Free Scarlet Discovers True Strength by Ahmet Zappa

end of the corridor and watched Leona and the other Star Darlings file over the threshold….Then, just as the door started closing, Scarlet silently slipped through.
    The Star Darlings were all so excited no one took notice of the pink-tinged shadow making its way to the back of the room. Scarlet slid into the corner, behind a potted boingtree. The branches were far enough apart for Scarlet to peek through but full enough of bright color-changing leaves to serve as an excellent screen.
    She looked for Lady Stella but couldn’t see her. The Star Darlings seemed starprised by her absence, as well, and stood chattering anxiously instead of taking seats around the large full moon–shaped table in the center of the room, as they’d normally do.
    When Lady Stella finally entered through the hidden door in the back of her office, which led to the Star Darlings’ secret Star Caves, her face wore uncharacteristic lines. She paused to consider every Star Darling, gazing deeply into each pair of eyes.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Gemma blurted.
    â€œGemma!”
Her sister, Tessa, elbowed her in the ribs.
    â€œI’m afraid,” Lady Stella began, “that something quite troublesome is up. There are problems with this latest mission.”
    â€œWhat kind of problems?” Sage asked with a flash. “The same kind of problems we’ve had before?”
    â€œI’m afraid not,” said Lady Stella. “These are far graver….Ophelia’s Wish Orb has gone black.”
    A unified gasp whooshed through the room, as if every air molecule was sucked out. From the shadows, Scarlet watched the stunned Star Darlings grab and squeeze one another’s hands. A black Wish Orb meant not only a failing mission but the potential loss of a Starling, as well.
    â€œSo…what do we
do
?” said Leona. “Someone has to
help
her!”
    â€œYes, someone does,” Lady Stella agreed.
    â€œI’ll go!” said Leona. “I’m ready right now. I can do it this time! Send me!” She moved toward Lady Stella, but the headmistress motioned her back.
    â€œStar salutations, Leona, for your generous offer, but—”
    â€œBut what? I can’t go because I failed my mission? But I thought you said that wasn’t my fault!”
    â€œNo, it’s not that, Leona,” Lady Stella assured her. Calmly she waved away the sparks that were sputtering out of Leona’s ears. “I’m afraid only a Wish Orb can pick who goes, as on every other mission when help is required. This situation, of course, is far more dire. But the same procedure is required.” Then Lady Stella reached into the folds of the long silver robe she wore. In her hand sat Ophelia’s Wish Orb. Each time before, when Lady Stella had gathered them to see who the Wish Orb would choose to help grant the wish, the orb had lost some of its glow. But this orb smoldered dully like a lump of crater coal. It was the ugliest thing Scarlet, or any other Starling, had ever seen in her life.
    Lady Stella spread her fingers and let the orb rise and hover between her and the Star Darlings. After a moogle, it began to move…slowly drifting past each glittery, worried face in search of the one it would choose.
    â€œWhere is it going?” asked Vega as it floated up to her last, then swerved. “It’s not choosing any of us? It’s flying away. It’s trying to get out of the room.”
    â€œNo…it’s not,” said Cassie, pointing. “Look. It’s heading into the corner over there, toward that kaleidoscope tree.”
    Sure enough, it was. Scarlet watched it approach, just as confused as everyone else. As it reached the tree and stopped, however, she understood at once.
    â€œIt chose me!”
    Scarlet stepped out from behind the tree, beaming. It was the first smile she’d worn in stardays. She’d almost forgotten how smiling felt. In her palm rested the