Reformed (The Rift Wars #1)

Prologue

Stella - 15 Years Old

Sometimes, if you’re unlucky, a line is drawn in your life that becomes the moment. Everything is before or after the moment, and that is how you measure your life.

What came before.

And what came after.

For me, the moment is happening now. I am fifteen years, nine months, and thirteen days old.

It seems pretty young to be having a life-changing moment, but what can I say? I’ve always been a bit of an overachiever.

My parents sit on the edge of my bed, eyes soft as they stare at me with so much emotion that it almost makes me want to forgive them for what they’re asking of me.

Almost.

“Feather, you need to calm down,” my dad says gently. “This is safer for you. It’s our responsibility as your parents to give you a safe and secure life, and this is the only way we can do that.”

“You’re overreacting! It’s a school!” I hear how childish I sound. All I need is a foot stomp and I’ll complete the bratty teen look perfectly.

My mom shakes her head as she stares me down with that look only moms are capable of. “It’s not just a school, Stella. Robert Sinclair’s Academy is going to change things. You think the way the Authentics treat us is bad now? Once they can say they’re doing this for our own good and that they’re helping us, it will get worse.”

I cross my arms over my chest and roll my eyes at her dramatics. “It’s not like they’re forcing us to go. And what’s so wrong with wanting to be a simplynatural, anyways? It’s not like being a supernatural is great.”

“Watch your mouth, young lady,” my father snaps. “We are Gods blessed. Robert Sinclair is going to remove our spirits from us with his Academy. We can’t let that happen to you.”

“You’re being so dramatic, Dad. Only criminals have to go, and they still can choose prison instead.” I huff and flop back on my bed, my wings splaying wide. “I still don’t see why a school means I have to go live on my own.”

“You’re young, Stella, so you need trust us when we say that whatever is happening at that Academy is bad news. We’re already seeing an increase in arrests, and it’s only been open for six months.” Dad scrubs his hand down his tired face. “Your friend, Quinn? The vampire?”

“What about her?”

“She was arrested yesterday.”

I bolt upright, back stiff. “What? Why? She doesn’t break the law!”

“Because she drank blood, Stella. They caught her feeding on someone in public.” My mom covers my hand with hers and sighs softly. “Even though her partner was willing, she was still arrested. We can’t let you be arrested just for being who you are.”

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, and I shake my head. “But.. that won’t happen to me.”

“Wake up, Stella,” my father snaps. “Your wings make you obvious. But you have the option of hiding them and blending in. And we’re you’re parents. It’s our job to ensure you do that.”

Resignation overwhelms me as I slump against his shoulder. He wraps his arm around me and kisses the top of my head sweetly, letting me sit in my feelings for a moment.

“Okay,” I say through a sniffle. “What do we do?”