It’s the night of my Glass Slipper Ball. Yay.
The L Center is packed with Cinderellas in their blue gowns. Even more wait outside, trying to get in. Simply put, Diamond is freaking out. The line of glass carriages is blocking half the traffic in Manhattan. The police are not happy.
Claiming I need to check things out back stage, I slip up to the rafters. Sure enough, Gerry sits on a catwalk. Instead of guarding the construction site, Gerry now makes sure the right Cinderella walks down the circular staircase at the proper time. He’s even got a laptop for coordinating stuff with the control room.
As I approach, Gerry’s wrinkled face creases into a smile. “Alec!”
“Hey, Gerry.” I nod toward the laptop. “How’s it going with that thing?”
“I’m an old dog, but I think I’ve learned some new tricks.” He cackles, and his wide-mouthed laugh shows how he’s missing a new tooth. I make a mental note to check on the Le Charme dental plan.
I pull over a folding chair and set it beside Gerry’s. From up here, there’s a great view of the L Center studio floor. All the many Cinderellas in the audience transform into a single undulating sheet of blue. It’s like an ocean, only one that’s partially focused on drowning yours truly.
“Hiding out, eh?” asks Gerry.
“You know it.”
Gerry leans back in his chair. “There’s been a lot of talk about this Ivy Cynder. I’m supposed to make sure she goes last.”
“I’ve been told the same thing.”
“So, is she your choice or what?” Gerry lowers his voice. “Or don’t you have a say anymore?”
“I’m good.” It’s a vague reply, but a true one. Of all people, Gerry doesn’t need to get involved in my crazy.
“I know people.” Gerry pats down the hair behind his ears. “We can get you out of here now, if you like.”
“Thanks, Gerry. But I’ve got this. Honestly.”
Which is a total lie. I don’t have enough power in my midnight diamond to do any practice spells. Plus, my plan works best if Elle actually shows up and the Queen of Hearts can work her magic.
All in all, this is far from a certainty.
“There’s someone already in your heart,” says Gerry. “I’m an old man. I know these things.”
“There is,” I say. “You’re too clever, you know that?”
“Always.”
Gerry’s laptop blares to life. A voice sounds over the speaker. “Gerry, is Alec with you?”
“That he is, Lady Diamond.”
“Tell him to get down here,” snaps my mother. “We’re starting the show.”
Gerry smacks his lips. “I thought we were waiting for all the Cinderellas to arrive.”
“Change of plans,” says Diamond. “The Cinderellas will keep arriving. Even so, we simply can’t wait.” My mother raises her voice. “I know you can hear me, Alec. Legend wants you in place now.”
My mother is referencing Legend since that’s supposed to activate my mind vise spell. All it does is make me even more determined to turn things around tonight.
Reaching into my pocket, I grip the midnight diamond in my fist. I have the magic.
Now all I need is the girl.
I march down the metal stairs and onto the main stage. Someone waits for me by the final step.
It’s the Queen of Hearts.
“Have you found my cat?” she asks.
We haven’t spoken since the day Elle and I visited the queen’s castle. Now the Queen of Hearts is tracking me down for news. Sadly, I don’t have anything good to tell her.
“Not yet,” I reply.
She lifts her chin. “I checked the list of contestants for tonight. Elle’s not on it.”
“That’s true.” And it’s not my favorite fact in the universe, either.
“My hands are tied, Alec. Unless you find the cat, you’ll be subject to the curse. And at his rate, I’ll stay trapped in a bargain with that windbag forebear of yours.”
“Not a pleasant thought for either of us.” I shoot her a winning smile. “Any hints where that cat may be?”
“Chesh isn’t hiding,” states the queen. “You and Elle are.” She saunters away. And when I say saunter, I mean saunter. Other women walk. The Queen of Hearts does not.
The queen is only a few steps away when she pauses once more. “Another thing. Do not try to out-cast me and escape. If you send any kind of spell my way, I’ll take it as an attack, pure and simple.” She grins, showing her vampire fangs. “You’ve a very handsome head. Let’s keep it on your shoulders.”
With that, the queen vanishes. Our chat covered a lot of important territory, including my prospects for decapitation. Still, certain words echo in my mind.
Chesh isn’t hiding. You and Elle are.
Back at the queen’ castle, she wanted proof that Elle and I are a couple. The request ended with an almost-kiss. After that, the queen offered us the chance to find Chesh. Later at the masquerade, Elle and I kissed for real.
That was the first time Chesh appeared.
I rock on my heels and think things through. It would only be logical for the Queen of Hearts to seek out true love. That’s some of the most powerful magic around, no matter who found the queen’s crown. If Elle and I fully love each other, that might be enough to break my curse. And that’s whether or not we find any cat.
Reaching into my pocket, I grasp the glass slipper statuette from Elle. She handed me this one week ago. At the time, I knew it was important. This glass slipper came from Cynder Mercantile. In giving it to me, Elle was sharing a little bit of herself.
I never had truly selfless parents. In many ways, Elle is the only home I’ve ever known. It’s different with Elle, though. She’s lost so much, and Marchesa just keeps piling on the pain.
Will Elle be able to share her heart before my curse comes to pass?
With each second, that seems more and more unlikely.