Read Online Shadow Wrack by Kim Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

and every day Baz’s eyes grew colder and more cruel.
    One Friday after school Willa caught her mom staring at her hair.
    â€œThe grey is coming back already! Time for another dye job.”
    â€œMaybe I want to keep it.”
    Her mom raised an eyebrow. “What’s eating you?”
    â€œNothing. I just like my hair the way it is!” Willa grumbled.
    â€œSuit yourself.”
    Willa went into the bathroom to take a look. A silvery vein was visible in the roots, and it did look a little weird, but Willa didn’t want to back down now. And when she passed Belle in the hall, the old lady whispered conspiratorially, “I like it. And it’s silver , not grey! ”
    The next morning was the weekend, and Willa went over to check on the house. To her great disappointment, there was no sign of progress in the construction. Everything looked exactly as it had days ago, though a loud metallic clanging sounded from the basement. She found Tengu in the woods, leaping about, striking battle poses, and lashing out at invisible foes.
    â€œHi, Tengu. Seen any new black spots?”
    He shook his head. “Nope. Just the one at the hotel, and it hasn’t gotten any bigger.”
    â€œWhat about Horace?”
    â€œStill running wild.”
    Willa sighed. “I was afraid of that. I guess I’ll go up Hanlan’s again and look for him. I hope he’s okay.” She glanced over her shoulder at the house. “I don’t see much progress here.”
    Tengu grinned brightly. “The dwarves are too busy making weapons.”
    â€œWeapons? Oh, Tengu….” she sighed.
    Tengu pulled out a small black disc with glistening spikes, holding it up proudly. “Ninja stars!” He gazed lovingly at the hunk of metal, turning it in the light. “Isn’t it gorgeous? I’ve always wanted some of these beauties.”
    He pulled his arm back and hurled the star like a Frisbee. It whistled through the air, thunking into a tree trunk. There was an angry squeal, and Mab erupted from a hole in the tree, glittering in her dwarvish armour and swinging her sword over her head as she flew at Tengu. He dodged her, ducking behind Willa for protection.
    â€œSorry! Sorry, Mab! Won’t happen again!” he wailed.
    â€œSettle down, Mab, it was an accident,” soothed Willa. “Tengu, find another target that’s not a tree, please!” She turned to Mab. “Did the fairies find any spots?”
    The fairy had a blank look on her face. “Spots?”
    Willa smacked her forehead in frustration. “Spots! Black spots! Openings for the forces of evil, remember?”
    â€œOh, those .” Mab was only half paying attention; she was admiring her own reflection in the blade of her sword.
    â€œSo did they find any?”
    Mab shrugged. “I don’t think so.”
    Willa took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. “Did they look everywhere? In the forest and the stable? What about the basement? Have either of you looked in there recently?”
    â€œNope. Peace treaty rules,” Tengu reminded her.
    â€œArticle thirty-seven , paragraph two,” cooed Mab, smoothing her hair.
    Willa walked over and rapped on the trapdoor. Fjalarr opened it. “Yeees?”
    â€œI need to come in.”
    The dwarf shook his head vehemently. “Article thirty-seven —”
    â€œParagraph two. I know.” Willa tried again. “But this is an emergency. I need to know …” The door slammed shut.
    â€œHey!” Willa pulled on it, but it was latched shut. She shouted, “I need to know if there are any weird black spots in there!”
    Silence.
    â€œAre there any black spots in there?”
    Silence. Willa gave the door an angry kick just as Tengu burst out of the stable, chased by Robert, who was swinging an enormous sword over his head and hollering.
    â€œYou dundering fool! Careless lout! CLUMSY BABOON!”
    They