Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
“Good,” he says, not looking up. “The schedule is… unconventional. My work with the perimeter guard means I’m often on-call. You’d be responsible for Ainsley’s care,” he glances at the baby, “and light housekeeping.”
I nod, taking mental notes. “Are there any household taboos? Things I should never do or say?”
Aric leans on the counter, arms folded. The sleeves of his shirt ride up, revealing a tattoo that loops from his wrist almost to his elbow—a geometric pattern in black that’s sharp and intricate. “No shoes on the main floor. We eat together whenever possible, and no one takes food before the oldest at the table does. My oldest brother is the Prince Regent of the settlement, and my twin works irregular hours in security consulting, but we have family dinners at least once a week. If you break something, tell me. Otherwise, be yourself. It’s the only way to get through a day around here.”
His directness is almost comforting. The interview continues with a series of practical questions—my availability, my expectations, and my tolerance for loud noises and occasional family drama. At no point does he attempt to intimidate me; if anything, he seems to be holding himself back, making sure his size and voice aren’t too much. It’s weirdly considerate. And the way he manages Ainsley, one-handed, always aware of her, tells me more than any reference ever could.
He finally pours the tea, sliding a mug across the table with a precision that stops the handle exactly where my hand is reaching. “Final question. Why did you want this job?”
I know he’s expecting the typical answer—the pay is good, and the benefits are unheard of for a human in this part of the world. But that’s not the real reason. “I wanted a change,” I say, surprising both of us. “And a challenge.” My cheeks flush, but I hold his gaze and mentally add, “and to finally freaking belong somewhere.”
You’d think it would be easy, right? But it never is. Not when you’re the product of a one-night stand and your teenage mom gives you up before you’re able to walk. My whole life, it’s been me and my suitcase, popping between foster houses and group homes, always being the extra mouth at the table or the afterthought in the Christmas card photo. Not tragic, just… lonely.
So, when my biological mom called me up on my twenty-second birthday and said, “Pack your bags, baby, come to Fable Forest,” I actually believed her.
I’d always heard the rumors about Fable Forest and wanted to check it out myself. In this small city, magic and mundane collide. It’s a place where you might see a werewolf checking his phone while waiting for coffee, or a witch using her cauldron to make spells. The whole town exists under some ancient enchantment that turns everyday life into fairy tales, whether the residents like it or not.
I instantly fell in love with the enchanted town. But things at my mother’s home sucked. Come to find out, Mom and the stepsisters just wanted someone to pay the bills and do the damn dishes.
After three months of hell dealing with them, I’m so desperate to escape my mother’s hell house, I’m ready to sleep in my freaking car if this job doesn’t pan out.
I blink back to the present and this interview—my last hope of avoiding homelessness. Aric’s gold eyes are so steady and unflinching that for a second, I almost confess all of this right now, upfront, like some desperate job interview confessional.
Instead, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and take a long, shaky sip of tea, letting the sweetness burn a hole through my chest. “You’re hired. We’ll have to run the official background check, but I’ll let the Council know you’re starting as soon as it’s done.” I barely resist the urge to fist-bump the air.
Relief floods me so hard I nearly slosh tea onto my lap. “Thank you,” I manage, my voice an octave higher than usual. “I won’t let you down.” Then a thought occurs to me—background check? I wonder how in-depth this report will be. Hopefully, my bitch mother and the stepsisters won’t ruin this for me too.
The large green Orc stands, hoisting the baby with the kind of practiced ease I associate with lifers in the childcare trenches. “Come, I’ll show you your quarters. Then we can go over the daily routine. And I’ll introduce you to Kol and Oren.”
I push my concerns over the report to the back of my mind and follow him. The thought of meeting other Orcs should terrify me. Instead, I feel a weird spark of anticipation. If the rest of them are anything like Aric, I might even fit in. And honestly, nothing could be worse than the situation at my mother’s house.