Forbidden Darkness (The Forbidden Darkness Chronicles, #1)

Eight

Sleep was not an option for me, and even though I really needed it, everyone refused my request. All through the night I had to listen to Kristen scream in my ear any time I started to fall asleep and one could imagine that startled me every time.

By the time the sun was beginning to rise, Kristen said, "Alright, Heather, we've got work to do today. Your mom called the school and told them you were sick."

I wanted to tell her that lying was wrong, but was it really a lie? I mean, going through a transformation that was going to make me a Monster hunting, kickass fighter should count as sick, especially since side effects were beginning. My stomach hurt like hell and I had a serious migraine—come on, God, why make things more complicated than they need to be? All that was on my mind was going back to sleep.

"Can't I just stay home?" I asked.

Kristen shook her head adamantly. "If you stay home now, you'll feel like a piece of shit before you know it, and we'll have to pry you out of bed with shovels. No time to waste here. There are things you need to know before you become a Monster Hunter."

"And you can't just tell me those things here?"

She didn't respond as she threw me some sweats and a tank top. "Wear this. It'll be more comfortable and you'll need it for your first step."

Oh, how wonderful. A first step that I probably didn't want to take anyway. As I threw on the outfit, I couldn't help but wonder what Kadin's next move was going to be and when it was coming. Clearly trying to kill me in my dream wasn't the end of it, and if I had to say, my problems with him were only beginning.

What I wanted to know was what he had to do with the Monsters. Obviously he was something that the Monster Hunters had never encountered before, which means that he could be a hybrid of some sort, but was that even possible? Whatever he was, he really didn't want me to get in his way somehow. But why would I be the one to get in his way? What about the other Hunters? I had so many questions and not enough answers.

After we were both ready to go, I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 6 in the morning. I kid you not, I really thought Kristen was going to kill me that day because I was so exhausted; I wanted to just fall flat on my face and die.

"Am I allowed to know where we're going?" I demanded. Of course, I was still angry about her keeping such a big secret from me, but I was more upset that she knew my mom wasn't really my mom. I was adopted and no one ever wanted to tell me until now. That wasn't something best friends were supposed to keep from each other and it made me angry to know that she felt like it was a good secret to keep to herself.

"My house," Kristen said. "My mom is picking us up."

In the kitchen, mom wasn't there, which was unusual for her. She probably realized that I'd be too pissed to look at her face and was hiding in her room. I wanted to feel bad but just couldn't bring myself to feel sympathy for her.

"Better eat something good," Kristen explained as she pulled out a pan. "You'll need as much energy as possible."

"Are you trying to make me fat?" I asked, trying to make some sort of joke to try and lighten my own mood. It didn't work.

"Not fat—energetic," she said, turning on the stove and walking to the refrigerator to pull out some eggs and bacon. "Your body is going to need it as it prepares for the change. If you're not ready for the change, you could die."

Wait, what? My eyes met hers and I said, "You're telling me the change could kill me? Why didn't anyone mention this last night?"

My best friend shrugged. "It's a small percentage. Less than 1%, I think, and compared to the amount of Monster Hunters there are, that's not much. Basically, if your body isn't physically prepared for the change, the change of DNA and genetic materials in your body could screw up. It sounds complicated, but basically we just need to make sure you're not anorexic or something. And that you're well enough to survive."

It didn't sound complicated as much as it sounded terrifying. I really didn't want to die and if I did, I'd definitely be pissed. I felt as if I had way too much going for me and I wasn't going to let my life slip away because of a 1% chance I could die. No way. But with my luck, I'd somehow be the 1%.

"Sounds easy enough," I told her. "Fill me up as much as you want."

As Kristen made breakfast, I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen after the change. Everything I wanted for myself—a husband, college, kids—would that even be possible? Was my life going to be me sitting on the sidelines killing Monsters and saving people? If that were true, it wouldn't be as bad as some jobs, but it wasn't really my ideal living situation. What was weirder for me was how unafraid I really was. If most people found out they were Monster Hunters and had to go through a physical change and that they were adopted, they'd probably never get off the crapper. They'd probably be scared of the future—but me? I wasn't scared, I was just curious. Whatever was coming was on its way and I needed to face it head-on.

Otherwise, things weren't going to end well for any of us.