Free The Explorers’ Gate by Chris Grabenstein

want in return?”
    â€œAh! Something quite simple, really. A small favor.”
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    â€œWillem.”
    â€œWhy do you want him?”
    â€œWell, dear, one way for me to insure that I will assume my rightful place upon the throne is to eliminate my only competition.”
    â€œBut Willem’s not a prince. He’s just a kid.”
    â€œOh, let’s not play games. You know Willem is King Kroll’s eldest son and designated heir!”
    Actually, I didn’t know that. I thought he was Garrett Vanderdonk’s brother.
    â€œI … I …” I was confused.
    â€œGo ahead,” said Loki. “Think about it. Take your time.”
    He tapped his foot.
    â€œTime’s up.”
    â€œI can’t,” I muttered.
    â€œOh, I believe you can. All you need to do is bring him to an isolated spot in the park. Certain friends of mine will take care of the rest.”
    Yeah, I thought. Friends with mohawks, knives, and scars.
    â€œI’m waiting, Nikki. Patiently, if I do say so myself.”
    â€œYou’re right, I guess. I can betray Willem.”
    â€œExcellent. They told me you were intelligent, although, I must say, following a stranger into a dark cave shows a certain lack of, shall we say, ‘street smarts.’ Now then …”
    I cut him off: “I can , meaning ‘I am able to.’ But I won’t. Sorry I used the wrong verb the first time. My bad.”
    â€œYou can help me but you won’t?”
    â€œOkay, we’ll go with that.”
    Loki scooped up some coins and let them dribble through his fingers. “Your father is a very thirsty man, Nikki. Perhaps you should reconsider.”
    â€œNope.”
    Rage reddened his face again. “Why not?”
    â€œKing Kroll went to my mother and father’s wedding.”
    â€œFoolish, sentimental little girl. Fine. So be it. There is more than one way for me to predetermine the outcome of this contest. Did you know that Prince Willem and the muscle-bound Vanderdonk boy failed six times in their crown-hunting practice sessions before they finally found you? Without you leading the way, those two imbeciles couldn’t find a crown if it was glued to their heads. Come Tuesday night, if you, for some reason, were unable to participate in the final round, your new friends will not stand a chance!”
    The circle of grimy little men with boogers caked on their noses tightened around me.
    â€œSo you’re going to kill me instead of Willem?”
    â€œKill you? Hmmm. Although I see some merit in your suggestion, Miss Van Wyck, there’s really no need for such theatrics when all we need to do is lock you away until Wednesday morning.”
    â€œIf I don’t come home tonight, my father will call the police!”
    â€œDoubtful. Our friends will make certain your father never knows you’re gone. A few extra cases of beer is all it should take, don’t you agree?”
    â€œYou’re a horrible, deceitful, despicable creature.”
    â€œI know. Won’t I make the most magnificent king? Lock her away, gentlemen!”
    â€œWhich cage, boss?” asked Globbo.
    Loki stroked his goatee. “Hmmm. I think the one with the snakes in the ceiling.”
    I grimaced.
    â€œOr perhaps the bats?”
    I almost threw up.
    Loki grinned. “Yes! Of course. The bats! ”

Chapter 19
    I was taken to a prison cell carved out of stone.
    Globbo slammed the steel door shut. I heard a rusty key twist. A heavy lock shut with a thunk .
    Fluttering light streamed into the dank chamber from a barred skylight in the ceiling. On the floor, in the wavering shadows, I saw a grate, about two feet square. It reminded me of the drain where Balto had found that first clue for our make-believe Crown Quest.
    I never should’ve gone into the park with Garrett and Willem. I wouldn’t have been in such a mess if I hadn’t listened to the wind