Shifting Read Online Free PDF

and thumbed through it.
    “There is one thing I don’t understand.”
    “What’s that, Col?” asked Meghan curiously, not having sensed this in her brother’s mind.
    “Do you remember, after we got Jae’s father through, when Uncle Arnon showed up?”
    “Yeah, I recall,” she said snidely. As if she could’ve forgotten!
    “Well, do you remember when we left the trailer that night that I did not have the Magicante?”
    Meghan’s eyes widened.
    “I do,” answered Jae. “I remember asking you where it was.”
    “Why would Uncle Arnon bring Magicante to me? I can see throwing it at me, to get me out of the way, but why did he bring it?” Colin fought off tears, but he was too weak to hide it from Meghan.
    “It wasn’t your fault, Colin,” she tried to assure him.
    “But if I hadn’t forgotten my book, or hadn’t gone at all, Uncle Arnon might still be safe. Why would he risk his life to bring me Magicante? It’s a handy book, but worth giving up his life for?”
    “Colin, I think it’s vital that we try and put this out of our minds, for now. We should focus on surviving the next three years. I think I’d rather curl up and die, than sit and worry.”
    “I’ll try,” he murmured.
    Footsteps shuffled up the staircase.
    “I think its best,” warned Jae, “to keep all of this to ourselves; using magic, the book… and Meghan, I wouldn’t tell anyone about your run in with the Catawitch, either. Those things could easily change the Viancourt’s minds about you staying here.” It was Mireya who had come up the stairs. As Colin departed the bath, Jae spun around.
    “I forgot. The other room,” he pointed to the room across from the staircase, “that belongs to Ivan. He was with me the day I ran into you guys and dropped all my packages. He just turned seventeen. Busy all the time. We don’t see him much. My parents took him in a few years back after his grandfather passed on.”
    “That’s nice of your family to do that,” said Meghan from the bathroom door, recalling the rude boy. She hurriedly bathed, allowing Colin time to clean up, too. After, they had dinner.
    During the meal, another package arrived from Banon Blackwell, this time for Colin.
    “I already got mine, its beautiful,” said Meghan.
    Colin opened his. It was a black jacket, with a hint of gold fringe.
    “That’s what all the men wear to fancy type occasions,” said Jae. Colin tried it on over his clothes. Again, it fell to his ankles.
    19
    “Another item to grow into?” Colin asked hopefully.
    “I can fix that, along with your other one,” said Sheila. “Leave it on the couch over there, but in the box. We must keep it nice. It’s a real honor to get a gift from Banon Blackwell.”
    “Is there some event we need to have these outfits ready for? We were told there may be occasions we cannot attend.”
    “We do have lots of fancy affairs. Best to always be ready,” Sheila smiled. They ate quietly and immediately after, Meghan announced she was ready for bed.
    “I realize it’s early, but I’m spent.”
    “I’m pretty beat myself, probably won’t be too far behind,” replied her brother.
    “I think that’s a splendid idea all around,” announced Sheila. “I’m going to make a quick trip to see your father and when I get back, bed time.”
    No one argued. The dinner meal had filled their bellies, causing the immensity of their gloomy tiredness to kick in.
    “Night everyone,” yawned Meghan, as she wound her way up the staircase. A chorus of sleepy goodnights swept through the house.
    The boys and Mireya decided to stay up until Jae’s mother had returned from seeing Irving Mochrie at the hospital.
    Meghan’s head hit her pillow, all thoughts left her mind, and exhaustion took over. She did not awaken until the next morning.
    3
    It took a few groggy minutes for Meghan to remember where she was. She sensed in her mind for Colin.
    “You’re finally awake,” he said, catching her thought. “Hurry and