The Lightning Key Read Online Free PDF

listened to the deep breathing of the tiger who lay stretched out in his hallway.
    â€œNot exactly a rug in the classic sense,” he said, “but I suppose it’s the closest I’ll get.” He straightened up with a loud creaking sound. “No time to lose, then. We’ve got to get ourselves packed and provisioned before the rug wakes up.”
    â€œPacked?” said Miles. “What do you mean?”
    Baltinglass broke into a wrinkly grin and a glint appeared in his eyes, though they were as white as milk in a pail. “It’s time to saddle up and hit the trail,Master Miles. There are villains to pursue and valuables to retrieve, and I have one good journey left in me.”
    â€œThey’ve got a head start,” said Miles doubtfully. “How will we ever catch them?” He could not imagine Silverpoint trying to carry all three of them at once through daylit skies, and it was hardly likely that the blind explorer would have a vehicle stowed away in his garage.
    â€œI have a vehicle stowed away in my garage,” said Baltinglass of Araby with a wink. “It’ll get us to Fuera in fine style.”
    The mention of the bustling port made Miles’s heart leap with excitement. “How do you know they’re going to Fuera?” he asked.
    â€œIt was my map they stole, remember? Everyone knows that I have the finest collection of maps in the country, and that fool Tau-Tau came straight out and told me where they were headed before his nasty little associate could stop him. They’re going to Kagu in the Starkbone Desert, but they’ll have to sail from Fuera to get there. Now, enough of this chin-wagging—it’s time to open the quartermaster’s store.” He turned in Little’s direction. “You’ll get a pot of coffee bubbling for us, young Little. Miles, you can tidy up my map chest. Silverpoint . . .” Hepaused for a moment, scratching his chin. “Just don’t blow up any more of my trees.”
    â€œI will be leaving now,” said Silverpoint coolly. “I’ve been away long enough. The storm has ended, and decisions will have been reached in my absence. I wish you good luck on your journey.” He motioned to Little to follow him, muttering, “You’ll need it,” under his breath, and stepped out into the sunlit orchard.
    â€œI’ll be back in a moment,” said Miles to Baltinglass. He could see Silverpoint talking urgently to Little, and he did not want to miss what was being said. He followed them outside. “What are you going to do?” he asked Silverpoint.
    â€œThere’s not a lot I can do,” said the Storm Angel. “The next time I return it will be with Bluehart. He will be here to release your life, and I will be his second.”
    â€œYou’ll have to try to divert him,” said Little.
    â€œUntil what?” said Silverpoint sharply. Clouds began to darken the sky. “You clearly don’t intend to surrender the Egg. Do you think you can dodge the Sleep Angels forever?”
    Little looked at Miles and smiled. “I’m sure Miles has a plan,” she said.
    â€œOf course,” said Miles, looking Silverpoint inthe eye. “I just need a little more time.”
    Silverpoint sighed. Suddenly he looked like a twelve-year-old boy, and not a veteran of a thousand years who could call up a thunderstorm with ease. “I’ll do what I can,” he said. “Just remember I’m only a Storm Angel, and we’re dealing with more than a bunch of clowns here. Sleep Angels hate to be thwarted once they’re on a call, and if Bluehart ever suspects I’m trying to delay him . . .” His words trailed off, and thunder rolled in the distance like a waking tiger.
    â€œI must go, softwing,” said Silverpoint. “Be careful, and whatever you’re about, be quick. You’re on borrowed time