Read Online Oz: The Great and Powerful Junior Novel Disney Book Group by Disney Press - Free Book Online Page B

at how happy they are,” Theodora said as she gazed into the magic crystal ball. “Do you think she’ll be his queen?” she asked sadly.
    Evanora sighed. Her sister was so softhearted. It was such a waste of a witch. If only she would stop hemming and hawing over Oz and focus on helping her destroy Glinda. But no, she just stood there, staring at the ball, wishing she were living some silly happily-ever-after.
    “Of course she’ll be his queen,” Evanora finally answered, causing Theodora to gasp. It was cruel, but if Evanora’s plan was to work, there could be no room for feelings. “Well, what did you expect?” Evanora said, leading her sister on. “You can’t compete with Glinda’s charms. No one can.”
    More tears welled in Theodora’s eyes and she cried out in anguish. “Oh sister! It hurts!”
    “It won’t cease hurting, so get used to it!” Evanora replied harshly. “Such is a broken heart. Your precious Wizard did that to you!!”
    Evanora’s words bit into Theodora, breaking her heart anew. Was her sister right? Was this all Oz’s fault? Had he worked some sort of magic on her, causing her heart to swell and then explode so painfully?
    “Make it stop!” Theodora pleaded to her sister.
    Seeing the doubts flit across Theodora’s face, Evanora stifled a smile. This was just what she wanted. “I can help you, sister,” she said, her voice growing more gentle. “But you must help me in return.”
    Theodora looked up, her eyes red and swollen. “How?” she asked.
    Sensing that her sister was on the verge of breaking, Evanora reached out her hand gently. “Come, sister,” Evanora said as she led Theodora into a separate room. Slowly, Theodora placed her hand in Evanora’s. Her fate was sealed.

    Evanora had been waiting for this moment a long time. Soon, the Land of Oz would be hers once and for all. Settling Theodora at a table in her sitting room, Evanora went to work. She produced a vial of potion and carefully began to drip its contents onto a shiny green apple, drop by drop.
    Slowly, Evanora put the vial down and held up the apple. It was ready. “One bite is all it takes. One bite, and your world will change forever. One bite, and your heart will become impenetrable. One bite, and you and I will finally share the throne. Unless you’d rather see Oz and Glinda there.…”
    The last of Theodora’s doubts vanished. Grabbing the apple out of her sister’s hand, she took a savage bite.
    Immediately, the potion began to work. Searing pain ripped through her body. She felt a fire begin in her belly, and then her body convulsed as the potion rushed through her veins, straight toward her heart. She pushed back from the table, clutching at her chest as she let out a shriek. Then a wave of realization crossed her face and she looked to her sister, scared and confused.
    “You’re the wicked one! Not Glinda!” Theodora said, still gripped by the pain. “Sister, you lied to me!”
    “It’s nice, isn’t it? How clear everything becomes?” Evanora said, still calm as ever.
    “What’s happening to me?” Theodora cried as another wave of pain washed over her body.
    “Oh, it’s just your heart…withering away,” Evanora said soothingly. “Fear not, Theodora, for soon you’ll feel nothing at all. Except beautiful wickedness.…”
    Theodora gasped, fighting for air as her body and face continued to contort. The pain was unbearable. It had to stop! She couldn’t take much more. Suddenly, she sank to the floor, folding in over herself. As Evanora watched, her sister’s breathing slowed and then, slowly, she lifted her head.
    Gone was the beautiful young woman with ruby lips and porcelain skin. Her button nose was now hooked and her dimpled chin was now long and pointy. And her beautiful skin was gone. She was now completely green.
    Reaching up, Theodora felt her chin and nose. She stood up and made her way to a mirror hanging on the wall.
    Evanora recoiled, disgusted by her sister’s