The Fairy-Tale Detectives Page 6

  “Fine! Bunny can’t do it. But someone else might have a chance,” Sabrina argued.

  “THE FATE OF THIS WORLD FALLS IN THE HANDS OF THE SISTERS.”

  “Huh?” the witch said.

  “The sisters?” Daphne asked.

  “WE SEE MANY WHO WOULD STAND BEFORE THE FIRST: HEROES, WITCHES, FAIRY FOLK. BUT IN ALL THESE OUTCOMES ONLY TWO MEET YOUR GOAL SUCCESSFULLY, AND ONLY TOGETHER. IN ALL THE WORLD AND OTHER REALMS, THERE ARE ONLY TWO WHO CAN STOP MIRROR: SABRINA AND DAPHNE GRIMM.”

  “What?” Sabrina cried.

  “Um, I didn’t hear you say my name,” Puck said.

  Henry and Veronica pushed to the front of the crowd. “This has to be a mistake,” Henry said.

  “They’re just little girls,” Veronica added.

  “YOUR CHILDREN HOLD THE KEYS TO THE FUTURE. EACH MUST USE HER OWN STRENGTHS, BUT WHEN THE TIME IS AT HAND IT IS THEIR BOND THAT DEFEATS THE FIRST.”

  “Wait! What strengths?” Sabrina cried.

  “DAPHNE CREATES THE COVEN,” the mirrors said. “A CRONE, A TEMPTRESS, AN INNOCENT THREE.”

  “What’s a coven?” Daphne asked.

  “Shhh!” Bunny snapped.

  “SABRINA LEADS THE ARMY INTO BATTLE,” the mirrors continued.

  “I’m twelve years old!” Sabrina said. “I can’t lead an army.”

  “ACT IN HASTE. THE FIRST IS COMING FOR YOU. BLOOD WILL SPILL. HEARTBREAK WILL COME. BUT THE SISTERS ARE YOUR ONLY HOPE.”

  “But how do we do it?” Daphne said. “We need details, people!”

  “THE STRANDS ARE COMPLEX AND UNEXPLAINABLE. THE TWO OF YOU WILL SAVE THE WORLD, BUT MANY THINGS WILL HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF YOUR CONTROL TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE. NOTHING WE CAN SHARE WILL LEAD YOU TO SUCCESS. BUILD YOUR COVEN. WAGE YOUR WAR.”

  Then the mirrors shimmered again and returned to normal, with the guardians in their places. Each looked tired and disoriented, but the faces that concerned Sabrina the most were those of Charming’s army. They looked at her and Daphne with fear and shock.

  “We’re going to save the world,” Daphne said, raising her hand to her sister so she could deliver a high five. Sabrina, however, stood dumbfounded, unable to speak.

  Puck laughed. “We are so screwed.”

  he commotion in the mirror room made it hard to think. People were shouting and arguing, and the crowd was entirely too close. Sabrina suddenly felt wobbly and short of breath.

  “Wait, what?” Sabrina said. Never in her life had she felt so off-kilter. Had she really heard the mirror’s prophecy correctly? Was she really essential to saving her grandmother and the world, too? She wanted to shout that they were wrong. She wanted to know if they were joking—or, worse, insane.

  And then her father was there, taking her by the arm and pulling her out of the room, out of the loud, hot chaos. Her mother followed with Daphne and Basil in tow, and soon they were through the portal door and marching across the courtyard.

  “Head for the train station and get on the next one to Grand Central,” Henry said. “I have to stay and rescue my mother, but I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

  “Henry, we should stay together,” Veronica said.

  “Dad—”

  “This isn’t up for discussion, Daphne,” Henry barked. “I should have sent you away the second I had a chance. I won’t make that mistake again.”

  “But you heard them, Dad. If we don’t stop Mirror, he will take over the world. That’s like really bad,” Daphne said.

  “The world will have to worry about itself.”

  Daphne wouldn’t let it go. “Mom, can you—”

  “Henry, I think Daphne has a point,” Veronica said.

  Sabrina only caught snippets of the conversation around her. Her mind was back in the room, watching the Wicked Queen’s face as the mirrors predicted the future. Like the others, she’d been shocked, but there was something else in her eyes—acceptance of what the mirrors were saying and even—hope? Sabrina couldn’t be sure, but it didn’t matter now. None of it mattered. Mirror was going to have his way. Soon, her world would go through another upheaval. She needed to prepare for a life on the run.

  They were almost to the drawbridge when the Wicked Queen came charging after them. “You can’t leave.”

  Henry turned on her. “Watch us.”

  “The girls are the keys to everything, Henry,” she said.

  “Your mirrors are busted,” Henry said.

  “I know all there is to know about wanting to save a child from tragedy and danger. But this is their destiny. The Council of Mirrors sees all possibilities and they have led us on our only path. I don’t like it any more than you do, but if they don’t carry this burden, then we will all suffer. Running is futile, Henry. When Mirror breaks through that barrier, he will unleash massive power on a world that believes magic only exists in children’s books. Their guns and bombs will be useless against him. Every person on this planet will suffer at his hand and he will hunt his enemies down one by one. There will be nowhere you can hide, and instead of standing up and fighting when you had the chance, you will doom us all. Do you understand me? Forget the world, Henry. Be practical. Think of your daughters first. The only way to save them is to let them fulfill their destiny.”

  “No one can know that!” Henry cried.

  Bunny snatched his arm before he could step away. “I wouldn’t be talking to you if that were true.”

  Henry pulled away as if the queen’s hand were the jaws of a venomous serpent and continued for the gate.

  “What about our stuff?” Daphne asked as they stormed past log cabins and half-built ramparts.

  “We’ll buy new things in New York City,” Henry said.

  “What is going on?” Red cried as she rushed to catch up with the family.

  Suddenly, Puck dropped down from the sky and blocked their way.

  “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “Ignore him,” Henry muttered.

  “I guess you folks are chicken,” Puck said, spinning on his heels and morphing into a red rooster. He squawked obnoxiously and pecked at Henry’s shoes. “Forget saving the world. Are you really going to just give up on the old lady? After all that she’s done for you? The cooking, the cleaning, the bedtime stories, how she hosed you down at night.”

  “She didn’t hose us down at night,” Sabrina said. “Just you.”

  “And I’m not giving up. I’m getting my family to safety and then helping Mom,” Henry said.

  The rooster spun around and Puck returned to normal. “The old lady would never run. Are you sure you’re actually related to her? I’d like to see some paperwork.”

  “I have to protect my family.”

  “If Sabrina and Daphne leave, no one will be safe,” Puck said.

  But Henry ignored him and continued to march the family toward the stronghold’s iron gate despite the small crowd encircling them.

  “You can’t just walk away!” Puck shouted.

  “What do you want me to do? Let my kids die?”

  “Your kids did just fine while you and Veronica were sound asleep,” Beauty said.

  “Henry, let’s just stop and talk about this,” Veronica said.

  “Now you want to argue with me, too?” he said, turning to face his wife.

  Mr. Canis hobbled forward. “They will have all of us at their side.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t put my faith in an army of children, talking animals, and the elderly,” Henry said. He led his family across the fallen drawbridge and into the woods, leaving the castle and their friends behind. As the girls glanced back, the castle magically disappeared from view.

  Henry marched with determination, seemingly undeterred by the lack of a path. The girls and their mother, carrying Basil, did their best to keep up with him. Puck followed from the air.

  “Once you get into Grand Central,” Henry said, “head for Brooklyn. Dana and Steven will take you in.”

  “Henry, they probably think we’re dea
d after all the time we’ve been missing, and what are we supposed to do for money? Do you have any for train tickets?”

  Henry sighed but his pace didn’t slow. “Yeah, money. I’ve got ten dollars in my wallet. I’m sure our credit cards have been canceled. Just get on the train. They may kick you off, but not before you’re out of the town. Once you’re on the other side of the barrier you’ll be safe. Call your sister in Australia.”

  “Henry, I haven’t spoken to her in a decade,” Veronica said.

  “Tell her we’ll pay her back whatever she can lend. Our money is still in the bank . . . somewhere.”

  Veronica threw up her hands in exasperation but still urged the girls forward. Sabrina stared back at Puck from over her shoulder. He looked defeated and confused, and then it hit her. She would never see him again. He was trapped in Ferryport Landing like all the rest of the Everafters. He would never be able to follow her to the city. This was it.

  “The train station is a disaster,” Puck shouted just before he disappeared from Sabrina’s sight. “When we were spying on the old lady, I flew overhead. The Scarlet Hand ripped up the tracks.”

  Henry stopped. The hesitation prompted Puck to fly into the air, until he landed to block Henry’s path once more.

  “We’ll go to Mom’s house and get her car—”

  “That heap of junk got crushed when the house was destroyed,” Puck said.

  “Then we’ll walk,” Henry snapped.

  “Great idea,” Puck said. “What with all the monsters running around. But I’m sure they’re not all as bad as Grendel. Besides, the rest of the family is trained to fight just like you, right? The baby knows how to throw an uppercut, I’m sure.”

  Henry threw up his hands and collapsed onto a fallen log.

  “Honey?” Veronica asked.

  “I just need to think,” he said, waving her off. Then he shook his head and glared up at Puck. “I’m disappointed in you.”

  “Then things are getting back to normal,” Puck said.

  “I would have thought your puppy-dog crush on my daughter would make you more protective.”

  Puck’s mouth fell open and his ears turned red with embarrassment. Puck, the boy who proudly collected his farts in mason jars, who never cared what anyone thought of him! But her father’s accusation seemed to have upended his cocky confidence. He stammered, as if unsure what to say next, but then the boy fairy shook off his awkwardness and grinned mischievously.

  “Well, it’s a little more than a crush, Henry,” Puck said. “I’m going to marry your daughter someday, so it’s sort of important to my plans that she save the world.”

  “OMG,” Daphne said, as she bit the palm of her hand.

  Veronica’s eyes were as big as pie plates.

  Henry fell off his log, and if Sabrina had been sitting on one, she would have done the same. She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it.

  Puck stood over her father and chuckled. “You can’t embarrass me, Henry. I’m the Trickster King—true King of Faerie, crown prince of the over-confident, leader of the self-deluded, spiritual hero of all who think too highly of themselves. Now, are you going to listen to reason or do I just have to kidnap your daughters so we can get to work?”

  “Do I get a vote in this?” Veronica asked.

  Everyone turned to her.

  “Yes, Mom has an opinion!” Veronica snapped. “So listen up. We’re staying.”

  “Veronica!” Henry said as he clambered to his feet.

  “I want more than anything to get Basil and the girls away from this town,” Veronica said. “But what if the mirrors are right? What if the girls are supposed to rescue Relda and make things OK again?”

  “The mirrors didn’t say the girls would save the world. They said they had a chance,” Henry explained.

  “Yes, but they were certain that no one else had one. If they don’t try, then it can’t be done at all. I can’t live with that. I haven’t raised the girls to turn their backs on others.”

  Henry looked at his wife for a long time. His face was full of worry and fear.

  Daphne nodded. “Mom’s right! Grimms don’t run. Especially when we’re in a prophecy.”

  “How many prophecies have we been in?” Sabrina growled.

  “Just one, but do you think we’ll be in any more if we screw up the first one?” Daphne said, turning to walk back to the castle. “We need to go back!”

  “Daphne!” Henry shouted.

  Daphne turned to face her father. “It’s shenanigan time, Dad.”

  Red, Mr. Canis, and the Wicked Queen were waiting for them in a clearing just outside the invisible castle. The witch said nothing but nodded respectfully to Henry.

  “So, what do we have to do?” Henry said.

  October 15

  Let me tell you what happened yesterday. After Goldi and Beauty saved us from Grendel, they led us to our missing uncle, who is now intent on revenge and may be committing murder as I write this, but then the Wicked Queen showed up, fixed all the broken magic mirrors, then ordered them to make a prophecy that says my sister and I are going to save the world but my dad said “forget that” and tried to squirrel us out of town until we realized we’re kind of stuck and have to stay and do the right thing even though all the Everafters looked like they’re sure we’re going to get everyone killed.

  And that was all before dinner.

  Today is a new day and I’m hoping it’s a little more relaxing. I mean, all I have to do is train and lead an army. I should have that finished before breakfast (insert sarcastic facial expression).

  It seems that everywhere I go, people are staring at me, and there’s nowhere to hide. Now I know what it’s like to be a goldfish. Some of them watch me with curiosity, studying me as if they might uncover some secret strength they have previously overlooked. Others watch as if they’re about to see a terrible car accident, helpless to prevent vehicles from piling on top of one another and exploding. Some watch me out of the corners of their eyes while others stare at me directly until I notice, and then they try to act like they were looking at something else. Daphne is oblivious. In some ways I envy her ability to tune out the overwhelming disappointment of Charming’s army. But on the other hand, seeing her singing her little songs and making a face out of two fried eggs, a slice of bacon, and a pancake makes me feel as nervous as the others. We are so young.

  • • •

  Charming sat next to Sabrina and her family as they were eating breakfast in the camp canteen. He did not look happy. Then again, neither did anyone. Most of them ate listlessly, bending their ears to catch every word that came from their conversations.

  “How long are you going to lollygag around here this morning?” he hissed.

  “What does lollygag mean?” Daphne said.

  “He’s saying we’re being lazy,” Sabrina explained. “What he means I don’t understand.”

  “Then let me be a little more clear,” Charming said. “When do you plan on doing something about the prophecy?”

  “Cut the kids a break, William,” Goldi said from a nearby table. “It just happened last night.”

  “Well, you may have slept peacefully, but everyone else in this camp was up all night, worrying that a couple of kids who haven’t even hit puberty yet are responsible for their lives. The morale in this place has hit an all-time low. So unless the girls want these folks leaving in droves, I suggest they do whatever it is the mirrors told you to do.”

  Sabrina frowned. “We’re on it,” she said.

  Charming thanked her with a thick helping of sarcasm and stormed off to supervise work inside the castle.

  Canis filled Charming’s seat at the table. “A word, Your Majesty,” he said in hushed tones to the Wicked Queen.

  “Of course.”

  “I understand that we have a book in our possession that could fix our problems,” he said quietly.

  Bunny raised her eyes. “You know about the Book of Everafter?”

 
“Relda shared a number of things with me. I also understand you’ve had a little experience altering its contents so that the world received the benefits.”

  Sabrina cocked an eyebrow. She knew exactly what Mr. Canis was talking about. Bunny had used the magical book to completely erase a human being from existence. Could it work on Mirror?

  Bunny shook her head. “It’s not as simple as putting pen to paper. The story has to be managed and prodded, written and rewritten. The results are unpredictable at best and staggeringly difficult. It took me nearly twenty-five years to make the changes I made.”

  “But certainly you should try,” Canis said.

  “Relda Grimm doesn’t have twenty-five years,” Bunny said.

  “What exactly are we supposed to do, then?” Sabrina whispered.

  “We do the first thing on the prophecy list,” Bunny said. “The Council of Mirrors says Daphne has to build a coven.”

  “And we will, as soon as I find out what a coven is,” Daphne said, shoving an entire link sausage into her already full mouth. Elvis sat nearby, watching with envy.

  “It’s a group of witches,” Sabrina said.

  “Three, to be exact,” Morgan added as she and Mr. Seven approached the table. “Glinda from Oz, Frau Pfefferkuchenhaus, and I were a coven. I’d be happy to join yours.”

  Daphne grinned. “You would be my first choice, Morgan, and then you, Ms. Lancaster.”

  Morgan and the Wicked Queen looked at each other and shrugged.

  “OK, but there has to be three. Who’s last?” Bunny asked.

  “I have a great idea for number three, but . . .”

  Sabrina saw a twinkle in her sister’s eye that she had seen many times before. Daphne was about to say something that would make Sabrina’s life miserable. It might as well have been a neon sign reading TROUBLE AHEAD!

  “Why do I think I’m going to hate your choice?” she asked.

  Daphne folded a pancake in half and shoved it into her pocket, then grinned at her sister. “I have no idea.”

  • • •

  “Of all the witches in this town, you have to pick the one that wants to eat me,” Sabrina complained as she stomped through the woods toward Baba Yaga’s hut. Bunny, Daphne, Morgan le Fay, Puck, Elvis, and her father followed closely behind. None of them were thrilled by Daphne’s choice. They took turns trying to talk her out of it, but Sabrina’s sister insisted that if they wanted to build a coven of super-powerful witches they should ask super-powerful witches to join.