The Ruby Moon Read Online Free Page B

up from sorting a box of furs. “Where?”
    Avery paused, summoning her courage. “To explore the tunnels.”
    Kate started to protest, but Avery put up a hand. “If Tuck is serious about moving us, the tunnels could be our only option. I just need one more visit and someone to go with me who’s—I know you told me not to go back and I know it’s not safe, but it’s not safe staying on this side of the castle either. I’d rather get in trouble trying to find a solution than be snatched while doing nothing. I know this isn’t a game.”
    “But it
is
,” Kate said. “We just have to prove ourselves better at playing it. Let’s go!”

    Avery and Kate huddled as they moved down the stone steps—the candle between them sending eerie shadows dancing ahead. Avery felt guilty that she hadn’t told Kate about the woman who had grabbed her arm or that she had gotten lost on her second trip.
    But how many secrets is Kate keeping from me?
    They reached a landing where a dank passageway formed what appeared to be an endless tunnel ahead. Tiny room-like alcoves jutted from the main passage. Some were large, like sitting rooms, capable of holding midnight court for all the thirteen-year-olds. Others were small and could serve as tiny bedchambers or washrooms. Avery whispered these ideas as they walked.
    The deeper they moved into the tunnels, the more torches they found perched on random sconces. Water seemed to drip everywhere, creating puddles they tried to avoid, and the backs of their dresses dragged through the sludgy pools. “We’d have to get used to that infernal dripping noise,” Kate said. “It’s constant.”
    “We could hope it would eventually fade into the background,” Avery said.
    But she knew that was unlikely.
    The deeper in they ventured, the more people they found—clusters of hungry-looking, agitated characters who looked none too pleased with two well-dressed girls invading their territory. Avery hadn’t seen them on her previous visits and suspected the tunnels were filled with more people restless for revenge.
    “What was that?” Avery asked at groaning off to the side.
    “I don’t think we want to know,” Kate said. “Keep walking.”
    Avery saw movement up ahead and thrust the candle forward. A woman with fierce eyes sat with a group of children huddled around her, a crying baby pressed to her heart. She quickly pulled a hood over her face and slunk back from the light.
    “Wonder what she’s afraid of,” Avery whispered.
    “Who knows what she might’ve done?” Kate said. “She’s not likely a friend of the castle. They call this the underworld for a reason. Some of the castle’s greatest enemies disappeared down here. Which is why moving down here may not be such a good idea.”
    “What choice do we have? Stay upstairs until someone snatches us, or move down here and take our chances.”

    Despite small bunches of people in various alcoves, there appeared to be plenty of room for the kids to live and conduct their business. Large passages remained unoccupied.
    They approached a shady-looking group of men and Avery whispered, “Should we go back?”
    “We’ve made it this far,” Kate said. “Let’s keep moving.”
    Avery’s eyes darted as she edged past the men, and she clung tight to Kate. The men called out salty comments, but Avery focused on gathering information to make a strong case to Tuck. She was about to finish and head back upstairs when she heard a voice—unmistakable in tone—and stopped.
    “Sounds like my mother,” Avery whispered.
    Kate tugged her toward the door. “Can’t be.”
    But even as they walked, Avery noticed the odd way Kate looked over her shoulder on their way out.

Chapter 8
Last One Standing
    Despite the growing number of empty chairs at the thirteen-year-olds’ breakfast table, the dining room was a swirl of excitement on the opening day of the Olympiad. The kids made their predictions and wagered their chores. The scouts were given