Kalista tore through the forest like her life depended on it, which in a way, it did. As she ran, her eyes darted all around her. The moon was hidden behind thick blankets of clouds and there were no stars in the sky so the entire forest was plunged in darkness.But Kalista could see clearly. Her vision had been enhanced and so she ran without stopping. Occasionally she would look behind her, terrified that the humans were catching up with her but each time she turned, all she saw was darkness. Soon she got to the river, just as Roland had explained. Then she turned north and continued running. Roland had told her not to wait for him and she wouldn't. For a moment, she forgot about Roland and how strange he suddenly became. All she wanted was to return to the village of the mist and save Jade. He was all that mattered at that point.Soon she began to recognize where she was. That particular part of the forest looked so familiar and that was when she realized that she was on the pat

Everywhere had gone dark when the mist surrounded Kalista and Roland. It was just like that moment when she and Jade arrived at the village of the mist for the first time. She waited a few seconds and slowly opened her eyes. They were no longer in the forest. She could see the familiar mountains in the distance. They were in the village.It was when she finally allowed herself to relax that she noticed Roland's arm wrapped around her waist.Instantly feeling uncomfortable, she pushed out of his embrace and stared at him suspiciously."What?" Roland shrugged innocently."Don't you dare give me that helpless look," Kalista snapped, hands planted on her hips. "You have a lot of explaining to do. What are you? I know you're not human. How did you know about this village? How did you know about the rune? How did you make the rune glow so brightly..."Roland just stood back and watched her with a small smile. He had fallen. So hard. It took him just two days to be with her and he realized

You have a lot of explaining to do, Soren Tobias," Salem said in a hard voice.Roland, whose real name was Soren took a deep breath and spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "After all these years," Mathius shook his head. "I never thought I would see the ancient elf return to this village.""Salem, I know I owe you an apology." Soren began."You damn well do," Salem snapped. "You leave this village without a word to anyone, not even me, and you think you can just waltz back in and everyone will receive you with open arms?"Soren sighed. "Hear me out first," he pleaded. "And if you still feel I'm not welcomed here, I'll leave peacefully."His words silenced Salem and she folded her arms before her."Start talking," she said....Jade stared at his mate as she lay asleep in his arms. He gently tucked in the damp strands of hair behind her ear and leaned forward slightly, placing a soft kiss on her lips. On the side of her neck, a magnificent golden mark sat prominently. It was a be