The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story



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?"

She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book

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 wait for the oracle

looked anything but

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

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

to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not

"Yes," Veronica said.

was beginning to suspect that

Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her to say purple was the best color, that it indicated a curse

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

the only one I knew who could

her

Not by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared

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

I said quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

dipped my head into her line of vision so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't even know any of this if it weren't for

clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I knew exactly how it felt to not

"She's the only one

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, even to Veronica. How could I be certain I could

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

of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated

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

She showed her 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 to her, and that

Nicholas said

and she rushed over to a pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to

me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to look out

cool down," Nicholas said.

from our discussion, but I didn't think he had anything to be sorry