Ms. OggleBoggle cleared her throat, smiled, and looked right at Anni. “Lovely banter, wouldn’t you say, my dear?” Everyone in the room turned with interest and observed her, and at the moment Anni wanted nothing more than to slip under the table. “Ah, I see you all have noticed my honored guest, Anni Moon.” She smiled proudly. “Did I mention that this little human is also my relation?” Nearly every jaw fell, including Anni’s. “Oh, dear I must have forgotten that. Well, I do like surprises.” Effie stood. “Dear ones, my spark is fading and I require the sustenance of a quiet respite, so please continue the lively conversation as I depart for my afternoon nap. Anni, would you join me?”
Anni knew her face was red, but she was happy to get out of there. Effie’s sitting room was decorated very much like the rest of the house, except the walls were filled with framed embroidered images, all of which looked a lot like old pirate maps, but for some reason they looked familiar, and Anni couldn’t quite figure out why.
“I see that you like my decorations? Ooofff.” Ms. OggleBoggle sat down. Her knees made a little popping sound, and she rubbed them. “Sometimes, my bones like to be a part of the conversation, too.”
“Effie,” Anni said, wondering. “Exactly how am I related to you?”
The little old woman said, “Well, dearest, that’s simple. You were Mabel’s family, and that makes you my family. Now, tell me, what do you think about my collection?” She pointed at one specific framed map. “Have you ever seen one like it before?”
Anni patiently glanced up again. Within that brief moment, she knew she had come to the right place after all. She had picked the right door that would help her find Lexi, because it led her here. Everything had fallen into place. She found the last clue that had been staring at her since before Lexi was kidnapped.
“The doll…Effie, I have to go. I have to go now.”
“Connecting dots, I see.” Effie grinned. “Go on then, go ahead, but if I were you, I’d use my Incantare doors to the Tea Shoppe, it’ll be faster. And my dear, do remember this: you must always listen to your heart, for it will always lead you home.”
“Thank you,” said Anni. She hugged Ms. OggleBoggle and dashed out.
THE CRACKED PEARL
Anni inched her way through Ms. OggleBoggle’s house, trying hard not to attract attention. She felt terrible for not saying goodbye to Diana, especially after she had helped Brat and been so nice to her, but there was no time to waste.
She opened Effie’s Incantare door to the secret hallway that led to Basil Boggle Tea Shoppe without anyone seeing her and went in. Absentmindedly she gripped Mabel’s key, wondering what she’d face once she left the Zephyr.
She turned the doorknob to the Tea Shoppe’s door…
“You summoned,” said Whiffle. “Did I give you a fright?”
“Eggs!” Anni jumped. “Do you always wait to bother me until I’m alone?”
“Child, I am not tethered to that suit, which you believe to live within. I can bother you anywhere.”
“Are you a ghost? ‘Cause if you are, go haunt someone else!”
“I am no mere specter. If you must know, I found myself pondering our last conversation when you called out. Therefore, here I am. Quite willing to receive and give credence to our binding agreement.”
“Binding agreement? I didn’t call out or summon you or whatever.” She opened the door to the Tea Shoppe. “I’m not agreeing to anything you say, so leave me alone!”
Anni walked into the Tea Shoppe; it was full of customers—and every eye was on her. Before she could make a beeline for the door that led to the village, Oliver stepped out in front of her. Anni jumped back. “Oliver? But how did you—?”
“I know about the Incantare doors,” said Oliver. “Listen, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention what my Uncle Ignacio said back in Ms. OggleBoggle’s house.” He pointed at a far booth by the windows where Daphne and Squirt sat staring at them both. “You know, to your friends.” He paused. “Because…I don’t really think like him.”
“Fine, okay,” said Anni annoyed and antsy. “Sure, whatever.”
Anni rushed over to the booth where Squirt stood, but Daphne remained seated. Neither of them looked happy to see her.
“We need the doll,” Anni, whispered. “Where is it? Did you find Lexi’s location?”
“Hold on,” said Daphne, guardedly. “Where have you been? Last night, we were tracking you on the Omninav. One second you were in the Manor, the next, you completely disappeared off the Zephyr. Where did you go?”
“That can’t be,” said Anni. “I was in the Manor all night. I fell asleep in this strange room, woke up this morning and stumbled into Ms. OggleBoggle’s tea party, where, strangely, I was the guest of honor—trust me, it’s been a weird night and morning.”
“We thought you left by Queen’s Mirror,” said Squirt, sounding hurt. “Without even saying goodbye to us first.”
“Sounds like her style,” said Brat, poking his head out of Squirt’s shirt pocket. “Leaving, not telling anyone. Making plans, having tea with others, not inviting us—”
“Eggs!” Anni blurted, calling far more attention to herself than she intended, which prompted her to lower her voice. “Brat, I promise you, it really wasn’t like that—”
“Did you make a secret deal with Jay?” asked Daphne, scowling.
By the looks on everyone’s faces, she knew Brat had told them about her chat with Jay regarding getting E-passes. “I’ll tell you everything. First, let’s get out of here,” said Anni, feeling way too many eyes on them.
They exited Basil Boggle Tea Shoppe and found the village extremely crowded. The weather was sunny and bright without a single rain cloud above. The Lake had finally refilled itself to the level it had been before she had fallen in.
Anni waited until they were out of the village, then she told them what happened to her after the S.E.C. meeting right up to the point where she burst out into the crowded Basil Boggle Tea Shoppe. She skipped the part about Whiffle because her lips locked each time she tried, and finally ended by explaining that after Jay caught her in the guano bags, he offered to get E-passes into LimBough so long as she gave him a definite location.
Daphne scowled, “So you were never taking me with you?”
“No, it’s not like that. I keep my promises,” said Anni. “I can’t travel through LimBough without you. I know that. I was going to ask Jay for more E-passes.”
“You guys were going without me?” asked Squirt, looking left out.
“Told you,” said Brat. “Always thinking about herself.”
“No. Brat. Stop. I want you all to come. I’ll need all the help I can get.”
“Moppins, no, I’m not coming. Had enough adventures already. Diana’s sorting things out with Fleet, and I’ve got to stay right here until that happens.”
“Look,” said Anni. She could tell they were still upset. “I feel bad about Jay, but that was weeks ago. I wasn’t trying to be selfish. Lexi’s my only family left. I was thinking about her first. I’m sorry. I’ve never had friends like any of you until I came here. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m really sorry if I did. And I want you all to come.”
Daphne twisted her lips. “I’ll agree to your deal with Jay, so long as he only gets us open-ended E-passes.”
Squirt hugged Anni around the middle and said, “This has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I love you, Anni. Come on; the doll’s hidden at Yugi’s.”
Daphne, Squirt, and Brat explained how they escaped Van and left the Manor through an open door on the first floor with keys conveniently hanging in the lock, and how they slept at Yugi’s, taking turns watching the Omninav in case Anni showed up on the radar. Before they had a chance to tell her more, a group of skurfers soared above. Anni spotted Jay’s red hair and knew it was him before he landed in front of them. Daphne harrumphed.
“You’re a tough one to find,” said Jay. “Fortensia told me to give this to you.”
H
e handed Anni a letter.
Anni Moon:
Your presence is requested at Moon Manor.
3 p.m. sharp.
-Maeleachlainn Spongincork
“That’s in ten minutes,” said Squirt, peeking over her shoulder.
“Eggs!” Anni looked at her friends. “I’m not going.”
“Look, kid,” said Jay. Leach is totally wiggin’ out. Don’t know why, but he was at Spadu Hills last night and this morning. You don’t want that kind of heat on your tail, especially when you’ve got special plans.” He winked. “Now, tell me the good news.”
Anni looked at Daphne. “First, we’ll need open-ended E-passes for all of us.”
Jay whistled long and low. “This is turning into something bigger than a simple favor.” He ruffled his hair, eyeing her and her friends. “Hmm…let’s say I can do that. I’ll only agree on one condition, but before I tell you, what’s the location?”
Anni looked expectantly at Daphne.
Daphne looked side to side with a pained expression until she finally said, “Peru, in the middle of the Amazon jungle.”
“Peru? Huh.” Jay chuckled. “Well, it just so happens that’ll work out fine. All right, I’ll get you the E-passes, but here’s the deal: I’m coming with you.”
Daphne gasped. “No, nope. No way. He’s not coming.”
Anni gave Daphne a look that said, what other option do we have?
Anni turned to Jay. “Can you get the E-passes for today?”
Daphne eye’s narrowed. “Just the E-passes.”
“But, Daph—” said Squirt.
“I’ll get the Opus Stones,” said Daphne, shooting Jay a disgusted look.
“Hilarious.” Jay smirked. “I can’t wait to see how Floppy here pulls off her part of the bargain. But, I’ll meet you at Fortensia’s in two hours.” And he left.
Daphne’s cheeks flushed. She refused to make a comment about how she would get the Opus Stones but said, “Squirt, take Anni to the Manor. You and Brat get the doll. I’ll meet you both at Fortensia’s place.” Without another word, Daphne left them on the road and headed back to the Village.
There were no guards when Anni arrived at the Manor, and the alarms didn’t go off when she passed the threshold. She made it all the way to Krizia’s office uninterrupted, which was empty aside from Krizia and Maeleachlainn at the far end of the room. Automatically, her muscles tensed, remembering what she had been subjected to the last time. Mentally, she was ready for anything but, emotionally, a low-grade panic set in.
Krizia was at her desk, and though she didn’t look up, her puffy eyes betrayed a deep exhaustion. Leach, on the other hand, sat beside her, looking perfectly rested, drumming his fingers on a highly polished wooden box on his lap.
“Can you explain your actions last night?” asked Krizia.
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Anni, trying to stay calm.
“I see,” said Krizia. “Maeleachlainn, you were right; she spurns authority. I have no time for these games. Therefore, Maeleachlainn will monitor all your activities on the Zephyr from here on out, but first I have some news to share with you.”
Anni’s jaw slackened.
“Are you catching flies, girl? Close your mouth,” said Krizia. “My sister-in-law Zelda Scurryfunge has been reported missing; she was last seen with Egbert. The Elofficium have named your dear uncle as their prime suspect, and yet he’s conveniently missing, too.”
Was it Zelda Anni had seen in the woods five days ago, or did she imagine it? What about Finnegan? Wasn’t he responsible? Before she responded, Krizia continued. “In light of the events that occurred in the Manor last night, I have decided to restrict you to Spadu Hills forthwith. One more thing.” She pulled out a small pendant hanging on a necklace. “Do you recognize this?”
The second she saw it, Anni’s insides collapsed. She nodded and mumbled, “That’s Lexi’s.” It was a gift from Teddy, the same pearl pendant Lexi used to wrap around her finger when she was nervous, only now, there was a massive crack straight across its surface. Was this the final proof Lexi was an Elemental? If this was Lexi’s Opus Stone, did the crack in the pearl mean what she thought it did?
Krizia’s demeanor grew weary as she stood clutching Lexi’s pendant in her hand. “Maeleachlainn, please finish. I must personally report this to the Elofficium, immediately.”
Speechless, Anni watched her leave the room.
Maeleachlainn Spongincork walked around Krizia’s desk and rested the polished box on the edge. He opened it, and removed a thin vine that was swaying in his hand. “Lift your ankle.”
Weary with confusion, Anni didn’t hear him. Her mind was filled with worried thoughts about what the crack in the pearl meant. If Lexi’s Opus Stone was cracked, she shuddered, how much longer could Lexi survive?
“Have it your way.” Leach bent low and held the vine against Anni’s ankle.
Anni looked down as the vine clamped around her leg. It pinched her flesh, and solidified into a dark, dead wood. It hurt.
“Ouch,” she said, pulling at it, but it wouldn’t move.
“You may go now,” said Maeleachlainn with an evil grin. “I’d advise you to return to Spadu Hills no later than four o’clock.”
An overwhelming combination of anger and sadness coursed through her. She tore out of the Manor and ran to the greenhouse where Squirt was waiting for her outside with Brat. He had her backpack in his hand.
“Is the doll inside?” Anni asked.
“Yeah,” said Squirt with a frown, then pointed at her ankle. “Where’d you get that?”
“Moppins, no!” said Brat.
“Anni,” Squirt slowly said, “who put that on you?”
She was about to say Leach when her leg started to jiggle. The anklet was controlling her leg; it was lifting it up off the ground. She couldn’t stop it. The anklet leg jerked at forty-five-degree angles, pulling her leg from side to side like the anklet had a mind of its own and was looking for a way around the glass greenhouse.
Suddenly her leg shot her forward like an arrow. Anni screamed. At an amazing speed, it launched right down the Moon Manor’s road.
“Help!” she shouted over her shoulder.
“I’m right behind you,” said Squirt, running after her, Brat in his pocket.
Anni grabbed handfuls of grass and bushes, but she couldn’t slow it down it was gaining speed. The leg with the anklet was now traveling several feet off the ground. With her other leg flailing about in the air, her backside was bouncing painfully off the ground. Anni tried to grip her leg, but the velocity at which she was traveling made it impossible.
Before she knew it, the village was in front of her. The cobblestone streets were packed with Elementals. The speed at which the anklet had been moving was forced to slow down. Evidently it didn’t possess the power to propel Anni’s entire body over the throngs of people. Instead, the anklet had turned Anni into a spectacle where she was forced to endure the Elementals’ points, stares, and laughs as she bounced along the cobblestone walk. Mortification truly set in once the anklet got impatient and started using Anni’s foot to tap, tap, tap on the backs of passersby in order to get them to move out of the way.
Her face burned hot by the time she reached a group of teenagers, which turned out to be Oliver, Mackenzie, Miranda, Jay and a gaggle of his skurfer buddies. Seeing their faces made her sick. At least Oliver was quick to make his group move aside. However, when Anni caught the mirrored look of revulsion on his face, it made her feel worse.
As the crowds cleared ahead, the anklet sped up faster. Anni’s eyes started to well. She didn’t know if it was from bumps and bruises or her pride being dragged through the mud. Once she was out of the village and onto Spadu Lane, she zipped past Daphne, whose face went pale and slack. Mud splashed up Anni’s neck and slopped down her back. Even a couple of juicy worms hitched a ride.
Not too far in the distance, smoke clouds puffed from Fortensia’s chimney, which meant she was
home. Anni wasn’t sure if she wanted Fortensia to see her this way. But finally, at long last, her leg sputtered to a stop and plopped her down in front of Fortensia’s house, right next to a long stick that was poking out of the ground.
Flat on her back, Anni’s trembling legs could barely move. Fortensia, speechless and scowling, swiftly lifted Anni onto a rusty old wheelbarrow and wheeled her to the water pump, where a bucket full of water sat glistening. “You’ll thank me for this later.” Fortensia dumped the entire contents over Anni’s head, washing away the mud. She threw a wool blanket over Anni and slung the girl over her shoulders.
A blast of heat hit her shivering body when they entered the sitting room. Fortensia propped Anni up on her chair next to the fire. “Don’t move that leg. I’ll fix you up.” She adjusted the blanket and handed Anni a steaming mug. “Drink.”
Crumpled and defeated in the chair, Anni did as she was told. She tugged at her tattered clothes. Her shirt and shorts were ripped, and her favorite striped socks, a gift from Lexi, had holes. She winced when she heard a sound near the doorway. It was Daphne.
“No sulking. It’s bad luck,” Fortensia boomed. “Did you know about this, Daphne?” She pointed at Anni’s anklet. “Who did this?”
Squirt came in next, panting. Brat flew in at his side. They couldn’t hide the horrified looks on their faces.
Anni finally said, “Leach did it.”
“Here,” said Fortensia as she shoved another warm mug into Anni’s hand. “Drink.” She paced the room. “I have a right mind to wring that idiot’s neck. You’re a child. Human or not, he had no right to…She’s got cuts, bruises, and that blasted thing on her leg won’t come off. Nothing a little salve can’t clean up, but that’s not the point, is it?” Fortensia roared. “That’s it. I’m going to bang down the door at the Elofficium until they let me in. Ointment is in that cupboard. You two fix her up, all right?”
“Yes,” chirruped Daphne and Squirt in unison, which seemed to appease Fortensia.
Daphne took out the first-aid kit. Squirt helped apply salve to Anni’s face while Daphne worked on the cuts and bruises on Anni’s leg. Brat tended to scrapes on Anni’s arms and hands. Squirt whipped up a cooling tonic that he put on her bruises, which made them heal in minutes.
Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact: An Elemental Fantasy Adventure Series: Book For Kids Ages 9-12 (Anni Moon Series) Page 23
