The kiss was sweet, soft, and gentle. We were still wrapped around each other from hugging, but my arms tightened around his neck, not wanting to let him go. Finny tightened his grip around my waist, almost pulling me into his lap.

A few minutes later we broke away, catching our breath. I was smiling, Finny blushing. I hugged him tightly.

"For some reason, now I believe you even more," I whispered in his ear.

"Good," he whispered back. Then he pulled away. "Selena, I swear not to let anyone else hurt you."

I smiled, tears returning to my eyes. "I know you won't. Thank you."

Finny moved some stray hair out of my face and behind my ear.

"Finny?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you take me downstairs?" I asked. "Or, preferably, outside? I feel like I haven't left this room in ages."

Finny smiled, then nodded. He picked me up and carried me out of the room and downstairs.

Only Dad was in the dining room. He saw me and Finny and smiled.

"Selena wanted to go outside for a minute, Sebastian. If that's alright." Finny asked, his head bowed.

"Take her out the back," Dad answered, to my surprise. "You can't see it from the road."

Finny glanced down at me and smiled. I smiled back, then Finny walked out the back door and set me on the cool grass, he sat next to me, and we looked up at the clear sky.

We sat for hours, watching the sun set and the stars come out. I made a wish that I would get better soon on the brightest star. I was sure Finny did, too, when I glanced over and saw his eyes closed. I leaned against his shoulder, never wanting the night to end.

But sadly, all good things do come to an end. I heard something move in the bushes, and was instantly on alert. Finny seemed to have heard it too, because he was on his feet in an instant. He was helping me stand when a man stepped out from behind the green plants. Darkened by the light, Finny wasn't able to tell who he was. But I knew instantly, and the first thing I noticed was that he was surprising unarmed.

"Selena, please. I came to see you. Hear me out."

Suddenly, I felt strong and defensive. "Why should I? All you've ever tried to do is kill me. By the way, you've failed at least three times."

"Please?"

I looked at Finny, who was clearly confused. "Go get Maria," I said softly. Before he could refuse, I added, "He doesn't have any weapons with him. I'll be fine. If Dad is still in the kitchen, send him out, too."

Finny nodded, then reluctantly left. I sat back down on the ground. Well, more like fell without Finny still there to support me. I hit hard, but managed to stay upright instead of falling onto my wings.

"Why the change of heart?" I asked, not looking at him. "Maria will probably kill you for showing your face around here again."

"I don't need to speak with Maria. I came to warn you."

"Warn me about what?"

"The hunters know where you are, and the scientists aren't too happy that your father killed the leader of their whole operation. They're coming here, and fast. You need to leave."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Honestly, you probably shouldn't. For all you know I'm luring you into a trap. But if you want to live, you, Maria, and everyone else need to clear out of here."

Suddenly, we heard the back door open, I looked over to see Dad and Maria both running toward me. I looked back over to the bushes, but the man was gone.

Maria somehow reached me first. "What happened?"

I looked her in the eyes and said casually, "Oh, nothing. You're ex husband just dropped by to say hello. No big deal."

Maria sighed, then half carried, half pulled me back inside the house.

*

"Well?" Maria asked once we were all sat around the dining table. "What did he say? Why was he here? Does he know I'm going to beat him with a hammer once I find him?"

"I'm sure he does, Maria," I said with a sigh. "He said that the scientists were ticked that we'd killed off their leader and the hunters knew I was here. He also came unarmed, if it makes you feel any better knowing that."

Finny and Alex were sitting on either side of me while Maria was pacing and Dad was standing behind a chair across from me. It seemed like that man only ever sat down when he was in a carriage.

"I don't care if he came without weapons, Selena! He came to my house and saw you! He was probably playing the role of spy for some of his buddies to see if we'd returned or not. Let's just move to India and be done with this whole mess."

My father finally decided to speak. "Maria, listen for a moment. It sounds to me like he was trying to warn Selena. He wants us to get out of here before the hunters and scientists show. I say we leave for the next few nights and see if anything happens. I'm sure we could find somewhere near the young master's estate for you to stay. Perhaps a motel in the city?"

"Sebastian, all of the motels will be booked. The winter holidays are only a few short days away. And we surely can't camp out with Selena the way she is. It's colder here than in America, you know." Maria had stopped pacing and was now staring expectantly at my father for an answer.

"I'll think of something," my father said. I'll make preparations tonight and we'll leave first thing in the morning. Everyone needs to go get some sleep. Finny, go back to the manor."

"Yes sir, Sebastian," Finny replied. He smiled at me, then left.

"Alex, I want you to stay with Selena and let me know if anything happens. Understood?" Sebastian ordered.

"Yes sir," Alex answered, then looked to me. I smiled at him, then felt a slight pain in my head.

I closed my eyes. Serena? Is that you?

Is what me? She asked.

Nothing, I guess.

Selena, what's wrong? She sounded concerned.

I'm fine, Serena. Just a headache.

If you're sure... She trailed off, and her presence vanished.

I took a deep breath as the pain grew. I sunk down in my chair and held my head in my hands.

"Selena? Are you alright?" It was Alex, his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah," I said, opening my eyes. "I'm just tired. Can you help me back upstairs now? Please?"

"Yeah, sure." Alex stood and took my hand in his, helping me stand. Once I was on my feet, Alex put my arm over his shoulders and led me to my room.

Once there, I sat on my bed, and Alex in a chair beside me. I held my head in my hands, rubbing my temples, trying to make the pain go away.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Alex asked.

I slumped my shoulders and shook my head no. I was tired of lying to Alex. I was tired of lying to everyone, actually, but I felt more open with Alex than the rest of them. What was wrong with me?

Alex stood from his chair and sat on the bed beside me. He rubbed my shoulders and I spread my wings, stretching them. I wrapped my left wing around me, so the top half was lying before me. I pet the pale gray feathers.

Alex spoke quietly. "We'll get you back to normal, Selena, I promise."

I nodded, not taking my eyes off of my once pitch black wing.

"I feel like Dad is hiding something from me."

Where on Earth did that come from. Yeah, I had been thinking it, but I hadn't planned on telling anyone. I must be really messed up.

"Why do you think that?"

"I don't know. It's just a feeling."

Alex was quiet. I was about to say something to break the silence when he beat me to it. "You should get some sleep," he said. "We might be traveling for a while in the morning. You may need your strength."

"Or at least what's left of it," I muttered.

Alex gave me a sad look, then stood. I lay down on the bed and Alex sat in his chair.

"Goodnight, Alex."

Alex smiled. "Goodnight, Selena. Sweet dreams."

I smiled back, then drifted off to sleep.