Isle of Winds (The Changeling Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

there was a right old rush to get at you. I’m surprised Strife wasn’t there to jump in the window the minute it happened! You got out just in time, I don’t mind telling you! Old Burro can only do so much after all. I don’t think he could hold Janus for more than a month. But then no one knew where you’d gone. Off on a train with a suitcase? Who knew? I had to track you through the redcaps.” She shuddered. “And they’re never fun to deal with… And do you have any idea how difficult it is to tear through on a moving train? From a stationary point over there to a moving point over here?” She shuddered again. “Trust me, the physics involved are horrible.”
    Robin held up his hands in a desperate bid to stop her babbling. “Wait,” he said. “Hold on a second…”
    She stopped talking and blinked at him expectantly.
    “Who are you? Did you … did you know my Gran?”
    The girl seemed genuinely surprised by this. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, staring at him. He noticed that her eyes were a startling shade of gold. He had never seen anyone with eyes that colour before. Was she wearing contact lenses?
    “Oh,” she said eventually, as realisation dawned. “You don’t know … who I am?”
    Robin shook his head carefully.
    “Your Grandmother never…” she trailed off, frowning with incredulity.
    “What do you know about my Gran?” Robin asked. “Do you … I mean, did you know her?”
    The girl shook her head absently. “Only by reputation,” she muttered, lost in thought. She looked up, golden eyes gleaming. “Well,” she said. “This certainly complicates things, doesn’t it?”
    Robin, who was of the opinion that the conversation was already complicated enough, looked back at the agitated girl helplessly. She had sunk back in the chair. Her small form almost drowned in the tatty coat. She glowered at him moodily, as though he was being difficult on purpose.
    “My name’s Robin,” he said, hoping this might help.
    “I know what your name is,” the girl replied impatiently. “It’s written all over you.” She bit her lip in a thoughtful manner. “I was kind of counting on you being up to speed…”
    “What’s your name?” Robin asked, feeling as though the two of them were speaking different languages.
    She looked at him suspiciously. “Can’t you tell?”
    “How would I tell? You haven’t got a nametag on you, have you,” he replied. She was beginning to annoy him.
    She rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, now I remember. It’s different for you lot, isn’t it? You have to be told. Sorry, I forget how it works sometimes.”
    “Us lot?”
    The girl held out her hand, very formally. “My name,” she said, “… is Karya.”
    Robin shook her hand a little awkwardly. She had a firm grip. “Okay,” he said. “Are you on the train with your parents?”
    She dropped his hand unceremoniously. “My what?”
    “Your parents?” Robin repeated. “You know, your Mum and Dad?”
    “Oh, them…” Karya made a face. “No. I’m here on my own.” She glanced at the compartment door with its covered window. “I hope,” she added warily.
    The train rumbled on for a few seconds. There was nothing but the clack-clack of the tracks and the gentle swaying of the carriage.
    “Where are you going, Robin?” Karya asked eventually, seeming to come to some decision.
    “Um … Barrowood,” Robin replied. “Do you know it?”
    “Parts of it,” she replied.
    “I’m going to meet this woman, she’s called Irene. Apparently, she’s my great aunt.”
    “Yes?” Karya pressed.
    Robin shrugged. “I think I’m going to live with her,” he said, without much enthusiasm. “It’s all been arranged with Social Services, but no one really tells me much. It’s all a bit mysterious.”
    “Irene,” Karya said in a half whisper. “Well … that’s a good move. Good old Burro. Wouldn’t have expected her to be up for it…”
    “What are you on about now?” Robin asked,