Curses! Foiled Again #[nn]

In "2. Invito," Jo finds herself caught between the stubborn protection of her reluctant guardian Avery and the growing pressure of her own path, especially after Baba Yaga’s cryptic intervention leaves her more unsettled than ever. With Avery’s constant demands for her attention and his insistence on her safety, Jo struggles to assert herself—especially when his overbearing presence starts causing real trouble at school. Written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mike Cavallaro, this story explores the tension between duty and independence in a world where magic and adolescence collide.

When the fairies who usually accompany her vanish, Aliera turns to her role-player gaming cousin Caroline, framing the mystery as a quest in a fantasy game. Caroline, quick to see through the ruse, offers guidance that blends in-game logic with real-world insight—leaving Aliera to wonder if the rules of the game might just hold the key to the truth.

In "4. Prise de Fer," Aliera returns to Grand Central Station, guided by Caroline’s advice, only to be seized by trolls and dragged into the subway’s depths. Trapped in a cell of utter darkness, she draws her fencing foil—and finds its hidden jewel glows, casting a fragile light in the endless black.

In "Derobement," Avery—now back in his original troll form after a failed rescue—finds himself imprisoned with Aliera, who remains wary of him. Forced to rely on each other, the two must navigate their growing tension and the dark confines of their captivity to find a way out. Written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mike Cavallaro, the story unfolds with quiet tension and shifting trust.

In "7. Parry-riposte," Aliera and Avery navigate the hidden dangers of the subway tunnels, where the fragile balance between magic and humanity begins to shift. As Avery starts to return to his true form and the fairies reemerge, their escape is suddenly cut short by a violent ambush from trolls. Written by Jane Yolen and brought to life with vivid art by Mike Cavallaro, the story unfolds with quiet tension and sudden peril.

In "Counter-riposte," Aliera and Avery race to Caroline's home after fleeing the trolls, only to find it in chaos—Caroline has vanished, and Aunt Hannah lies injured. With danger closing in and the stakes rising, the trio’s bond is tested as they face a threat that’s both personal and far more dangerous than they expected. Written by Jane Yolen and brought to life with sharp, expressive art by Mike Cavallaro, the story unfolds with quiet tension and escalating urgency.

In "Coup de Temps," Jane Yolen crafts a quiet moment of magic and growing courage as Aliera, caught between concern for her ailing aunt and the weight of her parents' worry, finds a fleeting chance to step away. With the help of the Fairy Queen, guided by Mike Cavallaro’s delicate pencils and inks, Aliera learns to vanish—just for a moment, just for herself—uncovering a power that feels both thrilling and deeply personal.

In "Remise," Jane Yolen teams up with Mike Cavallaro to deliver a sharp, spellbinding tale where fencing meets fantasy. When Aliera returns to her deserted school under the cover of night, guided by flickering fairies, she discovers her cousin trapped and her coach Chris revealed as the Dark Lord—leading to a duel that hinges on a single, fateful exchange.

In "12. Disengagement," Jane Yolen crafts a quietly haunting moment as Baba Yaga, having claimed Chris, spares his life and turns her attention to the aftermath. With the monsters gone and the fencing school in ruins, she rouses Caroline and delivers enigmatic guidance to the three teens, who then depart under the watchful eyes of fairies, Avery carrying the wheelchair-bound Caroline into an uncertain future. Mike Cavallaro’s art brings a dreamlike weight to the scene, grounding the magic in quiet, poignant detail.