Chapter 31

"Run!" I yelled and pushed Jo toward the kitchen.

Something white sprang up in the edges of my vision. I turned. Huge, lacy wings had burst from Mrs. Rios's back and lifted her from the floor. I stared in disbelief while she hovered in front of One and Two.

The rotten dead smell grew in intensity. Jo, her breath coming in quick gasps, gagged behind me.

I dug my nails into her arm and pushed her. "Go."

She disappeared around the kitchen corner.

"You will not enter," Mrs. Rios growled. A beam of white light shot from her mouth and pushed against One and Two.

They flew out the door, which slammed shut behind them. The white light stretched across the door and along the entire wall. It sizzled and cracked with whatever kind of power it was made of.

Mrs. Rios snapped her mouth shut and turned to me. The glow behind her shone through her fluttering wings and cast faint shadows over the couch. Eyes wide, she pointed to the kitchen. "Run!"