Death Weavers Read Free

fingers,” she offered.
    Cole extended his hand, hesitated, then passed his fingers through hers. The contact created only the faintest whisper of sensation.
    The girl’s eyes widened, and she giggled. “Did you feel that?”
    â€œA little,” Cole said.
    â€œThat’s unusual,” she said. “By the way, it’s poor manners to touch an echo unless we offer, so don’t make it a habit. The others will be mad at me for warning you that you were being overheard, but I started to feel bad for you.”
    Cole glanced at Dalton. He couldn’t believe they were talking to an actual ghost!
    â€œHow many echoes were listening to us?” Dalton asked.
    â€œAbout ten,” the girl said. “There were more when the four of you were together. Some of the others followed your friends.”
    â€œEchoes have listened to everything we said?” Cole verified.
    â€œWhat do you expect?” the teen asked. “You’re at a shrine. There are lots of us here today.”
    â€œAre they still listening to us?” Cole asked.
    â€œTwo of them,” the teen said.
    â€œCan we get some privacy?” Cole asked.
    â€œShoo,” the girl said, waving a hand at unseen people. “Unless you want to materialize and join in, this is my conversation now. Leave us be.”
    â€œAre they going?” Dalton asked.
    â€œYes, though one of them is being grumpy about it.” She looked away from Dalton at empty space. “Go on! You can have a turn later if you want.” Her gaze returned to Cole. “There. We’re alone. How can I help you?”

C HAPTER
2
ECHOES
    D o you already know what we’re after?” Cole asked.
    â€œYou’re looking for Honor and Destiny Pemberton,” the teen said. She took a step closer and lowered her voice. “And you talked about stopping N-A-Z-E-E-M.” She spelled his name instead of saying it.
    â€œWhat do you know about him?” Cole asked.
    â€œMore than I want to know,” she said. “Be very careful throwing that name around. His followers are fanatical. Some who oppose him are too.”
    â€œDo many echoes follow him?” Dalton asked.
    The teen looked uncomfortable. “He has followers everywhere. Plenty in the echolands. New topic?”
    â€œYou don’t want to talk about N-A-Z-E-E-M?” Cole asked.
    â€œIt’s a good way to avoid trouble,” she said.
    â€œDo you know where we can find Honor or Destiny?” Dalton inquired.
    â€œI didn’t know Honor might be in Necronum until you mentioned it,” she said. “There has been a lot of new talk about the Pemberton girls lately. I’ve heard rumors that Destiny is in hiding here, but I have no idea where.”
    â€œNot many people know the Pemberton girls are alive,” Cole said.
    â€œWe’ve had those rumors for ages in the echolands,” the teen said. “Since before my body died. Of course, not all rumors are true.”
    â€œWhen did you die?” Cole asked.
    â€œAlmost twenty years ago,” the girl said.
    â€œYou were a teenager?” Dalton asked.
    â€œFourteen,” the girl said.
    â€œYour echo doesn’t age,” Cole noted.
    â€œNot normally,” the girl said. “You tend to look how your body looked when it died, though old people almost always appear a bit younger. At least until you move on. Who knows what lies beyond the echolands?”
    â€œYou’re not in heaven?” Dalton asked.
    The girl giggled again. “I sure hope not. You guys really don’t know much, do you?”
    â€œLike what?” Cole asked.
    â€œThe echolands are only the beginning of the afterlife,” the girl said. “Not much more than a jumping-off point, really. Your echo is temporary. You can linger here for a time, but eventually you move on.”
    â€œTo where?” Dalton wondered.
    â€œI’d have to go there to find out,” the