To whomever is reading this:

Don’t give up. It all might seem hopeless right now, but in the end, I know that it will be worth it.

Everything happened so fast. Unless you have lived through war, there is no way you could ever believe that the world used to be so different.

The planet has always been divided by the three main races—species. The Betas were given free reign over the Earth, going about their lives innocently. With the passing of the last few decades, their knowledge of the other two societies had all been but erased. With no Magik in their blood, Betas were, and still are, fearful of any superior being that could threaten their control over the Earth.

To the rest of us, though, Alphas were the true rulers. They have Magik running through their veins and the energy of the Earth making up their soul. They borrow the elements and in return, they give a piece of themselves back to the land.

They are one with the planet, and therefore have the power to control any other species. They were benevolent rulers, in the beginning.

The Omegas, also born with Magik, have been the lowest class for centuries. Unlike the Alphas, their gifts are stolen with no intent of being returned. They harm any creature or living being in order to gain more power.

They are, by definition, parasites.

Because of this, the Alphas considered Omegas to be the bottommost being on the planet. Lesser than insects. They were outcasts of society and were most often persecuted for their race.

A century prior, during the civil unrest, and before we went into hiding, the Betas gave in to their terror and went after any person born with Magik.

Millions of lives were lost in the war. Children were orphaned and villages destroyed.

To protect themselves, the Alphas retreated, making a treaty with the Beta government. To be left in peace, the Alphas promised to hide and not use their powers against the non-Magik users. In turn, the Omegas would be controlled and held to the same standard. Anyone that disobeyed the Alphas’ rules would be punished.

This treaty has lasted for seventy years. That is, until recently, when an Omega decided that the discrimination of his kind had become too much.

He started a rebellion; one that rivaled the Alphan Society, the government that the Alphas formed in order to create order and stay in power. Their system worked tirelessly to make sure that they remain in secret and the Omega threatening war stood on the edge of creating another chaotic massacre with not only the Alphas, but the Betas as well.

If the non-Magik become aware that we still exist, living comfortably next to them, the world would be thrown back into chaos. There would be no going back. No one would be safe.

And then came the –

VANESSA'S POV:

The Los Angeles skyline shimmers in the waning afternoon sun. The soft hues of the sunset warm my skin even from within the confines of a vehicle. The world flashes by, as we race our way up the interstate until the mountains obscure my view of the sun. I already miss the heat of its rays and the rush of the cold waves from the Pacific. I wish I could spend just one more day at the beach. One more day without the anguish and stress of living a lie.

I haven’t stopped training in two years, constantly trying to hone my Magik, although I wasn’t successful in so much as creating sparks.

I have no connection with the elements. I can feel the tingle in my blood, the butterflies in my chest when I try to connect, but nothing is released. Energy leaves my body instead, draining me, rather than strengthening me. I’ve fainted numerous times just trying to move a single rock. Sometimes even a pebble is too much for my body to handle.

It makes me wonder, why me? Why am I the one in the back of an elegant Mercedes with the most wanted Omega in the world sitting in the passenger seat?

I have no outstanding abilities that would make me the perfect candidate—no training for a mission such as this one. All I have are the skills to pretend. Act as though I belong, and make others believe what I need them too. At least, I used to be good at that.

Growing up, I was made fun of for my lack of Magikal abilities and nicknamed the Dirty Beta, although they all knew I wasn’t one. Magik is very loud; it wants to be heard. An Alpha’s Magik is a swirling ball of red lightning crackling within us and clear for all to see, if tapped into. It’s almost like a person’s aura, but it’s within the individual, at their very core.

Betas have lost all means to sense or use the abilities bestowed upon us by the universe, and so they are unable to pick out an Alpha or Omega from a crowd.

Therefore, I was called Dirty Beta. Because my Magik was—and is—so weak that it can barely be classified as Alpha. The red hue of it is hard to distinguish. With what little power I have, I might as well be a Beta. Useless. That’s what I am.

The road becomes harsh as we move off the paved highway, and the car jumps around edging into the unfamiliar district. I’ve never been in this area of Los Angeles County before. It’s north of Santa Clarita; more secluded in the mountains. This must be where they’ve been hiding all these years; why the Alphas couldn’t find them.

The Alphan Society has been hunting the Omegas for years. Many of the ones within the borders of the US are in major cities, such as Los Angeles or New York City. They are within reach where the Alphas can keep an eye on them. Keep them in line.

But the world is changing.

There is a power play in the works that the Alphan Society is working tirelessly to stop. That’s why they sent me. Gave me this suicidal mission.

Although my eyes are trained on the pristine glass of my window, I can feel the heat of an unforgiving aura licking across my skin and taking a hold of my spine. A chill scratches along my body, biting at the hairs on my arms.

I won’t look. I can’t. I must be careful around him. He’ll be able to see right through me if I make even a slightly wrong move.

And yet I can feel his icy stare. The danger his presence promises to those who get in his way. If I am caught, there’s no going home. He is notorious, though walks unseen. His face is plastered all over wanted posters within the government facilities, but no one has been able to catch him. The horrifying Omega who is facilitating a war with the Alphas.

Lǎo bǎn.

His authority spreads to even the smallest communities of Japan and New Zealand. His actions against the Alphan Society have also reached the ears of his mother country, China.

He’s ruthless and psychotic.

That’s how the rumors portray him. He kills Betas on a whim and will slaughter Alphas just because of their blood.

Yet here I am, willingly sitting behind him. In fact, I placed myself in a position for him to notice, to recruit me. I drew his attention.

Even so, no matter how many times I think of it, I still don’t know why I was chosen.

***

Sweat drips down into my eyes as every muscle in my body throbs with exhaustion. Practice has become even more grueling these last few weeks. The pulse that has taken over every nerve in my body has my legs feeling like jelly, wobbly and weak.

I refuse to give up, staying out until past midnight even when my body screams in protest. Although I continuously practice, I have yet to get any better. I push down the nagging thoughts as I blink away the invading beads of perspiration.

“Vanessa,” Sergeant Michael, my guardian and friend, whispers under his breath before standing to attention and saluting. His rich, tan skin is only darkened by the shade of the trees surrounding us. There aren’t many people that can cause the slight glint of fear in his opaque gaze.

I slowly pivot, my heart thrumming in my throat. Who could it be? No one really interrupts our training unless it’s an emergency, which we rarely get here at the compound.

Standing a few yards away is none other than Madam Rodriquez, the president of the Alphan Society.

Our sovereign.

As I rush to stand at attention, my arms at my side and my back straight, I can’t help my mind from wandering.

Why would someone so powerful come all the way down to the drill facility?

“Sergeant Major Vasquez.” The president nods in acknowledgement before turning her penetrating scrutiny onto me. I gulp, my heart racing, knotting up my chest. A shiver courses up my spine and into my neck. “Vanessa Enderson.”

Her murky, auburn hair is pulled tightly into a ponytail with a few stray locks hanging to the side that clash with the paleness of her complexion. Her gaze bores into my own. There is an eerie clip to her expression, one that I can’t quite catch before she hides it behind a mask of political politeness.

How does she know my name? I didn’t think I was on anyone’s radar. Not with my abilities—or lack thereof.

“Madam President.”

I bow my head for a second out of courtesy. Her presence is so strong, that I can’t help but to stand completely straight, the force of her inspection weighing down on my shoulders.

“I have some urgent matters to discuss with the both of you. If you would follow me back to my car where we can speak.”

That’s odd. Why can’t we talk now? Also, I am still wondering why she came all the way down here herself? This is all very confusing.

I am not allowed to question her, though. In America, one does not question the president of our entire race. I’ve heard rumors that countries such as Canada or in England, there is more of a democracy. One where the people have a say in what goes on in their Alphan Society. Even the Betas here in the US have more say in their government than we Alphas do.

Shrugging off my treasonous thoughts, I tag along behind Michael and President Rodriquez, trying hard not to fall over my own feet to keep up. There is a tension in the president’s shoulders, but I’m not sure if they are always like that, or if what she must speak to us about is really that terrible.

We reach the large limousine quite quickly. It’s parked on the side of the drill center where other trainees are inside sparring. I can hear their grunts and shouts, even the crashing of bodies being thrown against the padded walls.

Once we slide into the vehicle, though, all other noises diminish. There’s an unnerving silence that encompasses us, and I’m not sure if I should speak up, or remain quiet. I wonder if Madam President has cast a barrier around us. It makes sense. Alphas are able to form blockades that can protect us from outside Magik, but it is rare for it to be so strong that it soundproofs an area. A soft ringing pokes at my eardrums as the silence surrounds us.

There are hints of a red aura, wisps of mist that dot the air like dust particles. But I have never seen the president so much as lift her finger to move an object with her Magik, much less create a barrier. It must have been her driver, or a previous spell that is engrained in the vehicle. It is rare for Magik to linger and still be effective without the host nearby, but it is not impossible.

“I will get straight to the point, seeing as we are running out of time.”

Pulling myself back to reality, I focus in on what Madam President is saying.

“Vanessa, you know about the Omega Lǎo bǎn and his rebellion, correct?”

Of course, who doesn’t? He’s terrifying. They say with one look he will steal your soul. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. We have word that he has a high paying supporter who is hiding in the shadows, backing him. The council and I need to know who this person is, how much pull they have, and just how much they are lending to Lǎo bǎn for this war. The council demands an answer immediately.”

“War, ma’am?”

I know my voice is weak, but I can’t help it. I never imagined the Omegas would decide to go to war against us. I always thought they would quietly give up or get beaten into submission. In the last seventy years there has never been a threat of this magnitude. The Omegas always backed down.

A harsh line forms around Madam Rodriquez’s lips. “Yes. It is only a matter of time before they strike first. I refuse to wait until then. We need someone on the inside who can get close to Lǎo bǎn and find the name of the supplier.”

So, she wants a spy. That is a tactic the Betas often use. The Alphan Society usually prides itself on following the laws of our race and not condoning the underhanded techniques of the inferior class. So why are we stooping so low now?

That is not a question I want to ask though. I am still confused on why I am here. Michael, I understand. He is the leader of our defense program. He helps to organize the security of the Alphan Society; to make sure the Betas do not accidently stumble onto our Magik. He also helps with the plans to counter the Omegas.

So why me?

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Michael’s pained expression turns to mine. “I’m sorry, Madam, but what does that have to do with me?”

Now she smiles, her own eyes strained. “Lǎo bǎn has spies all over the Alphan Society. He has reports on all soldiers and even the trainees about to be sworn in. As of right now, you are the only one who does not have an official report. The Alphan Society does not associate you as a member. That is why you are the best candidate for this mission.”

***

“Lǎo bǎn,” the man driving speaks softly. He has pale skin that clashes with his dark t-shirt. “Are you sure you want to bring her in so willingly? You have never brought someone in without a background check before.”

Lǎo bǎn now stares out at the landscape, his white locks blowing in the soft breeze of the open window. His thin, dark brow twitches, two lines etched through his left arch. He slowly looks at his subordinate before turning away without speaking.

The man ceases his questions and simply tightens his grip on the wheel. I swear there is a bead of perspiration forming on his temple. I don’t blame him; he just questioned a man who could kill him without a flick of his wrist.

I’m not sure why Lǎo bǎn agreed to bring me in either. If I wasn’t so terrified, I would probably ask. There is a foreboding aura around the Omega. He is thin and tall, but his power comes from his Magik, not his physical strength. He is wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Underneath, his tattoo is barely visible. It is stated in his report that his entire right arm is covered in the solar system. It reaches up over his shoulder and onto his back— now a symbol for his rebellion. He tells them he will not stop until Omegas are at the top of the food chain and reach even the stars.

A beautiful concept for a terrifying man.

Almost as though he knows what I’m thinking, Lǎo bǎn glances up into the rearview mirror, and we make eye contact. His dark eyes rip the oxygen from my lungs and clench my throat closed. There is no emotion running through his features, and yet I can feel my insignificance in a single glance.

When he finds out who I am, he will surely kill me.