Prologue

The marvel of all history is the patience in which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

 —George Washington

My breathing was ragged, and my heart banged loudly against my chest. I sucked air violently into my waiting lungs as I scanned around for my next move. The air was musty, old, and damp. I immediately regretted taking in such a large amount. A small cough escaped as I tried to stifle back the noise with my hand. At least the putrid, cigarette smoke flooding the nightclub upstairs was almost gone. A small smile played over my features as I realized I was victorious in today’s game of chase.

Running had always been a part of my life; you’d think I’d be used to it. Three years on the run, and I was still going strong. I wiped underneath my eyes, hoping my mascara hadn’t smudged too much in the hurried, sweaty pursuit. I jammed my hands, covered in black, fingerless gloves, into the pockets of my black leather jacket as I silently slid down the back of the wall and sat on the floor. I pulled my knees close to my body and tried to catch my breath in silence. I was in a corner, covered by wispy shadows. No one saw me at the end of the dark corridor. Even if someone glanced my way by chance, I knew I wouldn’t need to use magic to conceal myself. I silently applauded my best friend Madison for her impeccable ability to dress me for any occasion. Her choice of black clothing worked perfectly in that dark, foreboding basement.

I wondered how she was doing upstairs with Daniel but shoved the thought aside. Madison and Daniel were fine. I knew this, because they were always fine. They were the type of people who were so-so by themselves but unstoppable side-by-side―a perfect match. The sound of footsteps grew louder in the distance, footsteps echoing on the basement steps heading straight for me in my open hiding spot. I quickly ducked my head between my knees and let my long, brown, and wispy hair cover my pale face. I looked like a non-threatening black blob, nothing worth a second look. I wondered if this was one of the security guards I spelled into blindness. Although temporary, it would have produced some nasty side effects when his vision returned. I reached around my knees to grab my wrist and make sure my glove was fully covering the talisman tattoo residing there―it was completely concealed. He wouldn’t see its glow. It wasn’t the same guard, though; Madison was keeping them busy at the moment. This guard was going to the one, solitary office. The same office I desperately wanted to get into, to get to him.

I heard his footsteps fall silent in front of the worn out, black door covered with tattered eighties rock posters. He rapped on the door two times and gave a long, drawn-out sigh as he scanned his key card over the reader, waited for the beep, and entered the office.

He’s having a trying night, I mused with a smart-ass grin. I shivered involuntarily as the door opened, knowing who he would see as he entered. I was jealous yet hesitant. I chanced a stealthy look up just in time to see the door slamming, separating me from him, again. I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and shut my eyes to wait for the guard to leave―and for my turn.