Tara Duncan and the Forbidden Book Read Online Free

it.”
    The guard scowled and his hands moved a little lower.
    Master Chem intervened. “There have been several attempts on Tara’s life,” he said diplomatically. “She can’t risk going to OtherWorld. It’s too dangerous.”
    From the expression on the captain’s face, he seemed to feel that it was Tara who was dangerous to other people, not the other way around. Anyway, it didn’t really matter. His mission was to bring Cal back and not the two girls, whose presence had simply been requested.
    â€œI would never do anything to endanger the young lady’s safety,” the captain said, bowing. “I will inform the empress.” Then, looking coldly at Isabella, he added, “However, I will come back if Her Imperial Majesty decides that Miss Duncan’s presence is required after all.”
    â€œI’ll go,” said Sparrow to the guard. “I’ll represent you, Tara.”
    â€œIs that okay with you, Cal?” asked Tara, trying bravely not to cry.
    Still dumbfounded by what was happening to him, the little thief frowned, then forced a thin smile. “Let’s just say I’ve been in more pleasant situations. But don’t worry; this will all be cleared up real fast. The Truth Tellers will read my mind and see what really happened. I didn’t kill that boy. It was whoever tried to kill you by expanding the vortex.”
    Tara gave Sparrow a look of anguish, then nodded and kissed Cal on both cheeks, to his acute embarrassment.
    Robin and Fabrice merely gave him manly thumps on the back.
    Without a word, the guard signaled to his men to take charge of Cal and Blondin, then released Gallant from the paralysis spell. The bleary-eyed pegasus stumbled over to Tara to be petted. Looking very preoccupied, Master Chem headed toward Count Besois-Giron’s castle, which held the Transfer Portal to OtherWorld. The imperial guards followed with Sparrow and Cal.
    â€œWait a minute!” shouted Isabella. She was rubbing her painful wrists and suddenly looked as pale as her silvery hair. “You can’t go walking around this planet looking like that. Dry your uniforms and put your cape back on, Captain. And don’t frog-march that boy along as if he were a dangerous criminal. The nonspells might get suspicious.”
    The captain scowled at her. His velvet purple-and-gold uniform was soaking wet and looked ready for the garbage. Sighing, he summoned a hot blast of wind to quickly dry it.
    Bad idea! Everyone knows that if you heat velvet too fast, it shrinks. In moments, the captain was gaping at his bare calves and two pairs of forearms sticking out of a mini-uniform.
    Repressing a nervous giggle, Selena solemnly held his black cape out to him. The captain wrapped himself in it along with whatever dignity he had left, then strode in annoyance toward the castle, followed by his men.
    Selena took Tara in her arms, but the girl tensed. She still wasn’t used to physical contact. But then she relaxed. Her mother didn’t want to strangle her, she realized, just to give her a hug.
    â€œAre you all right, darling?”
    Tara was also not used to having anyone worry about her, and she relaxed a little more, touched by her mother’s kindness.
    â€œNo, I’m not all right!” she blurted. “I’m scared to death for Cal. And I’m furious at him at the same time. I don’t know how he does it, but he’s always getting himself into impossible situations.”
    â€œI’m worried for your friend too,” said Selena. “Murder is a very serious charge. And I thank Demiderus that you weren’t charged as well.”
    Isabella rolled her eyes—she didn’t want Selena worrying Tara—and went into the manor, still rubbing her wrists. Before she was out of sight, both Selena and Tara glimpsed the two shiny red glyphs pulsing on her forearms. Tara frowned. She knew that if she became a wizard, the