Chapter one

Nervousness and fear twist knots into my stomach as I pace the floor of my room, my hands clasped behind my back, my posture stiff and rigid. You can't do this! I shake my head at the unspoken words. Bad idea, you'll only screw it up. I run my fingers through my hair frantically and stop mid-step, "I can't do this," I whisper softly to myself before falling silent again and continuing my frantic behavior, walking the length of the room and chewing on my nails.

"You're pacing," the familiar sound of a deep voice jolts me out of my thoughts and back into reality. Looking around, my gaze lands on Ben, my best friend, leaning against the doorway to my room. A smile cracks over his beautiful face. With that smile, his aquamarine eyes and sun-colored hair he could be an angel. I actually yet to find proof that he isn't. Pushing off the doorframe, he walks over to me, hands shoved into the pockets of his sweats. "You're worried about the mission?" Ben asks while stopping in front of me, folding his arms against his chest. I have to tilt my head back so I can look him in his eyes, my heart giving a light flutter as I do.

"Yes," I answer honestly, unable to lie when he's staring at me with such intense emotions. "What if I mess it up? Or if I have to fight? You know I'm not good at fighting. I also don't have full control of my powers. What if I lose control and-" Ben grabs me by my shoulders, cutting off my rambling.

"None of that is going to happen, Zmiena. You were specifically chosen for this mission. Nothing is going to go wrong, you won't have to fight and you won't get the chance to lose control of your ability. All you have to do is get in the city, get the information, and get out. Okay?" I say nothing to that and he tucks a strand of navy blue hair behind my ear, "Okay?" I nod this time and his charming smile grows. My heart skips a beat and my own smile seems to fall in place.

"Thanks, Ben," I release a breath and he slings his arm over my shoulders.

"No problem, babe. Now, let's go get you ready." I roll my eyes at him and we walk out of my house. Outside, I can see kids running around playing with their friends or family, teens training their abilities and physical strength, adults selling or buying things, some just chatting away. Looking around my village and all its people, I'm reminded of why this mission is so important. Everybody here is counting on me, I won't let them down! We finally stop in front of a small white building.

"I hate this place," I groan softly, my grip on his arm tightening slightly as I stare at the vast building. Ben chuckles and shakes off my grip.

"You'll be fine Zem," I puff out my cheeks, not caring that he's most likely right. "Zem," Ben sighs and I look away, folding my arms across my chest, refusing to listen to him. Gently, Ben cups my chin and forces me to look at him. In his eyes, I see nothing but worry glistening in them. "Listen to me Zmiena, it's dangerous out there. You have to be careful, I won't be there to protect you." I smile up at him, the emotions swimming around in his voice making my heart do funny things. I reach my hand up and gently cup his cheek.

"I'll be fine Ben, I don't need you to protect me." Placing his hand on top of mine he gently kisses the top of my head, causing a blush to spread across my cheeks. He nods and lets me go, after a few seconds of silence, he walks away, not even sparing a glance over his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, I stare at the small white door and slowly approach, bracing myself for what's to come. Inside is equally as white as the outside, possibly even more so. The white tiled walls are achingly bare, no stain or speck of dirt, not even a window to hint at the life outside the four walls. All sound vanish as the door shuts behind me, leaving the room painfully quiet, the only sound my own heartbeat. The only thing in the room is a single chair bolted perfectly in the middle of the room.

Walking to it, I'm reminded of all the times I snuck in here. As a child, this was the scariest place in the world, the white walls holding secrets I couldn't even begin to comprehend, not that I would want too. I shudder as I sit down on the cold white chair and wait eagerly for my mom. After the longest five minutes of my life, the person I've been dying to see finally arrives, my mother. Her auburn colored hair has been braided and pulled to the side, showing off her chubby cheeks that are identical to my own. Her purple gaze never once leaving me as she grows closer, her hips swaying with every step she takes.

I stand up and run to greet her, throwing my arms around her. She returns the embrace with a tight hug of her own. Pulling away she holds me at arm's length, her eyes sweeping over my body and taking in my appearance. "Oh baby, did you sleep at all last night?" She lifts her hands up to caress my cheek and I roll my eyes.

"I got plenty of sleep mom," I remove her hand and she frowns, her face etched into a look of worry, her eyes glistening with fear.

"You don't have to do this you know," not this again, I mentally groan at my mother's words. "It's not too late, there's no shame in backing down." While I love my mother, there are times where she can be a little overprotective, this is one of them. Other times she's great, the sweetest person to ever live really. She's a Mother and a friend to everyone, she does everything she can for those that need her help. Every Sunday we go on a family picnic, just the two of us. I want to be just like her someday, fearless, loving and overall great person. That's why I can't back down.

"Yes, there is," I take her hands in mine and flash her the most encouraging smile I can manage. "Don't worry about me, I got this." Almost as soon as the words leave my mouth a voice speaks up from behind me. I turn around to see a tall man with grey hair that's starting to turn white. His masculine body tilts slightly to the left due to his limp and being supported by his cane. Grey eyes make him appear ancient rather than the actual age of only sixty. Dimitri, chief of our village despite being human. Everybody loves him, but nobody more than myself.

Dimitri is like a father to me, my mom brought me to the village when I was just a babe and won't tell me much of my father apart from the fact that he died so we could escape. I don't really mind because I have Dimitri, he never fails to tell me about how he knew I was special the first time he laid eyes on me. "You can't blame a mother for worrying," my mother scolds us as Dimitri approaches, the corner of her lips twitching up into a slight grin.

"No, no, of course not," Dimitri agrees while putting a strong hand on my shoulder. "But our special girl is growing up, there's no stopping that." I just groan and roll my eyes.

"Come on you two, it's just a simple in and out mission. I'll be fine." Mother only sighs and shakes her. When nobody says anything, Dimitri speaks up.

"Let's get started." I nod in agreement and go back to the chair where we begin the transformation process. It took maybe a little over an hour before it's finally finished. A look in the mirror, I can't help but feel in awe at the reflection staring back at me.

My wild navy blue mane is hiding inside a bald cap and is replaced with a muddy brown wig laying completely straight down my back. The electric green eyes that people would often refer to as witchy is now a dull unintelligent blue. My face appears pale and brown freckles are splattered across my nose and cheeks. With this disguise, I'm not longer Zmiena, the chistyy, the hunted. Instead, I'm Kate, the human, the slave.

"Look at you," I turn around and smile at my mother, whose gesturing to my entire body, "you look nothing like yourself!" I laugh and shake my head, thankful the wig has been glued to the bald cap.

"You don't say?" I question sarcastically, pretending to ponder her words. "I can hardly tell the difference. Mother narrows her eyes at me and points an accusing finger, no doubt about to retort with her own witty comment. Dimitri doesn't give her a chance and places a firm hand on her shoulder, silencing us both.

"Enough bantering, there's still a mission to be completed," I mumble my apology and mother instantly enters soldier mode, all humor wiped from her face leaving a blank slate. "Do you remember who you're looking for?" I chew on my bottom lip nervously and shift my weight.

"Yes sir," my response is quiet, lacking the confidence I just had moments before while teasing with mother. "I'm looking for Daniel, an underworlder elf mastering in medicine. He's thirty years old." I hold my breath nervously as I wait for Dimitri's response, praying that I've recalled it correctly. Finally, he nods in approval and my shoulders visibly sag in relief. Dimitri hands me a sack with food and a single canteen of water for the way.

"You better get going," Dimitri jerks his head towards the door, then ruffles my wig. I huff and wrinkle my nose up in distaste as I attempt to straighten it out. He often did that when I was a child or when we play fight. Honestly, I'm too old for him to be doing that! "Remember, stay safe, okay? I'm proud of ya kid." I smile, Dimitri's words giving my ego the boost it needs. I look over to my mom who has tears in her eyes threatening to spill over. I give her a tight hug and we whisper about how we love each other.

Walking to the exit, I throw one last glance over my shoulder to see Dimitri giving Mother a comforting hug. I quickly look away before I have the chance to get emotional and open the door. As soon as I do I'm bombarded with a crowd of people wanting to see me off and wish me luck. I smile at everyone as I maneuver my way to the edge of the village, my eyes scanning for one particular person. However, no matter how many times I look, Ben is nowhere in sight, causing my heart to fall in disappointment.

Unable to wait for him any longer, I leave the village and begin my journey to the city where the nightmares of my people are born, not knowing what kind of adventures wait for me there.