Baz is a villain.
Baz is aPitch.
My phone is on my nightstand. (I’m allowed to have one at home.) I pick it up and text Penny.
Your mum is looking for you. Everyone’s worried.
And:
Are you fighting numpties? Do you need help? I could get help.
Then:
Are you with Baz? I think it might be a trick. That he’s trying to hurt Simon.
And then:
You could have at least left a note. That seems pretty basic.
I throw the mobile down on the bed and pop open my Diet Coke. The photo of Lucy and Davy is stuffed under my pillow. I pull it out.
What would brave, bold Lucy Salisbury do in a hopeless situation like this?
Hot-tail it to California like a rational human being, apparently. Leave it to the heroes.
If Bazhasturned on Simon, there’s nothing I can do to help…
But I can’t just sit here, doing nothing, damn it! (Damnhim.) (Damn them all.) Even when I’m not involved in their stupid drama, I’m still involved—I still have to play my part…
And this is the part where I always scream for help.
***
My mother’s on the phone when I slip out. I take the Volvo.
78
BAZ
It took me a good bit to figure out that Bunce was just possessing the dog—that she wasn’t trapped inside its body. I’ve never even heard of such a thing. I’m certain it isn’t legal.
The real Bunce, terrifying mage that she is, is hiding behind a hedge in Hounslow, waiting for me.
I’m on my way to get her.
“I wouldn’t have had to do this if you weren’t so cagey about your mobile number!” she yaps from the back seat.
PENELOPE
I’m hiding in our neighbour’s garden. I can’t go home because I know if Mum’s there, she won’t let me leave. And Ihaveto leave—I can’t let Simon face the Mage alone. He might already be at Watford. He probably justthoughtabout teleporting and arrived there.
I really blew it with Simon.
He was going to let me go with him, I think, after Baz stormed off. But then I tried to talk him down—I tried toreasonwith him.
“Maybe Baz is right,” I said.
Simon was pacing around my bedroom, swinging his blade, and he stopped to shoot me a scornful look. “Seriously, Penny? Numpties?”
