Pan's Realm by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online Page B

lose.” He paused. “When we get back to Spooksville I promise I’ll buy a fresh deck of cards.”
    Cindy laughed softly. “We don’t play for money, so it’s not really gambling.” She stopped and looked around. “I wonder how the others are getting along.”
    â€œI bet they’re at the castle already.”
    â€œDo you think they’ll defeat the evil wizard?”
    Watch shook his head. “Pan is not going to be able to storm into the castle and demand his kingdom back. The wizard will have guards, plenty of elementals that will have gone over to his side.”
    Cindy was worried. “Do you think they’ll all be killed?”
    â€œI think they need a good plan. I just hope Adam comes up with one before they come face to face with Klandor.”
    A small voice spoke nearby.
    â€œHello,” it said.
    Cindy leapt to her feet. “Who’s there?”
    â€œWho are you?” the voice asked softly.
    Cindy and Watch looked all around. “Come out and show yourself,” Cindy ordered.
    â€œNo,” the voice said. “You have to tell me who you are first.”
    Cindy glanced anxiously at Watch, who simply shrugged. Cindy continued to scan the surrounding foliage, looking for a sign of their visitor.
    â€œI’m Cindy,” she said finally. “This is Watch. Who are you?”
    â€œMy name is Sarshi.”
    â€œWhere are you?” Cindy asked. “Why can’t we see you?”
    â€œBecause I don’t want you to see me.” Sarshi paused. “Are you human beings?”
    â€œYes,” Cindy said. “What are you?”
    â€œDon’t you know?”
    â€œNo,” Cindy said.
    â€œDon’t you want to guess?”
    â€œWhy should we guess?” Watch asked.
    â€œBecause if you guess right I might show myself to you.”
    â€œYou’re an elf,” Cindy said.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou’re a leprechaun,” Watch said.
    â€œNo. Guess again.”
    â€œYou’re a fairy,” Cindy said.
    Sarshi sounded disappointed. “How did you guess?”
    â€œWe were running out of names for elementals,” Watch said. “Are you really a fairy?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œOh no,” Cindy moaned. “I don’t know if I can take another spell right now.”
    â€œI won’t cast a spell on you,” Sarshi said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    â€œWhy are you here?” Cindy asked.
    â€œThere is a rumor in the woods that Pan has returned. Another fairy told me that he has come with human kids. When I saw you I thought you might be with Pan.”
    â€œWe were with him,” Cindy explained. “But Watch was shot in the leg by an elf, and I stayed behind to guard him. Pan has gone along with our other friends.”
    â€œBe careful,” Watch warned in a quiet voice. “This fairy might be on Klandor’s side.”
    â€œI do not like Klandor,” Sarshi replied. “I never do a thing he says. I am on Pan’s side.”
    â€œBut if you follow Pan,” Cindy said, “how come you didn’t follow him into our world? Why are you still here?”
    Sarshi was a long time in answering. “Because these are my trees. This is my home. And I knew that one day Pan would return with an army and throw down Klandor.”
    Cindy had to smile. “He didn’t bring much of an army I’m afraid. Our other friends are all he’s got with him.” She paused. “I do believe you are a nice fairy, and Ihope you can tell we’re nice humans. Would you please show yourself now?”
    â€œOK. But you have to promise not to laugh at me.”
    â€œWhy would we laugh?” Cindy asked.
    â€œBecause I am a kid fairy,” Sarshi said, and with those words a tiny female figure appeared beside Cindy. She was at most half Cindy’s height. Like the fairy they had met outside the dwarfs’ cave, she wore