UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(43)

“Come with me and I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

“Why?” He was silent. “I can’t, Brody’s giving me a ride home,” Mina looked at Jared sadly, “maybe later.”

It was the wrong thing to say to him, because his eyes darkened dangerously. “You don’t know who you are dealing with here. I was going to help you, tell you information to help you stay alive, but it seems you’ve picked your model boyfriend over your life.” He dropped her elbow and strode away.

Mina waited ten seconds and then chased after Jared down the school steps and into the parking lot. He must have been expecting her because he was already astride a black motorbike. It was sleek, exciting and dangerous, everything that described Jared. He was holding out an extra helmet to her. “You knew I would come didn’t you?” Mina accused angrily. “You could have at least let me tell Brody where I’m going so he doesn’t worry.”

Jared shook his head. “It’s a one-time deal expiring soon.” He jump-started the bike. “Like now.” Mina sighed and really wished she had a cell phone to text Brody that she wasn’t in any danger.

But as soon as Jared peeled out of the parking lot and sped along the road, Mina had to rethink that last thought as she had to grip tightly onto Jared’s waist so she wouldn’t fly off the bike backward. Maybe she was.





Chapter 17


Jared sped along the interstate and fifteen minutes later he was pulling up to Emerald Lake. He turned off the motorcycle and removed his helmet laying it on the seat. Turning, he held out his hand for Mina’s safety helmet as well.

“What are we doing here?” Mina asked pulling off her backpack.

“Practicing,” Jared answered.

“Practicing what?”

“How to stay alive.”

Mina thought he was joking, but one look at Jared’s set face and she knew that he wasn’t joking. “Why now?” she had to ask, it seemed to come at a most convenient time for him but at an awkward time for her.

“Why not now? Do you have anything else planned?” Mina started to open her mouth but Jared cut her off. “I do, so it’s now or never.”

Annoyed, Mina followed Jared out to the water’s edge. He stopped by a tree and broke off two short branches from a maple. Jared closed his eyes and the sticks glowed, grew and he began to form them.

Mina’s eyes opened wide and she stared in awe. Secretly she knew that there was something different about Jared. He couldn’t be an ordinary boy and know so much about the Grimoire and the curse on her family. But watching him mold and shape a branch with power was very impressive and hauntingly beautiful. She never believed in the magic of fairy tales but now she did. How could she not when she witnessed something so miraculous and beautiful. It was nothing compared to using the Grimoire to chase away Grey Tale. This was magic, beautiful and pure. Mina smiled and looked at Jared. She didn’t see the annoying boy from school. She saw someone that was ethereal and glowing with power. The rush of it took her breath away. There was a moment when she felt envious of Jared.

Jared watched Mina’s face closely when he coaxed the tree limb to grow and change shape. He was pleased with himself when she didn’t run away in fright. He surprised himself when he used his power in front of her. Deep down he wanted to tell her what he was, to show her, but he wasn’t allowed to. But by using his gifts in front of her, he could bend the rules and give her clues. Jared blushed when her face lit up with wonder and delight. She looked him in the eyes, really looked at him as if peering into his soul, and seeing him for the first time.

Jared swallowed nervously and felt a sudden thundering in his ears and realized it was his heart beating frantically. He wanted her to see him for who he was and not be frightened. This was the first time he wanted a human to like him, usually he just annoyed them to pieces.

Her face filled with joy and Mina began to laugh. Jared smiled with her and laughed at her laughter. Her smile faded when she recognized the shape he was molding the branch into. It was a weapon. He could see the hint of doubt that began to appear on her face, followed by uncertainty towards him. She didn’t quite trust him. And she shouldn’t.

The beautiful moment passed as soon as Mina saw the shape of a wooden sword begin to form and she realized her mistake. She was miles from the nearest house, no one knew where she was and she was with a strange boy, who had powers and had just morphed a tree into a sword. Jared never told her exactly whose side he was on, and once the wooden blade came into view, she snapped out of her reverie and took a step back away from him.

Jared saw her fear and handed her the sword.

“What’s this for?” she asked already knowing the answer.

“It’s a weapon, dummy.”

“It looks more like a stick than a weapon,” she tried to make a joke but it felt stuck on her lips.

“Ha ha very funny.” Jared took off his shoes and stepped toward the water’s edge and motioned for Mina to do the same.

“Not happening,” Mina felt her blood turn cold just looking at the water.

“It’s either shoes or clothes,” he threatened. Mina jumped out of her shoes so fast; she stubbed her big toe on a tree root and had to waddle out to the lake bed like a wounded duck.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!” she mumbled, shifting from foot to foot. When she reached the water’s edge, she turned and stared at him, rolling her eyes impatiently. Jared motioned for her to step deeper into the water.