MayaSo much fun—this is what life is all about! I'm sprinting with the wind, letting my tongue hang out from my mouth as I dash through a puddle filled with dirt. It splashes over my face and my fur until I can't tell if my paws are brown or black."You won't win this race, werewolf! I won't let you!"Blake is desperately trying to keep up, but she is more massive than a plane, and the branches are slowing her down. The clumsy idiot has crashed into multiple trees already!I howl in victory, kind enough to let her know she is a lost cause. The other fairies are far behind, and speed isn't Blake's element. I can already taste the victory on my tongue, and-..."And where the hell do you think you're going?!"An enormous wall of ice blocks my road, and I'm forced to shape-shift back into a human for the impact not to kill me. I bump my feet into the ice and peer up at the clouds above. It seems even Blake is struggling—the wall is

Finn Morning has come and washed away yet another piece of my tormented soul. Inside the walls of this room, I'm sinking a little closer to hell with every breath that I take. My sister should be here. And I should be dead. I don't have a good reason for living, and yet, the little wolf with drool glistening on her petite lips has somehow given me purpose—oh, Maya, if only I could tell you how I feel. My heart is a sinking ship, overwhelmed by ocean waves and without a sight of land. And you're the person resting your head in the crook of my neck, touching me with your icy hands, and making the world seem brighter in the dark. You make vulnerable—you're the stars, and the sky combined—you're a masterpiece, and I'm terrified because I know you can't stay in my world forever. I stare at the floor, wishing I was a better person. "And you might hate me after I've told you my story. I'm a terrible person…" Maya stirs on top of my chest. She is the woman of my dreams and too damn cute

Finn After having eaten breakfast, Maya is holding on to my neck like a baby koala. Her legs are wrapped around my waist snugly, and when I take off, she closes her eyes on instinct. "I won't ever get used to flying!" I laugh with my lips straining to contain my happiness and fly toward the window leading out into the sunlight. "You better hold on tight!" Maya squeezes me. "Please, whatever you do, don't drop me! Flying isn't my thing." My heart squeezes when I pick up on the fear visible in her sweet doe eyes. I take a deep, calming breath not to tackle Maya to the ground and kiss her everywhere. Every bone in my body wants to comfort her, but now isn't the time to drench her with my love. "I won't—I promise." Maya's lips quiver, but eventually, she slumps her tense shoulders. "Okay, I trust you!" I smile. Size-shifting would probably be safer for traveling, but I enjoy having Maya this close to me. Her heartbe

MayaAs I take Carla's hand, the scenery around us changes drastically. The room we once stood in with its warm, inviting light disappears, along with the furniture. Soon, I see burning trees and a field with fallen soldiers on the ground. Blood colors the grass red, and there is a permanent stench in the air, making me hold my nose.My lips form an unhappy frown. "What is that rotten smell?"Carla is staring at the ground like a zombie, but eventually, she lifts her chin to watch me with glimmering eyes. Although she wears the face of a fairy, I'm having an easier time understanding she isn't a person. There isn't an ounce of emotion in her eyes, and when she steps over dead people's heads, she doesn't show remorse."We are standing right outside the city of fairies, and this is the future with the highest rate of becoming a reality. I can't tell what will happen for sure—no one knows what is written in the stars, but I fear my people are doomed. A

MayaMy fingers are intertwined with Finn's larger, rougher ones as we head back to the city of fairies. He glances at me now and then with a sweet smile, and I'm miserable because I'm scared to be happy.Finn's skin is electric, and his touch reaches into my heart, making it flip-flop like a pancake. And the minute he squeezes my hand, it's as if something unleashes within me. The explosions of emotions are unlike anything I've felt in my entire life.Affection bounces around in my chest, and I take a deep breath as we entire the fairy city. The towering buildings are casting their shadows over us, and I have to force my steps. I don't want to find Blake and plan for the upcoming war—my heart yearns to spend every living, breathing minute with Finn, but duty calls."I guess this is it." I peer up at Finn, admiring his dimples forming on the left side of his face. "We should find Blake."Finn nods but doesn't step out of my bubble. He bends f