The Pillars of Ponderay (24 page)

W
hen the last of the partygoers had finally cleared out of the Main Chamber, Albert, Leroy, and Birdie stood on the edge of the cavernous space, ready to head for home.

“Even though there's lots of scary stuff going on,” Birdie said as she hugged Jadar good-bye, “I still don't want to leave. Probably even more so than last term.”

“But it'll look suspicious if Albert leaves suddenly, and we don't go with him, too,” Leroy said. He pretended to be tough and wiped away tears as Geoff hopped across the bridge and out of sight, heading back to Cedarfell. “But I wish we could stay, too.”

Farnsworth whimpered as he watched his new companion friends fade away.

“I feel like the Core needs us now even more than ever,” Albert said. He scooped up Farnsworth and looked back at the Main Chamber, committing every detail to memory. What if the traitor struck again, while Albert was gone? What if something horrible happened, and he couldn't make it back here fast enough?

But he trusted his dad. He trusted Trey. And he knew that the only safe thing to do right then was to get himself and the last Master Tile out of the Core, away from danger.

“We should go,” Birdie said, putting her hand on Albert's arm. “I know it's hard. But we have to get that Master Tile out of here. Far, far away.”

“It's for the best.” Leroy nodded.

“I know,” Albert said with a sigh. It was hard, like ripping off a Band-Aid, but he turned his back on the Main Chamber, then pushed through the doors, leaving his dad and his friends, his second home, behind.

The gondola ride was as thrilling as always. The rush of wind hit Albert in the face, giving him some needed energy, soothing his thoughts. He was worried. More worried than he'd ever been, and leaving the Core didn't feel quite right.

When the gondola stopped at its station, the Path Hider was nowhere to be found. Farnsworth raced back and forth through the maze of pipes, sniffing away in
search of him. But just as Professor Flynn had expected, the Path Hider was down some dark tunnel where smoke and steam poured out like witch's brew. Albert, Birdie, and Leroy were glad of this, because the Path Hider might ask questions or call one of the Professors for clearance to let them go.

Farnsworth turned on his high beams, and Leroy walked right up to the knobs and levers that controlled the entry and exit to the Path Hider's domain. “I've watched him. I know what to do.”

“Gotta love that Synapse Tile,” Birdie said.

Leroy turned knobs and cranked levers like he'd been doing it for years. When he was done, Albert, Leroy, and Birdie made a race of things, running as fast as they could back to the orange platform, then scurrying through the tangle of vines once they made it to the Troll Tree.

Albert burst through the door first, breathless.

His IceBlitzer sat waiting for him, covered in a fresh sheet of snow.

“I'm going to check in on you guys, like, every day,” Birdie said, as they stood outside, saying their final good-byes.

“Yeah, if you need us, man, just call,” Leroy added.

Albert pulled both of them into a hug. “Stay safe out there.”

“We'll see each other soon enough,” Birdie promised. “I'll miss you like crazy.”

“Me too,” Albert said to both of them.

They went their separate ways, and Albert could tell the Path Hider's tools were set perfectly in motion by Leroy. Soon, Leroy and Birdie were gone, down a path he could not see.

“You ready, buddy?” Albert asked Farnsworth.

Farnsworth barked happily and Albert revved the IceBlitzer. Together, they raced across the snow toward the town of Herman, Wyoming.

I
t was late Christmas evening when Albert's mom finally picked him up at the airport in New York City. His dad had scheduled the first flight out, Pap had dropped him off at the closest airport to Herman, and now, hours later, here Albert was, wrapped in a giant mother-bear hug back in New York City.

“I missed you,” Albert's mom said as they drove home. Her makeup was runny from crying. “Did you have fun?”

“I missed you too, Mom,” Albert said, laughing. “I'm glad I could surprise you and make it back for Christmas. I had a blast in Herman, as always. But it's so good to be home. I'm glad you're okay.”

“We're glad, too,” she said. “It got scary for a moment,
Albert. I'm so relieved you weren't there. It's just nice to know you were off having fun. It was a mess.”

Farnsworth sat in the front seat. He growled playfully and licked Albert's chin. “Farnsworth had fun, too.”

Albert's mom reached over and patted the little dog on the head. “New York just isn't the same without you boys.”

The blizzard had let up, and as the city came into view, Albert grinned.

He loved the Core with all his heart, but New York was home, too. They piled out into the snowy streets.

Farnsworth raced ahead of them, yipping and snapping at snowflakes.

Albert smiled, remembering the Realm of Calderon and the Realm of Ponderay. He'd faced two of them already, and he'd come out alive.

Next term, he'd be ready for the traitor.

Deep in the Core, the Master sat waiting. He wore a dark cloak, and the hood concealed his face from the shimmering lights all around him.

He hated the Cave of Whispers. It was too happy, too bright, and it didn't help the impatience that flared as hot as dragon's fire in his heart.

His Apprentice was late, and if he didn't arrive soon, the Master would not be pleased. There was a creak of door hinges, followed by footsteps that echoed down the tunnel.

The Apprentice stepped into the light at the mouth of the cave.

“You're late,” the Master said. “There isn't time to spare.”

“My deepest condolences,” the Apprentice said. He rushed to the Master's side and stooped to one knee, then bowed with his hands outspread and offered up a small bundle of black silk. “I brought it, just like you asked.”

The Master plucked the silk bundle from the Apprentice's hands and unraveled it. An empty glass vial fell into the Master's lap. “I had plans to use this same poison to kill you for your failure in Ponderay,” he said.

The Apprentice stiffened, but did not run.

“But you have redeemed yourself with this,” the Master said. “You've done well, and you will be rewarded greatly for your allegiance.”

The Apprentice nodded. “I am yours, whatever you should ask of me.”

The Master nodded. The plan was in place. Soon, the Core would face dangers greater than anything it had ever known. Albert Flynn would return, and he would die in vain, trying to save a world that was already lost to the Master's control.

The Master threw his head back and laughed. Around his neck, two black Master Tiles hung side by side, as dark and menacing as the poison that had been used to help acquire both Tiles.

His laughter intensified throughout the Cave of
Whispers. The colors brightened and flashed, and the ground trembled in protest. Gems and diamonds crashed from the ceiling.

By the time the Master left, the Cave of Whispers was shattered and broken. Soon the Core would be forever under the Master's control.

I
t's so exciting to write a second set of “thanks” for Balance Keepers. I can't believe how much support and love I've gotten so far. Here's to all of you:

As always, to God, for having a plan for my life and easing me into it. You're the one who gave me the gift of writing, and for that, and everything else you've done to save me, I'm so thankful.

To my family: Lauren Cummings, Karen Cummings, Don Cummings, for helping me stay sane when I start to panic about due dates and reviews and everything that comes with being a writer. My husband, Josh, who listens to me whine and tells me that everything will work out. You're always right, but I'll never admit that (oops, I just did. I love you). To my extended family, the Ryans,
the Burlesons, and all of my friends, for supporting me!

My cousins Abby Haxel and Landon Davies, because you're the only members of my family who love books about as much as I do. You guys = awesome.

Everyone at HarperCollins, for
again
giving me a chance to tell my stories. My editor, Katie Bignell, for making this book shine and understanding my love of flowers that match book covers. Katherine Tegen, for having a rockin' imprint. Patrick Carman, for being a constant support and guiding voice in this process. Peter Rubie, for helping get this series a home. The cover artist and designers, because you guys have given this series AMAZING covers so far, and I just can't stop staring at them.

My agent, Louise Fury, who just seriously rocks in a million, bazillion different ways.

My army of animals, for inspiring me constantly, and here's to hoping my husband will let me get a black beagle that I can name Farnsworth. Wink wink.

Nicole Caliro at Barnes and Noble, who has been endlessly supportive toward all of my books—you have helped Balance Keepers make it in this crowded book world. HUGS.

To my teeny-tiny little town of Celina, Texas. Because I didn't think I'd like you, and it turns out moving here was the best thing I could have done for my writing career and life in general. Lifeway Church, for the
prayers. Linda Long at CHS, for welcoming me.

To my readers, who have loved this series from book one. To all the amazing school students I've visited, who have supported me and followed me on Instagram and kept up with all of my shenanigans.

To my army of #booknerdigans, for being rock stars, and always jumping to help promote at the drop of a hat (or a sudden email). Sasha Alsberg, for being my social media marketing maven. Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki, whose prayers and love and support are wonderful. Erin Gross, for all the hard work and support! Rebekah Faubion, for being another piece of my sanity.

The YA Valentines, who have shown constant love for me and been my voices of reason for several years now. Y'all. Are. Awesome.

To everyone I left out by accident, because I'm sure, inevitably, I will.

Lastly, to all the other writers and dreamers out there struggling to make it in this crazy business. You can do it. And you will.

Thank you.

Photo credit Haley B Photography

LINDSAY CUMMINGS
is a book blogger and the author of the teen series the Murder Complex. She lives in Texas with two German shepherds, one wolf cub who isn't very smart, a horse named Dan the Man, and a husband named Josh. She eats too many hot Cheetos and can't stop dyeing her hair crazy colors. You can visit her online at
www.lindsaycummingsbooks.com
.

Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at
hc.com
.

Cover art © 2015 by Kevin Keele

Logo art © 2014 by Jason Cook/début art

Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

BALANCE KEEPERS, BOOK 2: THE PILLARS OF PONDERAY
Copyright © 2015 by PC Studio, Inc.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Cummings, Lindsay.

The pillars of Ponderay / Lindsay Cummings. — First edition.

                
pages        cm — (Balance keepers ; #2)

Summary: “Eleven-year-old Albert Flynn and his teammates must restore balance to a hidden underground realm before the Imbalance causes the western coast of the United States to be consumed by earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters”—Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-0-06-227521-9 (hardback)

EPub Edition © September 2015 ISBN 9780062275233

[1.    Adventure and adventurers—Fiction.    2.    Magic—Fiction.    3.    Friendship—Fiction.    4.    Imaginary creatures—Fiction.    5.    Animals, Mythical—Fiction.    6.    Natural disasters—Fiction.]    I. Title.

15  16  17  18  19    
CG
/
RRDH
    10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

FIRST EDITION