The Raven Queen Read Online Free PDF

said some bland-looking bloke in a suit that didn’t fit properly. ‘A spokesperson for the Gardaí has said there are no animals missing from the wildlife park or from local zoos and that it is likely a large domestic dog, but that people should avoid approaching the animal and call the Gardaí if they see it.’
    As the newsreader talked, an image flashed up on the screen. It was a fuzzy picture taken on a mobile phone by someone with a shaky hand. But there was no mistaking that silvery fur or the way the tongue lolled through those wide, open jaws. Or how those black lips turned up ever so slightly, making the animal look as if it was laughing.
    It was Nero.

CHAPTER THREE
    Danny stood up quickly, his face as white as paper, as the newsreader moved on to another story. He plucked quickly at the short sleeve of Maddy’s T-shirt and nodded his head toward the stairs. She flicked another glance at Uncle Jack, who was still trying to pretend he was alone in the room, and followed Danny out. Aunt Fionnula was banging pots and pans in the kitchen, cooking dinner in her own vengeful way. And the house only got noisier as they climbed the stairs.
    Even without Aunt Fionnula’s tragic love of pattern and ornament, the house would have felt claustrophobic with all the people living in it. Maddy had a sneaking suspicion Aunt Fionnula didn’t really like children, yet she had managed to have five of her own. The entire family was squeezed into a three-bedroomed terraced house. Life had been a little easier since an extension had been built as a bedroom for Aunt Fionnula andUncle Jack and they could give the upstairs of their house to their children. But the little house still shook to the sound of boisterous boys – the thudding of their feet, their squeals as games got rough, the blare of music and video games and clatter and crunch as their debris was kicked and stood on.
    As the only girl in the family, Maddy’s cousin Roisin had the privilege of a room all to herself, even if it was a tiny box room. It was the calmest, quietest and most private place in the house and Danny headed straight there as his brothers did their best to kill each other in the largest bedroom, kicking and rolling on fallen toys and clothes. Maddy faltered and watched them for a second. Sean was kicking Ronan in the ribs and screaming, ‘Take it back, TAKE IT BACK!’ He was so red in the face he looked as if he might explode. Paul was squealing with delight and jumping up and down on the top bunk bed as he egged his brother on, eyes sparkling. Maddy winced at the thudding noise Sean’s trainer-clad feet made as they hit Ronan’s ribs.
    It was a mistake to stop. It distracted the horrors. They jumped up and ran to the door to see what Maddy and Danny were up to.
    â€˜Ooooh, you’re going into a
girl’s
room,’ crowed Ronan, while Sean and Paul erupted into laughter. ‘Are you going to play with their dollies? Are you going toput on lipstick?’ Sean puckered up and made kissing noises while fluttering his eyelashes.
    â€˜You won’t be so funny if I come over there and give you a pasting,’ said Danny, trying to fix them with his most threatening glare.
    â€˜Go ahead, try it, I dare ya!’ said Paul. ‘You know I can burst ya!’
    â€˜It’ll be worth it,’ said Danny.
    The two boys glared at each other and flexed imaginary muscles. Maddy rolled her eyes. It really was survival of the fittest in this house.
    â€˜Why are you going into Ro’s room anyway?’ asked Ronan, who had always been the slightly smarter one. ‘We’re not allowed in there.’
    â€˜None of your business,’ said Danny.
    â€˜If you’re going into Ro’s room, then so are we!’ said Sean, whom Maddy had always considered the slightly thicker one.
    Danny opened his mouth to argue with them just as they decided to charge. Maddy shoved him through the