Destined for Dreams: Book One Read Free Page A

inside during the day does something to you. Think we can make it?”
    She takes my hand. “Of course. You know I always see everything coming.”
     
     
    HUNTER
     
    “Where are we going?” I ask.
    “None of your business. You’ll find out soon enough.”
    Being stuck in Jacqueline’s head is pure torture. I miss doing simple things like blinking and glaring. I imagine I’m doing them, but it’s not the same. I never get over the disappointment when Jacqueline doesn’t move her arm when I imagine I’m moving mine.
    “A little hint?”
    “Somewhere far enough that I have to take a train. Now, be quiet. I’ll let you stay around if you behave.”
    I’m surprised she’s not pushing me into the void. I’m relieved, too. For once I’ll get to see and hear real people instead of only being let out when we’re alone in the abandoned apartment.
    “You have a deal. You won’t even know I’m here.”
    “I doubt it.”
     
     
    NADIA
     
    We sneak out the back gate of the compound. It’s mostly used by the forest nymphs going back to the forest. A spelled talisman opens the gate, and since there’s always one available, we don’t have a problem getting out.
    “I hid my car not far from here,” Alyssa says.
    I scrunch my brows. “You drive?”
    “I can teach you. Maybe your father will let you get your license since you’ll be eighteen in a few months.”
    Nine months and two days to be exact.
    I laugh. The thought of getting a license is ridiculous. The outside world isn’t safe for people like me. The council created the compound to keep us safe from the Human Preservation Agency. The HPA would do anything to destroy us. My father brought me to the compound because an agent from the HPA murdered my mother. Plus, I’d never choose to leave the compound alone even though I’d love to. I imagine I may be braver when I’m a legal adult. I hope I am.
    When we reach the car, Alyssa removes a camouflaged car cover, revealing a silver Corolla. Its paint looks brand new and it’s well taken care of. Even the tires gleam like they’re coated in tire shine.
    “Where did you get a car anyway?” I run my fingers along the smooth paint.
    “I’ve had it. Your father suggested I hide it if I didn’t want to turn it in as communal property. It’s my most expensive possession.”
    I knit my brows. This is the kind of thing best friends tell you about. “You know you can trust me with your secrets.”
    Alyssa unlocks the doors. “You’re mad I didn’t tell you.”
    I open the door and get in. “A little.”
    “I’m sorry. It just never came up. You’ve never wanted to sneak out before. I didn’t think it mattered.”
    I sigh. It doesn’t really matter. We don’t talk about a lot of things, especially things from our past, and I get it. I was just taken by surprise. “It doesn’t. I’m overreacting.”
    Alyssa smiles and starts the engine. “I’ll make it up to you. I know this great little place in the city to go to. It’s safe. You’ll love it.”
     

3 . A STRANGE FEELING
     
     
     
     
     
     
    NADIA
     
    My arm hairs rise when we pass a small cemetery. I’ve only ever seen them in movies because the council cremates the bodies that don’t take care of themselves. Any evidence of a creature’s existence can’t be left behind.
    I almost ask Alyssa to stop, but bite my tongue because visiting a graveyard is a strange request. I stare out the window at the different shapes and sizes of the headstones and turn away when I meet the eyes of a woman standing at the fence with a bouquet of white lilies. I wonder if my mother is buried somewhere since she was human. It’d be nice to have a place to visit her.
    Tears rim my eyes. It’s been too long since I’ve thought about my mother. It’s an unspoken rule between my father and I that we just don’t bring up the past. We can’t change it, so we just have to keep going forward.
    “We can stop there on the way back if you like.” Alyssa