Страница 15 из 40
Chapter 5
With her sister not talking to her and Moth shooting her angry looks, Sabrina turned to the book her grandmother had given her when they had arrived in the city.
A Midsummer Nights Dream was a play, starring Puck and his obnoxious parents. Cobweb and Moth were in it as well. Though the old-fashioned writing was challenging, it didn't take a brain surgeon to realize Shakespeare had his hands full with Oberon and Titania. He described them both as petty, jealous, and manipulative. Apparently, Sabrina realized, nothing had changed in the four hundred plus years since the play had been written.
When Gra
Most of the day was spent scurrying from one neighborhood to the next, hoping beyond hope that they would stumble upon an Everafter. Bess had given them plenty of leads but all had been dead ends. Still, Gra
With Mr. Hamstead and Bess no doubt sharing a romantic meal somewhere, the rest of the investigators decided to stop for an early di
The restaurant was the kind of place where the menu was as big as a phone book, the staff spoke little English, and the tables were crowded together. The waiters eyed Puck's cocoon and pinched their noses in disgust as the group made their way to a table in the back near a huge fish tank. Daphne ordered for the whole table, and enough food for several others, and Sabrina relaxed, thinking the meal would be a welcome, cheering break from tramping through the snow. But Gra
"Your Uncle Jacob says everything is well," Gra
"Has he found a way to wake up Mom and Dad?" Sabrina asked, hopefully.
Gra
"Why? What happened?"
"He made the mistake of giving Elvis a plate of sausage."
Giving their dog Elvis sausage was a big no-no. It did bad things to the two-hundred-pound Great Dane. Very bad, very smelly things. The last time Daphne had given him sausage they'd almost had to move.
"I miss Elvis," the little girl said. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her protruding belly. "Look at me. I'm having a baby. I'm going to name him Number 15 with Egg Roll."
Gra
"Liebling, you've got food all down the front of your shirt. Let me take you into the bathroom and clean you up."
Daphne shrugged as if she didn't care but followed the old woman anyway.
"I believe I would like to wash my hands," Mr. Canis said, and got up as well. Unfortunately, that left Sabrina and Moth alone. Sabrina tried to ignore the fairy girl but Moth's angry eyes were boring into her.
"Let's make something clear, human," Moth said. "If you attempt to interfere in my relationship with Puck you will regret it. He is my fiancee!"
"Listen, I don't want your fiancee. I'm eleven. I'm not even allowed to have a boyfriend, so when Puck finally crawls out of his icky ball you can be sure he's all yours."
"You do not love him?" Moth said.
"NO!" Sabrina said a little too loudly. She looked around the room and felt every eye on her, including those of Mr. Canis, who was waiting in line for the bathroom. He had a smile on his face, but when she shot him an angry look it disappeared, and he went back to studying the ceiling.
"I do not want anything to confuse Puck when he finally reconsiders Oberon's choice," Moth said.
"What are you talking about? What is Oberon's choice?"
"Me,
I am Oberon's choice. He selected me to be Puck's bride," Moth said.
"What do you mean he selected you?"
"It's called the father's privilege. Fairy fathers choose their son's mates."
"Oh, I bet Puck loved that! I wish I could have seen his face when his dad made that a
Moth snarled, and Sabrina realized the girl took the subject very seriously.
"So then what happened?" Sabrina asked.
"The prince was confused…"
"You mean he dumped you," Sabrina said.
"He made a mistake and, unfortunately, his father punished him for it. Puck was banished from Faerie. That was more than ten years ago and we hadn't heard from him… until yesterday," Moth said.
"He's been stuck in Ferryport Landing. It's like a big roach motel. You can check in but you can't check out," Sabrina said. "From what I know of him you shouldn't be too upset he left. Puck would drive you crazy. You're better off without him."
"How dare you!" Moth cried. "King Puck is a great fairy."
"Sorry," Sabrina said. "But I have to ask you, if he left town to avoid getting married once, why do you think things are going to be different this time?"
Moth snarled but said nothing.
"Well, I hope it works out for you," Sabrina said sarcastically. "The Trickster King is a real catch."
The two girls sat in silence until the others returned to the table.
"Who wants some lychee ice cream?" Daphne cried. "You're still hungry?" Mr. Canis asked. "I'm still awake, aren't I?"
While everyone looked over the dessert menu, Sabrina took her mother's little pink wallet out of her pocket and flipped it open. She stole a peek at her mom's picture. Just then she noticed a small flap hidden behind the photo. She opened it, stuck her fingers inside, and pulled out an oddly colored business card. It was dark blue and covered in little moons and stars and had an inscription:
Scrooges Financial and Spiritual Advice Affordable Rates! 18 West 18th Street Voted Best Psychic by
Time Out New York
Magazine
Sabrina flipped the card over and discovered handwriting on the other side.
Veronica, stop by anytime. I owe you one! E. Scrooge
"What did you find?" Gra
"Just some old business card in my mother's wallet," Sabrina said, handing it over. "I think it's for a psychic or something."