The Warlock's Gambit Read Online Free PDF Page A

bucket on the floor beside her.
    She was mopping the floor, but paused to curtsy to Arthur.
    “That would be Maid,” said Vassalus.
    “Where’d she come from?” Morgan asked.
    “Must’ve appeared in the hallway after the battle,” Lexi said. “I guess she’s been out here cleaning and we just didn’t know.”
    Arthur wondered who had decided to make Maid look like … this … because, except for the bandages and the lack of a face — which was kind of creepy no matter what — she was … well, she was wearing a French maid outfit.
    “Wow, her skirt's almost as short as yours, Morgan.”
    Morgan spun around and looked at him as if he were nuts. “My skirt is not that short!”
    “Um, yes — it is.”
    “Arthur, it's school regulation! And you know it!”
    The length of Morgan’s skirt was something all the boys in their class were aware of.
    “Morgan, school regulation is within three inches of the knee. You’re not even close. Honestly, I can't believe you haven't been busted for it.”
    “Yeah, well, I don’t get busted — not since fourth grade. I make straight A’s and never cause trouble. Unlike you, I don’t bring attention to myself.”
    “Your parents don’t say anything about it? Wait!” Arthur jumped on the half-muttered admission with a grin. “What happened in fourth grade?”
    “Didn’t you hear me, moron? No negative attention. I mind my business and fly under the radar. You should try it sometime.”
    “Um …” Arthur's mind spun as he tried to figure out how she had turned the conversation around on him — and dodged his question. Weren't they supposed to be talking about her skirt?
    Before he could think of anything smart to say, Morgan rolled her eyes and marched off towards the Great Room.
    Arthur glanced at Lexi for help, but she just gave him the cat version of a shrug. And Vassalus refused to meet his eyes. So he trudged after her, assuming the skirt issue was over. He was wrong.
    Morgan paused before opening the door to the Great Room. “You don't like my skirt?”
    “Um … I do.” It came out halfway between a statement and a question.
    Morgan narrowed her eyes. “You do?”
    “Yes. Of course.”
    “You don't think it's weird?”
    “Well, yeah. But in a good way.”
    “Do you think my skirt is too short?”
    Arthur sighed. “Morgan, I think your outfit is awesome. Let’s leave it at that — okay?”
    She chewed at her lip a few moments. “Yeah, okay.”
    Arthur pushed open the door, and Morgan stepped through the foot-wide, glowing triskelion that still guarded the room. Arthur smiled. This room was the only one in the Manse that he actually remembered. It reminded him of something out of a castle and felt comfortingly familiar. Tapestries draped the stone walls, and an enormous, multicolored rug covered the wood floor. Maid had a lot of work cut out for her in here. Dust coated the high-backed chairs, overstuffed couches, plump ottomans, and coffee tables spread throughout the room. Cobwebs hung in the corners and on the massive chandelier, giving it the look of a cloud of raindrops suspended in midair. Gaslights flickered on the walls, making everything warm and cheery despite the dust.
    Directly across from the entrance to the Grand Hallway was the only door that led out of the house: the Door To Many Worlds. Above that door was a red light and a green light. When the green one was lit, they could open the door and step out onto whatever world they had come to. When the red one was glowing, like now, going outside would mean stepping into empty space … or, as Lady Ylliara had called it, the Song Between the Verses. Either way, stepping out now while the light was red would get them killed.
    Fires roared in the giant fireplaces on each side of the Great Room. Over one mantel hung the enormous head of a strange, emerald-green insect creature with yellow eyes and fur-covered antlers. A shield hung over the other mantel. The sword Arthur had borrowed to