A Small Fairy Tale

Guild Hunter #7.7

by Nalini Singh

Short story in the November Newsletter:

Authors Note:This story stands fully alone, so you’ll be able to understand it even if you’ve never read the Guild Hunter series. All you need to know is that this is a world that includes angels and vampires as well as humans.

For GH series readers, this story is set after Archangel’s Shadows and contains some spoilers for earlier books in the series.

Genres: Fantasy, Angels, Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Short Stories

16 pages, ebook

First published November 5, 2015

About the author

I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.


I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.

Reviews

[εllε · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story, but I still need Sparkle's full length novella and Blue playing a big role in it.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely worth the read. Very heartwarming!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this shorty, and would like to see more of Talu and Sina!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read - November 2016
2nd read - September 2020

I absolutely loved this short, it's about a young homeless girl, Talu, who finds one of Aodhan's bronze fairies and how that brings her into contact with Elena and the Tower.

A really sweet story that brought tears to my eyes!

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story from her Newsletter collection, about a homeless teenager living on the streets of New York who finds a special friend.
I only read the first book in the Guild Hunter series before deciding they weren’t for me, but this was a sweet little re-entry into that world.

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta es una pequeña historia corta dentro del universo de los Guild Hunter, donde vemos a una chica huérfana que vive en las calles, y que un día tiene la suerte de ser "rescatada" por Elena.
Vemos como la niña ha luchado por mantener su "calidad" de vida, estudiando, bañándose e incluso leyendo en la biblioteca mientras duerme en la calle y lucha por conseguir comida y refugio para el día.

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and a bit heartbreaking story set in the Guild Hunter universe. I met Talu before - I read another short story with her set a few months after this one - so I knew how this will end. But even knowing there's a happy ending for her I still felt my heart clench reading the first couple of scenes. It was totally worth reading as it shows a side of Honor and Elena that we rarely get to see in the main books. And it made me love them all even more.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder if this sweet Talu will meet Aodhan...

[Melissa]

A great little stand alone fairy tale set in this world.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so darling. We get a fun interaction with Elena and the value of learning.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much to love about this one, the little girl being the best! I liked how she fought to do what was important to her mom and to her. Was so glad when a guardian angel found her to help make her life easier!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving snippet of life in Elena's city from the pov of a runaway.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished Reading March 20, 2016

I've had this stored in my email file for quite some time now. Today I had a chance to read it.
Nalini Singh's writing is magical and this story had all the elements she is well known for. Sadness & laughter and dreams coming true. Strength comes in all sizes. I loved it!

Author's Newsletter February 27, 2016

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so sweet. It also made me cry

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but good story.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short about Talu; an orphaned girl, a fairy figurine, hope - and her entry into the world of angels and vampires. Talu's story continues in Fairy Balloons. (2016 October newsletter.)

[Merve Özcan Özkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaa Talu'yla burada karşılaşıyormuşuz. Niye tersten başladıysam. -_- Ama hep farklı hikayeler veriyor, nereden bileyim bağlantılı olacağını.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars... In this short story, we are introduced to Talu, a young mortal living on the dangerous streets of New York... Although she has the determination of a warrior, she has the heart and soul of a dreamer... We watch as she traverses her daily life and shares her vision for her future only to be potentially deterred by violence... In steps Elena and Honor as they offer Talu a chance at safety, happiness, and friendship:)

[lisa 🍂 (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO HEARTBREAKING AND HEARTWARMING AT THE SAME TIME!! 🥺❤️

Love learning about Talu and how rough she has had it in her life and how Elena helped her and took care of her!!
So beautiful and heart wrenching! 💕

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reread!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. Such a sweet little fairytale

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story but boy was it sad. Definitely one that I would have loved to have made into a longer story

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story. There is hope in this one. Everything you read about Talu, you see hope looking at you.

This one scene with Aodhan's feather makes me think that Talu is going to grow up to be the woman for Aodhan. She is currently only 14 but a decade in a mortal's life is just a day in that of an immortal but I have a really strong feeling about this.

[Noemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really curious to see how Talu's story will develop.

[Thenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Small Fairy Tale on Books On Track


A hopeful short story about a street kid named Talu who found one of Aodhan's "sparks of laughter", aka small carved fairies he left all over town, whom she named Sina.

When a junkie tried to steal Sina from her, Talu fought back and caught the attention of Elena, who rescued Talu and then took her to the Tower and a new life.

Despite the short length of the story, Talu was a very vivid character and I look forward to seeing her again.

[Saphia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooh that definitly seems like a big hint that Aodhan and Talu (when she grows up) will get together. Theres quite a few hints like her finding a fairy made by him, finding his feather and seeing a falling star streak across the sky... which I'm assuming is Aodhan.
I wish we got his book now though!!!!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guild Hunter #7.7
A Small Fairy Tale by Nalini Singh introduces a new character to the Guild Hunter universe: Talu, a 14-year-old girl who lives on the streets. It's a very touching tale, so you may want to read it with tissues.

Read:
November 8, 2016 - FREE In the November 2015 newsletter
May 10, 2017 - FREE in the authors November 2015 newsletter
October 14, 2017 - FREE in the author's November 2015 newsletter
October 22, 2019 – FREE link on goodreads page
October 15, 2022 – FREE link on goodreads page

Just in case you want to know the timeline of the books/novellas/short stories set in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter world, I have provided a complete list below. And so you don’t get confused, you’ll notice that each entry on the list is numbered in two ways. The 1., 2., 3.… Etc. numbering at the beginning of each entry is mine and denotes the chronological reading order. The – Guild Hunter #?.? – numbering you see immediately following each title is the number they are on the series reading list provided by the goodreads website. Enjoy!

Guild Hunter series chronological reading order:
1. One Night at the Refuge - Guild Hunter #0.2 (FREE in the April 2016 newsletter) - Illium (Angel and one of Raphael’s Seven) and Aodhan (Angel and one of Raphael’s Seven)
2. Angels' Dance - Guild Hunter #0.4 (found in the Angels Flight collection) - Jessamy (Angel, teacher of angelic young and historian of the angelic race) and Galen (Angel, Raphael’s Weapons Master and one of his Seven)
3. Angels' Judgment - Guild Hunter #0.6 (found in the Angels Flight collection) - Sara (human Guild Hunter) and Deacon (human Guild Hunter)
4. Angels' Pawn - Guild Hunter #0.8 (found in the Angels Flight collection) - Ashwini (human Guild Hunter) and the Janvier (Vampire)
5. A Little Bakery – Guild Hunter #0.9 (from the December 2019 Newsletter) – Illium
6. Angels' Blood - Guild Hunter #1 - Elena Devereaux (Hunterborn human Guild Hunter) and Archangel Raphael
7. Archangel's Kiss - Guild Hunter #2 - Elena (new made Angel and Guild Hunter) and Archangel Raphael
8. Weapons Training - Guild Hunter #2.5 (FREE on the author’s website) - Jessamy and Galen - takes place during “Archangel’s Kiss” after Elena finishes training with Galen
9. Archangel's Consort - Guild Hunter #3 - Elena and Raphael
10. Angel's Wolf - Guild Hunter #3.5 (found in the Angel’s Flight collection) - Noel (vampire) and Nimra (Angel)
11. Archangel's Blade - Guild Hunter #4 - Dimitri (vampire, Raphael’s Second and one of his Seven) and Honor (human Guild Hunter)
12. Archangel's Storm - Guild Hunter #5 - Jason (Angel, Raphael’s Spymaster and one of his Seven) and Princess Mahiya (Angel, who is Archangel Neha’s niece)
13. A Wedding Breakfast – Guild Hunter #5.1 – EVERYONE
14. Knives and Sheaths - Guild Hunter #5.5 (FREE in the author’s WELCOME Letter for signing up for her newsletter) - Elena and Raphael
15. Archangel's Legion - Guild Hunter #6 - Elena and Raphael
16. Zoe's Workshop - Guild Hunter #6.5 (FREE on the author’s website) - Sara (human Guild Director), Deacon (human, former Guild Slayer, Sara’s husband and Master Weapons Maker for humans and immortals alike), Zoe (human daughter of Sara and Deacon) and Slayer (dog)
17. Archangel's Shadows - Guild Hunter #7 - Ashwini and Janvier, with side jaunts to Elena and Raphael
18. A Walk on the Cliffs - Guild Hunter #7.5 (FREE in the July 2015 newsletter) - Montgomery (vampire and Raphael’s butler) and Sivya (Angel and Raphael’s chef)
19. A Sip of Eternity - Guild Hunter #7.3 (FREE on the author’s website) - Dimitri and Honor
20. A Small Fairy Tale - Guild Hunter #7.7 (FREE on the author’s website) - Talu (a human girl living on the streets of NYC), Sina (one of the fairies carved by Aodhan), Elena and Honor
21. Archangel's Enigma - Guild Hunter #8 - Naasir and the Angel Andromeda
22. Secret Things – Guild Hunter #8.3 (FREE in the February 2018 newsletter) – Naasir and Andromeda
23. Fairy Balloons - Guild Hunter #8.7 (FREE on the author’s website) - Talu (a human girl rescued from the streets by Archangel Raphael’s Consort, Elena) and the Angel Izzy (the first member of Consort Elena’s Guard)
24. Archangel's Heart - Guild Hunter #9 - Elena and Raphael
25. An Unexpected Guest - Guild Hunter #9.3 - Elena and Raphael
26. Elena's School of Horror – Guild Hunter #9.7 (FREE in July 2018 newsletter) – Elena & Aodhan
27. Archangel's Viper - Guild Hunter #10 - Venom (a vampire and one of Raphael’s Seven) and Holly Chang (the previously human girl who survived Uram’s rampage)
28. Archangel's Prophecy – Guild Hunter #11 – Elena and Raphael
29. Archangel's War – Guild Hunter #12 – Elena and Raphael
30. Archangel's Sun – Guild Hunter #13 – Archangel Titus and Sharine (The Hummingbird)
31. Archangel's Light – Guild Hunter #14 – Illium and Adohan
32. Archangel's Resurrection – Guild Hunter #15 – Alexander and Zanaya

[Payne’s Bookworm Reviews (Samantha Payne) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short little story about a homeless mortal girl, with how she struggles in the world living on the streets with junkies and Vampires.

Talu is living on the streets on New York after her Aunt makes a deal for Vampires to drink from her. She just wants to attend school like the other kids, but is unable to.

When Talu stubbles across a fairy statue she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep it even if she has to fight for her life against a mugger.

When Elena the Hunter Angel saves and rescues her she is taken to the Tower and given the opportunity to have a better life.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet short story about a little orphan girl named Talu! I cried all through the story and ended it with a smile.
I also prayed with tears for kids like Talu, who have no hope, but fight an every day battle to survive the harsh streets. I prayed for God to send every Talu out there a warrior angel like Elena to rescue them, and kind people like Honor to help them find a home to call their own!
Thank you Nalini Singh for this beautiful story!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talu the 15 year old from Fairy Balloons is on the street. She has no parents, her aunt abused her so she ran away. She has to watch out for homeless threats as well as rogue junkie vampires. She finds a fairy-Sina- and a angel feather to sell for food. A vampire attacks her, Elena saves her, and takes her to the Tower to live and go to to,school part of Honor's foster kid program.