I run as hard as I can through the tall grass that stretches above my head. I hear yelling and pounding footsteps behind me, and I push myself to run faster.
My lungs heave and my heart beats furiously. I glance back to see four figures slowly gaining on me.
Panic sets in and I feel tears run down my face. I hit something hard just as I turn to look ahead again. I cry out at the impact, crumpling onto the ground. My head hits a rock; the breath is knocked out of me instantly and I gasp for air that won't come.
Black spots flood my vision, and I am only conscious long enough to watch a grinning man's face come into view before everything goes dark.
***
My eyes fly open and I gasp at the pain that floods my body almost immediately. I squint against the bright white light, but I can't see anything through my watering eyes.
I clench my jaw, blinking back the tears. Panic settles deep in my chest. My stomach flips at the bleach stink filling my nose.
Looking around, I realize I'm laying facedown on a cold metal table, surrounded by medical equipment. My back and head howl in pain; I feel bandages wrapped around both.
The bandages cover my chest so all I am wearing is a pair of underwear. I push myself up, only to fall back down with a pained gasp as my arms give out.
Tears fall down my cheeks at the agony tearing through my back. Holding my breath, I slowly crane my head to peek at my half exposed back.
A sob escapes my throat at the two bloody spots and I can't help the scream that leaves my lips.
A door bursts open and people surround me. I hear them calling my name but all I can focus on is the pain between my shoulder blades. I hold my head in my hands, my harsh cries echoing around the room.
My nails dig into my scalp and I feel blood running down my fingertips. I continue screaming until something sharp pierces my neck. Then it all goes dark again.
***
"Do I have to go?" I ask quietly, looking up at the woman who has been taking care of me the last few days.
"It's so we can keep you safe," she says sweetly.
"More like so everyone else will be safe," I mutter.
She sighs and leans forward in her seat, taking my hands in hers. "We just want to keep an eye on you," she admits. "This will be better, you were there for years—they won't be able to hurt you this way."
I pull my hands from hers and lay back in my seat. I can't help the wince that escapes my lips as my back aches from the contact. "Yeah, right," I scoff.
Minutes later the car stops, and the driver comes to open the door. He grabs my bag and I follow Julie out of the car.
The school looks like a castle, with vines growing up the sides and an unkempt garden. It was supposed to look abandoned to keep humans away, but that simply attracted the curious ones so the entire school ended up under a cloaking spell of some kind.
I let out a defeated sigh and make sure my hoodie is pulled over my face, before trudging along the walkway into the academy. As I enter, my eyes catch sight of white and black feathers.
Tears fill my eyes and my hand flies over my mouth to stifle a sob. Julie quickly rushes to comfort me. She puts her arms around me, careful to not touch my back. She shushes me quietly and I try to stop the tears from escaping.
"It's alright Luciana, everything will be fine—they're just like you," she says in my ear.
"No, they're not, they have wings."
YOU ARE READING
Angel Academy
Werewolf**cover by SodaliteSilver** Luciana Morgenstern has been hunted all her life. The High Council told everyone it was because she was a hybrid, but Luciana knows they merely consider her a threat because she has abilities that make her far more powerf...
