Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters - Bella Forrest Page 0,130
leaving those treat boxes open. The crumbs get everywhere.”
I stifled a giggle, wishing I had better news to bring them. I didn’t want to burst their bubble. “It’s okay, you don’t have to pretend. I think it’s… nice. Really nice. Not that I ever want to walk in on that again. I just came by to tell you something, and I’m sorry that I didn’t consult you first. I thought you might try to talk me out of it.”
The mood turned suddenly serious, until Cynane leapt from one of Atlas’s horns onto his snout, eliciting a sneeze from my monster. A puff of flames jetted out of his nostrils, hitting Spartacus in the leg as he hovered in front of Atlas. Spartacus yelped, grabbing his leg and blowing on the faint streak of soot where he’d been singed, then shooting a sour glare at Cynane, who had collapsed in a fit of hysterics. Boudicca, meanwhile, flew toward me and landed on my shoulder, evidently sensing that hijinks weren’t welcome for what I was about to say.
“What’s wrong?” Nathan pressed, one arm sliding casually around Genie’s waist. I guessed they’d taken some big steps in their blossoming relationship without me realizing it. Then again, I had been majorly distracted these past few days. Little green men could’ve come down in shiny spaceships and abducted half the population of the Institute, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
With Boudicca giving me a chirp of encouragement and Atlas tilting his head downward in an approving nod, I relayed my encounter with Victoria, and the punishments we could all expect as a result. It wasn’t a long story, but by the time I was done, the air had been sucked out of the room.
“I’m so sorry, but I had to do it. I had to know,” I said quietly. “And one thing is clear—I don’t trust this place anymore. Victoria is keeping secrets, and I don’t know how far down the rabbit hole they go.”
Genie puffed out a strained breath. “Well, that’s not the kind of Victoria’s Secret I like.”
“Um… no.” Nathan reddened further, and I was grateful to Genie for defusing some of the tension. “I happen to feel the same way—about the Institute holding back, I mean!” He rubbed his glasses on his shirt, thinking. “The moment I discovered that awful curse in her Grimoire, I knew she wasn’t the person I’d thought she was. It has haunted me since. But I would still like answers as to why she cursed Reid. There’s something we’re missing here.”
I nodded. “And the one with possible answers still isn’t replying to my texts.”
“Then we find him and get him to talk. I’m sure Atlas can warm up his toes until he feels chatty,” Genie suggested, scratching between the monster’s horns. “And we should probably get to him before his pals decide to come after us for a second round.”
As new horizons went, I sensed there was a storm brewing on ours.
HARLEY MERLIN 21: Persie Merlin and the Dying Song
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters!
Continue the journey in Harley Merlin 21: Persie Merlin and the Dying Song — releasing August 31st, 2020!
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Love,
Bella x
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