8
Thankfully, Mina’s mom understood and
helped her clean up the kitchen. Brody had hundreds of questions. Her mom and
Nix were able to fill him in on the gist of it. It was nice to have someone
else besides her to explain. When three different people agreed on the story,
it was at least slightly easier to make him believe he wasn’t crazy.
Convincing him the Fae really existed was
tough. He got quiet a few times and had to get up and walk around the kitchen.
Once, he even left the house and stood in the rain before he came back in to
hear more of the impossible. The inner turmoil was evident. His mind struggled
to come to grips with the reality of what happened versus the false memories
implanted by the Story.
They were all careful to continue calling
the Fae power Story. Trying to explain Jared’s death as he became one with
Teague again could be saved for a later date. A few times, her mom became
visibly shaken with the retelling of certain events—especially when
something didn’t gel with her own memories. She toyed anxiously with the charm
bracelet on her wrist until her face relaxed and she calmed down enough to
continue on with the story. Then, her breathing slowed, and she would perk up.
Mina knew it was the charms that were
helping her mother. Each renewed memory must send her mother into a nervous
fit, but then the charm would push the memory farther back into her
subconscious.
It was after midnight when they explained
it enough for him to understand. Nix even came clean about his own past and the
horrors of possibly turning into a Sea Witch.
Mina told him about the Fates and how it
was their deal with the Grimm Brothers to break the curse and close the gates.
She left out how the royal Fae were able to shape shift, and that she believed
it was Teague himself that attacked Brody. She wasn’t positive, after all. The
dark prince could have sent any one of his followers to do the dirty work.
They did warned Brody to watch out,
because there were bad Fae intent on harming Mina and all who were associated
with her. But there was something different about the wolf. She’d seen the
wolf. It was intent on killing Brody .
Brody grew quiet again, and she thought
for sure he would drive off right then—out of her life forever. But he
surprised everyone, even her mother, when he asked, “What can I do to help?”
Nix shrugged his shoulders and pointed to
Mina. “You’d have to ask the Grimm.” He looked at her with such confidence,
such devotion and admiration. What had she done to earn this kind of loyalty?
She only hoped she was worthy of it in the end.
After the hours-long conversation wrapped
up, Mina was still concerned with one thing. “Can you keep my secret, Brody?” He
looked like he was about to argue with her, so she added, “For now. And I swear
I will try and find a way to secure your memories from being manipulated
again.”
Brody hesitated but nodded his head.
“Okay. Since you’re coming with me Friday.”
“Why? What’s Friday?”
“The masquerade ball at my parents’
country club, of course.”
“A ball?” That one word made her skin
crawl and her mouth go dry. Balls were full of fairy-tale possibility. It would
be a sure opportunity for the Story.
“It’s that thing that you promised to attend.”
“I really need to ask more questions in
the future.” Mina said, inwardly panicking but doing her best to appear
excited.
“That would probably be a good thing.”
***
Scarves can be a great fashion accessory
if utilized right. Incorrectly used, they’re a torture device for
fashion-challenged teens. In Mina’s case, they were more the second. After her
shower the next morning, she looked at three items Nan lent her the last time
she’d been over—wedged heels, scarf, and lipstick—and decided to
pick one. She chose the scarf, thinking it was the least dangerous of her
choices. Mina felt like the simple silk scarf was choking her, but Nan always
swore
Thankfully, Mina’s mom understood and
helped her clean up the kitchen. Brody had hundreds of questions. Her mom and
Nix were able to fill him in on the gist of it. It was nice to have someone
else besides her to explain. When three different people agreed on the story,
it was at least slightly easier to make him believe he wasn’t crazy.
Convincing him the Fae really existed was
tough. He got quiet a few times and had to get up and walk around the kitchen.
Once, he even left the house and stood in the rain before he came back in to
hear more of the impossible. The inner turmoil was evident. His mind struggled
to come to grips with the reality of what happened versus the false memories
implanted by the Story.
They were all careful to continue calling
the Fae power Story. Trying to explain Jared’s death as he became one with
Teague again could be saved for a later date. A few times, her mom became
visibly shaken with the retelling of certain events—especially when
something didn’t gel with her own memories. She toyed anxiously with the charm
bracelet on her wrist until her face relaxed and she calmed down enough to
continue on with the story. Then, her breathing slowed, and she would perk up.
Mina knew it was the charms that were
helping her mother. Each renewed memory must send her mother into a nervous
fit, but then the charm would push the memory farther back into her
subconscious.
It was after midnight when they explained
it enough for him to understand. Nix even came clean about his own past and the
horrors of possibly turning into a Sea Witch.
Mina told him about the Fates and how it
was their deal with the Grimm Brothers to break the curse and close the gates.
She left out how the royal Fae were able to shape shift, and that she believed
it was Teague himself that attacked Brody. She wasn’t positive, after all. The
dark prince could have sent any one of his followers to do the dirty work.
They did warned Brody to watch out,
because there were bad Fae intent on harming Mina and all who were associated
with her. But there was something different about the wolf. She’d seen the
wolf. It was intent on killing Brody .
Brody grew quiet again, and she thought
for sure he would drive off right then—out of her life forever. But he
surprised everyone, even her mother, when he asked, “What can I do to help?”
Nix shrugged his shoulders and pointed to
Mina. “You’d have to ask the Grimm.” He looked at her with such confidence,
such devotion and admiration. What had she done to earn this kind of loyalty?
She only hoped she was worthy of it in the end.
After the hours-long conversation wrapped
up, Mina was still concerned with one thing. “Can you keep my secret, Brody?” He
looked like he was about to argue with her, so she added, “For now. And I swear
I will try and find a way to secure your memories from being manipulated
again.”
Brody hesitated but nodded his head.
“Okay. Since you’re coming with me Friday.”
“Why? What’s Friday?”
“The masquerade ball at my parents’
country club, of course.”
“A ball?” That one word made her skin
crawl and her mouth go dry. Balls were full of fairy-tale possibility. It would
be a sure opportunity for the Story.
“It’s that thing that you promised to attend.”
“I really need to ask more questions in
the future.” Mina said, inwardly panicking but doing her best to appear
excited.
“That would probably be a good thing.”
***
Scarves can be a great fashion accessory
if utilized right. Incorrectly used, they’re a torture device for
fashion-challenged teens. In Mina’s case, they were more the second. After her
shower the next morning, she looked at three items Nan lent her the last time
she’d been over—wedged heels, scarf, and lipstick—and decided to
pick one. She chose the scarf, thinking it was the least dangerous of her
choices. Mina felt like the simple silk scarf was choking her, but Nan always
swore
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