Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 3)

“Who told you?”

“Who gave you a seam ripper?” he demanded.

Ever’s eyes snapped up to glare at Mina accusingly and then went innocent when she looked up at her prince. They filled with tears. It was obvious that she loved him and had done something terrible.

“I left everything behind for you! I gave up everything so I could come over here to be with you. They helped me come over, and all I had to do was report back about you. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” Her gaze traveled back over to Mina. “She was supposed to fail like the others, and then it could be like the old times again. You weren’t supposed to really help her!”

“Give it to me!” Jared held out his hand to Ever.

Her back stiffened, and her shoulders rose. “No, I can’t.”

“Ever, you weren’t meant to have one. Now, give it to me!”

“I—I won’t. I can’t. It’s my only way back to visit my family. It’s not my fault you’ve become soft-hearted and want to help the Gimps.” She let slip the derogatory name the Fae called the Grimms.

“It’s too dangerous for you to have one. How many times have you used it already, and where? Here? Mina’s house?” Ever’s head dropped, and she looked over at Mina guiltily. “Please don’t tell me you’ve used it near her house?” Jared pointed to Mina.

“I had to,” Ever squealed. “You were spending too much time with her, getting attached. We were afraid of losing you. I had to follow you both.”

“Anything could have come through! We don’t know what is roaming around here now. You probably even let in another Reaper.”

She shook her head and held up her hand. “No.”

Jared’s fists were turning white from how tightly he was clutching them. Mina thought she could actually hear his knuckles pop from the strain.

“Ever!”

She bit the bottom of her lip in worry, and, finally realizing there was no other option, she got up and dug through her purse. Her hands were shaking, and Mina thought she heard a few sniffs come from the pixie’s direction. Ever turned with her fist closed and held it out to Jared.

He snatched it out of her hand fast as lightning and bolted for the door. Her shoulders dropped and she nodded. Before grabbing the doorknob, Ever turned and spoke, her voice ringing with fear. “Please don’t hold this against me, Jared. I did this for you. I did this for us.”

Jared ran his hands through his dark hair and spun on her angrily. “No, you did this for you. I forget how selfish pixies are—they are unable to truly care about anyone other than themselves.”

“You don’t mean that.”