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BailaI ran through the forest, my bare feet crunching on dead leaves and branches. From a distance, I could hear the barking dogs assisting the guards in the hunt.The hunt for me.I ducked behind a tree when I found nowhere to hide. I tried to slow my breathing as I wrapped my hand around my necklace and prayed. With tears in my eyes, I lifted my head to the skies.The moon was covered by thick dark clouds. It would rain soon and the dogs would not be able to catch my scent, but I was afraid that the rain would make it difficult for me to escape. What had I done?I had been sent here to change things, to be a difference. Every last witch in the world was counting on me, and I had let them all down. I had done worse than disappoint them; I had repeated the same crime that started the witch hunt—a tradition I could have easily put an end to by winning the bride trials and marrying the high prince.When I closed my eyes, I could still see the horrified look on Ayesha's face.Ayesha!I

BailaI had a strange dream about a man with eyes so blue they frightened and entranced me at the same time. At first, he was a blue-eyed boy who got excited at the little things. His excitement and curiosity were infectious. I could hear his laughter as he ran through the meadow. Soon, he was a man with the same bright blue eyes. The only difference was that he had lost his excitement. His laughter was not as genuine and wild as it used to be.I felt it. The emotion that swallowed him whole was not sadness or trauma. It was loneliness. I could feel his pressing need to have someone and to belong somewhere. I wanted to hold him. I reached out for him but the world swirled into different colors around me.The dream changed, and I was drowning under the moon. I smiled up at the stars as hands reached down and pulled me to the surface. Frost. I heard the wind whisper. Air filled my lungs and I gasped awake.The bed was warm and comfortable. Bed?! I sat up, looking around. Someone had save

BailaI felt quite uncomfortable as I walked alongside Aaron, the captain of the guard. He kept his distance from me like I was a kind of virus that had no cure, but his right hand was always on the hilt of his sword. I was scared to even sneeze. The slightest movement from me could cause Aaron to cut me down. I was sure the captain would not hesitate to kill me.As we walked further and further away from Nolan's room, I wondered why Nolan had asked me about the spell. I had been dying. Surely, I couldn't have cast a spell. I couldn't rule out the possibility though. But my necklace had been around my neck the entire time I was drowning. Besides, I didn't know any spells to call out to a werewolf or any other creature.Mother!No. It couldn't be. My demon had been dormant but the other part of me wasn't. I had also been underwater. That was where the siren part of me thrived. Could that side of me have called out to Nolan?I had never used my siren power before or even tried to tap int

Baila"What?" I spluttered. My eyes were wide like saucers as I stared at the redhead.Aaron glared at me. Now, he chose to pay attention."You want to say that I'm your whore?" I frowned, confused. I did not understand what Sara was trying to do. Either way, I would still end up with the brand of a whore."No. A dancer. I had many dancer friends before I became.....well....this. All of them have travelled far away from the city. I could say that you're having money troubles and came to me for help. You can stay here for as long as you want with that excuse," Sara explained."Like hell, she can!" Aaron swore, approaching Sara. "You can not possibly think of vouching for her. If anyone ever finds out the truth, you'll be punished or worse,""You chose Aaron, why can't I?" Sara shrugged, straightening up and squaring her shoulders to face him.I had never seen Sara behave this way before but I hadn't known her long enough to come to that conclusion.Aaron grabbed her by the elbow, glarin

Chapter Nine: Little SuspicionsBaila I groaned into consciousness. The ruffled bed space beside me told me all I needed to know. Sara had spent the night in my room. With a frightfully loud yawn, I jumped out of bed and stretched. My muscles felt sore from releasing my demon the previous night. Memories came flowing back in and I pieced them together as my back popped and my pain was relieved.I had rejected Nolan's help the previous night. I felt horrible about it. My rejection must have stung him and hurt his pride. Lycans had a lot of pride.The sun wasn't shining and I had a feeling that last night's occurrence could be the cause. I wanted to bathe in the river and I wondered if Nolan would allow me to go. With a slight shake of my head, I headed out to find him. I was determined to apologize even if he shut me down.I found Nolan behind a stack of books piled on the table in his bedroom. He looked up from the books when I stepped in before gulping down the goblet of wine he held