Bright light streamed into my window waking me up. For a moment I couldn’t remember where I was or what happened. Pain blossomed in my chest as it all came back to me.
Papi was dead and I was stuck with my lunatic family who wanted me to join their legion of monster hunters.
Forcing myself up, I threw off the covers and slid off the bed. I went straight for the balcony door and tugged at it. Locked. Of course. I turned and made a beeline for the bedroom door and was delighted to find I could open it.
My heart pounded. Did this mean the hold on me was gone? I glanced down at the metal bracelet. How long would the power be off?
I needed to act fast.
Still in my jeans and long-sleeved shirt, I pulled on my socks and laced up my boots. I grabbed my backpack from the closet and started shoving things in. Extra clothes. My makeup. Phone. Spare cash. I pulled down some of my photos and zipped them inside the pocket. I’d sneak into the kitchen next and swipe some food and water.
Adrenaline pumped through me as I threw the backpack on and quietly snuck out the door. I glanced up and down at the empty hall, heart racing. Retracing my steps, I headed for the giant kitchen. My ears strained as I tried to listen for any sound. What if I ran into my tío?
My fist clenched. I wouldn’t stay without a fight.
Making my way past the game room and dining area, I paused and pressed myself against the wall. Feeling confident, I peered around the corner and scanned the kitchen.
Empty.
I hurried to the pantry, heart thumping against my ribcage. Glancing over my shoulder once more, I stepped inside the giant pantry and grabbed as much as I could. It would be enough to get me through until… I knew my next step.
Shoes clicked against the tiled floor. My heart leapt into my throat as I paused, still clutching a bag of chips. I held my breath and waited until the footsteps faded. Carefully, I peeked through the crack of the open door and sighed in relief when I didn’t find anyone. Tossing the last of the snacks into my backpack, I stepped out.
A small, blonde woman stood on the other side of the door. I jumped.
She gave me a curious look and a curtsey. “Did you need help, senorita?” Her voice was thick with an accent I didn’t recognize.
My cheeks flamed. “Oh… no, I… I’m fine.”
“Should I make you something to eat?” Her face remained a blank mask.
There was something off about her. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but my instincts told me to be on guard. Her brown eyes bore into mine. Realizing I was still staring at her, I flushed and shook my head no. “I’m good. Thanks.”
She nodded and turned abruptly, no doubt to start on some other task. I watched her go, stunned.
I was used to having help. We had a cook, maid, and gardener, but they’d been more like family and we’d never made them wear uniforms.
“What are you doing?” Javi appeared in the doorway.
I spun around to face him.
His eyes flitted to my backpack and narrowed on me. “Were you trying to get Anya to help you run away?”
“So, what if I was? You going to tell on me?”
He let out a laugh. “Rose, none of the servants are going to help you. My dad pays them a lot of money to keep quiet. Plus, Anya is part fairy. She’d never betray my father because she’d find herself on the outs with every GRIMM.”
My eyes widened. “Fairy? What, like sparkly wing fairy?”
“Yup. Though her wings are more shiny than sparkly. Did you see them?”
I stared in the direction she’d gone. “No. Why couldn’t I see them?”
“Huh. Maybe your sight isn’t in fully? You should be able to see past the glamour. Even halflings like her can produce pretty good glamour.”
“Halfling. Part fairy and part… human? Like a human and fairy got together?”
Humor shown in Javi’s eyes. “Yeah, that’s how that typically works.”
“How is that even physically possible?”
He laughed. “Fairies aren’t that much smaller than humans. You’re probably thinking of pixies. Those are the little ones.”
My mouth dropped. He was dead serious, and somehow I was the crazy one. Shifters, fairies, pixies, who knew how long that list of creatures was. It was all too much.
I glanced toward the front door, calculating how fast I could make it.
Javi stood blocking my escape. I’d never make it past him.
“Let me go, Javi. Please. I don’t want to be here.”
His brow furrowed. “I can’t, Rose. Only my dad can break the bond.”
His words struck me like an arrow. I stumbled back a step. “But I thought…”
“The bracelet won’t let you leave the house without my dad’s approval. Only your room.”
My backpack slid down on my arm. So much for my brilliant plan to escape. I stood there, numbed.
Javi’s face softened. “If you promise not to run, I’ll tell my father to release the hold on you.”
I shot him a glare. “Yeah, like that will happen. This isn’t right and you know it, Javi. Are you guys going to keep me prisoner forever?”
He flinched. “You’re not our prisoner, Rose. You’re family.”
I scoffed. “You don’t know anything about family. Your family sucks.”
Anger flashed across his face. “If you would just give us a chance…”
“Javi? Rosa?” Tía Teresa entered, breaking our conversation.
Her eyes landed on my backpack. My face flamed in embarrassment. She ignored it and folded her hands in front of herself. Her fancy tan pantsuit fit her flawlessly and gave her an air of superiority I hadn’t seen yet.
“You will have to handle breakfast on your own today. I have an errand I must run. Anya is in, so you can tell her what you’d like, and she’ll be happy to make it for you.” She directed the last part to me.
My eyebrows
