Chapter Eight - Brody

I pace in the diner, worry striking my heart. Is she alright? Is she safe? Is something out there hunting her down? I already know the answer to that. Yes, Teague is hunting her down. But to help us, or hinder us? That's the question.

Nan sighs. "Stop worrying, Brody. She'll be fine."

"How do you know that?" I snap. "A psychopath that's been trying to kill her and her ancestors for over a hundred years is the one going to find her, and you want me to believe she's fine?"

"He doesn't seem that bad..." She bites her lip, and I just frown and glare at her.

"Calm down, kiddies. I'm back." I whip around, and there's Teague. With a knocked out Mina.

"What did you do?" I demand.

"What did I do?" He looks frustrated. "I had to get help in saving her life!"

That makes me stop short. "Why?"

"Because the goat guy threatened her if I didn't make a deal with him! He cut her throat with the dagger."

"And what was the deal?"

"He wanted me to give up claim to the throne. If I did, he wouldn't harm her and would give her memories back."

"And you didn't agree?" I hiss. "You put her in danger?"

"Brody, that's enough!" Ever snaps. "He cannot give up the claim to the throne! That would leave these threatening Fae to try and claim it!"

Suddenly, something hits me in the gut, and hard. It's gone from Teague being the unpopular person in the group to me being the unpopular person in the group. Ever is fuming, and Nan seems to be agreeing. Not only that, but even Nix won't make eye contact, and that's how I know he's hiding his feelings in an attempt to try and be a good friend. At least he's trying.

"Is this about me not volunteering to find Mina?" I say, anger still finding a way to edge into my voice.

"You're her boyfriend! You should've!" Nan points out, answering my question.

"He wasn't going to let me!" I try to argue.

"You still could've tried!" Ever shoots back.

"Just shut up already!" Teague steps back into the conversation. "There are more important things to focus on right now. Like figuring out how to fix this. So berate him later."

"What do we have to fix? I thought you said you fixed everything." Nix looks up, frowning.

"I did." I can't help but think he's not telling the whole truth. But am I just being prejudice? I don't think so. "But we need a plan of action on how to get her memories back."

I huff, sitting down. "So what are we doing?"

"We're going to visit the small remainder of the Fae Godmothers that still exist. It's time to stir up the henhouse." He smirks ever so slightly, leading the way back to his car.

"They're never going to let you in!" Ever protests as we walk over.

"Sure they are. I'm being accompanied by five acceptable people." He snorts. "At least, according to them."

We reach the car after a few minutes, and Nan turns to Ever. "Since Mina is going to be asleep, I'll sit up front an-"

"Actually, Mina is going in the passenger's seat." Teague says in a matter of fact tone.

I turn with Nan in unison to stare. "Why? She'll be perfectly fine!"

"Yes, since you did such a good job watching her last time." The sarcasm coats his words. "I'm sure she'll be happily thanking you after she recovers from the wound she received because somebody let her run away and got us into this mess!"

Nan doesn't protest, but looks slightly red. I, on the other hand, have fear doing a dance on my spine. Why would Teague want to have Mina up front? He's the Story, he shouldn't care about any of the Grimms. And why do I think I saw a flash of gray in his eyes? Mina said that Teague and Jared had been recombined but...surely not...still considered two people? Is Jared still there?