Chapter 1

When I opened the door, everyone froze at the sight of my injuries. Only then did they realize they'd left me behind.

My mother pressed her lips together, then came over and took my arm. "You're back. How did you end up like this? Let your sister heal you. You know how busy things have been lately. We just forgot you were still in the maze..."

"No, thanks." I shook my head and pulled my arm free.

My mother frowned, her patience wearing thin. "What are you sulking about now? Your sister's offering to use her own mental energy to heal you. What's with that attitude?"

My father snorted too. "If people from the other families come by and see you like this, what will they think?"

My sister had always known how to read the room and sweet-talk our parents. She hooked her arm through our mother's and smiled. "Don't be mad, Mom, Dad. I need $600 for extra tutoring for my upcoming healing course..."

My mother smiled, stroked her hair, and sent her $1,500 on the spot.

"Good girl. Keep the rest as pocket money."

That reminded me of my own tuition. "I need $150 too," I said quietly.

My grades were so good that the school had waived most of my tuition. I only needed $150 to enroll.

But when they heard that, they all turned and frowned at me.

My father spoke first. "You think money grows on trees? You're asking for $150, just like that! We're getting ready for war. There's no spare money for you!"

My brother chimed in. "Exactly. Someone who contributes nothing to the pack still wants money? That's freeloading."

My mother said nothing, but she obviously agreed with them.

I didn't argue. I just went upstairs without a word.

Their laughter drifted up from downstairs, but I was no longer part of it.

My family had never wanted me, not from the very start.

The day I was born, the pack's prophet said I had no talent, was destined for a mediocre life, and would bring bad luck to the family.

As if to prove him right, the very next day my father, who had never lost a fight, was wounded in a battle with another pack. It took him a full month to recover.

After that, he believed every word. He resented having me as a daughter and kept his distance.

But things really got worse after my brother and sister were born.

My father summoned the prophet to see them too. One look was all it took. The prophet declared that both of them were extraordinary and would one day do great things for our people.

His words came true. At six, my brother awakened his combat talent, and my sister awakened her healing talent.

When we heard, the whole family cheered. Everyone fought to hold them, kiss their cheeks, and shower them with jewels and toys.

I stood in the corner, quietly watching it all.

My brother and sister's gifts only made me seem more ordinary.

Only when my mother started making dinner did she notice she was short one helper.

That was when she remembered me. Her face darkened. "What are you standing there for? Put your sister's cake in the oven and polish your brother's shoes.

"You haven't awakened any talent, so you'll have to make yourself useful. The Bennett family doesn't feed freeloaders."

I was so small back then that the tray was nearly as big as I was. As I wobbled toward the oven with it, my father added, "You're giving up your room. Your sister will use it as her practice room."

I froze, and the cake nearly hit the floor.

"Then where do I sleep?"

"You'll move into the attic. Your sister says your room is better for practicing her healing. She asked for it herself." My father made the decision without even looking at me.

That night, my things were tossed into the tiny attic.

The attic was drafty and barely big enough for the bed. Nothing else would fit.

I'd been living there for ten years.

Now, curled up in the attic, I took out my acceptance letter.

It was from the Academy of Prophecy and Divination in the south. I stared at it for a long time before I made up my mind.

If there was no place for me here, I'd find my own sanctuary.