Wicked: The Witch's Daughter #54

Instructions

Kendra's POV: I tightened my grip on the broom as the Emerald Palace came into view. After months of hiding, months of studying, and months of wondering if I would ever see Mom and Dad again, I was finally here. I had a plan. I had practiced the spell over and over until I knew every word. I had made sure I understood what it was supposed to do. It wasn't supposed to hurt anyone. It wasn't supposed to be cruel. It was supposed to stop Madame Morrible from using her magic. That was all. I landed in a quiet area away from the main entrance and carefully tucked Mom's broom out of sight. I pulled her black hat lower over my head and took a deep breath. I was scared. But I wasn't the same girl who had run from Kiamo Ko months ago. I walked through the palace corridors, keeping out of sight until I reached the room where Madame Morrible had been staying. Guards noticed me almost immediately, but before they could stop me, I raised my hand. Their weapons lifted slightly from their hands and floated away, landing safely on the floor behind them. I stared at them in surprise. My magic was becoming stronger. I continued forward until I reached the room where Madame Morrible stood. She turned when she saw me. For a moment, she looked shocked. Then a slow smile crossed her face. "Well," she said. "Look what finally decided to return." I stood my ground, even though my heart was pounding. "You have to stop." She tilted her head. "And why would I listen to you?" "Because this has gone on long enough." She laughed softly. "You sound just like your mother." The words made me tense, but I pushed the feeling aside. "You've been threatening Oz with your storms. You've been keeping my parents prisoner. You don't get to keep doing this." Madame Morrible stepped closer. "And what exactly are you going to do about it?" I reached into my bag and pulled out the Grimmerie. Her expression changed immediately. She recognized it. "The Grimmerie," she whispered. I opened the book to the page I had studied for weeks. My hands shook slightly. I knew this spell. I understood this spell. But actually using it was different. I looked at Madame Morrible. "I'm sorry," I whispered. Then I raised my hand and began to speak. "Vara thessa, morra velan, zathira quess, olma ren. Thalora vey, sharra min, elvessa korra, nethra din. Vessara, talem, orra sai, melka venna, thora nai. Quessara ven, ilvara shen, morritha kala, veyra den. Zoratha mel, essara vi, thalessa nor, kelvara mi. Rava thess, olma vey, narra keth, silvara rey. Veylora, quessima, thalora, venna, morra, sai!" The words echoed through the room. The air seemed to tremble around me. Madame Morrible's expression changed from confusion to alarm. "What have you done?" she demanded. I opened my mouth to answer, but then I saw something happening to her hand. A gray color was spreading slowly across her fingertips. My heart dropped. "No..." I whispered. Madame Morrible looked down. "Kendra..."