The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 2 by Bella Forrest (top ten ebook reader .TXT) 📗

as Natalie ushered them quickly in. It was getting closer to curfew, and Ellabell was holding her pajamas over the crook of her arm, as though she had just been about to get ready for bed. Her brown curls were tied up into a messy bun, though a few sprang loose about her face, and she seemed less than pleased. Alex hadn’t spoken properly with her since he had made his excuses and run from her dorm room, and she cast him a peculiar look as he stood against the wall, waiting for Natalie to explain.

At first, Ellabell didn’t seem to like the idea, shaking the curls on top of her head.

“That sounds pretty dangerous to me,” she said, holding her pajamas to her chest.

“Aren’t you curious?” asked Jari eagerly. Time was slipping away, and the longer it took to make Ellabell come around, the less time there would be to actually get going with the plan. “Don’t you want to know if the Head is really gone?”

“Does it really make a difference?” replied Ellabell, echoing Alex’s earlier sentiments.

“We need to check. It’s for Aamir’s sake,” explained Jari, his voice bordering on pleading.

“Professor Nagi?” said Ellabell, her face surprised.

Jari nodded. “Yes, it’s for Aamir. We’re trying to help him out.”

“Is he in danger?” Ellabell frowned, glancing at Alex, who had yet to say a word.

“He might be,” said Jari, his voice pinched with emotion.

“I would go with them, but I do not feel so well,” murmured Natalie, sitting wearily down on her bed. “I would be most grateful if you would help them out for me and make sure they are safe. I wish I could go with them, and I am sorry to ask such a big favor,” she sighed.

The sight of Natalie, so pale and sickly, seemed to affect Ellabell, chipping away at her aversion to such a dangerous scheme. Slowly, she put her pajamas down on the covers of her bed and folded her arms.

“Why do you need me?” she asked simply.

“We need a third to watch our backs,” said Alex, leveling his gaze in Ellabell’s direction. “I know how good you are with shielding spells, and I suggested you might be able to help us out because you’re one of the strongest, most knowledgeable students in this place and you’re more than capable of helping defend us if anything bad happens,” he explained softly, his mouth curving into an encouraging smile.

“You suggested me?” Ellabell frowned, pushing her spectacles back up to the bridge of her nose.

Alex nodded. “Plus, there are stacks of forbidden books you could always have a glance through while we’re there.” He shrugged casually, hoping the temptation of the rare tomes would seal the deal.

It felt as if an eternity had passed as they waited for Ellabell’s answer. Her face was etched with concern and there was a nervous energy about her, but Alex hoped she would say yes. He knew it was a lot to ask of her, but her skills would be invaluable if they got into any trouble behind the golden line.

“I’ll help,” she said hurriedly, as if deliberating any further would change her mind.

Alex grinned as the newly formed trio said their hushed goodbyes to Natalie, and he and Jari ushered Ellabell out the door. There was no more time to waste. It was already past curfew, and they had to get to the golden line without disturbing anyone or setting off any booby traps.

“Can you put a shield around yourself and Jari?” asked Alex in a whisper. “A strong one that can protect you both as well as possible?” he added, his eyes darting to the darkness at the end of the corridor.

Ellabell nodded, her eyes wide with fear as she began to conjure golden streams of light from beneath her hands. “You as well?”

Alex shook his head. “Just you two,” he insisted, hoping he was right about his anti-magic protecting him from any magical traps that might be in place throughout the corridors. The barrier to the girls’ dormitories didn’t work on him, and he was convinced none of the unseen curfew spells would either, should there be anything out there, hidden in the darkness of the hallways. It was a big risk to take, especially since the Head suspected something was amiss about Finder’s disappearance, but it was one Alex was willing to try. If he got caught, he knew it would be a catastrophe. He’d cross that bridge if he came to it.

Slowly, Ellabell’s magic spread out in a glittering lattice across the pair of them, golden threads interlacing with other threads until a gleaming screen covered them entirely, lying lightly over their skin. Pulling her hands tightly inward, her face stern in concentration, she suddenly dimmed the radiance, and Alex couldn’t see them against the shadows of the hallway. The shield had worked, hiding Jari and Ellabell mostly from sight. It wasn’t foolproof, but it was better than nothing.

“Follow my lead,” whispered Alex as they moved through the empty manor, his eyes darting cautiously into the shadows ahead of each corner to scan for anyone moving about in the darkness. He didn’t want to come across Renmark by accident, or his new right-hand woman, Esmerelda. There would be no leniency from either of them if they were caught—Alex knew that for sure.

Eventually, they reached the entrance to the Head’s quarters, the golden line glinting menacingly from the floor, where it snaked up the walls and across the ceiling. As Alex paused, Ellabell removed a small square in the lattice of her camouflage, the shield glowing dimly for a moment as her face appeared in the gap. Alex wasn’t sure it was a good spot for a conversation, but he held his tongue.

“How are we supposed to get past?” she asked nervously. Alex could see Jari smirking behind her.

“Close the gap in your shield and turn around. This shouldn’t take long, but it might be dangerous, and I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ll