UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(45)

“It doesn’t sound real, this sounds made up.” Mina bit the inside of her cheek.

“Believe me, I know how unbelievable it is. Over the years the Story grew on its own. It became obsessed with recreating the Fae tales, even forcing the occupants to participate so it can grow more powerful.”

“And the ruling Fates don't care?”

“Hardly, the Fates became bored after the Grimm brothers passed on and cared little about their descendants, because no one was entertaining enough for them. But maybe if someone came close to breaking what you call the Grimm curse they would peak their head out of the throne room and look, but not likely.

“Did my father know all of this?” she asked.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because he didn’t ask for help.”

“And I did? When did I ask for help?

“In the alley, you called and you got me.”

“And you are?”

“Not important.” Jared turned his back on her.

Mina sighed knowing that if she didn't change the subject quick she would lose the flow of information she was receiving from Jared. “Then what is the Grimoire?”

Jared exhaled, he was getting anxious. He knew it was time to fill Mina in on everything. She wouldn’t have much of a chance at survival if he left her in the dark. He wanted to give her a fighting chance, something that her father and uncle didn’t have. He knew he needed to learn patience when explaining things to her. It was all very hard to swallow, but she seemed to be taking the news well.

“It was a token bestowed upon the brothers by a sprite. She didn't agree with the Fae running amok in the human world, so instead of impeding the brothers like so many other Fae, she became their ally. She stole the Story when it was new in power and split it, in an attempt to limit its power. She essentially made its doppelganger and gave it to the Grimm brothers as a guidebook. Only when you split a powerful object, the lines of good versus evil aren't separated equally, and there are always side effects.”

“Let me get this straight. So you are saying that the Grimoire is the like the Good Witch of the East, here on the human plane. Here to help me, and guide me. While the Story is the same Wicked Witch of the West, only more powerful and evil and essentially wants to kill me?”

“More or less, that about sums it up.”

“Yikes, I'm doomed!”

“I wouldn't say it wants to kill you. It wants you to complete the tales. Remember the more you complete, the stronger it becomes, I just don't think it wants you to complete all of them.”

“How do you know so much? Are you in league with the Story?” Mina meant it as a joke; but when Jared didn’t answer, she became worried. Maybe she had gotten too close to the truth. If only she knew.

After a few moments, Jared seemed to recover from the slight and had changed the subject. He got to his feet and changed the wooden sword into a small knife and began explaining different ways to hold the knife and how to use the forearm to block downward thrusts. He ran her through some exercises and then made her attack him.

“I can’t,” Mina whined.

“Yes you can.” Jared called to her.

“No, I don’t think I can anymore, I’m cold, tired and don’t want to hurt you.”

“Mina you have to, your life depends on it.” Jared was getting angry. Was this really the best Grimm candidate? Couldn't someone stronger have been chosen, if she was tired already? He was being punished.

“I told you I can’t.”

“Do it for your brother. Do it for Charlie!” He yelled. “Do it for your father!”

That is what made Mina step back and blink in surprise. How did he know so much about her father? Was this some sort of sick joke? Mina gripped the stupid stick and felt herself go tense in preparation to attack. He was lying to her; he knew more than he was telling.

“What do you know about my father?” Mina yelled angrily. Hot tears burning in her eyes.

“I know that he was full of himself. James didn’t think he needed help and wouldn’t take it when offered. He tried to face the Story on his own terms unprepared and paid the ultimate price for his stubbornness. And you are going to end up just like him if you don’t prepare yourself,” Jared called. He watched her body tense up like a tightly wound spring. He needed her to get angry if she was going to be able to fight off Grey Tale or any other of the wolf pack. She was too soft, too sweet natured to survive long in the tale. “You are weak, pathetic and are going to doom your mother to go into mourning not for one child but two.”

That was the final straw; Mina grabbed her wooden knife and jumped at Jared, trying to push him more than hit him.

Jared pushed her back easily until she stumbled in the sand. “Come on, you can do this, fight me.”

Mina hung her head in shame, her heart was pounding frantically and her chest felt as if it was going to explode outward from pain. She wanted to protect her family, her brother, but that one sentence from Jared had the opposite effect on her. She didn’t want to watch her mother suffer again. She watched her mother suffer the loss of her father, and couldn’t bear the thought of causing her mother to grieve the deaths of her two children. Her mother was right, they should leave. They should try and outrun the Story.