********** "Do you see me laughing?" He stood over me, staring at me again with those intimidating green eyes. His seriousness put my laughter to a halt. I tried my best to evade his scowl, but he slowly and softly lifted my chin with his fingers. "Do not take my cooperation as weakness little lamb." He scolded. His gaze held mine for a moment before I smacked his hand away from me. "Touch me again and this 'little lamb' with bite your fingers off." He chuckled at my response. "If you were anyone else, you would have already been dead." He said before escorting and propping himself against my desk. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. The energy in the air was heavy. I couldn't tell if he was a threat or not. Even though his mannerisms were harsh and aggressive, I never felt as though I was in danger. Despite what he said. It was an empty threat. But what did he mean by 'anyone else'? "They warned me about you. You definitely won't make this easy, but it seems as though I have no other choice." He muttered. He plopped his chin on his fist, staring at the floor in thought. "Who is 'they' and just who the hell are you?" I managed to finally find my confidence again. He looked up at me, leaned into his crossed arms, and slyly smiled. "My name is Killian. I am your Irric. Your fate." ********** Maeli's ancestors have been trapped in a never-ending forest, forced to stay in a clearing of trees. No one goes in and no one comes out. Until, one day a strange young man is found unconscious at the forest line. While Maeli fights for answers from the unfamiliar man, she soon realizes the danger of saving this his life, not only from searching for his true intentions, but also the secrets that unfold while uncovering it.