Button Hill by Michael Bradford Read Free Book Online Page B

foam bubbled up wherever a candy landed. The surrounding soldiers were quickly swallowed up by the electric bubbles, with a sizzling, snapping sound like frying bacon.
    Cobb leaped onto the leopard’s back and plunged his knife deep into its shoulder. The cat screeched in pain and leaped high into the air, twisting madly. Cobb fell off, landing on the ice. Cuddles hissed and ran toward the gap in the hedge. Dekker scanned the garden frantically for a weapon. A long icicle hung from the head of a tall sunflower beside him. He broke it off and pressed the dark mark against it. The icicle crackled as it grew into a long, deadly spear. Bolts of blue energy jumped across its surface. Dekker charged past Harper onto the ice. Cobb flashed his knife, an arrogant smile on his face. But as Dekker gained speed, Cobb’s smile faltered. Dekker vaulted over the mess of fallen soldiers and thrust the spear into Cobb’s belly. The point snapped off and froze to Cobb’s skin where it had hit him. Tendrils of ice began to creep across his body. He dropped his blade and put both hands on the icicle, murmuring words under his breath that Dekker couldn’t understand. The icicle began to melt. A moment later, only wisps of steam rose from the place where the spear had stabbed him.
    The remaining sharpened soldiers had taken up positions behind Cobb, green slime dripping from their wounds. Cobb snarled, “Game’s over—you lose. Time to keep your end of the deal.”
    â€œNo way. We still have time,” Dekker shouted back. “And what about Harper? Our deal never included her.”
    â€œI don’t think she’s in any position to bargain. Are you, Harper?”
    Harper moved to Dekker’s side.
    â€œIf you won’t come nicely, I promise it will be painful.” Cobb motioned to his remaining soldiers. “Troops, prepare for assault and capture.”
    There was a loud bark, and Dekker saw a familiar shape appear in the hedge gap. “Captain Tom!”
    The dog growled as he approached. “Back off, Cobb. You’re in no position to give orders.”
    Cobb cackled. “You doubt me? You’re more foolish than I thought.”
    â€œNo, I mean your position is terrible. You should move while you still can.” The dog looked at them and cocked his head. Understanding came to Harper and Dekker at the same time.
    â€œOne,” said Cobb.
    â€œTwo! Three!” shouted Harper. She flung the last of the fizzing candies down at Cobb’s feet. A noise like a gunshot filled the air as the ice beneath Cobb split open. Dekker leaped back as gray water rushed out of the pool, and Cobb and the rest of the soldiers disappeared under the wave. Harper grabbed Dekker by the hand.
    Cobb surfaced, screaming and clutching at his face. “My eyes!” Where his black eyes had been, only empty sockets remained. He thrashed about blindly in the water.
    â€œNow’s our chance,” said Dekker.
    Captain Tom barked and started ahead of them at a trot. “There’s no time to lose. We must flee before Cobb recovers.”
    At the border of the towering hedge, Dekker hesitated and looked back.
    Cobb was kneeling in the mud, his arms out in front of him. He clutched a dark marble in each of his hands. He swept them in a wide circle until they settled on Dekker and Harper. “Go ahead, run,” he rasped. “Once the Nightclock reaches the Witching Hour, you belong to me.”
    Harper took Dekker’s hand and looked at the mark on his palm. What had once been a blotch had begun to transform into an eye socket and part of a skeletal grin. Dekker gulped. He was running out of time.

Seven
    They hurried out of the garden after the dog. “Did you find Riley?” said Dekker.
    â€œNot yet, lad.”
    â€œI know someone who might be able to help,” said Harper. She moved them quickly through the grass, away from the yard.
    Dekker noticed that Captain Tom