The Fire King by Paul Crilley

Author:Paul Crilley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: eBook ISBN| 9781606842799
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Published: 2011-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Beezle’s shop wasn’t far, but it was, as Beezle had said it would be, watched by guards. They weren’t much to look at, just two goblin-type creatures with old, mismatched armor and helms that were too big for their heads. They would actually look quite comical if it weren’t for the spears they were holding, the only things about the pair that looked menacing. The sharpened heads glinted in the torchlight.

“There’s two more round the back,” said Beezle from their hiding place outside a busy tavern about five shops away.

“So how are we supposed to get in?” Emily asked.

“The same way thieves always get into houses like that,” said Jack. “The roof.”

He pointed. Emily followed the direction of his finger and saw a small window on the rooftop of a shop about seven buildings down from Beezle’s. It looked like an attic room of some sort. Then he pointed to Beezle’s shop. There was a similar window set into his roof.

“How are we going to get up there?” asked Emily doubtfully. “Do we just walk in and ask if we can climb out their window?”

“You’re half right,” said Jack. He grinned at her. “Relax, Snow. This is what I do best, remember? Who got you into Somerset House? Who got that safe open for you? Spring-Heeled Jack, that’s who. You concentrate on all the thinking and leave the lawbreaking to me.”

“We’re not technically breaking the law,” interjected Beezle. “It’s my shop, and I’m giving you permission to enter.”

“Yes, but the fact that we just broke you out of prison does mean we’re breaking the law,” Emily pointed out.

“Mmm, good point,” said Beezle.

“So where is this book of yours?” Jack asked.

“Hidden. When you get into the shop, go to the back room. You’ll see a painting on the wall. Take the painting out of the frame, then stick it back on the wall where the painting originally hung.”

Emily and Jack waited.

“And?” Emily prompted.

“And nothing. The painting is the safe. It will open once it’s mounted on the wall.”

“Ah,” said Jack. “Magic. Come on, then, Snow.”

“Should I come?” Wren asked.

“Um … no. Better not, eh? With that back? You might fall off the roof and kill yourself. Terrible tragedy and all that.”

If it was at all possible for a person to look both crestfallen and happy at the same time, Wren managed it.

Jack jogged across the street to the building he had pointed out with the attic room. Emily followed after and discovered that it was, in fact, a restaurant. Heavily laden trays floated through the air and dropped onto cramped tables, where fey of all kinds tucked into their food.

Jack walked purposefully, acting as if he belonged there. Emily tried to imitate his style, but it wasn’t something that came naturally to her. She knew she didn’t belong here. And so, apparently, did everyone else.

“You. You there.” A creature with a man’s body and the head of a goat waved at her from behind the counter. Emily hesitated, which was probably a mistake.

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