Free Wrath of Hades by Annie Rachel Cole Page A

I’m so sick of people, teachers especially, accusing me of purposely putting blue dye in my hair just to cause problems.
    The only things I actually like about my features are my eyes. Well, actually the color of my eyes. The blue is so unusual. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes just like mine. Most people think I’m wearing special contacts and I just let them think that. It’s just easier than trying to explain the strange shade of blue is really my natural color. It’s funny how teachers have no problem with colored contacts, but go nuts over hair color. Like I said, I don’t dye my hair, but what’s wrong with having pink, green, or purple hair? I just don’t understand.
    Guys never paid much attention to me, unless it was to make fun of me. The first guy who actually paid any attention to me was Ben Stone, but thinking back, it wasn’t a romantic relationship. It was just a friendship forged from our unique abilities with clay in art class. When I left Crystal City High, he said he would call and send emails, but he never did, which upset me because of my crush on him. I realize now the crush was in my head, that our relationship was nothing more than a friendship. I guess that’s why I’m having reservations about my relationship with Ethan.
    He says we’re mates, but I’m not sure. What would a really good looking guy like him see in me? What happens when he realizes he made a mistake and another girl takes my place? What if the whole thing is just in my head, like my crush on Ben?
    Something deep inside me tells me I’ll be alone forever. I’m too different from everyone else. I jokingly tell Ethan I’m the supreme alpha, but there’s a lot of truth in that. I know my powers are iffy right now, but once I have full control of them, exactly how powerful will I be? What guy is going to want to have a girlfriend who is stronger than him?
    I hope the little voice that keeps bringing up these thoughts is wrong.
    But in the past, the little voice hasn’t been wrong. That’s the scary part.
                                --Raven Weir’s journal
     
    The drive to the hospital took thirty minutes, about ten minutes longer than it should have, because for some weird reason, they managed to catch every red light between Raven’s house and the hospital.
    “Was that normal?” Pauline asked Diane when they finally got out of the car.
    “No, it was very odd, almost like someone was trying to slow us down.” She glanced at Raven. “Are you getting any strange vibes or anything like that?”
    Raven shook her head. A northern breeze blew across the parking lot, causing her to shiver. Raven pulled her j acket tighter around herself as she looked at the shadows. They flowed seamlessly into the inky darkness. She was sure something or someone was staring at her. “Who are you and what are you up to?” She barely whispered the question.
    “Are you okay?” Ethan wrapped his arms around her.
    “I’m fine. Just caught a bit of a chill from the breeze. No big deal.” She shrugged her shoulders, putting down the feeling of being watched to a combination of being tired and an over-active imagination.
    “Let’s go.” Diane led the way through the parking lot.
    Ethan let go of Raven. He, Billy, and Pauline took up positions around her, scouting the area as they walked toward the building.
    Several of the nightlights were off making the parking lot a little creepier than it wo uld have been in the daylight, and it made the hair on the back of Raven’s neck stand up. She didn’t see anything in the shadows or darkness, but now she was absolutely sure someone or something was watching them. It wasn’t her imagination. “Something’s not right. Be careful. I think we’re being watched,” she said to the others.
    “I don’t hear anything,” said Billy. He turned and sniffed the air trying to catch the scent of anything out of the ordinary.
    “Do you see anything, Ethan?” asked