Forevermore Read Online Free PDF Page B

hissing those things, telling you to leave?” Kids file past us, hurrying to classrooms.
    I shake my head. “I’m not sure. It sounds like a guy’s voice.” I stop and look at Emma. “And …” I really hesitate to tell her this.
    “Go on,” she urges.
    “I swear I saw my violin and bow hovering in midair, playing on their own.”
    I expect Emma to laugh at me but she only nods. “Doesna surprise me one bit. Not after what my auntie told me.” She inclines her head. “Doing anything thisweekend?” she asks. “We could hang out. Maybe at your place? We could investigate the situation.”
    A sigh of relief escapes me. “So you don’t think I’m crazy?”
    “Och,” Emma says, heading into our math class. “Of course I think you’re crazy.” She grins. “But so am I. We’ll check it out together. Two is better than one, aye?”
    “Definitely,” I say.

     
    By the end of the day, Emma and I have exchanged cell numbers and she’s urged me to text her if anything else weird happens at the castle. I officially have a friend here. I’m in such a good mood that it takes me a second to notice that it’s just Niall picking me up in the car.
    “Where’s Mom?” I ask, buckling my seat belt.
    “She doesna feel so well this afternoon,” he answers. “How was school?”
    I tell Niall the truth: The first day was better than expected, and Emma, Cam, and Derek seem very nice. Niall looks pleased, and for the first time, things don’t seem so awkward between us. Still, the rest of the drive passes without much conversation.
    When I get back inside the castle, Mom is sitting on the sofa beside the hearth, covered in a blanket and reading a book.
    “You okay?” I ask her, a little worried. Mom rarely gets sick.
    She smiles up at me. “Sure, baby, just felt a little off is all. Probably jet lag.” She asks me about school, and I fill her in on Emma and the twins, and my classes. This good news seems to perk her up, and when Niall comes into the room, she rises off the couch, telling him she’s feeling much better and can accompany him. Apparently, Niall has some land he’s interested in up the coast so they’re going to check it out. Such is the life of a laird, I guess.
    Mom says they will be back before supper and kisses me good-bye. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and head for the kitchen. I’m hoping to say hi to Jonas and maybe get an afternoon snack before settling into my homework upstairs.
    But in the shadow of the staircase, I run smack into Elizabeth.
    She’s watching me. Wordless. Cold eyes. That white-gray bun. I swear she must use a wrench to tighten it.
    “Hey,” I say, trying to break the ice just a little.
    “Good afternoon,” she says crisply, correcting me. “You’re a MacAllister now, young lady. Behave as one.”
    I’ve had about enough. I’ve not done one thing to this woman, and she hates me. Hates me! I look at her as I walk by her. “I’m not a MacAllister.”
    “Well, then,” Elizabeth says behind me. “If you feel that way, you might be better off locked in the tower.”
    What?
    I stop in my tracks and slowly turn to look at her. Her thin lips rise in a sinister smile. “Aye?”
    I turn and hurry away. Not answering, not entertaining her. I don’t hear her heels clicking on the floor behind me, so I figure she isn’t following. Good. I’ve had enough of her threats.
    The kitchen is empty. “Jonas?” I call. I’m dying to vent to him about my latest encounter with the evil Elizabeth. I set my backpack on the table and head to his room off the kitchen, and lightly knock. No answer.
    “Guess he must be out getting groceries or something,” I say out loud to no one. I begin to search the cabinets for some crackers, and that’s when I notice the big walk-in freezer door is ajar. Thinking Jonas may be inside, I walk to it and open the door wider.
    “Jonas?” I call, peering inside.
    Suddenly, I’m shoved hard from behind and I fall to the floor of the