Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 4)

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?”

Nan’s eyes widened as she recognized the small Chinese woman as well. She nodded.

“She goes by Meira here.”

Mrs. Wong smiled at Nan. “I’m a brownie. You can call me Mei.”

Anders ran across the polished floor toward Constance in obvious distress, squeaking and making odd noises. Her brows narrowed and she frowned. Apparently, Constance could understand them. “What happened, Baldander?”

The creature answered.

“I see. That’s horrible!”

She looked to Nix. “Are you okay? Would you like to go to the healing garden?”

Nix shook his head. “I’ll be fine. I won’t leave Mina.”

“As you like. Let’s get them dry.” Constance nodded to the puddles that were forming under their feet.

Mei waved her hands over the girls’ clothes and, within seconds, they were dry.

Mina filled Constance in on their earlier events—the accident and Teague’s warning. Both Mei and Constance were stumped.

“We shall have this incident investigated immediately,” Constance said.

“Mina,” Mei said softly, “on the tail of our recent discovery, this is worrisome indeed.”

“The reason I’ve brought you here, Mina, is so you can meet with the leader of the Guild and we can discuss a development. Come with me now; Nan and Ever can stay here.”

“No, they come with me. I’m not letting Nan out of my sight, until I know that no one is going to mess with her memories.”

Constance’s eyes squinted, her thoughts impossible to discern.