2. Elle
670 Palabras
2
Elle
Refocusing on my computer, I fire up Magicweb, which is the secret internet for our kind. Scanning through message boards, I look for lost valuables. My goal? Find stolen jewels that I can return for a reward. I’ve been saving up for the evil stepmother-n-sisters stage of my life. Becoming a servant in my own house? Not an option.
I flip through through the best boards for lost jewels.
JewelFinders.magic
WheresMyStuff.fae
VampLost.shadowcoe
Each site is the same—there are no new listings. So I check some web chats. A particular conversation catches my eye.
GemBabe1000 - Any new bounty jewels out there?
HuntAndFound - Nothing. Only Q of H crown in TP-CP
In regular speak, TP-CP means the Turtle Pond in Central Park. And the Q of H stuff? That’s the Queen of Hearts. She’s part fae. Part Vampire. All badass.
Here’s the deal. The Queen of Hearts is so powerful, people are always asking for her help. The good news is that the queen can do almost anything. The bad news is that she may develop an unhealthy interest in your love life along the way. I’d never ask her for help. But reaping a reward? Count me in.
GemBabe1000 - How long has that crown been sunk
HuntAndFound - 100s of yrs
GemBabe1000 - No one will ever go after that thing
I rub my palms together. Ha! I am SO going after that crown.
After shutting off my computer, I head downstairs. Once there, I speed through the warehouse part of the first floor. It’s a maze of metal shelves crammed with boxes of stuff. Soon I reach the building’s front … and a wooden door with a small window.
The entrance to Cynder Mercantile.
I enter the room. Sure enough, my parents stand inside. The shop itself is a small wooden space lined with fancy shelves, all of them overflowing with hand-made stuff, like blown glass bowls, lace doilies, or carved statuettes. The artists who make these pieces live on the upper levels of our building.
The radio plays a song, Do You Believe In Magic? It’s an ancient and corny tune, but my parents sway in sync as they stock the shelves. So sweet.
An itchy feeling crawls up my neck. Someone’s watching us. I look backward and sure enough, Marchesa stares at Dad through the little window in the warehouse door. Marchesa’s a tall lady with loops of brown hair piled high atop her head. In my opinion, she always looks like someone just offered her a small turd to eat. Right now, that regular poop-look combines with a longing stare in Dad’s direction.
Ick, ick, ick.
I take care to step into her line of sight, blocking any view of Dad. Take that, creepster.
“Hey,” I call. “You guys need any help?”
Dad spins around and grins. “Hey, yourself.” My father is handsome in an earthy way with his brown hair, strong build and easy smile. I can almost picture Marchesa craning her neck for a better view.
“How’s my Ellie Belly?” Dad asks.
I mock-gasp. “You did not say that.”
“You were such a chubby baby, what else could I call you?”
I roll my eyes. “Elle?”
“Come here and give your old man a hug.”
So I do. Dad gives the best hugs; they’re always full of love and warmth. That’s just how Declan Cynder is in general. My father’s a giving type of person. In fact, Dad founded Cynder Mercantile to help desperate artists from the magical world. Meanwhile, the rest of his life centers on me and Mom. It’s a pretty awesome set-up.
Mom stares pointedly at my purse. “Where are you off to?”
“A walk in central park.” I’m wearing jeans, Doc Martens, and a Disney Princesses T-shirt. Therefore, my morning stroll story is totally believable, if I do say so myself.
Dad frowns. “Are you sure it’s safe to go alone?”
“I’m a careful girl,” I reply. “I just want some air.” And a crown.
My parents share a long stare before Mom focuses on me again. “It’s fine. Bring your phone and be back by lunch.”
“You got it. Thanks!”
And with that, I’m off to find the Queen of Hearts’ crown. Afterward, there will be a major reward in store for me. And goodness knows, I need it.
This is one Cinderella life template who’s kicking butt and taking charge.
- Autor
