Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #3)(37)

“Oh, it better not have just peed on me!” he screamed.

The teacup clattered to the ground as Ander released it. Jared saw the cup and glared at the dragon. An instant later he turned and jumped into the air. Morphing into a hawk, he took off chasing the miniature dragon around the room.

Mina pushed the door open and headed out the cellar doors, knowing that Ander would be just fine against a quick-tempered Jared. She hoped that Jared would come out with his ego still intact.

It had grown dark since they entered the recycling plant, and the night air was chilly on her bare arms. She walked over to Jared’s bike, sat on the seat, and surveyed the surroundings. The river lined the east side of the building, and the road and the parking lot were overrun with weeds and old containers. On the west side was the edge of a forest, the evergreens that lined the edge of the forest looking like sentinels guarding the Fae Godmothers. So much had happened in such a short time, and she was just as confused as ever.

An intense prickling feeling ran up her back and tickled her fingers, followed by a familiar sound that pierced the night. Mina jumped off the bike, wary and alert. She scanned the dark forest, knowing that was where the sound came from—a very unique sound that she knew belonged to Stiltskin’s bird. She watched the forest and at first saw nothing, but then a glow emanated from the darkness and grew brighter and brighter.

Mina pulled out the Grimoire, and it immediately turned into a bow and arrow. She notched the arrow and pulled back the string, and sighted on her target. The bird flew between the trees, alighting on one branch and then flying to another one a little closer. It continued the same pattern, as if trying to not startle her. Something felt different this time; she didn’t feel any aggression from the bird. The giant golden bird stopped at the edge of the forest on a branch of the nearest evergreen. His long golden feathered tail almost touched the branch underneath him. Fire trickled from under his wings, as if the bird was made of fire and the feathers were holding the inferno in check.

The fire bird shifted back and forth on the branch, and she spun around, checking behind her for a hidden attack. Nothing. They were the only ones in the forest.

“Why are you here?”

The bird tilted his head as only a bird could and became more agitated.

She held up the arrow again and threatened the bird. “You do anything, ignite a single spark, and I’m having Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.”

The bird screeched, and her body erupted in shivers, its call going through her bones. It really was a chilling sound. The bird bent its glorious head and began to peck at his tail feathers until he had pulled the longest feather off and held it in his beak. The bird opened his wings slowly and glided off the branch toward Mina; he dropped the feather on the ground before her and circled back.

The firebird emitted one more piercing screech, and then it shot into the night, leaving a blazing trail of fire behind him. She watched the firebird and looked back at the gift it had left in parting. The feather was mysteriously still burning brightly. She waited to see if it would eventually burn out, but it didn’t. Feeling brave, she picked up the gold feather and ran her fingers over the top, and felt its softness. Apparently being made of gold didn’t change the texture of the bird’s feather. The after-feather, or soft downy part of the feather, still flickered with fire, and even after she gave it a good shake, it continued to burn. She held her fingers as close as she could and didn’t feel any heat. Finally, her curiosity getting the better of her, she touched the flame itself and felt nothing but coldness.

Why? What purpose did the firebird have in giving her a feather when it was obviously Stiltskin’s pet? Stiltskin! Did he follow her here? Did he now know that this was the Godmothers’ headquarters?

Gripping the feather, she ran back toward the cellar and was greeted by a perturbed Jared on his way up.

“Stupid hamster.” He turned on his heels and yelled back into the darkness, “I hope you get rabies, you brat.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out which Fae had won the challenge.

“Jared? I think the Stiltskin was here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, look at this.” She held out the feather, and Jared studied the burning phenomenon and reached out to touch it experimentally.

“Huh? Cool,” he intoned.

Mina wasn’t taking it as laid-back as Jared. “His pet firebird appeared out here and gave this to me. Do you think he could be here as well? Did I lead the Stiltskin to the Godmothers?”

Jared stepped away from her and lifted his head to the night. Closing his eyes, he turned in each direction before turning back. “No, there are no other Fae beside the bird. Mina, I think he was trying to help you. I don’t think it’s a trap—I think it’s a gift.”

“Yeah, but what does it do?”

“I don’t know. It’s a phoenix feather. History has all kinds of rumors about them. Some say they can bring back the dead, regenerate, give you infinite riches like a philosopher’s stone. But I can understand why this Stiltskin would want one. If he is obsessed with gold and has a golden phoenix, that would make him even more powerful.”

“And this may be my only clue.”

“Or a peace offering.”

“Jared, I’m running out of time. Do you think the Stiltskin figured out I’m reneging on my deal? How long before he comes to collect me?”