Chapter 1

Taking a panting breath "Uncle, dad is arriving home today right?" and in an unexpected movement my uncle Orson sweeps my feet out from under me, I hit the ground with a thud.

"You got distracted again Ezra, that could end up getting you killed! To answer your question, yes he should be home by this afternoon," he bends down to helps me up.

"Wonderful... but I think it's your cooking that will end up killing me," we both laugh as we race to the house.

After coming into the house I noticed it is roughly six in the morning, time for a shower, and to get ready for my class in town.

Scrubbing all of the dirt and grime off of me, I went back to my room and put on my black leggings and red flannel blouse, with my black boots.

I styled my hair today, I prefer to leave it down when I go into class, long wavy black hair swishing against my hips as I stride out of my room.

"I hope that's not breakfast I'm smelling uncle" as I step into the kitchen and snag my backpack.

"Oh my dear Ezra, the greatest chefs in the world will tell you, it's not the look, it's the taste," he chuckles stirring something brown looking in a pot.

I scowled at the so-called food he cooked and snatched some burnt toast before telling him goodbye instead of sitting down with him this morning.

I hop into the shiny pickup truck my dad gave me two years ago and drive the thirty-five minutes to town.

My dad always instructed me to observe body language and make sure I'm always paying attention to my surroundings, identifying when to stand out or blend in, I elect for the blending in part at school.

The class is only an hour-long, and it's made up of some teens and adults, with it being an open class, they provide at the local vocational college.

I stroll in and continue to my usual table towards the rear as everybody joins in, they partner everyone with someone except me, my partner left a few weeks ago.

That is fine with me, I would rather work alone, even if the fusing of chemicals could use an extra pair of hands occasionally.

The young woman in front of my desk loves to gossip about what the celebrities are up to daily, and her poor partner is an older gentleman who looks like he would rather be anywhere but here.

She suddenly swings towards me "Oh my goodness, I'm so excited, did you know that the prince of Duvirnaire is arriving here next month?"

Trying to look attentive, I grin at her "No, I was not informed, that will be cool I suppose" my comment keeps her chattering away.

"He is just so handsome, and the sweetest! He is constantly helping others... oh what I would give to be on his arm, and he is flying here to have a charity ball. So precious," I nod along as she talks hoping the class starts soon.

I didn't have to wait long, as the professor walked in a few moments later, with what looked like a recent student. "Class may I have your attention, this is Remey, he just transferred here and will be joining our class" he announced as I glance from the professor over at the new boy.

"Remey please take a seat with Ezra, you two can be partners" the professor pointed toward me. I'm freaking out a bit as he strides towards my desk, he doesn't look like I can trust him... something is off about him.

As class starts, I steal a closer look at him, he is tall and athletic like me, brownish skin darker than mine, and black shortcut hair. There is a small tattoo peeking out from his arm sleeve, and when I glance up to his face again, his green eyes are staring at me.

Shit, he saw me studying him, dad would kill me for not being stealthy, but I get an awful impression about Remey.

He murmurs to me, "Hey Ezra" making me peek at him again.

"Hey, was it Remey?" he bows his head, and we both turn our attention to the front as the professor started his lecture.

This is going to be a long two weeks before I can graduate, then I can leave this school and this town with my father.

He claimed he would let me travel with him when I turned eighteen and graduate school. Thank the goddess above that both will be within these two weeks. Not paying attention to slippery-looking Remey anymore, I start in on our work.