5. Elle
627 Words
5
Elle
Leaving Cynder Mercantile behind, I high tail it to Central Park. Soon I reach the Turtle Pond. It’s still pretty early, so no one’s here yet. This is what’s so cool about Central Park, by the way. It’s actually a lot of little parks. Places like this pond feel all cozy and deserted.
Or in my case, safe to cast a spell.
Closing my eyes, I pull on the fae power within me. Mom and I are swarm fae. It means we can make creatures group up and do stuff. For instance, I could inspire a bunch of mice to clean the floors. Don’t get too excited, though. Mice suck at housework.
Which brings me back to the present moment. What I need now is some turtle-shaped assistance.
A haze of silver light materializes over my right palm. Yes! The spell is starting. I command the magic into the water while I think through my desire.
Come to me. Aid me.
Tiny glistening particles of fairy dust tumble off my hand and onto the still pond. Moments pass. The nearby trees rustle in the morning breeze. The low murmur of far-off voices and car horns seems to turn deafeningly loud.
At last, a dozen turtles pop their heads above the water. The largest speaks in a rumbly voice. “I am Ironshell.”
I grin. I can’t really practice my fae magic—that could blow my cover—so I wasn’t sure this spell would work. And when I do cast swarm spells, it’s either on mice or pigeons. Turtles are a new one for me.
“Nice to meet you.” I wave. “I’m Elle.”
“You require our help?”
“Yes, there’s a crown at the bottom of the pond. I’d like you to bring it to me, if you don’t mind.” Fact is, my magic could just force the turtles to help out. But I like to be polite. Also, you never know who’s actually an evil wizard enchanted to be a tortoise or something.
“What?” Ironshell gives me one of those shocked turtle faces where he gulps for air. “You mean the Queen of Hearts’ crown?”
“That’s the one.”
“Are you certain? There are many kinds of fae in the Faerie Lands, such as pixies, sprites, fairies, and elves.”
“Don’t forget the shadowcoe,” adds another turtle.
“That’s right,” confirms Ironshell. “Trolls, vampires, and dwarves are all natives of the Faerie Lands as well. Yet none of them is more dangerous than the Queen of Hearts.”
“And no reward will be better, am I right?”
“Possibly.”
“Definitely. I’m not leaving here without the crown.” I could try to enchant the thing out of the pool, but that would involve using my father’s magic. Which I’ve never so much as touched. “I really need your help here.”
“As you command.” Ironshell pops under the water; his other buddies follow. A long minute ticks by. The surface of the pond churns as they fish do their thing.
Splash!
A blob of brown goop breaks through the water’s surface to land beside my feet with a plop. Within all the slime, I make out the gleam of rubies.
So far, so good.
Kneeling down, I pull on my fae magic once more. This time, the silver dust cascades from my hand to cover the blob of goo. Wherever the magic touches, the scummy bits melt away. Seconds later, there’s only a tall crown that’s covered in rubies. A giant heart-shaped gem marks the front.
“You better run on now,” says Ironshell. “It is not safe to carry such jewels.”
I chuckle. It’s far less safe for a fairy warden to openly use her magic, but there’s no way I’m volunteering that fact out loud. I slip the crown into my purse. It’s a tight fit, but it works.
“Thank you, Ironshell.”
“Be safe, Elle.” With that, my new buddy vanishes under the water once more. I check my watch. That only took twenty minutes. This morning’s so-called walk in the park is going great.
From here, it’s a short hike to Central Park’s Belvedere Castle. It’s a small structure made of gray stone that sits atop a low hill.
And it’s where the Queen of Hearts keeps court.
- Writer
