Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 4)

“Something happened on the Fae plane—and he was dying,” Mina answered. “Charlie and I brought him over and now he’s human. But he’s still learning to adapt.”

Nix grinned ear to ear. “I’m a fine specimen of human if I do say so myself.”

Nan leaned over and whispered loudly to Mina. “That explains…a lot.”

“Nix, I think we better find Constance.” Mina was exhausted, but whoever tried to kill them still had to be around somewhere. This day felt like it would never end.

“Of course, yes. Right away. That’s what I was supposed to do. It was my only job and I botched it.” Nix turned and led the way, slowing a few times to touch the back of his head.

Mina was so worried about him that she wasn’t paying attention to the way they headed. She needed to do better.

“She’s waiting for us.” Nix took a back hallway, and they passed the dining hall. Nan craned her neck, apparently wanting a slower tour of the place.

When Nix opened the door to the library, Constance was sitting in the same high back chair as last time, drinking tea and talking with someone. Mina wasn’t surprised to see her music teacher, but Nan certainly was.

Constance glanced over at Nan. Her short white hair was particularly spikey today, reminiscent of a hedgehog. Her teal wing-tipped glasses matched her knitted button-up sweater and pencil skirt.

“Mrs. Colbert?”

Constance straightened in her chair. Mina’s guest seemed to take her by surprise.

Quietly, Nan said, “Our music teacher is a Fae too. This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.”

“Yes, dear. I’m a muse.”

As they approached and could see both women, Mina cleared her throat, feeling awkward. “Nan, you remember Mrs. Wong?”

>The flood level began to recede, drains pulling gallons into the walls of the culvert every second. As Mina’s head broke the surface of the water, she looked over and saw Nan holding onto the large handle, her eyes squeezed shut.

“Thank you.” Mina coughed.

The rushing water pulled at them, but Nan smiled and nodded.

Mina reached up to wipe the water from her eyes.

“Don’t let go!” Nan reached out with one hand to stop her from releasing the wheel but realized her own mistake. She slapped her hand back on the cold metal and gripped even tighter with both hands.

“I think it’s fine. The river will keep the door sealed now that it’s closed,” Mina tried to reassure her.

“How do you know?”

“I don’t, but Anders seems sure.” She pointed to the Baldander who was now waiting a ways down the tunnel looking at them eagerly.

Ever walked up to the door and inspected the lock. “I wonder why it wouldn’t open. It’s kind of odd for them to send you this way if it’s going to almost kill you.”

“It’s been welded shut.” Nan pointed from her perch on the stairs. She finally released one hand to point at the bead trail that ran around the whole door.

“It’s a good thing it was shoddy work, otherwise I might not have been able to get it open,” Ever admitted.

“No, it’s a good thing you were with us. Otherwise we wouldn’t have made it.” Mina looked up at Ever gratefully.

Ever shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t mention it…really.”

“Now what?” Nan asked finally gathering enough courage to let go of the door handle.

“We follow the wet rat.” Ever pointed at Anders in his otter shape, who was shaking the water from his wet fur and giving her a pointed glare. He moved forward and then turned back to the tunnel, trying to get them to follow him.

“She’s right. We follow him.” Mina instructed.