Rise of the Darklings by Paul Crilley Read Free Book Online

shoulders. “Always.”
    And then Grubber was pulled backward into the water. His last sight was that of Black Annis, a creature from nightmares and stories, dancing a slow dance, her hands held out as if encircling the shoulder and waist of an invisible partner.

C HAPTER F IVE
In which Emily returns to Merrian’s shop and discovers what a True Seer is. The attack
.

    T EN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING
ON THE FIRST DAY OF E MILY’S ADVENTURES .
    S now, wait!”
    Jack caught up with Emily and grabbed her by the arm. He looked around to make sure no one was watching and pulled her into an alley.
    Emily pulled herself free. “What?”
    “What?
Is that all you can say? Emily, who were those men? Are you in trouble?”
    “No—yes …” Emily stopped herself before she let anything slip. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, Jack. I can’t answer your questions.”
    “But what did they want? What was that thing you grabbed from the tall one?”
    Emily’s hand flew to her pocket. The satchel was still there.
    “Was he really a bobby?”
    “Course he wasn’t.”
    “Had the smell of authority, though. I’ll give him that.” He frowned at Emily. “You tellin’ me you really don’t know why they were after you?”
    Emily hesitated, unsure what to do. Jack sensed her reluctance.
    “Come on, Snow. I can help. Whatever it is. I’ve always watched over you and Will, haven’t I?”
    The urge to tell Jack everything that had happened that morning was strong, almost overwhelming. But he wouldn’t believe her. She hardly believed it herself.
    “I can’t tell you, Jack. You wouldn’t understand.”
    “Try me.”
    Emily shook her head. No. She wouldn’t involve Jack in this. It was too dangerous, not his problem. “Thank you, Jack, for helping out back there. But this is something I have to do myself. Maybe I’ll catch up with you later? At the coffee shop?”
    Jack said nothing, his mouth set in a thin line. Emily could see he was unhappy about it, but he knew better than to argue with her when her mind was made up.
    Emily hurried back out of the alley, trying to ignore the look of hurt on his face.

    She returned to Merrian’s shop. It was the only thing she could think of to do. She had to give Corrigan back his satchel, and if she returned home there was a good chance Ravenhill would be waiting. She was glad William had gone to Mrs. Derry’s shop. At least that would keep him out of harm’s way for the rest of the day while she figured out what to do.
    Emily pushed open the door to the bookshop. Nothing had changed since she had been there earlier. Piles of books still looked as if they were about to fall over with the slightest touch. Dust still filled the air.
    “Hello?” she called.
    No answer. Emily walked forward and picked up the bell from the counter. It rang once, a pure, sweet call. She nervously replaced it and waited.
    A second later the curtain whipped aside and Merrian stood there, his huge shoulders pushing up against the doorframe.
    “What are you doing here? How did you find the shop?”
    Emily was taken aback. “Um … Corrigan told me the way this morning.”
    “Yes, but you’re not supposed to remember that,” said Corrigan, climbing up onto the counter. Emily noticed that he was barely limping anymore. He had a fresh bandage wrapped around his leg, but the wound didn’t seem to be bothering him at all. Perhaps the fey healed faster than humans? “In fact, you shouldn’t be able to see us, either.”
    Corrigan and Merrian shared a brief look. Emily knew that kind of look. It was what adults did when they were discussing grown-up subjects and thought the children wouldn’t notice.
    “Why are you looking at each other like that?” she demanded.
    “What do you want?” asked Merrian, avoiding the question. “I thought I told you to forget about us. You should do as you’re told.”
    Emily started to feel angry. Here she was, trying to help them, and all they did was scold