Tricked by Jen Calonita

Author:Jen Calonita
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2017-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

The Break-In

The halls are empty as we slip through one hallway after another, trying to find our way to Stiltskin’s office, but we keep getting turned around.

“This place is more of a maze than ever!” Ollie groans as we jump through a new doorway and land next to the wand-training room again. Two new hallways open up, and we stare at them warily. “We’ve been down this hallway three times! We’re never going to find our way to his office.”

“It’s like he’s put the hallway monitor on the fritz so that no one can go anywhere but the bake-off,” Hayley suggests. “Pretty clever.”

“Where do you think they took Kayla?” Maxine asks worriedly. “Do you think he’s really going to kick her out of school?”

“My sister won’t let him,” Jocelyn says defiantly. “If she has to, she’ll hide Kayla with cloaking spells, but I don’t think she’ll have to. The teachers won’t let her be kicked out. Even Flora wouldn’t go for that.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say grimly. “Kayla stood up to Stiltskin for the greater good. All I’ve done since I arrived is tick off Anna. Maybe I’m really just a washed-up hero.”

“Is this about what Stiltskin said to you?” Jax asks.

“Flora basically said the same thing,” I remind him. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels.”

“Then stop spinning!” Maxine yells at me and I blink. Maxine never yells. Not at me. “Since when do you listen to what others say? Especially someone like Stiltskin, a big ol’ baddie who is brainwashing your sister and must have poor Flora under some sort of gag order. The Wicked Stepmother believes in you. She just can’t say it out loud. Trust your gut and know what’s right. We believe in you, even if you don’t believe in yourself.”

The others nod. I smile. “Okay. I guess I better start pulling my weight.”

“That’s the thief we know and love,” Jax teases. “Let’s find some clues to get out of this maze.”

I look around. Every hall in this drafty castle has the same gray stone walls, oil paintings done by students, motivational signs (Why Be Wicked When You Can Be Wonderful Instead?), and mirrors. There are actually loads of mirrors that Miri can spot us in. Why she hasn’t shown up yet to yell at us, I’m not sure.

Jax pulls one of the torches off the wall and peers down a darkened, empty hallway. “Let’s go this way.”

“That’s the observatory, Prince,” Jocelyn says. “Can we do this my way? He won’t notice a teensy bit of magic when he’s busy baking.” She blows a puff of smoke, and purple smog lays a trail down a new hall.

I start to follow but feel squirming in my sweater pocket. Wilson pops his head out and begins to squeak like mad. I think he’s trying to warn us about something. He squeaks louder, and that’s when I see it shining in a small gap in the ceiling—a dagger. “Get out of that hall! It’s a trap!”

A rumbling sound rocks the hallway.

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