CHAPTER 1

6 years later

JOHN

My alarm started blearing loudly, waking me up and probably half of the New York institute. Groaning I pushed the off button and literally rolled out of bed. Dressing up for my morning workout and simultaneously checking my phone, I slowly became more awake. At precise 5.30 I walked in the training room, finding it empty. The giant hall seemed to come alive with one flick of my stele, the lights flickered on and controlboard started humming. On the board I selected my favorite warm up and immediately the right targets appeared and a sword presented itself. The routine softened my muscles, still sore from last night's hunt. Only 10 minutes in, the door opened again and Jace stepped in the room.

'Moring, couldn't wait for me I see' he said while passing me to get to the dueling mats.

'If I had to wait for you, old lady, I would have died of boredom' I retorted.

Two minutes later my program ended and I joined Jace on the mats. Without further speaking a word we started our duel. It's what I always liked about Jace. He talked too much for his own good and his cockiness always brought him into trouble, but if I needed silence he would give me that. He knew today was such a day for silence. 16 years ago, on this day, I got the greatest gift in the world, a baby sister, 10 years and a couple of months later she would be taken away, consumed by the flames my father started. So long ago but still so painful. When she was born I promised that little girl with the few red hairs that I would protect her against all evil in the world. But in the end I could not protect her from her own father. Our father. Not that I see him as my father anymore. Not that I see him anyway, he disappeared that night, never to be seen again.

My aggression towards my father fueled my power and after a few minutes I got Jace on his back. Breathing heavy and with satisfied smiles on our faces I help him up.

'Good one, new move?' asked Jace

I shrugged 'came kind of in the moment. Again?'

Jace smiled and I made myself ready for round two. Several duels later the controlboard announced that it was 6.30 and we stopped our competition. Going our own ways, I went to my bathroom to take a quick shower. The hot water felt like a massage and I felt compelled to stay a little bit longer. After a while I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Looking into the mirror I saw the familiar sight of a boy with white hair and forest green eyes. The perfect blend of my mother and father they used to say. The black patterns of the runes were in dark contrast with my pale skin. Some people called me 'ghostlike', I just called it the curse of the Morgensterns. The only thing that stood out like a sore thumb was the red marring on my shoulder, right above my parabatai rune. A reminder of that night, a reminder of the fire. Like I needed a reminder. It's not like I could ever forget what happened, my nightmares would not let me.

Quickly I dressed myself in my usual attire, a dark jeans, black T-shirt and a black motorcycle vest. My black boots with silver tips and my belt with sword and knife holders. After checking if I at least looked presentable, I went downstairs to get my breakfast.

Upon entering the kitchen I immediately noticed a tension in the air. Looking around I quickly found the source of said tension, my mother.

Okay wow, I felt so inspired by all your reviews, follows and favorites that I already wrote the first chapter and I am working on the second
I will probalby not update as fast in the future but I will try to update every few days
thank you all and here are some little facts about me

My first language is Dutch
as I'm Belgian
My favorite day in the week is Sunday
I have two jonger brothers

If you want to know anything ask away and reviews are Always welcome

lots of love Sara