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?"

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

heartbeat kicked up and I perked up. She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we didn't need to

Veronica looked anything but happy

because looking at Veronica,

of the incantation is to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's easier, of course, if the person who made the curse removes

on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help herself or anyone else. If left

said. Cóntent

good?" I was beginning

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

the curses," Veronica said. "It will require the highest

Veronica was the only one I knew who

her

Not by far." She sighed. "What I do

down to the ground. Any false hope I had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from Veronica's expressions

said quickly.

"If I were stronger-*

her line of vision so she could see my face and know that I'm

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

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

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 her. The oracle was a stranger. This magic was foreign,

said. "I've only just

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

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

out onto the deck from the house. She explained in

Nicholas said to

to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to help. The nanny did the best

made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We

down," Nicholas