Constance let out a long sigh and rubbed her forehead wearily. “That’s what I was afraid of. He’s the oldest son, then, probably from the original family. If only you had met a nickel or bronze. We could have handled one of those—but gold? That goes back to the original Stiltskin family, to Rumple himself.”
“Well, in that tale all the princess had to do to save her child was guess his name, so shouldn’t it work the same way? He already told me his name. It’s Temple.”
“They’ve wised up, changed their bargains and deals. Names used to hold a great deal more power. I think our best bet is to try to do what he wants, although he will more than likely try to trick you into becoming his slave either way. So the first order of business is, what did he want?”
All of a sudden, something told her not to tell them. A small voice warned her away from the GMs. If she told them she was going after the Fae book, they might refuse to help her, just like Jared. So, out of self-preservation for her quest, she lied. “He didn’t say yet. He wanted me to cross over to the Fae world first, and then he would find me and tell me what my task is.”
“Are you kidding me? There can only be one reason he wants a Grimm to cross over. He’s going to send you after the Royal Family,” Mei said nervously.
“You’re right. You can’t do it. I doubt you could get to the palace without getting killed. So you only have one other choice. You have to kill Temple first,” Constance said.
Chapter 16
“No, no way. Do you see what he did to me!” She pointed to her golden stripe of hair. “And this was when I was sleeping. Uh-uh. Not happening.”
“That is exactly why you have to kill him. You are the only one who can. You’ve already started connecting to the Fae plane,” Constance said.
“I have?”
“You did, in your sleep. The Fae plane is somewhere between the physical plane and the spiritual one. Jacob and Wilhelm were the only Grimms to successfully go there of their own free will. No other human has done it since. But you can. Temple didn’t come to you in your sleep. You went to him, or at least connected with him in a dream, and the power that continues to grow around you helped make it real.”
“So how do I do it again?”
Both of the women looked at each other and shrugged. “We don’t know.”
“Jared brought me here promising that you would help me,” she cried out.
“We want to help you, but this is a gift we know very little about,” Mei said.
“But if you can get there once, you can get there again. You may have to wait until you solve more quests. It’s not just the Story who is growing stronger and more powerful the more quests you complete. You are as well. So maybe in time you will have more control over this ability. But at the moment we don’t know what else to do.”
“Is there no other option? That can’t be the only way for a human to cross over. What about all of those tales about the Fae stealing children?”
“Children are smaller and take less energy, but it takes a very strong and powerful Fae to cross over with an adult human. Most are barely strong enough to come by themselves. I assume you asked Jared.” Constance looked at Mina carefully, already knowing the answer.
“Of course, he won’t go to the Fae plane. I don’t understand why.”
“It’s because it is more dangerous for him to cross over than it would be for you. Jared’s been banished, and if he goes back, he risks losing his life.”
“I wish he would tell me these things,” Mina fumed.
Mei kept chewing her lip in thought. “Maybe if you had a seam ripper?”
“Is that a small silver tube thing?” Mina asked, feeling her heart race with excitement.
“Why, yes, a wizard gave one to each of the Fates. Do you think you know where one is?” Constance asked.
“I think I know someone who has one.”
When Mei took Mina back to the library again, Mina was completely discouraged. She had more questions than answers. The Godmothers said they would try their European contacts and find out what they could about jumping. That’s what they were calling it. Jared was sleeping in the armchair by the fireplace and didn’t stir at the sound of their entrance.
Mei held Mina’s hand and whispered encouragement to her.
“Mina, I truly believe you will be the one to break the curse. You have something that none of the other Grimms had.” She looked toward the sleeping Jared.
“Jared?”
“Never before has the Grimoire shown its human side. There’s something special about you, Mina. Something that I saw years ago, something that our young prince saw. Trust in that.”