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

Emily behind. She was more than just a friend to Rebecca: Emily was a sister.
    Still, one thought kept cutting into Rebecca’s mind. Something Maverick had said earlier had stuck with her more than anything else. It had awoken in her a yearning that she’d suppressed many years ago, one she’d been almost certain was gone.
    Rebecca lifted her head and looked over at Maverick, “You said earlier that the human parent’s mind is erased, and the Ailill parent is only killed if they contact the child…Does that mean my parents are alive?” She made no attempt to hide the longing in her voice or mask the pain on her face. For so many years, Rebecca had told herself she was alone in this world, that she would never have a family. The idea that her parents could be out there, that they could be alive and possibly want her as much as she wanted them, was a reality she’d never thought possible.
    Maverick lifted a hand and slowly drew back a few loose strands of hair from her face. “I don’t know about your human parent, but I can assure you that your Ailill parent still loves you, and wants to be with you very much. As with all Ailill who have a Truaillithe child, they would never have given you up if they hadn’t been forced to.”
    Rebecca breathed deep and stood tall. Maverick followed suit. She looked up into his eyes as her courage grew in her chest. “I’ll come away with you, but on one condition.”
    Maverick raised an eyebrow, but didn’t speak.
    “I want to find my parents.”

Six
    It was nearly pitch black when Rebecca snuck up to the house. All the windows were dark except for the one in the back bedroom. She cautiously made her way toward the bright window, taking a silent moment to gather her thoughts.
    She’d left Maverick in the woods, promising to meet him at the edge of town in a couple hours, which were now nearly up. He’d offered to let her stay a few days before leaving, but she knew that would only make things harder.
    Her first stop had been to her own house. Rebecca had snuck in through her window and filled a duffle bag with clothes. She had no idea where she was going, so she’d grabbed a little of everything just in case.
    The whole time she packed, Rebecca fought with herself about whether to tell Ingrid and Thomas about leaving, or to just go. Finally, she decided to write them a letter. It would’ve been much too hard to tell them in person, but they deserved at least some explanation.
    In the letter, she’d thanked them for everything. For showing her the first kindness she’d ever known, for making her feel wanted for the first time in her life. She told them not to worry about her, that she’d be safe and that she needed to leave, though she told them nothing about why.
    Rebecca had placed the note on her bed and, just before she’d climbed out the window, she grabbed the silver necklace hanging next to her mirror. The charm on the end of it was a delicately veined, silver leaf. They’d given it to her on her first birthday with them. It had been the very first present Rebecca had ever received.
    Now, Rebecca crept towards what was sure to be the hardest thing she had to do that evening. Once she reached the edge of the house, Rebecca dropped her duffle bag on the ground next to the bike she’d been pushing, and tapped lightly on the lit window. She could hear some quick rustling, and then watched as the glass was slid open. Abruptly a surprised head popped out and stared at her.
    Emily sighed heavily once she recognized Rebecca, “You know, for a quick second I thought it was going to be like in the movies, where I’d open my window to find a handsome man on one knee, with fresh flowers in his hands, ready to confess his undying love for me.”
    “You’d rather that over me?” Rebecca whispered, feigning hurt disbelief.
    “Oh, OK, I guess you’ll do,” Emily laughed quietly and then pulled herself back through the window so Rebecca could climb in.
    Once inside, they