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?"

was actually an incantation I read about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections

the book talked about how to remove the curse,

anything but happy about

good news?" I asked, because looking at

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

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

said. Cóntent

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

said 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. I wanted her to say purple was the best color, that

intricate of the curses," Veronica said. "It will

only one I knew who could do

you remove her curse?"

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

for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my

quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

into her line of vision so she could see my face and know

I knew

said. "She's the

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 her. The oracle was a stranger. This magic was

Veronica said. "I've only just

my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't

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

just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout child way

Nicholas said to

quickly after that and she rushed over to a pile of napkins in an attempt to

Elva distracted, Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both

cool down," Nicholas said. "I'm