Spirits and Spells by Bruce Coville Read Free Book Online Page A

while I was thinking about him more and more.”
    â€œThat kind of thing happens,” said Tansy, feeling wise beyond her years.
    â€œThank you, miss. I knew you would understand. Not like her. She didn’t understand anything. One day she caught Mr. Morley kissing me. She was furious. And that was the end of me.”
    An enormous flash of lightning interrupted the story. Its bluish glare flickered through the window at the end of the attic. Thunder followed close and strong, a clap that shook the house on its foundations.
    Charity sighed.
    â€œIt was a night just like this when that woman came sneaking into this house. I had gone to my little room to try to sleep. Suddenly I heard a sound in the hall. Then the door flew open. There was a flash of lightning, just like now, and I saw her standing there, clutching a big knife.”
    Charity’s voice was low and husky, and the terrified thrill in it made Tansy shiver.
    â€œWell, I saw the knife go up and come down. I felt a horrible flash of pain, a slicing feeling. And that was the last I knew for a time. The next thing I remember, she was gone, and Mr. Morley was there. Poor Mr. Morley. He was crying and calling my name. That made me feel good—to know he really cared about me. Then he knelt beside my bed and began to whisper, ‘Charity. Oh, Charity. My poor, poor Charity.’
    â€œThat made me feel even better, until I understood why he was so upset.”
    Charity paused dramatically.
    â€œWhy was he so upset?” cried Tansy.
    â€œBecause I was dead! I mean, there I was, looking at poor Mr. Morley, and I suddenly realized that I was sort of floating above it all, hanging somewhere near the ceiling. Then I saw my head, lying there on the bed. Oh, it was terrible, miss. All that blood. Blood everywhere, and my body nowhere to be seen. Just my head. And Mr. Morley stroking my hair and moaning, ‘Oh, my poor Charity. My poor, poor Charity.’
    â€œWell, it turned out my dearie knew more magic than I thought. He and Mr. Gulbrandsen fixed my head up so it wouldn’t go bad, if you know what I mean. Then they put it in that box. Mr. Morley used to come here and look at it. But we never found my body. They looked for it everywhere. I was looking, too, though they didn’t know that. But I was desperate to find it, because I couldn’t leave here until I was buried proper.”
    â€œIs that why you’re still haunting this place?” asked Tansy.
    â€œOf course it is! Oh, miss, I do wish I knew where that terrible woman put the rest of me. I’m so tired of being bound to this earthly plane. I feel trapped, if you know what I mean. And I’ve been so lonely.”
    Moved by Charity’s plight, Tansy said, “I have some friends here with me tonight. Would you like to meet them?”
    â€œI surely would!”
    â€œWe’re gathering down in the library. Come with me.”
    â€œLead the way, miss. I’ll be right behind you!”
    As Tansy left the attic, she was deep in thought about the best way to introduce Charity to the others. But when she reached the foot of the stairs, her thoughts were disrupted by a loud commotion. She recognized Matt’s voice, crving out in anger. Then she heard another voice, deep and rough, and the sound of clanging swords.
    Without thinking, she raced forward, only to stop in shock at the next flight of stairs. Matt was shouting and swinging a glowing stick. At first she thought he had lost his mind and was battling thin air.
    Then she heard a cry of rage from his invisible enemy.
    Mouth working hungrily, the grotesque guardian of the sword had almost reached Derek, who was scrambling along the floor, away from the slippery puddles. But as he struggled to stand, he felt a thick tentacle wrap itself about his ankle.
    â€œJenny! Help me!”
    With a shriek Jenny flung her flashlight at the creature. It struck the monster with a dull thud, fell to the