The princesses are decked to the nines with tiaras, jewels, and dresses so big it seems almost impossible that they could sit down in them. They prove me wrong by heading straight to their table, which is surrounded by Snow’s beloved dwarf squad. Maxine and Ollie make their way back, and the five of us peer out at the crowd, waiting for something to go wrong. Flora heads to a podium and begins to give a speech about our school’s anniversary, and I feel my back go up.
Something is going to happen any minute now. I can feel it. But I’m wrong. Minutes later, Gnome-More is playing again and a fairyographer is leaving with Flora and some of the princesses to pose for pictures in the entrance hall. Madame Cleo disappears from her tank, and I assume she’s headed to the photo op as well.
“This might be the nicest ball I’ve ever been to,” I hear a guest say as she passes by me. “Can you believe we’re in a reform school? I hope no one tries to hurt us!” Her friend laughs.
But it’s not funny. Someone wants to hurt all of us. I scratch my neck. I’m breaking out in hives. Where is Gottie?
Kayla begins to hyperventilate as people go back to dancing or head off to get food. “I don’t understand. She should be here by now with her army of gargoyles. I swear!” she insists.
“Liar, liar,” Jocelyn tsks, appearing out of nowhere. She grabs Kayla and me by the arms. “Kayla just doesn’t want you to join the real party, but I do.” Her smile fades. “All of you are coming with me.”
CHAPTER 18
Playing by the Rules Is for Wimps
“I thought you were smarter, Cobbler,” Jocelyn says icily and flicks her annoying black cape so it billows out behind her. She’s leading us down a hall away from the ballroom. She has a small purple mirror I recognize from Harlow’s office pointed at our backs. She already warned us about trying to make a move to escape. “My sister gave you an out. You’d be home with Mommy and Daddy right now if you had just listened to her. Instead, you’ve made things much worse for you and your friends.”
“I swear! I don’t know what she’s talking about,” Kayla insists, whimpering as we’re led along. “Gottie told me she was coming to the ball.”
Jocelyn whirls around. “Do you really think she’d be so foolish as to show up in the middle of a room with all of Enchantasia watching? Why do you think she sent her gargoyles to do her bidding on Royal Day?”
“I guess Harlow wasn’t really under a spell that day, was she?” Jax asks. I watch him motion to Ollie to get something out of his jacket. He moves his hand slightly and Jocelyn’s hands begin to crackle. She sends a zap Ollie’s way and he flinches.
“Don’t be stupid. Harlow couldn’t fall under a spell set by gargoyles,” Jocelyn says. “She was trying to take out some of the royals for Gottie without having to bring the Wicked One into it.” Jocelyn’s dark eyes burn through me. “But you had to go and mess things up, and now I’m stuck delivering you five to her instead of staying out of things like my sister wanted.”
“So don’t do it,” I say, stalling for time ’til I can figure out my next move. “You don’t want to help someone like Gottie, do you?”
Jocelyn laughs. “What choice do I have? Even if we get out of this place, my sister and I will always be outcasts.” For a brief moment, I can see the pain that realization gives her. “She’ll never be forgiven for the things she’s done, and I’ll never be able to escape her legacy. So I say, why not have fun while I’m stuck here? Now move!”
She pushes Ollie and Maxine through a new hallway that has just popped up, and I see we’re descending to the dungeon level that I’ve heard about but never seen. Why would I? Flora built this place to deal with criminals like Gottie, but she’s never been caught. Torches illuminate our path down as the air grows colder and damp, and then we’re standing in the middle of a large opening among half a dozen cells. Harlow is waiting for us.
She’s in a gown and cape that glitter brighter than any of the princesses’ outfits, and her pale face has flawless makeup that looks like it took hours to apply. Atop her head is the most elaborate black-jeweled crown I’ve ever seen. Jocelyn hands her sister the mirror, and the glass swirls gold and silver, crackling like lightning.
“Ah, Miss Gillian, I see you stayed and brought guests to watch the show,” Harlow sneers. “Foolish girl. Now you’ll burn with the rest of this school.” With a flick of her wrist, Harlow pushes us into a corner and we fall into a heap. “It’s almost time for the main event. Upstairs, right above us actually, all of Enchantasia is dancing the night away, not knowing we’re about to turn their minds into goo. They’ll never remember themselves, let alone who runs this kingdom. Even if they could, the princesses will already be turned to ash.”
“You’ll never get away with this,” Jax says.
“Oh, but I already have,” Harlow says patronizingly. “Cleo is an ice cube in her aquarium, and Flora and the royal court are immobilized in the great hall. All that’s left is to deal with is you five—after I cast the spell.” She holds the mirror up to the ceiling and lightning flies out of it, sending rocks down on our heads. A crack begins to spread above us.