Rowland paced through his living room. The realization that Eliza had almost died pounded him in the chest.

“Everyday I’m with her I’m putting her in danger,” he thought out loud. “I cannot be greedy with her anymore.”

Rowland stopped pacing. The thought of leaving her was too much for him to even process. It was not an option. He shouldn’t be with her, but…

“I can’t be without her.”

Rowland was so deep in his thoughts, he almost didn’t hear the knock on his door.

He opened the door; rain was coming down by the bucketful. Eliza stood on his porch, drenched from head to toe.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi,” Rowland said back. He barely got the word out when they both rushed toward each other. Rowland held his hand against her face and pulled her lips onto his.

“You are at a crossroads,” the dark faery hissed in Rowland’s ear.

He radiated evil like the sun radiated heat. He was not in his human form; Rowland could see his jet black wings, gray skin, and charcoal hair. Everything about the creature went against faery nature. He was the evil counterpart of all that was good in the world— a once pure faery who had crossed over into something sinister.

“Is that so?” Rowland said, crossing his arms.

“Stay away from the human. Our world cannot be polluted with the likes of her.” The creature spat, disgusted. “Your journey with the girl ends here, or I will squash her pathetic little life with my fingers.” It rubbed its index finger and thumb together as sparks crackled between them.

Rage welled inside Rowland, and he knew he would protect Eliza from this beast, no matter what it took.

Rowland took Eliza’s hand in his as they walked deeper into the woods.

“Almost there,” He said. He had insisted their destination be a surprise.

They stopped walking as the first rays of the setting sun came into view, painting the woods in an extravagant display of pink and orange.

Eliza gasped.

“Breathtaking, isn’t it? This is my favorite spot. The sun peaks through the trees at just the right angle.”

As he was speaking, something speeding past them caught his eye. It was dark… and fast. He knew Eliza’s human eyes wouldn’t see it. It was someone of his kind—except this one was evil.

Chills crept up Rowland’s arms as it whispered one word before disappearing, “Traitor.”

Rowland was alone in his house after driving Eliza home. There was no denying it, he was enthralled with her. Irrevocably.

Did he just made a huge mistake, getting her involved? No one of his kind had ever fallen in love with a human. It was unheard of. He knew the ramifications if he brought Eliza into his world. But he couldn’t stay away from her, even if he tried.

Rowland ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated, not knowing what to do next. Could she accept him, once she knew?

There’s only one thing I can do, he thought.

Win her heart.