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?"

a breath. "That magic trick' was actually an incantation I read about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book

and I perked up. She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how

Veronica looked anything but happy

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

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

was the one to make 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 else. If left to Jane, the curse on Elva would stay

"Yes," Veronica said.

good?" I was beginning to suspect that

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

Veronica said. "It will require the highest amount of magical

amount of power? Veronica was the only one I knew

her curse?"

frown deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I do

me. It was my own fault. I should

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

"If I were stronger-*

closer to her. I 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

I couldn't talk. I

the

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

"I've only just

she knew how much I appreciated

little ways, wanting to give her some space. I looked out over the

the house. She explained in her roundabout child

Frank," Nicholas said to

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

stood side by side. We both turned

to cool down," Nicholas

discussion, but I didn't think he had