“Princess Bri, my sweet, magical Princess, I know we've only known each other for three hours, but,”—Bowing his head, he bent to one knee—“from the moment I saw you, I knew we were meant to be together. My true love.” He smiled, and a crystalline tear slipped down his porcelain cheek. “Will you marry me?”

Clutching her heart, Bri blushed—just as her mother had taught her. “Oh, Luke,” she gasped and took his hand, “Of cour—”

The double doors burst open and in entered a figure.

Face hidden by a black eyemask, they drew a bloody axe from the fold of their cloak.

Luke lept to his feet, his sword in hand.

The intruder lunged forward and, in two steps, their gloved hand tightened around Luke’s throat, throwing him to the floor.

Bri flailed back and cast out her arms—aiming. She called forth the wind, but all she managed was a measly whistling puff.

The intruder raised their axe. Swung.

“No!” Bri screamed. “This was supposed to be about me, not murder! This was supposed to be my happy ending!”

Bone snapped as the intruder struck Luke’s chest with a wet thunk. Luke yowled, blood consuming his white tunic.

“Stop it!” Bri yelled. “Stop!”

The intruder halted midswing.

Jake’s limp eyes fluttered back. Blood seeped from his gaping mouth and down his chin, pooling in the triangular trench of his collarbone. He groaned, and a bubble burst, red splattering his translucent skin.

The intruder hummed. Craning their neck, their two burning eyes glared at something standing, hidden in the corner. Something that looked a lot... Like...

YOU!

“Should I stop?” They asked you.

Seen, your heart lurched, and you stumbled back, hard, cold stone cutting your shoulders as you hit the wall. Your lip trembled, and the stench of blood burned your throat.

A weak “Yes.” is all you can manage.

“Why should I stop?” They said, their voice burrowing deep into your chest.

Sweat clung to your body, and you searched for the answer in Bri’s face, but it seemed your sudden arrival had already become a memory to her, as her attention remained solely on the now breathless boy.

“Because...” You stuttered, “Because fairy tales... Fairy tales are supposed to be happy! They are supposed to be good!”

“A fairy tale, you say?” The intruder grinned, teeth sharp. “Who's saying this is a fairy tale? Don’t you remember, we changed the genre...”

From their belt, they yanked a dagger, and your eyes widened. “

Use your magic!” You yelled at Bri, but the shocked princess remained frozen.

The intruder cackled. “Magic? There’s no magic here.” Tilting their head, they let the weapon fly.

A scream tore from your throat as the dagger struck right between Bri's eyes. Her gaze never left her prince as she face-planted to the floor.

With the prince dead and princess too, the intruder's bloodlust focused on you.

They licked the bloody axe. “No survivors.”

Quickly, you closed the book.