174

MAXINE

We moved carefully through the lodge. Mr. Grayson kept leading the way. We left the basement and climbed up the broad staircase to the second floor. Zel walked beside me, her magic still glowing faintly. She was ready to fight.

Peter and Regina were behind us, their eyes scanning every corner. Peter's fingers glowed just a bit. He was also at the ready.

We reached the top of the stairs. Mr. Grayson paused, turning to face us. “The piece has to be somewhere in this part of the lodge,” he said keeping his voice down. “We’ll search every room at the edge of this floor. It can’t be that far.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The curse was aware of us now. It was only a matter of time before it came to fight back.

"We need to stick together," I reminded everyone. "No one goes off alone, no matter what." I need to resound it now, more than ever. They nodded agreeing with me.

We began our search, moving from room to room. We checked every nook