Chapter 12After locking the cursed talisman and the suitcase in my desk, I located Ulan in the student union building and briefly excused him for a family emergency. Knowing he'd recently lost his father, his teacher allowed us the time while his classmates toured the school's bookstore.
“Are you angry that I spoke with her?” inquired Ulan as we wandered across the quad. Since the summer session was significantly less crowded, none of the sports teams or large classes occupied the space. Lush green grass, colorful flower gardens, and a bevy of benches and ornate tables filled the field. On our foggy day, I sorely missed the pristine view of the Wharton Mountains and Crilly Lake.
“No way! She tracked you down. But please tell me everything she said. I'm not sure we can trust her yet, and
