Page 100 of The Tree of Spirits
The word had come from the Chameleon, but the creature wasn’t a beast anymore. No, it looked just like Conner. It sounded like Conner too. He stepped toward Kato, arms spread wide in brotherly greeting.
“We’ve been at odds for far too long,” Conner said with a half-smile. “We used to be friends. We used to tell each other everything. I miss that.”
Kato didn’t move. I could only imagine what his face looked like under that thick helmet.
“It’s not really Conner,” I told him. “The Chameleon can get inside your head. It reads your thoughts and emotions and then exploits them.”
“Silence, Apprentice.” The Chameleon was playing the General now. “I did not give you permission to speak.” Disapproval dripped off his words like sweat on skin on a hot summer day. He addressed Kato. “Just look at what she’s done now.” The General indicated the toppled tents and broken crates. “She wreaks havoc wherever she goes. She endangers everyone with her reckless actions. The book she holds is dangerous. You swore to protect the people of Gaia, Kato. Fulfill that duty now. Arrest her. And give me the book.” He held out his hand.
“That is not the General,” I said to Kato.
“I know.”
The words echoed deeply inside his helmet. He was trying to sound more confident than he was. The Chameleon had gotten to him. It had wormed its way into his head.
“He’s right, you know,” the Chameleon said, laughing lightly. It was wearing my face now, speaking in my voice. “I am trouble. So much trouble.” Fake-Savannah batted her eyelashes at Kato.
“I donotsound like that,” I protested. I glowered at the fake me. “And I don’t act like that either.”
“Keep telling yourself that, sister,” she chuckled, linking her arm in Kato’s. She glanced up at him, hitting him with a doting look. “Could you escort me home, Kato?” She was literally hanging on his arm. “There are monsters everywhere. I’m scared.” Her voice quivered.
“Oh, puh-lease,” I growled. Seeing that sappy look on my own face made me want to gag.
“Don’t worry,” Kato said, stepping back to bow to her. “I will help you.”
“I knew I could count on you, Kato,” she simpered.
Metal sang. Fast as lightning, he drew his sword.
Fire roared. Flames slid down his blade.
Kato swung, chopping off the monster’s head with his sword. And then both head and body exploded into tiny light particles and faded away, like they’d never been there at all. Soft, distant bells chimed on the wind, gentle and magical.
I gawked at him. “You just beheaded me.”
“I knew it wasn’t really you, Seven.” A slight chuckle tinted his words. “You’re far too stubborn to ask for help.”
I struggled not to laugh. “Very funny.”
He bowed his head in acknowledgement.
“Well, then,” I said. “What now?”
“Now we get rid of that.” He indicated the spellbook in my hands.
“Get rid of it?”
“Destroy it, preferably,” he clarified.
I clutched the book tightly to my chest, shaking my head. “No.”
“Be reasonable, Seven. That spellbook is a curse, a plague. It’s a magnet for monsters.”
“Just the one monster,” I argued. “And it’s gone now.” I swallowed.
“No, it’s not,” Nixi said. “Remember what I told you? It will be back.” She practically sang the last sentence.
Kato was just putting his sword away, but at the ghost’s words, he drew it again.
