CHAPTER 63

A few seconds after making her threat, Penelopee tore another piece of electrical tape off the roll on the desk, smoothing it over my bloody lips again.

I tried to duck away, but it was no use. My mouth was once again sealed. I had to find a way to free myself before I ended up gumming three meals a day.

When a knock sounded on my office door, my gumming concerns became the least of my worries. The scent of fairy dust drifted from beneath the door. My heart jumped in my chest, pounding at triple speed. “Maaannnnaaaaa,” I screamed behind the electrical tape.

“Blue?” Izzy called. “I got your message.”

I kicked at the floor, hoping to warn her of the danger, but my boots barely made a sound. I pulled hard at the floss around my hands. It dug in, slicing my wrists until they were slick with blood.

“Blue? Are you here?” Izzy called again. “I’m coming in.”

I screamed louder, but no sound passed the tape.

Penelopee stood behind me, her hands hovering on each side of my shoulders, the magic pea in one hand and a pair of bloody pliers in the other.

The door swung forward.