Beaten
Chapter 1
My Mark was burning as I ran through the narrow alleys and wide streets towards the House of Night.
People all around me stopped and stared as I raced (staggered?) past them. The bright sun was melting me, boiling my blood and schorching my skin. I knew that I had to get there soon, or I would fall fatally ill and die. That was what happened when some kid didn't make it to the House, or didn't make the Change.
Apparently their tears of pain turned to blood and...
Okay I told myself I need to stop thinking about this! Just focus...
As I slowed to a stumbling stop outside the huge iron gates that barred the entrance, a gorgeous boy ran up and tugged open the gates to let me in. His arms were thick and muscular, and his outlined Mark seemed to glitter above his deep, anxious eyes. He smiled nervously at me, then the grin turned to worry as my vision blurred and I collapsed into his arms.
The next thing I knew...
I'm alive... I thought as I began to blink open my eyes.
I glanced around, trying to figure out where I was. I was lying on a hospital-type bed, with candle light flickering through the gloom.