Pet Psychic Mysteries Boxset Books 5-8 (Magic Market Mysteries Book 2) Erin Johnson (good books for 8th graders .txt) 📖

22

Sloth

I let out a strangled cry and spun around, my hands raised like I was ready to karate chop my attacker.

Instead of a cold-blooded murderer, I found a tiny face with a smile and a little wet nose inches from my own. Two round black eyes lazily blinked at me.

I lurched back, my heart pounding in my throat, and attempted to suck in a breath as I took in the sloth, hanging upside down by both legs and one arm from a branch. It slowly retracted its shaggy arm and wrapped the fingers that had just been on my shoulder around the branch as well.

I glanced back over my shoulder—had Quincy or Mark heard me when I cried out? Those two were definitely up to something, and I didn’t fancy confronting them in the thick of the jungle, all alone. I curled my lip, wishing again that I’d gone and grabbed Peter and Daisy before exploring the enclosure. I sighed—then again, I might have missed that fishy conversation I’d overheard.

One hand pressed to my tight chest, I blew out a heavy breath and slowly approached the frankly pretty adorable animal. I crossed my arms as it rotated its head and looked at me upside down.

I let out a couple of squeaks. Hey, little fella. You scared me.

It squeaked. You.

I nodded, encouragingly.

It squeaked again. Speak.

I licked my lips.

Sloth.

Oh, boy. So it didn’t just move slowly, apparently.

I nodded and let out a couple of quiet “meeps.” I do indeed. I had a sudden thought. Hey—did you see two women come through here last night? Or anyone who seemed suspicious, for that matter?

The sloth’s round, shiny black eyes grew wider. It reached for me again and let out some painfully slow squeaks and chirps. We’re... trapped… in… here…

Come again? I stepped closer, frowning.

It continued, looking as though each word were a struggle to get out.

Please… help… us…

My breath caught in my chest. Help them? Was this just an animal who wanted to be free, or was there more going on?

I let out some cheeps. Are they mistreating you here?

Its globular eyes bored into mine, as though pleading with me. We’re… not… really…

“Hey!”

I jumped and spun around. Quincy, thin brows pulled together, stomped toward me, pushing aside large leaves and high-stepping over exposed roots. I’d been so focused on the sloth, I hadn’t heard him come up behind me.

“What are you doing back here? This is a restricted area.”

I glanced at the sloth hanging from the branch, and, not wanting to get it in further trouble if the animals were being mistreated, stepped away from it before Quincy noticed.

“I, uh—” I couldn’t very well tell him I’d come back here to spy on him. My heart picked up its pace as I looked around—nothing but dense foliage surrounded us, and I was sure he knew his way around these enclosures better than I did if I tried to run. Maybe Peter or Daisy would hear me if I yelled for help?

The man stomped closer, then stood a few feet away with his hands on his hips, pointy elbows jutting out to either side. I decided to try and use my only power, given I had no magic, and try to talk my way out of it. It’d worked sometimes as a lawyer.

“Oh, I was just—” I had a thought and pressed my fingers to my temples. “—uh, following the psychic vibes.”

Quincy frowned deeper. “Where’s the officer?” He looked around.

“Uh… nearby.” Daisy would’ve growled at me for that lie, but I didn’t want him to know I’d ventured into the enclosure alone.

As if on cue, Peter called out, “Jolene? Jolene?”

I breathed a sigh of relief, and my shoulders slid away from my ears. A few moments later, Daisy emerged from behind a giant fern, followed by Peter.

He grinned at me, then grew confused as he looked between Quincy and me. “Where’d you go? Daisy smelled you out.”

Oh, great. I was sure I’d never hear the end of what Daisy had to endure by tracking my scent. But to my surprise, she canned her insults and edged between Quincy and me, her back to me. She stood with her hackles raised, and my lips twitched toward a grin. Was she protecting me?

She glanced over her shoulder at me and huffed. You reek of fear. Are you okay?

Reek might be a bit strong of a term, but I grinned back at her and nodded. Aw—we were bonding.

She growled. Good thing you rarely wash your hair—I was able to follow the smell of pizza grease easily.

There it was.

With Peter’s concerned gaze darting between me and Quincy, his wand in hand, I felt it safe to confront Quincy about what I’d overheard. I raised my fingers to my temples again and closed my eyes.

“Yes. Yes, I’m getting something from a nearby bird—something about Mark not having his license or…?” I peeled an eye open to gauge Quincy’s reaction.

“W-what?” He gaped at me, then Peter.

I didn’t blame him. I mean, the pet psychic thing was pretty thin at best, and how would a bird even know about licenses?

He crossed his thin arms. “Of—of course he has his license. What kind of second-rate common zoo do you think we’re running—”

Daisy barked, and Quincy jumped, pressing his mouth closed tight.

Lies!

Peter sidled up beside Daisy, his arms at his sides, but wand still in hand. “Mr. Rutherford, do I need to remind you that Daisy can smell lies?”

The thin man paled, and he looked like he was about to protest, but then his shoulders slumped. “Fine.” He shook his head. “I had no idea this was the case until moments ago.” He splayed his palms. “I assure you, the situation was remedied immediately—I just fired him!”

I sucked on my lips, not quite ready to let it go. “I’m getting something else…” I squinted one eye. “Something about him being the only one who can do this job or…?”

Quincy huffed. “I’m sure the bird is just referring to the fact