Page 16 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

“I want to see Fabletown.”

“Oh, no, no, no, that's not a good idea. Humans aren't exactly ... welcome here. Not fully. Not yet ...That is, it's complicated."

I narrow my eyes. "You're hiding me, aren't you? From the other monsters?"

His brow furrows. "Isn’t that obvious? Of course, I am. It's for your own safety. And, well, mine. It’s just too soon. Look, just trust me, there’s a lot of moving parts.”

But even as I listen, a plan is forming in my mind. It's crazy, but in that sense, it fits the situation. "What if... what if I wasn't human?"

Kalen looks at me like I've grown a second head. "What are you talking about?"

I stand up, wobbling a bit on legs still stiff from sleep. "Why can’t we make a disguise? I saw all sorts of creatures inyour bar last night. Surely, we could come up with something?"

He stares at me for a long moment, “Absolutely not. It’s far too risky. Just let me think a bit. My friend Thokk, when he gets back, he’ll-”

“Then I’ll scream!” I interrupt him.

“What? No! What are you talking about?” Now I seem to have his attention.

"Kalen," I say, my voice trembling slightly, "I know you're trying to protect me. But being cooped up here, not knowing what's out there? That's almost scarier than facing it head-on.”

A deep chuckle rumbles from Kalen's chest. "Well, well. Looks like my little human's got some fire in her after all. And here I thought I'd be spending the day coaxing you out from under the bed."

I feel my cheeks heat up. "I do have a little fire.” I say with a spark of defiance I didn’t intend. “But I'm still terrified. If I let fear stop me though, I'd never leave my apartment. And right now, I think seeing your world might actually help. Besides, if I really am in some crazy magical village, well, then I want to see as much as I can. And quite possibly catalog it.”

“Catalog it?”

“Of course. But first I just want to take a look. Come on, pleeeease?”

Kalen looks impressed. "Fine. That settles it. There’s much more to you than meets the eye.”

Why is he looking at me like that.

I like it.

I feel my body heating up inexplicably again. It’s like there are invisible sparks shooting back and forth between us.

Thank god – or too bad – he got dressed, cause I don’t know if I would have been able to stop my-

He interrupts my daydream.

“But how exactly do you propose we disguise you?"

Right. Focus Liv.

I glance around the room, my eyes landing on a massive fur coat hanging by the door. "What about that? I saw a bigfoot or something in your bar. I could be one of them ... just a very petite one. Little foot?"

My attempt at humor seems to go right over his big horned head. But, he strokes the well-manicured fur on his chin, considering. "You know, that might just work. Here, try it on. Now put this pelt over your head. Wait, let me cut some eye holes ... And you’re going to need a hat too ..."

Twenty minutes later, I'm staring at myself in a mirror. The fur coat swallows me, and is actually kind of flattering on my frame. And after a little work, the headpiece, with the hat on top of course, is almost convincing. All and all, I think I make a passable young bigfoot – as long as no one gets too close.

"Well?" I ask, turning to Kalen. "How do I look?"

He grins, and I try to ignore the way it makes my stomach flip. "I think you were on to something with that ‘Little Foot’ name. I think it will do the trick."

Great, well no time like the present. “Let’s go.”

As we walk through Fablewood, I'm torn between awe and anxiety. Every corner reveals something new and impossible – potions bubbling in the local apothecary, an honest to goodness centaur just clip clopping down the cobblestoned street, and oh, is that a troll?

---