The Faerie Ring Read Online Free PDF Page A

Aunt Trudy, and her aunt’s banker husband. It had been only a matter of months before it became evident to Tiki that the well-to-do veneer of her uncle’s position hid a dark side. Her skin crawled with fear as she thought of him watching her each night as he drank his whiskey. There was a look in his eyes that didn’t need words to define. Even now she could hear the creak of the floorboards as his uneven footsteps staggered down the hallway, searching for her.
    She had fled from their house for her own safety, intending to seek shelter with Mrs. Adelaide Bishop, a dear friend of her mother’s. But upon her unannounced arrival on Mrs. Bishop’s stoop, she’d learned the woman had also died of the fever two weeks prior.
    Unsure of where to go, but knowing she had to hide from her uncle, Tiki had gone to King’s Cross railway station. There, the small valise she had taken with her from her uncle’s was stolen and she’d found herself with nothing. Then she’d met Fiona, who took Tiki to meet her cousin Shamus and showed her the hidden little room they shared in Charing Cross. They’d lived together ever since.
    “But it’s not a who this time.” Tiki lowered her voice. “I took something.”
    “Oh.” Shamus perked up. “Something good?”
    Tiki nodded at Shamus through the dim light. “Yes, it’s something completely brilliant if I don’t get caught.” She hesitated, then added, “This could be our way out of Charing Cross, Shamus. Into a real home.”
    He tilted his head at her, and Tiki could make out the frown on his face. “Blimey, Teek, what’d you do? Steal the crown jewels?” His teeth flashed as he grinned at his own joke.
    “Next best thing,” Tiki whispered. A thrill of excitement shot through her as she waited for his reaction. “Belongs to Queen Vic herself.”
    Shamus’s brow drew down in a surprised frown. “Go on.”
    There was a rustle of cloth as Fiona wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and crept closer.
    “I couldn’t sleep,” she whispered. She turned big eyes up to Tiki. “What’d you steal, Teek?”
    Tiki recounted her tale of hitching a ride on the boot and waking up at an unknown mansion. “I didn’t realize it at the time,” she whispered, “but the blokes in the room with me were Prince Arthur and Prince Leo, and for a minute the queen herself was there.” Tiki giggled and her voice danced with excitement now that she was out of danger. The story sounded fantastical even to her ears.
    “So you took the ring?” Shamus asked. He spoke with a mixture of disbelief and awe. “And nobody saw you? Nobody knew you were there?”
    “Well, a few maids and a little boy saw me snitch the bread, but nobody saw me take the ring.” She grinned at him. “I was like a bloody ghost.”
    “We ate the queen’s bread?” Fiona breathed.
    “An’ what’d you do with the ring?” Shamus said.
    “I hid it. That way we’ll be safe until we can figure out a way to sell the thing.” She looked over at both of them through the flickering candlelight. “That is, if we can sell it without getting caught.”
    “I’ve heard Rieker talk of a bloke over in Cheapside who buys things,” Shamus said.
    Tiki grabbed his arm. “No. Not Rieker.”
    “Why not?” Fiona asked. “He’s practically a legend. I heard he knows everyone.” She gave Tiki a lopsided grin. “And he’s handsome.”
    “I don’t know … there’s just something…” Tiki hesitated. “He’s a bit dodgy. He’s been around too much lately. He was even up at the World’s End tonight. It’s like he’s following me.” Her voice wavered with concern. “I’m afraid he wants part of our territory.”
    “The queen’s ring,” Shamus repeated with a dreamy air. “How much do you suppose the thing’s worth?”
    “I don’t know,” Tiki replied. “Maybe a hundred quid, eh? Enough to rent a nice flat over in Kensington and put some food in the cupboards, anyway.” She nudged Shamus with her elbow