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.

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 at Veronica, I

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

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

"Yes," Veronica said.

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

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

is the most intricate of the curses," Veronica said. "It will require the highest amount of magical power to

amount of power? Veronica was the only one

you remove her curse?" I

frown deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared to what is

for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from Veronica's expressions

no," I said quickly.

"If I were stronger-*

are enough, Veronica." I inched 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

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

the only one with enough power to

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

just started. Maybe there's more

you," I told her, and meant it from the bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't

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

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 roundabout child way that Veronica had made it and given it to her, and that she loved it and its

said to

of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice

Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to look out over the

needed to cool down," Nicholas said.

but I didn't think he had anything