A Fairy's Guardian (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 1

Well, crap. I should've stocked up sooner, I thought with a groan.
It had been three days since I'd eaten the last thing in my food stash.
I kept putting it off, and now the dizziness was hitting hard.
Stay strong, Shailyn. We'll find food soon, I told myself.
With a deep breath and a quick inner pep talk, I pushed myself to my feet and waited for the tunnel vision to pass.
A few moments later, the world stilled, and I started toward the markets.

Being a fairy had its perks. I was small, which made it easy to weave through crowds.
Sometimes I got lucky and people just moved aside, mistaking me for a kid.
I could fly, too-but flying on an empty stomach? Not smart.
Thanks to years of practice dodging people, I made it to the flea market in no time.

I made a beeline for the apple stand first.
My oversized hoodie was pulled up to hide my face, eyes glued to the ground as I approached the elderly human behind the table.
She always gave free food to kids, and my size helped sell the illusion.
An apple dropped into my waiting hands, and I offered a quiet thank you.
I slipped it into my bag, then glanced around.
That's when I spotted a basket of plums... bright, ripe, and practically calling my name.
Casually, I started toward them.

"Hello there child, are you here all by yourself?" A middle-aged female werewolf asked. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly with concern, worried for my safety.

"Yes, ma'am. My pops isn't feeling very good today, I offered to be a big help and get the groceries today." I lied my usual tale.

"How thoughtful of you, dear. If you need any help, just let me know." visibly relaxing, she gave a kind smile before turning to help another customer.

While the vendor was distracted, I took my chance. I examined each fruit carefully, palming a few and slipping them into the pocket of my hoodie.

While the stealing was out of necessity, I always felt a little bad.

Not wanting to leave the kind lady empty handed, I picked up a plum and set fifty cents on the table for her. The small metallic disks were covered in a thin layer of dirt, but nothing a bit of water wouldn't fix. After paying for the fruit, I placed it along with four others in my bag.

With three dollars left to my name, I drifted over to the bread stand. One loaf was purchased honestly. A roll however, somehow found it's way into my bag too.

Deciding I had enough food to last a few days, I ducked into a nearby alley. The stone beneath my feet was cold and unforgiving, but I was to hungry to care. I say down and made lunch out of an apple and the stolen roll, chewing quickly and quietly.

________________________________________

The next thing I needed to do was always the hardest. My shoes were barely holding together. Toes were showing, seams were splitting, and there was barely anything left for shoelaces. They deserved a proper burial. New shoes, though, required cash. That was something I was painfully fresh out of.

No one hires someone with no access to a shower. At least, not around here.

The only other option left for me, was pickpocketing. I stood up with a heavy sigh, pushing past the rising guilt as I left the alleyway.

Blending in with the crowd, I "accidentally" bumped into a few strangers. A quarter or three would land in my pocket, while a random item would end up in theirs. Sometimes it was a pin. Sometimes it was a bottle cap, or rubber bands. Anything I could find to pay it back even if the values weren't the same.

Six dollars jingled in my pocket before I made a very grave mistake that would turn my world upside down. The scent of a Griffin didn't hit me until it was too late. A hand, with an iron like grip, snapped around my wrist.

"And what exactly do you think you are doing?"

The voice behind me was low and rough. A second pair of hands landed on my shoulders, firm and unyielding.

I barely had time to react before my eyes landed on a familiar insignia. The King's silver crest hanging from a black cord. Royal guards, this was not going to end well.

The man I'd tried to pickpocket turned to face me. His whitish blonde hair was cut short, expression unreadable, but his eyes locked onto me like an eagle sizing it's prey.

The man behind me, likely the growly voice from earlier, had slick black hair and the air of someone who never let his guard down. Neither one of them looked particularly happy with my life choices. Not that I could blame them.

"Erm. Hey, guys. Come here often?" I asked with a weak smile, knowing I had really messed up.

The blond one pinched the bridge of his nose and gave his companion a look. "Let's move this to somewhere more private, Quinn. I do not wish to publicly scold a child in front of everyone."

He turned back to me, his voice smooth and commanding. "This conversation is happening, little minx. I suggest you follow."

The rebellious side of me wanted to run, but now didn't seem like the best time to do so. I nodded instead and followed them into an empty alley. The same one I had just recently had lunch in.

Once we were away from public eyes, the two guards turned to me once again. "Lower the hood" The one called Quinn demanded. His voice was cold, leaving little room for argument.

I hesitated, then reluctantly obeyed. Silence followed. It took a moment but realization finally dawned on them. I wasn't actually a child, I  an eighteen year old fairy, clearly living on the streets.

Quinn's jaw tightened, nostrils flaring as the truth sank in.

The blond man however, looked amused? I blinked, confused by his reaction. Why is this guy not angry? The universe didn't make me wait long for an answer. The moment our eyes met, I understood completely.

We are taught from a young age that the gods and goddesses are alway watching. That they have our best interests at heart. I never believed those lies.

And now, as a sharp pain radiates through out my right wrist, I was cursing every higher being I knew...and the ones I didn't.

(Quinn ^)

(Mystery Griffin shifter ^)