The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1) by Anna Hill Page B

afraid of your ability though. We call them gifts for a reason.”
    Rebecca looked away, unable to respond. She didn’t see her ability as a gift. In fact, it felt more like a curse, a plague she couldn’t cure herself of. She hated it, everything about it
    “You’ll see in time. Goodnight, Rebecca.”
    With a quick nod, Faolan disappeared down the hallway. After a moment, Rebecca turned back around and slowly started to get ready for bed, hoping that tonight she would be able to sleep peacefully.
    *        *        *
    The room was dark, almost pitch black except for the few rays of light that pierced through the barred window in the thick, wooden door. The walls were made of cold, heavy stones that were cemented together, giving the room an impenetrable feeling. Rebecca sat curled up in the back corner with her head resting on her knees, shivering from the chilly, damp air that surrounded her.
    Suddenly, a loud clunk came from across the room, as a heavy metal bolt was pulled back. The rusty hinges on the door creaked heavily as it slowly swung inward, sending dancing flashes of torchlight cascading across the floor.
    Rebecca kept her head down, listening as two different sets of footsteps entered the room. Then, once again, the door was swung shut and the bolt replaced.
    “Are you done feeling sorry for yourself?” A harsh voice spat at her from near the door.
    Rebecca looked up and met eyes with a harsh, tall man in a strict green uniform. She recognized him instantly as the man she’d seen in the woods before being taken. He was no less frightening now in the cell than he’d been in the forest. His face was thin, with cheekbones so sharp they threatened to pierce through his taut skin. He was older and thin, but held an air of power about him that made Rebecca cower. His mouth was a stiff, straight line across his face, and his dark brown eyes held nothing but hatred.
    Rebecca shifted her gaze away from the imposing figure and scanned the area around her. She thought she had heard some other movement, possibly someone else entering the room, but her limited vision could see nothing in the darkness that surrounded her.
    “I know you’re an impure, there’s no use trying to hide it.” The man stepped closer to her, slowly bringing his hands back and clasping them behind his back.
    “I…I don’t know what you mean.” Rebecca’s voice wavered and she refused to meet the man’s gaze.
    “Don’t play games with me girl, I don’t have the time,” he snapped back at her, taking yet another step closer.
    Rebecca’s body started to shake with fear as she tried to press herself back even further into the corner. “Really…I don’t know what you want.”
    Suddenly, the man made a swift movement with his arm and a thick vine shot up out of the ground, wrapped around Rebecca’s neck, and wrenched her into an upright position. She struggled against the tightening vine, pulling as it closed ever stronger around her throat, slowly closing off her airway.
    The man took a final step toward her and leaned over until his face was only inches from her own. A malicious grin split his taut mouth as he watched her struggle. “You think you’re brave? I guess I’ll have to break you of that.”
    The man stared at her a moment longer, watching her fight for air, then turned around and nonchalantly flicked his hand. The vine instantly loosened its grip and Rebecca fell to the floor, desperately gasping for air. As she lie trembling on the ground, waves of despair and terror washed over her, plunging her into a state utter panic.
    *        *        *
    Rebecca sat up with a jolt, breathing heavily as she frantically felt around her neck, making sure she was alright. It had only been a dream, a nightmare, but it had all been so real. She could still feel the vine’s unyielding grip around her throat as she slowly asphyxiated; see the evil man staring maliciously into her frightened eyes.
    Goosebumps rose up