Read Online Don't Die Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton - Free Book Online

I winced. “What?”
    “This.” He handed me a silver coin. “It was in my pocket.”
    “So what? It’s just an ordinary nickel.”
    “You know it’s more. It’s dated the year I was born.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The coin tingled in my palm, and I tossed it back to him without looking at it.
    He caught it and eyed me accusingly. “You know a lot of things, don’t you?”
    I pointed to the door. “Get out.”
    “I’m not going anywhere until you explain. How did you know about my mother? Did Nona tell you? Was it all some kind of trick? Or did you really see her?”
    “You were there. Figure it out.”
    “I think I have,” he said quietly. “But I can’t figure out why you lied to your grandmother about losing your gift.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I folded my arms across my chest. “And who’d believe you anyway?”
    “No one has to believe me.” He glanced at my shelves with nightlights, brushing his callused fingertips over the spiked fin of a shark nightlight. “You’re going to tell your grandmother.”
    “Am I?”
    “Yes. And you have just twenty-four hours.”
    “Or what?” I demanded sarcastically. “You’ll tell on me?”
    “If I have to,” he said with an expression as impossible to read as his falcon’s.
    “Go ahead. My grandmother will never believe you over me.”
    “You sure about that? Haven’t you wondered why Nona invited me to live here?”
    “No,” I lied.
    “Part of the reason is that she knew my mother. But the other part has to do with unusual gifts and Nona asked me not to tell you. She worried you’d be upset because you weren’t psychic anymore.” He snorted. “I guess the joke’s on her.”
    I dug my fingers into my embroidered cloth. “What goes on between Nona and me isn’t your business.”
    “It became my business when she asked me to take your place.”
    “My place?” His words were a hammer slamming into my heart.
    “You’re so busy running around with your friends, dating that lightweight who only plays at magic, you don’t know what’s going on with your own grandmother. You told her you lost your gift when she needed you. So she chose a different apprentice, someone she could trust with her secrets.”
    “You?” I whispered.
    He nodded solemnly.
    “But why?”
    “That’s for her to explain. I’ve already said too much.” He reached for the doorknob. “If you haven’t told Nona by tomorrow, I will.”
    Then he strode out of the room, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.
    I glanced at my watch and felt sick inside. I couldn’t face Nona, but I’d have to—in twenty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes.

Just another day at school. The halls were crowded with kids hanging out or rushing to classes, and Josh met me at my locker. I smiled as he launched into a funny story about his dog “Horse.” Josh was so easy to be around and I loved his sense of humor—something that Dominic clearly did not have.
    Thinking of Dominic knotted my stomach. Trouble was closing in fast—at school and home. At least at school, I could pretend everything was okay. No one had connected the paint handprints to me, the janitor remained in the hospital, and Danielle was still skipping school.
    By the afternoon, my fake smile was ready to crack. I was tired of talking about everything except what was really on my mind. And I was no closer to solving the crime. I mean, what did I know about investigation? Nothing. I needed help, only there was no one to turn to. Penny-Love was a great friend, but she was an even greater gossip. Josh could be trusted—but would he still trust me if he knew what I’d been hiding? And the one person who had guessed my secret was the last person I’d confide in.
    To my surprise, help came from an unexpected source.
    Since I was in no hurry to go home, I told Josh I had extra work to do for the newspaper. I went into the computer lab and found the staff sports