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?"

a breath. "That magic trick' was actually an incantation I read about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the

'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked

anything but

news?" I asked, because looking at

of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's easier, of course, if the person

said. Jane was the one to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around,

Cóntent belong

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

this case, it pulled

Veronica said. "It will require the

only

her curse?"

frown deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared

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

I said quickly. "This isn't

"If I were stronger-*

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

couldn't talk. I knew exactly how it felt to not believe

need the merfolk oracle," Veronica said. "She's the only one with enough power

still didn't know if I could fully trust

said. "I've only just started. Maybe there's more I

you," I told her, and meant it from the bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated

and I walked off a little ways, wanting to give her some space. I looked out over

She explained in her roundabout child way that Veronica had made it and given it

Nicholas said to

pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to help.

his way over to me. Together we stood side by

cool down," Nicholas said.