EVERYTHING IS A LIE.

The thought kept crashing through my mind like a roaring ocean.

Everything is a lie.

Everything.

Is.

A.

Lie.

Nothing I had been told my whole life was the truth. I didn’t even know who I was anymore.

Theo might’ve already told me this, but seeing it presented right in front of my face, and learning my real father murdered my mother was soul crushing. I hadn’t asked for any of this. I didn’t want to be a part of this world, but I was. I was born into it, chosen for a destiny I didn’t know and nobody else probably did, either.

I wanted to go back home, to the man I’d grown up believing to be my father, and have everything go back to normal.

I didn’t want this.

I ran through the hallway and past some people milling around outside the dining hall. I saw Naomi and she sent me a dirty look when she saw Theo chasing after me.

“Mara! Mara, wait! I’m sorry! Please!”

I put on a burst of speed.

I had done track all through high school. I didn’t have super long legs, but I was still fast, and I knew I could outrun Theo if I was determined.

I ran up the main staircase and instead of turning right toward my room I turned left. Theo would expect me to go to my room so I knew I couldn’t go there. I thought about turning back around and heading for the library but I knew he’d look there once he realized I wasn’t in my room.

I looked over my shoulder, which turned out to be a very bad idea, and smacked into someone. We fell to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs.

My head bumped his and we both said, “Ouch.”

We couldn’t seem to get untangled.

“All right, love,” he purred in a British accent, “let’s both stop moving so we can get out of this mess.”

I ceased my squirming and we managed to separate.

“I’m sorry for running into you.” I looked at the floor so I wouldn’t have to look at him.

“No worries. Girls run into me all the time,” he joked. “Apparently, it’s all the rage.”

“What is?”

“To run into the fellows you like.”

“I don’t—”

“Och,” he made a sound in his throat. “I’m messing with you, love. Let me help you up.” He held out his hand as he stood.

“Thanks.” I took it.

“Do I know you? You look familiar but I feel like we haven’t met before—I suppose I could always be wrong, though.”

I finally forced my eyes to his face. The guy had an almost elfish face with blonde-brown hair sticking up wildly around his head. Pale scruff lined his cheeks. His teeth were endearingly crooked which reminded me of my own gapped front teeth. He was a few inches taller than me. Probably five feet ten. His eyes were a warm brown and looking intensely at me waiting for—oh, right.

“We haven’t met. I’m Mara, I only moved in here yesterday.”

“The name’s Winston. Now, Mara …” He leaned against the wall across from me. “Why are you running around and into people?”

“I was trying to get away from … someone.”

“Ah,” he breathed, fighting a smile. “This way.” He turned and walked further down the hallway. He didn’t turn to see if I was following. I scurried after him when I heard Theo desperately calling my name.

Winston swung open a door and motioned me inside. He closed the door and turned to me.

“Welcome to my humble abode.” He waved his arms dramatically, encompassing the room. “Have a seat, love.”

“Where?” I asked, looking around. I didn’t see a chair and the bed was covered in several suitcases and half unpacked clothes.

“Right.” He scratched the back of his head. His blue shirt lifted to show a strip of smooth stomach. I noticed that his ears stuck adorably out of his mess of hair. “Sorry.” He dumped clothes and several suitcases off his bed. “There,” he said clearly pleased with himself. “Sit, come on now, it won’t bite.” He patted the comforter.

The room was decorated much like mine only Winston had taken the liberty of personalizing his. The walls were dark, and the floor was covered in clothes. His quilt was black and he had black curtains blocking the light from the window. He turned on a light beside the bed illuminating the space.

“Sorry for the mess,” he mumbled. “I just got in from London.”

London. Why did that mean something to me? Suddenly, it clicked.

“You’re one of The Chosen Ones,” I breathed.

“Yes.” He looked up at me from where he was bent over picking up clothes from the floor, his eyes narrowing. “But how do you know? That information is under lock and key. Only a few know what I am.”

“I’m like you.”

He stopped what he was doing and raised to his full height. “You’re a Chosen One?”

“That’s what they keep telling me.” I raised my hands in an I don’t know gesture.

“What were you really running from?” he asked becoming alert. “Is someone after you? Do we need to go? I have an emergency bag. Hang on a sec, let me find it.”

I grabbed his arm to stop him. “Winston, it’s only my protector. He … upset me,” I explained. “I needed to get away from him. He won’t let me out of his sight.”

“You’re out of his sight now,” Winston pointed out.

“Only because you helped me.”

Winston smiled. “So, you have a protector? Lucky you.”

“What about your parents? Your family?”

“They live in London. I see them once, maybe twice a year. It’s safer for them if I’m not around. One thing you learn quickly being Chosen is everyone you love dies. Don’t get too attached, Mara, that’s my advice to you.”

His words were like a bucket of cold water dumped on me.

Was I the reason Ian died? I had to be. Maybe they’d meant to get Dani and had killed him by mistake.

“You must be so lonely. I already feel lonely and I’ve only been dealing with all of this for a few days,” I admitted softly, picking at a loose strand on his bed covers.

Winston shrugged and resumed cleaning his room. And by cleaning, I mean shoving clothes and other random items into his closet. “The loneliness eventually goes away.” He paused, puzzling over something and blurted, “What do you mean, a few days?”

“I didn’t know about all this.” I motioned around me. “I was raised by my dad in the human world. It’s all I’ve known.”

“What changed?” he asked. “Why didn’t you stay there?”

“The Iniquitous found me and apparently in a week I’m going to come into my magic.” I did a version of spirit fingers like magic was about to come sparking out of them.

“I see.” He stuffed a handful of clothes into a drawer. He tried to close the drawer, but it refused to budge. “Stupid piece of junk.” He slammed his shoulder against it. Winston succeeded in closing the drawer but knocked everything off the top of the dresser in the process. “That didn’t turn out well.” He looked down at the mess.

“Here, I’ll help.” I jumped up and began to gather the various items. A picture frame, a clock, an iPhone speaker. I placed the items back on the dresser.

“Thanks for the help, love. I’m going to take a shower.” He sniffed his shirt. “I smell like the airplane.”

“I’ll get out of your room,” I mumbled.

“Nonsense.” He waved his hand for me to sit down again. “Stay, for as long as you like.”

“Thanks.”

“Anytime you need to escape my room is yours.”

“If I can ever find it. I keep getting turned around.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.” He pulled his shirt off and tossed it into a hamper. His stomach was smooth and lightly muscled. He grabbed up clean clothes. “Don’t run off without saying goodbye. Sit tight, ‘kay?”

“I’ll be here.”

He grinned and disappeared into the bathroom. The door clicked closed behind him.

I flopped back onto Winston’s bed and stared at the ceiling. It was a plain, ordinary, ceiling. Nothing at all like Victor’s magical one.

I heard the shower come on in the bathroom.

I knew Theo must be freaking out and I should find him but selfishly I wanted this moment of peace. After this, he’d probably insist on sleeping on my bedroom floor.

But he shouldn’t have shown me that. As my protector he should have protected me from that reality instead of thrusting it upon me. I didn’t want to know my real father. He was a monster. I wanted to remember Steven Pryce as my father even if he was nothing more than a ghost.

Thaddeus Lucero was evil. In fact, he was the leader of the evil beings that wanted me dead. He killed my mother, and I knew he’d kill me, his daughter, without hesitation if he was ever presented with the chance. I knew all this with a chilling certainty and I’d never met the man. Not even once.

* * *

“Mara,” someone spoke softly. “Wake up, Mara.”

“Huh?” I jerked awake, my eyes bleary.

“Mornin’, love.” Winston beamed where he leaned above me.

“What time is it?” I asked rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“Uh—” he stuttered, looking at his watch. “Two in the morning. I was going to lie down beside you so as not to wake you but you kinda—”

“Took over the whole bed? I tend to do that.” I sat up. I used my fingers to brush my hair out of my face. It was a wild tangled mess. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take over your bed or to fall asleep.” His black quilt was hanging half off his bed.

“All that running from your protector must have gotten to you,” he joked.

“Yeah, and now he’s going to kill me.”

I’m sure in all the time I’d been gone Theo had thought up some pretty creative ways to get rid of me.

Winston laughed. “I think it’s his job to make sure you don’t get killed.”

“Well, he’s going to be pissed to say the least.” I climbed off his bed. I noticed he had cleared the floor of clothes but there was still a mess since they hung precariously out of drawers and burst from the closet.

“Do you want me to walk you to your room?” he offered.

I smiled. “Thanks for the offer but I don’t need Theo to attack you. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, looking skeptical.

“No,” I admitted. “But the walk will help clear my head.”

He grinned. “Just stick to your left when you leave here. That’ll lead you back to the main set of stairs.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll see you for breakfast?” he questioned.

I smiled. “I’m sure you will. After all, it’s the most important meal of the day.”

He laughed. “Night, Mara.”

“Night, Winston, or I guess I should say morning?”

He shook his head at me as I opened the door. I closed it softly behind me so as not to disturb anyone else who might be sleeping. There were so many rooms I doubted many of them were filled, but you never knew.

I let my hand skim the side of the wall; sticking to the left like Winston had said. I soon reached the main staircase and continued past it to where my room lay. I pulled the key out of my pocket and began to toy with it. I worried I wouldn’t be able to find it. When I left this morning, I didn’t pay much attention to where I came from and the doors weren’t labeled with numbers.

I definitely wouldn’t have found it, like I suspected, if it hadn’t been for the sleeping figure in front of a door.

“Theo,” I breathed. I crouched down and shook him by the shoulder. He jolted awake and jumped to his feet landing lightly like a cat.

“Mara. You’re okay.” His sigh of relief was loud. He hugged me to him and his muscles were firm against me. “I’ve been so worried.” He pulled away and suddenly his happiness at me being safe was gone. “Don’t you ever do that again,” he scolded, his voice thick with irritation. “I’ve torn this place apart looking for you. I’ve probably gone gray,” he exclaimed and pulled at his hair. “I’m supposed to keep you safe and you ran away from me.”

“I’m sorry.” I knew the words did little to appease him, but I was sorry, for worrying him at least. “I-I needed to get away.”

“Mara.” He gripped my arms tight enough to bruise. “You can’t run off like that. You’re too important.” Finally realizing we were in the middle of the hallway early in the morning, he snatched the key from my hand and opened the door. He closed the door behind us and continued as if nothing had changed. “I don’t know who to trust here, therefore, I trust no one. Someone could’ve hurt you—”

“But no one did.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You. Are. A. Chosen. One,” he enunciated every word. “There are people, people in this very place, that want you dead. You’ve barely met any of them. Are you so naïve that you’d think someone might not be waiting to catch you alone? You’re an idiot. An absolute idiot.” He dug his fingers into his dark hair. When he pulled away, his black hair stuck up wildly around his head.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not a child.”

He glowered and looked me up and down, his brows drawn. “Then stop acting like it. Go to bed, Mara,” he sighed, sounding no longer angry but resigned.

He opened the door to leave.

“Theo—” I started, figuring I should apologize more fully.

“Don’t,” he hissed. “I don’t want to hear it.”

* * *

In the morning, I found Adelaide waiting outside the door.

The first thing out of her mouth was, “What was all that married couple bickering about?”

“You heard that?” I asked sheepishly, cringing at the thought of her overhearing my fight with Theo.

“You two weren’t exactly quiet. Plus, Theodore was a madman looking for you. He even injured his shoulder trying to break your door down.”

“I didn’t know he hurt himself,” I said softly as we started for the stairs.

Adelaide grabbed my arm to stop my progression. “Theodore would die for you, Mara. That’s his job as your protector. You shouldn’t be so hard on him.”

I looked down at the floor ashamed of my behavior. I knew what she was saying was true.

“Don’t be stupid,” she warned and dragged me the rest of the way to the dining hall.

Theo was already seated at the table and he glared at me with a look that should’ve turned me to stone. I flinched. I put my hand on Adelaide’s arm, halting her. “Can you give me a moment with him?”

She shrugged. “Just try not to kill my brother. I kind of like him.”

I smiled as she headed over to get her breakfast. When I turned toward Theo, my smile disappeared. He was glaring at me.

I slid into the seat across from him. “I’m sorry about yesterday,” I said.

“You should be,” he stated. “You disappeared all day and well into the night.”

“Theo, I’m sorry, okay? I don’t know what else I can say.”

“I’m just doing my job, Mara.” He sighed. “Could you not make it so difficult?”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” I said. “I’ll even meet Nigel.”

He grinned. “Deal.” He stuck his hand out to shake on it.

“Deal.” I took his hand.

“Aww, look at you two makin’ up. Ain’t that sweet as tea?” Adelaide said in a thick, very fake, Southern accent. She set her plate down and scooted onto the bench beside me.

Theo grinned at his little sister. “Thanks for the biscuit.”

“I didn’t get you a biscuit.” Her brows furrowed in confusion.

Theo’s hand flashed out in a blur and he came away with her biscuit. “You did now.”

Adelaide stuck her tongue out at Theo. “You did that so I wouldn’t talk about how cute you two would be together.”

Theo sent his sister a withering look while he chomped on the butter biscuit. “Obviously, it didn’t work.”

“Your plans rarely do.”

“Mara,” someone yelled coming into the dining hall. Instinctively, I looked up. Winston grinned merrily at me. “’Ello, love.”

“Churchill’s back,” growled Theo under his breath.

“Churchill?” I asked. “Who’s Churchill?”

Theo rolled his eyes. “You know, Winston Churchill? He was the Prime Minister of England during WWII? That’s what I call him.” He pointed at Winston.

“You have a nickname for everyone, don’t you?”

“You betcha’, doll face.” He said with a wink—though from what Adelaide said yesterday, what he claimed was hardly true.

“You’ve never given me a nickname,” Adelaide spoke up.

“Yes, I have.”

“What is it then?” she asked.

“Pain in my—”

“Look at these lovely faces.” Winston plopped down in the seat beside Theo with a plate of food.

Theo closed his eyes and grimaced as if in pain.

“Come on, Mara,” he said and stood. “Let’s get breakfast.”

“Did you call me Mara? I think that’s one of the first times you’ve actually said my name,” I gasped.

“Let’s get breakfast, doll face,” he growled.

“Doll face?” said Winston.

“Apparently, I look like a doll,” I explained with a roll of my eyes.

Winston studied me, tilting his head this way and that. “You kind of do, love.”

“Thanks,” I replied sarcastically as I stood.

I followed Theo to the buffet-like setup. “How do you know Churchill?” Theo hissed under his breath.

“Why does it matter? He’s like me. I don’t think he’s going to try and hurt me.”

Theo glanced over his shoulder and then back at me. His gray eyes rooted me to the spot. “Answer the question.”

“I ran into him yesterday when I was trying to get away from you,” I said under my breath so that the few students milling around wouldn’t hear our conversation. “He let me hang out in his room.”

“Ah,” breathed Theo with a sudden clarity. “That explains why I couldn’t sense you.”

“Sense me?” I asked startled.

Theo gave me the look. The one that made me simultaneously want to curl my toes and smack him.

“I’m your protector. I have a … a sense for where you are. Especially if you’re panicking or near danger. But not many people know that Winston is—” He looked around and instead of saying a chosen one he said, “—special and since he doesn’t have a protector, his room is a sanctuary. Meaning that essentially his room does not exist and when he’s inside he doesn’t exist, either. It’s sort of like limbo and it’s very, very powerful magic. It never occurred to me that you’d be there. You see, you need Churchill’s permission to get into his room, and I thought he was still gone.”

“If Winston,” I emphasized his name, “being special is supposed to be a secret then how do you know about him?”

Theo grinned cockily. “Since I’m a protector, I’m privy to very important information.”

“Of course you are.” I rolled my eyes. I did that a lot around him—he was extremely irritating. “What I don’t understand, though, is why Winston being special is a secret when I don’t seem to be?”

Theo’s eyes darkened from gray to a stormy black. “That would be my fault.”

“Your fault? How?” I asked.

Theo sighed and scrubbed at the back of his head nervously. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Try,” I pleaded.

He looked around at the people in the dining hall and then back at me. “After breakfast we’ll go to the library.”

“And you’ll explain it to me there?”

“Yes,” he replied honestly. “If I don’t tell you, someone else will.” His gaze locked on Adelaide.

I grabbed a plate and shoveled some food onto it, not really paying attention to what I was getting.

I waited for Theo before heading back to the table. I didn’t need him yelling at me about going off without him. I was going to be on my best behavior. We’d see how long it lasted, though.

Winston and Adelaide seemed to be getting along which only angered Theo. I wondered what his problem with Winston was. He seemed to hate the guy—well, honestly, he seemed to hate everyone except his sister.

“So,” started Winston, “you’re the jerk she was running from?”

Theo’s jaw tightened, and I feared he might punch Winston. Theo opened his mouth to say something, but I interrupted.

“What’s that?” I pointed to the ceiling. They all looked up, including Adelaide. She figured out what I had done and giggled. The boys looked at me.

“There’s nothing on the ceiling, love.” Winston looked at me like I was crazy.

“Really?” I said, deciding to make a game out of it. “Just there. You don’t see it? Maybe you need your eyes checked.” Winston began to study the ceiling again.

Theo smacked him on the back of the head. “She’s messing with us, Churchill. She tends to do that.”

Winston dropped his head down and chuckled. “Shoulda known.”

I picked up a piece of buttered toast and bit into it.

Beside me, Adelaide sighed. “Boys are so gullible.”

“I don’t know,” Theo countered, a mischievous look in his eyes. “I seem to recall once convincing you unicorns were real.”

Adelaide squared her shoulders and stuck her nose in the air haughtily. “I was five so that hardly counts.”

“Still counts,” Theo muttered under his breath. His eyes flicked up to me. “Are you done eating?”

“No—”

“Great.”

Before I knew it, he was up and out of his seat, around to my side of the table, and dragging me from the room.