"No, you are a lair! The fire was an accident in the kitchen." I folded my arms.

He shrugged. "Okay then, seems you got it all covered. I'll be leaving."

"No." I quickly said, my eyes darting back at Shane to make sure he was still safe. Out like a light. Wow, how strong was this dude?

Now being closer, I could inspect him better. He had big muscles, and upon closer inspection his jade eyes seem familiar. Too familiar for my liking. He raised one of his thin eyebrows and smirked at me. I wish I could smack the amusement of his face, but he had answers.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Magnus, Magnus Fairtree." He responded smoothly.

Now it was my turn to look at him with an amused smirk. "What kind of name is that?"

He pouted a little (and you got to admit, its cute). "Do you want me to tell you or not?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"No interrupting me." He warned.

"Okay."

"Okay then, we may begin." he took a deep breath. "It started when you were young, seven to be precise, and your father refused to marry you off to me."

"At the age of seven? I don't think so." I said, but then he gave me the "Don't you remember what I said?" look. "Sorry, continue."

"So..."

Flashback

Father sat in his office waiting for a client to come over. I poked my head around the door. "Do you want tea, Father?"

"Oh yes please, sweetheart." He kissed my forehead and I skipped out of the room.

When I came to give him the tea, I saw a group of people waiting outside the door. Curious, I hid around the corner.

They knocked loudly, and importantly. I could hear Father sigh, then he spoke. "Come in! Oh, please do have a seat."

When I thought the coast was clear, I crept to just outside of the door and opened it slightly.

"So, what did you want to discuss today?" Father turned to face the guests.

"This is my son, Magnus Fairtree." a tall man said. I could only see his back, not his face or anything. "He would like to ask you something."

Everyone's eyes shift to the quiet boy in the corner. "I would like your daughter's hand in marriage."

I gasped, then quickly covered my mouth to make sure that no one heard me.

Father looked taken aback. "How old are you, son? And you do realize that I have two daughters, right?"

"I'm ten. I want to marry Seraphina."

"Uh, well, I'll think about. I'm sure you understand that I want the best for my daughter."

"Yes, of course. Thank you for seeing us."

I jumped away from the door so that they wouldn't see me, but I still was listening.

"Goodbye for now." Mr. Fairtree said with an evil glint in his eye. "I'm sure we will be seeing each other VERY soon."