Shifting Read Free

began to sprinkle.
    “Our weather here is the same as on the real Bedgewood Isles. I’m not sure how it all works exactly. But it’s a small connection to home.” They had stopped in front of an ominous brick building.
    “I can’t go inside,” said Jae, holding open the door. The look on his face said, I hope I see you again.
    The twins stepped inside the building, gulping hard. Before they shut the door Jae explained where they needed to go.
    “Take the winding stair up two levels,” he instructed. “Then take the staircase to your right and go down three levels.” His voice cracked at the end.
    Colin wrinkled his brow. Why not just go down one level to begin with? Meghan heard his thought, but ignored it, dragging him inside. One lone picture hung on an otherwise bare wall.
    “Nethanial Bedgewood, founder of the Svoda Gypsies,” read Meghan.
    “I guess that explains why it’s called Bedgewood,” said Colin nervously.
    9
    Once up the two flights of spiral stairs, they reached a hallway leading to the right. A few steps away another staircase headed downward. Upon arrival they came to an archway, with a hanging sign.
    Viancourt in session, do not enter!
    “Great! It says not to enter. Maybe we arrived too late,” Colin said. They decided to take a seat in what appeared to be a small waiting room. The fireplace was unlit and the twins shivered as they waited. They hoped to catch a glimpse of someone who could tell them whether they should enter or wait.
    They waited, silently, their minds still trying to comprehend all that had happened, when a pleasant voice came over a loud speaker.
    “New incoming message. Please listen carefully. In the case of Meghan and Colin Jacoby, a decision has been reached. Please enter through the archway within the next thirty seconds.” The pleasant woman’s voice came over the distant speaker again, counting down from thirty.
    Meghan grabbed Colin and dashed for the archway. As they passed through, an iron barrier slammed down behind them.
    The building changed too, the walls now made out of wooden planks, like a ship. They stepped cautiously down the only corridor, stopping at a door. Streaks of light snuck through the cracks in between thick wooden planks.
    The door creaked as it opened into a dimly lit room, made up of nine wooden desks. The desks were lined up in a semi-circle with a podium in front, which swiveled, to face an audience, or, the nine desks.
    Behind the row of desks was an elevated chair, currently empty. Lanterns and candles were the only light in the room and a smaller desk sat off to the side. A man hunched over it, scribbling notes.
    After seeing the twins’ arrival, he jumped up, guiding them to stand in front of the podium, in clear view of the desks. Only three of the chairs were occupied, two men (one being Garner Sadorus), and one woman. The twins assumed they were the Viancourt. The court examined the twins with great interest. However, not one of the three gave any indication as to what kind of decision they had made.
    “Please stand for Banon Juliska Nandalia Blackwell.” The twins were startled as the man who had assisted them announced the Banon’s entrance. A door opened from the back and she elegantly strode into the room, wearing a long-jacket as before. This time, it was emerald green and simpler in style. She took her seat in the raised chair behind the court.
    “You have come to a unanimous decision in the matter of the Jacoby siblings?” asked the note taker. The three court members answered “Yes” in unison. The man returned to his desk and began scribbling a transcript of the meeting. The one female court member, an older, rough looking woman, whose nameplate read, Tanzea Chase, was the first to speak.
    “I have been led to believe that you lived with your uncle. Is this correct?” Her voice was cold and the smell of mothballs emanated from her direction.
    Colin was shaking too hard to speak, so Meghan started.
    10
    “Yes,