Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball. Laura Ellen Anderson

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СКАЧАТЬ gobbling down a bowl of Unlucky Arms cereal.

      ‘And he’s bringing the prince!’ Amelia said excitedly. ‘I’ll finally have someone my OWN age to hang out with at the ball! Although I still wish you and Grimaldi could come.’

      ‘S’ALL RIGHT,’ said Florence, putting a hairy arm around Amelia’s shoulders. ‘I’D SHOW EVERYONE UP WIV MY STUNNING LOOKS!’ She grinned, revealing a mouthful of spiky teeth pointing in every direction.

      The two friends burst out laughing.

      Squashy bounced up and down, blowing raspberries with his tongue, before nuzzling into Amelia’s tummy for a belly rub.

      ‘Hi, guuuuys!’ came a high voice from across the graveyard. It was Grimaldi Reaperton, Amelia’s other best friend.

      Grimaldi was small and cute, and Death was his middle name. No, really, it was. He dealt with the deaths of small creatures, like squished toads, but when he was older he would take over from his grimpapa and deal with bigger, messier beings.

      ‘Grimaldi!’ said Amelia excitedly. ‘I have BIG news!’

      ‘Is it about The Great Gothic Gravestone Carve Off?’ said Grimaldi. ‘Because I really thought that William W—’

      ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t tell me. I haven’t seen the final episode yet . . .’ said Amelia, covering her ears.

      ‘So what’s the news?’ said Grimaldi.

      ‘THE KING’S COMING TO THE BALL . . .’ Florence blurted out.

      ‘Wow! Nobody’s seen him in years,’ said Grimaldi. ‘I was worried he’d died . . . Grimpapa keeps checking his diePhone in case he missed him. Happens sometimes.’

      Suddenly, the Catacomb Academy welcome bones rattled, announcing the beginning of school.

      ‘But that’s not all,’ said Amelia quickly. ‘Prince Tangine is coming too!’

      ‘Maybe you’ll actually have FUN this year!’ Grimaldi smiled.

      ‘I hope so,’ said Amelia. ‘Do you think Prince Tangine likes playing Goblin Tag?’

      ‘Amelia!’ shouted the head teacher, Miss Inspine. ‘Florence, Grimaldi! Hurry up! You’re going to be late for Abominable Assembly!’

      Amelia and her friends wound their way down to the Catacomb Academy crypt.

      ‘Whose lap do you want to sit on today, Squashy?’ Amelia asked.

      Squashy immediately pa-doinged into Amelia’s arms and started licking her face.

      ‘I think that’s settled!’ she said, laughing.

      In the crypt, the music teacher, Mr Blob, was playing the ‘Death March’ on the organ. Then he exploded, marking the beginning of assembly. An eyeball landed in the hood of Grimaldi’s cloak.

      ‘EVERY time!’ Grimaldi grimaced.

      ‘OK, class, take your plinths please,’ said Miss Inspine. ‘Firstly, I’d like to make a very special announcement. As you all know, the Barbaric Ball is taking place in a couple of nights. And I’m happy to announce that King Vladimir will be attending with his son, Prince Tangine, after all these years!’

      The students muttered excitedly.

      ‘I have ALSO been informed that, as of tonight, Prince Tangine will be joining Catacomb Academy as part of his king training, to get to know the young creatures of Nocturnia!’

      The whole crypt exploded in squeals and burps of delight.

      ‘Oh, wasn’t it just AWFUL that his mother was EATEN by a fairy?’ cried Frankie, who had stitches over her face and bolts in her neck.

      ‘There will be NO mention of the fairy incident,’ hissed Miss Inspine. ‘The prince is probably anxious enough, leaving the palace for the first time in years.’

      ‘So brave!’ said Frankie, fanning herself with her detatched ear.

      ‘The king has requested,’ the head teacher continued, ‘that Amelia Fang show Prince Tangine around the school and look after him while he settles in.’

      ‘That’s only because he used to be best buddies with Amelia’s dad!’ Frankie spat.

      Amelia muffled a groan. Frankie was the most annoying ghoul in the whole of Catacomb Academy.

      ‘Enough, Frankie!’ said Miss Inspine, losing patience. ‘The prince is due to arrive any minute, and I want you ALL to be on your BEST behaviour.’

      ‘Imagine.’ Grimaldi grinned. ‘The three of us hanging out with the future king! We’ll be the coolest kids in school.’

      ‘HEY,’ said Florence. ‘WE ALREADY ARE.’

      I wonder what Tangine is like, thought Amelia, before a loud noise caught her attention.

      ‘You stupid bird! Why can’t you ever land properly?’ came a high-pitched voice.

      ‘Oh! Wait here, everyone . . .’ said Miss Inspine, scampering out of the crypt.

      Seconds later she returned looking flustered.

      ‘Students! It gives me great pleasure to welcome our special new student to Catacomb Academy . . . Prince Tangine the First!’

CHAPTER 3

       TANGINE

      A long shadow appeared, stretching across the length of the crypt. Amelia watched as the shadow became smaller, and smaller . . . And smaller . . .

      Until Prince Tangine stepped into view.

      ‘’OW WEENY IS ’E?’ Florence whispered loudly.

      Miss СКАЧАТЬ