The Invisible Tower Read Online Free Page A

clean.
    â€œHow are you doing that?”
    â€œThat is how most everyone sees me. As I said, Arthur, you are special. You are very special, my boy.”
    A shiver ran down Artie’s spine.
    â€œSpecial? You mean something’s wrong with me?”
    â€œNo, no! Nothing is wrong with you. You are King Arthur, the only one who can break the spell and say my name. Which means, of course, that I am Merlin!”
    This was too much. The heck with Kay’s special controller. No way this old guy was the real Merlin and Artie was some kind of reincarnation of King Arthur. What did that even mean? That he was the king of England? Artie had never even been to England!
    Surely Artie was going insane. Yeah, that was it.
    Artie backpedaled. “I, uh, I’ve got to get out of here, mister. I’m thinking you’re probably just a crazy old tattooed dude and I shouldn’t be talking to you.” Not looking where he was going, he bumped into a shelf and spun around a little. He had to look away to catch himself, and when he turned back, the man had moved from behind the desk and right up to Artie’s side.
    Artie backed quickly toward the exit, but while he did, the old man held his hands open in front of him and pleaded, “Please, child, hear me out! You are special! A king, I swear it! Ask your father, if you don’t believe me! Ask how you came to him!”
    â€œI’m adopted, I already know that!” Artie was halfway to the door. His instincts were to turn and run, but something about the power of the man’s voice held his attention. It was like a spell was being cast over him.
    The old man continued, “Yes, but ask about Mr. Thumb. Ask him where you’re from. Ask Kynder today, and if he tells you that you are special too, then please consider coming back here tomorrow. You’ve nothing to fear! If you allow me to show you something, then the controller is yours—and Kay’s as well!”
    â€œKay—how do you know my sis—” He was so close to the door now.
    â€œI know much about you, Arthur. You’ve nothing to fear from me. You are my king! You are my king and I amnow and forevermore at your service!”
    Artie stumbled through the door into the blinding daylight as these preposterous words rang in his ears. Barely paying attention, he tripped across the pavement and back into the same cab, and without saying a word the driver sped off to the Hilton.

4
IN WHICH WE LEARN THAT ARTIE IS A PERFECTLY REGULAR AND LOVELY SON
    When Artie got back to the hotel room he lied, saying that the store was closed but that it would be open early the next morning before the tournament started, and that he’d be happy to go back and get Kay a controller then. Kay was soothed a little, and Kynder was satisfied that it would be taken care of, and so they passed the rest of the day quietly hanging out in the room and around the pool on the roof.
    Artie didn’t mention the old man—wizard—Merlin—whatever—at all. But he couldn’t stop thinking about him.
    Trying to fall asleep that night was torture. How had that dude known Kay’s and Kynder’s names? Had he used magic on Artie? Was there even such a thing as magic? Was Artie going crazy?
    He had to be.
    But even if he was, this Merlin guy had touched on the question that Artie had longed to know the answer to: Where was he from? Kynder had never told him, preferring to play it off like it wasn’t important because they had such a great little family. Still, like a lot of adopted kids, Artie couldn’t help but wonder if he had come from somewhere—from someone —special. He didn’t want to take anything away from Kynder, because he loved his dad a ton, but now more than ever he needed to know if he had come from someone important .
    He resolved to do as the old man had said and ask. So, as Kay snored away in the other bed, Artie gathered his nerve and