Spelled by Betsy Schow Page A

got…it…under…control.” He struggled to break whatever he was chewing on free.
    A thought occurred to me—even with Kato talking, it was awfully quiet in here. “Hey, have you seen Rexi?”
    Kato growled around a full mouth. “Quit bothering me. I’m… mrph …busy.”
    I tried really hard not to feel like I was being dismissed. I failed miserably. Being home, being here…it was all the same. Every time I wanted to have a picnic or a girl day with my mom, I heard the same thing. Well, it was closer to, Come back later . I’m busy running every teeny tiny detail of everyone’s life . I’d known stepmothers that spent more time with family than the queen found for me. And if she’d let me, I probably could have helped—or at least not messed it up so badly that Verte couldn’t fix it after.
    â€œAt last,” Kato said triumphantly, spitting a black piece of something out of his mouth. It was hard to tell from the angle and distance, but it looked like he’d gnawed off one of his black talons.
    I propped myself up again, high enough that he could see the full displeasure on my face. “So, let me get this straight. We’re being held prisoner, awaiting death, dismemberment, or torture by off-key show tunes, and you think the best plan is to give yourself a manicure?”
    We were completely pixed.
    Behind the white door, two voices sounded like they were getting closer.
    â€œPretend to be asleep,” Kato instructed.
    Controlling little beast. Still, he didn’t have to tell me twice. My head hit the pillow an instant before the door swung open. I deepened my breaths to look more asleep—and to keep from hyperventilating. My eyes were mere slits, so that I could see just enough to move before death hit me.
    â€œI told you it was her. We’re agreed on the payment, then?” Black Crow stayed back in the door frame. Her robust shape barred the way to the exit even if my feet had been untied. She stood next to the Gray Witch.
    I lowered my lashes so she couldn’t see that I was awake.
    â€œYes, yes. Five hundred and you can keep the bespelled ball of fur.” Griz’s voice was way too close for my liking. I could feel her breath on my cheek. In my mind, I envisioned her crouching low to look over her purchase—me.
    â€œHe’s a chimera. Very ra—”
    â€œSpare me, Crow.”
    Silence, but the hot air stayed on my face.
    â€œReally, I expected more from the long-awaited Girl of Emerald. Maybe you’re just a simple child after all.”
    It was all I could do not to jump a foot in the air when a hand brushed the hair off my face.
    â€œSo delicate,” Griz said softly into my ear. Something sharp pressed against my neck. “So fragile.”
    The pressure increased but pulled back suddenly at the introduction of a new sound. The first few bars from the Wrong Direction’s hit song, “My Spell’s What Makes You Beautiful,” came from somewhere close by.
    Saved by the spellphone, though I hadn’t taken either lady for a fan of Munchkin music. Apparently Griz was the one with the guilty pleasure, because she’s the one who answered.
    â€œWhat is it? I’m busy,” she said in clipped tones.
    I couldn’t hear the voice on the other end very clearly, but it sounded like they said, She’s awake .
    â€œAre you absolutely sure?” The seriousness of Griz’s voice indicated very bad things if the caller was not.
    Since Griz was no longer breathing on my neck, I took a chance and opened my eyes to slits again. She walked away from me and closer to the door, so I had no chance of hearing the mystery caller’s reply. Whatever it was, it satisfied Griz. She snapped the phone closed.
    â€œSomething’s come up. Prepare me a spelled opal to use on the commoner, and I’ll send Tinman to collect everything. In the meantime, don’t you