The Mysterious Lost Child (The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont Book 2)

by Sarah Noffke

  With all the excitement, Paris had forgotten to tell her uncle that she had a talking squirrel as a roommate. “Oh, yeah, this chatty squirrel followed me through a portal. His name is Faraday, and he says the strangest things. He’s been sleeping in my sock drawer.”

  “Hmmm…that’s odd…”

  “Why?” Paris instantly responded.

  “It just is,” he said simply over the phone, but Paris got the distinct impression he knew more than he was letting on. What did it matter though? she reasoned. He most likely couldn’t say anything.

  “So the black and white cat.” Paris looped back around to the previous topic. “Is he good or bad? Can you at least tell me that?”

  There was a long pause. Finally, John said, “What does your instinct from the interaction say?”

  So he couldn’t answer even that question, Paris realized. She thought about seeing the cat and his calm demeanor as havoc was ensuing around her in Beverly Hills and later when he appeared right as the monster disappeared. There wasn’t really anything concrete from the experience to help her. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, be careful.” He exhaled a tired sigh. “But you already know to do that. I’m glad you’re back at the college now.”

  “I’m about to leave,” she admitted sheepishly.

  Another sigh. “To investigate?”

  “No, strangely enough, Headmistress Starr is sending me on a mission.”

  “Already?” Uncle John sounded shocked and worried. Maybe also proud.

  “Well, yeah, the idea for the mission was sort of my idea,” Paris stated. “It’s not their traditional fairy godmother mission. It involves using disguises to sneak into a corporation for research.”

  Uncle John sighed. “Who better for such a job? You’ve been trying to perfect that disguising spell since you were tiny, all so you could play pranks on me.”

  She laughed. “I remember that one time you came home to find a gnome sitting on the couch.”

  He chuckled. “I nearly tossed you over the balcony before you shifted back. Soph is good at that t-t-t…” Uncle John’s words cut off, and Paris assumed the silencing spell had closed that loophole before he could finish his story.

  “Aunt Sophia?” Paris asked. “She’s good with disguising spells?”

  There was no answer, but Paris thought she knew it anyway.

  “You’re a master at sneaking in places,” Uncle John began. “I remember when I got the call that someone had infiltrated the Official Brownie Headquarters, and they thought it was my niece.”

  Heat rose in Paris’ cheeks. “What can I say? I was curious how that place operated. There’s no door. You see the little Brownies disappear into a solid brick wall, so I took their form and snuck in.”

  “Which got you into their headquarters but promptly kicked out.”

  “Don’t worry,” Paris reassured him. “I won’t get caught this time. These are mortals we’re dealing with and standard security measures. I only have to have a good story and some credentials, which is where I hoped you could help.”

  “Go on then.” He still sounded uncertain of the idea.

  “Well, Willow is going to get us added to the calendar as consultants who are visiting the corporations today,” Paris explained.

  “That sounds like a ‘you’ idea.”

  She nodded although he couldn’t see it over the phone. “It was. That gives us a reason to be there, but they do have top-level security due to the nature of the rivalry, which is what we’re trying to squash to create love.”

  “Is it okay if I stop you and say how proud of you I am?” Uncle John asked. “You’re using your powers for good now. This is great work and so much better than getting into trouble on Roya Lane.”

  “I would argue that my work on Roya Lane was good too. I stopped bullies,” Paris argued, but Uncle John didn’t respond to that. It was a sticking point with them and always had been since he firmly believed it wasn’t her business to police the streets of Roya Lane. Finally, Paris said, “Yes, thank you. I’m glad you’re proud of me.”

  “I’ve always been, but now even more so.”

  “Anyway,” Paris continued, “we’ll need to show some ID. I remembered that you once had a cool badge that would change to show the credentials for whoever you were trying to be.”

  “Yes, it’s magitech,” John stated. “The person you’re showing it to sees what they need to allow you to pass. That way, you don’t have to make up the title, in case you’re wrong and it’s not a high enough security level for what you need.”

  “That’s brilliant,” Paris nearly exclaimed while striding back and forth in her room, getting more excited for this mission. “I told Headmistress Willow about it, and she said you could send it to us through a bread box. Does that make sense?”

  He chuckled. “I haven’t used that in forever, but yes. Since they don’t get mail at Happily Ever After College, there’s a single place on Roya Lane where people can send things there securely. It’s a bread box in one of the retail shops here. One must know about it to use it, and it’s always there because the store owner refuses to sell it, knowing its purpose.”

  “That’s so cool. So, I hoped you could loan me the magitech ID for this mission and pass it through the bread box.”

  “Pare, I’m more than happy to send it to you. It won’t be a loan. I think you’re more in need of keeping it than me with the work you’ll be doing.”

  “You’re giving me the magitech ID?” Paris asked.

  He paused. “Well, you have to promise to use it only for good. No sneaking into the President of the United States’ Oval Office or anywhere else because you’re curious.”

  “Or want to get a selfie behind their desk.” Paris laughed.

  “Yes, another thing you’d do.” He chuckled. “I’ll send it over in a few moments.”

  “Thanks, Uncle John. I better get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

  “Okay, well, take care and keep me updated. And Pare?”

  “Yes?”

  “I know things are changing a lot and are confusing, but you’ll always be my family, no matter what.”

  “Always,” she repeated. “Familia Est Sempiternum.”

  A sound of surprise echoed over the phone. “Yes, the Beaufonts have always had it right. Familia Est Sempiternum.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  As instructed, Paris waited in the entryway of FGE. She didn’t have to wait long because soon Mae Ling appeared from her office, holding two objects in her hands. One Paris recognized and one that she didn’t.

  The magitech ID looked ordinary to the unsuspecting eye. It appeared to be a real badge inside a folded leather case. Paris took it when Mae Ling handed it to her wordlessly, disbelieving that it was hers! That was like the coolest prize ever, but she wouldn’t abuse its powers, although her mind was already busy pretending the places she could go.

  Paris opened the magitech ID and found that as she expected, the inside was blank. That was because she wasn’t trying to trick herself into believing she was any particular person. To a security guard or whoever, it would show them what they wanted to see to grant her clearance.

  “Thank you,” Paris said to Mae Ling.

  “We’ve put your name on the list of visitors for Rose Industries as Emma Blackstone,” Mae Ling stated. “For McGregor Technologies, they ‘re expecting a Gemma Whiterock.”

  Paris laughed. “You don’t think those names are too similar?”

  “I think they’ll be easy to remember,” Mae Ling countered.

  “Or I’ll get them mixed up,” Paris teased.

  “Try not to,” Mae Ling warned, handing over a second object. It was a figure of an angel. “We both know that you can’t leave here without a protective charm. It’s unfortunate that you lost the other one.”

  “You know about that?” Paris nodded. “Of course, you know about that.”

  “This one,” Mae Ling indicated the pin, “can be fastened to your clo
thes so hopefully you don’t lose it again or have it taken from you, although it’s impossible to guarantee this.”

  “So I can’t have protective charmed boots or socks or something that someone couldn’t take off me?” Paris kidded.

  “Everything can be taken off you,” Mae Ling corrected, not at all amused. “The protective charm spell only works on objects that can be somewhat easily removed. That’s part of the caveat of the spell because with magic, there’s always a counter. An object can protect you from something, but it has to be one that someone can take from you rather easily.”

  “So no protective charmed tattoos, then?” Paris asked.

  “That’s right,” Mae Ling affirmed.

  “I have a question,” Paris began.

  The fairy godmother nodded. “Yes, Sophia is one of my charges.”

  Paris blinked at Mae Ling, wondering how she knew the question before being asked, but that was on the long list of mysteries about the enigmatic woman.

  “Does your being her fairy godmother have any relation to your secret advice and help with me?”

  “My job is to promote love,” Mae Ling answered. “Helping Sophia Beaufont supports that goal. Helping you supports that mission. The fact that you two are related isn’t really a factor. The Beaufonts happen to have ties to justice and peace.”

  “Wilfred said that the Beaufonts were tasked with protecting magic,” Paris offered, remembering what the butler had told her.

  “That’s true,” Mae Ling said simply, not expanding as Paris had hoped.

  “I have so many questions that can’t be answered,” Paris related, wishing the fairy godmother could help.

  “Easily,” Mae Ling corrected. “In time they will be.” She pointed toward the front door. “Now, the second-year student we’ve assigned to go with you is on the front porch, so please don’t keep her waiting any longer. The faster you both recover covert information from the companies and return, the sooner we can determine a plan to fix things with Amelia Rose and Grayson McGregor.”

  Paris nodded and headed for the door. She glanced back once more before opening it, surprised at who she found waiting for her.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  “You’re my partner on this mission?” Paris blinked as Christine grinned back at her.

  “Of course you’re the newbie who gets to go on this crazy awesome mission!” Christine exclaimed, throwing up her arms in excitement. “Seriously, in my next life, I get to be a crazy awesome magician-slash-fairy hybrid so I get to be all badass and do cool stuff.”

  “Well, you’re going on this mission with me,” Paris countered. “I’m not going on this mission because I’m a halfling. It’s because the idea of sneaking into the dueling corporations was my idea. Apparently, I have the spy and rule-breaking skills that others at the college or the other fairy godmothers wouldn’t have to complete the job.”

  “I was told that I needed to accompany a first-year and was totally stumped on who it could be since first-years don’t get missions ever,” Christine explained. “Really, it’s rare for second-years, but Headmistress Starr said she thought I might be a good fit for this one.”

  Paris winked. “Because you have a rebellious tendency.”

  “The headmistress said you’d explain the mission details,” Christine continued. “All I know is that it involves investigating, which sounds fantastic.”

  “You’re going to love it.” Paris was excited as she pinned the angel charm on her shirt securely. “We have to use disguises to sneak into two different corporations.”

  Christine glanced up at the heavens. “I don’t know who sent Paris Beaufont here, but thank you. Simply thank you.”

  Paris giggled. “We’re trying to dig up as much internal information as possible about these corporations and their CEOs who are fighting instead of falling in love. We have to find out how to get them to stop warring and put up their white flags.”

  “So she can put on the white dress, and they can make love, not war?” Christine supplied.

  “Yep, I couldn’t have said it better,” Paris answered.

  Christine greedily rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait for this. So we sneak. Do we need to bust some kneecaps so we can gain entry?”

  Paris shook her head. “No, we’re going to do this peacefully since we’re fairy godmothers and all.”

  “Sounds less fun, but fine,” Christine muttered.

  “We get to be fake people, with fake magical badges,” Paris sang.

  “I’m already happier,” Christine stated.

  “More importantly, you’ll need to change.” Paris pointed at the blue gown. “Sorry, but no one is going to believe that you’re a professional consultant dressed as a fairy godmother.”

  Christine lowered her chin and regarded Paris with hooded eyes. “You look like you just got finished besting a giant at a pool game in a dive bar.”

  Paris pointed a finger at herself and blinked. “Watch this then and be amazed.” Her leather jacket, pants, and t-shirt became a professional black business pantsuit with a starched gray blouse and practical heels. On the lapel of her blazer was the protective angel charm that Mae Ling had given her. “What do you think?”

  “Other than you’re going to a funeral?” Christine asked.

  “Yes, besides that…”

  “Well, you look brilliant,” Christine announced. “I would never guess that you’re a rebellious halfling there to steal all my corporation’s secrets.”

  “Now we need to deal with you.” Paris raised an eyebrow, waiting for Christine to remove the gown.

  She grabbed the hem of her gown, her excitement palpable. “I’m more than happy to get rid of this thing.” Pulling off the silk gown in one swift movement, the fairy before Paris transformed all at once. Whereas before she sported the grayish-blue hair like all the other students and professors, save for Paris and Mae Ling, Christine’s natural hair color came to life.

  As Paris had suspected all along, her friend with the long, straight locks was a redhead. It was weird to see her with freckles and orangish-red hair that made her appear her age—or younger. Under the robe, she’d been wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt too.

  “Hey, Red.” Paris winked.

  “Heeeeey,” Christine sang, seeming more herself without the gown covering her.

  “Now we have to do something about your clothes since professional consultants don’t dress so casually.”

  Christine shrugged. “I’m not so good with disguising magic. I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but it’s advanced magic, changing appearances and all.”

  Paris shrugged. “I started early because pranking my uncle was top of my priorities.”

  Christine pressed her hands to her chest. “I truly think you’re my soul mate in a lot of ways.”

  Paris laughed, thinking of how to dress Christine to fit her style but also be professional and believable. “How about this?” She flicked her hand at her friend and her appearance instantly changed, putting her in a navy blue pencil skirt, matching blazer, and a ruffled white top—all of them complementing her red hair, which was now in a French twist. To complete the look, Christine wore silver hoop earrings and black heels.

  Her mouth fell open as she peered down. Christine turned to face the windows on the front porch, taking in her appearance. “I. Freaking. Love. It!”

  Paris beamed. “Good. Now I think we’re ready to go be spies.”

  Christine held her hands up excitedly. “I freaking love this. Please don’t ever leave the college while I’m here.”

  Paris cast her a sideways glance as they started forward, off the porch. “I have zero plans of going anywhere.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Faraday scurried down the drainage pipe onto the Enchanted Grounds and in the direction of the Serenity Garden. He didn’t like that he hadn’t been with Paris the night before when she was investigating. It shouldn’t have fallen on Plato to help her. That was his responsibili
ty, although he admittedly had fewer options than the lynx. Still, Faraday had his brains and a few tricks up his sleeves—well, if he had sleeves instead of squirrel arms.

  He’d known from spying on Paris that she had a new protective charm, a sidekick, and a mission for Happily Ever After College and therefore shouldn’t need him. Not yet, at least. He’d be there for her when she went on her next Beaufont fact-finding mission.

  For now, Faraday’s curiosity led him to the Serenity Garden. He simply had to know why it was off-limits on Tuesdays. That was such a random day to close it, and all his calculations had crossed off the idea that it shut down for fertilizing, statue-washing, or any other plausible excuse.

  He’d watched the Serenity Garden for the last two weeks before, on, and after Tuesday. He hadn’t noticed any supplies or equipment brought in or taken away from it around then, making it unlikely that it was closed for maintenance.

  All that meant Faraday needed to investigate and get answers.

  Checking to ensure that the Enchanted Grounds were deserted between the mansion and the garden, Faraday hung back in a rose bush, scanning the area. Most of the students would be in class at that time. Usually, Hemingway was tending to the horses around then. The Wilfreds, well, they were all over now, but that wasn’t an issue. Chef Ashton was almost always in the kitchen before lunch. That meant Faraday could pass more easily between the mansion and gardens, going unnoticed, although he was always careful as he’d promised Paris. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her problems. He was there to make her life easier after all.

  Faraday slipped out from the prickly bush and made it to the Serenity Garden entrance marked by an arbor covered in climbing roses. Like most things at Happily Ever After College, there wasn’t a lock on the gardens to discourage trespassers from entering, although it was closed on Tuesdays. Most who attended the college weren’t like Paris Beaufont and didn’t break the rules. Of course, there were bullies like Becky Montgomery. Or others who didn’t have the best behavior for whatever reason, but most of the students did as instructed. The rebel rule-breakers went to Tooth Fairy College down the way.