Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School, #1)(26)

I hear sparks and look up. An enraged Flora is holding a mirror with a stunning mermaid inside. “Move!” she commands us.

We don’t have to be told twice. A long bolt of light flies out of the mirror and zaps the door we were just holding shut. The door behind us flashes purple, and then the shrieking and pushing stops. The hall is eerily quiet.

“You two are lucky you knocked the jacket off the mirror in the hallway.” Flora sounds out of breath. “Or you would have been gargoyle food! What were you thinking—sneaking off instead of going to your evacuation stations?” she thunders.

“I thought I knew a shortcut,” Jax says quickly. “Then we ran into those living statues.” Jax gives me a look. I kind of think it says, “Now you owe me.”

“How were we supposed to know the gargoyle statues were real creatures?” I ask Flora.

“No one knew they were real until half an hour ago!” Flora says, sounding exasperated. “That’s why we had the evacuation—so the staff could stop them and students could get to safety, not use the time to sneak around school!” Headmistress Flora purses her lips. “I’m disappointed in you, Miss Gillian. I thought you wanted these three months to go as smoothly as possible.” Her face gets a little too close for comfort and I smell roses, which always remind me of a funeral. “Go looking for trouble inside these walls, and trouble will find you. Now, both of you thank Madame Cleo for saving your lives.”

“Thank you,” we mumble.

“My pleasure, darlings,” Cleo sings. “Pretty but foolish little darlings that you are. Who planted those things here, Flora?”

“I don’t know, but I want every last statue removed until we figure that out.” Flora smiles thinly. “As for you two, there is to be no talk of gargoyle statues coming alive and trying to rip students to shreds. I’d have to schedule extra therapy classes to deal with the reaction.” She holds her head. “You’ll both spend the next two weeks with Madame Cleo in detention for almost getting yourselves killed.” Her eyes narrow. “And if you ever sneak off during a drill like that again, next time I’ll make it four weeks—if you live to tell the tale.”

“Yes, Headmistress Flora,” Jax and I say dejectedly.

I thought gargoyles were tough. Detention with a sea siren might be worse.





Happily Ever After Scrolls


Brought to you by FairyWeb—magically appearing on scrolls throughout Enchantasia for the past ten years!

From the Sea’s Biggest Menace to One of FTRS’s Most Beloved Teachers: Say Hello to Madame Cleo!

by Beatrice Beez

Name: Madame Cleo (the mermaid formerly known as the “Sea Witch” or “Sea Siren,” depending on who lived to tell the tale. No pun intended.) Former Occupation: Scaring sailors, making fishy deals for personal gain, trying to destroy the Little Mermaid’s chance at love Current Occupation: After a memory-loss spell meant for a shark accidentally zapped Cleo instead, the Sea Siren’s quest for villainy disappeared. She now teaches dance and etiquette to students at FTRS. “I couldn’t be happier! Dance is… What were we talking about?”

Hobbies: Water aerobics, listening to classical music, attending Under the Sea balls Strengths: Sorcery (“I may not know what I ate for lunch, but I could never forget a good spell!”) and teaching good manners (“I love it when students say, ‘Good morn, Madame Cleo.’”) Weakness: A lack of legs. “Breathing on land seems overrated. I see no need for a pair.”

Likes: Shiny gifts and Rapunzel’s shampoo (“The salt water does a number on my hair, darling.”) Hates: Sushi and high-pitched sounds

Love Life: “Who has time for men when you’re trying to save Enchantasia from poor posture?”

Check back next week for more Fairy Tale Reform School Fifth Anniversary coverage.





CHAPTER 11


    Something’s Fishy


Headmistress Flora feels the need to hand-deliver me to Madame Cleo’s detention the next day after classes, and I soon find myself standing in front of an oversized metal double door. I read the large plaque near the entrance: Warning! If doors are locked, do not magically open. Tank may be refilling or flooding!

“Where are we? The aquarium?” I joke.

“You could call it that,” Flora says, “but I wouldn’t. This is the entrance to Madame Cleo’s home, and she’s gracious enough to invite you in for detention.”

I look down at my plaid jumper and navy vest. “I’m not dressed for a swim.”

“A swimsuit won’t be necessary,” the Wicked Stepmother says cryptically. “You’ll start etiquette classes here later this week as well. You’ll see we keep students busy. It keeps you from getting bored and, shall we say, interested in less savory extracurricular activities.” She gives me a long, hard glance.

She means things like thieving, brawling with gargoyles, and spying on villains.

Flora turns on her heels and walks away. “Enjoy your afternoon, Miss Gillian.”

I pull on the double doors to see if they’re locked due to a water leak. Unfortunately, they open. When I slip inside, I feel the temperature drop significantly, along with the lighting. The spacious but dimly lit room has a two-story ceiling but no windows. Slurp! I hear the doors lock and seal behind me, and I wonder if I’ve been led into some sort of trap.