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?"

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

them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we didn't need

anything but happy about

news?" I asked, because looking

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

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

"Yes," Veronica said.

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

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

curses," Veronica said. "It will require the

was the only one

her curse?"

Not by far." She sighed. "What I

hope I had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from

no," I said quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

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

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

the

arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The oracle was a stranger. This

just started. Maybe there's more

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

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

me, Elva called, "Nick-lass! Look at my birdie!" She showed her folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her

Nicholas said to

an attempt to replicate the

me. Together we stood side by side. We

needed to cool down,"

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