Enchanted Secrets by Kristen Middleton Read Free Book Online Page B

living room. “I’m so jealous.”
    Even the walls were cool. One was the color of sapphire, and as I stepped closer, I noticed that someone had painted tiny, intricate stars that glittered almost… magically.
    “Who painted your wall?” I asked, amazed at the details of each of each star.
    “One of my aunts did it. Gemma, she’s an artist.”
    “Awesome.”
    Next to that wall was an enormous platform bed with a velvety blue and black comforter. Plush pillows were scattered all over it, along with a black cat, who eyed me suspiciously.
    “This is Willy,” she said, motioning to wards the cat. “He’s mine.”
    “Hi , Willy,” I said, offering a friendly smile.
    He stood up, stretched his legs, and then jumped off the bed and pressed up against my legs.
    She raised her eyebrows. “ Wow, he likes you,” she said. “He doesn’t like anyone .”
    I bent down and scratched his fur while he purred happily.
    “I’ve got to get me one of those ,” I said, admiring the plush white leather chaise that sat next to her bedroom window.
    “ Go ahead, take her for a spin.”
    “Thanks,” I said, sinking into the cool leather . I closed my eyes and smiled. “Oh, wow, this is freaken’ amazing. I’m so jealous.”
    “ Sometimes I fall asleep in it and don’t wake up until the next morning.”
    “I bet.”
    Willy jumped on my lap and made himself at home.
    “So,” she s aid, staring at me as I pet her cat. “Did you find anything at Secrets ?”
    I shook my head. I wasn’t about to tell her I’d purchas ed a bottle of potion to make myself thinner.
    “Oh, that’s too bad,” she answered. “I’ve purchased quite a few items since they’ve opened.”
    “Oh?”
    She nodded. “Yes, one must be prepared for anything, you know.”
    I wasn’t sure what she meant but I agreed.
    “I saw your sister with Mark today,” she said, getting onto her bed. She lay on her stomach and rested her chin on her hands, watching me. “I was really surprised.”
    “ I know. I can’t stand him.”
    She nodded. “That was one of the reasons why I wanted to talk to you. Mark.”
    “Oh?”
    Her eyes hardened. “He’s dangerous.”
    “Dangerous?”
    “He’s into… witchcraft.”
    I laughed. “What is all of this talk of witchcraft today? It seems like everyone I talk to has something to say about it.”
    “You live in Bayport. What do you expect?”
    “So,” I said, watching her closely. “I heard that you’re a witch.”
    I expected her to burst out laughing but she only shrugged. “Oh, who said that?”
    “Some of the girls at school.”
    She rolled her eyes. “God, I hate gossipers.”
    “ You and me both,” I said.
    She stared past me but didn’t answer .
    “So,” I said , changing the subject. “Mark is dangerous, huh?”
    “ Definitely. He has a bad aura about him.”
    “What’s an aura?”
    “ Basically, it’s the energy he produces, and it’s connected to his personality. Mark’s is black. Really black.”
    “Oh,” I said. “I’m assuming that’s pretty bad.”
    “Yes,” she said, sitting up. “So, if you care about your sister, keep her away from him.”
    There was a soft knock on the door. “Megan,” called a woman’s voice.
    Megan rolled her eyes again. “What, mother?”
    Megan’s mother walked into the bedroom. She was an older version of Megan , but with permanent worry lines on her forehead. “Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t know you had a guest.”
    “Well ,” I said. “I really have to be leaving anyway.”
    “How’s your mother doing?” asked Megan’s mother.
    “Um, good I guess,” I said, surprised that she’d asked about her.
    She smiled at me. “Could you please tell her that Adele says ‘hello’?”
    “Yeah, sure. ”
    “Thank you.”
    I nodded and turned back to Megan. “I should probably get going now. It’s getting late and my mom’s going to get worried. Sorry I couldn’t stay very long.”
    Megan stood up. “Another time maybe?”
    I smiled.