Into the Shadowlands by Cynthia Reeg

Author:Cynthia Reeg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic / Monsters / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
Publisher: North Star Editions
Published: 2017-07-31T18:23:50+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Rule #799: Intimidation is an art to be cultivated.

MALCOLM’S TALE

I clip-clopped back to Principal Snaggle’s office to report my findings—or lack thereof. I planned to play up the leads for a further examination tomorrow. I’d bring some tools to poke and pry about with and a brighter candle to cut through the dark. It seemed more important than ever for me to prove to Principal Snaggle that I was the go-to student assistant for all his assignments. I must find the hidden door. With a grunt, I sucked in my belly. No vampire misfit was going to push me out of my apprentice-to-the-principal spot.

My ears perked up as I rounded the final corner. I silenced my steps as a familiar voice drew me closer to the office.

“My granddaughter told me about this excursion you’ve planned on Frightday,” said a scratchy voice.

I sniffed. My snout wrinkled. A witch! I sniffed again. An old witch. It was one of the cronies from the Exxillium trip. Not the ancient hag who’d nearly killed me with her awful flight skills. No, it was the other one who’d flown Frank and Oliver. It was Witch Picklepuss.

I edged closer and heard her harsh words to the principal. “It’s a big mistake, Snaggle.”

“Your granddaughter is not involved, so I don’t see what interest it is to you, Picklepuss. Only a few of the older students in the odd monsters class are going on this exciting expedition. Not such a young one as Yasmin.”

“That doesn’t matter.” The witch’s voice rose higher and louder. “I can see what you’re trying to do here. I’m not sure how you talked the parents of these students into it, but I know some of the kiddos. And I don’t want them to get hurt.”

“No one’s going to be injured,” Principal Snaggle practically purred. “The trip will be entirely supervised. It will all be under control.”

“Is that what you told the parents?” Witch Picklepuss spat out the words. “Supervised and under control. You mean, under your control.”

“Well, I am in charge of Fiendful Fiends Academy, after all. It is an award-winning school, and I plan to keep it that way.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will. Whatever it takes.” Witch Picklepuss stomped out the open door and nearly smashed into me.

“I’m, uh, here to see the principal,” I stammered.

“Is that so?” The witch jabbed me with her broomstick. “Out of my way, troll.”

“Now, now,” said Principal Snaggle, emerging from behind Witch Picklepuss. He licked his lips, letting his glistening saber-

shaped teeth gleam in the candlelit gloom. “Don’t be so harsh with one of my student helpers. He’s volunteered to accompany the misfit group into the Shadowlands.”

“Has he, now,” said the witch, curling up her lip.

My words rattled out. “On the bus ride. I’ll accompany them that far.”

Principal Snaggle draped his arm about my shoulders, squeezing harder than normal. “He means he’ll accompany them as far as he needs to. It will be such an exciting and educational field trip for all of them.”

Witch Picklepuss forced her way past us, brushing us both with her scratchy broom.

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