The Shadow Keeper by Abi Elphinstone

Author:Abi Elphinstone [Elphinstone, Abi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Fingers wrapped tight round the catapult Hard-Times Bob had carved for her, Moll crouched inside the hollow dish of rock above the cave with Gryff, Alfie, Siddy and Scrap. Further along the coastline, beyond Little Hollows, the sea swirled inside inlets and broke against rocks and the afternoon sun lay hidden behind clouds. There was no sign of Ashtongue or Darkebite and her owls, but, as Moll glanced down at the smuggler child beside her, almost swamped by the duffle coat she had borrowed, her heart filled with doubt. Could she really lead them to the Blinking Eye?

‘You’re sure we should follow the rocks round the coast rather than taking the cliff path?’ Moll whispered.

Scrap nodded.

‘And you’re absolutely certain the Dreads won’t be in Bootleggers Bay?’ Alfie asked. ‘They’ll still be selling their goods inland?’

Scrap sighed impatiently and nodded again.

For a second, Moll craned her neck back to where Mooshie, Cinderella Bull and Hard-Times Bob were huddled down on the beach. She knew they couldn’t follow – Mooshie needed to look after Oak, and the fortune-teller and her brother were too old for a journey like this – but, despite all that, Moll couldn’t help wishing they were all up on the rocks together.

Siddy lifted Hermit from his pocket and cradled the crab close.

Moll took a deep breath. ‘I suppose however scared we feel we’ll know Hermit’s probably feeling a hundred times worse.’

Scrap crept out of the dish first, stepping carefully over the line of pebbles Cinderella Bull had arranged to keep them safe. Alfie followed, then, hardly daring to breathe, Moll, Gryff and Siddy did the same.

Almost at once the air stirred. A wind seemed to come from nowhere, curling round the group, whipping bigger, darker clouds over the sun, and Moll stood absolutely still, transfixed by fear. Gryff growled. But the sea spirit’s spell held the darkness at bay, and moments later the clouds slid back and the wind grew quieter.

Moll squeezed up her toes and shuddered. Soles of glass, and she’d have to endure them until the moon rose. A seagull called above them and Moll jumped and felt for Gryff, then she set off over the rocks after the others. She winced, waiting for the pain to sear through her feet – but it never came. Her soles felt tender, as if she might be walking over newly-cut gravel instead of smooth rocks, but this was a pain Moll could bear. Darting catlike from rock to rock, she leapt over crevices and scrambled up crags.

She slid a glance to Gryff and, to her surprise, he shied away from her, leaping towards the cliff face. He carried on running and Moll frowned. Ever since the Shadowmasks had started coming for her, Gryff had run by her side, always alert for danger. But today something was different. He had deliberately moved away.

Alfie paused on a rock to tighten the straps of the rucksack that held the blankets and extra food. He looked back at Moll. ‘Are your feet all right?’

Moll nodded.

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