Free Good Curses Evil by Stephanie S. Sanders Page B

Now I think the trick will be getting rid of him,” she said between fits of laughter.
    I pushed the capcaun away from me. He stumbled back to the water’s edge, where he just stood like a stone statue, his arms dangling like a gorilla’s as he stared at me with clueless gratitude.
    â€œLook here,” I said, trying to sound authoritative. “What do you know about kidnapping princesses?”
    He stared at me for a full thirty seconds. When a thin string of drool began to dangle from the corner of his slack jaw, I decided he wasn’t going to answer me. Time to elaborate.
    â€œPrincesses? Hello?” I snapped my fingers in front of his face. He smiled and nodded. Not a good sign.
    â€œPurdy girly,” he said, eyeing Jezebel, who suddenly stopped laughing.
    â€œHey!” she said in alarm as the capcaun lumbered toward her. “Stop! Don’t come near me. I mean it!”
    The capcaun completely ignored Jezebel’s warning. I worried he didn’t realize who he was dealing with. Sure, Jez was just a halfsie, but her bite could be as lethal as a full-fledged vampire’s. She backed away, baring her teeth, but the brainless creature grabbed her arm.
    â€œNo, Jez! Don’t!” I shouted. Too late.
    Before I could stop her, Jezebel sank her fangs into his clawed hand.
    â€œYow!” he and Jez both cried simultaneously.
    The capcaun pulled his hand away and stuck out his bottom lip like a two-year-old. There was a small scratch where Jez had bitten, but the skin remained unbroken. Jezebel raised her fingers to her mouth.
    â€œI think he nearly chipped my tooth!” she cried, wiggling each of her teeth experimentally.
    â€œHe must be immune to vampires,” I said thoughtfully. Maybe he had some magical properties after all—or maybe he really was made of stone.
    â€œMean bitey girly!” The capcaun pouted, frowning at Jezebel.
    â€œMean grabby gargoyle!” Jezebel retaliated.
    â€œGood one, Jez,” I said sarcastically. She hissed at me.
    â€œOkay, I think we got off on the wrong foot here. My name is Rune. What’s your name?” I asked.
    â€œName Cappy.”
    â€œCappy. Nice to meet you. This is Jezebel.” I pointed to Jez, who glared at the capcaun. He eyed her with obvious and open mistrust.
    â€œOkay, introductions over. Listen, Cappy, did you like those mean sprites tying you up and dunking you in the river?” I thought it would be best to remind him we had just saved him.
    â€œNo! Spriteys mean. Cappy no like wet,” he said, scratching behind one of his gray dog ears with his clawed fingers.
    â€œAnd aren’t you glad we rescued you?” I asked, trying to drop a hint.
    â€œCappy glaaaaaad, ” he said, smiling at me. He had two enormous bottom teeth that curved up over his doglike snout when he smiled. It was funny and a little frightening. I could see why Jez bit him.
    â€œRight, glad. Good. So, wouldn’t you like to help us now, Cappy?”
    â€œCappy help!” he answered, smiling even bigger. “Cappy help Ruuuuney. ”
    â€œSwell. So, would you like to be my henchman?”
    Another thirty seconds passed as Cappy smiled stupidly. Smaller words. I had to use smaller words.
    â€œWould you like to help us find a pretty girly?” I asked.
    â€œPretty! Pretty girly!” He smiled and jumped, shaking the ground. “No meany girlies with pointy teethies!” he said, frowning at Jezebel again.
    She hissed at him.
    â€œCut it out, Jez,” I said.
    â€œI don’t want him coming with us!” she said.
    I pulled her aside.
    â€œLook, we don’t have many options here. Let’s take him along. If we find something better, we’ll dump him. Agreed?”
    Jez looked over my shoulder at the dripping ogre.
    â€œFine,” she said.
    â€œGirly mad?” Cappy asked, his eyes huge and sad. I think he already forgot Jez had bitten him.
    There was a