Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #3)(66)

Mina sighed and started to pick at a spot on her jeans. This was too much. She hadn’t even seen Ever yet. How in the world was she going to tell the pixie that she’d ruined everything? Brought Teague and Jared together, and now she had to kill them both. Was there no bright spot in her future? It seemed like everyone she came in contact with was either hurt, doomed, or dead.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to see what Mrs. Colbert thought was so amusing, since she kept chuckling and laughing.

“Well, that sure is a mighty fine water polo team we have this year, isn’t it?” She nudged Mina and pointed.

Mina groaned and felt her cheeks turn red. Her teacher had caught her ogling the guys.

“Especially that new kid, what’s his name, Nix, uh, no, that’s not right. It’s Nick now. I’ve never seen anyone more acclimated to the water. He may even give Brody a run for his money.” She smiled and moved away from the bleachers, her heels making soft clicking noises as she left Mina to her thoughts.

Mina didn’t need any other urging. She found herself scanning the water, looking for a green-skinned boy. Oh, what was she thinking? He couldn’t possibly have Fae-colored skin here. It only took a moment to see the one young man who was swimming laps around the other athletes. He seemed to be born in the water. His strokes were long and powerful, and he had great stamina and could tread water without breaking a sweat. He actually acted like he had a new lease on life. Well, he did.

It wasn’t until he turned around and made eye contact with her that she did actually truly know it was Nix. He was alive and well, and apparently human. His hair was a shocking red color, and his skin was pale white. But his eyes—his eyes were still that brilliant shade of Fae green.

The coach was busy discussing the tryouts with his assistant, and Nix smiled at her and gave her a thumbs-up. Brody used that moment to hit Nix on the back of the head with the ball. Nix’s head bounced with the impact, and he turned and dove after Brody, attacking him from beneath and pulling him underwater. Brody’s smile dropped from his face as he sucked in a mouth full of water. Brody resurfaced with an impish look on his face and lunged at Nix, pushing his head under the water.

Mina laughed at the boys, who were bonding as only brothers with a love for water could. It looks like Nix had found another family. She couldn’t help but think back on what the phoenix had said to her. Even if I heal him, he will still die on this plane. It was his Fae self that was dying. By bringing him here, he got a chance to live as a human. A teenager with a future that was much more stable than hers.

Maybe Mina Grimm didn’t mess up too badly after all.





End of Book 3





About the Author



Chanda Hahn takes her experience as a children's pastor, children's librarian, and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for young teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and their twins, Aiden and Ashley.





Visit Chanda Hahn’s website to learn more about her other forthcoming books.





Other Books by Chanda Hahn



UnEnchanted: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 1

Fairest: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 2

The Iron Butterfly

The Steele Wolf





Connect with Me Online at:



Web site: www.chandahahn.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChandaHahnAuthor





A quick thank you to everyone who helped me with this book.

Stacey Wallace Benefiel, for all of the writing, coffee and Panera dates. If it weren’t for you, this book still wouldn’t be finished. To my husband Phil, who watched my kids so I could go to Panera. To Panera, for having great tea. To my Beta Readers, Alison Brace, Sadie Mohr, Dominique & Brendon Hamson, Linda Della Volpe & Jennifer Martinez! And of course my editor, who makes me sound smarter than I really am, Joy Sillesen.





Bonus Content





Sacrifice of Love

The Grey Wolves Series, Book 7





By Quinn Loftis





Prologue





“When I look in the mirror I see my face, my blue eyes, black hair, and strong jaw. But I don’t recognize the figures staring back at me. Something inside me has changed, grown darker, colder. My wolf rages inside, constantly fighting me for control. I know I mustn’t give in. For if I do, chaos will come crashing down around us, along with lifeless bodies.”





~Fane





Fane felt sweat dripping from his brow as he ran. His lungs burned with effort as he tried to suck in more air. He could see her, just up ahead. She was crying and screaming for him to help her.

"I'm coming!" He yelled.

His footfalls pounded against the earth, seeming to fall in time with the beating of his heart. Every time he got close to catching up, she would be ripped from his grasp. He was losing her. He felt his wolf clawing to get out, raging, howling inside of him. Yet no matter how he tried, he couldn't phase. He felt helpless, and that feeling only fueled the burning anger deep inside of him. She was his. His to protect and over and over he failed her.