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

He looked from his brother to Thea who was giving him a strained smile and nodding at what Dean had told him. “Whoa.” Is all he could say as he followed behind them. “Okay, so where are we going?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Then what are we doing? Are we just going to randomly wander the kingdoms until we find the Circle of Owls?”

“We’re going to follow that guy.” Dean said as he pointed up to where Jaeger was jumping from the branches of one tree to the next, watching the humans below. “He’s been bringing encrypted notes to Thea from Penelope this entire time.

“Took me long enough to figure out to follow the bird, right? I can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out.” She shook her head in her own self disbelief as she tossed a fireball at a yeti who had thrown a snowball at them. “I see you!”

“To be fair, its not like she was being very direct with you about who they were from, or what they always meant.” Dean shrugged at her.

“They still don’t. The last one says “looks can be deceiving. Monkey See Monkey Do.” What does that mean?”

“I would think that she’s talking in riddles so that if they get intercepted, they won’t know who they are for, or where they are going. That’s what I would do.” Charles said as he examined the scrap of paper that Thea had. She then pulled out her book and opened it to the back page…. the scrap of paper flew out of his hand and found its place in the back of the book among the tattered pages, smoothing out the ripped fibers of the paper.

“I found that out when I pulled the book out with all my notes from my bag. See? She must have cast some sort of magic onto my book.” She proudly shut the small book and placed it back into her bag as they continued down the path.

She walked with her arm linked through Dean’s, which she could see made Charles slightly uncomfortable, but she didn’t care – it just felt right to her. Fig seemed to enjoy his ride down the path with Charles holding him; he fit better on his shoulders than on Thea. Half way down the mountain they stopped in their tracks as the mountain began to shake. Slight tremors knocked yetis and bazzles down from the trees. It happened a few times, and then stopped.

“What was that?!” Thea was looking around to see if there was an avalanche happening. The mountain had settled, and everything was still.

“I’m not sure what that was….an earthquake?” Dean collected his bag that he had dropped and scooped up Fig who’s hair was standing on end – he handed the cat over to Thea who started to cradle him like a baby and cooing at her cat. “You spoil him.”

“He’s my baby.” She smiled as she set the cat down.

“Your bird is squawking at you.” Charles said as he pointed at Jaeger who was circling above their heads.

“I don’t think he wants to be on this mountain anymore.” She shielded her eyes as she watched him.

“I don’t think I disagree with him, lets get going before it starts to shake again.” Charles said as he started down the path again.

“I hope everyone at the castle is okay.” Thea looked back to where they had just come from.

“I’m sure they are okay – those walls are solid. Come on, we need to focus on where we are going.” Dean wrapped his arm over her shoulder with his brother rolling his eyes as Charles was trying to walk in front of them.

They continued down the mountain until the air started to get warmer – they were able to shed their coats and enjoy the sunshine on their faces. Fig opted to finally walk on his own and rolled in the grass. They stopped for a moment amongst the trees and had a bit to eat- but it was only for a moment because Jaeger was getting louder the slower they moved – he even swooped down and picked up the ends of Thea’s hair and lightly tugged on it to urge her to move. “Okay Jaeger! We’re moving! You could have shown us where she was a long time ago, you silly bird!” She tossed a chunk of meat to him before continuing down the path.

“He’s bringing us to Monkey Tree Village. I stopped here and there wasn’t any sign of anything out of the normal dumpiness that happens here every day.” Charles’ annoyance was prominent in his tone.

“To be fair, you were looking for Lilly, and I’m sure you wouldn’t know what any of the members of The Circle of Owls looks like.” She said with a shrug as she started to walk into the center of town. “I really wish I had worn a cloak.” Thea felt like she was extremely exposed with her face and hair showing – she wasn’t sure who would be there, and who from her past she didn’t remember, would recognize her.

“The Ice King said that you look just like Penelope and I didn’t see anyone who looks like you when I was here.” Charles was annoyed that he was back in the village that he had just left.

“She’s being held somewhere, dummy! They wouldn’t let her out in the middle of town.” Dean playfully hit his brother upside the back of his head.

“Maybe they’re controlling her like Lilly?! She gets to walk around wherever she wants to.” Charles attempted to hit his brother back in the same fashion but missed.

“She was being controlled by a collar – did you see anyone with a collar on?” Thea placed herself between the brothers to keep them from rough-housing. She felt like there were eyes on her as she tried to hide her face in Dean’s arm. Charles shook his head