The Demon Notebook by Erika McGann Read Free Book Online Page B

rent a tractor and trailer. He was going to try and fit all the stuck students on top of it! Luckily, my mom talked him out of it. I would’ve been mortified.”
    â€œAt least we got a day off from school out of it,” said Rachel.
    â€œWasn’t worth it,” said Grace.
    â€œNo way,” said Adie. “My mom was nearly in hysterics about it. She’s still worried I might have delayed frostbite or something. It’ll be ages before she calms down.”
    The piercing sound of the school bell rang out loudly through the halls, followed by a low collective groan from all of them.
    â€œFudge,” Jenny said, picking up her backpack. “I really don’t feel like math this morning.”
    â€œWhere’s Una?” asked Grace suddenly.
    â€œWhat?” said Jenny.
    â€œWho’s got Una this morning?”
    â€œAdie,” said Rachel.
    â€œNo,” said Adie, frowning. “I don’t have her ’til English. After the break. It was Grace’s turn.”
    â€œNo,” said Grace, beginning to worry. “I don’t have her ’til after lunch. Jenny?”
    â€œShe’s in none of my classes today.”
    Grace looked from one to the other of her friends. “Then where is she?”
    They stood on tiptoes to look over the crowd and down the corridors, but Una was nowhere to be seen.
    â€œWe have to go look for her,” said Grace. “Jenny, you and Rachel head that way. Me and Adie will take the other side. Go all the way up, and we’ll meet you at the opposite end of the building.”
    The girls spilt up and hurried toward the corridors that linked the large blocks of the school. As Grace and Adie passed the doorway that led out the gym, they heard the now-familiar monotone reply.
    â€œI’m fine, Tracy. Thank you.”
    â€œOh, God,” said Adie, grabbing Grace’s arm and pulling her through the open door.
    Una stood surrounded by Tracy, Trish, and Bev. The Beast stood right in front of her, hunching over so they were nearly nose to nose. Una seemed completely unaware of the danger and replied to Tracy’s snarl with her strange wide-eyed smile.
    â€œI have to go now, or I’ll be late for class. You should probably go too, Tracy.”
    â€œWe’re not going anywhere,” Tracy growled, grabbing Una by the collar and pushing her back until they were out of sight of the doorway.
    â€œYou’re hurting my neck,” Una said calmly.
    â€œLeave her alone!” Grace’s voice was shaking.
    Adie sheltered behind her friend, still holding on tight to her sleeve, and peeked her head over Grace’s shoulder.
    â€œYeah!” she said, and ducked down again.
    Tracy barely seemed to notice them. She twisted Una’s collar in both hands, pushed her back against the wall, and lifted her clear off the ground.
    â€œPut me down, please,” Una said, her voice a little constricted.
    â€œHa, ha!” laughed Trish. “Did you hear her? Put me down, please . Ha, ha!”
    â€œPut me down, please!” Bev echoed, and grinned at her friend.
    Tracy leaned in, glaring at Una with her dark, menacing eyes. She bunched one fist. Then suddenly her expression changed as she watched Una’s eyes. They were turning red.
    Una drove her knee upward until it connected sharply with Tracy’s stomach, forcing the Beast to drop her. Then, with her face as passive as ever, Una swung her right arm and caught Tracy on the cheek with her fist, knocking her clean off her feet to the ground.
    Grace and Adie stood shocked, frozen to the spot even as Jenny and Rachel ran into them from behind.
    â€œWhat happened?” gasped Jenny. “Is Una okay?”
    Grace tried to answer, but her voice caught in her throat. She couldn’t take her eyes off Una as she made her way toward the girls, her bright red irises fading back to their usual gray.
    â€œHer eyes,” Rachel croaked. “Did you