Warning

If you dare to read this, you might be one of us. Be warned.

Prologue

Congratulations! You ignored my warning and kept flipping through the pages. You kept reading. You are taking a big step toward surviving. Yay! Now, you're probably reading thinking this is fun and games. It's not. Yeah, yeah. Keep laughing. You might be one of us. And it won't be long before they come for you, too. If you're thinking that I'm bluffing and that this is a fictional story, great, read on. But for those of you, who suspect this might be your secret too, close this book immediately and believe whatever lies your parent tells you about your long-lost mom or dad.

This is my life. My legacy. My dad was a hero once. Now it's my turn.

I am Aiyana Jackson. And this is my story.

"Oh no," said Hecate. She looked down at the baby girl in her arms. It was the baby she had been carrying for the last ten months. Hecate decided she should visit the child's father.

Accompanied by the West Wind himself, Hecate flew down into the mortal world. Soon, she saw the shack of the man she favored.

The little shack was the same as the goddess had remembered.

"Horatio," she whispered. Instantly, the man looked up from his work. Hecate could see the shock and surprise pass through his eyes.

"Lady Hecate," Horatio said disbelievingly. He quickly recovered. "I thought I would never see you again."

"Don't be happy, Horatio. I come carrying grave news," Hecate said.

"And what is such news, my lady?" Horatio asked.

For the first time, Horatio noticed the cuddly girl in his lover's arms.

"This is our child," the goddess said bluntly.

"That's great news!" Horatio exclaimed.

"But the gods will come for her. She is unique. Something that the gods have never seen before. Our best hope is to freeze her up until the time is right. I have brought the supplies for the ritual," Hecate said.

Horatio's face fell. "No, I will not let you do this to our child. If you do that, I will never watch her grow up," Horatio said firmly.

"Would you rather let her die? Would you rather watch her hunted by gods-know-what creatures? This is the safest way. We must sacrifice our own petty wishes for her. You will never watch her grow, yes, but won't you feel better knowing that your daughter is not in danger?" Hecate scolded. She could not believe Horatio didn't see the urgency of the event.

Silence.

"I suppose I should let you protect our daughter," Horatio said at last.

Hecate's face softened and said, "Do not fret, my dear. I will guid our daughter when the time comes."

Hecate completed the ritual. The girl was frozen in time, and locked in the black and silver coffin. Until now.