Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Give him the test," I made her say.

Tyler laughed, "What test?"

"Test of truth." I said. I stood up and went to

the cabinet under the television set to let a deck of

cards. Then I handed it to him. "Pick a card and

whisper what you've chosen into Destiny's ear." "What?"

"Just do it."

He started to pluck one out of the deck. "No, this is the honor system. Don't pull it out.

Just pick it and tell her."

"Tell her?"

"That's right. Whisper it in her ear. Go on." I took the deck back and went into the kitchen.

He laughed, rose, and whispered into Destiny's ear.

Then I returned and knelt down to put my ear to her

lips. Her lips moved and then I turned and plucked a

card from the deck. "Was this it?"

He looked from the card to Destiny to me,

"How could you do that?"

"A good magician..."

"Never tells, but you've got to tell me or I'll go

crazy."

"It's better you believe it was simply magic," I

said, and started away, but he grabbed my wrist and

pulled me back so roughly I nearly fell over him. "In a minute I'll give you magic you won't

forget, if you don't talk."

"I must warn you. I'm trained to endure all sorts

of torture to keep the great secrets." I said.

He stood up. "Is that so?" He smiled and then

he started to tickle me and I squirmed to get away. He

held on and we both fell back on the sofa. He held me down and started to blow in my ear. I screamed and

he stopped. "Are you going to talk?"