Page 82 of Shadow Charms

“Right, like your heritage. I haven’t forgotten, but–“

Paige waved a hand in the air as they approached the edge of the forest, interrupting him. “Yeah, I get it. Me nearly dying kind of took priority.”

“Right,” Dewey said, pointing a finger gun at her. “And then the purple level on top of that.”

“I understand. And it’s not a big deal. Honestly, I’ve gone this long without knowing anything, so it’s fine.”

“Still, I’d like to get you some information.”

Paige raised her arm in the air and wiggled it. The silver charms dangled from her charm bracelet, catching the light. “I’m really interested to know if these have any meaning.”

Dewey narrowed his eyes at the sparkling charms. “Me too. In particular, the dragon one. Did your mother know the dragons?”

“Maybe she knew your family. Maybe she knew you!”

“I don’t remember any Reed Moores hanging around, but I was young. Maybe I forgot.”

“I guess we’ll find out,” Paige said as they stepped into the bright sunshine, leaving the Forest of Isolation behind.

They approached another fork in the road.

Paige glanced up and down each path. “No marker.”

She wrinkled her nose as she flicked her gaze between the two paths, trying to determine which to take.

“Well, this is just great!” Dewey fumed. “How are we supposed to know where to go?”

Paige shrugged, taking a last glance down each path. “Guess? We’ve got a fifty-fifty shot.”

“Guess? With your luck? Pass.”

“What else do you propose we do? We can’t conjure a sign.”

Dewey rubbed a digit on his chin. “Or can we?”

“Dewey!”

“Sorry, just throwing it out there. It is a fairy tale. Maybe we could.”

Paige shook her head as she tried to determine a way to maximize their chances.

Dewey fluttered over to the tall weeds at the crossroads, diving down and digging around in them. “Wait a second, wait a second.”

“Did you find something?” Paige asked, peering over his shoulder.

Dewey grunted with effort, his lips forming a grimace as he tugged at something. “Help me.”

Paige stepped into the weeds and grabbed hold of the brown object Dewey attempted to lift. Together, they struggled to raise the heavy piece of wood from the weeds.

“A signpost,” Dewey exclaimed as they freed it.

“Yeah, but which way does it go?” Paige asked, scratching her head as she propped it up against a nearby tree.

“The way it is,” Dewey said. “Pool of Yearning to the right.”

“Or is it this way?” Paige asked, spinning the sign the opposite way to reveal the words printed on the reverse side. “Pool of Yearning to the left?”

Dewey puckered his lips as he considered it. “Wouldn’t the sign have fallen the way it was up?”

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