Witch and Wizard_ The Fire - James Patterson [27]
“No.” She sighs. “We really need to get home.”
I nod, the idea of home feeling sweet and sad. Home is long gone for us.
The sisters shuffle off into the gray streets of our fallen city, arms wrapped around each other, shaking after their ordeal.
I snap my fingers and watch as they transform into squirrels, scampering inconspicuously along the park’s edge. It’ll wear off within a couple of hours, but it should get them home without trouble, if they can avoid the poor scavengers in the alleys looking for a meal.
“Safe travels,” I whisper.
Chapter 26
Wisty
WE START TO head in the other direction down the road, but it looks like word of our little rescue has already gotten out. There’s another, different group of people headed toward us, and I can tell even from here that they’re official N.O. Our middle-aged-staff disguises have fallen away, and we’re exposed.
“Here we go,” Whit says beside me.
As they get closer, I see it’s the young blond soldier from the clinic. And he’s not alone. He’s got around two dozen comrades with him this time, and they’re all freaking giants. Not just big-boned but, like, seven and a half feet tall, all decked out in way-too-tight N.O. T-shirts that emphasize their gigundo muscles.
My eyes flick to the bank of the harbor. We could hop the fence, dive in, still have a chance at a getaway. It’s maybe ten running steps to the fence, and I’m faster than any of these big boys, guaranteed.
Whit sees me looking at the water and shakes his head. He’s reading my mind again, and now I’m reading his: He’s saying, We’ll take what comes, Wisty.
“Well, look what we have here,” the blond soldier says, his quiet voice velvety and menacing at once. He’s still smiling that pearly, patronizing smile, his wolfish demeanor incredibly sinister.
I suspect we just might find out why all those kids were so afraid. He can’t be much older than I am, but he’s already got that cold, calculating look of a man driven by greed.
“So this is the famous Wisteria and Whitford Allgood, the deadly witch and wizard,” the soldier says with mock enthusiasm. “We hear that you’ve ruined a perfectly good barbecue. It is my great honor to meet you, despite all the … messes … you’ve been making.” His eyes sparkle as if we’re all in on the joke.
Talking is always my first form of defense, and my motormouth starts right up before I even know what I’m saying to Blondie. “I’m sorry we can’t say the same about you and your extra-large playmates,” I blurt.
It doesn’t come out as confident-sounding as I’d hoped, because the truth is, I’m seriously creeped out by this guy. There’s just something about him that seems … psychopathic. Unpredictable. Like he could kiss you or cut off your limbs and he’d probably feel the same level of excitement.
The soldier laughs, and it makes me shiver. “They said you were funny. Isn’t she funny, guys?”
The giants move in around us, roughly wrenching our arms behind our backs.
“And such lovely red hair. Like flame,” the leader says, stepping toward me. He strokes strands around my face, and I flinch. My cheeks heat up in a mix of embarrassment and vanity. I can feel Whit tense beside me.
“Regardless, The One Who Is The One will be most pleased that you’re on your way to see him,” the creep continues. “In fact, I’m happy to personally deliver you. No extra charge for the service. You have my word on it.” He smiles again.
“I think you’re going to have to break your promise on this one,” Whit says tightly. “My sister and I aren’t going anywhere with you, buddy.”
“Pearce,” the soldier says, extending a pale, well-manicured hand. “My name is Pearce.”
Chapter 27
Whit
PEARCE CHUCKLES, WITHDRAWING his hand. “So sorry. I see you’re otherwise occupied.”
I try to twist away from this jerk’s beefy sidekicks, who are still holding us back. I’m already wound pretty tight, and another obstacle isn’t helping. The narrow strip