Page 25 of Half-Blood


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Something told me that was Malone’s voice, though I’d never heard it. Jace gasped, but before either of us could comment, he said,“Okay, okay, I won’t run.”But this time it wasunmistakably Jace’s lighter tones he was mimicking. “I promise, okay. Calm down, please, Dylan? Please, please. I’m so sorry. Please.”

The imitation was so good it was shocking. Tyler sounded exactly like a terrified Jace pleading with Malone. I’d be willing to bet the imitation of Malone was just as good. Tyler had him down perfectly.

Tyler was glaring at me suspiciously, and I saw him hold up his hand and make a sign I was very familiar with. It was used in various cultures around the world, and formed by extending two fingers, the little finger and the index finger,while holding down the other fingers and the thumb. It was known as the sign of the horns and a powerful ward against evil.

“Where did you learn to do that, Tyler?” I asked him softly.

“Andy,” he said and Jace looked surprised.

“He means Mrs. Anderson. It’s what he calls her, but I don’t think she’d know anything about any of this.”

“I see. Tyler, did Mrs. Anderson teach you any words in Latin?”

He glanced over sharply at me and said, the words back to me in a clear, high voice.

“That sounded like Mrs. Anderson,” Jace said, sounding shocked. “What does that even mean? He said that to Dylan too.”

Abi Diablowas Latin forgo away, Devil. Why would the next-door babysitter teach Tyler the sign of the horns in conjunction with those words?

“Who exactly is this lady?”

“She’s the babysitter, like I told you.”

“I know all that, but why is she teaching your brother signs?”

“I don’t know. She’s a nice lady and supplements her income by helping us. She was abandoned by her husband years ago. Is that what that is that he does with his fingers? A gang sign?”

“Answer my question. Is she from Atlanta?”

“She is now. She’s originally from China.”

That made sense, as many Chinese were Buddhists, who had been known to use the sign of the horns to ward off evil. As for the Latin… There were probably Catholics in China too or maybe she’d converted when she came to America. I wondered if she’d had any training as something more than just a sitter and made a mental note to have a word with her about that as soon as possible. I also wanted to talk to her about the sigils on her house.

My attention went back to Tyler, and I wonderedwhat all he’d heard in this house when Dylan Malone came to visit. Did he think I’d come to beat Jace up too?

I knew Tyler was upset, so I stood up and spread my hands to try and reassure the boy. “Dylan’s not here, Tyler. And I promise you I won’t hurt Jace, okay?”

Tyler thought about it for a moment. “Okay,” he said and dropped his hand to turn back to his shows. Jace started up to follow him, but I grabbed his arm.

“Just a few more questions. He’s all right for now.”

“I knew he’d heard us that day, but I didn’t know he paid that much attention to it. I never meant for him to get involved.” He regarded me thoughtfully for a few seconds. I was still holding his arm and he looked down at it, and I glanced up at him too, but I didn’t remove my hand.

“What Tyler said when he was mimicking yours and Malone’s voices…is that what Malone really said to you the last time he was here?”

“Yes. Dylan was…he was upset that day. That’s all.”

“Were you afraid of him?”

Jace blew out a long breath. “I don’t know.”

“Tell me the truth, Jace.Wereyou afraid of him?”

He hesitated for a moment and then nodded, looking miserable. His shoulders sagged. “I was terrified.”

****

Jace

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