Killer Pointe

by Kristi Helvig

  A slight breeze stirred the clouds and a sliver of moonlight escaped, lighting up part of the tower room through the window. I glanced outside. The tiny opening led to such an expansive, yet unreachable view. How sad.

  I headed back down one flight of stairs. The scent of rain clung to the air and dampness permeated the stones in the wall. A lantern would give me away, so I used my hands for guidance. My feet were nimble, and I grazed one of the slick stones with my shoulder. It couldn’t be much farther.

  I reached the landing and hesitated. My heart raced like it always did when I got to this part. I moved down the hallway and guessed this particular door would be locked. It was.

  I reached in my pocket and pulled out my trusty lock-picker. A nice perk of the shifting was that I always landed here with my work gear, aka, a sword and small pick attached to my traditional tunic and leggings. After fiddling with the lock a minute, I was rewarded with a click. I put my ear to the door and turned the knob. It opened with a slight creak and I froze but relaxed at the sound of heavy snoring. This one didn’t feel the need for guards like some of the others. I leapt to her bedside and in one smooth movement, unsheathed my jeweled sword.

  Her white hair stuck out in curls around her head and wrinkles sunk deep into her face. A smile played at her lips, as though she dreamed of sweets and puppies. She almost looked like someone’s kind, if somewhat eccentric, grandmother. Almost.

  I plunged the sword deep into the woman’s chest. Her eyes flew open and she gasped once, her gnarled hands clawing at the weapon. I pushed the sword in deeper and her hands fell to her sides, her eyes still open but no longer seeing.

  After placing coins on her eyelids, I wiped my sword clean and raced down the remaining stairs, out into the night. The cloud cover had dissipated, and stars twinkled in the brisk air. I ran back toward the forest where the Queen’s horse waited for me but glanced back at the tower room.

  “Don’t worry, princess,” I whispered. “Your prince will come.”

  The air smelled of dew and flowers as I galloped across the meadow toward the Royal Village. A crescent moon glowed in the clearing sky. If Majestic, the Queen’s steed, could keep up her pace, I’d reach her kingdom in a few hours. I’d be back to my world, and Cal, very soon.

  The time passed differently here—days equaled mere hours in my world, which worked out well after Dad died. Before, if I was summoned in the middle of the night, I knew Cal would be fine even if Mom was working, because Dad was there. Now, it wasn’t so simple. It killed me to leave my brother even for a few minutes. But a contract was a contract.

  Several heavily armed guards escorted me through the corridor that led to Her Highness. Ornate tapestries woven with gold thread hung from the walls. The marbled floors were beautiful but cold under my slippers. The guards didn’t speak. They never spoke to me. We stopped at the heavy, gold-leafed doors that led to her private chamber. Before the guard could knock, the door flew open.

  I bowed my head, trying to contain my smile, then gave up and grinned at him. “Hello, Rolph.”

  Rolph didn’t even acknowledge the guards. He winked at me and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside and shutting the door in their faces.

  He kissed both my cheeks. “Bree, darling, it’s so good to see you.”

  “You too.” I linked my arm through his as we walked through a small chamber toward another door. Without a doubt, Rolph was my favorite person in Liralelle. Over the years, I’d told him all about my life in Philly, while he shared his ultimate desire to quit the Queen’s service and set up a boutique in the Center Village. He also believed in true love and was on a never-ending quest to find it. “So, what’s new, Rolph? How are things with the stable boy?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Edward? He turned out to be more bark than bite if you know what I mean, and I much prefer the bite.”

  I laughed. “Of course. But you deserve to be happy—I want you to find someone special.”

  Rolph sighed and looked serious for a moment. “Me too, darling. Me too.”

  We reached the door, and he fished a key from his pocket. “She’s in a mood today,” he whispered, fingering the edge of his lavender scarf. “Think it was a spat with the King. He left for another ‘hunting excursion.’”

  I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. Everyone knew the King’s hunting excursions involved neither buck nor beast, but rather buxom women who had a thing for chunky men in power.

  “Seriously, Bree. Watch yourself,” he warned.

  Rolph opened another door and we entered Her Highness’s private area. She was alone, save for a waiting maid and a skinny, pimply-faced man-boy. Her copper hair lay in perfect coils atop her head, and her diamond-encrusted gown sparkled. The soft lighting in the room cast shadows which minimized the appearance of the wrinkles around her eyes. If one looked at her quickly, she might even seem young.

  Rolph led me to her throne, then stood off to the side. The ceremonial incense sent wafts of fragrant herbs up my nostrils. My nose twitched as I tried to contain a sneeze.

  I bowed low, sweeping to the floor. “Your Highness.”

  She waved her hand impatiently. “Is it done?”

  “Yes, it is done.”

  The pimply-faced boy spoke in a squeaky voice. “The witch is really dead?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  He clapped with glee. “Then Rapunzel is mine to claim?”

  I sighed. “She’s all yours.”

  “Wait,” the Queen said. “We need to follow protocol. Rolph, bring in the treasurer and recorder.”

  Rolph bowed and left the room, leaving me with the timid chambermaid, the Queen and the boy.

  “Stand straight, Bree, so I may look at you,” the Queen commanded.

  I stood, suddenly aware of my long, tangled hair that needed washing and probably looked more black than brown. My shift was tattered and torn at the bottom, but it wasn’t like I made my living serving tea to royalty.

  Her Highness looked me up and down and made a sound that could only be interpreted as disapproval. “At least I don’t have to worry about my husband with you,” she said finally.

  Rolph sashayed into the room, followed by a short, squat man I called Roly, but was really named Rologard, and Beatrice, a tall, wiry woman carrying a velvet-covered parchment book.

  “Rologard, do you have the required payment for Bree?” the Queen asked.

  He bowed. “Yes, your Highness.” Roly turned to me and held out a small velvet pouch. “100 gold coins. Unless your rate has changed?”

  I grasped the sack eagerly. “Nope. This was an easy one.” I turned to the scrawny man-boy. “You might even have been able to handle it.”

  “That’s enough,” the Queen chided. “Beatrice, please read the oath.”

  Beatrice cleared her throat like she had the most important job in the world. “Bree, beast hunter of Liralelle, do you swear that by accepting the payment of 100 gold coins, you agree to the Eternal Records being changed?” She peered at me like I’d never heard this before and might change my mind. “Meaning that you will not exist on paper anywhere. All of the Tales of Liralelle, referred to as ‘Fairy Tales’ in your world, will reflect our new version of what happened tonight.”

  I raised my right hand, trying not to roll my eyes. We’d done this a hundred times already. “I swear.”

  She continued, “And do you agree that the Tales will state that the Princess, in this case Rapunzel, was rescued by her Prince,” she turned to eyeball the pimply-faced boy, and did roll her eyes, “in this case, Prince Hubert?”

  I fingered the riches in my hand and smiled. “I agree.”

  Beatrice marched over and handed me the elaborate book along with an ink-tipped quill. “Sign here,” she ordered.

  I signed Bree with a flourish and Beatrice solemnly handed the book to the Queen. Her Highness stamped the entry with a wax seal to make it official.

  “May the record books reflect the agreed upon description of events,” t
he Queen said.

  Beatrice kissed the Queen’s hand. “I will go and write the account immediately, your Highness. When do you want this Tale to appear in her world?” She tipped her head in my direction.

  The Queen tapped her chin. “Hmmm … a little over two-hundred years ago should suffice.”

  Beatrice nodded and left the room with Roly. The whole time-thing here amazed me. She could send the Tales back in time, so people reading them now in my world would think they’d been that way forever. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, wanting to get on with it.

  Prince Hubert stood, looking like a dog waiting for a bone. The Queen paused a minute before throwing it. “Go to her, Hubert. Tell her that you killed the witch and saved her. She’ll love you forever.”

  “Better hurry, she’ll be waking soon,” I couldn’t help adding.

  Hubert bowed repeatedly to the Queen, walking backwards toward the door. “Thank you, your Highness. Thank you.” He sprinted out the door as soon as Rolph opened it.

  I noticed he hadn’t thanked me once, even though I was the one who had made it all possible.

  It was already like I didn’t exist.

  3

  “Mom said you have to eat something before school. How ‘bout a banana?” I begged.

  My little brother’s eyes gleamed. “How ‘bout a bowl of cocoa puffs?”

  Our usual morning battle had begun, but I was more tired than usual thanks to my moonlighting. “Cal, your brain needs growth food, not crap food.” I sighed. “Eat the banana and then you can have some ADHD in a bowl.”

  He grinned. “Deal.”

  I packed his lunch and backpack as I watched him attack his cereal. He would never understand how much I loved him, how much I wanted to protect him.

  Within minutes of arriving at school, Ava accosted me in the hall. “So, are you ready? I can’t believe it’s today. I’m so nervous. You’re not worried at all, are you?” She didn’t wait for an answer and bounced along next to me as we walked, her hands waving wildly. “You shouldn’t be—you’ll do great. I so hope I get the Lilac Fairy part—I mean, she is the most important fairy of all of them. Anyway, can I catch a ride with you to the audition? It would be fun to talk about strategy on the way there.”

  Rae’s voice piped up from behind us. “Do you two ever talk about anything but dancing? Ballet is bad for you. I read that eighty-three percent of ballerinas have eating disorders.”

  Ava squealed and threw her arms around her. “Silly, Rae, you know we don’t have eating disorders.”

  Rae hugged her back. “I know, which means most of the rest of your dance class does ... statistically speaking.” She winked and stood back, her auburn curls falling over her shoulder. “S’up, B.”

  I grinned at her. Her mom was a shrink, so while most girls read Teen Vogue or Glamour, she read things like The Journal of Eating Disorders. Her dark purple nails complemented her hair and peace sign t-shirt. “We’re gonna dance this weekend, right girls? I mean real dancing, not tutu stuff. No offense.”

  “We are so there,” Ava said. “I need some fun in my life right now.”

  Ava was always so bubbly and excited that her response confused me. I opened my mouth to ask her what was wrong when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ty Wilder several lockers away. Even while getting books out of his locker, he projected confidence and self-assurance.

  “That is one beautiful human being,” Rae said, following my stare. “Hey Ava, you need to make your move on him this weekend. I heard he and Catelyn are getting cozy, so you need to stop that action.”

  It sucked having the same crush as your best friend. I wanted to agree that he was beautiful but thought I’d give myself away. The bell rang.

  Ava sighed. “Yeah, one day, when I grow some nerves. Gotta get to homeroom. See ya’ at lunch.” She and Rae made it halfway down the hall, before Ava turned and yelled. “Don’t forget me later, I’ll meet you by Kermit.”

  I cringed. She hadn’t meant anything by it, but Ty had to have heard her. I peeked over at him and the smile plastered across his face. Anger sparked in me. My car wasn’t that pathetic. Then I noticed the reason for his goofy smile. Catelyn stood on the other side of him, her hand tucked into his back pocket. Guess the rumors were true, but the fact remained that back pocket hand-diving was so lame.

  I grabbed my books and slammed my locker. At least I had advanced classes with him and wouldn’t have to see her until the audition.

  “Hey, Bree. Are you ready for today?”

  I swiveled my head in mock surprise. “Oh, hi Catelyn. I didn’t see you there.” Her hand was still wedged in Ty’s jeans. “Yeah, I am ready.”

  Her fake smile seemed creepy, but maybe that was just me. She used her free hand to toss her blond curls over her shoulder. “I hope so, because I plan on challenging you for the lead. And I think I’ve got a good shot, if I say so myself.” Her hot pink manicured nails sliced the air as she gestured with her hand. “You better watch out.”

  I stared from her to Ty, whose smile had vanished. He looked a little uncomfortable with the whole encounter.

  What I wanted to tell her was that I killed trolls and hunted witches before she even took her appetite suppressants each morning. She was the one who better watch out.

  “Good luck, Catelyn,” I said instead, and walked away. Aside from being afraid of something happening to Mom or Cal, the only other fear I had was my irrational fear of zippers. Catelyn didn’t bother me no matter how hard she tried.

  AP English had a hard time capturing my attention the way it usually did. Even Ty Wilder sitting right in front of me couldn’t distract me from obsessing about the audition.

  I closed my eyes, practicing each and every part of the ballet in my mind. I wanted to be perfect today. My pirouettes were flawless and the ease of my mental performance excited me. I even visualized the other girls sitting on the floor, watching in awe while they awaited their chance. As I made my final turn and faced the imagined mirror, eager to see the approval on Adrian’s face, I did something unthinkable. I tripped. I gasped as I stumbled, ending my audition on the floor instead of on my toes.

  My eyes flung open. Several kids, including Ty, had turned to stare, so my gasp must have been audible. I stared down at my desk, willing everyone to look away. The teacher continued lecturing and everyone went back to taking notes. Everyone except me, because now I couldn’t concentrate to save my life. What had just happened? I’d never had a bad performance ever, imaginary or otherwise. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be a good sign.

  The class bell finally rang, and I gathered my books as quickly as possible. Ty looked at me and opened his mouth like he was going to say something. Heat burned my cheeks and I turned away. I dug through my backpack and pretended to look for something until he left the classroom. I sighed and carefully zipped up my bag, making sure my fingers were far away from the teeth. Other people had to have odd fears too, right? The classroom was quiet.

  “That’s a first,” said a voice behind me. “Not the staring at Ty Wilder during class part, but it’s the first time you’ve openly gasped at his hotness.”

  I whirled around to face Jay Asher. He was quiet like me—he’d certainly never spoken to me before. “I was not gasping at anyone’s hotness. I—I—”

  “Hey, no need to get defensive.” He laughed. “Just making an observation. I’m Jay.”

  “I know. We’re in like, four classes together. You’re just not usually so chatty.”

  He laughed again, and it sounded melodic. I noticed the instrument case in his hand. Oh yeah, I’d heard something about him being first chair of some variety. Some kind of prodigy band geek. I didn’t know a trombone from a saxophone, though I knew it definitely wasn’t a guitar case.

  “I just figured I’d officially introduce myself, since it sounds like we’ll be working together and all.” He shifted the case to his other hand and started toward the door.

  I didn’t want to take
the bait but I had to know. “Wait up,” I said, hurrying after him. “What are you talking about?”

  Jay stopped and grinned, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. I wanted to tell him he had nice teeth, but that would be weird. “Word on the street is you’re getting the lead in Sleeping Beauty. I’m playing trumpet in the orchestra for the performance.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “I’m not sure what ‘street’ you’re on where people are talking about band and ballet, but okay. I don’t know about the lead for me, but congrats to you on the orchestra. I’ve never danced in a production this big before—you know, one with live music.”

  He nodded, his brown eyes serious. “Yeah, it’ll be the biggest thing I’ve done too—figure it’ll look good on my resume for Juilliard.”

  “No way.” I stared at him. “I want to go to Juilliard.”

  “Cool,” he said. The next class bell rang. “Well, good luck with your audition.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “See you in Trig.”

  One class down, six more to go, plus lunch. While visualizing more practice sessions during the next few hours, my thoughts still wandered to Ty, but occasionally veered to Jay. I’d never noticed how his eyes matched his dark hair. He was kind of cute in a non-obvious way. Unlike Ty, who was cute in an All-American, very obvious way. Jay even waved from across the room in Trig, and I smiled back. My goal remained to make Ty notice me, but it’d be nice to have a guy friend. Someone I could talk to without feeling like an idiot. I couldn’t even speak to Ty—I’d probably fall over or something.

  The seconds crept by, dragging along at a rate that made me want to shake the clock. Ava caught me between classes. “Oh, my lord, can this day go by any slower? I mean, it’s killing me. Is it killing you? I just want to get it over with, you know?”