by Sarah Noffke
“By cooked up, she means she ordered extra,” Lunis corrected.
“Is leading the Rogue Riders and the Dragon Elite not enough?” Sophia asked. “Do I also need to cook too?”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” the blue dragon answered. “I do both and work at comedy clubs at night.”
“Don’t quit your day job, dear,” Mama Jamba stated.
“Although I’m sure that Paris has many questions,” Clark began. “I hoped that we could take this time to discuss something of supreme importance.”
“Is this about the cheese factory in France that exploded?” Lunis asked, seriously.
Clark shook his head. “No, I hadn’t heard about that.”
“Oh, well, da brie is everywhere,” Lunis said, rolling over on his back and laughing loudly.
Most around the table joined him. When they’d quieted down, Clark leaned forward. “No, this is about what we’ve all been waiting for. Paris knows who she is. She’s coming into her powers. We’re finally to the point where we can face the Deathly Shadow…”
Paris gulped.
Uncle John slid back from the table, looking tense.
Sophia smiled. “That means we’re one step closer to getting Liv and Stefan back.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Oh dear, you haven’t eaten a thing,” Mama Jamba said to Paris when she pushed her untouched plate away.
“I’m sorry.” She glanced at Sophia. “I’m not hungry at the moment.”
“I call dibs on her roast beef,” Lunis chimed in.
Sophia shook her head at the dragon. “You have plenty of food and aren’t taking my niece’s.” Returning her gaze to Paris, she said, “Don’t worry. We’re all in this together. You’re not alone.”
“Although, I’m afraid you’re the one who has to face the Deathly Shadow,” Clark imparted, earning a scolding look from his sister.
“I’m trying to make her feel better, Clark. Do you have to be all—”
“Yourself,” Lunis interrupted.
“I’m simply honest,” Clark said, defending himself.
Sophia patted the table between her and Paris. “My brother’s strong suit isn’t diplomacy. He says things as they are instead of sugar-coating them.”
“We can help you,” Clark said, his tone softer than before. “I’ve been researching the Deathly Shadow since you were born and the prophecy made. I can offer you everything that I know.”
“Lunis and I can be your muscle,” Sophia offered.
“I’m great with magitech,” Uncle John stated.
“You’re going to need all of that, darling,” Mama Jamba said matter-of-factly. “But Clark is right. It has to be you to face down the Deathly Shadow, and only he can open the right vortex, with your insistence, that is. It all has to be carefully done with precision.”
“Can you offer me more specifics?” Paris asked Mother Nature, who seemed to know more than she was letting on.
Mama Jamba smiled and cut a bite of her fluffy pancakes. “I can, but I won’t.”
Lunis gave Paris a commiserating expression. “That’s hers and Papa Creola’s way. They know a bunch, but they don’t like to give us spoilers.”
“What I like is to empower my children to fight their battles on their own,” Mama Jamba corrected in a dignified manner. “It does you few favors for me to tell you how to do things. Honestly, just because I know most things doesn’t mean that I’m right.”
“There’s a conundrum,” Lunis observed.
Mama Jamba glanced at the blue dragon. “Information is an ever-changing thing. Merely talking about it can change it. I can tell you how to do things, and simply by relating that to you, I can change the way it’s supposed to happen. Ask Papa Creola, time is a finicky thing, and the more you know about the future, the worse off you are.”
Clark nodded. “This is true. Knowing the prophecy didn’t help us to avoid it or protect you from the Deathly Shadow.”
“Who is this soulless entity?” Paris asked.
“For that,” Sophia began. “Clark is definitely the right person to ask. He’s been studying him since the beginning.”
“Nerd,” Lunis muttered.
Clark ignored this. “He was once a man, but he’s more like a bundle of energy now. Extremely powerful energy.”
Paris nodded. “Yeah, Papa Creola said if he got a body that he’d be more powerful than ever and could overpower him.”
“That’s not speculation,” Clark stated. “I think that’s the cold, hard fact. The Deathly Shadow sacrificed his soul for power. Over time he lost his body, but the strength he’d taken trading his soul made him immortal. If he absorbed your power, giving him back a body that was stronger than ever, there would be no stopping him. Papa Creola would be his first target. Mama Jamba probably second. He’d eliminate anyone who posed a threat to him.”
“Why, though?” Paris asked. “Why did he give away his soul and why does he want so much power?”
“Because sometimes people are born bad, my dear,” Mama Jamba said. “Like Pluto, sometimes I burnt some when I made them.”
“Unfortunately, no amount of holy water can fix the Deathly Shadow,” Uncle John stated.
“Incidentally,” Lunis began. “Do you know how you make holy water?” When no one replied, he continued, “You boil the hell out of it.”
“Anyway,” Sophia drew out the word. “Those who are motivated by power often become corrupt. It’s a drug to them, and they don’t care who they hurt or if it’s themselves on their path to total power.”
“I was once addicted to the hokey-pokey.” Lunis pretended to be serious. “But then I turned myself around.”
“He never stops,” Paris observed, impressed how the blue dragon had joke after joke that loosely connected to the subject matter.
“Never, ever.” Sophia groaned.
“Although I’ve enjoyed this reunion,” Mama Jamba interjected, having polished off the second plate of pancakes, “Paris must leave.”
“I should?” she questioned. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, dear.” Mama Jamba smiled. “But it’s time you get back to the college.”
“I love it when she does this,” Lunis said, still chewing on the large bone.
“Does what?” Paris was confused.
“Tells you that you have to leave because she knows something,” the dragon replied.
“Oh, like what?” Paris looked at Mother Nature.
Mama Jamba offered her a sensitive expression as she wiped the corners of her mouth. “That if you don’t get back to Happily Ever After College and into the Bewilder Forest right away, your little friend is going to be in so much trouble, there will be no saving him.”
Chapter Twenty
Paris nearly stumbled through the portal into Happily Ever After College, her heart beating fast after Mama Jamba’s warning. She had hoped that Faraday had seen her message. That he hadn’t gone into the Bewilder Forest at night based on Hemingway’s warning. However, it appeared that the talking squirrel had and would soon be in trouble.
Not knowing the time difference between Los Angeles and the college, Paris was surprised to find it was pitch black on the Enchanted Grounds. She didn’t know what time zone the college was in, or if it was in one, or if like its weather, it was in a bubble.
One thing was certain, it was nighttime, and everything at Happily Ever After College was quiet. At Paris’ back, the large mansion stood with many of its windows twinkling with lights. In the distance, Mirror Lake sat placid reflecting the stars and crescent moon overhead. Between the two was the dark Bewilder Forest, appearing as it always did, spooky and foreboding—that appearance only deepening at night.
Paris had hoped that she’d catch sight of the overly curious squirrel when she stepped through the portal to the Enchanted Grounds, but there was no such luck. The large live oak trees of the Bewilder Forest were swaying in the wind making creaking noises. An owl hooted in the thick woods, not at all
filling Paris with confidence. She didn’t want to find out what else called the Bewilder Forest home or why it was off-limits at night.
The Serenity Garden had a good reason for being closed on Tuesday if maybe a bit shortsighted on the fairy godmother’s parts. Paris could only guess what dangers lurked inside the Bewilder Forest, which its very name didn’t fill her with confidence.
She shook her head and set off for the woods. “Faraday, if you get me into more trouble, I’m making you into buttermilk fried squirrel in magical cooking class.”
“I don’t think Chef Ash will approve of such ingredients,” a familiar voice said when Paris passed one of the large weeping willows on the Enchanted Grounds. She spun to find Mae Ling leaning casually against it.
“Hi,” Paris squeaked, surprised and also relieved to see the fairy godmother there. “I think that my talking squirrel went into the Bewilder Forest.”
“No one is supposed to go in there at night,” Mae Ling stated.
“I know,” Paris said in a rush. “I’ve told him that, but he’s overly curious about things and wants to know why.”
“I don’t think that anyone can be overly curious,” Mae Ling said, not at all sounding upset about this disobedience.
“But everyone told us not to go in there, and I tried to tell Faraday not to, but he apparently didn’t get the message,” Paris said, hardly breathing to talk. “And I was having dinner with Mama Jamba, you know, Mother Nature.”
Mae Ling nodded. “She’s my boss. Well, she’s everyone’s boss, but specifically, she created fairy godmothers. Well, technically she created everything and everyone. However, fairy godmothers were a project of hers since love keeps the Earth spinning around.”
“Right,” Paris chirped, feeling her adrenaline coursing through her. “Anyway, Mama Jamba sent me back and said I needed to help my friend who was going into there.” She pointed to the dark woods.
“So it seems you should probably go into the Bewilder Forest and help Faraday,” Mae Ling observed.
“Am I in trouble?”
“Not with me. But I assume that your friend will find trouble in there.”
“Can you go with me?” Paris asked. “I don’t know what I’m facing.”
“Rarely do we know what we’ll encounter when entering dangerous situations,” Mae Ling stated. “No, I can’t accompany you, but I think you’ll be in good hands.” She glanced around the Enchanted Grounds, but Paris didn’t know at what.
“Well, if you mean Faraday’s hands, I doubt that. He only has like four or five toes on each paw,” Paris joked, hoping it would make the tension in her chest lessen.
“I think you’ll be okay, but Faraday will definitely need your help.”
“Can you at least tell me what I’ll find in the Bewilder Forest?”
“I think it’s better if you learn that on your own,” Mae Ling answered.
“So let me get this straight. You want me to go into the place that the headmistress told us is forbidden after dark?”
“I want you to help Faraday,” Mae Ling corrected. “Yes, I think in doing so, you’ll also learn other things that might be of use to you. There is no doubt that you’ll be in danger in the forest at night. I can’t guarantee your safety. I can’t tell you what you’ll encounter. I will tell you to be wary of the Lady of the Lake.”
Paris glanced at Mirror Lake in the distance. She was about to ask who that was, but when she glanced back at where Mae Ling had been, the tricky fairy godmother had vanished.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Why is it that I have a habit of people in my life giving me barely enough information to set me on a mysterious quest?” Paris muttered, looking around the Enchanted Grounds, ensuring that Mae Ling hadn’t simply snuck behind the willow tree. She hadn’t. Somehow the fairy godmother had disappeared without a trace.
Paris shook her head, wondering why Mae Ling wanted her to break the rules and enter the Bewilder Forest at night. That was consistent for Mae Ling, constantly encouraging Paris’ rebellious tendencies. Still, she was allowing her to walk into a dangerous situation and seemingly with no help. What was it that she’d learn that could help her? Who was the Lady of the Lake?
Knowing that she was stalling, Paris faced the dark forest. Somehow it appeared more sinister than a few minutes ago. Looking around, Paris searched for a stick or something she could use as a weapon. The neatly manicured grounds ensured there were no stray branches. Suddenly Paris wished that she had a sword or something, although she liked to think her fists were pretty deadly weapons. However, not knowing what she was facing made her doubt whether punches would work against this mysterious danger.
“Faraday,” Paris quietly called to the Bewilder Forest, hoping that maybe the talking squirrel was hanging out on the outskirts of the woods and would rush out when called. He didn’t.
Shaking her head, Paris strode forward, her back straight and shoulders pressed down, her chin high. If she was willingly entering a dangerous situation, she was doing it with confidence—or at least pretending that she had it. Fake it until you feel it, she thought, stepping into the Bewilder Forest.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hemingway Noble watched from the edge of Mirror Lake, unseen in the shadows as Paris entered the Bewilder Forest. He had hoped that Mae Ling would stop Paris from going into the woods at night. Although he hadn’t heard what the fairy godmother said to Paris, it didn’t seem like it wasn’t to go in the Bewilder Forest. If she had, the halfling was disobeying.
Hemingway gritted his teeth and ran his hands through his hair. He’d hoped that Faraday wouldn’t go into the forest at night. That’s why Hemingway had stationed himself by the lake the entire night. When he caught sight of the curious creature running into the woods, it was already too late to stop him. The little squirrel was fast and had disappeared into the trees before Hemingway could get to him.
It was possible that Faraday could have gone into the woods and not disturbed what was in there. He was an animal, after all. However, then the squirrel would know what came out at night, and that would lead to more questions once he told Paris.
Once she entered the Bewilder Forest, Hemingway knew it would reveal all his secrets. Worse was that he would have to go into the woods and intervene. The squirrel might not be in danger from what lived in the Bewilder Forest, but she would definitely come after Paris. That’s why Hemingway hurried for the trees after the halfling. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The darkness of the Bewilder Forest instantly covered Paris like a cloak. She squinted, willing her eyes to adjust. She thought about using an illuminating spell to see but thought that would be an unwise move. That would be a sure-fire way to alert whatever danger was lurking in the forest of her presence. She might as well put a large neon sign over her head that read, “Dumb Halfling Looking to be Eaten Over Here.”
Still, Paris needed to see. Otherwise, she ran the risk of running straight into whatever danger was in the forest. Twice in a few steps, she tripped over thick roots from the enormous live oak trees. At this rate, the biggest danger for Paris was falling on her face or twisting an ankle.
Almost as if cued by her thoughts, little lights flickered on throughout the forest, starting at her feet and rippling out as far as she could see through the thick woods. Paris tensed, wondering if she’d set off an alarm of sorts. However, after a moment, she realized the lights were from tiny bulbs on little flowers scattered across the forest floor.
They were beautiful plants and made it so that Paris could see the path through the woods. The timing of them illuminating was perfect too, because Paris was about to run into a low branch that probably would have knocked her out. The live oak trees had twisted branches that stretched out wide, draping low and reaching back up toward the sky as if they couldn’t figure out where to go. Thick green moss covered the trees’ bark, and the smell of the forest was refreshing.
It was strang
e to think that something dangerous could reside in such a peaceful place. Paris had never been in the Bewilder Forest, its sinister appearance even intimidating during the day. However, she instantly loved it and wanted to return often—if she survived that night. One thing was certain. Faraday might not survive and not because of whatever danger lurked in the forest. Paris was going to find him. Then she was going to strangle the little squirrel.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The twinkling flowers had illuminated as soon as Paris entered the main part of the forest, Hemingway realized from a distance, seeing the lights sparkling. That would call attention to her presence, but without them, it would have been impossible for Paris to see anything.
He considered hurrying up to catch her and stop Paris from going any further. However, he had already run through that conversation in his head. She’d refuse to leave the Bewilder Forest without her friend. That was the kind of person Paris was, Hemingway knew instinctively. She was the type of person others would want to have as a friend. Paris had lit up his world since she arrived at Happily Ever After College like the flowers lit up the Bewilder Forest.
The good news was, the sparkling flowers now lit up the entire hundred acres of the woods. That meant the Lady of the Lake would know a human was there, in her domain, but she wouldn’t necessarily know where. Hopefully, she was on the far side of the Bewilder Forest.
Hemingway also hoped that Paris found Faraday right away, and he could grab them both and get them out of there. Maybe Paris wouldn’t learn his secrets that night. It wasn’t that Hemingway was worried that she’d look at him differently if she knew the truth. He knew she would. The groundskeeper wasn’t who he said he was. He was an imposter. He had to be because he couldn’t fathom the alternative.