Parallel Read Free Page A

may find a unicorn together and seek the council we both desperately need. Everyone wins!”
    Ava stared at him as she rocked back and forth in her earth filled net, high above the ground. In the distance Ava could hear Avalon calling out, though the wind muffled her words. Ava pulled gently on the ropes surrounding her one more time. There was no way she’d be able to get out without his help. She exhaled.
    “Fine. You may join us. But if you’re as useless on the trail as you are at trapping, I reserve the right to get rid of you as soon as possible.”
    “Fine words coming from the inside of my net!”
    “I’m not a unicorn!”
    “Unfortunately, no.” The hunter frowned, then grinned. He hawked up a chunk of phlegm and spit it into his hand, then, horrifyingly, held it out for Ava to take.
    “Um, what?” she said, stalling. The hunter frowned.
    “You have to seal the deal. Spit in your hand and shake mine. That’s how we give our word around here.”
    “No.”
    The hunter’s hand lowered.
    “What do you mean, no?”
    “I mean that’s super gross and I’m not touching your gross ass hand.” Ava crossed her arms. “Why don’t you wipe your mouth boogers on your pant leg, wash that hand off with some water, soap if you’ve got it, and then I’ll consider touching it.”
    “You’re really weird, you know that?”
    “You’re disgusting. Did you know that?” Ava shot back. Still, even though he grumbled through the whole process, Ava watched as the hunter pulled out a cream colored flask and washed the spittle from his hand. After patting it down against his pant leg, he held his hand out to her again, his expression sarcastic. Balancing her body to keep the net from spinning again, Ava reached out and gave his fingers a brisk squeeze before letting go.
    “There, Your Highness, now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
    “I’ve had better,” Ava replied, crossing her arms again and lifting an eyebrow expectantly. “Whenever you’re ready then.”
    The hunter jumped from his branch, leaping to another as he unleashed a vine that slowly lowered Ava back toward the ground. As she broke through the leaves, she could see Avalon staring up, wide-eyed and scared. In that moment she wasn’t so sure she liked this version of herself. Before hitting the ground, the net shot up, then plopped Ava unceremoniously in a heap of detritus on the ground. Ava rubbed her lower back, grumbling. “Thanks for the soft landing.”
    The hunter landed like a cat next to her, and Avalon screamed.
    “Avalon, it’s okay. This guy wants to join our quest.” It was hard to sound reassuring when Ava was skeptical about their new companion. He walked over to Avalon, bowed, took her hand in a delicate gesture, and kissed it. If it were at all possible for Avalon to turn a brighter shade of red, she might have turned into an apple. Ava crossed her arms.
    “Oh, so now you’re a gentleman?” she asked.
    The hunter smirked. “To those who deserve it, yes.” He turned back to Avalon. “Dear lady, please allow me to escort you on your journey, that I may provide protection to your delicate self and your…friend.” His sideways glance at Ava told her all she needed to know about what he thought of her status on this journey. She wondered how quickly they could be rid of him. Avalon curtseyed, which somehow looked delicate, even in pants.
    “Good sir, you are most kind. We are in great need of assistance as we seek a unicorn to guide us to a witch. My friend here needs to get home, and it falls on us to help her as representatives of this world. Pray tell, what is your name?”
    The hunter bowed again. “Deepest apologies for my rudeness, milady. My name is Hunter, of the Greenbow Shire, at your service.”
    Ava snorted. Hunter turned and stared daggers at her.
    “Something funny, milady?”
    “Oh, it’s milady now? Good, I’ve been upgraded! But you’re honestly telling me that you’re a hunter…named Hunter?”
    Hunter