“That it's obviously not complete? That the Grimm brothers never made it through all of the stories? But I guess they finished this bull story.”
“Give me that!” Mina snatched the book from Nan. “Nan, this is the room I was describing. It’s all here, everything. Even me running from the room!”
>“Doesn’t matter,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “We all know about the book. All you need to know was that I’m here now and he’s gone.” The boy put his hands in his pockets and didn’t make any move to come closer to Mina. She looked him over head to toe.
Mina took a few steps back away from the boy. “That’s not good enough. I’m in charge of protecting this and I need to know who you are and how you found me.”
The young man looked at Mina warily and spoke, “Don’t worry, girl. I have no interest in the Grimoire. Or in you.”
Mina’s mouth opened and closed in obvious shock. She had never been treated with such disdain – okay, maybe once or twice at school, but never from a perfect stranger.
“So you know about the Grimoire?”
“More than I want to,” he said, his lip curled in contempt He began to walk away, but Mina realized he might be her only chance at getting some answers.
“Wait! Are you a Grimm too?
He laughed. “Not on your life.”
“Then who are you?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t be asking who, but what.” He paused and looked at her.
An otherworldly chill ran over Mina’s skin and she swallowed nervously. “Okay, then what are you?”
He smiled and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Now that would be too easy, wouldn’t it? I suppose you’ll have to guess.”
Can’t you just tell me? I don’t have time to play twenty questions.” Mina asked, surprised at the desperation in her voice. The boy obviously knew the man with the wolf tattoo and about the family curse.
“I could, but I won’t.” He raised his head and grinned like a know-it-all. “You’re on your own, sweetie.”
“Well, that’s just rude,” Mina said, putting her hands on her hips. “Why’d you show up here in the first place?”
“No, rude is not saying thank you.”
Mina blinked taken aback. Was he being mean to her only because she didn’t say thank you? “I’m sorry, you’re right. Thank you for saving me.”
The boy looked only slightly appeased. “It doesn’t mean as much if I have to remind you.” He turned his head and his dark hair flew over his eyes in a rakish manner. He was remarkably good looking, with dark somber grey eyes and a perfectly formed jaw. Thin, but with strong shoulders and a graceful stance.
“You won’t last a week.” The boy said to her now, his eyes studying her. “The first tale that the Story throws your way will be the end of you.”
“I could, if you helped me.”
He shook his head slowly in response, then turned his back to her and began to walk away. Mina reached for his shoulder and he spun around almost instantly. One minute they were standing in the middle of the alley, the next he had her pinned against a brick wall, his hand around her neck.
“Do not touch me!” he growled out between clenched teeth.
Mina knew she should be afraid, but she wasn’t. “Why won’t you help me?” she pleaded, daring to stare him in the eyes.
“I. Can’t.”
“Can’t, or won’t?”
“Both.” He let go of her and Mina slid down the wall to land on her knees in the dirt. “Can’t because you’re in over your head, won’t because you’re a lost cause. So you’re not worth the effort. Today proved that.” He stepped back and looked at Mina crouched in the dirt.
Tears fell freely down her cheeks. He was confirming her worst fears, but she had to survive. “You’re wrong.”
“I’m never wrong.” The boy answered, kneeling down to look at her closely.