“Are you really surprised?” Josslyn asked. “After all, you did say something to her that’s kind of unforgivable.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact, that if she chose Elijah over us, that she would be dead to you,” Jasmine said around a mouthful of food.
“She’s mad at me over that?” Jade asked. “It’s not like I meant it!”
“I think on some level you did mean it, Jade,” Sky said, as he spooned eggs onto his plate, and reached for the bread. “We all know that you can be… very particular.”
“And Elijah wasn’t all that bad,” Josslyn added. “After all, I did love him once, and he did give me three, lovely children.”
“Are you seriously defending him?” Jade asked, staring at everyone around the table in shock. “Defending her? She nearly destroyed our whole family!”
“And she’s living with those consequences,” Jasmine put in. “Maybe it’s time to let up a little. She proved herself, when she killed Elijah. Isn’t that enough?”
“You really think we’re lovely?” Jami asked, reverting the conversation back. “Even Josi?”
“You’re all lovely in your own ways,” Josslyn said, pointing a fork at her daughter. “And be nice to your sister. She might have her quirks, but she is not the last Morgan to get into trouble. As I recall, Jessi was in juvie.”
“And still paying the price for it,” Jessi said, softly. “Which reminds me, I won’t be home right after school. I have some community service I have to do. Part of my parole.”
“Where?”
“At the homeless shelter. I’m serving soup.”
“Well, as far as community service goes, it doesn’t sound half bad.”
“Hey, guys!” Jorja cut into the conversation, rushing into the room. “Look what I found!” She slammed a map down on the table.
“Jorja! We’re trying to eat!” Jade cried, reaching for the map.
“Don’t you dare touch that!” Jorja cried, slapping Jade’s hand away. “I have been looking everywhere for this!”
“For what?”
“The sapphire of Raj,” Jorja said, setting the book down on the table, and pointing to the stone. “Legend says that the stone was shattered centuries ago. Separated into five shards and scattered across the world.”
“What else does legend say?” Jami asked, leaning in close, staring at the bright, blue, jagged shaped gem lying on the page. “Ooh. It’s pretty.”
“Apparently, if you put the sapphire back together, it’ll lead you to the hidden city,” Jorja said, circling a couple of spots on the map. “I just need to find the highest point of the city, because if I had to guess anything, I would guess that Jordyn is in the hidden city.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Let’s call it a mother’s intuition.”
“Jorja.” Jade picked the map and book up off the table, setting them to the side. “I’m all for you finding your daughter and all, but isn’t going on a treasure hunt, a little extreme? Plus, don’t you have a job interview to get to?”
“Yeah, in…” Jorja glanced at her watch, her eyes widening. “Oh, crap! Look at the time. Girls, we gotta go!”
“Can you at least let us eat breakfast first?” Jami asked in exasperation, as she stuffed a spoonful of eggs in her mouth. “It’s not like we live forty minutes from the school, it’s just down the road!”
“Sit, Jorja,” Josslyn said, patting the seat next to her. “Eat with us.”
“I don’t know. I really want to find this gem,” Jorja said, glancing longingly at the book, then at the food on the table. “Although, it does smell awfully good.”
“Oh, it is,” Sky said, around a mouthful of food. “Plus, you know that every day starts with…”
“Sky.”
All the women turned to stare at him, and Sky sighed. “I’m just saying, everyone should start the day with a good breakfast,” he said, stabbing his fork into his food. “Jeesh. You women really are a piece of work! So, what’s everyone got planned for the day?”
This is where your life begins, Julie, Julie thought, stepping out from the car and staring at the building in front of her. The dark, brown exterior with white standing tall and proud. Glass windows gleaming, and a blue sign standing just in the front of the building, a gold badge displayed on the front of the sign with the words, Twin Cities Police Department written in white underneath the badge. Remember, this is what you want. It’s the whole reason you lessened your college load. Because you want something more for yourself.
She closed her eyes, blowing out a long breath and walked forward. She pulled the large, glass door open and walked inside. She stared around at the desks scattered around the room, walking across the dark green and white patterned tile, toward the receptionist as she sat, typing behind the desk. taking note of the plants sitting underneath the windows.
“Can I help you?” The receptionist asked, popping her gum, as she glanced up from her computer screen. She pushed her long, blonde hair from her face.
“Yeah. I’m Julie Morgan. I’m here for an interview.”
The woman regarded her for a minute, then lifted the phone to her ear. “Julie Morgan to see you?”
She hung up the phone, glancing at Julie. “He’ll be up in just a minute. Feel free to take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the desk next to her.
“I think I’ll stand,” Julie said, glancing at the desk, remembering the days she, Jade, and their grandparents had come to this same police station, time after time, when Josslyn had been arrested. Damn, that seemed like a lifetime ago! Where did they all go wrong?
But she knew the answer to that. Everything had gone wrong when they’d inherited their powers. When they’d been thrown into this world, and when she, had embraced the darkness.
“Julie?”
She pulled herself from her thoughts, glancing over her shoulder at the dark-haired man standing behind her. He wore a light-blue buttoned-up shirt and a black tie. His dark hair cut neat and short, his piercing, green eyes looking attentive as he stared at her. He’s gotta be one of the lead detectives here, she thought.
“Hi.” Julie walked forward and extended a hand. “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me.”
“Absolutely,” The man said, closing his hand over hers. “I’m Lieutenant Randall Becker. The police chief asked me to sit in on the interview. Follow me.”
He led her through the doorway to their right, walking with her down a long hallway. The heels of their shoes tapping lightly on the white, marbled floor. Pictures lined the blue and white walls around them. Decorated officers, and awards hanging there.
“So, I must say, your application was very interesting,” Lieutenant Becker said, as he led her down yet another hallway. “I don’t come across many receptionists who want to become a cop. What inspired the change?”
“I was a receptionist,” Julie said, as he opened the door to the conference room. “It was basically a means to end job. It wasn’t something I enjoyed doing, but I needed the money. I’ve been out of work for a few months now. I was going to school, but I get so bored! I want to do something with my life. Something I can be proud of. Something to give back. Something…”
“Something that you can look back in and have no regrets,” Lieutenant Becker said gesturing her inside the room and pointing to the two men sitting around the rectangular-shaped table. “Julie, this is the Chief of Police, Chandler Malcolm,” he said, pointing to the older man with dark gray hair as he sat at the end of the table. “And this is, Lieutenant Simon Harrison.” He pointed to the younger, blonde-haired man sitting next to him.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Julie said, shaking hands with both men before taking a seat at the table.
“I hope you don’t mind that I asked them to join us,” the police chief said, sitting back and folding his hands in his lap, regarding her with steely, gray eyes.
“Not at all,” Julie said, returning the gaze, knowing he wa
s trying to intimidate her, but she refused to give in to it. “The more the merrier.”
“So, tell us about yourself, Julie,” Lieutenant Harrison said, glancing at the papers in front of him. “It says here you’re from the area?”
“Yes, I grew up here in the cities,” Julie said, answering the question. “My parents, Jeff and Jillian Morgan inherited our family house on the north side of St. Paul, and it’s where I grew up with my two sisters. I went to school Falcon Heights, where I graduated top of my class.”
“And got accepted into Preston,” the police chief said, glancing down at his papers. “That’s pretty impressive, you studied psych? What made you leave?”
“My sister,” Julie said, thinking back to that time. “She was living in Boston, with her new husband. I had a couple of days free, so I went to visit her, and when I got there he was yelling, saying all these mean things to her.” She took the cup of water Lieutenant Becker slid her way, nodding a thank you to him. She remembered the fear she’d felt back then. “The door was unlocked, and when I walked in, he was throwing things around the apartment, yelling at Jade, telling her how worthless, pathetic she was. My sister was always a strong woman, and seeing her huddled in the corner, bruises on her face something inside of me broke. I grabbed the baseball bat sitting next to the door and stepped in front of him. I told him he needed to leave and never come back. He came toward me, and I swung the bat. It hit him. The next thing I knew, the cops were there, and they arrested him. After that, I helped Jade get a lawyer, go through the divorce, and move back here.”
“As far as reasons go for dropping out of college, that’s a damned good one,” Lieutenant Becker said, glancing over at her. “I’m sorry you had to go through they, but your sister’s lucky to have you.”
“Thank you,” Julie said, smiling. If only Jade thought the same thing.
“And you’ve been back in college for a few months now?” The police chief asked. “So, let me ask you this, Julie. Why do you want to become a police officer?”
“Because I want to make a difference,” Julie said, knowing that the question had been coming. It was the one question she’d made sure to prepare for. “This world is a scary place, Chief. No one knows what to do anymore. No one knows how to act. Who to turn to. I want to help ease that fear. I want to be part of the solution. I want to help!”
“We’re not heroes here, Miss Morgan.”
“Sure you are,” Julie said, lifting her chin. “You put your lives on the line day in and day out, protecting those in danger. You’re the first line of defense when something goes wrong and that’s something I want to be a part of.”
“But what about the accident you were a part of five years ago?” Lieutenant Becker asked, from where he was sitting next to her. “Your medical report says you were severely injured in the accident. Being a police officer is hard work. It’s grueling, exhausting, and requires you to be at the top of your game, both physically and mentally. Do you think you’re capable of doing the work?”
“I wouldn’t have applied if I didn’t,” Julie said, a bit irate that he’d even asked the question. “It’s no secret that five years ago, I was hit by a drunk driver as I was walking across the crosswalk. He hit me. My body was broken. Shattered. I had two broken legs, three fractured vertebrae in my spine, along with two broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and my face busted. It took multiple surgeries. Multiple doctor’s appointments. Tons of physical therapy, and a plastic surgeon to get me back to where I am now. No one has been through what I have been through. It took tears, hard work, and determination to get my strength back, but I’m here, stronger than ever and I promise you that whatever test you throw at me, I will pass with flying colors.
“Hmm. She does have a point,” Lieutenant Harrison said, glancing over at the police chief. “Plus, she’s spunky. We could use that in our department.”
“We could also use another female around here,” the police chief said, glancing at the two lieutenants. “We’re getting some heat about having too many men in the department.” He glanced back at her. “Ok. One last question, Julie. What does your family think about you becoming a police officer?”
Julie startled at the question. She had not been prepared for this. What did her family have to do with her joining the department? “They actually don’t know.”
“What?”
All three men shouted the word, lurching in their chairs in surprise.
“They don’t know?” Lieutenant Harrison asked, his eyes wide.
“You didn’t tell them?” Lieutenant Becker added, his voice hitching.
“There’s a reason I ask this question to every recruit we consider bringing into the academy,” the police chief said, regaining his composure. “As we’ve already stated, this is a very stressful, grueling job. You see things… that well, you never thought you would see, and I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good support system behind you.”
“Isn’t that what therapists are for?” Julie asked, crossing her arms across her chest as she sat back, regarding the three men. “Not every family is close, and right now, my family is going through something and we’re not really on speaking terms, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve a shot at this job. I might have been through hell, but I have picked myself, put myself back together, and am stronger for it. You may not believe this, but I have seen things. Things that you would never believe and believe me when I tell you that this is what I want to do. This is what I want, and it doesn’t matter if I have my family behind me or not, because I will be the best damned police officer you have ever seen in this department. You know why? Because I’m a damned hard worker and want to make a difference. Now, I’m guessing you boys have a lot to think about, so I’m going to go, and you can call me when you make a decision.” She rose from her chair and disappeared out the door.
“I like her,” she heard one of the Lieutenants say, as she walked down the hall and she grinned. Well, I certainly hope so!
“Did you get the job?” The receptionist asked, as she stepped through the doorway.
“Hell if I know,” Julie said, shrugging as she headed for the door. “But I think they have a lot to think about.”
“Well, they’re fools if they don’t hire you.”
Julie smiles. “Thank you,” She glanced at the name plate on the desk. “Denise.” She headed for the door.
“Hey, Julie. Hold on a minute!”
She glanced over her shoulder as Lieutenant Becker hurried toward her. “Yes?”
“So, we all had a little talk after you left the room,” the Lieutenant said, panting a little as she talked. “And we like you. You’re spunky. Definitely, vocal, and you’re tough as nails! We have a new class beginning in a couple of weeks. Do you think you could be here on Monday for the agility test?”
“Absolutely!” Julie, said, grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you so much for the opportunity, Lieutenant. I promise I won’t let you down.”
“I don’t doubt it,” the Lieutenant said, laughing at her enthusiasm. “I’ll see you on Monday, Julie. I’ve got a good feeling about you and have high hopes for you.” He turned and disappeared back down the hallway.
“You’re not the only one,” Julie said, her eyes locking with Denise’s, laughing as the receptionist gave her two thumbs up. “Way to go!”
“I never had any doubts,” Julie said, turning and walking out the door, knowing full well that she’d been scared to death for this interview. She paused, lifting her head to the skies, and let out a loud shout of triumph.
“I did it!” she cried, spinning in a circle and dancing on the sidewalk. She laughed, as strangers gave her a weird look, leaves falling on the ground around her and she sighed, breathing in the fresh sir. “Oh, fall! How I love you!”
“Julie?”
The feminine voice floated through the air, and she jumped. She turned, glancing over her shoulder, her eyes widening when she saw Jade walking up behind her.
“We need to talk, Julie,” Jade said, stepping up onto the sidewalk and looping her arm through Julie’s. “Walk with me?”
“I guess,” Julie said, glowering at Jade. “But I’m still mad at you.”
“And I don’t fully trust you, but we can’t continue this war, Julie. We’re family, and one way or another we’re going to have to get through this.”
“You headed to class?” Sky asked, poking his head into the bedroom, and smiling at Jasmine as she stuffed her books into her bag.
“Yup,” Jasmine said, zipping her bag, and slinging it over her shoulder. “I’m just about to head out the door. It’s another day. Another day of sitting in the classroom and listening to the instructor.” She sighed. “I can’t wait until I graduate. Only two more years to go.”
“But it’ll be worth it, right?” Sky walked across the room to wrap his arms around Jasmine’s waist. He pulled her back against him, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck. “But I am a little bummed. I feel like I never see you anymore! You’re always in class, or reading through casebooks, then on the weekends you’re at the firm with Lilah!”
“It’s unfortunately the price I have pay to further my career, and for Lilah to make me partner at the firm,” Jasmine said, turning in his arms, and linking her hands around his neck. “But don’t be sad, Sky. You get to see me every night.” She leaned in close, brushing her lips against his.
“I guess you do have a point,” Sky said, returning the kiss, and a mischievous smile spreading out across his face. “You know, you could be a few minutes late to class,” he said, arching an eyebrow at her.
“Sky!” Jasmine smacked him in the arm, shoving him away. “Get your mind out of the gutter.” She smiled. “Although, it is tempting, but you know I can’t be late.”
“I know,” Sky said, sighing, knowing he had to be understanding. Knowing that he had to be supportive, but it was so hard! “But I’m restless, Jasmine. I don’t know what to do with myself!”
Bound by Magic Page 3
