Read Online Shadow Wrack by Kim Thompson - Free Book Online

her.
    â€œBlack spots? Like the ones …?” Mab asked breathlessly.
    â€œLike the ones that spread through the house before the attack. Yes. There’s one at my house and one in Horace and Tengu’s hotel room. Have you seen any around here?”
    Mab shook her head, her eyes wide.
    â€œI need you to get all the fairies looking. Have them search the entire property. Can you do that?”
    Mab nodded. “Sarah, organize everyone into search teams.”
    â€œYes, Your Eminence,” Sarah replied, scribbling madly in her clipboard.
    Willa went on. “Okay, now, about the knitting. Is it there, in the fancy house?”
    Mab didn’t answer. Willa turned to Sarah. “Is it?”
    â€œYes!” she blurted out, and Mab shot her an angry look. Willa grinned. Sarah was obviously more afraid of Willa than she was of Mab.
    â€œIt’s okay. I actually think that’s a good hiding place. Nice work, Sarah.” Sarah glowed. Willa turned back to Mab.
    â€œOnly go in there when you need to knit, and be careful not to be seen, please?”
    As the fairies gathered for a briefing in the woods, Willa stood by the stable, lost in thought. Horace’s words were coming back to her … enemies, dark matters, evil everywhere. Her gaze fell on the covered basement. Could the dwarves really be trusted, or was Horace right about them? She went over and knocked on the trapdoor. It opened, and a massive dwarf head peeked out. It was Fjalarr.
    â€œCan I come in?”
    Fjalarr shook his head. “No. The peace treaty says no access to the work site. Article thirty-seven , paragraph two.”
    â€œYes, but that was to keep the fairies out. I just want to come in and —”
    â€œNo. Mjod’s orders.” He slammed the door shut. Willa’s heart sank. The friendly talk and gifts, had it all been a trick? What were they doing down there? Why should it be a secret?
    She was ready to believe Horace now, but where was he?
    There was really only one place left to look. After dinner, Willa climbed the path up Hanlan’s Hill. Was it just last night I was here? It seems ages ago. She climbed quickly, heading straight for the lookout spot about three-quarters of the way up the hill, the spot where she let the phoenix go, and where Horace liked to sit and look out over the town. To her great relief, he was there, just as she’d pictured him, staring out at the view.
    â€œHorace!”
    His clothes were wrinkled and there were leaves in his hair, but he smiled brightly and sprang to his feet as she approached.
    â€œWilla! Hello. Isn’t this a glorious day?”
    She eyed him. He looked perfectly fine, clear and rational. “Were you up here all night? Wasn’t it cold?”
    â€œIt was bracing. Just what I needed to clear my head.”
    Willa took a deep breath. “I let the phoenix go.”
    â€œI know. I saw her this morning.”
    â€œIs she all right?”
    â€œOh yes, you don’t have to worry about her,” Horace chuckled. “She’s pretty much at the top of the food chain around here. Even the eagles steer clear of her.”
    â€œWhat about you? Can I bring you anything? Are you hungry?”
    At this Horace flashed a sly smile. “No, no need. You know, Willa, from time to time I’m at the top of the food chain too.”
    Willa suddenly remembered Horace as a great golden lion, and smiled. “Okay, so take care of yourself, and come down soon. Tengu is gathering weapons.”
    Horace rolled his eyes. “Ye gods.”
    Willa laughed. It felt good. “I mainly came to tell you … I found a black spot at my house. Under her cage. And there’s another one in your hotel room.”
    This made Horace pause. “There is?”
    â€œYes, and they’re exactly like the ones we saw at the old house.”
    Horace sat down. His face darkened. “The hotel room … Tengu! I knew it all