Shadowcrest

You'll Be Mine

Chapter one

Darkness... it's the inevitable. It lurks at every corner waiting at the right moment to attack and consume me. I try to escape its grasp but the black shadow wraps me in its trenches suffocating me. A cold black claw creeps its way up my neck grabbing my throat. I try to scream but I... I can't breathe! "Harper"... The Darkness calls to me with a menacing growl the voice piercing my insides like a thousand knives.. it's all too familiar. I want to lurch away from it but it calls me like a second skin.

"Harper wake up!"

I jump in a panic opening my eyes to a bright sun and open road checking my surroundings my heart starts slowing from its pounding escape of my chest. A feminine but yet obnoxious laugh fills the car from the driver side I glare at my sister as I lean back into my passenger seat.

"What happened? Did you not get enough sleep again last night?" Her lips still hold a mocking smile but her tone is laced with some concern.

"I guess not" I answer my head still buzzing from my frequent nightmare. I would love to welcome a deep peaceful sleep at night but most nights I end up back in the darkness the shadows beckoning me to join them.

I sigh hopping out of the passenger side of our rusted red Chevy blazer looking up at the building that we'll be spending the next 3 seasons in with its sharp and pointed edges and high peaks that seem like they go on for ages where they end just below the clouds. It reminds me more of a castle than the academy that decides our fate. I frown it's the first day at a new place and I'm feeling uneasy. I pat down my baby blue sun dress it falls just an inch above my knees. I hear the driver side door close as Heidi comes over to me with her famous scowl on her sun kissed face her gold blonde hair pulled back in a tight high ponytail. She looks around surveying the perimeter always on high alert. She walks in front of me looking side to side as we walk to the enterance.

"What's wrong Harper?" she stops me looking me over with the same worried lines that I'm sure are permanent on her face by now as she's always so protective

I shrug "Just nervous that's all"

"We're going to be okay here. Don't worry" she gives a reassuring smile

I scuff at her clicking my tongue "That's easy for you to say. You got to know people over the summer with your pre-training while I became acquainted with a bench and a plant named Fern" my sarcastic comment earns me a guilt ridden frown.

I put my hand up to her cheek "don't frown Heidi. It's negative energy" I sigh louder turning away from her continuing our walk towards what I'm considering is now going to be known as our prison, one pack members are sentenced to when you turn 21 years of age Heidi's already been here for two "you'll cause more wrinkles on your face so much that your frown will be permanent"

She rolls her honey colored eyes shaking her head "Quit being a smart ass you could have got to know people too. If you didn't stay locked in your room or hide by your new best friend Fern" she pauses to give me a concerning side eye "all summer reading silly books"

I smirk at her books and possibly now plants have always been a better friend to me than anyone I've came across in my lifetime. I plan to be at the top of our pack with remedies, poisons, herbs, potions and so much more. It's the only way I can see myself able to contribute as I'm not like Heidi. I'm not built to protect and defend. Heidi's trained her whole life in combat and I've trained my nose in books to learn everything that I can and could to be the exact opposite.

I let out a giggle. Remembering that along with my talks about different plants and books she hates when I talk about feeling different energies or reading people's auras. I can't help that I get strange feelings and am able to read people just by one look or a touch. When we enter through the front of the stone doors surprisingly they don't make a sound when they shut behind us. I'm instantly hit with the aroma of maple syrup and sweaty gym socks... I make a face at the combination of scents rolling out from the doors of the gym that are wide open in front of me.