Chapter 54

“That stinking little brownie!” came the shout from down the hall.

Neivayka came out of her meditation with a jerk. She was once again trying to fix the cracks around the Spot; it seemed to be a never-ending ordeal anymore.

She looked behind her where the subject of the angry outburst had been sleeping. Now, Pete was sitting in a circle staring at colorful rocks and other trinkets as if they were the best treasures that he had ever seen. He was admiring each piece, then sorting and resorting until they were perfect.

“What did you do?” Neivayka asked, staring him down.

Pete squeaked and tried to hide his treasures underneath her pillow. Neivayka jumped up and stopped him before he could get very far.

“I’ve seen them it’s useless to try and hide them. How did you get these things?” Neivayka demanded just as her door burst open.

“Where is he?” Pontius demanded.

Pete let out a squeak and hid underneath his blanket like a kid from a monster.