Read Temple Boys for Free Online Page A

What?”
    â€œYeshua. The others. I said it would make enough trouble just coming to the city but no, he said he had to make a big statement and really show people what he was about.”
    â€œAnd what is he about? At first I thought he was a magician, but then…” Flea protested.
    â€œThat’s just what people call him when they want to put him down. Don’t you understand? He hasn’t come here to turn water into wine or pull eggs out of children’s ears, he’s come to … What’s going on now?”
    Because the sound was growing even louder. Howls. Screams. And now fighting.
    The magician’s words had obviously hit home with the crowd. They seemed to be determined to rid the Temple of all symbols of money and trade. As Flea watched, a money changer clutching a bag broke free from the crush, but he was chased down and disappeared under a billowing sea of robes. Flea saw a trader trying to sneak toward the western gate with a wicker basket of white doves. He was spotted and started to sprint, holding his tunic up with one hand and the basket with the other. A small mob gave chase and surrounded him. A dove fluttered upward, bloodstained and panicked, and just as it looked as if it might fly free, a hand reached out and dragged it back.
    The trumpet blast was harsh and shocking. Jude grabbed Flea. “The Temple Police! Will your gang have the sense to get out?”
    â€œThe ones that can run will. But the others will be in big trouble—Clump and Crutches especially. They’re breaking the Laws of Perfection.”
    â€œAnd things will be even worse if the Imps wade in,” Jude said. “He’s gone and done it this time. Look, get out now! I’ll find your friends and if I don’t see you later, see you tomorrow. Outside your shelter!”
    And he was gone.

 
    11
    Flea huddled in the entrance to the shelter along with Big, Little Big, Crouch, Halo, and Crutches. The woman who lived in the hovel opposite was beating out a rug, and her stuck-up daughter was airing the mattresses and giving them a good beating—they crammed their house full of out-of-towners for the feast and lived off the rent for the rest of the year.
    Dust flew. The daughter stared at them. Flea made faces at her, but it was pretty clear why she was interested. Big had a split lip, Little Big had a black eye and seemed groggy. Crutches had been knocked over and kicked. Crouch was curled up on his side, his hair still wet from spit and his tunic torn. There was no sign of Snot, the twins, Gaga, Clump, Hole-in-the-Head, or Red.
    Halo was sobbing loudly and when Big cuffed him, Flea exploded. “What are you doing? You should never have gone into the Temple. You were meant to rob the magician, not join up with him and his washed-up followers.”
    â€œFlea,” Big said. “Shut up before I hang you upside down.”
    Flea ignored the threat. “What happened to ‘Never trust anyone bigger than yourself’? We could have cleaned up. At least I had a go.”
    â€œFlea!” Big’s tone became more urgent.
    â€œThis is what happens when you suck up to adults … tramps!… northerners!… con artists!… show-offs!…”
    â€œFlea!”
    â€œWhat?” Flea screamed back.
    Everyone was laughing at him, then looking past him, then at him and laughing some more.
    â€œWhat, you stupid bastards?”
    â€œBehind you, fool.” He turned.
    The missing gang members, the magician, and his followers were filling the alleyway. Yesh had his hands on Clump’s and Gaga’s shoulders, eyebrows raised. The others, with the rest of the Temple Boys, stood behind him.
    Everyone seemed amused.
    To cover his confusion, Flea decided to carry on where he left off. “So? So they’re not dead? Big deal. We meet a magician and he doesn’t kill us. Great trick. It was a riot! Halo and Crouch could have gotten stoned