Dragon Keepers #1: The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo, John Shroades Page B

sphere he used to cast his spells.”
    â€œHis cows gave magical milk,” said Daisy.
    â€œWhen you drank the milk, you had the power to fly.”
    â€œAnd talk to animals,” Jesse said.
    â€œAnd breathe underwater,” Daisy added.
    â€œAt least we think so,” said Jesse.
    Standing on her hind legs, Emmy rolled the Sorcerer’s Sphere gently back and forth. Her pulse fluttered in her throat. “Like!” she said. “Like. Lotsandlotsandlotsandlots.”
    â€œHere we go again,” Daisy said. “She’s definitely hoarding.”
    â€œMaybe not,” said Jesse. “It’s not like it’s gold or anything.” He stopped.
Or is it? Could there be gold beneath the dirt and the rust?
    â€œWe found it in the brook in the pasture,” Daisy told Emmy.
    â€œWe figure it belonged to the farmer. Maybe it’s a piece from one of his old machines,” Jesse said.
    Emmy shook her head quickly. “Not,” she said.
    â€œYou mean it didn’t come from a machine?” Jesse asked.
    â€œThis. Old,” she said. “This. Oldoldoldoldoldoldoldold.”
    â€œIt’s real old,” Jesse said, agreeing. “The farmer moved away ages ago…before Daze and I were even born.”
    â€œOld!”
Emmy insisted with a rapid shake of her head. “From. The. Time. Be. Fore!”
    Jesse shot Daisy a look.
    â€œReally?” Daisy asked. “So what is it, then?”
    The dragon stood taller and looked around, as if searching the barn for the answer. Finally, she said, “I. For. Get,” her eyes whirling.
    â€œThat’s a big help,” said Daisy.
    â€œShow. Em. Meee,” Emmy urged. “Show. Em. Meee. Where. NOW!”
    â€œWhoa,” said Jesse. “Show Emmy where now
what
?”
    Emmy turned away from the Sorcerer’s Sphere and launched herself off the shelf before either cousin could catch her. She lifted her arms, and the delicate web of skin beneath each arm was enough to float her to the floor like a miniature hang glider. Then she scampered out the barn door.
    â€œMaybe she wants us to show her where we found the sphere,” suggested Daisy.
    When the cousins caught up with the dragon, they led her toward the brook to the spot where moss grew on the bank like tufts on a green velvet quilt.
    â€œIt was here,” said Daisy, pointing at the deepest part of the brook. At this time of year, the water came up to the cousins’ chests. “We found it in August, when the water was really low.”
    Jesse knelt down on the soft moss and dipped his hand into the water. He pulled it back. The brook, which flowed down from the Old Mother, was freezing. It wouldn’t be warm enough to swim in until mid-August.
    Emmy stood on the bright green moss and stared into the silvery brook. After a while, she began to make a high humming noise, her throat throbbing wildly. She stopped, then teetered. The next thing they knew, Emmy had tumbled into the water headfirst with a SPLASH!
    â€œYikes!” screamed Daisy. “I can’t see her. Can you?”
    Jesse tried to see beneath the surface, but the reflection of the sun on the water made that nearly impossible.
    Daisy was already tearing off her sneakers and socks. She pulled her sweatshirt over her head and tossed it on the bank. Then she waded into the brook and, pinching her nose between her fingers, ducked under the water.
    Seconds passed and Jesse waited. What if Daisy and Emmy both drowned? Or, more likely, froze to death? He kicked off his sneakers, peeled off his socks, took a deep breath, and prepared to save them both. Just then Daisy stood up in the middle of the brook. Sputtering and coughing, she was holding Emmy high in one hand.
    Daisy waded toward the bank and thrust Emmy at Jesse. “Wrap her in my sweatshirt. I have to g-g-g-go get this wet stuff off or I’m g-going to f-f-freeze to death. Plan?” Daisy didn’t