Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, #4)(80)

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)

Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 3)

Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 4)

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 5 2015



The Iron Butterfly

The Steele Wolf

The Silver Siren

Connect with Me Online at:

Web: www.chandahahn.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChandaHahnAuthor



Connect with Me Online at:



Web site: www.chandahahn.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChandaHahnAuthor





Thank you for Pre Ordering Reign.


As a special thank you from the author, I’ve included the elusive

Jared’s Quest, An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Short Story.



**Please note**

Jared’s Quest takes place in the timeline between UnEnchanted and Fairest.

Even though you are reading it after REIGN





Jared’s Quest





Chapter 1


He could see her from his perch in the tree. She was crouched below trying to be inconspicuous in the bushes. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she wore all black clothes to blend into the night.

Very cliché. All she needs now is a utility belt and a cape and she’ll look like Batman. Jared had watched her for days and seen the signs—the lack of sleep, the anxiety, the constant looking over her shoulder. He could sense it too, the buildup of power that usually foretold a quest. Mina Grime was about to step into some very dangerous Fae business. He couldn’t believe she hadn’t even asked for his help. It was a good thing he didn’t need anybody’s permission to meddle in her business.

Jared slipped down to the next lowest tree branch to get closer, being careful to not snag his jacket. He flexed his strained fingers before wiping them on his jeans. Mina was oblivious to the fact that he’d suddenly materialized in the tree; she was focused solely on the house in front of her. Her entire body was tense, like the spring on a mousetrap just waiting to be sprung. A sly smile crept up Jared’s cheek as a sudden idea popped into his head. It was time to spring the trap.

Jared slowly opened his hand. A small yellow glow appeared, and a black stone materialized into his palm. Taking careful aim, he tossed it into the bushes ten feet from Mina. Her head flicked to the left, following the sound. He leaned forward and gripped a smallish branch in the tree, pressing down on it until it snapped

Mina jumped—straight into fight or flight mode. She turned in circles, scanning the area—looking everywhere but up.

Pay attention, Mina. The sound was in the tree. Attackers can come from anywhere. He watched as her breathing became ragged and her hands started to tremble. She pulled the Grimoire out of her jacket and held it close, at the ready. Jared frowned. Didn’t she realize that she could ask for his help, instead of the stupid book? Maybe it was because he burned his bridge of trust with her. No he didn’t just burn it. He destroyed it with dynamite, and left their trust in piece with his evasiveness.

He ran his hand through his thick hair, and his eyes narrowed. He thrust out his hand, and an even larger rock magically appeared. This time, he dispensed with the caution and launched it into the trees behind her.

She visibly jumped and said something—barely audible. There!

His name.

A small frightened whimper, but enough for him. He didn’t know why, but just hearing her say his name calmed him. Mina was moving underneath his tree, and he didn’t need any prodding.

When she passed in front, he nimbly leapt down. Although his branch was a good twelve feet from the ground, his landing was nothing but silent. Jared grabbed Mina around the waist and lifted her off her feet.

“EEEK—mmph!” Mina yelped loudly but was quickly hushed by Jared’s hand over her mouth.

“Mina, you really should be quieter,” he whispered into her ear, as he gently put her down on the ground. He took a deep breath and tried to hide his smile. She smelled like strawberries and vanilla. A scent that—in the Fae world—wouldn’t be considered all that beautiful or fascinating. But to him…on her it was just right.

Mina spun to face him and pushed him on the chest. Her little eyebrows pinched together in annoyance, and her maple brown eyes filled with anger. Her cheeks were flushed. Her lips pursed as blood rushed to her face—all the way to the top of her ears. Just seeing her riled up, thrilled Jared to no end.

“I am being quiet you big oaf. You’re the one who appeared out of nowhere to try to attack me.” She bit her lip and flung her ponytail backward over her shoulder to stare through the bushes again, focusing on her target.

Jared leaned down next to her in pretense, watching whatever she was watching. Now they were hiding like criminals, huddled in the bushes outside a house in the middle of the night. The night had started out warm and humid. However, over the last few minutes, the temperature had dropped considerably, and they were now surrounded by fog. The little yellow Cape Cod they were surveying backed up to a greenbelt with a creek. Even now, they could hear the creek ten yards away, and the air was filled with the sound frogs croaking.