We scanned the burning city of Mizu for survivors. If only there was a way to change them back."They've all been turned, but I know how to help them," Ariel shouted, seeming to read my mind. I faced Ariel, pushing several pieces of hair out of my face. "You do?" "Yes," she said, her blue eyes glistened with determination. "We need to get to my office. Head north, Abernathy. Go that way!""No, we must leave, Ariel. Once Sharra has turned a creature into an Akuma, there is no going back. The soul has been burned out of them, leaving only a shell. At this point they are nothing more than Sharra's puppets. They do her bidding without conscience, remorse, or understanding." "That can't be true. I have a spell that can reverse even the most - " Ariel started, but Abernathy cut her off. "I cannot allow you to remain here a moment longer," he growled, sending a stream of fire into the bubble protecting Mizu. The fire wasn't like the normal red and orange flames. It was gold, black, and bl
"Ar - Grandmother, let me help you inside." Now was as good a time as any to start calling her what she was. I helped her to her feet. My mom shared many stories with me about the sad woman in my arms. She'd made Ariel out to be tough. A fighter. After what Sharra had done to her city, she seemed tiny, not strong at all. "Mizu," Ariel said between sobs. "All of my people." "I know. I'm sorry." I helped her up the back stairs. She leaned heavily into me and I practically carried her inside and up to my room. "Lie down." She did as I said, crawling across my bed and resting her head against the pillow. I took a blanket from the bottom of the bed and covered her.Ariel was filthy. Black ash lined her face and clothes. She smelled like smoke. She appeared so insignificant. But she was more than that. She was my grandmother. My mom's mom. I would do anything for her."I'm just going to rest for a minute." She closed her eyes. Her shoulders relaxed and I knew exhaustion overtook her. "Ta
As soon as I hit the fresh air, I physically felt better, which made me feel worse. "Hey, Jack. How's it going?" Troy stepped from the shadow of the tree in our front yard. He wore a plain black tee shirt and a dark pair of jeans. His sandy blond hair seemed to have grown longer since the dance. At the memory of our last time together I cringed. He'd said that more creatures like me was a bad idea. He thought me a monster and he was right. "What do you want, Troy?" I bit the words out. "Nothing. Hey," he said, taking my arms. "Talk to me about what's wrong." "Get away from me, dragon boy." I pulled from his grasp. "Dragon boy? Ouch." He took me by the wrist and held it up. Blood shone in the moonlight. No doubt he could smell it too. I heard his heart pick up speed and watched his eyes grow big. I pulled away. "That's right, Troy. I'm a monster. You were right. Stay away from me." My fangs extended and I growled. I could've run. I was fast, but there was a part of me desperate fo
When I arrived back at the house, I waved goodbye to Troy and then went inside. My mom was gone, as was my grandmother's body. The room that was my mom's once upon a time was clean and the bed had been made with fresh linens. A strong scent of disinfectants lingered, burning the inside of my nose and making my stomach turn. Mixed emotions swirled through my heart. I was grateful my mom took Ariel with her, thankful I didn't have to talk to my mom right now since I didn't know what to say and devastated that I hadn't been able to say goodbye to my grandmother. But mostly I was angry. Frustrated beyond belief that Sharra had killed my grandmother. Not hurt her but ended her life.It was time to make Sharra pay.I rapidly showered before dressing in jeans, my black combat boots, and a black hoodie. Brushed my hair, braided it, and wrapped it in a bun. Then I took a deep breath and went down the hall to Laeddin's room. Knocked softly. I didn't know for sure whether he was still in the
We popped into the tunnel immediately. Even without a light I knew we were in the room where we left the container. Laeddin produced a light as I knelt and then turned back the lid. As before, I pushed past the jade petals that felt like pea pods and their sickly sweet smell. And as before, the elven assassin appeared. He stood until the top of his head nearly reached the ceiling and opened his eyes. They were the same color as the flower petals. "Who dares awaken me from my slumber?""It is I, Jasmine." I sounded like there was a frog in my throat and I cleared it. "I'm here to claim the piece of crown you guard." His jade green eyes flashed in anger. "I cannot allow that." He crossed his arms over his shoulders and removed the swords. "Prepare yourself for destruction." I wasn't sure how to respond. Laeddin and I saw that a weapon was inside of me. Whatever it was, I hoped it would appear as soon as possible. "I will not die. I can't. It's my destiny to take the crown and sav
Laeddin burst into my room. "Princess?" I adjusted myself and stood. "I'm fine. I - uh, just fell."His hands roamed my body as though he were feeling for broken bones, even though that wasn't possible. "What's this?" He touched the diamond on my forehead. I shrugged. "I'm not sure but I'm guessing it has to do with the crown." "You're probably right." He pursed his lips in a grim line. "You sure you're all right?""Yes. I'm good."Laeddin stepped back. "You look better. Rested." He went over to the closet and opened the doors, then faced me. "Which is good because you need to go to your grandmother's funeral."At hearing his words, my heart sank. "Is it today? Usually funerals take days and days to plan." "You've been asleep for three." He took a dress from my closet and showed me. I shook my head. "Three days?" I ran to the window, like the sky could tell me the date. In some ways it could, since the darkness was getting closer and closer. "Why did you let me sleep so long? We s
"Well I'm here." She flew to my shoulder and landed there, settling in for the duration. Aunt Cindy stood on my mom's right. She'd come with her assistant from Polonias, a giant talking leopard by the name of Violet. She wore a short black dress without sleeves. The leopard's wiry glasses kept slipping down her nose until they sat so close to the edge, I wondered how they hadn't fallen off. Cindy wore a black dress with iridescent blue gauze around the waist, cuffs, and hem. It came to the middle of her calves and she had on black high heels with a bow at the ankle, ever the most stylish person in the room. My parents had taken the potion to change back into their rightful bodies. Dad had on a white suit with a water lily pinned to his lapel and my mom wore a red dress, the color of her mom's hair. "Come. Stand between us," my dad said, when he saw me. I slid into place and peered sideways at my mom. Was she mad? Could she stand me any longer? Or was I just a person to forget?Sh
"Ahhhhh, it's good to be here once again." Sharra appeared in the ballroom out of thin air, my glorious wings beating lightly at her back. My dad didn't hesitate, but went after her, grabbing her by the throat. He was so quick, he shocked all of us. "I had a feeling you'd show up." His fingers dug into her neck as he forced her to her knees. "You'll pay for the pain you've caused and when I finish with you, you'll be completely gone from this Earth." Sharra blinked several times and then touched my dad with the tip of the staff she carried. His body became stiff, like he was frozen. Sharra pulled from his grasp. "Stupid boy!" "Dad!" I ran to him. Sharra sent a black current at me. It struck and I fell to the ground. "That was too easy," she cackled, her wicked eyes scanning each of us. "How dare you lay your hands - " Sharra said. Before she could finish, my mom had Sharra's neck in her mouth, her fangs biting down. Sharra's eyes became wide with momentary fear, but she recover