Jack Staples and the City of Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

Dumphry screamed, sending fifty threads of fire exploding from her fingers. For a brief moment, Alexia shared a fearful look with Jack and Arthur. Hundreds of dark servants and a monster were charging at six Awakened, and yet Mrs. Dumphry wanted them to stand and fight. Had the old woman lost her mind?
    â€œFollow me!” Jack screamed, and at the same time, Arthur shouted, “This way!” And just like that, both boys fled from the coming charge. Alexia watched them go, hesitating only a moment before deciding they had the right of it. She was always up for a fight, but these were impossible odds and only a fool would choose to stay.
    Alexia made it only a few steps before skidding to a stop. One of the Shadule had slithered around the back of the courtyard and was now directly in front of her. It rose fluidly, and its milky white eyes fixed on Alexia. “Come with me, girl,” it said. “The master has great plans for you.” The Shadule extended a clawed hand and offered a sickly smile as wings unfurled from its body.
    Alexia wanted to scream. She had killed one of these creatures a month earlier, but it had almost killed her in the process. I need to buy some time! she thought, then schooled her face and smiled, offering a quick curtsy. “Why, thank you, Mr. Shadule,” she said. “I would be ever so happy to accept your invitation to meet your master. Please, would you take me to him?”
    The Shadule hissed, momentarily confused by Alexia’s pleasant agreement. It looked around as if expecting a trap, and in that moment, Alexia swung her sling with all her might. The Shadule howled as the stone struck it square on the forehead.
    Alexia darted away, sprinting toward a small wooden door at the side of the courtyard. She knew a stone could never kill a Shadule, but if she was lucky, she’d gained a few precious seconds. I can’t believe that worked! As she ran, she loosed another stone at an Oriax that appeared in front of her.
    The beast dropped, dead before it hit the ground. The only way to kill an Oriax is to strike it directly between the eyes. Mrs. Dumphry’s words from weeks earlier echoed in her mind. As she leaped over the beast, she spotted ten more galloping to intercept her. Her heart sank as she glanced back to see the Shadule slithering behind.
    A thought struck Alexia like a fist to the face. The Atherial Cloak! How could I have forgotten? She’d stuffed the thin material into the inside pocket of her own cloak.
    The beasts stampeded toward her, and Alexia shifted her direction so she was running straight at them. She screamed as she grabbed the Atherial Cloak and vaulted high into the air. Just pretend you’re in the circus , she thought as she twisted her body, wrapping the thin material around herself in midair.
    The four closest beasts jumped at Alexia with teeth bared. As she disappeared, the Oriax screeched. Alexia navigated between them, missing them by a hair. When the beasts landed, they slammed into the Shadule that had been close on her heels.
    Alexia rolled to her feet and continued her mad dash toward safety. “That was too close!” she said breathlessly as she darted past more Oriax. The Atherial Cloak seemed to be working. None of the beasts had noticed her passing. As she approached the door, she looked back in hopes of finding Jack or Arthur, yet all she saw was Mrs. Dumphry and Aias.
    The old woman moved like a hurricane, leaping, spinning, and somersaulting continuously, each movement sending spiderwebs of fire into the attacking horde. Aias fought beside her, his sword wreathed in flames. When it connected with flesh, the dark servants crumbled to dust. The two Awakened stood their ground against the onslaught of hundreds of Shadow Souled.
    The Drogule was on the opposite end of the courtyard, smashing fists through pillars and roaring angrily.
    â€œJack!” Alexia’s breath caught at the sight of her friend