My father stood pacing before me, his legs illuminated by the firelight of the hearth. I could hear his near-silent steps as his shoes made contact with the stone floor, a slight click, click, click that echoed through the room. My heartbeat sped up with each click, waiting in nervous anticipation for the inevitable. I stood before him, head bowed, not making a noise. I kept my breathing as silent as I could, though it was difficult as my anxiety level skyrocketed. I felt beads of sweat forming on the nape of my neck. I'd known this was coming, but still... it was hard to accept. I just wanted him to get it over with. The clicking finally stopped, directly in front of me, and I could feel his eyes boring holes into my blonde locks that acted as a curtain that shielded me from his glare.

He took a deep, tired breath in, seemingly exhausted from all his pacing. Like he'd actually had to think about his decision, which I knew wasn't at all the case. If anything, the pacing was for the sole purpose of unnerving me, and though it was working, I knew my father had made up his mind about me long ago.

"Look at me," he commanded, voice stone cold. I obliged, lifting my head slowly until I came face-to-face with the man who was going to destroy life as I knew it. I didn't bother to wipe away the strands of hair that were now plastered to my forehead from my nervous sweating.

My eyes met his, which were full of unparalleled rage. I felt my muscles tense, knowing the storm he was about to unleash upon me would not be pleasant. When he spoke, his voice was eerily calm and icy, void of all emotion.

"Quinn," he began, spitting my name like a foul curse. "Do you understand your crime?"

I nodded my head, wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball and never come out. I didn't bother to point out that what I'd done wasn't the crime; it was who I was that was the problem. I knew that my logic would have no impact on a man of my father's rank, who had been brain-washed since birth to hate my kind. He didn't know any different, but I still couldn't forgive him. I don't think I could ever forgive him.

"Then you understand that I have no choice but to disown you," he continued, his voice still void of any sort of emotion.

The words stung, and I blinked back tears that had began to form in my eyes. I would not cry in front of him, would not give him the satisfaction of knowing that his words hurt. I didn't say anything, just stared at him through glassy eyes.

"Do you have any last words, any requests?" he inquired, not at all sounding sincere.

I shook my head, internally raging at him for asking me the questions when he knew I couldn't speak. Besides, there was nothing he could give me that I needed, nothing that would help me on the journey to come.

"In that case, I, General Roland Ray of Her Majesty Alluna's order formally disown you, Quinn Ray due to charges of witchcraft and the practicing of the evil arts of magic. You are no longer part of my family, and I owe you nothing. You are on your own."

My throat choked up, and I couldn't reply. My father was my only family left in this world, and I still cared for him, despite how little he did for me. And without his name's protection, how would I survive in the outside world? It would be difficult enough to be a wanderer, but with the charges pressed against me? It would be nearly impossible to make due on my own.

I broke his gaze, blinking back tears that were now threatening to spill. I will not cry in front of him. I will not cry, I told myself, though I knew it was a lie. I knew my tears would fall as soon as I was alone and out of this wretched house.

His voice became quieter as he said, "I will not inform the knights of your departure until dawn tomorrow. That is all the time you have to leave and get as far away as you can."

Had I known any better, I would've mistaken his quiet tone as a softer, fatherly one that showed he actually regretted exiling me at least a bit. But I knew differently. I knew he was only speaking in such a way to avoid possible eavesdropping by any stragglers who happened to be roaming the streets at this late hour.

I nodded for what felt like the thousandth time that night. I'd managed to keep my tears from falling for a while now... until he said the words that damned me and my heart forever. "Do not mistake this as an act of kindness. I am giving you a chance because it's what your mother would have wanted. This is for her sake, not for yours. Now leave, Quinn," he commanded.

I didn't say anything as I turned on my heel and sped out of our house, nearly tripping over a table in the process. Only once I was outside and was well into the forest beyond did I let my tears fall.

I was all alone... I no longer had anyone to turn to, no one who would even talk to me. I'd probably be alone forever, on the run all my life, going who knows where.

That realization just made me sob harder as I raced through the surrounding forest with quick strides, faster than anyone else I knew. Cold rain battered my face, but I paid it no heed and kept pace, not once faltering or looking back. I would never look back again.

----

I watched as the sun rose for the third time since I'd left that horrible place behind, shut that awful man who had the audacity to call me his daughter out of my life forever. The third day I'd been alone, with no one but the forest animals.

I sat on the foliage-covered ground, back pressed up against a tree, and gazed, entranced, as the sun peaked above the mountaintop, kissing the world with its light. And then, for the first time in a while, I smiled a real smile, knowing that this world was mine for the taking, and I could do with it as I wished. That was, of course, only if I didn't get caught by the Queen's knights first... but I'd worry about that later.

I pushed off the ground on shaky hands, using the trunk behind me to help me stand. I was still groggy from sleep, and hunger gnawed at my stomach relentlessly. I took in my surroundings, and strolled over to an apple tree I'd spotted while scouting the night before.

I picked off one of the luscious, scarlet fruits and took out a decent-sized chunk, savoring the flavor as I chewed it slowly. It had been a while since I'd eaten; my last meal had been some berries yesterday morning.

Once finished, I threw the core to the ground and used my enhanced hearing to locate a source of rushing water. I sorted through the sounds I heard, mostly composed of chirping birds and buzzing insects, until I found one that sounded vaguely like a river. I was pleasantly surprised when, after ducking under branches and hopping over fallen trees, I came across a small stream that gave way to a larger, peaceful-looking lake.

The sunlight glinted off the surface of the water, subtle ripples fracturing the color. The 'lake' was relatively small, but to me it was like heaven. The peaceful quiet of nature, accompanied by that certain smell of fresh spring water, made it a stunning little hideout.

I dipped my toe in the crystalline water and found it to be a refreshing warm temperature, a stark contrast to the frigid morning air around me.

Using my senses to make sure no one was around to disturb me, I stripped down and padded gingerly into the shallow pool, careful to avoid ragged edges of stone that made the pool their slave. As I was descending into its abyss, I noticed my reflection, and almost came to a complete halt.

At seventeen years, I was about five foot six and relatively curvy. My blonde hair was wild and unkempt from days without a comb and my pale skin was covered with dirt and grime. My normally vibrant blue-green eyes were a bit dull and had dark bags under them, likely from my lack of sleep. I shook my head, focusing once again on the task at hand: bathing.

After I was clean and content with my current odor, I waded out of the water and dried myself the best I could, got dressed in the one pair of clothes I had – a tunic, leather pants, and sandals – and frowned. I really needed to find someplace decent to get a good rest, bathe properly, and maybe buy some new clothes with the money I'd stolen from my father upon my departure.

I didn't really care at all about the stolen money for a couple of reasons: first, my father was a misogynistic ass, and second, people already wanted to burn me alive, so I didn't see a problem with adding thievery to my repertoire.

I'd already traveled a fair distance from my town, and knew news of my escape was probably spreading like wildfire. Few could get away with being an accused witch and go unpunished. The guards I undoubtedly had on my tail wouldn't rest until they found me and threw me in the rutting cell of a dungeon. I couldn't blame the guards themselves; the Queen would have their heads if they didn't find me. Didn't mean I couldn't be pissed about them taking away pretty much all of my options for refuge.

I also had no idea where I was. Even if I had a map, I would have difficulty reading it. I was dastardly at everything relating to geography, maps, and the world itself. The only thing I knew for certain was that I started out in a small port town known as Lumina and had fled south, the opposite direction of the Royal headquarters in Ontope, where Queen Alluna resided.

After sighing quietly, I stalked off southward, knowing the direction from the way the sun rose.

I sprinted through the forest aimlessly for a while, taking only vital breaks to stock up on water and food. The lush green forest loomed endlessly ahead, but I kept going, ignoring the complaints of my muscles as I made as much room as I could between my former home and me. I had few encounters with any kind of wildlife, much to my surprise. This forest, whose name I'd long since forgotten, was well known for its legends about wolves and other feral animals that made it their home.

After another many hours, when the sun had set and I was beginning to wonder just how big a forest could possibly be, I felt it. A slight tugging feeling, like someone was pulling me toward them with a rope. It was an odd sensation, and I found myself needing to know what was at the end of that invisible line. That was how, going against all common sense, I found myself in a barren campsite with a fire long extinguished. The pull dissipated, leaving me confused and cursing myself for being so foolish as to follow a strange, unknown force. But I hadn't been able to help it; this place had called to me like a siren.

I examined the camp once more; only an empty clearing with remnants of a fire long gone, before shaking my head and darting off once more. I didn't want to stay in one place for too long, especially one where someone could be lurking. I continued on this course for only a few steps before I felt a brooding presence behind me, emanating power and authority. I quickly spun around on my heel, and then I saw him.

He stood cloaked in darkness a few yards away, but coming closer with each step he took. I stood there, frozen in place and unable to move a muscle in my body, much to my demise. As the man stalked forward, each step precise, like he'd planned every action, the shadows surrounding him began to fade, and I only caught a flash of his form before I finally had the sense to turn around and run.

But even as I ran, I heard his steps behind me, keeping a fair distance away but not once faltering. It was as though he was keeping pace with me. The brief image of him I'd seen flashed through my mind as I sprinted, faster than I ever had in my life. And I could run fast. Tanned skin, flecked with scars. Tall, muscular build. Broad shoulders, short midnight hair. I hadn't seen his eyes. I didn't know if I wanted to see his eyes.

I increased my speed, going quicker than I thought possible, ducked under trees and between branches, and strained to hear over the rush of wind I'd caused. To my complete shock, I could still hear him. And he was getting closer.

He definitely wasn't human, that much I now knew for sure. No normal person would be able to keep up with the speed I was traveling. After running like this for a few more moments, I could hear the footsteps gaining on me, as though this person was tired of playing at this game and wanted to finish it as quick as possible. Like a lion leaping to finish a kill.

My blood thrummed in my ears as adrenaline coursed through my body, true fear making its way into my mind and blinding all rational thoughts and behavior. I ran faster than I'd thought possible, but it was no use. He was almost at me, and running wouldn't give me a good chance at survival any longer. With this realization, I spun around, looking for something - anything - to fight with. There was nothing save for fallen branches scattered about the forest floor. There was always magic, but I'd sworn that off. Last time I'd used it, I'd killed. The only times I came close to unleashing my full potential was when I was pissed off, but in that moment I was so scared that my mind was clear and the world seemed to move in slow motion. I had no problem keeping a leash on my magic.

I quickly picked up the longest and sharpest stick I could find, not once daring to take my eyes off the shadows that bore my captor. I thrust the tree limb in front of me, trying my best to look threatening. Maybe I could chase this... well, whatever he was, away.

It only took a few more seconds before he was in front of me, once more. He stood a few feet away, but didn't come any closer. I felt hands go slack around my makeshift weapon as I was once again caught off guard by his appearance. Rugged and wild, yet handsome in his own right.

Shaking my head, I gripped the stick once more, both hands clenching hard around it as I began to retreat a few steps. The man stepped closer, but never came within a few feet of me. It was like I was surrounded by an invisible forcefield.

I dared to meet his eyes, and found them as coal black as his hair. He held my gaze for a few moments before surveying me, and I tensed. Finally, his eyes returned to mine, and he spoke.

"Mine."

And then, almost immediately following this, came a sniff and then a low growl, and the word, "Fae."