The Shaman's Secret by Natasha Narayan Read Free Book Online Page B

with sweat and the front of my blouse wet. Waldo was standing over me, his blond hair golden in the twilight.
    â€œMr. Baker thinks we should move,” he said. “He thinkseven another night here would be dangerous. He thinks his brother may know where we are.”
    I groaned. Waldo took a seat at the other end of the bedroom, as far away from me as possible. Rachel had vanished. Was it my imagination or had Waldo become distant since I’d recovered? He hardly ever looked me in the eye now. The ease in each other’s company, the fun we had teasing each other—that had gone.
    â€œWaldo,” I said, “have I done something to offend you?”
    â€œWhatever gave you that idea?”
    â€œI don’t know. I think you’ve been … kind of … avoiding me.”
    Waldo flushed and looked down at his boots.
    â€œYou get the funniest ideas,” he said, still not meeting my eye. He clearly didn’t want to talk about whatever it was that was bothering him. “Look, I want to talk about something real. This whole Baker thing—this Grand Canyon idea—it’s dangerous. Your father has asked me to have a serious talk with you.”
    My heart stopped for an instant, and I found
I
didn’t want to look at Waldo.
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œOur future …” He blushed. For some stupid reason, I was blushing too. “I mean
your
future.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œHe wants to see if I can talk you out of this scheme.This mad scheme to go west—and the Grand Canyon. It’s madness. Chasms. Gorges. Wild raging rivers. Hardly explored. I mean, what can you be thinking of?”
    The old fight had gone out of me. Once I had been so sure. But now … everything was hazy … the snake and Baker’s evil presence looming over us … If he had found out where we lived, even now we could be in danger. It was as if I was walking through a land where everything was coated in a layer of mist. Except Waldo, who was shining bright before me, his eyes sky blue.
    â€œHow was your visit?” I asked, changing the subject. “Has Mr. Baker told us the truth?”
    â€œYe-es,” Waldo admitted, looking down at the floor.
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œThere was a school, very well furnished, and the children were learning. They hail Cyril Baker as their savior.”
    â€œAnd those poor Chinese laborers?”
    â€œHe has set them free. With a few dollars in their pockets.”
    â€œSo he really has had a change of heart.”
    â€œOr maybe he’s just decided to invest a few thousand dollars into tricking us. That’s not a lot of money for a man of Baker’s wealth.”
    â€œYou’re such a cynic, Waldo. I believe him. I think he has repented.”
    He glanced at me as I said that, a burning look that made me feel suddenly miserable.
    â€œYou’re always so restless, Kit. Always so keen to put your life in danger—and the lives of others.”
    â€œNo,” I said softly. “I think Cyril Baker has changed, deep in his soul. I think he knows he has done many evil things and is doomed and …”
    â€œYes, yes.” Waldo rose from his chair. “I can see I’m not going to change your mind. I suppose we will be setting off for Arizona—and more madness.” He moved toward the door, turning his back to me. “I will have to tell your father I cannot reason with you.”
    â€œWaldo!”
    From the door he grunted, without turning round.
    â€œPlease. Waldo. Please, come here.”
    â€œWhat is it now?”
    â€œI want to show you something.”
    He came slowly, as if pulled against his wishes, to the spot where I was curled up on the window ledge. I was wearing a maroon velvet skirt with a blouse, which had long lace sleeves that came to my wrists. Not my choice of clothes—Rachel had purchased them sometime when I was ill. Now, calmly as I could, I rolled up my