Something Deadly This Way Comes Read Online Free PDF Page B

could feel her eyes on me still.
    â€œFine,” Tammy said, and the memory of her terror hit me again.
    â€œYou can’t!” I exclaimed, turning in the seat.
    The three girls and Nakita stared at me, Nakita in wonder, Jennifer in anger, and Tammy and her last friend in bewilderment.
    â€œWho asked you, you freak?” Jennifer said loudly.
    My face warmed, but it wasn’t like I could just turn back around. “I . . . uh,” I stammered.
    â€œMadison is not a freak,” Nakita said hotly. “She’s trying to save Tammy’s soul.”
    My eyes shut, and I cringed. When they opened, Tammy’s eyes were wide, and the girl with her looked afraid. Jennifer started to laugh. I was mortified. God, did Nakita even have a clue how lame that sounded? Even if it was true?
    â€œWhat the hell?” Jennifer said. “Are you some kind of Bible school reject?”
    My temper got the better of me, and I squinted at her. “Honey, the stuff I’ve done and gotten away with would put your daydreams to shame,” I said, anger shoving my embarrassment to the back of my mind to deal with later. “So listen to me when I tell you sneaking out isn’t worth it.”
    The sound of the fire roaring was echoed in the bus’s engine, and I stifled a shiver as I looked at Tammy. Seeing her new resolve, I realized that speaking out had done more bad than good. She wanted freedom. She wanted to make her own decisions. But she clearly thought that making her own decisions meant doing the opposite of what her parents said was good for her. I’d call her a fool, but I’d been the same way myself. Until I had died trying to make a point that I was no one’s little girl.
    They were still staring at me. Maybe I should try a different tack.
    â€œLook, all I’m saying is that stuff goes wrong sometimes,” I said. “What if your little brother gets hurt? A burglar could break in, or the building could catch on fire. He’d be all alone.”
    Jennifer flopped back into her seat. “In this town? You gotta be kidding me. Nothing happens here. Mind your own business.”
    Nakita reached for her amulet, and I gently kicked her ankle. Her gaze shot to mine, her eyes seeming to say, “I told you so.”
    I was hot with anger. I don’t know how, because I was dead and didn’t really have a body, but I was definitely warm. Disconcerted, I turned around, very aware of them still staring at me.
    I couldn’t bring myself to look at Nakita. I didn’t want her to be right. There was no way that I was going to spend the next thousand years sending out assassin angels to end lives in order to save souls. I stood when the bus lurched to a halt.
    Nakita rose with me. “We’re getting off? What about . . . her?”
    My eyes were fixed on the front as three kids filed off. “Tammy will be fine until tonight. We need to leave before I shove my amulet down Jennifer’s throat.” I looked back at Nakita, who still hadn’t gotten into the aisle. “Come on. We know where she lives. Or Barnabas does.”
    Nodding, Nakita followed me to the front. “We’re leaving?” Josh said as I touched his shoulder, but he immediately picked up his gym bag and stood.
    From the back of the bus, Jennifer said in a mocking falsetto, “Going home to play tea party with your dolls?”
    Josh winced at my pressed lips and warm cheeks. “Time to leave. Gotcha.”
    â€œBefore Madison learns how to use her amulet and scythes the wrong girl,” Nakita said, clearly amused.
    â€œI can’t believe I just blurted it out like that,” I berated myself. “I am such an idiot.”
    â€œDidn’t go well, huh?” Josh asked as he filed out behind Nakita, and we all got off the bus.
    â€œThat’s one way to put it,” I said, hands on my hips and staring at the bus from the sidewalk. Tammy