Grimm Fantasies: Cinder Princess

Bonding

"If we don't kill it now it will eat us while we sleep!" Karen argued, pointing at Naiya as if she were some vile thing. "Sirens can't be trusted. They aren't human."

"You're one to talk." Haven growled angrily. Karen simply glared at him, clearly agitated.

  "I don't eat people! She does! She's a cold-blooded amphibian." Naiya glared at Karen and hissed; her teeth became razor sharp, almost like a shark's teeth. Karen jerked back and brandished a cross bolt at the young girl. They all stood around in the living room getting ready to leave, none recalled ever falling asleep. They all woke suddenly and acted as if they'd never seen the car and just kept getting ready, not even recalling ever laying on the floor. Ashley had tried asking about it but found the words stuck in her throat.

  "Hey! Whoa stop, stop, Naiya won't hurt us." Haven said moving to take a step forward but Hunter stopped him, grabbing his arm and glaring at Naiya who made a few quick hand gestures and looked to Ashley who frowned and shook her head.

  "I don't understand, I'm sorry."

  "We need to get rid of her," Karen insisted.

  "You can't judge a single person on their race. If I did I wouldn't be hanging out with any of you. Werewolves are trying to kill me, fairies want to kill me, hell human's want to kill me." Ashley frowned and wondered how evil a person had to be to be wanted dead by so many. But it was strange to hear someone wanted dead to be spouting about equality.

  "We can leave, you don't need to take us with you." Ashley said.

  "No, you need to come with us; it's dangerous letting you wonder around." Karen said her gaze never leaving Naiya. Ashley felt deeply insulted.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" She frowned and crossed her arms. Naiya hissed again, though kept cautiously close to Ashley.

  "That naivety right there, is why." Karen said and glared at Naiya. "Others will know what you are and take advantage of you. You need to be taught first."

  "Oh, and are you going to teach me?" Ashley questioned.

  "Yes, you and I are similar enough. I'm a Fae and you're a Changeling, we share the same family line." Karen explained.

  "I have no idea what any of that means." Ashley said seriously.

  "Which is why you're staying close, that can leave though. She can go back to her pod." Naiya hissed and shook her head fiercely, clearly disagreeing with Karen. She motioned wildly with her hands and shook her head as she drew a line across her throat.

  "Doesn't look like she thinks they will." Haven said.

  "If a siren can't feed themselves the pod won't accept them." Hunter spoke up, Haven looked at him and nodded.

  "See, she's got nowhere to go." Haven argued. "We can't turn her out and we aren't going to kill her in cold blood."

  "It won't be cold blood, she can kill just fine without any weapons, Haven." Karen insisted but Haven shook his head.

  "She'd leave if Ashley went, but you're not letting her. So, she stays until you say Ashley is free to go." Karen looked over to Haven and opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself and glared at Naiya.

  "Fine, but you stay away from us, no contact at all. And keep your freaky hair under control." Naiya turned her head defiantly but her hair suddenly moved on its own, braiding up into a long braid and twisted into a bun that sat high on her head. Ashley blinked, unsure she'd just seen what she saw. Karen and Hunter both visibly relaxed.

  "Alright then, good."

  "It's settled then, where to now?" Haven asked. There was silence for a moment before Hunter spoke up.

  "I think I know a place."

Haven Moore

  Hunter spoke of a place up in Alaska that was safe, Karen argued about being too close to Canada and Haven was completely lost when something called a Wendigo was brought up as being a possible danger. They'd gotten on a train heading west. They had a private compartment with the door closed and were talking about a peaceful coven of witches that Hunter knew and had helping him out of trouble countless times. Hunter helped Mara change back before they left the house. Karen gave her a change of clothes, a pastel blue dress and black jeans with simple black flats.

  "Witches don't help for free."Karen scoffed.

  "These ones don't expect anything to crazy. I gave them a tuft of hair as payment before." Hunter explained. Karen frowned and leaned back.

  "What practice do they follow?" Hunter rolled his eyes and sighed.

  "I don't know what that means. I trust them, are you always so paranoid?" Hunter questioned.

  "Yes," Haven spoke up at the same time Karen said, "No." Ashley laughed but slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle it.

  "Karen has a point, witches don't like helping myths. Being protectors of mortals and all." Mara offered.

  "They don't exactly help mortals either." Karen scoffed. Ashley sighed and looked at Haven.

  "You look just as lost as me." Haven smirked and nodded.

  "I'm new to all this."

  "Me too," Ashley said with an uncertain smile. Naiya shifted, she was leaning against Ashley with her cheek on the older girl's shoulder. She looked tired, but seemed defiant to let the sandman drag her away. It seemed to be a losing battle, with the sway of the train she was being slowly lulled to sleep.

  "Karen said you were a Changeling." Haven said curiously. Ashley shrugged and glanced over to Karen.

  "Others have too." Haven shifted and glanced over to the three still arguing about where to go. Haven didn't feel like stepping in just yet.

  "I got bit by a werewolf, and I have a birthmark that says I'm going to die soon." Ashley's face suddenly darkened, she looked to Karen and then down to her hands. Haven frowned,

  That was a strange reaction.

  "You okay?" He asked, sitting up straighter, moving a bit slow thanks to the bullet wound he got from Mara's father shooting him.

  "I'm fine, I just have something on my mind." Ashley shook her head and looked back up to him, smiling again. "I'm fine." Haven stared at her for a moment, something about her movements reminded him of Karen, smooth and graceful as though it was second nature to them. It was so hard to read, Haven couldn't figure Ashley out because of it. But he didn't feel she was a bad person, Karen went so far to make her stay. Not to mention she looked hurt, her eyes were guarded, cautious. Haven wasn't worried, because she was. Her eyes kept assessing everyone, even Naiya. Ashley was on edge and jittery.

  "Hey," Haven looked over to Mara, "We're a little weird but we're not going to hurt you, so stop staring at me like that." Ashley looked over to her as well then looked down in embarrassment.

  "S-sorry."

  "Relax you're safe with us." Karen said, Ashley glanced at her then looked to Haven, that strange haunted expression returned to her face. Haven ignored it and smiled lightly.

  "We're in this together, so we should help each other where we can." Ashley seemed comforted by that and nodded. Haven leaned back again, and glanced up at Hunter who was sitting next to him.

  "I say we go meet Hunter's witches. He says we can trust them." Haven said and the matter was settled.

~~~~

Karen don't like Naiya, being all katty.