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.

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,

anything but happy

asked, because looking at

nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove

said. Jane was the one to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would

"Yes," Veronica said.

that good?" I was beginning to

for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her to say purple was the best color,

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

the only one

remove her curse?"

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

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 that the diagnosis

No, no," I said quickly. "This isn't on you

"If I were stronger-*

so she could

clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I knew exactly how

Veronica said. "She's the only one with enough power to have a

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

just started. Maybe there's more I can

bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't sure she would until Elva

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

my birdie!" 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 she loved it and its name was now

said to the

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

to me. Together we stood side by

cool down," Nicholas

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