The Curse of Betrayal by Taylor Lavati Read Free Book Online Page A

all—it’s not like I worked out at home. I let out a frustrated breath before trying again and getting nowhere. I look behind me to Ari, pleading for help. He makes a gesture like pushing a button in which just baffles me further.  
    But then I remember when he explained how to sprint when we were in the Underworld. Turbo boost. I try again facing this nasty, annoying, frustrating rope. I start attempting to pull myself up and then put it into over drive, mentally. I tell myself I can do it and then push myself to. I start going knot by knot, slowly but surely, my legs dangling underneath me lifelessly.  
    I don’t know how long it takes since I try to stay focused on my adventure up to the top. I just count each knot until I get to fifty and the rope ends. I ring the silver bell and then freeze, not knowing how the hell I’m supposed to get down from here. I lower my head and look towards the ground where everyone looks like little baby ants.
    My stomach flip-flops at the height, and I almost let go of the rope as I mentally go mad.  
    I’m going to die. I’m going to fall to my death right in front of Ari. How do I get down?
    I close my eyes and face forward, needing to breathe and take my hysteria down a notch. One breath in, one breath out. One breath in, one breath out.
    Instead of losing control like the old me would and giving up, I lower myself down the rope. I count the knots backwards. Forty-nine…forty-eight…forty-seven…  
    All the way until I can touch the ground. When my feet hit the solid floor, I let go of the rope. I look around me and see that I’ve made it down alive. I’m alive! I smile, not caring about how long it took or if I did it right.
    The room has gotten pretty silent which sends an eerie chill up my back. I walk over to where Kara is standing as I rub my throbbing shoulders which are most definitely shot and will be quite sore tomorrow if I had to guess.
    “What?” I ask her when I’m only about a foot away.
    “You’re strong as shit.” She has these vast eyes as if she just discovered I’m some secret Hulk.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “You went up and down that rope not using your feet in like five minutes flat.” She tugs my hand and drags me out of the weight room.
      Before we exit, I catch Ari’s eye as he winks at me, a proud smile on his face. I don’t know what I even did, but apparently, it’s a big deal, and I did pretty damn good. I smile back owning myself as I follow Kara out of the room.
    Trial number two—running. See this one, I feel a little better about since Ari taught me about that turbo charge trick or whatever. Plus, I would really love to show off in front of Magdelina—the man stealer.  
    When we get to the other side of the gym, a group of guys surround Magdelina while the girls form their own group standing on the other side, sneering at the attention the boys are giving Magdelina.  
    Kara meets my gaze and rolls her eyes, and I love her so much more for it. I don’t know whether she liked Magdelina or not before meeting me, but she’s definitely on my side right now. We hang out together while we await instruction.  
    “I don’t get it,” she starts to say as we lean against the brick gym walls. “I’m old enough. I should have powers already.”
    “I just started noticing mine this summer.” I try to make her feel better.
    “I’ve even tested running and shit. I know what to do. My body just doesn’t work.”  
    “I’m sure you’ll get it soon. You’re almost eighteen. It will happen.”
    “Promise?” she asks me with optimistic eyes.
    “Pinky promise.” I reach my pinky out for her to take, and she links hers with mine. I pull my hand up to my face and kiss my fist and then wait for her to do the same.
    “You’re kind of awesome,” she tells me, smiling with her perfect white teeth.
    “You are, too, Kara.” I smile back, loving how our friendship is growing by the hour. Magdelina takes charge of the