Sisters Grimm 05 Magic and Other Misdemeanors

"The prince needed a retreat, a place where he could get away and relax, so naturally the Hotel of Wonders was perfect for him," Harry said proudly. "It's a full-service luxury hotel fit for a prince."

 

Daphne looked up at Charming. "I always wondered how you stayed so tanned."

 

"Masters can choose to give their mirrors names. I suppose your Mirror didn't get a name because the Wicked Queen didn't feel it was necessary," Harry explained. "She was never big on personalization. Oh, here we are."

 

They stopped at a door with a bronze plaque that read the royal suite

 

. Harry inserted the key into the lock and let the group inside. It was a beautiful room with a king-size bed and satin sheets. There was an enormous Jacuzzi and a fireplace in the bathroom, and in an adjoining room a few chairs surrounded an oak bar.

 

Harry opened two double doors, revealing a walk-in closet filled with expensive suits and shoes, and many drawers and small nooks. Charming selected a long white jacket, which he laid on the bed. Then he picked out a clean black suit, some socks and shoes, and a tie. He lay these on the inside lining of the jacket and they magically sank into it and disappeared. "Cool! I want one," Daphne said.

 

Charming nodded. "It's called the Hungry Jacket. It acts like a locker until I want things, then I just reach in and take them."

 

"It would come in real handy when we get the secret weapon," Daphne said.

 

Sabrina flashed the little girl an angry look.

 

"What secret weapon?" the former mayor asked.

 

Daphne looked around and whistled innocently.

 

"What secret weapon?"

 

Sabrina knew there was no use hiding it any longer. "Show him."

 

Daphne took the necklace out of her shirt and showed Charming the key. "Sheriff Hamstead gave it to us. He said it unlocked a safety-deposit box that held a secret weapon we could use in case Mr. Canis lost control of the Wolf. We're not supposed to get it unless he does, and we're not supposed to tell anyone that we have it."

 

Charming held the key in his hand for a moment, then gave it back to the girl. "Interesting," he murmured.

 

"Everything in order, boss?" Harry said. "I had the Cap of Wisdom cleaned, but those rust stains on the Sword of Sharpness are impossible."

 

"I won't be taking those, Harry," Charming said. He laid some more clothes in the center of the jacket and pulled the four corners together. Then he dropped two of the corners and shook it out. The clothing was gone. "But I'll be needing the magic detector."

 

Harry nodded and rushed to a drawer across the room. From inside it he removed a small black ball, no bigger than a marble. It was identical to the one Sabrina had seen the future Daphne use. Charming took it from Harry and handed it to Daphne. The little girl marveled at it for a minute. "I feel funny," she said, "like I'm vibrating." And then she did just that. It was disturbing to see the little girl shaking so hard. Sabrina wondered if it hurt.

 

"You're detecting magic," Charming said. "That should help you find the missing magic items."

 

"This town is filled with magic items," Sabrina said. "How do we narrow it down?"

 

"Daphne will feel things of great power automatically,"

 

Charming explained. "But if she concentrates it will lead her to specific objects. You're going to have to practice. Now, let's go. I've got to get you home before you're missed."

 

"No time for a break, boss? The spa is offering hot-stone massages," Harry said as he closed the doors of the closet.

 

"Not today, Harry," Charming replied.

 

Harry led them out of the room, down the elevator, and into the lobby, where they found the portal that would take them back into the real world. Sabrina looked through it. Nottingham was gone and the mayor was sound asleep.

 

"I think the coast is clear," she told the others.

 

"Good luck, folks," Harry said. "It was a pleasure having you here in the hotel. Perhaps you two could come for a longer stay sometime."

 

Charming flashed Harry a warning look.

 

"Or maybe not," Harry said. "Well, Aloha and happy surfing."

 

Charming was the first to step through the portal. Sabrina and Daphne followed, and the sounds of surf immediately disappeared, replaced with Heart's heavy snoring. Charming gestured for the girls to be still, then draped the white jacket over the mirror. When he pulled the garment away, the mirror was gone, just as the clothing had vanished.

 

"Nice trick," Sabrina whispered.

 

With the jacket over his arm, Charming crossed the room and carefully opened the door. He craned his neck to look into the hallway and then gestured for the others to follow. Soon they were directly in front of the fireplace.

 

"I'll go first," Sabrina said, crawling into the fireplace. She searched the space for the rope but couldn't find it. "The rope is gone," she whispered, climbing out quickly.

 

"Of course it's gone," a voice said from the darkness. The group spun around, but all they could see was a dark figure lurking in the shadows. "I can't just let people break in and out of the mayor's house whenever they want."

 

Charming clamped his hands on the girls' mouths and pulled them close to him.

 

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