The Jade Boy Read Online Free Page B

her button-bright eyes anxiously scanning one face then the other.
    Ann shook her head as if trying to clear cobwebs from her thoughts. She continued, “For months now, he has been seeking
the boy of jade
. At first we thought it was an object made from the precious green stone, but our investigations led nowhere, and now we think it is a person. We think it is you, Jem
Green
.”
    Ann emphasised Jem’s name when she spoke and looked at him intently. She smiled tightly at Jem’s baffled expression before continuing, “Oh, I know he seems so controlled and powerful, but behind that arrogant painted exterior he has been utterly desperate. Jem, I must know, if you are the boy of jade, what is it about you that has driven Cazalon into a frenzy of desire?”
    Ann stared at him expectantly.
    Jem looked blank. He was a just lowly servant. Apart from his mother, and when he was much younger, the duchess, no one had ever showed theslightest interest in him – except to humiliate and punish him. He wracked his brains, but couldn’t think of a single thing that might make him interesting to the count.
    “I have no idea what you are talking about. There’s nothing special about me. I’m just a
gypsy brat.
” He answered sourly, mimicking Pig Face’s reedy voice.
    The room was quiet for a moment.
    Ann reached across the table and took another pie. She began to eat it in a dainty way, but after the first couple of neat bites she started to cram the pastry and spiced meat into her mouth.
    “These are very good,” she said through a mouthful of crumbs. “Tolly, have another one, quickly.”
    The dark boy didn’t hesitate. Jem realised that the two children and the monkey were ravenous. He looked at the table and felt a pang of fear when he saw how many pies were now missing. There was no doubt who Pig Face and Wormald would blame… They would take it in turns to beat him later.
    Suddenly Cleo leapt from Ann’s lap and scampered to the end of the table. Her small body went rigid as she stared at the door, then she raced back to Tolly’s feet and started to chatter furiously. He scooped her from the floor.
    “Ann, someone is coming, we must be ready,” he said anxiously.
    The girl wiped crumbs from her skirts and stood up. She turned to Jem and took his hand again.
    She held her head to one side, frowned and then smiled broadly. “You don’t like the steward here, W– Wormy? Is that his name?”
    Jem nodded. “Er yes, sort of, but how…?”
    Ann grinned mischievously. “Never mind how for the moment, let’s just say that Mr Wormy is about to develop a rather embarrassing condition. I’m so glad we’ve found you, Jem. And I’m sorry too – there’s much more to say, but we have no time left. We need your help – and I think you’re going to need ours.”
    Ann took a step back, raised her arms and began to spin slowly on the spot.
    “Wait!” called Jem, but it was already too late.
    Little flickers of blue light began to spark from the tips of her fingers and the air around her started to shimmer. Jem heard her voice as if from somewhere far away.
    “You are right to fear Cazalon. He is a monster…”
    The girl’s last words were little more than a whisper as she spun faster and faster. There was a blinding flash and she disappeared.
    Tolly bent down to retrieve a small glittering beetle from the flagstones. Carefully he lifted it up to his turban and Jem watched, fascinated, as he nestled it into the folds of material. It was now a jewelled clasp again.
    The door to the kitchen swung open and Wormald appeared. He paused and sniffed the air suspiciously before stalking over to the boys. When he saw Cleo, his nose wrinkled in distaste.
    “You, monkey boy. Your master is calling for you and that noxious, repulsive beast. Out. Now!”
    Tolly straightened his coat, drew himself up to his full height, lifted Cleo to his shoulder and began to saunter confidently across the kitchen.
    “A moment!” Wormald’s