Read In Deep Dark Wood for Free Online Page B

her.
    Mia blushed.
    ‘Is she growing plants in it like Barney Hackett did?’
    Mia looked uncomfortable, unsure of what to say.
    ‘Is it like an aviary? Filled with birds?’ asked Rory. ‘Is that it? Mrs Blackwell loves birds, doesn’t she?’
    Grateful to her brother, Mia just nodded. She didn’t want to deceive her family and tell lies, but she had to protect Bella and the dragons.
    ‘Was that a bird I saw you with the other night – you were carrying it in next door?’ asked Granny.
    Glad of her Granny’s poor eyesight, Mia tried to think of what to say without telling a blatant lie.
    ‘It strayed outside, Granny. The poor thing got injured a while ago and I managed to catch it for Bella.’
    ‘You’re a good girl, Mia. I’m lucky to have such a granddaughter.’
    Suddenly, as if realising that she had said too much, Mia stood up to go.
    ‘Listen, Mia, pet, I’d prefer if you didn’t go next door this evening. If you want to do something useful, why don’t you put the lead on poor Jackie and take her for a walk.’ Granny Rose watched the expression on Mia’s face carefully.
    Mia didn’t know what to say. Why was Granny being such an interfering old busybody? Grabbing the dog’s lead, she ran out the back door, Jackie yelping with delight and in a frenzy of excitement at the prospect of a walk.
    Rose Murphy sighed as her granddaughter left the room. ‘Rory, things are much worse than I expected. Mia is obsessed with that woman. She’s in great danger and we must try to protect her.’
    Rory was stunned. This was a bit over the top. He came over and sat down near Granny. He was really fond of her and always did as she told him to, but what she was saying sounded barmy. He looked at her closely. Rose Murphy was a big, broad, strong, sensible Wicklow woman, not given to superstitious talk, and he knew she would move heaven and earth for the sake of her family.
    ‘Mia’s all right, Granny. Don’t worry about her.’
    ‘I can’t help it, Rory. You know, you and Mia are so different! You’re so practical, but your sister lives in her imagination. She’s caught up in something now, I can sense it.’
    ‘You think the Bird Woman is dangerous?’
    ‘Aye,’ murmured Granny. ‘What would the likes of that Bella Blackwell want with your sister? Has she no family orgrandchildren of her own? I can’t figure it out. It’s as if she’s put a spell on the child, bewitched her. Why would the old woman do such a thing?’
    Rory could see Granny was getting agitated. Her face was flushed, her hands were shaking. The situation with Mia and Bella was obviously upsetting her and that worried him.
    ‘I’ll look after Mia, Granny, I promise!’
    ‘You’re a good boy, Rory. I think I’m beginning to understand the danger Mia faces. Your sister needs to be kept safe, protected.’
    ‘I’ll keep a good eye on her, don’t you worry,’ said Rory, giving his grandmother a hug.
    Reassured, Granny Rose took up the newspaper crossword and a pen.
    ‘Conjuring tricks, five letters?’
    ‘Magic,’ replied Rory automatically. The two of them finished off the crossword together.

Chapter 8
Dragon Days
    T he young dragons were getting bigger and stronger everyday. Even Mia realised that they could no longer remain hidden in the glasshouse, for they were rapidly outgrowing the space it provided. They were constantly hungry too, and calling for more and more food.
    ‘They need to learn to hunt and provide some of their own nourishment,’ said Bella. ‘It’s not good for them to be cooped up like this. I caught Arznel and Oro fighting this morning, jostling for territory.’
    Worried, Mia reached down and stroked Trig’s bumpy forehead. The young dragon still came to her the minute he saw her, snuffling against her, touching her gently with his head, looking for attention. In her mind he was the finest of them all. He might not be as big as the others yet, but to her he seemed more beautiful, better proportioned.