A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3)(65)

“Don’t worry, Emmerich,” she said. “We have to check something out now, and if it works, it’s going to be much cooler than anything secret agents could show you.”

Emmerich looked curious. Bree nodded to Conner and he took the panpipe from his jacket pocket. He looked over the notes carved into the back of it and double-checked that he knew which cylinder played which note.

“The middle cylinder should be middle C,” Bree said. “At least that’s how it works on a piano—my mom made me take lessons when I was younger.”

“Here goes,” Conner said. He blew the first four notes into the pipe and then paused for a second before blowing the remaining four. They were pure and chilling in the empty castle.

The notes echoed through the hall like all the noises they had made—only the notes never stopped. The sound only increased more and more, causing the whole hall to vibrate. The chandeliers above them began to sway and the floor started rumbling.

“What’s happening?” Emmerich shouted. He covered his ears and looked around the hall in absolute horror.

Suddenly a bright flash of light appeared between the two pillars in the center of the platform. The light grew and started to swirl; the larger it became, the faster it spun. Soon the entire back of the hall was covered in the light.

“Oh no,” Conner said, and locked eyes with Bree. “It works! We can access it from our side. That means the portal has re-opened and the French soldiers are—”

The three of them jolted forward against their will. The light had abruptly turned into a swirling vortex and was pulling them inside it.

“Run!” Conner yelled.

The three of them ran for the other side of the hall, but the vortex’s pull was too strong. Emmerich grabbed Bree, Bree grabbed Conner, and Conner grabbed one of the candelabras bolted to the wall. They dangled in the air as the vortex only grew stronger. Emmerich lost his hold on Bree, Bree lost her grasp of Conner, and Conner’s grip slipped from the candelabra.

All three of them flew through the air and were sucked into the circling light. Conner, Bree, and Emmerich disappeared into the vortex and vanished from Neuschwanstein Castle.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





THE EVICTED QUEEN


The weeks following the Fairy Inaugural Ball turned out to be quite enjoyable for Alex. She attended the Fairy Council meetings every day, she rode Cornelius on her daily trips around the kingdoms to see who needed the helping hand of a fairy, and then she spent the evenings going on long walks with Rook through the woods. She couldn’t decide which part of her day she liked best—except on the days when their walks ended with a good-night kiss: Then the walk was definitely her favorite part.

After weeks of agonizing over the ball and days spent worrying about Rook, Alex was so happy she could finally enjoy herself again. It had been so long since she was content about anything she had almost forgotten what relief felt like. She had been so occupied she hadn’t even thought to ask Conner how his trip to Germany was.

However, as enjoyable as her carefree days were, she knew they were most likely limited. And one afternoon Alex received a letter from Red that proved just that.


Dearest Alex,

Congratulations on graduating Fairy School or whatever it was you’ve recently accomplished—I’m very proud of you! I’m positive you’ll be a wonderful addition to the League of Fairies or whatever it is you’re a part of now.

I’m writing to you because I need a favor. That dreadful Peep woman has struck again! She convinced the House of Progress to organize a debate between us before the polls open tomorrow afternoon. Isn’t that the most barbaric thing you’ve ever heard of? What kind of kingdom wants to watch their ruler defend herself against a series of vicious personal attacks on her character? Do the words nobility and grace not go hand in hand anymore?

Anyway, I was wondering, if you weren’t too busy with Fairy Court, if you wouldn’t mind attending the debates in my support. Having a fairy publicly on my side would do a lot for my image, and when the election results come in tomorrow evening and Little Bo Peep loses, you can turn her into a pumpkin and we can take turns smashing her with a sledgehammer.

Warmest wishes,

Her Majesty, Queen Red Riding Hood of the Red Riding Hood Kingdom

P.S. Charlie says hello. He’s been guiding me through all of this campaign ridiculousness. I convinced the House of Progress to let him moderate the debate. He hopes to see you, too!



The letter had been delivered personally by one of Red’s messengers and he looked very tired after traveling all night to deliver it.

“Please tell Queen Red I’ll be there.” Alex sighed.

Later that evening, Alex told Rook about the letter while they were on their walk.

“Are you going to tell Red what we saw in Little Bo’s barn?” Rook asked her.

“No, I don’t think I will,” Alex said. “I can’t fault Little Bo for not having noble intentions when Red doesn’t exactly have the noblest intentions, either.”

“So does that mean I won’t be seeing you for our walk tomorrow?” Rook asked, making sad-puppy eyes at her.

“Probably not,” Alex said. “But I’ll see you the day after.”

“That’s all right, my father and I are pulling weeds tomorrow and that usually takes up the majority of the day.” Rook let out a pitiful laugh.