Stealth the Ghost Panther Read Online Free PDF Page B

still see his faint outline.
    Tom tried to dart between Stealth’s ghostly legs to reach Malvel, but the panther moved to block him. Tom’s outstretched arm passed through the Beast’s smoky body. The icy touch made his arm numb, and he stumbled back, barely able to keep hold of his sword.
    Recovering quickly, Tom made another dash for Malvel, but once again Stealth got in his way. This Beast is too clever! Tom thought angrily.
    Malvel raised his hands, ready to cast a spell. As he began to chant in a thunderous voice, Tom shivered and thought, I’ve no protection against magic!
    Tom braced himself for a desperate leap at the evil wizard. But then he heard Elenna’s voice. “Tom! Here — catch!”
    His friend had grabbed Stealth’s collar from the ground. She tossed it to Tom, who caught it in his free hand. Triumph flooded through him. Now I’ve got all the pieces of the Amulet of Avantia!
    As soon as Tom’s fingers closed around the collar, dazzling light poured out of the scrap of silver, forming a protective orb around him. Purple fire streamed from Malvel’s fingers, but when it hit the orb, it ricocheted off harmlessly and disappeared.
    Malvel let out a shriek of rage as his spell failed. Tom lunged forward. “Avantia!” he cried, slicing his sword through the air. Malvel leaped away, but the tip of Tom’s sword scored through his flesh, opening a gash in his cheek.
    The evil wizard screamed again with pain and fury. “You’ll regret that, boy!”
    Before Tom could strike him again, he stepped back into the cloud, which exploded in a burst ofpurple light. Tom had to shield his eyes against it. The silver orb that had protected him died away, too.

    Stealth’s ghostly form whipped around to attack. Gripping his sword, Tom braced himself for the strike. But the smoky shape with its faint outline of crimson fire began to fade. Tom heard the last echo of a snarl as the Beast vanished completely.
    Tom stood panting, gazing at the spot where the Ghost Beast had disappeared. “He’s gone,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Stealth is gone for good.”
    Elenna hurried to his side, with Storm and Silver close behind her. “Tom, that was great!”
    â€œI wouldn’t have survived if you hadn’t thrown me the piece of amulet,” Tom replied. “And I only managed to wound Malvel. That slash on his cheek won’t kill him.”
    â€œYou’re right, boy.” Malvel’s voice spoke from the emptiness. He spat a curse at Tom. “Our fight is far from over. I’ll be back!”
    â€œGood!” Tom called out in reply. “I look forward to it.” Remembering the look of fury and frustration on the dark wizard’s face as blood poured from his cheek, Tom felt courage surge through him. If Malvel could be wounded, he could be killed! If he ever had to face the evil wizard again, Tom had some extra knowledge about him now. But he could think about that another day. Turning to Elenna, he added, “We’ve finished our Quest! And now I can meet my father properly.”

S HOUTING BROKE OUT BEHIND T OM . H E SPUN around, his sword at the ready, braced for another attack.
    The citizens of Avantia were flinging open the doors and windows of the houses around the square. They streamed out into the streets, laughing and shouting joyfully as they surrounded Tom and Elenna.
    â€œWe’re free!”
    â€œWell done! You killed the Beast!”
    Tom sheathed his sword, almost overwhelmed by all the people who wanted to shake his hand or clap him on the shoulder. He pushed the collar,with the last precious piece of the amulet, into his pocket in case he might drop it in the crowd.
    â€œI did what I had to do,” he said. “And I couldn’t have done it without Elenna.”
    Elenna grinned at his praise.
    Then the people grew quiet, and moved back. Tom saw that the palace door had opened,