Origins (A Black Novel, #1) Read Online Free Page A

Maine, near my sister,” Dr. Thorne explains. “And yes, my sister is an Immortal like me. At my request she took your mother under her wings after the change so she could look after her. As far as I can tell, your transformation is now in the late stages and is progressing like that of a pure-blood, which means you only have until your birthday in a month to make your decision or you’ll remain human. Over the next few weeks though, you will experience more advanced stages of the change as your body tries to adjust to what it may become.
    Symptoms like heightened eyesight, smell, hearing, speed and strength, vivid dreams and, most importantly, a desire for blood.
    There are two things you will need to know. One, don’t panic. The symptoms will either fade away or your body will adjust to them depending on what you decide. Two, you cannot, under any circumstances, consume mortal blood. If you do, the choice will be made for you.”
    “Are you saying if I choose to become Immortal I have to drink blood?” I ask, my lips curling in disgust.
    “Not on a daily basis, but yes, we do require human blood to live.
    And no, you don’t have to drink it. Blood can either be injected into your bloodstream or ingested the old-fashioned way.” Dad stands up as Dr. Thorne is done speaking, a yawn escaping his lips. “I think we should call it a night,” he says between yawns.
    “Adelin, this is a lot to take in. We should all get some rest and we can talk more tomorrow.”
    A thought crosses my mind- if they are going to let me see my mother then I’ll have the proof I need. Maybe I will find out Dr.
    Thorne iss telling the truth, and she is really an Immortal, like my mom. Or they’re all nuts and I’ll soon be joining them…. “When can I leave?” I ask excitedly as I look up at him.

    “What?” he asks with a confused expression.
    “You said I can see Mom,” I say defiantly. “When do I get to leave?”
    “I can drive you up tomorrow,” Dr. Thorne offers with a look at my dad. “Paul, I’m sorry. I know this is difficult but the sooner the better. With the transformation taking place it might not be safe for her here.”
    I look from her to Dad and back again expectantly, waiting- hoping he’ll agree. His eyes close briefly before responding, “Tomorrow is fine, but first we all need to get some sleep. Go on,” he says glancing at me, his eyes filled with sadness. “Get to bed. You can pack in the morning when you wake up. Good night, Adelin.”
    “Night, Dad. Dr. Thorne,” I reply before racing upstairs to try to get some sleep.
    The bright green glow of the alarm clock on my bedside table shows me it is three thirty-five in the morning as I climb into bed. I lay down on top of the pale purple comforter, too exhausted to cover myself up, and pray for sleep to overcome me. My mind is filled with a jumble of thoughts, too jam-packed for the darkness to be able to soothe me into peace. What if my mom doesn’t like me? Or doesn’t want me? How am I supposed to choose between my dad, who I’ve known my entire life, and a mom I’ve never even me?
    Especially a mom I’m not even sure I like ….let alone what she might think of me. What if she really is locked up in some mental institute?
    Am I going to be joining her in there sometime soon? The sky is just beginning to lighten with the promise of another day when my mind finally surrenders itself to the blissful silence of sleep…..

    I wake up more exhausted than I had been last night, if that’s even possible. My red-filled nightmare had returned to haunt me, only this time I had known I was hunting the girl from the beginning- and I had liked it. A soft, warm breeze wafts into the room, gently fluttering the curtains as it tickles across the skin of my bare arms.
    At some point when I had been asleep Dad must have come in to check on me because I am blanketed in the mismatched quilt from the spare bedroom. I sit up groggily, my eyes heavy with sleep,