I blinked, stunned, before shooting to my feet. “You lied. Why?”
“We need your help.” Hatter stood. “You see, Alice, your parents were the king and queen before the Red Queen unseated and killed them. You’re the true heir to the crown. You still have—”
Barely registering his words, I grasped for my dagger, my protection, the one thing I could count on. But it wasn’t at my hip, so instead, I thrust a finger at him. “You brought me here under false pretenses.”
“We brought you here to meet your parents supporters, and return you to the throne.”
“Well, maybe you should have asked about what I wanted,” I snapped. The others reared back at my tone. “Because I never asked for a crown, asshole.”
I spun and fled the room.
Chapter 6
After years of training under a vampire, I was very fast, and confident that I could lose Hatter in the crowds of Heartstown. I ran through the run-down neighborhood, weaving between buildings, and hopping fences.
Fae of all races, sizes, and shapes watched me flee. The thought that perhaps one could help me leave this place entered my mind, but I dismissed it.
Why would I want help from any of them? So far, every fae I’d spoken to had deceived me.
They’re all liars. They—
I stopped dead in my tracks.
No. They couldn’t have, because the fae were unable to lie.
I spun around and spotted a creature who I thought was a brownie, judging by his nut-brown skin, masses of hair, and perfectly round belly.
“You!” I rushed up to him. “Who was the queen of Wonderland before the Red Queen?”
The brownie looked around from side to side and gulped.
“Tell me!”
“T—th—the Red Queen has always ruled Wonderland.” The brownie stuttered.
I blinked. Impossible. The fae were long-lived, but not immortal. Only vampires and the old gods were immortal.
Butifit was true, then Hatter had lied. How?
“Are you sure?” Because that doesn’t seem very—”
“She’s enchanted them.”
I looked up to find Henri standing in front of me, and immediately raised my fist, ready to pummel the shit out of him.
When I punched, he caught my hand. Our arms shook as we fought each other, eyes locked together for long seconds that made me uncomfortable. Finally, I broke the connection, ripping my fist from his grasp.
“How did you keep up?” I glared at him.
Henri fluttered his wings. “Flying is faster than running, especially above crowds.”
Ugh, wings! I really must unbind mine.
“Whatever. What do you mean she’s enchanted them?”
“You won’t run if I tell you?”
I glanced at the brownie, who had taken a few steps back. He appeared extremely uncomfortable. His body trembled, and sweat dripped down his face.
