The Locket

"As the men turned around, their arrogant swagger diminished, and unbeknownst to Alina, they saw a frightening sight. The tall stranger held one of their own in a choking grip, and, before the eyes of those villainous drunkards, the man gagged and gasped for air, his face turning numerous colors. The suffocating man finally fell limp, and the imposing stranger cast him aside on the ground. Alina heard the stranger nearing her, so she stiffened her spine in response to what she was sure would be blows or some type of malevolent action. Instead, she was shocked to feel strong yet gentle hands on her waist, lifting her up, up, off the ground, and into the stranger's arms. She struggled in protest, but her attempts to escape were futile, and only resulted in the stranger's muscled arms encircling her even tighter, like bands of steel."

Astuam is a broken kingdom, filled with broken people. When a young apothecary's apprentice meets an intimidating stranger, her life is turned upside down. The fates that hang in the balance will soon change everything- for good, or for evil.