Chapter One

The Guardian - A title that is given only to a human who has been assigned a special duty to protect a creature that is not from human law, whether they are friends, family, or a beloved. This law was created by The Division of the Tenth, an underground organization that allows humans and nonhuman creatures to join and live together with lifetime protection, in exchange that the two are to fight for the Division to keep Earth from being overrun by nonhuman or human beings that threaten to darken the world.

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The alarm blared loudly, waking up twenty-six-year-old Blair Nelson in her studio apartment in Washington, DC. She turned in her groggy state and slammed her hand down on the alarm clock. She was successful knocking it down, however, she wasn't successful in turning it off. She sat up and grabbed the alarm clock that landed on the oak floor and manually shut it off. The brunette placed it back on the dresser. Sharing that space is a picture of a younger Blair with a male that had long, curly brunette hair that covered his ears; his brown eyes were bright, thanks to the sun. The male and Blair were embracing each other, the Statue of Liberty was behind them with a few random sightseers, also gazing at the monument. Blair noticed the picture and sadly smiles. The memory of that day still drives her to insanity.

SIX YEARS AGO

BLAIR - AGED TWENTY-ONE

Her beloved went outside, walking towards the lake with the hope to attempt some late evening fishing. He fiddled in his pant pocket to feel a small velvet box that held the engagement ring is still in place; he planned to propose to Blair this evening. The pair met when Blair was sixteen. Blair was inside the private cabin packing their suitcases, leaving out only the essentials before they return home in the morning. Blair was not only her beloved's girlfriend... she was also his Guardian.

When she first met him, his name was Matthew. Matthew's true name and form was Salan; previously from the Wild Elf clan. He ran away from home with the goal to explore the world with humans. He was able to change his appearance as a human to blend in and he was accepted into society. The day he met Blair was one that changed his life, as well as hers.

FIVE YEARS AGO

BLAIR - AGED SIXTEEN

In his human persona, he noticed her, Blair was in the school library, studying for her upcoming ACT test. Blair's ultimate goal was to attend her dream university in Washington, DC. She wore tight blue jeans with brown low-heel ankle boots and a tight white T-shirt with a blue jean jacket. Without her shoes, the teen girl maybe five foot, eight inches. Her long, brunette hair is straight that is in a half-up ponytail, and has light makeup on.

Salan couldn't believe how beautiful she was. She's so young and he was WAY over her age. Even though he was over two hundred years old, his human persona resembled an eighteen-year-old. He swallowed his pride and strolled his way to her. Blair moved toward him and before Salan could stop, they collided with each other, knocking each other to the floor. The book Blair had in her possession got loose and flew in his direction, smacking him in the face. Salan fell on his back. Some of the other students were annoyed Blair and the stranger made noise, and some laughed. The school librarian crossed her arms, not amused by the ruckus they made.

Blair rubbed her lumbar area and stared at the student who crashed into her. Salan wore baggy brown pants and white shoes, accompanied by a baggy grey and black stripe T-shirt. His hair was brown and curly; it just passed his neck. With the book somehow still attached to his face, Salan sat up and the book fell down from his lap. On immediate sight, his caramel eyes met her sky blue eyes. Her eyes widen at his appearance. His tan skin made her pale skin jealous.

"Are you okay?" Blair questioned him; he rubbed his head with his hand. "Yeah, thanks. Sorry about that; are you okay? It was my fault; I didn't pay attention." His voice showed he was panicking, unsure if the girl was injured badly. He stood up while he held his hand out, Blair placed her hand on his, taking the offer from Salan to help her get back on her feet. He bent down, picked up the book at the same time with his free hand, and presented it to her.

"I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?" She whispered to him. He looked away, feverishly. Salan just met Blair and already she was asking difficult questions. This really should not be this hard for any other student. However, this was Salan's predicament. "Uh, yeah. I came here last week." She smiled at the new student.

"I'm Blair Nelson." Salan took a brief moment, idolizing her name Blair Nelson, and how well it suited her physically. He hopes for it to match mentally and emotionally. The fuzzy feeling of the female's name subsided and Salan started to look around his area feverishly, trying to create a name that sounded normal and not elfin, as this would bring suspicion to himself. He looked at the book Blair held, glancing at an author name Matthew Thomas. 'Matthew as a first name! Okay, I got Matthew, but I can't use Thomas!' Salan shouts in his mind. His bright brown eyes quickly scanned and pull the first last name he notices - 'Koontz! Perfect!' "Uh, um... Matt-Matthew. I'm Matthew Koontz."

TWO YEARS LATER

BLAIR - AGED EIGHTEEN

Matthew (or Salan) and Blair spent a few years together as close friends. Blair could tell other students were looking at Matthew unusually weirdly; she could feel it in her bones something was off with him, yet he didn't pose as someone who would threaten other students. Blair never once saw Salan hurt even a fly, as a matter of fact.

By the time Blair graduated high school, she noticed that Salan's name as Matthew Koontz wasn't on the graduating list. Her suspicions are aroused when Matthew hasn't aged unlike how the other students have.

On the night of graduation, Blair was attending Project Graduation; Project Graduation is an event for graduating students who are all together in the school overnight, participating in spontaneous activities. Blair noticed Salan by the gym doors, ready to leave, but, not before he gave her a smile and a thumbs up. Blair ran to her locker where her book bag and personal items are, ready to be picked up. She took off her cap and gown placing them next to her bag, revealing the dress she was wearing underneath. Blair was wearing a black, sleeveless cocktail dress and she was also barefoot. She took off her heels during the ceremony due to the tightness and the aches on her feet caused by her shoes.

Being a good distance away from the school, she chased after the teenage boy, she was able to catch up to him and shouted his name as he was about to enter a cave, where occupied was a railroad track. "Matthew!" He stopped walking, turning his body; his eyes widen, understand Blair ran to catch up to me. His heart was beating, her dedication to come and find him was strange behavior from a human he's met. She is the one, Salan thought to himself. "Blair... why did you follow me?"

"I didn't see your name on the graduation list. What happened?" Blair asked, Salan could her concern soothe out from the girl's lips. He lightly chuckled at her. "Have you not noticed? I didn't carry any books or assignments with me. Even when you and the other students went to the required meetings with your counselors, haven't you noticed that I didn't need to attend the meetings? It was as if no one noticed me." Blair's brain started to recap - it was true Salan never went to any of the student assemblies or meetings with homeroom teachers and counselors. She cocked her eyebrow, puzzled at the riddle. The brunette's mouth turned angry.

"Wait... do you even go to this school? Are you from the rival school? Who are you!?" She shouted. "Blair Nelson... your pure heart has shown me that not all humans are bad; my clan was wrong." His lips made the hairs on Blair's arms stand, sounding like the perfect aged wine.

"Humans? Clan? What are you talking about?" She wanted to be mad, but somehow, her heart is telling her no. Her heart beat differently whenever she would see or speak with Matthew compared to the other boys in her class. "You deserve to know the truth. My name is not Matthew." Her eyes widen, confirming only one part of her suspicions. "I need you to keep your eyes on me, okay?" Salan said ever gently. Her eyes narrow, her mouth slightly open. She can only nod, not prepared for what was going to happen next.

The boy breathed in and out, loose, white and yellow flower petals swirled around him, the wind picks up, yet it was not natural wind. It was the being in front of Blair who was creating the wind. Blair's hair sways in the cool breeze, she wrapped her arms around her body, shaking from the wind that is making her chilly. Yet, her eyes never left him, as promised.

His appearance changed before her eyes. Salan was a tad taller than her, about six feet; his once short curly brunette hair, now straight and long as it reached toward the mid of his back. His tan skin's still present, his ears currently pointy and his eyes are golden, like the sun. Salan's physical facial expression displayed he looked more close to his middle twenties rather than a teenager. He wore a long white sleeved shirt, created with linen, and an elven male robe, dark green with grey trimming. He wore grey pants and a gold satin belt that was tied around his waist.

Blair's eyes widen at his new form. The petals sway down to the ground, the artificial wind died down as well. The elf creature sees goosebumps on Blair's arms. "My name is Salan. And I am from the Wild Elf clan. I was destined to be a soldier for the Prince, but I chose to run away and I disguised myself as Matthew to be closer and to grow with the humans." Blair lost her words; she was speechless. She was still in shock. She knew of the Wild Elf clan through the books and fairy tales she would read during her spare time but didn't ever think one would be walking alongside her. Salan was happy because she didn't run away. "Blair, you are such an amazing, young woman. I haven't ever seen a human, such as yourself, who has such dreams and potential. You've inspired me too. I've fallen in love with you, Blair." His voice changed into a deep, medium tone, almost mature.

"Salan..." Blair looked down at her feet bathed by the mud and loose grass. She moved her gaze back to Salan's golden eyes. "Why would you lie to me like that? It's been two years. And all this time, I fell in love with Matthew." Salan's eyes grew wide in shock, mouth gaped slightly open. He looked away, disappointed. "But..." Salan hastily moved his direction back to her, with slightly worried that she would start shouting at him; the elf couldn't blame her. "That would make sense why others would act so suspicious around you. Salan, just answer me this - are you... still the same? From human to elf, of course, you're different. But your likes, your kindness, your eagerness to learn. All of those other things ... are the same?"

Salan relaxed his expression, glad to see she hasn't gone nuts on him, yet. "Yes. I never lied to you about all of that. Especially my affections for you. I would be lying to myself if I say that I cannot love any mortals. I love you." Blair's face turns pink from Salan's confession, again. She gulped, clearly, she understood Salan's feelings. "Can you still love me?" He whispered. Blair walked closer to Salan to get a better look at his face. The elf noticed the human was still shaking, he took his robe off and placed it on her shoulders. Blair's eyes scanned how tight Salan's shirt was, revealing the muscles on his abs and arms. The robe smelt of wood and rain. She nods her head at him.

"Salan..." Her hands reached slowly up to his face. The teen girl's sky blue eyes look straight into the sun-colored eyes that belong to Salan. He nodded, granting her permission for Blair to place her hands softly on each side of his face. Salan closed his eyes, relaxation flows through his body caused of her soft hands. Blair lightly smiled, setting her soft lips on Salan's light-chapped lips, and closed her eyes. The elf softly placed his hands on Blair's shoulders. She broke away, but her lips are still touching his. "I love you."

~~~~~~

A week after Blair's confession, she met Salan by the railroad tracks in his elfin form. It was a pain in the ass for Blair to sneak away from her friends and family to go meet with Salan, who happily decided he desired to court her. Before the two could begin their day together, Salan moved his head away, sun eyes piercing through the cave.

"Salan?" Blair questions. "Stay behind me." He turned to the left and pulled Blair back by his side. The elf and human witness a man dressed in black pants and a jacket with a white button shirt and black long tie walking towards the pair. He had slick, comb-back black hair, a shaved face, and pitched black sunglasses. The stranger looked like he could've been from a high intelligence agency, almost like Men In Black only this time, he is dealing with an elf, not an extraterrestrial. The man could be seen holding a red, two-inch binder under his right arm. Both Blair and Salan narrow their eyes at the man. After about a few feet from Salan and Blair, the stranger spoke,

"Is Blair Serena Nelson with you, Wild Elf?" Salan's arm was straightened out, acting as a shield to protect Blair from any danger. She stepped to the side, "Who wants to know?"

"My name is Xan. I am from the Division of the Tenth. Your information has been reached to us under the circumstance that you have declared your love for Salan, the Wild Elf soldier that abandoned his clan." The wind was knocked out from Blair's body, she felt violated by the idea someone has been watching her. "Wha - have you been spying on me!?" She raised her voice, Salan growled at Xan. He had every right to be upset; his beloved's privacy was invaded.

"It's the Division's classified information." Xan bluntly spoke. "What are you wanting with Blair?" The wild elf questioned, his growl rumbling in his throat.

"Do you two desire protection from the world? Should it come where Blair's secret is revealed to the world then she will be sentenced to death." Blair's eyes widen at the man's words, shocked if anyone knew about her secret, she would have to die. Salan pulled out his bow and arrow, aiming it at the man, infuriated Blair would have to perish for loving someone that is not human. "We can protect ourselves. I will protect her." Blair turned her attention at Salan's eyes, full of rage and a fighting spirit.

"Salan, wait." Blair pleaded, placing her left hand on his right arm. His worried eyes turn to hers, lowering his arrow. Xan lowly hums at the wild elf's action, obeying her request. The pair return their gaze to Xan. "What do you mean protection?"

"The Division of the Tenth will provide you with essential items to last you two for a lifetime. You two can still venture out, Salan can transform into his human persona, Matthew." Xan holds out the red binder, with Blair's full name labeled on the front. "We have provided you information about the Division with choices where you two can decide your living habitation; the Division will cover the prices. However... in this world, as you know Blair, is full of nonhuman creatures. You will fight and work for the Division of the Tenth to rid of those who plan to blanket our Earth into darkness. Accept this offer and you two will have no worries for life." Blair stepped forward to Xan, Salan followed closely behind her.

"Salan." Blair lovingly moved her gaze at him, a perfect opportunity the two can live together with no one bothering them and trespassers would not find them. "I love you. I'd do anything to live with you... as you, Salan. What do you think?" Salan lowly groans, "I don't like the idea of having you fight. I will protect you. And I have no problem of turning into a human whenever we need to go out." His eyes narrow at Xan. "I already have provided for us; we don't need this so called 'Division' to protect us."

Xan sighs, "Very well. Here is one piece of information that you must heed under no circumstance - the Division would like you to be recognized as Salan's Guardian, Miss Nelson. We can at least provide you with items that may be of need for you two; if you work for the Division of the Tenth." Blair took the red binder as she nodded, "Alright."

THREE YEARS LATER

BLAIR - AGED TWENTY-ONE

Salan heard footsteps, he quickly turned behind him and saw a figure drowned by the black silhouette enshrouded in shadows appear. Salan's eyes widen. You're - " The sound of a blade was heard, piercing through flesh, blood drained from Salan's chest as he falls to the ground.

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It's been a few years since Blair and Salan met Xan from the Division of the Tenth. She accepted her lifetime position as Salan's Guardian, making sure he is obeying the human law; he disguised himself as a human so he can live with the humans, Blair screams in her mind. She hasn't opened the binder that Xan gave her. 'Besides, he hasn't caused any mischief. I trust him to behave himself with the others and he was proven to be loyal when he is alone with the humans in the community. So, why worry?' Blair smiled, relieved but also pleased at Salan and his progress.

He's been gone for a while, she thought. She slipped on her white sneakers and head outside while she put on Salan's robe. The birds fly away as a loud slam reached her ears. A man's yell made it towards the cabin. Blair widens her eyes and runs in the direction to find the cause and reason for the scream.

"Salan! Salan?" Right by the lake, she noticed a body, crawling out of the water. Blair trembled, shaking her head, the worst has happened. "SALAN!" Blair sprinted toward him and when she got up close, Blair gently flipped Salan; his abdomen was covered in blood with a big gash slashed diagonally. Blair started to panic, his face showed he was in pain, his eyes shut tightly, teeth grinding. Blood is everywhere. Blair didn't know where to touch him or what to do. Salan's mouth was spilling blood, trying to grasp at the air. Blair held his upper torso up, his head resting on her chest, hearing her heartbeat. Salan trembles in the pain that he is in. "Please, talk to me! Don't you dare die on me!" Blair whines, trying to hold back her shouts and her panicked shrieks.

"Blair... my beloved... my time... has come." Tears formed in the teen girl's eyes, "No, don't talk like that!" His hand fumbled in his pocket, pulling out the small, black velvet box. His arms shake violently but successfully opened it. Blair gasped, her eyes gaze upon the silver band with a jade gem in the middle.

"Blair... I should have given this to you when we got here. I wanted to make you mine." She shook her head. "You always had me." Salan took her left hand, sliding the ring on her ring finger. The ring was placed so snugged but comfortable. At the same time, a light shone next to her. As quick as it did, the light disappeared, revealing the bow that is carved with wood and vines wrapped around the bow. Laying next to it was a black and white quiver with a set of arrows.

"This ring, not only is a symbol of my eternal love and courting with you but is a tool to call upon my bow and arrow. My last gift to you, my love, is my weapon. These arrows and bow are from the Wild Elf clan. Beware of the Woodland Elves. Beware of their Prince. He won't treat anyone with fair dignity and kindness. He knows of you now. Use this to fight him." Blair cried, sobbing. This really is the end, she shouted in her mind. "I can't do this without you, Salan! I need you! Please, hold on!" Blair desperately looked around the area to see if anyone can lend a hand to help Salan, even if it meant her own death. "Xan!? Xan!" She cried out. Her nightmare is real; no one's coming.

"I failed, Salan... I failed you. I was your Guardian... I failed to protect you." Her tears fell on his face, "No, my beloved. If anything, I was able to protect you. When I left for the lake, I placed a barrier on the cabin so you would be invisible to the other elves."

His eyes began to close, "No, no, no! Salan, come on! Stay with me, please! Please stay with me!" "Blair..." Blair rushed down to kiss Salan on the lips. "You can't leave me, damn it," "I love you..." His body went to limp. His soul and spirit has left Blair's world and the world of humans. The young woman was left alone.

PRESENT DAY

BLAIR - AGE TWENTY - SIX

That horrific night will never leave her mind. She wasn't herself after that night. Behind the picture of her and his human persona was another picture of a selfie Blair took with her and Salan, the night before the murder. Her ring finger is now bare, the ring on her left pinkie finger; five years, and she never once called upon Salan's weapon.

The red binder she was given by Xan has been shoved away with her other belongings in the closet, Blair never had thought about the Division again. She lost Salan; why would the Division of the Tenth need her now?

Blair slowly got over the death of her beloved. She vowed to never become a Guardian again by the Division of the Tenth. Or, so she thought.