Into the Gray

by Geanna Culbertson

  “Mom!” I gave her a huge hug, smushing my face in her strawberry-blonde hair. Susannah stepped out of the carriage behind her; I gave our ambassador a smaller smile, but it was genuine. “Hi, Sooz. Thanks for coming.”

  “Thank you for having me,” she replied.

  “Hi, your majesty,” Blue said, trotting forward. My friend’s lavender romper was exactly the same shade as my mom’s dress. However, my mother had accessorized her outfit with purple pumps and a matching crystal embroidered cardigan while Blue wore her powder blue cloak and a hot pink utility belt that she’d made as a final project in her Leather Goods class.

  “Blue, what a pleasure to see you,” my mom said, touching Blue’s arm affectionately. My mom glanced over at the rest of my friends. “And Marie, how lovely to see you again as well. It has been years. You have grown up so beautifully.”

  Marie blushed slightly from the compliment. “Thank you, your majesty.”

  “Mom, Sooz, let me introduce you to my other friends,” I said. “This is Divya and Girtha. They’re on a different Twenty-Three Skidd team. And this is Kai. She’s Daniel’s girlfriend.”

  Sooz and my mom exchanged a quick, confused glance.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing, Pumpkin,” my mom said. “It is wonderful to meet all of you. We are so thrilled to be here.” She took my hand. “You have gushed in your letters about your restored practice fields, and your school’s new arena, and your favorite place to sit in the library—I would love to see all of it.”

  “We both would,” Sooz said, sweeping a loose strand of red hair behind her ear. “If I am welcome to come along.”

  “The more the merrier,” I said, meaning it.

  “Crisa!” I turned and saw Jacqueline coming toward us with her parents in tow. “I was hoping I’d catch you. I wanted to wish you good luck now in case we don’t see each other again until the match.”

  Jacqueline’s parents both had dark hair like our friend. Her mom’s locks were in a long, high ponytail. Her dad had curly hair like a black sheep. He had an adorable dorky thing going on with his glasses and pocket protector.

  “You must be the famous Jacqueline Day Ripley,” Sooz said, shaking my friend’s hand. “We’ve heard great things about you. Nice to meet you both as well, Mr. and Mrs. Ripley.”

  The adults shook hands amicably. The Ripleys bowed and curtsied to my mother when they were introduced. Mr. Ripley adjusted his glasses when he straightened up and turned to me.

  “Princess Knight—”

  “Crisa,” I corrected.

  “Crisa, my wife and I wish you good luck, but not too much luck.” He grinned. “Jackie here is our eldest and to see her accomplish this athletic dream of hers brings us such happiness. Don’t tell her siblings, but she is our pride and joy. Protagonist, valedictorian, captain of so many clubs—we couldn’t have asked for a better little girl.”

  “Dad,” Jacqueline said. “The twins are eight and baby Jessica is five. You shouldn’t compare me to them, or call me your little girl.”

  “But look at that cute face.” Her dad pinched her cheek. “As sweet as the day you were born.”

  Divya cracked up and Kai elbowed her. I tried super hard to stifle my laughter.

  “I always wanted to play Twenty-Three Skidd myself when I was young,” Mrs. Ripley said. “I am very impressed with all you girls who are fighting for feminism in Book.”

  “Ugh, Mom.” Jackie rolled her eyes but smiled. “You know I hate that word. This isn’t about feminism; it’s about being a person. And all people should be accepted for their skill and character, not their gender, background, or anything else that’s unimportant in the grand scheme of things. For example, when I kick Crisa’s butt later, it won’t be because she’s a girl or a princess; it’ll be because I’m just better than her.”

  “Ha ha,” I said, smirking back at Jacqueline.

  “Is that so?” my mother said.

  Jacqueline about-faced and looked at my mother, suddenly reevaluating the level of familiarity she was using in front of a queen. Her body notably tensed. “Um, no offense, your majesty.” My mom smiled coolly. “No offense taken, dear. As I am sure you will take no offense when my daughter hands you your rear end on a silver platter this afternoon.”

  My mouth hung open.

  “Snap,” Blue said. “Royal burn.”

  A laugh escaped from Sooz, then Marie and Divya let loose and we all began to laugh. I couldn’t keep it in this time.

  “Well, on to the tour!” Girtha announced, pointing ahead. “Later, Jacqueline. No matter who wins, we’re meeting for ice cream in the banquet hall after the match. You in?”

  “Definitely,” Jacqueline said. “Bye, you guys. And, Crisa, show no mercy out there.”

  “I never do.” I smiled wickedly. We bumped fists and parted ways.

  After giving them a tour of the school, my mom and Sooz had gone with Jacqueline’s parents and Lady Agnue to the VIP box at the Lord Channing’s stadium. My friends had headed to the arena without me as well.

  I was in my room alone, and I was glad. I wanted to get ready in private. Like any performer knows, those final few moments before the big show were crucial; they were an opportunity to get your mind right and your confidence raring.

  The match wouldn’t start for another hour, but I wanted to have plenty of time to get to the arena, as I had to travel by carriage. Pietro had Lucky, after all. He, Evette, and Emma would be arriving any time now. I was a little worried I hadn’t heard from them yet; it’s not like the sky had traffic. As I zipped up my freshly laundered Seven Suns jacket, a knock suddenly came at my door. I wondered if it was Pietro somehow, surprising me with his arrival.

  I opened the door. It wasn’t Pietro; it was my mom. I greeted her merrily, but I quickly realized something was terribly wrong. I could see that she’d been crying and there were school guards outside my door. Susannah was behind her, and she shot me a pained look.

  “Mom, what is it? What are you doing here?”

  My mom stepped into my room, pausing in the center with her back to me. Susannah reached for the door and closed it so I would be alone with my mother. “Mom?”

  “Crisanta, dear, the Godmother Supreme pulled Susannah and I aside when we were in the VIP box. She heard from Pietro and the Ravelli government. Your brother never left this morning. He has been working with Ravelli palace and kingdom law enforcement. Something has happened.”

  I had the impulse to bolt, to dash out of the room and try to outrun whatever tragedy had clearly just occurred. I didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t want to know.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked inevitably. My voice sounded so weak and small.

  “It is your godmother Emma, Pumpkin. She is dead.”

  I felt like a steak knife went through one of my arteries.

  “She was murdered, Crisanta.”

  Another stab. And twist.

  “The antagonist queen that you told us about, Nadia—she is responsible.”

  The fresh wounds in my heart burned like they were seeping with fire. “How do you know that?” I asked. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  “Your brother went to pick up Emma this morning but found her dead in her cottage. There was a note on the door . . .” My mom sat on the edge of my bed, sinking into the comforter the way I felt the light sinking into dark in her soul. “It is so despicable—to kill an innocent woman and leave a calling card. The note was specifically for you.”

  “What do you mean?” I choked. “What did it say?”

  “It said something like, ‘Crisanta Knight—consider this your next trigger. Good luck in the championship. I am sure you will perform brilliantly.’”

  My mom looked at me with red eyes. “Why would she write that? Why would she do this?” Her voice cracked on the last syllables. The pain achieved in those octaves hurt me on an entirely different level. One I hadn’t known existed until now.

  Although Emma’s deat
h caused me great heartache—I loved her like family and it felt like a piece of me was screaming inside—my pain was nowhere near what my mom’s must’ve been. Emma was her Fairy Godmother and had been a part of her life for decades, ever since the night my mom’s legend was born and she met my dad. Emma had made my mom into the Cinderella she was today. She had been the mother my mom never had. If I was screaming on the inside, my mom was probably shattering.

  “Nadia wants me to lose control of my Pure Magic so I’ll turn dark,” I said as calmly as I could, trying to keep it together. “She thinks that by causing me pain, my control will weaken. It’s not going to though. I’m not going to go storm Alderon and give her the satisfaction. She’ll suffer the consequences in time, and we’ll catch who did it. Nadia definitely didn’t commit the act herself. She can’t get past the In and Out Spell like some of her henchman can. The murderer was likely that antagonist I told you about, Arian.”

  My mom sniffled. “So this queen had your godmother killed just to hurt you?” She met me in the eyes. “Emma died for no other reason that being a pawn in some sick game?”

  I came to my knees in front of my mom and took her hands in mine, looking up at her desperately. “Yes, Mom. And I’m so, so sorry. This is all my fault.”

  “I am sorry too,” my mom said sadly. She took back one of her hands and ran it through my hair. “But you are not at fault for what a wicked sociopath does, no more than I was at fault for my stepmother being sent to Alderon after she tried to seek vengeance on me for leaving her. I want you to know that. I want you to know that no one blames you.”

  I bowed my head. But I do, I thought. I blame me. And one day soon I’ll make Nadia and Arian pay for it—not by losing control of my Pure Magic, but by using it with complete control to give them exactly what they deserve.

  “Susannah and I are going to head home. The Godmother Supreme has appointed several Godmothers alongside our guards to escort us. I hope you understand, but we cannot stay and watch the match. I . . . I need some time.”

  I gulped, looking back up at her. “I understand, Mom. Maybe I shouldn’t even play today. I mean, how am I supposed to after this?”

  Her hand cupped my cheek. “I do not know, Pumpkin. I will understand if you want to sit this game out. But I do not think you would be able to forgive yourself if you allowed Nadia to take this from you.”

  She was right. But that still didn’t make it right. I wanted to play, but my heart was fractured. Was it worth forcing myself through that pain just to prove to Nadia that she couldn’t destroy me?

  I gulped again. “Yeah,” I said solemnly. “I guess so.”

  “Crisa, what are you doing?!” Javier shouted.

  The ball meant for me sailed past my basket and was caught by a Jacklebee. That was the third pass I’d missed. My head was clouded with sadness, guilt, and anger, and clearly not in the game. I knew Nadia had chosen to murder Emma on this day to affect me as much as possible. She wanted me to turn dark, but she wanted me to suffer too.

  “I’m sorry!” I shouted, trying to pull myself together. I hadn’t told anyone about Emma’s death. I would tell them later, but I didn’t want to destroy their concentration. It wouldn’t have been fair. If not for my commitment to the team, I probably wouldn’t have been able to summon the strength to lift my head up. As it was, the guilt over playing in a silly game after receiving such terrible news weighed on me like lead.

  Brightly colored banners and flags across the stands waved in the wind. The crowd burst into applause as Jacqueline scored another goal. We were losing 17-13. The arena was packed—both our schools’ entire student bodies and faculty were present for the final match. Not to mention the VIP box was full of visiting higher-ups, Godmothers, and royal families that had come to see their sons play. I was embarrassing myself in front of all of them.

  Daniel flew over to me and lifted the visor of his helmet. “Knight, what’s the matter?” He wasn’t upset like Javier sounded. He looked seriously worried.

  My throat tightened.

  Come on; don’t do this.

  “Nothing,” I replied, shaking my head.

  Focus now. Cry later.

  I kicked Sadie into high gear and flew after the ball as it was launched anew.

  “Argh!” I got rammed by one of the Jacklebee players. I went after him to ram him right back. It was a waste of time, but I was not in the mood to be pushed around. He was startled by the force and fell off his Pegasus to the net below.

  The crowd cheered. I glanced back. In the time I’d wasted going after this guy for revenge, the Jacklebees had scored again.

  Dang it.

  “Crisa?” Jacqueline flew next to me. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” I grunted. You knew things were bad when members of the opposing team checked up on you.

  We kept playing; I kept getting hit and missing catches and throwing badly. At this rate, forget about just losing the championship for my team, I’d be lucky if Gordon and Javier didn’t kick me off the roster after the match.

  The scoreboard soon changed to 21-17 as the Jacklebees kept outmaneuvering us. Those were not the numbers I focused on though. Other numbers blurred my brain like toxic ghosts infecting my focus: thirty-five dead and ninety-seven injured. That had been the Century City body count, but I was responsible for more innocent deaths than that. There was Paige Tomkins, who Nadia had killed last semester to hurt me, and now Emma. My death toll was thirty-seven, and I was up here flying around like a fool and a selfish natural disaster.

  Sadie and I were way up in the clouds, doing more drifting than purposeful playing at that point. Then a scream shook me from my mournful reverie.

  The scream wasn’t the kind of shout a player might make after getting de-saddled and falling to the safety net. And it wasn’t a dramatic cry from an excited fan. This was something else. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

  Then a second scream came, and the blurriness in my brain snapped away entirely as I spotted something sinister in the clouds.

  Black creatures roughly twice the size of Pegasi, their bodies a lot like centipedes with the addition of wings, tails, and sharp dragon snouts, were darting through the billowing clouds beneath me. Their riders wore silver armor like Twenty-Three Skidd players, only without team numbers or colors. A third scream and a bright red flash drew my attention to where several players had been fighting over the ball.

  Two centi-dragon riders were holding what looked like miniature cannons, and one was smoking slightly. The second cannon fired. A blast of raspberry colored lightning shot toward the players and the screams renewed as one kid—I couldn’t tell who—was hit and fell from his steed, electricity sparking across his armor as he fell. My classmates scattered in the sky, swerving wildly to avoid continuing shots.

  Suddenly, half a dozen additional centi-dragons came into view, emerging from higher cloud cover. The closest one appeared ten feet from me, and I got a good look at the insignia emblazoned on his armor: a deep red mark with a vivid gold phoenix at the center. The Alderon crest. I hadn’t seen it in a long time, but I remembered it well.

  The centi-dragon rider aimed his weapon at me. I yanked on Sadie’s reins and we veered hastily to dodge the glistening shot. Shouts came from all around us, and I glanced down to see another player blasted off his steed, red lightning dancing around his armor and electrocuting him as he plummeted below.

  “Sadie, dive!” I urged her to swoop low to elude blasts of red lightning coming at us. The projection orbs that had been broadcasting the game were now showing our audience the horror of the attacks. The arena filled with its own brand of panic. Refs on their Pegasi tried to help fallen players, but they didn’t carry weapons so they were getting shot just as easily.

  Through the scene of centi-dragons and fleeing Pegasi ahead of me, I saw Daniel about to whack an antagonist from his steed. However, above him, another centi-dragon rider leveled his mini cannon, my friend in his sights.

  “
Daniel, watch out!” I shouted.

  Daniel dove to the side, barely evading the bolt of red lightning. Looking out for him cost me my own safety though. I was struck from behind with a buzzing energy beam that threw me from Sadie. My helmet fell off as I plummeted, and I lost grip of my lacrosse sword. A few streaks of raspberry electricity arced on the outside of my suit until they found openings in my armor. I cried out as they darted in sizzling streaks across my body, burning me.

  Tumbling through the sky, I took in my surroundings in quick flashes. Each rotation as I fell showed more scattered fragments of the scene. Four players were already in the net below, struggling to climb out. Several centi-dragon riders were flying low and firing into the stands. Students and teachers stampeded away from the lightning bolts. The VIP box’s front window had vanished, courtesy of Lenore no doubt, as she and several Fairy Godmothers used their own raspberry magic to launch counterattacks. Their volleys of power formed temporary red force fields over the areas of the stadium that the attackers shot at.

  KERBLUNK.

  I ricocheted off the net, sending a nearby fallen player bouncing as well. When the net settled, I found myself lying on my back, looking straight up at the sky. I had a perfect view of the shots of lightning being fired, and the panicked Pegasi and players desperately trying to escape.

  Just then a familiar form was blasted from his Pegasus and I gasped. Gordon was falling—a projection orb still in the area had captured his number on the big screen. He’d been shot sideways though, and I watched in sick horror as his body collided with a resounding clang against one of the six-hundred-foot-tall goal posts. He dropped straight down after that like a bird that hit a window. Thankfully, a bubble of raspberry magic slowed his fall. I glanced at the VIP box. Lenore’s wand was aimed in my friend’s direction.

  It was a good catch, but I knew she hadn’t saved him. I could feel it in my bones as that terrible clang reverberated in my ears. Gordon landed below on the grass a ways over and didn’t move as people rushed over.