Page 6 of Cursed By Gold

My heart sinks. I had hoped that perhaps they would find her and I could have answers tonight. It appears that won't be the case. "Leave."

The guard nods, bowing before quickly exiting the room.

I stay in my room for hours, listening to the silence and contemplating what this means. Ultimately I need to find out if this incident is because the spell is weakening or changing, or because of this woman specifically. I look around my rooms for something I haven't already turned to gold.

Eventually, I hear a faint buzzing sound coming from somewhere in the corner of the room. I approach cautiously, notwanting to startle whatever it is that's causing the noise. As I near, however, I realize what it is: a small beetle flies past me, its wings shimmering in the moonlight.

Without hesitation, I reach out and grab it with two fingers. Instantly, it turns into pure gold and falls lifelessly onto the floor at my feet. I cry out in frustration. The curse is still within me - it has simply been this woman who has been able to resist my touch.

I sigh deeply. If anyone else knows about this woman's ability to resist me - if anyone else learns about her - then surely they will come for her too? Maybe even use her against me.

I need to find her, and I need to do it now.

Fairy Godmother

Scarlet

Looking around me to ensure that no one is watching, I enter a small back alley in a residential area and make my way to a small garden of a middle-class stone home. A barking dog sounds in the distance, but I can’t hear any footsteps or sounds of anyone nearby, so I make my way to the back door.

Three quick knocks followed by two slow ones, and I wait for what feels like forever but must have only been a few moments before a tall skinny man opens it. I offer a slight nod, which he returns as he opens the door wider to let me in. I’ve come to report my failure. I can taste the bile in my throat as I enter.

Fairy Godmother turns to face me in the kitchen, her pale face like porcelain in the fading light. She has round cheeks with tiny dimples, like two pockmarks filled with powdered sugar, and heavy doe-like eyes that flicker with irises like black mercury on the sea. Her silver hair piled high on her head, a few strands escaping the perfected style revealing that today has not gone smoothly for others besides just me. An unassuming womanwho if you really know her history, would both terrify and enthrall you. Even the name of her thieves guild is enchanted so you can’t say it to anyone outside of the order. Not that you could say it easily anyways.

“Scarlet,” she says, her voice as soft as dandelion fluff. “You’ve returned.”

I nod, unable to speak. I want to tell her what has happened, but the words catch in my throat. I failed. I’m a failure. I don’t fail missions. That’s why she gave me the job to begin with.

Fairy Godmother steps closer and places a gentle hand on my arm. “What is it?” she asks. Her gaze is kind, yet probing.

I shake my head, feeling tears prick at my eyes. “I didn’t get it,” I whisper.

Fairy Godmother looks at me expectantly. “What happened?”

“I had it. It was in my fingers, but then he showed up.”

“Who?”

“He was large,” I say. “Covered from head to toe in gold tattoos.” I shake my head. “I panicked and ran.”

Fairy Godmother nods, her expression unreadable. “Was it a guard?”

“No. It was...” I pause, my voice catching. The entire way back, I have played the scene in my head over and over again. He had told me who he was, hadn’t he? He said the place was his. The crown…his. “It was King Remme.”

Fairy Godmother’s expression turns hard. “Ah. I see. Did he see you?”

Fidgeting with my fingers I nod yes.

She pauses for a moment, her gaze distant. After a few moments, she looks back at me. “You need to lay low for now,” she says. “We will watch for a better opportunity to sneak in and get the crown.”

I nod, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “Thank you,” I say quietly.

Fairy Godmother smiles and pats my arm. “We’ve got time. If it’s too difficult, I can always ask another to take the job.”

“No!” the word escapes me before I remember who I’m talking to. Clearing my throat I begin again. “I mean, you don’t need to do that. I can do it. It was only a small mistake. Please. You know I need the money.”

Fairy Godmother nods her smile still in place. “I know, dear. I believe in you. But you don’t know what you are dealing with. King Remme is a dangerous man.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of her words. “I understand.”

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