Heroes of the Secret Underground Chapter Sampler

Louie follows the boys and Honey up the Grand Staircase. She reaches the Manor Room and pulls out her master key. Teddy stomps his feet, impatient for her to unlock the door. Her master key opens every room, from the basement to the watchtower. When the door opens, Teddy bolts past her with Honey, while Bert’s more careful this time. Louie watches through the doorway of the Manor Room. It’s her most loved room, where light dances through the balcony railings, making patterns on the towering windows. Golden chandeliers drip yellow shimmers across the velvet lounge and, when there are no guests there, she snuggles into the soft pillows like a Cheshire cat. While Louie arranges the blooms into the vase, Bert checks out a loose leg on the king-sized bed. She smiles. The Majestic would fall apart without Bert. Louie pads onto the balcony, overlooking the fountain with its cast-iron baby cherubs. When Teddy hugs the baby cherubs with their rusting toes, Louie does too. Then Bert laughs at them. But sometimes you have to hug the things you love. Louie reaches into her jeans for the locket. Cradling it in her hand, Louie searches for answers. Who was the strange girl in the flowing white dress? What did she want? Why did she leave it there on the footpath? She touches the rose gold with its labyrinth of swirling patterns, circles and lines. Tracing the patterns with

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