𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄━︎━︎E. Grimhilde ✓︎

❝CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐄'𝐒 birthday. Ilaria had gotten up early to help Carlos prepare the cake and they were both extremely proud of the outcome. Carlos grabbed the beach towels, Evie was tossing Jay apples to put into the basket while Ilaria was making sandwiches. Carlos was beaming with joy, excited to make his girlfriend's birthday a special one. "I really think she's gonna like the cake you guys." Carlos made his way to the cake only to pause. "Oh, no. Okay! Who got into Jane's cake?!"

     Ilaria made her way over, noticing a corner piece was missing. "Carlos, just breathe. We can make a new one."

     "There's not enough time." Carlos huffed, running a hand through his hair. The sound of Mal yelling outside grabbed their attention and they instantly all went running. Evie threw open the doors just in time to see Audrey standing there, the scepter in her hand and the crown on her head. She had changed. Her hair was a violent pink with stripes of purple, her new look screamed that she was up to no good.

     Audrey turned to look at them. "So long, suckers." She twirled and pink smoke surrounded her before she was gone.

     Jay instantly turned to Mal, going to grab her hands only to abruptly pull back. "Whoa! You might wanna think of a spell for that." Mal was no longer young and beautiful, instead she had a hunched back, her skin was wrinkled, a few teeth were missing and her hair was as white as snow.

     "There's no spell that can reverse the curse of the scepter." Mal slowly said, her voice old with age.

     "Well, that's a shame." Carlos said with a straight face, glancing at the rest of them.

     "Forget about me." Mal said. "Audrey's out for revenge. And all of Auradon is in danger."

     Evie asked, "What should we do?"

     "The only thing more powerful than the scepter. . . is Hades' ember."

     Ilaria let out a deep breath. "Oh."

     Jay scoffed. "Like he's just gonna hand it over, give them back to the Isle."

     "And no one knows where his lair is." Evie sighed.

     "I do." Celia grabbed their attention. "I'm his errand rat. I've got the key at my dads."

     Mal pointed to her. "You're coming."

     Celia closed her eyes and took a large step backwards. "But I just got here."

     "Mal?" Dizzy's voice made them turn and when Dizzy saw Mal's state she let out a scream.

     Evie shot forwards. "Dizzy, stay here and take care of the twins. We'll be right back and everything will be just fine. Go inside." Evie turned back to the rest of them. "Guys, go get your stuff." Jay, Carlos, and Celia quickly ran inside.