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It was Claire

Chapter 22

Or what used to be Claire She had aged considerably within a feeeks She no longer looked to be in her thirties but now eighties Her hair had turned grey, her skin wrinkled and covered in sun spots She had lost weight, too much of it, till there was barely a trace of the beautiful woman Mina had met once before

"This is your fault," she spat at Mina, gripping Mina’s head and sla that her body had aged but her strength had not diminished "I was perfect, tiht that an actual Grih my doors? I’m honored, really, to be included in the infamous tales, and maybe if I had fed on an earlier school tour, I would have noticed you Believe "

Mina shrank away froe and die, but Mina had thought it would take years, not days It made her wonder even more at the depth and power of the tales

"I’m sorry; I had no idea about the power of the tale until days later You have to believe me"

Claire studied Mina closely "I believe you, sweet child But you see, we still have a proble forever I want it to go back to the way it was before you showed up at my bakery"

"I can’t I don’t kno to reverse as done" Mina trembled with fear The ers, eager for the violence to begin

"Nonsense, you can I’ve been told you’re the chosen one, and you have the Grie the tale"

"I don’t," Mina cried out

"You do!" Claire grinned evilly "And all I think you need is so them in, Lonetree"

Mina didn’t knohat to expect and was surprised when a red-haired boy she’d never seen before drug in a compliant Savannah and Pri They looked soirls sat at Claire’s feet io!" Mina struggled against Grey Tail, but he grinned and squeezed Mina’s arhter until they felt like they were about to break

"I loved my husband," Claire spoke softly "Do you knohat it’s like to outlive a loved one? Do you?" She screamed the last question

"Yes," she cried "I do And I’m sorry"