Charmed

by Jen Calonita

  The princess beams. “I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I’m up early too. The Royal Ladies-in-Waiting are hosting a tea for a visiting princess from the kingdom of Captiva this afternoon. I do hope you’ll be joining us.”

  So that’s what that fluffy pink thing was in our dorm mailbox. “I’m really busy.”

  Princess Rose steps closer and smiles. “Yes. Exercising. Strange how you will manage to do that when the gym is being used for food service today.”

  Fiddlesticks. I’ve been made. Not a great way to start a breakout. “I guess we’ll get some fresh air then. Maybe hike.”

  Princess Rose holds my stare. “Hopefully you’ll be back in time for tea. Tessa tells me you have not accepted our invitation. May I ask why?” I start to fumble under her ice-blue stare. “You were the one student I asked for by name when I was given this position.”

  The way she’s staring at me makes me feel like I’ve fallen into poison ivy. “Thanks, but I don’t think I’m royal material.” I look down at my muddy boots.

  Princess Rose puts a hand on my arm. “The Royal-Ladies-in-Waiting can teach you all you need to think like a princess. Don’t you want to feel and act royally? Have the chance to leave the FTRS grounds and visit Royal Manor?”

  I burst out laughing. “Sorry,” I say when I see her shocked reaction. “Thanks for the offer, but being royal has never been something I’ve aspired to.”

  The sleeping beauty raises a perfectly arched eyebrow. “That’s a shame. Being royal is the quickest way to gain power in Enchantasia, and power is something we all need more of. Like your father. It would be a shame if his newfound power as glass-slipper maker disappeared again.” She pushes her glossy hair away from her eyes. “From what I’ve heard, the extra income that comes from being related to you has helped your family tremendously.”

  I feel a pit form in my stomach. Is the princess blackmailing me into joining?

  Rose hands me a pink card that smells like roses. “If you change your mind, here is a new invite. I hope you’ll reconsider.” I start to take the card and feel a tug. Princess Rose won’t let go. Her smile is thin, making her lips look like pulled taffy. “I won’t be happy ’til you’re a member, Gillian.”

  “Yes, Princess.” I grab the card and pull Kayla to a new hall that appears. I don’t even curtsy. See? I’d make a terrible RLW, but I am tempted by the thought of leaving school grounds and not getting detention for it.

  “She didn’t ask me to join the club,” Kayla grumbles as we hurry away.

  “You helped Alva try to curse the royals. I don’t think you’re being invited.”

  Kayla sighs. “You have a point.”

  We pass the elf cleaning crew dusting an atrium sitting area where books are tucked into bookcases as high as the stained glass windows. Some of the feather dusters are dusting on their own. The elves seem to be on a coffee break because they don’t move when they see us hurry past. Minutes later, we’re at the cafeteria.

  “Over here!” Ollie whispers. He, Maxine, and Jax are hiding behind a sign announcing fencing tryouts with Blackbeard. Ye Better Be Prepared! it says. Same goes for today. My friends are in disguise wearing Gnome-olia Bakery uniforms and chefs’ hats. The sight of Jax in a baker’s apron makes me giggle.

  “What?” He models his apron. “I’d make an excellent baker. Put yours on. Our ride leaves in five minutes.”

  I throw mine on and take in the heavenly scent of cinnamon. “What’s the plan?”

  “Gnome-olia Bakery is doing its weekly delivery of cinnamon rolls.” Ollie points to the kitchen. “We will sneak in the back of the carriage and make like a bag of rolls. They should have extra sacks that we can slip into. These uniforms will help us blend in at Gnome-olia Bakery ’til we can make our way out.”

  Maxine gives me a toothy grin. “Gilly! You came! The Happily Ever After Scrolls office is next to the fountain in the village square. We’ll need to find a way to sneak in there once we can scout out the location. I even posted a message on the HEAS comments board by my last note and said, ‘Would love to visit the office!’ And look what someone commented below me: ‘It’s right next to my favorite tea shop. I’ll have to wear my new Little Red Riding Hood cloak there if I’m ever invited.’ It’s got to be our source!”

  “Wow.” I think Maxine is right. This source wants to help us!

  “We’re going to find the mole! We’re going to find the mole!” Kayla sings.

  “I agree, but I still have one question,” I say. “Gnome-olia delivers here every few days. How are we getting back?” Their faces fall.

  Ollie swallows hard. “We’re clever. I’m sure we’ll come up with something.”

  “Just two more sacks, Gemma!” someone yells, and we duck down to avoid being seen by the school’s goblin chef.

  Jax motions for us to follow him. I hate coming into a heist without all the information, but the thought of seeing Anna washes my concerns away. I stuff the baker’s hat on my head and follow the others through the cafeteria. One by one, we drop to the floor and crawl along behind the counters. The wood countertops are filled with strange, half-chopped root vegetables, and pots are steaming on the cast-iron stove. Some are being stirred by long, wooden spoons bewitched with magic. Jax pulls me behind a sack of potatoes.

  I see boots under the table. “Don, Headmistress Flora wants an order of caramel cakes. We’re having a tea honoring Princess Rose. She just joined the staff.”

  “You’ve got a royal working in a reform school?” asks Don as we move around the table to the other side to avoid them. Maxine is moving so fast that she narrowly misses hitting a wayward pot with her big feet. “I think I have some in the carriage. Hey, Phil!” he calls. “Grab me a dozen caramel cakes for the headmistress.”

  I hear more footsteps. “I’ll sign the scroll for the delivery then and be off,” Don says.

  Our group scurries behind a sack of flour that is the size of a giant. If Phil comes down our aisle, we’re toast.

  “Where is that scroll?” Gemma asks. “I had it on the counter.” I see the purple nails of her goblin feet inch closer to where we’re hidden. Then she turns back. “It’s gone! Oh well. Come into the cafeteria and I’ll grab a new one.”

  Ollie holds up the missing scroll. “Let’s move.” With the coast clear, we crawl quickly along the pan racks and we’re out the door in seconds. Into the cool, misty morning air we hurry, standing up and diving into the back of the carriage. I grab the first sack I see and begin passing them out. Ollie and Kayla fit into one. Maxine has her own, and that leaves one for Jax and me. I hear voices and know we only have seconds to hide.

  Jax jumps in and shakes the bag for me to join him. “Let’s go, thief!”

  I’m out of time. I grab his hand and hoist myself into the burlap sack rimmed with flour and crumbs from rolls. Jax pulls the sack over us. Through the fibers of the bag, I can just make out Jax’s face staring back at my own. I hear one of the guys approach the carriage and tie down the back of the canopy, shrouding the area in darkness. We’re off.

  CHAPTER 7

  Breaking Free

  An hour later, I can barely believe my eyes. I’m home.

  We’ve ditched our bakers’ clothes, slipped out of Gnome-olia Bakery without pinching cinnamon rolls, and are now standing in the middle of Enchantasia village square. The fountain still gurgles and sputters like a geyser every hour on the hour. Peddlers bustle by with their carts, selling trinkets, mini magical scrolls, and Rapunzel’s hair-care products. Villagers bang into us on their way to work or school while Pegasi fly overhead, dropping Pegasus Posts to homes, boots, oversized teapots, and other shops.

  I hear the clock tower chime 9:00 a.m. and scan the crowd for my siblings. They should be on their way to trade school, and I know they used to pass right through the square so Felix could make a wish at the fountain. Just beyond it, I spot the gold-colored building with the famous quill-and-scroll sign—Happily Ever After Scrolls: Enchanting Enchanta
sia with the News One Scroll at a Time! There is only one main door, and goblins, trolls, and pixies are flying through it on their way to work. How are we going to get past them? How are we… Do I smell shoe polish?

  Home. Father’s shop is just around the corner. I haven’t seen our crowded boot in so long, but with it just feet away, I feel a longing. I begin to walk toward the square that leads to our street and feel my arm yanked back.

  “Don’t be foolish.” Jax holds my arm. He and Maxine are leaning against a wall near the farmers market. “The square is way too public. We need to keep our heads down and stay out of large areas.”

  “But—” I protest.

  Jax’s violet eyes are all knowing. “I can tell what you’re thinking, thief, but it’s too risky. You can’t visit your sister.”

  My heart sinks.

  Maxine pulls her scroll out of her pocket and glances at it again. “I’m so nervous! What if my mystery note-giver didn’t see my post on the HEAS comments? What if she forgets to wear a red cloak? What if we can’t get inside? What if…?”

  I place a hand over her mouth. “What if we wait and see what happens?”

  Ollie walks over holding a shabby cloak. “New disguise for Gilly! Look what I nabbed! These babies were waiting by Goodwill.” He offers me the cloak.

  “Why do I need a new disguise?” I ask.

  “You’re famous! I’ve seen people staring at you,” Jax explains. “People know you’re at FTRS. If you’re recognized, we’ll be toast. Put these on and try to stay in the shadows. You can be our point person.”

  What? That’s just…gingerbread! When did my hero work suddenly become a liability? I tie a brown cape that smells like molasses around my shoulders. I tuck my brown hair in and pull the hood over my head, tying it tight so it doesn’t fall off. “If I’m the point person, I’ll alert you if I see Pete and his goons. I can spot the Dwarf Police Squad from three carriages away.”

  “Mmm, do you smell that?” Ollie asks, closing his eyes and inhaling sharply. “Caramel cakes. I haven’t had one since I was on the high seas.”

  The clock in the square chimes nine fifteen. “Okay, here’s how it’s going to go down.” Jax sounds in command. “Maxine and I will scout out the security at the building, making Maxine’s presence known. Maybe her source will see her and come down. Everyone look for a person in a red cloak. If that doesn’t work, we’ll try to get inside. Gilly, you’re on point for the Dwarf Police Squad. Kayla, you look for alternate exits along with Ollie, who will pretend to be a shopper in the square. If anyone spots us, we meet at the Pegasi valet stand. Got it?”

  “Huh?” Ollie’s eyes are watering, and his tongue is sticking out of his mouth. “They’re oozing caramel and—whoa! They dunked a patty cake in caramel! Caramel inside and outside the cake. Genius! Would it be so wrong if I pinched one?”

  “Ollie,” we moan.

  “They won’t see me swipe it!” he insists. “If I juggle apples and do the ear trick, they’ll be so distracted that they won’t even notice.”

  “No patty cakes.” I turn him away from the cart and toward a vendor selling satin gloves. “Look like Ella!” the sparkly, glowing sign screams. “If we get caught, we’re doomed. And we still don’t know how we’re getting home yet.”

  “We’ll worry about that after.” Jax uses a calming voice I associate with royal speeches. “First, we need Maxine’s source to show herself and talk. We have to find that leak in the castle before—”

  Maxine burps. “Sorry! I’m nervous!”

  “Oooh! Look at those Ella gloves!” Kayla coos.

  “Patty cakes!” Ollie stretches his arms out to the sweet cart.

  This is why I usually work alone. Our crew is a mess. I can do so much more without all these distractions. “Everyone,” I say sharply. “We broke out of FTRS. We could be spotted at any moment. Flora might figure out we’re missing. Let’s keep our eye on the dragon.”

  Jax nods encouragingly. “Exactly! Places, people.”

  But I guess I had no reason to worry. There is a reason all of us are in FTRS. We’re good at pretending to be what we’re not. Once everyone is focused, our plan falls into place. Jax takes Maxine’s arm and the two begin walking over to the HEAS offices, talking animatedly about a puppet show they supposedly just saw.

  A few seconds later, Kayla skips along behind them, never getting too close, never stepping too far away. “Look!” I hear her cry to no one in particular. “Six pence! Anyone want to help me throw some in the HEAS fountain?”

  Ollie pulls his cloak tight as he peruses the peddler carts. “If I could just find some gingerroot flowers or stems, I’d get an A on this class project,” he says loudly.

  Too bad gingerroot is harder to come by than fairy godmothers. Maxine found some once (ogres have an excellent sense of smell), but I used it on Jocelyn when Harlow escaped. Maxine and I should really hunt near the Hollow Woods for some more.

  I lean against the brick wall of the Pied Piper’s Music Emporium where I can see the whole square laid out in front of me. There’s no sign of Pete or Olaf. In the distance, the silver turrets of Royal Manor blind anyone who dares look at them too long. I focus on the cobblestone path around the fountain that leads toward 2 Boot Way. I’m so close and yet so far.

  I see Jax and Maxine inch closer to the HEAS doors. I can see them whispering and pointing to a shining silver box on the front of the door. Is that a security system to get inside? A speaker? I hate not knowing what is happening! I could help break into that joint. I know it. The flurry of workers going into the building has stopped. The foot traffic in the village square has thinned out, and any hope I had of bumping into Anna or my siblings is growing slim. The only children out now are too little for schooling. I notice Kayla hand a small child a coin for the fountain.

  My eyes linger on a boy carrying a blue balloon with his mother. He bops the thing up and down, reminding me of my little brothers Han and Hamish. Another tug and the balloon flies away. His mother makes an attempt to reach it, but the balloon is now almost at the top of the clock tower. The kid is wailing when, just as suddenly, the balloon begins to descend.

  I watch as a woman shrouded under a red velvet cloak reaches for the balloon and catches it in her hand. It’s the source! She’s come! I want to scream it out and tell the others, but that will blow my cover. I wait patiently for Jax and Maxine to turn around or Ollie to look my way so I can alert someone to what’s happening. They’re all in their own little worlds. I watch as the woman in red hands the balloon to the squealing child and the mother, who stares in disbelief.

  “How the heck did she do that?” I ask myself out loud.

  The woman in red looks my way as if she can hear me. I feel my fingers tingle. Her hood hides her face in darkness, but I can see just the corners of her mouth turn up in a smile that I seem to recognize. The question is from where? It’s not Alva. Returning a balloon wouldn’t be her style.

  “Thief!”

  I turn and see a woman at the caramel cake cart pointing to Ollie, who is holding a bag of patty cakes. “Thief!” One hangs from Ollie’s mouth. He quickly drops a smoke bomb. “Stop him!”

  “Ollie,” I groan. When I look back for the woman in the cape, she’s gone.

  People screech as the smoke bomb’s cloud of gray smoke grows. Villagers start running in every direction. Ollie takes off toward the Pegasi valet stand just as the sound of hooves gallop into the square. I don’t see Maxine or Jax. Strangely, Kayla is sitting by the fountain like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

  “What seems to be the problem?” I hear Pete the police chief ask from atop a horse that makes him look taller than his three-foot height. Olaf, his half-ogre sidekick, walks up beside him, making the ground shake. I crouch behind a barrel of water that a horse is tied to.

  “It was a boy! About this high, just stole a whole bag of my cakes and then set off a smoke bomb to get away,” the peddler explains. “I think he went that way.”

/>   “Looks like another FTRS candidate, Olaf.” Pete laughs. “Flora should give us commission. Which way, ma’am?”

  “He went that way! Toward the Pegasi valet stand.”

  My hair stands up on my neck. That’s our meeting point! If Pete finds Ollie there, he’ll be caught. I need a distraction.

  I stand up slowly even though Pete is just feet away, and I stare at the horse drinking from the barrel. “Hey, boy,” I say, talking to the horse as if he can hear me like a Pegasi would. “Want to go for a little run?” I untie his rope and with a little push, the horse takes off at a gallop—right toward Pete, who pulls his own horse out of the way just in time. I use the ticking seconds of my diversion to go straight to Kayla, who is reading a small scroll.

  “Kayla!” I shake her by the arm. “We have to go before Pete gets back.”

  “Those two! They were with that boy!” the woman says.

  I turn around, and Pete and I make eye contact. I grab Kayla as Pete’s voice rings out loud and clear. “Gillian Cobbler!”

  Fiddlesticks. I’ve been made again.

  CHAPTER 8

  Fight or Flight

  Pete can’t prove it’s me if he can’t catch me. I pull Kayla with me, bobbing and weaving through the carts as I hear Pete’s horse grow closer. We need a distraction so we can get to the valet stand first and warn the others.

  “Gilly, stop right there!” Pete gallops closer. That’s when I spot the apple cart.

  “I’m sorry,” I say to the apple vendor as I pull his cart down on its side and apples roll into the cobblestone street.

  “Aaah! Gilly!” I hear Pete screech as his horse stops short and Pete goes flying from the saddle. I watch him land on a bag of apples and wince. That had to hurt. “I’ll find you!” he yells. “I always find you!”

  I jump and weave over the apples, using Pete’s momentary downfall as a chance to duck down an alley that I’m sure leads to the valet stand. Kayla is slow for some reason, but I manage to slip into the Pegasi valet stand without Pete nabbing us. I blend into the crowd of royals and royal wannabes standing in a long line as Pegasi coaches pull up.