“In love? As if! How on earth we end up getting married is beyond me! How could I have held my nose long enough to get through the ceremony? Ugh!”
There was a silence unlike anything Sabrina had ever experienced. It felt as if someone had turned the volume knob on the world to the Off position. Her sister’s giggling expression was now replaced with shock. Even Red seemed bewildered. Sabrina was sure she was about to hyperventilate. She closed her eyes and quietly prayed for another rip in time—one that would allow her to go back and kick herself in the rear before she opened her dumb trap. All she could do was hope that Puck was as slow as he seemed and that he wouldn’t understand what she had said. But his face said otherwise.
“MARRIED?”
“It’s nothing,” Daphne said, trying to dispel the tension.
Puck’s huge insectlike wings popped out of his back and lifted him off the ground. He rose a few feet above them and hovered there, flapping his wings furiously.
“Tell me now!” he shouted.
Sabrina tried to talk but all she could do was stammer.
Daphne stepped in to explain. “Do you remember when Cinderella’s husband built the time machine that nearly ate the town? Well, we got pulled into it a couple times and saw the future and—”
“NO!” Puck cried before Daphne could finish.
The little girl nodded. “You two are married in the future!” Daphne confirmed.
Puck’s wings were beating so hard and fast he was shaking the air around him. “I’m a little boy. Little boys do not get married.”
Sabrina’s face was so hot she felt she had somehow taken over the work of the sun. “You grew up.”
Puck’s face fell. “What would make me do that?”
Daphne pointed to Sabrina.
“I would never do that!” Puck roared.
“You’re already doing it,” Daphne said. “Haven’t you noticed you’ve gotten taller lately? I heard Granny tell Mr. Canis you were going through puberty.”
“What’s that?”
Daphne shrugged and looked to Sabrina.
“Oh, now I’m good for definitions?” she fumed. Sabrina had never dreaded explaining a word more than at that moment. “Puberty is when a child starts to become an adult. You’re going to get taller and grow hair on your face and get zits.”
“This puberty you speak of—it must be triggered by some kind of disease. You’ve given me your cooties, dogface!”
“Puck, you’re not sick,” Sabrina said, trying to calm him down.
Blistering flames shot out of Puck’s eyes. “I am the Trickster King. I’m a villain. I am the King of Loafers, the Prince of Low Expectations! The spiritual guide for millions of complainers, criminals, and convicts! Villains do not get married. They do not get zits. You have poisoned me, Sabrina Grimm. This means war!”
“War?” Sabrina repeated.
“Yes, war! And when I’m done you’ll wish the Scarlet Hand had gotten to you first!” Puck blasted into the sky like a rocket. He went so fast there was a loud boom and then he was gone.
“That went better than I expected,” Daphne said.
Before Sabrina could respond, Uncle Jake staggered around the corner. His arm was bandaged in a sling that hung around his neck. He looked pale and in a great deal of pain. “Girls, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I need your help.”
“Uncle Jake, you should be in bed,” Daphne scolded.
“I can’t. I have to go,” he said.
“Go where?” Sabrina asked.
“To rescue Briar Rose. And I need you to help me.”
ncle Jake, we were just out there and we nearly got stomped to death by the Scarlet Hand’s goons,” Sabrina said. “If we walk through the forest we won’t come back.”
“We’re not going to walk,” he replied as he shuffled unsteadily toward the courtyard. “C’mon.”
The girls left Red Riding Hood in her hiding place and followed Uncle Jake to Prince Charming’s cabin. It was empty except for the two magic mirrors. Once inside, he lit one of the oil lamps. “Briar Rose didn’t come in with any of the refugees. We’re taking the flying carpet to find her. Daphne, you can steer it better than me even when I’m a hundred percent. Sabrina, I need your help, too. My arm feels like a dead limb. You can keep me from falling off the carpet.”
“It’s dangerous out there,” Sabrina said.
“Which is exactly why I need to find Briar. Something’s wrong. She and the fairy godmothers would have come here already, especially if the town is as bad as everyone is saying.”
“Maybe they’re leaving her alone,” Sabrina said.
“The Scarlet Hand? Leaving my girlfriend alone? Not likely, ’Brina. Listen, I know there could be trouble so if you or your sister want to bail I’ll understand. I’ll find a way to manage.”