28
“What is this?” asked Violet. “Why is he encased in this thing. Remove it. Now.”
“It’s Basil’s magic,” said Snoop, solemnly.
“He can’t remove it or Milo will die,” added Davi.
“Die?” asked Rose, turning around. “What happened?”
Max let go of his grandmother and wiped his eyes. “We were going after Celadine and Mibbtiwiss and decided to split up in two’s. There was moaning and screaming. We rushed back to the meeting spot. Bertha and Milo were last.” He ran a hand through his hair and his bottom lip trembled as he stared at the swirling black magic. “Bertha was badly beaten and bitten. She was dragging Milo behind her. Wunder took her back to Eldham. And Milo...” Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Basil stepped forward. “Milo’s stone is gone.”
Gasps and murmurs of disbelief reverbera
