Birthright (Birthright Series)

by A. P. Jensen

  “Ooh. A wild card. Maybe you and I will end up at the same school. Are you into the Arts?” Cherry said enthusiastically.

  Levi was nonplussed. “Arts?”

  “Yeah. Painting, singing, dancing- You must be a singer. I’m not bad at that either. Maybe you and I can do a duet and make sweet music together,” she said suggestively, cracking her gum.

  Jordan coughed. Levi had a startled expression on his face.

  “Um, I’m not a singer.”

  “Well, maybe you’re a closet sculptor-” Cherry stopped dead, staring over Levi’s shoulder.

  Jordan grimaced when Cherry’s gum dropped out of her mouth again. Cibrian’s eyes were bright with excitement as he rubbed his hands together.

  “I’ve been waiting fifteen years for this day-” he broke off when Cherry stumbled past Jordan, hand extended.

  “Y-you’re Seth Tolly’s son,” Cherry stammered.

  Cibrian beamed and shook her hand. Levi hid a smile when he saw Cibrian shaking her gum twirling hand. Cherry looked as dazzled as if she were meeting a movie star. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a bright purple phone and held it up.

  “I have the Tolly Talker, edition three,” she squealed, bouncing up and down.

  “Um, that’s great,” Cibrian began to look uneasy as Cherry continued to stare at him expectantly. “Yeah, uh, I’ll let my dad know you like it.”

  “Wow. Um, yeah. Just wow,” Cherry staggered back to her seat, stepping on Jordan’s foot in the process.

  “Uh, yeah. Maybe we should go by my seat,” Cibrian said, casting a pointed look at Cherry.

  “Maybe we should-” Levi began when a loud voice boomed out over the stands.

  “Ladies and gentleman, kiddies and elderly… we would like to begin the Declaration Ceremony. Please take your seats, be courteous and we will begin momentarily,” a male voice said.

  An excited hum fell over the crowd and everyone scrambled to get to their seats. Jordan looked up at the Darsana stands who were chanting and stomping their feet as they had in the temple last night. Jordan, Cibrian and Levi stared at one another for a long moment. Jordan’s heartbeat was tripping along and she wasn’t sure if it was her shaking or the ground. Levi and Cibrian clapped her on the back like a guy.

  “Good luck guys,” Cibrian said and leapt up into the air like a frog to reach his seat.

  “See you in a few,” Levi squeezed Jordan’s hand before he disappeared into the crowd.

  Feeling abandoned, she pulled the hood up over her head and rubbed hands damp with sweat against her jeans. How could she sweat when it was freezing?

  “I forgot you were related to the Tolly’s,” Cherry said.

  “What?” Jordan said distractedly.

  Cherry slapped the arm of her chair. “Everybody knows everything about the Parker family. I mean, they’ve been on the Council, like, forever. By the way, your dad is a total hunk, no offense. Your dad and Seth Tolly were best friends at The Academy and your dad invested in his company and made him one of the richest men in our world. They both married the Dunn sisters so you’re related by marriage, right?”

  Jordan blinked. Did everyone know more about her family’s history than herself? Probably. Jordan nodded and ignored Cherry who demanded to know how she knew Levi, if he was single and what his secret passion was. The headrest of the chair in front of Jordan flickered to life like a TV and she had a close up of the audience in the stands. Families held signs, leis, gifts or prayed over charms. As the teens settled, the stage rose to her level revealing eight men sitting on sparkling, throne like chairs.

  Dressed in varying fashions and colors, the men looked out over the assembled crowd. On one end sat Mr. Parker with Seth Tolly beside him. Seth talked, gesturing expressively with his hands. Beside Cibrian’s dad sat a red haired giant with military short red hair and intimidating orange eyes. He was dressed exactly like the Lafita except for the thick silver bands on his arms and the grey cloak that cascaded down his back. Beside him sat Gideon who talked easily to him as they waited for the crowd to settle.

  The red haired giant and Gideon seemed intent on ignoring Yale King, the Guide of Wintra who stood in front of them. Like the first time Jordan saw him, he was dressed in blinding white to match his city with a matching cloak trimmed in indigo rippling over his shoulders. Yale gave up trying to enter their conversation and turned to Mr. Penn who waved merrily at the crowd with his glasses propped on his balding head. Bertrand sat beside Mr. Penn and Jordan averted her eyes quickly to the eighth man on stage. He had long, straight blonde hair that cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall. He had a very pinched, arrogant look and he was very pale. His orange eyes seemed to glow from within his sockets. From his shoulders, a forest green cape trimmed in brown slithered around him.

  “Excuse me,” a light voice said.

  Jordan pushed her hood back and saw a girl with dreads and worn jeans standing in the aisle. Jordan stood so the girl could sit in the seat between her and Cherry. Yale saw the interruption and waited patiently. Even as Jordan sat and Yale opened his mouth to speak, a guy started down the steps past her. She caught a glimpse of his face, startling violet eyes that contrasted with his black hair and tan skin. The knees on his worn jeans were ripped and his bomber jacket looked as if it was twice his age. Despite his lack of winter clothing, the subzero temperature didn’t seem to bother him. His black hair was messy as if he’d just stumbled out of bed.

  Everyone turned to see what the holdup was. Millions watched the rumpled teen make his way down the stairs until he stopped at one of the front rows and made everyone in his row stand so he could take his seat. Jordan glanced at Gima Parks but saw that Cherry was already doing enough staring for the both of them. Gima turned her head and stared pointedly at Cherry who didn’t look away.

  “Can I help you with something?” Gima asked.

  Undaunted by the chilling tone, Cherry stared at her dreads. “Is that fashionable where you come from?”

  Gima’s eyes narrowed. “I do what I want to with my hair. Got a problem with that?”

  Cherry winced. “I could give you a makeover-”

  “Okay, let’s begin,” Yale said on stage, voice booming over the teenagers at an overwhelming volume.

  Gima rolled her eyes at Cherry and looked forward, effectively ignoring her as Yale spread his arms wide on stage.

  “Welcome to Wintra. Today we are here to celebrate and witness one of the biggest events these young adults will experience, the Declaration Ceremony. As you all know, it started centuries ago when the races began to intermix and new talents began to emerge. Our ancestors decided to create schools that would not only educate the abilities that will lead us to our destiny but to make connections with those that will enhance our futures, our fellow classmates.”

  Yale glanced back at the men sitting behind him and then turned back to the crowd with a slight smile on his face. “I attended The Academy and met some of the most brilliant minds of my time. Donovan Parker, Link Cassidy, Seth Tolly and Bertrand Christian…”

  The crowd roared with approval as they cheered on these names. Mr. Parker and the man in the grey cloak didn’t change their formidable expressions but Bertrand inclined his head and Seth Tolly waved.

  “These connections are helpful to me, twenty two years later. The friends and relationships you make in these schools happen for a reason. They will be with you, good or bad, for the rest of your life.”

  Yale smiled at the teenagers who stared avidly up at him.

  “Donovan Parker, freelance advisor and master investor,” Yale announced, turning in Mr. Parker’s direction. There were a lot of catcalls from women accompanied by an outburst of whispers.

  Cherry leaned over Gima and poked Jordan in the arm. She mouthed, “hot” and fanned herself.

  “Seth Tolly, creator of Tolly Inc., our provider for every type of communication in our world,” Yale continued. “Link Cassidy, our Warlord.”

  The red haired g
iant lifted his fist in salute and every male in the vicinity copied his motion and made a hooting sound. Jordan bounced in her seat as the sheer force of the crowd made the ground shudder.

  “Guide Gideon Parker of Paradice,” Yale said and Gideon raised a hand in acknowledgement to the loud yells and stomping support from the Eliten, Undala and Darsana stands.

  “Yours truly, Yale King, Guide of Wintra.”

  Yale bowed and a strong, frigid breeze blasted from the Thishe and Undala stands and Jordan pulled her hood tighter around her face as Yale gestured to Mr. Penn.

  “Walter Penn, our connection to the Ignorant world,” Yale announced and people pounded their feet enthusiastically.

  “Bertrand, Sentinel of the Gem,” Yale boomed and Bertrand acknowledged the applause with a fist in the air. “And last but not least, Bertrand’s father, Christian Christian, Guide of Eden.”

  Christian Christian threw his gleaming blonde hair behind him, stood and waved arrogantly out at the crowd. Everybody roared and stomped in celebration of their Council. Yale waited patiently for several minutes before waving his hands for quiet.

  “Everyone on this Council thanks you for your support of their leadership and continued trust in them. As you all know, we lost a great Guide- William Stan, Guide of Autumis,” Yale said solemnly.

  Everyone fell silent and Jordan’s stomach lurched. Her power pulsed in response to her instant panic and fury. Desperately, she reached into her coat and closed her hand over the pendant.

  “The details and our understanding of what happened are still unclear. Know this- whoever is responsible will pay.”

  People stomped their feet and shouted agreement.

  “William was an exceptional Guide, husband and father. Let’s all bow our heads to honor him with a few minutes of silence.”

  Everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. The only ones who remained staring straight ahead were Mr. Parker and Jordan. She swallowed hard and tried to control her roiling stomach. The silence seemed to last for hours before Yale raised his head.

  “Thank you all for coming and let’s sit back and watch what fate the Gem has in store for our kids.”

  The crowd roared in approval as Yale sat. Bertrand rose from his seat and walked to the front of the stage.

  “I am the Sentinel, keeper of the Gem, a sacred jewel created by the first Council,” Bertrand said, voice low and grave.

  Jordan examined William’s brother. They didn’t look anything alike. William’s last name was Stan and Bertrand’s was Christian… They must be half-brother’s which might explain why they didn’t look alike. Was he a sorcerer as well? Jordan wondered.

  “No one knows how the Gem works or why it decides the things that it does. Over the centuries, we’ve come to realize that it will always reveal the truth about people. It sees straight to your core. Your values, morals, potential, power and most important- your heart.”

  You could have heard a pin drop in the stadium.

  “Based on what you’re made of, the Gem puts you in the school that will educate and prepare you for your destiny. Don’t fight your fate. Everyone has been put on this earth to accomplish a task and with the guidance of the Gem we hope you will walk the path you are here for.

  “Today we have our future leaders stand before us to be Declared into the school that will nurture their skills and power. Starting with the A’s, each student will come up, put their hand on the Gem and I will announce what school they will attend. On August first, each student will start at the school announced today.”

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Thousands of excited teens leaned over to whisper to their neighbors. Those ice circles Jordan hated zoomed down to the front rows of the amphitheater and came up with three students who looked like they were going to be sick. The first circle moved to the stage and a very ordinary looking boy in a coat stepped off. The boy had blue eyes and brown hair. Eliten and Undala?

  “Zachary Aaba,” Bertrand bellowed over the silent crowd.

  There was a popping sound and from his coat Bertrand withdrew a round, black object the size of a bowling ball. It floated in midair and there was a hushed silence as everyone watched. With bated breath they all strained forward as Zachary extended a hand and touched the Gem. Zachary let out a grunt. His eyes flew open as wide as they could go. The Gem began to sparkle with an explosion of colors. For five minutes nothing happened. Zachary Aaba’s hand seemed glued to the Gem which swirled with neon and then pastel colors. Bertrand reached out a hand and placed his hand on the Gem, on the opposite side from the boy’s.

  “Winby’s Art Academy,” Bertrand said, voice magnified to reach every person present.

  Cherry stood and cheered with the rest of the students. Zachary Aaba looked relieved but shaken as he walked off the stage. Next went Mary Abe, a girl with flowing blonde hair and green eyes. Her time with the Gem was a lot shorter than Zachary’s. Bertrand announced that she would attend Pampy’s Plant Academy.

  Jordan watched the teens on stage as they grimaced, jumped or gasped when their hand made contact with the Gem. Was it pain? Shock? When the teen’s school was announced some looked ecstatic, others dumbfounded and then there were those who looked devastated. Very few maintained a stoic demeanor.

  Jordan listened closely to the names of the schools. Each one started with what must be the founder, the specialty of the school and then the word, Academy. Some of the Academies were specific such as, Percival’s Healing Academy but then there was Drake’s Fire Academy. Jordan frowned in confusion when a loud murmur of admiration went up for Patty Bar when she was accepted into Brandy’s Binding Academy. Binding? Everyone expected her to get into The Academy. Were they missing a word? How could they be so sure where she would go when a Darsana boy was put into Landon’s Baking Academy? There were so many Academies that before long Jordan lost track. Some of the teens were on stage for fifteen minutes or more. People from the main stands came and went, getting drinks and popcorn as if they were watching a movie.

  In one of the groups waiting to be Declared Jordan noticed the boy that came in late. Bertrand announced that his name was Arthur Cole and then looked him up and down disapprovingly. Were those paint stains on his pants?

  Cherry leaned forward to catch Jordan’s attention. “He’s cute. Looks like an artist. I hope he gets into Winby’s Art Academy with me.”

  Jordan gave her a strained smile. Arthur Cole’s face was unfathomable as he looked at Bertrand and then the Gem. When he didn’t reach out to make contact, whispers broke out and several guys catcalled. A look from Bertrand silenced them instantly.

  “Don’t hold your breath. He lives with an aunt in Autumis who owns a junk shop,” Giles said loudly.

  Arthur didn’t seem to care that everyone shifted restlessly, wanting him to get on with his fate, to be Declared already. Bertrand leaned over the Gem and said something that made Arthur snap out of his reverie. Arthur placed his hand on the Gem and then jerked his hand away, scowling and shaking his hand as if it had been zapped. Bertrand gestured to Arthur, clearly telling him that he needed to leave his hand on the Gem. Arthur crossed his arms and shook his head and pointed accusingly at the Gem. Bertrand placed his hand on the Gem and his mouth went slack.

  “The Academy!” Bertrand said.

  Arthur’s face went ghost white. Are you sure? Arthur mouthed and Bertrand nodded. There was a stunned silence from the crowd and then Arthur received the biggest applause yet. Cherry burst from her seat, screaming his name. On stage Arthur shook his head at Bertrand who shrugged and pushed him towards the circle that would take him back to his seat. Giles Cornell shot Arthur an envious look before he was Declared into Yuk’s Herbal Academy.

  “You’re Jordan Parker,” Gima said.

  Jordan flinched. Jordan Parker? She pulled back one side of her hood to look at her neighbor.

  “Everyone’s talking about you,” Gima continued blithely.

  “What’s new?” Jordan snapped and looked f
orward again.

  “I’m glad I’m not famous. It must be the pits.”

  Sitting as high up as they were, most of the students were talking. It would be an hour or more before they reached the N’s, O’s and up. Jordan glanced up at four huge blocks of ice that faced each stand. It was obviously a huge TV because they were too high up to make out anything but blobs of color.

  “Your dad’s infamous,” Gima informed her despite Jordan’s lack of encouragement. “People say he killed two sorcerers before he even finished school.”

  Jordan whipped her head around as Cherry slapped Gima on the arm.

  “It’s a rumor,” Cherry said.

  Gima glared at her. “I watched the documentary about it. Their blood was all over him.”

  Several teens in the row before them glanced back at Jordan and whispered to each other.

  “They say he hated his stepfather and that’s why he murdered him,” Gima continued. “Donovan and his mom have a strained relationship.”

  “Roberta is one of the most beautiful women in the world,” Cherry said dreamily. “Everyone asks what cream she uses on her face but she won’t answer. I think it’s-”

  “Is Kelly your mom?” a girl asked, turning around to face Jordan.

  “No,” Jordan said, feeling naked and borderline claustrophobic.

  “Then where is she? Is that who you’ve been living with all this time?”

  Jordan leaned back in her seat and stared straight ahead at Mr. Parker. He was watching her, almost as if he knew they were talking about him. Did he murder two men? Sorcerers? One of them his stepdad? Why?

  “Oh my gosh, he’s looking over here,” Cherry exclaimed, fluffing her hair and popping out her chest.

  Gima looked down and hissed, “He could be trying to figure out which one of us to kill.”

  Cherry beamed at Mr. Parker. “Take me, take me!”

  “The Academy,” Bertrand announced, drawing Jordan’s attention back to the ceremony.

  A girl with curly blonde hair and blue eyes beamed at Yale who stood and clapped jovially.