The Changelings Series, Book 1 by Christina Soontornvat Page B

root here or there, and I can usually figure it out.”
    Izzy’s hopes lifted. “Do you think you could tell me how to get to Avhalon?”
    â€œSure I could. You know what yellow mallow looks like? In a couple days, the yellow mallow will be in bloom, and you can follow it west till you get to a cluster of old trundle oaks…”
    â€œMaybe it would be better if you showed me the way,” Izzy interrupted.
    Lug shook his head and muttered, “Oh no, couldn’t do that, I’m afraid. Couldn’t do that at all.” He stuffed his mouth full of tipplewort and two huge gumroots.
    Izzy wondered what she’d said to make him go quiet. She sighed and looked down at the gumroot in her hand. Learning all the species of plants in the forest would take her years. If she was going to find Hen, she’d have to be more direct.
    â€œLug, can I ask you about something? Back there when you were still caught in the trap, I saw you transform into some different animals.”
    He stopped chewing and gave her a sidelong glance. “Saw that, did you?”
    â€œYes, I did.”
    â€œListen, I’d appreciate it if we could keep that our little secret,” he said, lowering his voice. “It’s just that I’m not supposed to let anyone see me do that—”
    â€œSee you do what ?”
    They spun around to see a girl standing in the reeds behind them with her hands on her hips and a very disapproving look on her face. Lug didn’t seem surprised to see her at all. He stood up quickly and brushed the tipplewort off his chin.
    â€œOh hello, Dree! I was just—um—talking to my friend here…”
    â€œYour friend ?” she asked skeptically, walking toward them.
    The girl looked a couple years older than Izzy. She wore a thin dress that might have been white once upon a time but was now a smudgy gray with tattered sleeves, one of which kept slipping down off her bony shoulder. As she came closer, Izzy wondered if the tipplewort really was going to her head. No, she knew what she saw. The girl was translucent . Izzy could look straight through her body—clothes and all—and see the forest behind her.
    The ghost-girl shot her a harsh look. “What are you staring at?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned to Lug again. “Have you been doing something you shouldn’t?”
    â€œNo…not exactly…”
    â€œBe honest! Have you? ”
    The girl’s piercing stare was all it took to make Lug spill the entire story of their meeting. Though Izzy noticed he left off the part about hearing the Unglers’ shrieks in the distance.
    At the end of his tale, he said, “So you see, Dree, it really wasn’t my fault! And Izzy here is a very kind girl and wouldn’t dare tell anyone what she saw, I’m sure. Would you, Izzy?”
    â€œNo, I won’t tell anyone. I promise,” said Izzy.
    Dree let out an exasperated sigh and brushed a lanky strand of dark hair out of her face. “Lug, do you realize what you’ve done? What if she’s a spy ?” She nodded toward Izzy without looking at her.
    â€œMe? I’m not a spy,” said Izzy.
    â€œSee?” said Lug.
    â€œYou can’t expect her to admit she’s a spy, can you?”
    â€œNow why would a spy put her own life at risk to save me?” asked Lug.
    â€œSpies will do anything to make you think they’re not spies,” said Dree, rolling her eyes.
    â€œI’m not a spy!”
    â€œShe’s going to the festival in Avhalon,” explained Lug. “And I really don’t think she’s a spy. Look at her—she’s such a little thing. We can just let her go on her way, and there’s no need to tell—”
    â€œWe’ll have to tell Selden, of course,” said Dree, crossing her arms.
    Lug clapped his hands together in front of him. “Please, oh please, Dree! Let’s not tell