Wish Bound (A Grimm Agency Novel Book 3) by J. C. Nelson Read Free Book Online Page B

consider myself protected from most dangers, if the Black Queen decides to come for me, my wards will not deter her.” Mrs. Pendlebrook still lived in a three-story cracker-box house surrounded by enough celestial crystal and wards to strangle even a witch’s magic.
    I shook my head. “Those wards wouldn’t even hold back a moving truck.”
    Grimm reappeared in his mirror, taking a moment to wipe it from the inside with a handkerchief. “For the time being, I have arranged a temporary apartment for you one floor above our offices here. My daughter will not dare approach me.” Grimm crossed his hands and looked down.
    Mrs. Pendlebrook took a cuticle trimmer from her purse and fastidiously worked her fingers. “While I’d welcome your protection, Fairy Godfather, I must ask—what could I possibly offer you in return?”
    “Patience, please. Arianna was not meant to challenge my daughter when she did, if at all. Her actions have disrupted centuries of my predictions. Even worse, other fairies report similar effects. Well understood, near-term possibilities have unexpected outcomes. This leaves me unable to foretell what may occur.”
    I sat rock still, wondering what happened to Grimm. The Fairy Godfather always knew, and if he didn’t, he sure as hell didn’t let on to the clients. “I can find out” was the closest he ever got to admitting lack of knowledge to clients. “Grimm, Ari told me she would be the last one to challenge the Black Queen.”
    Grimm nodded in agreement. “I wish Arianna had discussed this matter with me, but I will entreat the Fae Mother to understand what her prophecy was. Always remember, even the simplest statements from the Fae are expressions of a dozen possible outcomes. A direct challenge to my daughter was only one of many ways that could be interpreted.”
    I knew that only too well. Once, I’d been the subject of such a prophecy, that the Black Queen would strike through my hand. The Root of Lies, the only remains of the Black Queen, had in fact ripped through the flesh of my hand to kill Fairy Godmother.
    Grimm faded out again, showing a scene worthy of any slaughterhouse: chunks of flesh scattered amid a pile of gore. Grimm spoke over the image. “This is what remains of High Queen Wang Mi.”
    I don’t know whose jaw fell open farther, mine or Mrs. Pendlebrook’s. She closed her mouth and put away the nail file with a shake of her head. “I refuse to assert my claim to the title.”
    Grimm glared at her, and the building trembled. “I would appreciate your hearing me out. Though Arianna’s actions have disrupted my predictions, I have already begun to rebuild my knowledge. I am well aware that you do not ever intend to take the throne again. I ask for your advice in exchange for protection. Who do you believe will win the title of High Queen, as Wang Mi’s successor?”
    “Irina Mihail would be my primary guess, were she still alive. Failing her, it will either be Muwende Takala or Gwendolyn Thromson.” She looked to me as she spoke.
    A surge of murderous rage blasted through me. “I’ll put a bullet through Gwendolyn before I let her take the throne.” The moment the words left my mouth, the rage passed, leaving me shocked at my own response. See, I’d killed people before, but only when they’d set out to kill me. One of them came within an inch of doing it too. This felt different, both wrong and on a level that made me queasy, terribly right.
    “Forgive Marissa. She’s had a rough day and isn’t feeling herself at the moment.” Grimm gave me the same look he used back when I was his servant, a look that said I wasn’t to speak at all.
    “Girl, murder is hardly new to the Court of Queens. Nor would this be the first time someone killed a potential heir to the throne. I didn’t have you down as a killer, though.” Mrs. Pendlebrook spoke with the tone of a school principal, leaving me wanting to burst into tears.
    “I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”