AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"She was on her way."
"In that case, perhaps you shouldn't be in too much of a rush to leave. Why don't you stay for a while? Pose as a student...if, indeed, you were serious about those lessons."
"I was. And that might not be a bad idea. What would you take in exchange for lessons? Transportation codes, contact names--"
"I was thinking of something more"--his teeth flashed against his dark beard--"personal."
"Oh, I'm sure you get enough of that from your nymph harem. No room on the mattress for me, I'll bet."
His smile broadened to a grin. "Some nights it can get a bit crowded. But for you, I'd clear it out. Even put on fresh sheets." He caught my look and sighed. "Or I suppose I could settle for a few prime transportation codes."
24
"PSST!" SOMEONE HISSED AS I STEPPED ONTO THE front porch.
I looked to see a girl with a heart-shaped face, long blond hair, and doelike brown eyes. Typical nymph. She looked as if she should be sprinting through the woods, clothed only in a few strategically placed leaves.
"Yes?" I said.
She motioned for me to follow, then scampered off to the woods, as silent and nimble as a deer. I looked around. Kris hailed me with a raised hand. I gestured toward the nymph. He nodded, and I took off after her.
When I got to the edge of the woods, I slowed. Last thing I needed was to get attacked by one of Luther Ross's jealous students.
I found the girl hovering by a tree. She looked around nervously.
"He's lying," she whispered. When I frowned, she hurried on, "Mr. Ross. He's lying about the Nix. She was here. I saw her. I heard them talking. Is she really--" She shivered. "Is she really as bad as you said? She kills people?"
"'Fraid so. Is she here now?"
"She left last night. I can't believe I was in the same room as her. I talked to her! Do you think--do you think she might have done something to me? Made me evil, too?" A whimper. "I've never killed anyone. I did some bad stuff when I was alive, but it wasn't my fault. I always picked the wrong kind of friends. Do you think she infected me? Turned me into a murderer?"
"She can't turn anyone here into a murderer."
The nymph turned her wide eyes up to mine. "Are you sure?"
"The only people in the ghost world are dead, hon. You can't kill them."
"Oh, right." Her shoulders relaxed. "That is such a relief."
"I'm sure it is. Now, you overheard Ross and the Nix talking..."
She nodded. "They were discussing a plan. Mr. Ross said--"
Something crackled in the undergrowth. The nymph jumped like she'd been shot. I scanned the jungle, but saw nothing.
"No one's here," I said. "It was probably an animal."
"What kind of animal? Oh!" She shivered and looked back to the house. "I shouldn't be doing this. If Mr. Ross found out he could--he knows some scary stuff."
"So do I. Now, you were saying?"
Her fingers wrapped around my forearm, tugging me farther into the jungle. When I hesitated, her lower lip wobbled and her eyes filled, as if she might cry from sheer terror. Obviously she wasn't talking until she felt safe, so I let her lead me. After a few steps, she mumbled something.
"Hmm?" I said.
She kept muttering, her face forward as she pulled me into the forest. I caught a couple words of Latin and knew she wasn't talking to herself. She was casting.
I yanked my arm back. Her grip only tightened.
