Chapter 2

The rhythmic sound of the clock is the only thing keeping me sane.

It's been four hours since the restaurant blew up, figuratively and literally. The police people refuse to believe Rooney's version that there was a ‘circuit failure.’

They said witnesses reported me standing in the center of the chaos, eyes and hands glowing. Plus, Marco filed a case against me for attempted murder. Now I'm stuck in a fucking interrogation room on my fucking birthday!!

“At least you put him in his place. He's not going to bother us anymore," Nymeria says, cheerful as ever.

I roll my eyes. “You should be more worried about us getting out of here.” Marco is filthy rich and I have no doubt he'll make a huge fuss about the whole issue.

What would Mom and Dad say? They spent years teaching me how to get a hold of my powers and I lose it over sometimes so insignificant.

" Bullying isn't insignificant,” Nyme points out. " You should have listened to me and killed him.”

" Then we would have been behind bars right now, waiting for a trial and a prison sentence.” Nyme goes quiet, but I know it won't be long till she finds something else to nag me about.

I sigh and rest my head on the wall behind me trying to put my thoughts in place.

It's my birthday.

I don't see it as a big deal, but my parents do. They always take me out for dinner and long walks. I have zero interest in doing any of these things, but I do them anyway because I get that it's their own way of showing they care.

But rather than prepare for dinner tonight, they'll have to start thinking of ways to bail me out of the station.

Great!

My wrists ache from the cuffs, and my mind keeps replaying the moment over and over. The fear in everyone’s eyes, the way they looked at me. Like I wasn’t human.

The door creaks open, interrupting my train of thoughts.

A Junior cop walks in, accompanied by two men, not in police uniforms, but dressed too sharply for local detectives. Both wear long coats, their presence commanding. One has an air of cold authority, the other… something darker.

The older cop who’s been “watching” me straightens nervously.

“Uh, officers, these gentlemen said they’re here for Miss Hartley,” the junior cop says

“That’s right,” says the taller one, flashing what looks like an official badge I’ve never seen before. “She’s being transferred to our custody.”

“Transferred?” I echo, frowning. “I didn’t even get to make a call.”

The shorter man looks at me then, eyes sharp and unreadable, almost glowing in the harsh fluorescent light. “You won’t need to.”

“What do you mean, I won't need to?" I snap. “Aren’t my parents going to be informed that I'm being transferred?”

The older man glares at me, and something in his gaze makes the hairs on my arms rise.

Within minutes, I’m being led out of the station.

I spot my parents standing in the hallway, pale and terrified. Mom’s eyes are red from crying, dad’s hand gripping hers so tightly his knuckles turn white.

“Where are you taking her?” Mom demands, voice trembling.

The tall man gives her a thin smile. “You knew this would one day happen, Yashoda. You should be clever enough to know that you can not hide her forever “

The word makes my stomach twist.

“I…I did it to protect her…” My Mom stutters and the man narrows his eyes.

I try to speak—to say something, anything—but the moment my gaze meets his, my thoughts scatter. There’s something wrong about these men. Something not entirely human.

But I know one thing for sure. They aren't taking me to another police station, and I'll be damned if I just follow them.

“Mom, what's going on?" I ask, stepping closer to my mother. But she doesn't give me an answer right away. “Mom!"

She steps close and pulls me into a hug, while sobbing uncontrollably. Normally, I would apologize for losing control over my powers and tell her I won't do it again, but something inside me tells me it's more than just that.

I try reaching out to Nyme, but I can't get to her.

Great! Always unavailable when I need her to do something other than nag me.

“We should leave," the shorter man says. “The longer she stays, the more danger this realm is exposed to.

Mom reaches over and grabs my arm. “Please, don't take her. She's been alive for twenty years and has never killed anyone."

" She almost did,” the taller man snaps. " She almost killed that boy! You know the rules, Yashoda.”

O…Kay?

Now I'm getting really confused.

How do these men know my mother? What the hell are they saying about rules and realms and other stuff? Have I finally gone crazy?

I stare at Dad for some answers,but he looks away.

“What's really going on?" I ask. “Mom? Dad?" I press but still get no reply.

Mom is sobbing uncontrollably, while Dad is holding her back, stroking her hair. The look in his eyes tells me he's tortured just as Mom is.

But why? What the fuck is really going on?

Despite my struggling, the men just drag me outside like I am nothing more than a piece of paper.

The car waiting outside isn’t a police car. It’s sleek, black, and tinted so dark it swallows light.

“Get in,” the shorter one says. It’s not a request.

I hesitate, glancing back at my parents. Mom’s still sobbing. Dad steps forward, trying to reach me, but the taller man steps between us, murmuring something I can’t hear.

He pushes me into the car, and the door shuts, sealing me inside.

“Where are we going?” I whisper,as the short man joins me in the back seat.

Neither of them answers.

“Look, if you are going to kidnap me, you have to tell me where you are taking me.”

The tall man glares at me through the mirror. " Make her shut up.”

By the time my brain comes to terms with whatever the shorter man is doing, it's already too late.

He grabs a hold of me, pulls me closer and buries the needle in the side of my neck.

“It’s a pity you will have to meet such a tragic end,” I hear him mutter as the darkness takes over me.