“What kind of sugar?”
“Only the best ever.” Ever smiled and clinked her cup against Mina’s. She took a swig and rolled her eyes in pleasure.
Mina stared at the empty wrapper on the counter. A Pixy Stix. Of course Ever would find a use for her addiction to the Fae named candy.
Not wanting to offend her, Mina took a sip and tried to keep her face as neutral as possible. Huh. It wasn’t half bad.
Mina glanced around the kitchen and then to the hall, looking for Nix.
“He’s not here,” Ever answered. “He left after you went upstairs.”
“Yeah.”
“You know, you treated him like garbage.”
“I know.” Mina grumbled, feeling worse.
“I get why you did it. It’s easier to push them away so they don’t get hurt. Like you did with Nan, Brody, and Charlie. You sent the ones you love the most away. And you started to treat Nix bad, hoping he’ll abandon you too. You’re trying to protect him.”
Mina didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. The truth was written across her face.
Ever just continued to talk. “And since you barely tolerate me, you won’t send me away, because I’m not important to you.”
Mina’s head snapped up. “That’s not true at all.”
“Relax, Gimp. I know I’m your favorite.” She smiled wryly and took another bite of her peanut butter marshmallow toast. “Plus, you need me,” she said around her mouthful of food.
Mina sat there staring at Ever. Finally, she reached for that offered piece of toast and took a bite. Something crackled in her throat. Mina coughed into her napkin, and shot Ever an awful look. “Pop rocks?”
Ever opened her mouth, so Mina could hear the popping noise. “It’s the best.”
“You’re worse than Charlie.” Mina coughed again as a stray piece of popping candy lodged in her throat.
“Naw, he’s just got the great Fae taste in food. Always has.”
“Why is that?” Mina asked, wiping her mouth.
“Because Charlie and you are a part of our world as much as yours—and magic is your legacy. You can feel how it flows naturally to you. You just need the confidence to control it.”
“That’s what scares me. I can feel it hovering, especially whenever I’ve been scared or angry—the weakness of all sirens. Everything Nix wanted to avoid. Neither of those emotions are great influences on my power.”
“Sirens are some of the strongest Fae around. If you start practicing, maybe you’ll be a match for Teague.”
There’s not enough time.
“I’ll never be a match for him.”
Ever tossed her toast back onto the plate and shoved away from the table. “How can you say that about yourself?”
Mina winced. Did Ever not remember that he could be watching them? Teague was always watching. Of course, it was possible that was the reason Ever was being so adamant and loud in her confession. She was trying to taunt him.
“Do you still not realize your potential?” Ever went on. “You passed the Fates’ tests! You, who are a half-breed, not even born on our plane, have more Fae power at your fingertips than some of the strongest Fae families.”
“Why is that?” Mina asked, frustrated with her own ignorance.
“Beats me, but I wouldn’t be looking a gift dog in the mouth.”
“Horse. You mean gift horse?”
“Dog… horse. Whatever. Your kind talks funny.” Ever picked up her backpack from the floor by the door and put her arm through the black straps. So, promise to not leave the house until I get back.”
“I won’t leave the house,” Mina promised.
A sly look passed between them.
Ever sighed and shook her head. “I hate leaving you this soon, especially after yesterday.”
“Go,” Mina answered. “It’s more important that you find help.”
Ever gave her a long look, a silent communication. “We’ll beat him Mina. For what he did to your family.”
Mina only nodded. If she spoke, Ever would be able to read the doubt and fear in her voice. She needed to act scared, not wired up.
As soon as Ever left, Mina locked the door after her. She sat at the kitchen table and watched the clock’s second hand tick. Then, she went back up to her room, laid across the covers of her bed and waited for the end.
Chapter 15
“Mina…” The voice drawled out her name, the whisper echoing throughout the room.
Mina sat up in bed and stared around her empty bedroom, the hair on the back of her arms lifting with the flow of power that radiated throughout the room. The air was so full of magnified Fae power, she could almost choke on it.
It was the mirrors. Not only were they distorting the looking glass to keep Teague from spying on her, they also seemed to be bouncing his power back on itself and magnifying it.
“Why do you try and hide from me, Mina… Mina… Mina?” Teague’s voice was unmistakable, as was his tone of displeasure. He was using power to amplify his voice, causing it to scatter and repeat through multiple mirrors.
“I’m not hiding. I’m right here.” She threw off the cover and stood next to her bed. His image faded in and out as he tried to see her. The mirror-protection was working. He couldn’t focus on her.
“Ah, I see what you’ve done. But you can’t stay in the circle forever. Have you gone back on our deal?”
“Of course not. But I want a guarantee you won’t go after my friends,” Mina yelled.
“Give me the dagger, and I’ll leave your friends alone. No other bargains will be made. I could send a Reaper after your brother right now to help you understand the necessity of following through.”
Her body started to tremble. How could she win against him? Despite what Ever said, here, now, in this moment, she doubted her strength. If she risked the fight and lost, she’d only guarantee the death of everyone she loved. A tear slid down her cheek. “Okay, you win. Take the dagger, but leave my friends and family alone.”
“Step away from the circle,” he demanded.
Mina stepped away from the protection of her circle. A glow of light appeared under the hallway door. The knob turned, and the door opened. Teague.
He came in and studied the display of mirrors. “Very impressive for a human.”
As he moved toward her, she backed up. The back of her knees bumped against her bed.
He chuckled at her fear and reached out for her face. She turned away, but he gently plucked a strand of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Where is it? Do not make me ask again.” His voice was softer than she expected.
Her eyes flicked to her nightstand and back to him.
Teague pulled open the small drawer filled with her hair brush, numerous hair bands, and pens. His hand lingered over her blue notebook of Unaccomplishments and Epic Disasters. He pulled it out, flipped open a few pages, and skimmed them.
“You really are bad luck, aren’t you? Some would say cursed.” He tossed the notebook onto her bed. “Of course, that could be in part because of me.”
Teague reached back in and dug around until he pulled out the dagger. He stared overly long at the small missing tip. His free hand touched the spot over his heart where the tip lay. An expression of contemplation flickered across his face, and she saw a chance.