Shandra's eyes, for a mere fraction of a second, are completely normal. Then they turn red like the weird aura emanating from her and Sam, and the wound marks on her abdomen slowly begin to fade.Julian doesn't know whether to pay attention to the rapid healing process, to the bright and awe-inspiring magic surrounding the two of them, or to the exiled prince's serious and utterly tranquil expression upon seeing the magnitude of it.The red-haired man takes a step back. Shandra does not seem conscious, despite her open eyes.A few minutes later, the girl's smooth skin is back, with no signs of burns or any other damage. Sam's fire-colored eyes close, and the locket stops glowing. The strange magic fades away."Is she going to be okay?", Julian asks. "Will it take her a while to wake up?""Shandra is a strong girl. I doubt she'll be unconscious for long."The boys take her to the far corner of the building floor, which stinks of mold and garbage, but was the only safe place within mile

Shandra is not sure if she is alive, dead, delirious, or dreaming.All the girl can understand is that she is being held tightly by a man with the scent of roses and jasmine, who besides having sparkling, warm, pink skin, is literally flying and standing in mid-air.She stares at him, startled.The winged creature's voice is sweet and smooth as wine:"I got you."Shandra has no time to react. Quickly, rage-filled growls take over the clearing as Sam and Julian take the natural demon form, and fly at them."Let her go now," Sam threatens, his pointed teeth gleaming like sharp knives."Have you guys showered today? What a horrible smell of sulfur," the stranger complains, making a disgusted expression."We're not kidding, fairy," Julian says, his yellow eyes brighter and more frightening than in his human form."Is this how you people thank me? Frankly, I now understand why all magical creatures hate demons.""We thank you for your rescue, but we are suspicious of your convenient presen

The palace garden was much, much larger than any Shandra had ever seen. Royal guards stood in strategic places, serious and focused on their duty. All the most beautiful flowers in the world seemed to be part of the landscape, and the girl did not know which one to look at.A giant glass greenhouse stood behind the imposing building itself. Julian mentally communicated with her once again:"The fairies treat with reverence every tree, shrub or flower that exists. Every leaf, seed and petal is absolutely sacred to them.""And why?""They believe in the Mother Goddess, whose greatest physical manifestation is nature itself. By cultivating these plants, they are worshipping her directly.""So... No taking one of those flowers and putting it behind your ear, right?""Only if one of them offers you that privilege. It would probably be some kind of blessing. But, just to be safe, don't even look at those flowers strangely."Shandra was so excited to see a whole world of fairies, she forgets

Shandra knows she can't run out, or cast a spell, or scream in fear when Solis is standing right in front of her, staring at her gravely and taciturnly.But that is all she wants, especially when the ruddy-skinned fairy opens a smile identical to the ones Julian and Sam used to open from time to time.Up close, the King is much more majestic, noble and absolutely fearsome; not because he lacked beauty, on the contrary, but because it was obvious that his power, authority and leadership were unquestionable, and Shandra was just a mere human facing his silent judgment.The girl swallows dryly when Solis once again sniffs her."What is your name, human girl?"Should she tell her real name? Since she was now dead, would it be good to lie about her identity?Sam's mental voice quickly warned her:"Tell the truth.""Shandra," she replies, thanking him for his demon protector's help."Shandra, what brings you into my realm?""I am accompanying these demons on their mission, your majesty."He

Sitting on a bench of what appeared to be leather, although most likely it was not, Shandra could hear the echo of the shouts, whistles, clapping, and boisterous arguing of the huge crowd that attended the arena.The young woman was inside a compartment in the actual fighting arena itself, and all that separated it from a sandy strip three times the size of a soccer field was a low, rusty, barred gate.Binding his feet and hands were two chains connected directly to the stone wall. They were probably magical, as she tried to recite a spell to unlock anything, and all she could manage was to realize that they were tighter than before.While waiting for the announcement of her battle, Shandra thought about what she would do. Even if it was true, and that fairy blood ran in her veins, that didn't make her skilled at all. All she had been able to do, other than ready-made incantations described in a book, was by pure instinct.Could instinct save her from that disaster? Probably not.Soli