Secret of the Giants' Staircase Read Online Free PDF Page B

not,” Tomas said.
    â€œSon,” Ravvi said in a warning tone. “No need to be rude.”
    â€œHe’s threatening to sell them to their death, and you’re concerned about his tone of voice?” Margo scoffed at her husband.
    Jesse made a face at the baby. She giggled. “Shh,” Jesse whispered. “This isn’t funny.” He couldn’t help but smile, though.
    â€œThis is none of our concern,” Ravvi said. “What the outsiders do, the laws they have or break…none of that has any place here. We of the Kin should only concern ourselves with Kin matters.”
    â€œThat doesn’t seem to be an option,” Parvel said. “We are in your world now. You have to concern yourselves with us.”
    He said it like a challenge, and Jesse realized he was right. Any chance they had of survival was with this family.
    â€œThere’s no going back now,” Tomas said. “So, Papa, Mama, what do we do with them?”
    No answer. Parvel seemed to be staring Ravvi down, but Ravvi wouldn’t look at him.
    â€œWhat’s her name?” Jesse asked in the pause.
    Jesse saw Rae roll her eyes.
    â€œSofia,” Margo said.
    â€œRight.” Jesse turned back to little Sofia. “Your life is a lot easier than ours, isn’t it?” he whispered as the argument went on. She gurgled and spit up on him. “I’ll consider that a yes.”
    â€œAnd I agree with Tomas,” Ravvi said. “This is not something we can decide alone. We must consult the rest of the Kin.”
    â€œIsn’t there another way?” Margo asked. “Can’t we just let them go? Pretend they were never here?”
    Tomas sighed. “Mama, just because Sofia likes one of them….” He shook his head. Sofia giggled, recognizing her name.
    â€œThey’re clearly criminals,” Tomas continued.
    â€œNo, we’re not,” Rae blurted. She shot Parvel a quick glance, then continued. “We’re Youth Guard members.”
    If they had been surrounded by the king’s men, that would have been a death sentence. As it was, everyone in the room seemed to freeze, except Zacchai and Sofia. Suddenly, Tomas looked even angrier, Ravvi looked hard and distant, and Margo looked about to burst into tears.
    Jesse wondered what it was about the Youth Guard that produced such a strong reaction.
    â€œSee?” Rae said, pulling up her sleeve to reveal the symbol of Amarias tattooed into her skin, the mark of the Youth Guard. “As protectors of this kingdom, we ask for your help.”
    â€œWe don’t owe them anything,” Tomas said, still speaking to his mother. “We should turn them in as soon as possible.”
    â€œNo,” Margo said, and when she straightened her shoulders and stood upright, Jesse was sure she would break through the roof of the wagon. “We will do nothing of the kind.” She took a deep breath. “I, too, have a son.”
    â€œYes, we know,” Rae said dryly. “He’s very charming, especially holding a dagger.”
    â€œI do not speak of Tomas, or Zacchai, though they are both dear to me.” Margo’s face became strong again. “I am speaking of Barnaby.”
    Barnaby. Jesse knew that name. He was one of the four Youth Guard members they were searching for in the squad assigned to the swamps.
    Ravvi stood from his bench. “He left us of his own accord, Margo, against our specific orders.”
    â€œYes, and it was wrong of him,” Margo said, “but he’s just a boy still.”
    â€œStop making excuses for him, Mama,” Tomas snapped.
    â€œI am not making excuses,” Margo replied hotly. Jesse was glad he was the one holding Sofia, because her mother was gesturing wildly with every word she spoke. “Right or wrong, he is our son, and I will not give up on him.”
    â€œHe gave up on us,” Tomas shouted back. “Did you ever think