Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 1, After the Fall Read Online Free Page A

boy from a solid bounce, that's for sure.  Ready to go?"
    "You're going to the meeting with me?"
    "I'm gonna try."
    "Doesn't Abby need you?"
    "Nah.  We're takin' turns watching Willy.  It's her turn today.  Mine's tomorrow.  Or next week."
    I laughed.  "Nice."
    "Yeah.  Come on.  Seriously ... get me out of here," he whispered, "before they come back."
    I shook my head as I walked out the door.  "You're gonna get yourself in some serious trouble if she ever hears you saying that."
    "So what else is new."
    "True.  So true," I said, closing the door behind me, stepping out into the hall at precisely the same moment as Ben.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    "READY FOR THE MEETING?" BEN asked, throwing his cloak over his shoulders.  Reds and blues shimmered inside the blackness of the material.  It reminded me of the sky outside our atmosphere - a picture taken of another galaxy, maybe.
    "I guess.  How come you didn't mention it?"
    "Sorry, I thought you knew."  He led the way down the hall, turning back several times to look at me, as if urging me to come and walk by his side.
    I gave up on the idea of staying away from him and joined him there, walking next to him as we chatted.  It felt weird to be striding down the hall looking like a couple, but I forced myself to stay with him, even when we came across other people who smiled knowingly at us.
    "I'm never in the loop in this place," I complained.  "Even Tim knows more about what's going on than I do."
    "That's because he spies on everyone all the time," said Ben.
    "Hey!" protested Tim from my shoulder.  "I'm no spy!  I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  Often."
    "Tim doesn't appreciate the accusation," I said, smiling.
    "It wasn't an accusation.  It was admiration.  He's very good at it."
    I knew for a fact without even seeing Tim that he was preening right now.  I glanced at Ben out of the corner of my eye and saw him smiling.  He knew exactly what he was doing, flattering Tim like that.  Why you sneaky little dog.  I nudged him ever so slightly with my elbow, and he continued to smile, looking straight ahead.  I liked the idea of messing with Tim, tag-team style.  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad all the time, having to hang out with Ben.
    "I am known in certain circles for being an expert in the area of surveillance.  True fact.  I don't mean to brag, but you know ... awesome is as awesome does."
    "You're not going to be allowed in, you know that, right?" asked Ben.
    "They won't even know I'm there," said Tim deviously, moving to hide in my hair.
    "He says they won't even know he's there."
    "Okay.  But don't say that I didn't warn you."
    Tim stuck his head out.  "What?  Is there a spell?  There's a spell, isn't there?"
    I translated for Tim again.  "He wants to know if there are spells on the meeting."
    "Yep."
    "Damn those witches!"
    "Why'd you tell him?" I asked.  "That would have been fun to see him get zapped."
    Tim climbed out of my hair and flew up in front of me.  "Sometimes I wonder whose side you're on, Jayne."  His hands were on his hips as he scolded me, and he once again reminded me of my father.  So lame.  I tried to snatch him out of the air, but he got away from me.
    "Don't embarrass me in there!" he yelled as he disappeared down the hall.
    I shook my head at his teasing talents.  He always knew exactly which buttons to press to get me going.  Now all I could think about was making a stupid mistake.
    "Don't let him bother you," said Ben, reading my thoughts or facial expression somehow.
    "He has a point.  I do screw shit up a lot."
    "Well, that's normal for a changeling.  You'll get better over time."
    "I need a manual."
    "That's what you have me for," he said, stopping at a door and opening it for me.
    "You're my manual?"
    "I'm whatever you want me to be," he said, staring down at me, making me feel funny in my special places.
    I quickly stepped into the room, hoping the breeze