Witch & Wizard 04 - The Kiss by James Patterson Read Free Book Online Page A

“I know who you are, too,” Heath whispers, and his eyes flicker mockingly. “But I don’t really see where you’re going with this….”
    “I know you’re lying. You were a New Order Youth Brigade leader with a different name. Byron Swain showed me your records.”
    “Byron,” Heath groans. “Is that pup still nipping at Wisty’s heels and whining for my scraps? The One would say that dog needs a stun gun to the groin.”
    I glare at Heath, remembering Byron’s heartbroken face.
    “Hey, just kidding—no need for the silent treatment,” he says, picking up the file and flipping through it with casual indifference. “Tell Mr. Swain that in case he wasn’t aware, the Council pardoned all former New Order Youth yesterday.” He opens the folder then, shrugging as the pages take flight and scatter in the wind. “But you knew that, didn’t you? Since you and Wisty sit on the Council?”
    “The Council votes for the good of the City. We’re talking about what’s good for my sister.”
    “Well, fair ruler, that seems a bit hypocritical, if you ask me.”
    I look him in the eye. “I didn’t.”
    “Fair enough.” He shrugs. “I don’t think Wisty asked you what you thought about me, either.” Heath starts to walk away, still smirking, but when he turns around suddenly, I’m surprised by his intense expression and blazing eyes.
    “You don’t know anything about me, because you don’t want to know,” he says, and for the first time, Heath seems sincere, almost emotional. “I never lied about the Youth Brigade. The One,” he spits, nearly choking on the word, “killed my father. Then, like practically everyone else in this City, I had no choice but to join his service.” Heath picks up his shining blue helmet from the bench and rubs at a scuff mark. “Maybe I just wanted a fresh start, for once.” He sighs. “I hope that satisfies your little background check.”
    He gets about five paces before the guilt sets in.
    Nice going, Whit.
    Here I’m ready to write this guy off as a soulless faker, and he ends up being another kid damaged by the system who’s just trying to stay afloat.
    “Hey,” I call after him.
    He turns, his gaze accusatory.
    “Listen,” I offer, “I’m sorry about your father. I’ll think about what you said, okay?”
    Heath shrugs, the mask of amusement creeping back into his eyes. “Does this little heart-to-heart mean we get to be buddies now and throw the ball around again sometime? Because I can’t wait.”

Chapter 12
    Whit
    THE SKY OVERHEAD is darkening with the threat of rain, but the clouds inside my head feel stormiest of all.
    The bleachers cleared out long ago, so the touch of a hand on my shoulder takes me by surprise.
    “You okay?” Janine asks, her eyebrows crinkled with concern.
    “Yeah. Sure.” I force a smile. The field is where I’ve always been able to let go of my anxiety, but with this loss today, my stress over the Council, the missing kids, Heath, Wisty… it’s all just been building. “You didn’t have to wait for me.”
    Janine shrugs as if to say, Of course I waited . She’s hugging her bare arms to her chest, and her hair is damp. I hadn’t even realized it was raining.
    “You must be freezing,” I say, standing. “Here.” I hold out my jacket.
    Janine tilts her head to the side. “You don’t have to take care of me, you know.”
    “Oh. Um.” I shift uncomfortably. “You were just shivering, so…”
    But Janine smiles and pulls my jacket over her bare shoulders anyway. “I just meant that everyone expects you to play the hero all the time, and you don’t have to do that with me, okay?” She looks me in the eye. “You can be real.”
    “Great. Then if you wouldn’t mind carrying this…” I lift up my gym bag.
    Janine’s crack of laughter is sharp and bright, and immediately puts me at ease.
    “Would you maybe want to get a bite with me?” I ask as we walk together off the field. “I thought we could go to that