"You haven't been eating a lot lately," Jasper states during our lunch break. He's been concerned about me and he thought it has something to do with Valerie since she's been keeping her distance. She was awfully guilty about her dad almost killing me, but both of us silently agree to stay clear of each other for a while. 

The last thing I need is all Minotaurs hunting me for being near Valerie.

It's been days after the Identification Test day and the near-death experience with Mr. Caleb. Dad has been under more stress than ever. 

I have learnt that he made a treaty with the Minotaurs to keep my identity a secret and helping them with any federal issues. Well, the Minotaurs' main concern is the problem with the government and Hunter Headquarters. Without dad's help, they're going to have to find another way to make sure that they're safe from prying eyes.

Mr. Caleb totally screwed up everything.

"Earth to Mel?" Jasper waves his hand in front of me. I shake my head and pay attention. 

"What?"

He pointedly look at my barely-eaten sandwich. 

To get him off my back, I take a huge bite and chew slowly. Jasper shakes his head at me. He's not bringing up a topic or searching new music on Spotify, which is off-behaviour for him. 

"Are you alright?" he asks. 

I take my time to swallow before reluctantly answering him, "I will be."

"Dear students," the principal's bass voice booms around the school perimeter, followed by a sharp piercing that made a lot of people cover their ears. I pity the supernatural students with super hearing. "All students are to be at the assembly hall in ten minutes' time. This is the order of Head HQ Agent of Gurney City."

After the short announcement, the cafeteria buzz with conversations. A lot of people started to head out of the cafeteria, including Valerie and her friends. I quickly finish off my lunch so that Jasper and I go to the assembly hall as instructed. 

A swarm of HQ Agents are in the school perimeter, keeping an eye on the security. Students are anxious on the sight of the weapons held by the Agents. 

"Thank you for your cooperation," the Head HQ Agent says into the microphone when everyone is settled in. "Our lab have analysed your DNA and blood sample in order to reveal your true nature, should you know about it. The new law has stated that everyone has to be labelled based on what they are."

The hall is deadly silent. I hold my breath.

"We will call each and every name based on your category. Once your name is called out, come up on stage and receive your Identification Tattoo..."

Everyone starts to talk in excitement about getting a tattoo. The HQ Agent on stage looks annoyed as he silence us.

"You are not allowed to remove your tattoo. Should you one day decide to be a HQ Agent and shifter, your tattoo will be modified accordingly. We will start with the majority: Minotaurs. Frank Peterson."

One by one, students walk up to get their tattoo. The process of getting the Identification Tattoo is quick. From what I can see, Minotaurs have a tattoo of horns, werewolves of wolves, vampires of fangs, witches of the letter 'W' and humans of the letter 'H'. 

When the human category is next, Jasper and I are called out. I let out a silent sigh of relief, thanking God or Venus or whoever. Dad must have pulled his strings to make sure this happens. 

However, Valerie wasn't called out as a human. She stands alone as almost everyone receive a tattoo, including the teachers. Her frightened eyes land on me as I try to send a glance of reassurement. She's neither human nor Minotaur. 

She's different.

"Those who I do not call out will stay behind. The others are dismissed. Please return to your respective classes and resume your day. I thank you for your cooperation," the Principal says once the last human got his tattoo. 

"Also," the Head HQ Agent intervenes when students start to move. "I would like you to watch out for three students of the names Gunner Delaney, Harrison Wells and Polly Morrison. If you see any of them or heard any information about their whereabouts, alert the local authorities. On behalf of the government, thank you for your time."

All the students disperse as instructed. I cast another glance at Val who is approaching the HQ Agent with two other people.

"I hope she's okay," I murmur softly, forgetting that Jasper is nearby.

"I'm confident she'll be," he replies. "Come on; we gotta go."

Unfortunately, Jasper was wrong. For Val's sake, I stay behind after school to make sure she's truly okay. The assembly hall is empty and I don't see her around at her usual hangout spots. I notice Elise looking distressed as she's wandering around aimlessly.

"Is Val around?" I ask her when I approach her. 

Elise's head jerks up in shock. She probably isn't expecting anyone besides her girlfriend. "No... I've tried texting her, but she didn't respond. The principal said that they took her to Gurney City."

"What?!" 

Gurney City? That's where the HQ Building is located. I remember distinctly about dad's conversation on the phone with someone named 'Emily'. He mentioned about a prison in the underground HQ Building.

"Did the Principal say whether he contacted her parents or guardians?" I demand. From what I know, they have to inform Mr. Caleb and Miss Lisbeth about holding onto their daughter since she's a minor.

"I don't know..." Elise replies. Her frustration with me is starting to show. "I haven't even met them. Heck, I don't even know what they are! Val's secretive about her family."

I do not provide a response as I start to scroll through my contacts on my phone. I do not have the mood to talk to Mr. Caleb since he expressed his deep hatred towards me and I don't want to risk more beef between us. I am debating on whether to call Miss Lisbeth or Val's brother Vaughn.

"Hello?"

"Miss Lisbeth, it's me Melinda. Valerie is taken to Gurney City by HQ Agents."