The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0550

Elva glanced up at Veronica and her laughter stifled. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Veronica startled a little, then tried to smile again. It wasn't as big as before. It barely twitched her lip, and certainly did not meet her eyes.

"Nothing's wrong," Veronica said. "I'm glad you liked the trick."

*How long does it last?" I asked, though as soon as the words left my mouth Elva's purple glow began to fade.

"Aww," Elva said, looking at her hands. "Do it again!"

"Elva, honey," I scolded lightly. "We don't demand things from people."

"I'm tired now," Veronica said. "Maybe another time."

Elva tucked her chin down, disappointed. But she said, "Okay."

*Thank Veronica for the magic trick," I reminded Elva.

Elva kicked her feet on the ground. "Thank you..." she mumbled.

"You're welcome," Veronica said.

Elva lifted her folded bird again. She glanced at me, as if for permission.

"Go on," I said. "Have fun."

Nearby I saw the nanny coming up onto the deck. Elva saw her too, and ran toward her, holding up the folded bird. With Elva thoroughly distracted, I turned to Veronica, looking for an explanation. "What just happened?"

in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the

I perked up. She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the

anything but happy

good news?" I asked, because looking at Veronica, I was

Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to

less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help herself or anyone else. If left to Jane, the curse on Elva

Veronica said. Cóntent belong

purple. Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect

appreciated her bluntness. She was never one for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little.

said. "It will require the highest amount

the only one I knew who

her

frown deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I

and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known

I said quickly. "This isn't on

"If I were stronger-*

enough, Veronica." I inched closer to her. I dipped my head into her line of vision so she could see

dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I knew

the only one with enough power

oracle had said she would appear again to me when I had removed doubt from my heart. I wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust

reading." Veronica said. "I've only just started. Maybe

heart. I hoped she knew how much

ways, wanting to give her some space. I looked out over the water. The view was

folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout child way that Veronica had made it and given it

Frank," Nicholas said to

napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't

way over to me. Together we stood side

needed to cool down," Nicholas said.