I watch in abomination as the boy with rich, emerald-green eyes is led to the gallows. His deep-crimson wings hang limply, drooping, almost obscuring the fact that they had been shredded by the beefy Elven officers stationed proudly by the base of the structure. I know it is the law, but it doesn’t feel right, doing this to someone just for being a fairy. I also know that if people find out about what is hidden under my baggy cloaks and dresses, I will be the one hanging, shuddering in the cold Elvish wind until I perish.
    
“Cassia.” I hear my little sister’s trembling voice and feel her warm, sticky hand interlock with mine.
    
“It’s going to be alright, Jade,” I whisper faintly, squeezing her pudgy fingers.

We gaze, transfixed, at the execrable scene until Mother drags us away. As I whip my head around for a last glance, the boy briefly meets my pale blue eyes with his own, now dim. I realize he knows. The boy, as he slowly slips off his cloak of life, knows about my deadly secret. And for once I’m glad for death. When my father died from that heinous hunting accident, I hated death, and the simple idea of it brought me to tears. Yet now, as I face the threat of being discovered, I silently thank Redik, the Elven god of death.

It’s only when I get home do I realize I left my halsketting, the magic amulet that cloaks my fairy wings, at the gallows. I gulp, trying to swallow the immense lump in my throat.

“Mother!” I call, my voice cracking. Mother comes barreling in, her hat askew on her head.

“Cassia?” she asks in her motherly voice.

“My halsketting. I left it at the gallows.” Hot tears spring into my eyes.

“The magic in it should keep it hidden from passersby until we find it, okay?” Mother says, the worry obvious in her tone.

I nod hastily, anxious to get my amulet back. Would someone discover my secret? The boy is the least of my worries now.