Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #3)

by Ransom Riggs

While seeing Emma in her underwear was an undeniably appealing prospect, all the life-threatening peril we’d endured lately had put that part of my teenage brain into a kind of deep freeze. A few more serious kisses, though, and my baser instincts might start to reassert themselves. But anyway.

“BEAR!” I shouted, redundantly.

I heard a tiny growl and remembered the grimcubs. I looked back at them, torn. They were at the end of their chains, straining to come with us.

It seemed worth it, though, when we left with those cubs trailing after, chains and post dragging behind them—slow and encumbered until my hollow, in a gesture all its own, scooped them into its arms and whisked them along.

It looked so frail there on the ground, bleeding, its body curled into itself, tongues tucked away in its mouth. Sensing its distress, the cubs it had rescued snuffled against it with their wet wiggling snouts, and the hollow reacted with a quiet snarl that seemed almost tender. I couldn’t help feeling a pulse of affection for all three—estranged siblings of a sort.

So we gave them the finger.

I summoned New Jacob and told him we were going to throw open the door and fight, and to please not discuss the matter with Old Jacob, who inevitably would whine and resist. But by the time I’d gotten it all settled, Emma was already doing it.

“As long as I can send a squadron of bees up his nose first,” said Hugh.

“Jacob has a soft spot for that hollow,” Emma said. “Well,” I said, a little embarrassed. “He was my first.”

“Children, stop that!” Miss Peregrine hissed. “Frank,” my mother said faintly, “who is that girl Jake’s kissing?” “I haven’t the slightest idea,” my father mumbled. “Jacob, who is that girl, and why are you kissing her?” My cheeks flushed. “Um, this is my … friend. Emma. We’re just saying goodbye.” Emma waved bashfully. “You won’t remember me, but … hello!” “Well, stop kissing strange girls and come along,” said my mother.