Island of Silence (Unwanteds) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Alex
began to notice something strange: an occasional toothy smile from Ms. Octavia; an
encouraging glance from Mr. Appleblossom; a rare nod from Simber as Alex walked with his
friends to the dining room one day.
    “What was that about?” Lani asked Alex. Simber rarely
acknowledged students when he was sitting at his post by the front door, for he was
often quite occupied with sampling the air for anything unusual, listening for things
that might indicate an attack was imminent. He took his job as Mr. Today’s primary
mansion guard very seriously.
    Alex shrugged. “Maybe he has an itch. Could be fleas.” He
glanced back fearfully at Simber after he said it, remembering too late the statue’s
incredible sense of hearing. Simber narrowed his eyes at Alex. “Sorry,” he
mouthed at the giant beast. And he was sorry. He just didn’t know how to handle Lani’s
question, or how to explain.
    He also didn’t know how to explain to Mr. Today that he would be happy to
help in whatever way he could, but that Mr. Today had definitely made a grave mistake,
and Alex would not be taking over any magely leadership roles now or in the future.
    Later Alex and Lani headed to the somewhat accidentally hidden third floor
of the library, which both Alex and Samheed had discovered last year. Lani and Meghan
now knew about it as well, and the four often did their homework together there quite
undisturbed but for the occasionally yawning tiki statue that had once saved Alex, and
the blackboard with a rare announcement.
    While Lani worked on history and literature, Alex created a list of
reasons why he’d be absolutely, positively no good as the next leader of Artimé.
    1. Just not great in all the various branches of the arts. Strong in
painting/drawing/writing but weak in singing and only so-so in acting and
performance.
    2. Kind of a pathetic weakling. No muscles.
    3. Almost ruined the world when the governors came last year. Would probably
accidentally destroy it all single-handedly.
    4. Not really into the lifelong family fight thing. Would rather ignore
problems like Aaron because they will probably go away.
    5. Not exactly fond of having to deal with any other problems, either.
    6. Lack of confidence . . . after what happened last
time.
    Alex stared at the last one, remembering the pain of Aaron sending that
deadly scatterclip at him. He rubbed the tiny scar on his chest, near his heart. It was
still pink, and his skin was sensitive there. He’d been confident back then, almost
cocky about his abilities. To be injured so badly by someone who did magic
accidentally’it was a blow all right. And, actually, still a little bit too hard to talk
about. He turned his pencil around to erase number six.
    Lani looked up from her work and watched Alex wiping tiny bits of eraser
off his notebook page. She reached across the table and tapped his hand. “What are
you working on?”
    He lifted his head and couldn’t help but smile at the earnest look on her
face. “Wow. Did you know that in the light from this table, your eyes are
seriously bright blue?” he asked. “I wish paint came in that
color.”
    Lani blushed. She pulled her hand back self-consciously. “Well, if
anybody can make that color, it’s you,” she said. “Maybe you should work on
that.”
    “Maybe I will,” Alex said. He held her eyes for a moment
longer, remembering the time he kissed her cheek during Magical Warrior Training. He
smiled impishly and looked down at his notebook again, sobering as he read over his
reasons. It didn’t take much for him to realize that Lani or even Meghan or Samheed
would make a much better ruler of Artimé than he.
    After a moment he asked, still staring at his list, “Can I tell you
a secret?”
    “Sure.”
    “You have to promise not to say anything to anybody.”
    Lani hesitated. “Okay. I promise.” She put her pencil down and
folded her arms in front of her, ready to listen.
    Alex looked up at her. He bit his