secret is forever safe.â
A crackling noise drew Albertâs eyes from the PathHider. It was Leroy, unwrapping a piece of red candy.
âReally?â Birdie laughed. âYouâve been here five minutes, and already youâre eating?â
Leroy shrugged. He looked at the Path Hider. âWhat do you eat down here? Besides coffee, I mean.â
The Path Hider leaned farther back in his recliner and propped up his feet. He wore old leather boots, the same kind Albert and Birdie and Leroy had, as well as everyone else in the Core. But his were worn and tattered. It was time for a new pair.
âI eat what they send me,â the Path Hider said. âBut enough about me. I want to hear about the great Calderon First Unit.â His blue eyes fell onto Albert. âIs it true?â
âIs what true?â Albert asked. âIf youâre talking about what happened in Calderon last summer . . .â
âNo, not that.â The Path Hider leaned forward, hands on his knees. His eyes flitted to the cord around Albertâs neck, where his Tile was concealed beneath his shirt. âThe rumor that you hold the Master Tile.â
âTotally!â It was Leroy who piped up to answer. âAlbertâs a pro now! He can do anything. Show him the Tile, Albert!â
Albertâs face grew as hot and as red as a bowl of tomato soup. âItâs just a Tile, guys.â
But his friends were excited to show him off, pride on both of their faces. Albert lifted the cord from his neck, revealing the Master Tile. It was different from allthe others in the Core, a shiny black color with a white symbol on it. The symbol was shaped sort of like an old scale, the kind with two arms that levered up and down, depending on the weight placed on each side.
âMagnificent,â the Path Hider breathed. He reached out, eyes wide, almost as if he wanted to touch it. But at the last second, he drew his hand back and gave Albert a glittering smile. âIâm proud, Albert Flynn. Iâve watched you for years, as I do all the Balance Keepers. I knew youâd be a special one, considering your familyâs bloodlines. But I never suspected the Master Tile.â
He was looking at Albert like he was royalty.
âUm, thanks,â Albert said. âThat means a lot, I think.â
The Path Hider nodded, then went on to ask Birdie and Leroy about their Tiles, too. Birdieâs was a Water Tile, while Leroyâs was a Synapse Tile. The Path Hider looked impressed with theirs, too. âIâve seen lots of Tiles come through here over the years. The ones you three hold are rare. Quite rare, indeed.â
âYou should see Leroy in the Tiles tournaments,â Birdie said, folding her hands in her lap. âHeâs a whiz! No one can beat him!â
âOr so you think.â The Path Hider nodded. âSomeday, Leroy Jones, I will challenge you to a game of Tiles.â He winked and stood up, seemingly done with his questions. âI guess I should send you on your way. The path tells me stories, and secrets. But I wonderââthe PathHider rubbed his chinââif you could ask that shopkeeper Lucinda to come and visit me soon?â
Birdie smiled knowingly. Lucinda had a major crush on the Path Hider. âShe talks about you sometimes. Iâm sure sheâd love to come visit!â
âVery well, then,â the Path Hider said. âFarnsworth?â
The little dog came tearing across the room with a chunk of copper wires in his mouth. The Path Hider yanked the wires out and shook off the slobber. âThis will take days to repair. Ah, well. Lead the way, old friend.â
Farnsworth barked, then set off down the dark tunnel that led to the gondola. Albert, Birdie, and Leroy followed, but just before they were out of earshot, the Path Hider whispered a warning.
âWatch your backs, young Balance Keepers. I sense trouble brewing in the
Ker Dukey, D.H. Sidebottom