Granny stepped forward. “Henry, I’m not happy about it either, but the girls are very capable. They’ve encountered dragons before. Why, Sabrina killed a giant once.”
“She nearly kills me every time she looks at me.” Puck snickered as he strolled into the cabin. He looked as if he had been playing in a toxic waste dump; he was dirtier than Sabrina had ever seen him and was grinning from ear to ear. “What’s going on here?”
Henry ignored him. “These are my children, Mom.”
“Hello?” Veronica interrupted.
Henry scowled. “They are not sidekicks. Not personal flying carpet chauffeurs. They are not junior detectives or monster-fighters in training. They are little girls.”
“Little girls?” the girls said at once.
Henry ignored them, too. “If anyone tries to involve them in another stupid scheme, any of you, I will personally wring your neck,” Henry shouted.
Just then, Uncle Jake entered the cabin. He looked at the group but said nothing as he sat in a chair by the window. He was followed by Mr. Canis, who, much to the shock of Sabrina and Daphne, was accompanied by Little Red Riding Hood.
Granny stepped into the center of the room. “I’m glad you are all here. We need to have a family meeting.”
“Since when do we have family meetings?” Sabrina said.
“Since now,” Granny said.
Red turned to leave.
“Where are you going, liebling?” Granny asked.
“I’m not a member of your family,” Red said.
“Yes, you are,” Granny replied.
Red smiled and rejoined the group. “What does liebling mean?” she asked Sabrina.
“It’s German for sweetheart,” she said.
Red’s smile was so big it looked as if her face might not contain it.
“Mr. Canis?” Granny said, gesturing to the old man.
“Thank you, Relda. We have been through a terrible tragedy, but there are other pressing matters that must be considered. First, as you all know, Red and I share some memory loss. Fueled by recent events, Red has found the courage to work with me in restoring some of those memories. I believe, with the proper meditation techniques, she may be able to lead us to the Master.”
Sabrina studied the little girl. She looked like a nervous wreck, but Sabrina was proud of her. She wasn’t sure she would have had the courage to trust a man that terrified her in order to help the rest of her community.
“That sounds like good news,” Granny said.
“Red will let you know if she uncovers anything useful. Unfortunately, there is bad news as well. Mr. Boarman and Mr. Swineheart have uncovered some acts of sabotage around the camp.”
“Sabotage!” Granny said.
“What does sabotage mean?” Daphne asked.
“It’s when someone intentionally tries to ruin a plan or destroy something that’s important.”
“Are you sure, Canis?” Uncle Jake said.
Canis nodded. “The pigs have found several important parts of the main gate stolen. The roof of the medical tent was tampered with and there was some sort of effort to destroy the camp’s well. Boarman and Swineheart assure me that these are not mere accidents or acts of poor workmanship. Someone in our community is intentionally trying to make things difficult.”
“Any suspects?” Veronica asked.
Everyone turned their eyes to Puck, who was making disgusting faces in the mirror leaning against the wall. He looked at them and grinned. “You guys just made my day, but it isn’t me.”
“Do you think it might be someone from this Scarlet Hand group?” Henry asked.
Canis nodded. “I suspect we have a spy in our midst. They must have entered with the refugees. Unfortunately, we don’t have any clues to their identity. Charming, the pigs, and I are the only ones who know about the sabotage and we ask that you keep it to yourselves. Knowledge of a spy in the community could hurt the morale of everyone and start a panic.” Canis paused and looked to Granny. “Lastly, I come to you with a request.”
“What kind of request?” Henry said suspiciously.
Granny interrupted. “I’ll take it from here, old friend. Henry, Jacob, Veronica, Sabrina, Daphne, Puck, Mr. Canis, and Red—you are my family. Whether you are of my blood or invited to my family, you are a Grimm.”
Elvis whined.
“And of course, you as well, Elvis,” Granny said, scratching the big dog behind the ears. “And being Grimms, we have certain responsibilities. Our role in this community has been to document what we see, investigate any unusual crimes, and act as peacekeepers when possible.”
“What’s this got to do with anything?” Uncle Jake said.
“As you know, the Everafters are building an army. They plan on confronting the Master and the Scarlet Hand, despite my pleas for them to reconsider. It appears that peace is not a possibility.”
Mr. Canis nodded in agreement.
“So, Mr. Canis and Prince Charming have asked us to join their efforts.”
Sabrina looked over at her father. She could already tell he was angry, but he stayed silent.
“Join their efforts?” Veronica asked. “They want us to join their army?”