Chapter 11

"Inez!" I heard my mom's voice calling from downstairs. I groaned to myself and rolled out of my comfortable bed. It was 8 a.m. on Saturday.

"Inez!!" She called again.

"I'm up!" I yelled back. The kitchen door opened and closed. The sound of her preparing breakfast.

I headed to the bathroom and started the shower. The hot water loosened my strained muscles. I hurried and washed my hair and body.

I wrapped the towel around my wet body. My mother called my name again. I ignored her.

"Inez!"

"I'm coming down now. Please don't call my name again!" I yelled as I walked down the stairs.

My phone buzzed as I stretched a little. I checked who the message was from, and it illuminated Denise's name at the top of my screen. She asked if I would be attending a Chase match today at school.

I turned my phone off and dragged my lazy ass to the kitchen.

"Here," Mom said as she dropped a plate of scrambled eggs in front of me. "What are you doing today?" She asked.

I reminded her that I would be going to the Council Region to get more information on Wendigo.

"It's too risky to go there alone." She said as she dropped a cup of water in front of me.

"I'm the chosen one. I can't harm mom, so don't worry." I assured her.

She shook her head and sighs. "The Wendigo is dangerous and it's still out there. The barrier isn't strong anymore and more creatures will find their way into this world and do anything to find you."

"I will be a fine mother. I will be home early, I promise. No snooping around."

***

It was my first time in the council lair. I walked into an immensely hectic, planned office. It's predominantly white. Like in the reception area, with ancient-styled black columns reaching up to the high ceiling.

There was a babble of noise as people in white suits rushed around talking into headsets.

A man strided through them, looking once over his shoulder and raising his eyebrows at me. I recognized him. He was the head of the council that came to my house the other day.

I shook my head to myself and followed him along a walkway between the rows of computers.

As we walked forward, I noticed a number of monitors hanging on the walls. I focused my gaze back on the old man, who had now reached the door to a glass-walled office. He opened it and gestured that I should go inside.

"Take a seat, Miss Sivan," he said. His tone of voice was cold.

I glared at him and walked inside, sitting down in a black armchair facing the desk.

He closed the door and took a seat in front of me. He sighed heavily.

"I didn't really expect you to come here." He said, shaking his head.

"Ah..." I replied dryly, "I came here to know more about the wendigo, and yes, Arden told me that the barrel isn't strong anymore. I want to help."

He shook his head.

"You can't do anything for now. You have to stay safe or it will be over if they find you."

I looked at him angrily.

At least I have to do something. "You said I was the chosen one. Then I need to help."

He stared at me.

"If you really want to help, then..." He sighed again. " It's really difficult. With what I'm about to say."

"What is it?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I'd bet your parents haven't told you yet."

"About?" I asked. I had hoped he wouldn't insist I feed because he would be wasting his time if he told me that

He paused. I stared at him. nonplussed.

"You have to have a taste of blood before the end of this month. I know it's a hard thing to do, but you have no choice."

I rolled my eyes. Just what I was about to hear and he said just that.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

The old man shook his head slowly.

"If you don't, then you die. You, of all people, should know how painful it is when your fangs are hungry for blood. You have to feed it or it's going to kill you."

"I can't drink blood. I might not be able to control my blood lust." I said.

"We will be here to help you. The blood will make you stronger. If you really want to save the world, then you have to be strong."

I looked at him for too long and then swallowed.