Mortal (Mortal, #1)

by Bella Lore

The other one looks me up and down, though, and even though we’re a good fifteen yards apart, his gaze feels like a physical touch.

I may not yet know how everything works at this school, but I can already tell it’s the kind of place that chews you up and spits you out. Unless you’re the one to take the first bite.

If I am having a horrible time, I know, I’m not letting myself fully feel it.

who would be there to put me back together? No one, that’s who. My friends are a thousand miles away and all of my family is dead. I don’t have the luxury of falling apart.

Now I have no family, no place to rest at night. No future. I might as well not exist.

Magic is the assertion of power, and whoever is strongest in magic is the person who has the most power. At the height of the Renaissance, it was the Church. Now it is the State. And soon it will be you.'"

As I'm staring, he looks through the flames and straight at me. It's like my very soul is being rearranged.

"One more thing. Stay away from the wishing well. It's forbidden for all students, and needs to be avoided... but especially by you."

Here's the thing about running: it doesn't matter if you're the fastest person in the world. You can't go forever.

My heart stutters to a stop, then jump starts, and races faster than a jackrabbit.