The Circle of Owls (The Grimalkin Book 3) Dani Swanson (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📖

explain it.” Thea really didn’t have a clue on how she was able to control the Ether. The rage that had been growing inside of her fueled the entire episode at the Kingdom of Owls…. she was curious if she would be able to do it again, if Lilly Quinn decided to attack them as the Grimalkin.

Charles playfully threw a snowball at his brother, acting as if a Yeti had done it, as the group climbed the path of Izotza to see the Ice King.

“You’ve been awake for one whole day, and you’re already acting like a brat.” Dean said, as he flipped a handful of snow back at Charles. Thea was stuck in the middle of their horseplay, getting hit in the face with bits of snow.

“Really? This is why I travel with Robin, instead of boys.” She was smirking, as she rubbed the bits of melting snow from her cheek.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Boys? We are men, thank you very much! We graduated from school years ago.” Dean wrapped his arm around his brother’s shoulder, trying his best to look hurt.

“Well, you act like a couple of boys!” Thea threw snow at both of them, causing Fig to go flying off her shoulder and into a snowbank. Charles started to pack a snowball in his hands. “I’ll throw a fireball back.” Thea said with a grin, though trying to sound serious. “Come on you two, we have a long way to go.”

“Oh, I see how it is Dean. She gets to decide when we’re done playing.” Charles winked at her as he dropped the snowball, showing her that he had no more ammo in his hands.

“It happens when you are a female…. who can throw fireballs.” Dean dropped the bit of snow he had in his hands when he saw the look Thea was giving him and kept walking.

Thea stuck her tongue out at them as she placed her cat back up on her shoulder.

“Where do you think Lilly wandered off to? She’s been gone for almost twenty minutes.” Dean was shielding the sun from his eyes as he looked into the trees to see if he could catch a glimpse of their stalker.

“I’m not sure, but I bet she’ll be back. I don’t plan on putting my guard down until I know what she’s up to.” Thea too, was watching the trees, though not being as obvious as Dean. She had already caught sight of the red eyes of a yeti, watching them from the top of a pine tree.

It took the rest of the day for the group to make their way up to the top of the mountain. The men were in awe, as they looked up to see the dome of ice covering the kingdom. The curious looks on their faces reminded Thea that she needed to take a moment to really take in what was happening around her. “I wonder if Robin has made it back here…or Penelope!”

“Who’s Penelope?” Charles whispered to Dean.

“Her grandma, she told you that, pay attention.” Dean nudged Charles with his elbow.

“I’ve been stupefied for months, cut me some slack.” He scratched his head through his thick blonde hair, trying to remember everything that they had told him.

Thea just shook her head, as she set Fig down on the ground. He hopped from cobblestone to cobblestone, trying to avoid the snow in between. Thea walked up to the guard and smiled at him. “Hi, we’re here to see Irving.” The guard lifted an eyebrow at her. “I mean the Ice King, of course.” Thea could feel her face flushing as the guard turned to grab the enchanted mirror off its shelf. Thea could see the round face of the Ice King nodding in approval through the glass. The guard, without saying a word, smiled at Thea as he opened the door to the dome for her and her friends.

Thea’s pace quickened as she started toward the castle, while Dean and Charles moved more slowly as they watched a couple of snowmen juggling snowballs, and two penguins drinking hot cocoa as they sat at a bistro table watching the show. The streetlights started to fill with fireflies as they lit the way on the path; their light dancing across the glistening snow made for a show of its own. Thea watched the boyish wonderment across her friend’s faces. She wished that she could take the time to experience everything that was happening around her. After all, her memories were less than two years old, and many of the things she was experiencing felt like it was for the first time for her as well. Her concern and guilt kept her driving forward – She couldn’t take the luxury of playtime like the others did. “Come on guys. We have things to take care of.”

The Ice King, with his long white hair and beard that almost touched the floor, stood in the entrance of the castle; his skin was practically the same shade of pale blue as the icy walls of his palace. His robe was a rich purple, which complemented his frosty skin. “Thea! I’m so glad you are here! How was your adventure?” He stood with his arms outstretched, waiting for her embrace.

Thea laid into his arms, burying her face into the puffs of his massive beard. He smelled of coffee beans and vanilla, which brought Thea comfort in being there. She felt warm and safe being with Irving, despite the cooling effect his skin had when it touched her. “I’m glad to see you too. Uh, I don’t mean to be rude, but is Robin here? She never went to our meeting place after we left here…..she’s been missing for months now.”

The Ice King pulled back and looked her in the eye. “She’s not here and my guard has yet to return. Edward hasn’t sent any word back. I assumed they were with you.”

Thea’s heart began to race and her chest became tight. She knew that she shouldn’t have