Fated Fae (Fractured Fae 1)

“Apparently. I get the correlation, I was super pissed about the attack and the absence of cops, but I clearly didn’t do it.” I laugh it off in hopes that he’ll just drop it. Andras seemed so sure, but he’s clearly wrong. I just hope he doesn’t spread it around and cause trouble. I can’t help anyone if I get targeted too.

“No Sam tonight?” I ask once the conversation lulls. Jacob knows me well enough to know that if he doesn’t want to answer, I won’t pry. I just want him to know he can talk to me.

“Another work project I guess,” he says with a sad shrug. “I get it, I have to work too. I just miss him. But Andras was cute… man candy always makes for a good day.” He means it, but his melancholy voice makes it fall flat.

I can’t offer any words that would help, so I merely step closer and link my arm through his, resting my head on his shoulder.

We part ways a block later and I make my way home. I have to turn in my library draft project in the morning, so now’s my last chance to finish it. It’s almost done at least, so I’m way ahead of my usual procrastination. Progress, right?

I take out my cell phone to text River before I start on my blueprints, figuring she should know about what went on in town. But with the way Andras made it sound, she probably hears this stuff way more than I realized.

Me: I met Andras tonight. Thanks for trusting me with your friends. We got him home safe and sound.

River: He just called me. Thanks for being amazing.

Me: I’m so fucking mad the police didn’t care. Don’t walk alone anywhere, please.

River: I won’t, and I already spread the word. I didn’t want a repeat of my incident. It feels like they’ve gotten more bold lately.

Me: Agreed. We won’t stand for this. Power in numbers. Stay safe, Riv.

Satisfied with her answer, I put my phone on the charger and slide in my noise cancelling earbuds, pulling up my homework playlist. It helps drown out the pounding noise of the bass and loud voices that drift through the walls.

Somehow I manage to work for a solid two hours before I’m in desperate need of coffee and a break. I reach for the coffee grounds in the cabinet above the coffee maker. As I wrap my fingers around it, I feel something fuzzy and warm brush against my hand. I let out a shrill shriek and jump back. As I do, the cabinet door flies across the room and lands on the couch.

The fuzzy creature is a tiny, white mouse that huddles in the corner of the cabinet. Clearly I scared the poor guy as much as he scared me. I can’t just let him live here though, I love my coffee too much.Trying to not freak out, I find a decent sized plastic container and poke holes in the lid. The container is

opaque, so it’s a bit hard to coax him inside. Finally he runs forward and I manage to twist the container fast enough to trap him and slam on the lid. Time to find your home, little guy.

I grab my keys and shoes and lock the door behind me. Maybe I can knock on a few doors and find out if someone lost him. After the sixth door I knock on with no luck, I’m about to give up. There are only nine doors on my floor though, so I force myself to finish before going back home. I knock on the seventh door and it swings open to reveal a fit guy in gym shorts and a tank top, muscles bulging. He leans against the door frame and gives me a smirk.

“Hello, pretty lady,” he says with a creepy wink. Why do they always have to wink?

“Did you lose a white mouse?” I ask in a monotone voice, ignoring his compliment.

“Ah, yeah. My snake’s food ran away earlier. Did you catch it?” he asks as my mouth drops open in horror. He’s going to feed this little guy to his snake? I mean, I know they have to eat, but he almost made it to freedom. I can’t just offer him up as food now.

“Uh, no. These are just cookies I’m taking to a friend. I noticed a mouse in the stairwell and thought I would tell the owner in case he was a pet.” I promptly turn around and all but run back to my apartment.

The realization of what I did sets in as I look down at the container in my hands. What the hell am I going to do with a mouse? In my time of need, I do the only thing I can think of, grab my phone and text River and Jacob.

Me: You awake?

River: Yes. What’s going on?

Jacob: Yup.

Me: So I created a little situation for myself. A mouse got into my coffee cabinet, I caught it and thought it was a lab mouse or a pet. When I found the owner, the little guy was in fact snake food and I wasn’t cool with that. So I have a mouse in a plastic container and I don’t know what to do. HELP.

River: Release him outside?

Jacob: Hahahahahaha

Me: I can’t! He will get eaten for sure. I feel responsible now. This is awful! Shut up Jacob!

River: hahahahaha

Me: Not funny at all!