A Faerie's Curse (Creepy Hollow #6) Read Online Free Page A

time-traveling bangle.
    Dad watches me for several moments before saying, “Do you understand how serious this is?”
    â€œYes. What are you going to do?”
    Dad takes a deep breath. “Well, as your mother said earlier, it’s time to face the consequences for what we’ve done.”
    My throat tightens as I try to hold back tears. “That’s what she said?”
    â€œYes. And she’s right. We’ve broken the law. I , especially, have broken the law. Your mother doesn’t even know the lengths I went to in order to keep your name off the list.”
    â€œDad, I’m so sorry I—”
    â€œI broke the law, Calla,” he says firmly. “ I did that. If I have to face the consequences, then I will.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œWe don’t even know yet what will happen to me. Right now, our concern should be for your mother. She’s the one being carted off to Barton Prison tomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow?” I gasp. “Where is she now? Can I see her?”
    â€œNo, of course you can’t see her!” he says, his voice rising. “She’s in the detainment area downstairs. Is your ability going to get you past all those guards? Probably not. And then you’ll end up in the cell next to hers when you’re caught.”
    Dad’s lack of faith in my ability stings, but now isn’t the time to argue. Not when he’s clearly close to cracking from the pressure of Mom’s trial and the devastating news of her sentence.
    â€œI … I need some space,” Dad says, standing. “I’ll be outside in the forest.” He places a hand on my shoulder and adds, “You’ve found yourself in enough life-threatening situations recently. I just want you to stay safe now.”
    The door closes behind Dad and I pull my feet up onto the chair. I wrap my arms around my legs and press my face against my knees as the weight of what I’ve done to my parents becomes almost too much to bear. “This is all my fault.”
    â€œCalla …”
    â€œYou know it is.” I raise my head and look at Ryn. “Dad would never have had to break the law if not for me. And Mom … well, the Guild might still have punished her for running away in the middle of her training, but it wouldn’t be this bad. It’s because of me that they’re doing this to her. I’m on the loose instead of in custody for supposedly murdering Saskia, and they’re taking out their frustration at their own failure on Mom. They can’t make me pay, so they’re making her pay.”
    Ryn rubs his face. He closes his eyes and slowly shakes his head. “I don’t know, Cal. You’re probably right, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
    â€œWhat if …” My feet slip to the floor and I sit up a little straighter. “What if I turn myself in? Do you think that would make a difference?”
    â€œWhat?” Ryn’s eyelids spring open. “No! Are you crazy? Of course that wouldn’t make a difference. You’d end up in prison along with your mother. You can’t make this situation any better.”
    I flop back into the chair. “So we’re supposed to just let this happen? Let her go to prison for the next few years?”
    Ryn shrugs helplessly. “What’s the alternative? Help her escape so she can be on the run for the rest of her life? Barton Prison isn’t all that bad. Not like Velazar. Maybe it’s better if she just does the time. Maybe … I don’t know.” He rubs both hands over his face this time. “I don’t have all the answers, Calla.”
    I peer more closely at him. He seems more tired than I’ve seen him in a long time. “Are you okay?”
    He sighs. “Yes. I just … have a lot on my mind. I took the rest of last week off after Victoria was born, so yesterday was my first day back. So many things to