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Evie's castle was just as beautiful as the first time Laila had seen it.
As Laila, Jane, Carlos, Jay, Ben, Harry and Gil—the last two names belonged to two boys from the Isle, friends with Uma; Laila had been introduced to them on the way over here—entered the vicinity, they were immediately greeted with a handful of others: Evie, Mal, Uma (Laila was finally able to put a face to the name!), and—one of the kids from the Isle that had been selected on VK Day—Celia.
Laila immediately broke out into a grin as her and Evie locked eyes. Evie's face mirrored hers. It wasn't long before they were wrapping their arms around each other, Laila's chin resting on Evie's shoulder, Evie's fingers gripping Laila as though she could slip through her fingers at a moment's notice.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Evie said to her once they pulled apart. Laila's heart swelled. "I thought Audrey might've... you know..."
"I know," Laila said. "Believe me, there is no way I'm going back to the cheer squad after this."
Evie chuckled, her eyes bright.
"Okay," Mal said, and everyone's attention was diverted toward her. Laila was suddenly reminded of the seriousness of the situation. "We all think that Audrey could be at Fairy Cottage. We've no idea where it is—did she take you there?" She directed that last part to Ben.
"Every Fairy Godmother's Day," Ben said, nodding. Then he looked grave, and his eyes wandered over to where Jane was sitting. "Where is Fairy Godmother when you need her?"
Jane sighed. "I wish I knew..."
After a moment of dispirited silence, chatter between everyone resumed but there was this sort of heaviness in the air. They were all way out of their league. Most of the time, they relied on their parents to help them—and Laila was no exception. Now... they were on their own. But at least they had each other. There was comfort in that.
