Part 31 (1/2)

Wow, Sip breathed, when I had finally finished uncovering the Crown of Nascaro.

Well, half of it anyway.

Thatll set you back, said Lough.

I snorted. Im pretty sure its priceless, I said. I couldnt take my eyes off it.

The half crown was a delicate metal frame, around which were fixed delicate white pearls in the shapes of things that were important to elementals. I could see thistles and clovers mixed in with other flowers. There was even a vapor rock, which water elementals use to focus power.

Oh, Charlotte, Sip breathed.

I swallowed hard, staring at the crown of my family.

So, Mom kept half a crown in the bas.e.m.e.nt. Our family is so weird, said Ricky, shaking his head disapprovingly.

I glanced at my brother and then at my two friends, but I could find nothing to say.

Good thing the kids at school dont know. Although I suppose Im not going back to school, my little brother said wistfully.

My mom had kept the crown all those years, hidden downstairs in some dusty box.

You know, Charlotte, said Sip slowly, the crown might offer an explanation of why elementals killed your mom.

I nodded slowly. It was a rogue band, but they wanted the crown, because whoever possessed the crown would technically be the ruler of the elementals, I said. They wanted it and they knew my mom had it. Maybe they killed her when she wouldnt talk.

Whyd she have it in the first place, though? Lough breathed. I mean, its awesome that it isnt in the wrong hands, but not so much if it got her killed.

She was probably keeping it for my dad, I said softly. He was king, after all.

Ricky held up a hand. What are you talking about? he asked. Mom being killed by whats-its, and your dad, our dad, a king of huh?

Im sorry, I said to my little brother. I owe you an explanation.

Ricky snorted. You owe me like a hundred of them. Or, you know, more than that. Ill tell you when youve explained enough, but basically for the rest of your life, any time I want you to explain something you better do it on the spot.

I nodded. Sure. That cant possibly go badly.

Lets get out of here, said Lough. He pointed to the crown. But you should probably wrap that up first.

I nodded and did as he suggested. It wouldnt be healthy to be seen with the crown of the elementals, or even half of it.

But wheres the other half? Ricky asked.

Charlotte, said Sip slowly, I bet I know where the other half of the crown is. If your mom had it, that is.

Yes, of course. We both knew: the thistle box I had hidden in Astra, which I needed the Key of Light to open.

What does this mean? Sip whispered.

It means I have the elemental crown, I said.

And are the rightful heir, Lough added.

If you think Im bowing, you have another thing coming, said Sip warningly.

Lets get back to Public, I said. I need to tell Dacer and I need to get to the box.

Whats Public? Ricky asked. Seeing the looks on our faces, Ricky threw up his hands. Why do I bother.

Oh, Ricky, said Lough, clapping the younger elemental on the back, Paranormal Public is just the tip of the iceberg.

Before any of us moved I remembered something and smacked my hand against my forehead. I meant to ask Lisabelle about Risper, I said, frustrated that I could have forgotten. He had disappeared at the start of the semester and nothing had been heard of him since.

Oh, said Ricky, his gray eyes lighting up. She gave me this when she thought she had saved me and was leaving the first time. He pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket. She looked sad when she did it, but I didnt know why.

My hands were full with half a crown, so I motioned for Sip to take the note. With trembling hands she opened it and read: Risper failed. The Globe White was with the Eriksons. It is now with the Darkness Premier. Theyve also found the Fang First, and thanks to Paranormal President Caid, they know where to look for the Mirror Arcane.