Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 3)

“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.”

“Then prove it. Prove that your race doesn’t define who you are. Show me that you are not just like all the other pixies. That you care more about others than yourself.”

Ever’s beautiful eyes filled with tears, which she tried to blink away. Her head dropped to her chest, and she took a deep breath before closing the door.

Jared stared at the object in his hand and tucked it into his pocket before making eye contact with Mina. He smiled wanly, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes; he looked tired, worn-out.

“Let’s get you home,” he said.

She didn’t respond, just sat stiffly on the bike as he once again drove her home. This was becoming the night that would never end. When he once again pulled up to her house, he sat on his bike, immobile.

She got off the bike and stared at him. She knew then from the angry look in his eyes that he had no intention of ever helping her save her brother. He did all of that to take the seam ripper for himself, not to help her. He could just give her the seam ripper and she could go alone. He wouldn’t have to even cross over and endanger himself.

Jared left her no other choice—she was going to betray him, betray what little trust they had gained. And once she finished her quest, she would deal with the repercussions then. She closed her eyes and opened her senses, willing the feeling of power to come to her. It did. She was living in a home made of Fae magic, close to a royal Fae prince. It was becoming easier and easier to recognize the lingering power that was always there, just on the edges. She remembered when she’d called out for help and Jared had answered. He didn’t come because he wanted to; he came because she commanded him to help her. Now she was about to do the same thing.

“Jared, give me the seam ripper.” She pushed all of the power into those words.

His eyes went wide in shock, and he backed away from her in horror.

“Mina! What are you doing?”

“Just as you are bound to the Grimoire, you are bound to me and my will. I command you to give me the seam ripper.”

“Don’t do this, Mina. You don’t know what you’re messing with. You can’t trust Fae magic—you’re not Fae.” Even as he said the words, she could see that he was fighting with himself and the power of the command. His hand thrust into his pocket and gripped the seam ripper and pulled it out.

“I know what I am asking you to do, and I’m sorry that it has to be this way.”

“Mina, don’t make me do this!” Jared’s eyes were pleading, his whole body struggling with inner turmoil as he fought the Fae magic. “Please,” he called out.

The tears she had been holding back flowed freely. She was taking away his free will.

“If you do this, Mina, I won’t forgive you!” He yelled out the words as he fell to his knees in pain, his fist flung out in front of her.

“I have to, Jared. There’s something I have to do.”

“NO…not like this.” One by one his fingers uncurled to reveal the shiny silver tube. “You are breaking our trust.”

“Jared, you never fully trusted me to begin with, and right now I have to save Charlie. When this is over, I can only hope you’ll forgive me. But right now, I’m not asking for your permission or forgiveness.”

Jared let out a painful grunt, and with a final act of free will he threw the seam ripper to the ground and crushed it under his boot. Pieces of it flew across the ground, scattering into the darkness.

Shock. Anger. Hurt. It all rushed over her and took control of her body. Her hand slapped Jared so fast across the face, she surprised herself.

Jared’s cheek turned an angry red, and the muscle in his jaw twitched in anger, but he refused to look at her. Instead, his angry glare was directed at the darkness behind her.

“You could have chosen to go with me to help me,” she hissed.

“I can’t.” He looked into her eyes to show her how serious he was. “If you go there, Mina, you’ll be going there alone.” Jared glared at her.