Esmerelda fell into a wooden chair, squinting her eyes from the penetrating light reflecting over the walls. “So you’re new to America.”

“Not exactly. We have been living here for a very long time.”

“So how'd you find yourself in an alley known for its dangers?”

“That’s not important.” Fay sighed, lights sparking from her wings with greater intensity.

“Are you going to let me go-” Esmerelda glared at her, shifted her eyes from the woman to the man.

“Leo.” The man announced, surveying her eyes.

“Leo.” She finished, peering at Leo as he continued to stare at her.

“Not quite yet, Esmerelda. I’m Lia.” Fay pierced her lips together, sharing an unrecognizable glance with Leo. “We need your help.”

Esmerelda scoffed at her, shaking her head as she observed the tight room.

The walls crippled, rust blooming from the corners. Empty boxes were plastered across the room, embraced by smears and stains. The ground was covered in a layer of soot, and the only pieces of furniture was the table, built uniquely with three legs, and a sturdy wooden chair that was currently taken up by herself. “I love your- home.” Esmerelda cocked her head to the side, beaming at Lia as her brow furrowed.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“You are going to help us.” Fay repeated, her periwinkle eyes flashing gold.

Esmerelda gaped at her eys. She saw a man in the midsts of gold. His eyes flashed with a sense of independence, and a gun was plastered at the side of his belt. He was smiling, his hand held hostage by a young girl.

Esmerelda recognized herself in the girl, who’s brunette hair was in her face and who’s baby blue eyes shone with excitement.

And then, the vision was over. Lia’s eyes faded back to periwinkle, and suddenly, they didn’t seem that vibrant anymore.

“What the hell was that?” Esmerelda gasped, her breath ragged.

Lia looked at her, her voice whispering, embracing her with warmth. “What you most desire.”

Esmerelda murmured to herself, her eyes wide and disconsolate. “My father?”

Leo nodded at her, his face contorted in sadness as if he understood. “If you help us, you could have that.”

Esmerelda’s eyes flashed towards him with astonishment. “Are you mental?”

Lia shook her head from one side to the other. “We can save your father before it happened.”

Esmerelda almost laughed. Then, she almost cried. “So are you going to go back in time or what?”

Lia shrugged. “We have wings. We have golden eyes. We have secrets.”

Esmerelda was desperate. Desperate enough to find who killed her father and kill them for him. Desperate enough to spend her every hour in dark alleyways, desperate enough to forgot why she is in those alleyways and focus on revenge.

Desperate enough to make a deal with two people with wings and golden eyes and secrets, who are definitely, most-likely not human.