She nodded glumly. "I hate not being able to leave the forest. He could be

anywhere, and I'm stuck here waiting. Oh, if that silly goat has gotten himself

hurt — "

 

Mrs. O'Leary bounded back over and took an interest in Juniper's dress.

 

Juniper yelped. "Oh, no you don't! I know about dogs and trees. I'm gone!"

 

She went poof into green mist. Mrs. O'Leary looked disappointed, but she

lumbered off to find another target, leaving Nico and me alone.

 

Nico tapped his sword on the ground. A tiny mound of animal bones erupted from

the dirt. They knit themselves together into a skeletal field mouse and

scampered off. "I was sorry to hear about Beckendorf."

 

A lump formed in my throat. "How did you — "

 

"I talked to his ghost."

 

"Oh . . . right." I'd never get used to the fact that this twelve-year-old kid

spent more time talking with the dead than the living. "Did he say anything?"

 

"He doesn't blame you. He figured you'd be beating yourself up, and he said you

shouldn't."