Spindrift and the Orchid by Emma Trevayne

Author:Emma Trevayne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

CHAPTER TEN

Son of the Red Orchid

GRANDFATHER!” SPINDRIFT FELL THROUGH THE door to the shop, having nearly flown down the stairs. Clémence and Max were behind her, and the three of them stared at the scene before them, Grandfather still behind the counter and a man—him—standing next to a million shards of glass and bits of twisted silver from a fallen cabinet.

“How did you get in here?” Spindrift demanded. She thought she’d made Grandfather safe. Her chest hurt from fear.

“I am all right, chérie,” said Grandfather calmly.

“I have wishes too, little girl,” said the man. “More of them than you do.”

Spindrift felt Grandfather’s eyes upon her. The skin of her face warmed uncomfortably, but now was not the time to explain. “Give it to me and I will leave.”

“No, Roland,” said Grandfather, stepping out from behind the counter with surprising speed, putting himself between Spindrift and the man. “We will give you nothing.”

“Move aside! I am the Son of the Red Orchid. They belong to me!”

“No,” said Grandfather again. “I know what you seek, and it will never be yours. I promise you that.”

The man raised one hand, a gloved finger pointing. The other drew a crystal ball from his pocket. “I wish—”

Grandfather waved his hand. A swarm of clockwork birds, the same as the one he’d sent with the message to Clémence and Max’s parents, flew from the shelf and swarmed the man, metal beaks pecking at every part of him they could reach.

Another cabinet exploded, a rain of glass falling. Blood beaded on Grandfather’s cheek.

“Go, Spindrift!” he ordered, but she couldn’t move. A sword flew from a rack on the back wall, its hilt landing in Grandfather’s waiting palm. It was an old sword, imbued with protective magic, and he’d forbidden her from ever touching it, it was so sharp.

“I wish to have that sword,” said the man. Quickly as it had come, it left Grandfather’s grip. Spindrift screamed.

“Don’t worry, Spindrift! I said go!”

She still couldn’t move, only watch as one by one, Grandfather summoned objects from shelves and cases. He knew the objects in the shop better than anyone, their abilities and shortfalls. He knew which ones could protect him from the sword slicing through the air.

“I killed your daughter,” said the man, grinning. “Do you not think I will do the same to you? Give me the orchid!”

“Never!”

The man looked at his crystal ball. “I wish—”

For an old man in slippers, Grandfather moved like lightning, taking advantage of the temporary distraction to wrest back the sword. He pressed its razor tip to the man’s chest. For the first time, Spindrift saw a flicker of fear in the man’s cold eyes.

“Leave,” said Grandfather slowly, dangerously. “Leave before I run you through for the things you’ve done and to stop you doing more. Were we alone, I would have no hesitation. If you come back, I assure you my reservations will leave me.”

The man stood fast, then yelped in pain. Blood bloomed like a flower on the white silk of his shirt.

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