Not Your Average Fairy Tale (Not Your Average Fairy Tale #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

he was apprenticing Master Night.
    I walked away, hearing Dax and his idiot friends laughing behind me.
    ***
    My favorite place on campus was the foyer of Night Hall. The dark blue walls twinkled with thousands of stars that never dulled, even during the sunniest days of summer. The ceiling had eight planets, rotating in the midst of stars and galaxies. A bright yellow sun shone in the middle. I could watch the planets twirl around the sun forever.
    That was where Logan found me. He took his time coming down the stairs, every movement slow and steady. Sometimes just being in his presence made me want to lie down and take a nap.
    "Ash. Nice to see you," he said. His voice had a lazy drawl to it, and each time I talked to him it seemed more pronounced. His light hair fell halfway down his back, and I noticed a new deep wrinkle creasing his forehead. He still looked only a little older than I did, though. Way too young to be the head Sandman.
    He stopped a few feet away and waited for me to say something, but I was still seething. I couldn't believe he was acting like everything was fine. Like he didn't know why I was here. I could barely look at him I was so mad.
    "How about we go in my office and–" he started.
    "I’d rather not." I waved my letter in front of his face. "You need to do something about this."
    He sighed. "I'm afraid that's impossible."
    "No, it's not. You have the power to change it. I know you do. You basically run the council!"
    "That's not the point, Ash. There's a reason you've been given this particular assignment. I can't change it for you. I'm sorry."
    I took a deep breath. "Come on, man. We've been friends for years. I’ve done everything you've needed me to do to be your apprentice, and what do you do? You throw me to a bunch of fairies!"
    "The council thought you could learn from this. Maybe a little patience, some humility. Being a fairy for a few months won't be that bad. You'll get used to it."
    "How would you know? Do you have a pair of wings sticking out of your back?"
    He was quiet for a moment. "It's for your own good," he said.
    "Is it? I'm sorry I can't be happy about this, Logan. There are no other male fairy godmothers anywhere. Heck, I'd rather be a tooth fairy. At least no one would see me then!"
    "I'm sorry. The whole council decided it. If it makes you feel any better, I voted against it."
    "It doesn't."
    He looked tired as he rubbed his eyes. Gold dust fell from his fingertips onto the floor. I wanted to scoop some up and fling it in his face. Maybe turn him into a fairy and see how he liked it. Not that his sleeping dust would do that, of course.
    "Well then, we're done here, I guess," he said.
    "Fine." I headed toward the door. "Oh, and tell your new apprentice that he's a moron, and if it weren't for our stupid rules I'd turn him into a rat and throw him in a sewer." I opened the door and turned to see his reaction.
    The color drained from his face. "You heard about Dax?"
    "He told me all about it."
    "I'm sorry, Ash." He shifted his feet and avoided my eyes.
    "Whatever," I said over my shoulder. "You should keep an eye out for him, though. He's trouble."
    “It will be over before you know it, then you can graduate. You know I have you at the top of my list if you still want to join the sandmen.”
    I didn’t say anything. He already knew my answer. There was no way I'd give up the chance to be a sandman.
     
     

Chapter 4
    Kendall
     
    I walked to school, since it was only a block away. I used to drive, even with the school so close, but didn’t anymore.
    Once I got to the end of my driveway, I noticed how chilly it was. My hands were cold, so I shoved them in my pockets, all the while humming some tune I couldn't remember the name of.
    The sky was clear. Not a cloud in sight. I was relieved it was almost spring. I was sick of all the blackened snow that lined the streets all winter long. The thought of smelling flowers and fresh-mowed grass excited me. It was the perfect time