Behind Mr. Beast, I see a figure in the hallway. It’s my brother!

“Jonah!” I cry out. “Do you hear what’s happening? He’s going back on his deal! This can’t happen. We have to do something! Run, Jonah, run!”

Jonah ambles over to the door and stares at me quizzically. “I’m not running,” he says. “Why would I run? This place is amazing!”

I gaze at him in shock. “What?”

“You were right, Abby — fairy tales are the best!”

“B-but we have to go home!”

“No way! I’m having the best time! I’m in a castle! I taught Mr. Beast how to play flying crocodile!”

He’s got to be kidding me. “You can play flying crocodile at home!”

“Mom and Dad don’t let me play at home! They make me read! Mr. Beast doesn’t care if I read. And he has the best snacks. Ketchup-flavored chips! Have you ever heard of such a thing? They’re delicious.”

“But … but …”

Mr. Beast shrugs. “Sorry, but as you can see, your brother wants to stay.”

And with that, Mr. Beast slams the door in my face.

Chapter Nine: Kink in the Plan

Great, just great. What am I supposed to do now? Obviously, Jonah can’t stay here forever. That’s insane. As if I could go home to Smithville without him!

Sorry, Mom and Dad, but Jonah moved into a palace to live with a beast. I tried to bring him home, but he just doesn’t want to practice his reading. Happy birthday, Mom!

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. What is wrong with my brother?

I turn back to see Beauty, who seems equally upset. Her lower lip is quivering. “Abby, why didn’t Mr. Beast want me to stay? Did he not like me? Does he not think I’m beautiful on the inside? I really want to be beautiful on the inside! I try really hard!”

“It’s not you,” I say. “It’s him. He doesn’t even know you.”

“But he looked at me! He saw me! He must think I’m ugly or a horrible person or something.”

“No,” I say. “There’s no way he thought you were ugly. And I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re a horrible person. It sounds like he’s had his heart broken before and he doesn’t want it to happen again. I think he’s just protecting himself.”

I walk up and down the drawbridge, trying to think. I need a plan. A really good one. I need to change Mr. Beast’s mind. What will change his mind? What can I do to get him to send Jonah home?

Hmm. He needs to fall in love with Beauty.

Yes. That’s exactly it. If he falls in love with Beauty, then he’ll want her to stay.