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"Doesn’t have to As long as you fulfill certain requirements of the tales, the Story will be satisfied The heroine saved the boy and defeated the witch The power of that tale has ended Now the enchante and die When she dies, the tale will be complete"

"Oh," Mina was saddened Her actions would now cause Claire to die

"Relax Mina, she had lived a very long and youthful life It’s time for her to join her son and husband"

"I feel horrible, like I’ve done so" Mina clutched her stoined She didn’t have the stomach to do the task put before her

"So, do you see why you can’t run anyer protect you You’ve already completed two of the Grimm tales Hansel and Gretel and another, lesser tale when you found the Gri," Mina " She shook her head "Jared, I think I feel sick You should leave"

Jared reached down and helped her back up He kept one hand on her arm and led her to the fire escape steps

By the time she’d maneuvered the steps to her , Mina was so exhausted she didn’t even confront Jared on how he knehere she lived She had begun to accept that there were nus about Jared that she would never understand, and she was too tired to care

She stepped off the last step and was about to crawl through the hen she felt her knees go weak Jared reached out to steady her Mina’s legs were nuh her lower limbs

Jared called out to Mina when she’d safely made it over the sill "You should keep the Grimoire close to you at all times"

She bobbed her head in answer, never once looking him in the eyes

"Be careful I don’t know if you realize it, but you’re already in another fairy tale"

Mina’s head snapped up to look at him, eyes wide "What? Is it that obvious?"

Jared shook his head and muttered the word "hopeless" under his breath He pointed to her jackets "There is a reason you can’t go out of the house without wearing red hoods and you keepup with Grey Tail"

Mina let out a puff of air she didn’t know she was holding "I know, Red Riding Hood"

"I suspect your clothes will return to norh your final encounter with the wolf"

Jared was serious He was trying to warn her, protect her and prepare her She was nearly ready to ask for forgiveness and for his help oncecomment that made her blood run cold

"I do think you need to be careful Your rooftop isn’t the safest place to cry yourself to sleep"

Mina jumped away in alarm She slammed theand pulled the shade closed in frustration She could hear Jared laughing frolass When her heart cal, she opened theagain and he was gone

Chapter 19