I walked along the stream that marked the beginning of Hangman's Wood. The night air was cool against my face. Inside the Manor I could see lights flashing and hear music blaring. It was my 21st birthday but it felt so strange. Too normal. All my friends were inside having fun and I couldn't stand the loud music. I could see the faeries luring in the shadows beyond the water. They didn't scare at all now. Faeries stayed away from me, mostly because I ignored them completely and never let them torment me.

I couldn't believe I was already 21, it felt like only yesterday I was hiding away in the manor's secret tunnels with a changeling. Since then I finished school, got some GCSE's and A-Levels, taken a gap year and traveled around Europe and had just started University. Everything had changed so much.

A shiver passed over me. The wind had grew colder and a few droplets of rain fell. I turned away from the woods and headed back towards the house before the rain got any worse. But just as I turned away something caught my eye. A dark shadow was moving behind the trees. It was as tall as a human but it moved stealthily through the night like smoke. I took a step closer, intrigued.

"Rowan! You're missing your own party! Get back in here!" I turned back around to the sound of Crooks' drunken slur. He had decided to visit a couple months ago after spend a year in Ireland, he hadn't left yet.

"I'll be back in a minute!" I yelled. He nodded and stumbled back inside.

I looked back into the woods but I couldn't see any shadow moving now just the leering eyes of the fey staring at me. I turned and walked straight back into the house. The loud music hit me like a tone of bricks. People were dancing and having fun. I didn't really want a big party but Rose thought it was a great idea to celebrate my 21st. I've never been the kind of person who likes to go to parties and get drunk, but as Rose kept telling me it was a great way to see all my old friends again. So yesterday afternoon Florence, Warwick, Rose and Alistair (Mine and Fabian's little half-brother) got in the car and drove to Tanya's mother's house to stay for a couple of days while we had the party. Me, Tanya, Fabian, Sparrow and Crooks were left to sort out everything. Rose had given all the money we needed to plan it, we booked and DJ, bought some cool lights, ordered i some food and of course bought lots and lots of alcohol.

Most of the people who turned up weren't even my friends I just happened to be in the same year as me in school. Some of my University friends showed up but most were busy with early exams and couldn't make it. I could honestly say I was not having a good time. From the corner of my eye could see Sparrow dancing with his new girlfriend, Evie, she was actually really nice. Her hair was white-blonde with blue at the bottom, she had pretty brown eyes and had a petite body. Sparrow and I had dated for a while but decided we were better as just being friends. Evie was from Wales, she met Sparrow in Tickey End one day, she was staying there with her cousin Louise and Great Aunt Rosie Beak. I was only a little jealous watching them, mostly because they had each-other and I was still alone. Everyone seemed to be in a relationship except me. Tanya was going out with Oliver Parker from her English class in Uni. Fabian had become a total player after his first real girlfriend, Katy Miller, broke his heart into a million teeny pieces. Even Alistair had his own little girlfriend and he was four. I felt alone in a room full of people. I saw my friend from University, Mara, talking to a guy I didn't recognize ( I told you I didn't know anyone at this party) he had tanned skin and shoulder length dirty blonde hair, he was gorgeous. But this isn't made me notice him, it was his clothes. They were old looking. He had on a long brown trench coat, an old white shirt tucked into dark trousers, a scarf wrapped his neck and some old boots. He looked completely out of place. This worried me. With his strange clothes and his handsome appearance he could be a faerie using glamour. And it was talking to one of my closest friends. I had to find Tanya and soon.

I had so much fun writing this :D I was given the idea by farawayfromnowhere for my other story but I've decided to use for a separate story all together. Hope you enjoyed. :D