over the summer, Fat Frankie’s had become Oona Wong’s favorite hangout. However illicit her business might be, she preferred to conduct it in public. She knew she had nothing to fear. Few of her fellow customers could have imagined that the elegant girl with the doll’s face had once been one of the most notorious forgers in Chinatown. Oona claimed she enjoyed living on the edge—but I’ve always suspected she had a fondness for policemen.
    As I pushed my way through the crowded coffee shop, I wondered what