Eye of the Wizard: A Fantasy Adventure by Daniel Arenson Read Free Book Online Page A

now poking his kidney. "Thanks to you."
    She shook her head. "Nu uh."
    "Uh huh."
    "Nu uh!" She stuck out her tongue.
    Grumbling, Neev opened his backpack, rummaged inside for the spellbook that was poking him, and tossed it into the forest with a curse. Birds fled, squawking. Neev turned back to Romy, still scowling, and was surprised to see her shivering.
    "What's wrong?"
    Romy pointed with a shaky finger. "Birds," she said and began to suck her thumb.
    Neev sighed. "You're scared of birds?"
    She nodded, thumb in mouth, trembling.
    Neev drew a shaky breath, trying to calm his anger. "Look, why don't you just go live in a cave somewhere? There are no birds in caves."
    She removed her thumb and pouted her bee-stung lips. "No thanks, Mommy. You summoned me, so you have to take care of me. I'm coming with you."
    He did not need this. Not today. Romy had already ruined his day—indeed, his entire life. He did not want her tagging along. When he had summoned her, he thought he'd impress Dry Bones. After all, only the best warlocks could summon demons. Yet Dry Bones only stared at Neev's rabbit ears, announced that no warlock should look so silly, and kicked Neev out of the Coven.
    It was outrageous. I'm the brightest apprentice they've had. I summoned a demon! Who cares about rabbit ears? Yet now he wandered the wilderness, homeless and penniless, this demon leeching along.
    Neev looked at Romy, sighing. She looked back with large, puppy dog eyes.
    "How old are you?" he said wearily. If she were human, she would look to be about twenty, but you never knew with demons.
    "207, and you?"
    "Much, much younger. Not even ten percent as old as you. And you still can't take care of yourself? You're still following me around like a duckling?"
    She shrugged and twirled a lock of her hair of flame. "Well, I'm new to this world. And I might be a duckling... but you, sir, are a bunny." She reached out and tugged his rabbit ear. He slapped her hand away.
    Grumbling, Neev turned and kept walking down the trail. He tried to ignore the pebbles in his boots, the wind in his rabbit ears, and the sounds of Romy babbling behind him. He walked as fast as he could, refusing to look over his shoulder or acknowledge the demon. Maybe if he stopped paying attention to her, she'd get bored and leave. Leaves rustled and birds chirped, and Neev tried to focus on the forest sounds and forget about this horrible day.
    He must have walked a mile before he turned his head again. Romy was still there, walking several paces behind.
    "Hey," she said and waved.
    Neev growled and shook his fist. "You're still here?"
    "I'm hungry. Feed me." She patted her belly.
    "I have no food."
    "Get some."
    He spread out his arms and his voice rose to a yell. "Where? Do you see any kitchens around? Any shops? Any fruit trees? We are banished into the wilderness thanks to you."
    Romy pointed into her mouth. "But I'm hungry . Me want fooood."
    "I'm hungry too." At the thought of food, his stomach grumbled, and he sighed. Like it or not, he knew, he and Romy were in the same boat; both were tired, hungry, and lost out here. And, like it or not, Romy was his only friend now. The Coven was forbidden to him, and his siblings lived many miles away; right now, this childlike demon was all he had.
    He rearranged the pot, backpack, and blanket that hung over his back. "Let's keep walking," he said. "Maybe we'll find some berries on the way."
    Romy jumped up and down, grinning. "So I'm allowed to come with you?"
    "No. But you're dogging me anyway, and I can't get rid of you."
    She smiled and blew him a kiss. "Oh, you like me. I know it. I'm like your little baby, right, Mommy?"
    He rolled his eyes. "Stop calling me that."
    She skipped beside him, happy as could be, sparks flying from her hair of flame, her demon tail wagging. "Where are we going, Master? Can I call you that?"
    He gazed at the birds and squirrels in the treetops, wishing he knew some hunting spells. He could toss a fireball