I think that this story takes place sometime between the first book and the second.
Chapter 2: When a Thief is Caught
He smiled a wretched, dreadful, almost agonizing smile. "Do you have a good explanation as to why you are in MY tower, let alone MY castle?"
Most people would have fell down at his feet begging for mercy, but Wren was not like that. "Could be I was looking for something." She said. "Oh…And what would that be for a young girl. Hmmm! Maybe a dark, spooky castle. Ways to prove that all the rumors about this place are true. What is it?" His voice was rising at a fast pace, and Wren had heard what had happened when he got mad. She decided to take her chances.
"You know, I don't really know." She shrugged, and kept her voice calm and steady. This made his temper rise like fire in a forge.
He threw her against the wall, and his hand came up, onto, her throat, in such a quick motion she had no time to react. "First, you sneak into my tower hoping that you can steal something, and if you're caught you'll get mercy because you look so innocent." Wren knew this wasn't true, but her vision was fading at the corners of her eyes, making her have to focus on his horrid face. "Second, I asked you a question, and you still have never answered." He released his grip on her, but did not let go entirely, perhaps so she could speak.
"To…To come to see you my Lord." She spat "my lord" out like a snake, and received no mercy. Her vision clouded, causing her more pain. She did not feel it long, however, for she drifted into those unstable stages of unconscious. She felt herself slide down the wall, and hit the hard, cold, wood floors.
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Wren woke with a disruptive feeling. She instantly realized she was in a nice bed. How long had she been asleep? Were the John brothers still waiting for her, risking THEIR lives every second, just to save her, captured though she was? Her mind flooded back with the memories of when she entered, and she shuddered. She sat up in the bed when she thought that there might still be a way for her to escape. Her planning was interrupted by Carrion.
"You're awake I see. How nice." He was about fifteen feet from her, sitting in a nice black velvet chair, reading a book. Wren scowled at him, even though she was thanking him for not letting her get thrown into the dungeons. He noticed her dislike," So you would rather be staying in the dungeons?" Her angered face quickly turned normal. She shook her head. "I thought you wouldn't." He said.
The Lord of Midnight was instantly back in business. "I know that you were not just here to see me. Who would be stupid enough to come in a back way, wishing to see me?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "You were looking for something weren't you?" Wren hid her anger from sight. She was mad that he had noticed her fowl so easily. Perhaps it was obvious? "Yes." She whispered. He nodded, then proceeded, "Anything imparticular? A book?" she shook her head, then said "Anything. How did you know all this?"
" I have my secrets," He said, priding himself. "I think I should let you get some more sleep. We have more business to discuss when you wake up." Then he left Wren in her fury, alone and helpless. I'm his rat. His test subject. He doesn't care what happens to me. She thought. At least he had given her a bed? That is nice for someone who just broke into you're house, she decided.
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"What is taking her so long! That girl! You are risking all our lives out here Mischief! Let her go! Turn back!" John Moot said. But John Mischief wouldn't turn back. Couldn't. He could not let her stay in that ugly tower, with all its terrors, knowing that she could still be alive, depending on them. "It's no use! Trust us!" This voice was Swallow's.
"No! No, no, no! What if she's still in there ALIVE! Think about that! She could've just run into something and had to deal with it. Like what we've done. You think she would just lay herself down at a maid's feet? She's not like that. THAT is why we would recruit her. Because she's no dummy, and because she doesn't give her freedom away so mercifully! You would all dead if we didn't stick together, and if I wasn't the head brother! But Wren has the wits, cunning, and intelligence of all of us put together!" There was some short arguing about John Mischief keeping them alive, but in the end they all agreed. They needed each other, but Wren did not.
They all sighed one big sigh as they thought of who else was like Wren. Candy Quakenbush. The stolen ship was silent as they mourned their last departure from her.
"We promised we'd see her again." John Drowze said, trying to cheer them up. "Mama Isabella will not fail us." As if to keep her promise, the sea below them let one wave send sea mist into the eight pairs of eyes, cheering them, and giving them new hope for Wren.
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Wren found she could not sleep. She remembered her bag, and how it had food in it, and searched herself. No bag. She searched the floor by the bed. Still no bag. She cursed in old Abaratian. This was not going to be a friendly visit.
" I want my bag, and I know you have it!" She shouted into the darkness. Her words echoed around the huge room. There was no answer. She got out of the bed, but before she could do anything, an invisible force held her. She looked up at the ceiling. There were creatures of horror, all of which would scare a child. But Wren was no child; she had faced many perils. But the longer she looked at them, the more they seemed to move. I'm going crazy! She looked around the room. It was windowless, and there were books of all kinds stacked to the ceiling. This is the Great Library. Wren thought.
She tried to move again, but still that force held her. Then she sat down on the bed. The force let her go.
"You never fail to impress me. Even though I have only known you a short while." His voiced boomed through the darkness surrounding Wren. "I want my bag!" She shouted aimlessly. "Ah…Had enough have you? Am I to boring? How sad. Perhaps I should lighten your mood."
He can out of the shadows, carrying her bag. "Give that to me!" She shouted. She tried to stand and grab it, but her efforts were pointless-that force held her to the bed. As if to taunt her, he pulled back a little. "No? You wish not to have it?" Before he could do anything, Wren yelled, "No! I want it! Give it to me!" "You spoiled child." He said, and with that, threw her bag on the bed. She eagerly looked through it to find her rations were still there. By now, she was starving, and ate every crumb. He looked at her, and his look was unreadable. He started to depart, but as he reached the handle of the door leading away from the Library, he said " Feel free to roam outside the Towers, and ONLY outside. But be careful, for there are creatures. Evil creatures." And he opened the door and left.