Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Wes settles onto the floor cross-legged. “No, I mean… Last night, we drove right into the middle of the biggest gathering of clowns I’ve ever seen. Tonight, it’s cryptids that look like leprechauns. It’s like we’re both being confronted with our greatest irrational fears.”
“It isn’t irrational to be afraid of a creature who likes to drag humans underground and torture them for hundreds of years, just for fun,” I say, knowing I sound crazy, but unable to stop myself.
“But that’s only if you capture one and ask it for three wishes,” Wes says. “They can’t take you anywhere unless you strike a bargain with them or try to steal their treasure.”
I frown. “Where did you hear that?”
“My great aunt and uncle. My grandmother knew a lot about the fair folk, too. The McGuires are about as Irish as you can get without being born and raised in the old country.”
I wet my lips. “My family, too. I know I’m being ridiculous, but I can’t help it. I swear, I think I saw a leprechaun once, when I was playing by the spring with my cousin when we were little. I was by the rope swing, getting ready to jump. Nancy was already in the water, telling me to hurry. I looked down to tell her that I was working up to a big swing and right there, under the water, I saw this evil, bearded face rising beneath her. The spring was so clear, I could see every detail, from his terrible sharp teeth to the horrible grin on his little face.”
Wes curses.
I exhale a rush of breath. “It was terrifying. And then it pulled Nancy under. I’ll never forget how wide her eyes got or the way her hands clawed at the water as she sank.” I shiver. “I started screaming and ran back toward the house to get her dad. But by the time I got back, Nancy was sitting by the rope swing, wringing the water out of her hair and laughing. She said I was crazy. That there hadn’t been anything else in the water. It was just her playing a prank on me because I was a baby who was too chicken to jump.”
“Mean prank,” Wes says.
“It would have been, but…I don’t think it was. I know what I saw, Wes.” I glance up at him, grateful that he isn’t looking at me like I need antipsychotic medication. “And Nancy was never quite the same after that. She was meaner, more impulsive. She just didn’t seem to care about anyone the way she did before. Even her mom and dad.”
“You think the leprechaun kidnapped your cousin and replaced her with a fairy changeling?” Wes asks, proving his Irish elders taught him all the old stories.
Embarrassed, I nod. “I mean, not really, but…maybe? I mean, you’ve met Nancy. She’s awful. No way she’s fully human. She was going to give Freya away just because some dumb guy didn’t like her. Who does that?”
Freya appears beside Wes, dooking inquisitively as she climbs over his legs, clearly wondering what game we’re playing here. He strokes her back with a shake of his head, “I don’t know. Personally, I would assume the person I loved and the animal they loved were a package deal. And Freya’s not an unreasonable creature. Look how much she’s warmed up to me in a few days. I think if Nancy’s man had put in a little effort with her, they could have been friends.”
I scratch Freya’s scruff as she sniffs the floor around me. “No, they couldn’t have been. Freya isn’t friends with assholes. She only likes nice people.” I shoot him a wobbly smile. “Like you, Preston.”
He grins. “Exactly what I was thinking, Lady Gray. Lady Gray doesn’t strike me as the type of woman who’s afraid of leprechauns.”
I shake my head, my grin stretching wider. “No way. Lady Gray eats leprechauns for breakfast.” I raise my voice, calling out to the rest of the quiet room and the forest beyond, “I mean that. Literally. I fry up leprechaun patties to eat with my scrambled eggs and toast, so you’d better stay far away from bungalow nine.”
“Damn straight,” Wes booms, making Freya flinch and leap into my arms. We laugh and he apologizes, “Sorry, Freya. Just wanted them to know we mean business.” Shifting his focus my way, he asks, “Want me to go get your coat before we unload? Or I can get whatever you and Freya need from the camper if you don’t want to go outside. Just give me a list.”
I shake my head. “No. I can come. But I’m going to need my hat. Feeling like brave, adventurous Lady Gray is easier with my fedora.”
He smiles. “Understandable. I’ll wear mine, too.”
He starts to stand, but I reach out, taking his hand. “Thanks,” I whisper. “For not thinking I’m crazy.”