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

flowed down the back of her bright blue dress. Her peacock mask made her green eyes shine even in the darkest room, and she bleeds confidence whenever she addresses the crowd. That’s must be how she controls the Circle of Owls, Agatha thought to herself.

“Good afternoon, Owls!” Her voice echoed through the room as there was a murmur of voices responding back to her greeting. “Our numbers are growing, and soon we will be stronger than ever.” She paused for a moment while her followers cheered for her. She allowed a slight smile to show her teeth before she took a deep breath and continued. “We will all need more power, more funds, and more resources to meet our goals. Those of you who have access to the ancient texts in dark magic, I will require you to return with more books to be reviewed. For those of you who remember those days, please share your stories to be transcribed into books. The more information we have, the stronger we will become.”

A couple of brownie men went around and started to collect books from the witches and a few goblins that held them up in the air. Though most of her face was covered by the feathers of her mask, Agatha could tell that Cricket was pleased that they had already given such an energy to their movement.

“We will also be taking our kingdom back! Once we have collected enough soldiers, creatures, and magic, we will be taking back the Kingdom of Owls as our own!” The cheers continued even when she started to speak again. I will now hear from you individually to see what you are bringing to our mission. You are welcome to stay here as long as you would like.”

The group clapped as Cricket finished speaking. She walked over to sit in her makeshift throne on the far end of the room. One by one they left their seats and went to privately speak with her. Agatha watched each one of their faces light up as they spoke with Cricket, as if they were at confession and being relieved of their sins. Agatha did notice someone who did not seem excited to wait for their chance to be part of Cricket’s plan. A tall elf quietly slid through the crowd, and out of the door without hesitation. Agatha furrowed her brow and removed her mask, so her vision wouldn’t be obstructed. She started to follow the man through the door but was abruptly stopped by Cricket herself. “Agatha, please don’t leave yet. I’ll need to have a word with you.” Agatha looked back, and the silver-haired elf was nowhere to be seen. Agatha forced a smile on her face and went over to Cricket. “You’ve returned to us.” Agatha could see the coldness of Cricket’s eyes through the slits of her mask.

“I never truly left, Cricket. I was trying to get you information and to bring Thea to you.” Agatha was quick with her response as she had been running it through her head all day. “I’m afraid that I have failed you though, I’m not sure where Thea is anymore….and I didn’t find you any ancient texts either.” Agatha had lowered her eyes to the floor as she spoke to the leader.

“Yes you have failed me.” Cricket said coldly, though she was forcing a smile for those who could see them talking. “I’m not sure we can trust you within the Circle. You pledge that you are here to help us grow and that you have access to your sister’s knowledge and the powers of Thea – then once I help you with your powers, you disappear to go run around the countryside with your sister and help them ruin our progress as much as possible.”

“That’s not what happened, Cricket! My sister is dead, and I have lost Thea. I swear I was trying to get her knowledge for you!” She forced herself to start crying to avoid being held in a cell again. “My pledge is to you, Cricket!” Agatha dropped down to her knees as she was speaking to ask forgiveness of Cricket.

Her actions must have won Cricket over because she didn’t get a collar thrown around her neck. “Lucky for you, Agatha, I have already caught Thea on my own. She is down in a room with her little friends as we speak.” Agatha did her best to control her facial expression and act surprised by the information, though she knew that Jaeger brought her to this little house for a reason. “What happened to your sister?”

Agatha started to cry again. “It was months ago that she fell at the hands of the Crow Witch. Robin died that day.” Her bottom lip quivered as she was sure to look directly into Cricket’s eyes. “My sister will no longer be between myself and the Circle.”

“You remember when you came to me, all those years ago? You couldn’t even cast a mud troll and you could barely create a potion that worked correctly. I did all of this for you when your sister and your mother wouldn’t teach you how to be a proper witch. I’ll remind you that I did all of that with the understanding that you would be helping me achieve my goals for OUR Circle.” Cricket’s eyes were full of anger as she continued to scold Agatha for her actions over the past couple of years. “I’m not going to punish you, as your sister is no longer going to be part of the problem. I will need you to go and retrieve my sister from the egg farm. We need to create more of your blue-scaled stupefaction potion before we are able to take our kingdom back.”

“I will do that right now, Cricket.” Agatha said with a smile. “Just let me collect my cat, and I will be on my way.” Agatha stood up and was ready to get away from the situation.

“Oh, and Agatha……this is your last chance