Maddie drew a tarnished key out of her pocket. It glinted in the torchlight. Then her indigo eyes met Ezrick’s. He felt flushed. “Open it.” The box unlocked with a raspy crick, and slowly the lid creaked open. Ezrick and Maddie gaped, their worries swiftly replaced with wonder. Nestled in a bed of moss and leaves were two glittering eggs, one gold, the other pale blue. Their shells shimmered iridescently. Gold and blue . . . the royal colors of Urkeneye, Ezrick marveled. Carefully he took up the gold egg. It was rough and warm, about the size of the pigskin he kicked around the Gardens. Though, if he were to kick this thing, he’d likely break a toe. It was heavy as a stone. “They’re beautiful,” Ezrick whispered. “How do we hatch them? Maddie?” Maddie blinked out of her reverie. “Dunno. I was goin’ to ask you the same thing.” “But . . . you don’t know?” “How should I know? You’re the one who bloody sent for these things.” “It was your idea!” “It’s not my fault you wanted one, too!” Ezrick opened his mouth to argue, then promptly shut it again, knowing it would do no good. He put the egg back. “Fine. Maybe there’s instructions.” But there was nothing written on the box to
5