The Solstice Cup Read Online Free PDF Page B

tunic she’d been holding above her waist fall back to her ankles.
    â€œAll right, we’re here,” she whispered through clenched teeth. “What’s next, according to your great plan?”
    Breanne hid her basket in a recess between two small boulders at the foot of a tall stone wall. “Now we check out the party.”
    â€œI can’t believe I’m doing this,” Mackenzie muttered, trying to ignore the tightening in her chest. She rummaged in her own basket until she found the small bundle that held the food and water she’d grabbed from Maigret’s shack. She slipped the bundle down the front of her bulky tunic and retied her belt. It was awkward, but it allowed her to keep both hands free. When she was satisfied that the provisions were secure, she hid her basket beside her sister’s.
    â€œCome on, over here,” Breanne beckoned.
    Mackenzie followed her sister to the base of a steep staircase, dimly lit by torches. She looked up and shook her head. “I can’t do it.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, you can’t do it?” Breanne said. She was already on the fifth stair.
    â€œI mean this is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done, and I’m not following you anymore.”
    â€œOh, whatever,” said Breanne. “I’m sick of listening to you whine.”
    Mackenzie watched her sister drag her left leg after her right one up the stairs. Breanne hesitated for a second at the top and then disappeared.
    â€œShe didn’t even turn around,” Mackenzie muttered in disbelief. She waited for a few moments, willing her sister to reappear at the top of the steps. When the stairs remained empty, she looked back toward the water. Maigret’s shack wasn’t visible in the dark. “I hate you sometimes, Breanne!”
    Mackenzie took a deep breath and forced herself to start climbing. Her heart nearly stopped when a hand reached for her at the top of the stairs.
    â€œIt’s only me,” Breanne whispered as she pulled Mackenzie into a dark alcove. “I can’t believe it—look! It is Faeryland!”
    Mackenzie stared openmouthed at the scene in front of them. Illuminated by flickering yellow torches, a procession of masked merrymakers leapt and spun down an avenue lined with leafless trees. The dancers seemed to grow and shrink and even change shape as they moved in and out of the shadows. Mackenzie caught glimpses of hooves, antlers and giant wings. Everything was in motion. She felt dizzy just watching the flickering scene.
    Mackenzie stepped back against the stone wall behind her and tried to catch her breath. “All right, we’ve seen it—can we please go now?”
    â€œWe’re not exactly dressed for this party, are we?” said Breanne, raising a hand to her wet hair.
    â€œNot exactly,” Mackenzie said, her voice strained. She grabbed her sister’s arm. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
    â€œI was kidding,” Breanne said. “Who cares what we look like? We’re never going to get another chance like this!”
    Before Mackenzie could react, Breanne wrenched her arm away and launched herself into the teeming crowd. The dull fabric of her tunic disappeared almost instantly in the sea of exotic colors.
    â€œBreanne!” Mackenzie called. Her voice was lost in the music and the clamor of the dancing throng. With no time to think, she leaped after her sister.
    It was like falling back into the dark river that had swept them underground. The dancers surged forward, and Mackenzie was carried along with them, past the spot where she’d last seen Breanne. She heard a strange hissing, clicking chorus rise around her. Bony fingers poked and prodded her body. Terrified, she tried to fight her way back to the edge of the crowd.
    A hand closed around her arm before she could escape. “You look lost,” a voice purred in her ear.
    The world around her stopped