“Wow, that’s incredible!” Eliza said, staring in wonder at Rowland’s dazzling skin.
He returned to his human form to keep other people from noticing.
“So, you’re not freaking out?”
“It’s a lot, don’t get me wrong, but… I do think it’s amazing. I kind of overreacted the other day.”
“That’s okay, it’s understandable. There’s more I need to tell you. At the core, we faeries are inherently good. We stick up for what’s right; that’s our nature. But there is one who seems to have turned from our ways—Vick. He is intent on keeping us apart. Says a faery falling in love with a human would pollute our world. He was the one behind the attack at the library. Trying to hurt you has become a sport to him.”
“He’s a faery too?”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t exactly look like me. His heart is as dark as his skin and wings, and his eyes are black and cold. I’m working on a way to get rid of him, I just need a little time. However, I fear that’s the one thing we don’t have.”

Dearest Eliza,

I apologize for springing that information on you the other day. I know you don’t believe what I was saying, and I should have been honest with you from the start. I would like to explain everything to you, if you’d be willing to meet me.
I must tell you, I am wild about you. I love you, Eliza. And even though I’m not from your world, deep in my heart I know there is no one else meant for me—from my world or yours.

With Love,
Rowland

Eliza rushed to Rowland’s house after the incident at the library. She knew everything was connected somehow, and she was going to find out what that connection was.
Rowland answered the door with a welcoming smile on his face, but his smile turned to confusion when he saw her disheveled hair and crossed arms.
“What happened?” Rowland said.
Eliza explained the whole scenario. “…And on top of all that, I think your friend, Vick, was involved after what he said in the woods, and…”
“Wait, Vick was in the woods?”
“Yeah, he said you didn’t really love me, and I should stay away. I didn’t see him, but I recognized his voice.”
Rowland sighed. “Eliza, I need to tell you something… I’m not from here.”
“From where, Oregon?”
“No, I’m from a whole different world, sort of.”
“Like, Mars, or something?”
“No, kind of like a different dimension. I’m not totally human, I’m…”
“Okay, sure. This is ridiculous. I’m out.”
Eliza left his house, letting the door slam behind her.

“Where am I?” Eliza said, looking around the room.
“You’re safe, at home,” Rowland’s soothing voice said. He was sitting on the edge of her bed, holding her hand in his.
“What happened?”
“I found you passed out in the woods and carried you home. You’ve been out for a whole day.”
“My class!” Eliza shot up, but immediately laid back down.
“The children are fine. I called the school and they got a substitute.”
“In the woods…There was someone there. I heard a voice, but I blacked out before I saw anyone.”
Then it hit Eliza why the voice in the woods sounded so familiar. It belonged to Vick, the man she met at Rowland’s birthday celebration.
“What did the voice say?” Rowland asked.
“I… don’t remember,” she lied.

Eliza slung her backpack over her shoulder as she walked toward the edge of the forest. Rowland was busy working, but she couldn’t get the image of the beautiful sunset out of her mind. So she was determined to find his favorite spot, even though he couldn’t join her. It was better than sitting home alone all night.
“I’ve got to be getting close,” she thought out loud, after an hour of searching.
Two hours into her trek, she still had not found the spot. The sun was gone and now she was lost in the dark.
“Great.”
“Hello, Missy,” a sly voice said behind her. She turned at the sound, but saw nothing.
“Who’s there?”
“You don’t belong with him,” the voice whispered. It sounded familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. “He doesn’t really love you. Get out while you still can…”
The trees spun as Eliza’s consciousness stared to slip, and she collapsed on the forest floor.