Stealth the Ghost Panther Read Online Free PDF

his gaze fixed on the panther, he heard Elenna leading Storm away and the patter of Silver’s paws on the cobbles. Tom followed them, walking backward, circling the lasso over his head. Stealth stalked along the alley after him, his tails raking along the walls on either side.
    As he emerged from the end of the alley, Tom realized that in their search for Stealth, he and Elenna had traced a circle through the city. They had arrived back in the main square, not far from the palace gates. Glancing up at the palace, Tom spotted the one lighted window, with King Hugo, Wizard Aduro, and his father, Taladon, all watching silently. They’ve never seen anything like this , Tom thought. I only hope I come out the winner.
    Stealth had emerged from the alley, too, and was patiently prowling across the square toward Tom.Circling the lasso, Tom tried to judge the best moment to strike.

    â€œTom, be careful!” Elenna’s voice had a warning note.
    He realized that Stealth understood what he was trying to do. The Beast was circling one of his tails above his head, making a lasso of his own.
    If he catches me, I’m done for , Tom told himself. It’s now or never! He had to lasso the Beast before the Beast lassoed him first. And he could see that Stealth’s body was gradually beginning to fade into its ghostly form.
    I’ve got to catch him before he changes!
    Tom sent the rope arcing through the air toward the panther. At the same time, Elenna fired a volley of arrows at the Beast’s back legs. Stealth’s head snapped around and he bared his teeth at her. The Beast had turned half-ghostly, but Tom could just make out enough of him to aim.
    â€œYes!” Tom’s triumphant shout echoed across the square as the noose fell perfectly over the Ghost Beast’s head.
    Tom pulled the rope tight around Stealth’s neck and ran to his side. Distracted by the struggle, it was clear that Stealth could no longer concentrate on becoming a ghost, and he returned to his full form. Gripping the panther’s collar in one hand, Tom vaulted onto the Beast’s back. Stealth struggled to wrench the rope out of Tom’s hands, but Tom held it fast.
    Stealth swung his head around, his fangs snapping at Tom, but every time he turned to get closer, Tom was carried out of reach on the Beast’s own body. The rope burned his hands as he clung to it, trying to stay on the ghost panther’s twisting back.
    Sitting astride the Beast, Tom drew his sword again, gripping the rope with his other hand. He managed to scramble to his feet, but almost losthis balance as Stealth reared up on his hind legs, in an effort to shake Tom off. The panther’s coal-black fur was as slippery as ice under Tom’s feet. But he somehow clung to the rope and climbed up Stealth’s spine until he was in reach of the collar.
    With a single stroke, Tom sliced the collar through. It clattered to the ground, the piece of amulet ringing on the cobblestones of the square.
    Stealth let out a final roar of pain and anger.
    At the same instant, a fierce gust of wind blew through the square. A whirling reddish-purple cloud began to form in front of Tom, and a scream of rage echoed through the air. “Nooooooo!”
    Tom recognized the voice. That’s Malvel!

T OM SCRAMBLED DOWN S TEALTH’S LEG TO ground level. Stealth growled and began tugging at the rope to free himself. The reddish-purple cloud thickened, and evil Wizard Malvel stepped out of it. His sunken eyes burned with rage. As his dark cloak flapped like the wings of a hawk, he swooped to grab the collar and the last piece of the amulet.
    But Tom was too quick for him. He stepped forward, kicking the collar out of the wizard’s reach, and held his sword at Malvel’s throat. The evil wizard staggered back, rage and fear in his eyes.
    As Tom tried to follow him, Stealth slipped between them. His body was starting to turn ghostly again, though Tom could