The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman

Author:Aubrey Hartman [Hartman, Aubrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Back in the carriage house, Poppy scolded Sampson.

“Was this what you were doing while I was grounded? Wandering the forest by yourself? You nearly led that guy straight to us!” She checked the windows, rattled the locks on the doors. She threw her hands up. “How are you getting out, anyway?”

Sampson paced, his tail tucked between his legs. He was nearly full grown, all muscle and round edges, his mane a coarse wreath of gold and white. He ruffled his wings and let out a low, frustrated growl.

“I know. I know. But if you do it again, I’m… I’m…” For some reason, the words I’m going to send you to Aunt Deedee’s nearly came out. Poppy sighed. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

Sampson slumped down in the corner, his back to Poppy.

He looked too big for this place lately, like a teenager in a toddler bed. But what was she supposed to do? Let him go out and get shot? Or taken away?

“I’m sorry.” She wrapped her arms around him. They only circled half his body. “I’m just grumpy because I didn’t sleep last night.”

He looked back, still mad, but concerned.

Poppy had wanted to pretend everything was fine. But as usual, she couldn’t keep anything from Sampson. “The nymph took more books… out of my room.”

Last night, she’d reached for a story, then stopped cold.

Some were missing. She knew because she kept them color-coordinated, and suddenly the blues jumped straight to magenta. Then she’d smelled it. Seen it. The faint whiff of magic and fish. The trail of water across the carpet, leading from the hall bathroom.

The nymph had been there.

Poppy had stayed awake for hours, eyes peeled and ears straining. She’d heard the distant crash of the sea. Dad snoring. The clack of Luca’s keyboard. The familiar sounds had eventually soothed her to sleep; but she’d clutched The Tree in Valley Blue so tightly, she’d woken up in knots.

Sampson pushed to his feet, his eyes big and worried.

“Don’t worry. She isn’t after me. She’s after my books.” The nymph was doing exactly as she’d promised—trying to take the books most precious to Poppy. And it was only a matter of time before all her favorite stories were gone forever.

Poppy dropped her head into her hands.

Sampson pawed at the floor.

She looked up.

He tossed his head in the direction of the cottage, then pawed at the floor again.

“No way. No chance.”

Sampson thumped his tail twice. Yes.

“No.”

Thump, thump. Yes.

“I won’t bring my books here, Sampson! I won’t put you in danger!”

Sampson’s gaze narrowed, his eyes darkening a shade. He reared up on his hind legs and threw open his wings. They nearly spanned the entire length of the carriage house. He was twice Poppy’s height. His paws were as big as her head.

The sight stole Poppy’s breath.

He landed back on all fours, looking like he’d just made a very good point. And maybe he had. If there was anyone the nymph would think twice about crossing, it was him. And with

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