Birthright

by A. P. Jensen

  Chapter Twelve

  Jordan wasn’t sure when she drifted off, but her eyes opened at ten forty five. On silent feet, she walked to the closet and changed into jeans, shirt and a dark hoodie. Knight watched her from the bed, stretched and cocked his head to the side as she crept to the door. For a moment, Jordan debated leaving him behind before she realized he would raise hell if she tried to lock him in.

  “Quiet,” she hissed and listened before she opened the door.

  Moonlight filtered through the glass walls of the house. She crept down the main staircase and was pleased to note that despite Knight’s size, he drifted through the house like a ghost. She walked to the front door, eased it open and paused. No alarm, no voices. Jordan stared down the long driveway lined with trees and imagined the Master watching her.

  Jordan shook herself and started down the steps with Knight by her side. She was grateful for his presence. She pat him absently and saw her pendant flare with light, a beacon in the darkness. She retracted her hand quickly and moved beneath the trees for cover. She fingered the circle pendant as she walked and found herself thinking of Heath. He was a good guy and she liked her pendant. She wondered if it would help contain her power when it returned. Her thoughts drifted to Kelly and she shook her head. She had a lot of questions for Kelly, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer. Why hadn’t Kelly told her that she was a Grounder? Jordan refused to think about Mr. Parker.

  Before long, her body ached with each step. She felt bruised from head to toe, her head pounded and she was practically sleepwalking, she was so exhausted. Knight nudged her and bowed his head again. She clambered onto his back and took the opportunity to rest. Levi would be here soon and then she would be safe. He would get her away from here and take care of her.

  The pendant flared with light. She closed her eyes and tried to find their mental link, but Levi was still blocking her. She grunted irritably and put the pendant inside her shirt so it wouldn’t be as noticeable. She listened to the splash of the stream on either side of them. The night was pleasantly warm and she rocked from side to side with the rhythm of Knight’s gait. When Knight stopped, Jordan roused and saw the wide iron gate with the large P. She looked closely and saw that the P was flanked by two Valor’s facing each other on their hind legs, mouths open in a roar. The road was narrow here with the fast running river running on both sides.

  Jordan lightly patted Knight’s side and felt his muscles bunch. He cleared the seven-foot fence easily. Dirt stirred as Knight landed lightly on the other side. Jordan sat up, hands braced in front of her and tried to see the highway, but there was only dirt road stretching in front of her.

  “Almost there,” she whispered.

  Beyond the gate, the stream flared out with trees scattered here and there. Knight took five steps forward and froze. He sniffed the air and growled. Fear rippled down her spine and she dug her hands into Knight’s fur as seven figures rose from the high grass and encircled them loosely.

  “It’s true,” a woman said.

  “That’s impossible. It hasn’t been done in centuries,” another woman said.

  They wore jackets with the hoods drawn up, shadowing their faces. Their hands flexed at their sides as if ready to grab a gun from a holster. The air crackled with power and Jordan’s heartbeat accelerated. One hooded figure stepped forward and the murmurs ceased.

  “Are you Donovan Parker’s biological daughter?” the man asked.

  Jordan didn’t answer. She was too busy trying to find a way out of this. Going forward wasn’t an option. The highway was nowhere in sight and these people clearly weren’t able to go over or around the gate. They had to wait on the opposite side.

  “Jump over the gate,” Jordan told Knight, voice nearly soundless.

  “Answer me!” the man demanded and took another step forward, but stopped at Knight’s warning hiss.

  “If she’s a Parker, maybe we should wait for-” a woman said nervously, but the leader slashed his hand through the air.

  “She just Awakened and Donovan’s not here. We have to take her while she’s alone.”

  “But the Valor-” someone trailed off uncertainly.

  Jordan listened to the conversation with half an ear. She could feel the pendant warm against her bare skin and Knight’s muscles rippled in anticipation beneath her. He wouldn’t retreat and sweat trickled down her back. She dug her hands into his coat and felt the pendant pulse in response.

  “Mr. Parker’s on his way,” Jordan snapped.

  There were several chuckles from the group and the man before her clicked his fingers. A blue fireball appeared in his palm. Three others in the group copied him and Knight crouched.

  “Jump over the gate,” Jordan whispered to Knight and his ears flicked back towards her. “Please.”

  “We’re not going to hurt you,” the hooded men said.

  Jordan’s anger broke to the fore and she looked straight at him. “That’s what they all say.”

  She felt Knight ease back just as the leader threw his fireball. Jordan screamed. When the fireball hit Knight, he absorbed it. Sitting astride Knight, Jordan felt the blow. Fire raced up her legs to her head, making her dizzy and furious. At every turn, she was confronted by people who meant her harm. She wanted no part of this world. Flames slithered through her hair.

  “That’s impossible,” the leader said.

  Jordan felt the pulse of the pendant against her bare skin. It was a drum beat of war that demanded to be used. Jordan opened herself up and power filled her. Aches disappeared, fear faded. She was powerful, dangerous. Borrowing power through contact with Knight was nothing like her power. Her power was an all-consuming, gut wrenching pain that wouldn’t abate unless it was used. This was like standing before a fire, her face a little too hot, but the sensation was comforting instead of frightening.

  “She’s just a kid,” the leader shouted and stepped forward.

  There was a loud splash as water rose from the stream, seething in a boiling cloud. It frothed menacingly as it raced towards Knight and Jordan. She remembered the dream about the peach colored room in Haven frozen in time and closed her eyes. Power fizzled through her veins and her breath slowed. She concentrated and felt her body temperature drop. There were gasps around her and she opened her eyes to see the cloud turn into an ice block that fell to the ground and shattered.

  Knight growled and turned to jump back over the fence, but their way was blocked by three hooded figures. One of the figures manipulated the shattered ice onto the dirt road around Knight, cutting into his paws. Jordan blazed with fury, melting the ice instantly as Knight lunged. There was an ear-piercing scream as he sank fangs into one of the attackers. Jordan felt a hand grasp her leg. She focused and a moment later the smell of burnt flesh stung the air.

  There was a flash of light and then a loud roaring sound as something sped down the dirt road, going full speed despite the bumps and rocks. Bright lights hit the group, blinding them all. Knight trampled three stunned figures as a 1974 Beetle rammed into the leader of the group. Chaos ensued as Jordan screamed Levi’s name. One half of the group turned to her and the others closed in on the Beetle.

  Knight swiped out with his claws, sending someone flying into a tree trunk. One of the hooded figures stirred up a dirt tornado. Dirt, rocks and grass churned around them, hindering their view. Knight closed his jaws around another attacker that got too close and there was the horrible sound of bones crunching. A boulder knocked Jordan backwards, off of Knight. She landed hard on her back, the breath knocked out of her. The heat of power vanished, leaving her cold and defenseless. A woman panted and cursed as she put Jordan in a headlock and dragged her backwards, off the road and into the high grass. Jordan kicked and scratched, but the horrible reality of being weak made dread seep through her.

  She heard a roar and saw Knight running towards them. His muzzle had smears of blood, fangs exposed. The roar he projected made the woman scream
and run. Jordan coughed and choked as Knight bounded over her and took care of her would-be captor. Jordan staggered upright and saw Levi with the Beetle at his back fending off his attackers with a crowbar. Someone tried to manipulate the stream and lost their concentration as the rocks and dirt churned beneath them. Another tried to generate a fireball and toppled over when he was pelted by rocks shooting from the stream. Someone in the high grass screamed and disappeared from sight.

  Jordan hobbled towards Levi, desperate to get to him. One of the hooded figures turned and saw her. They ran towards her and screamed as the ground opened up and swallowed them whole. The scream abruptly cut off and the ground looked as solid as before. Knight rallied around her, using teeth, claws and tail to clear a path. Jordan broke through the semi-circle around Levi and he shoved her behind him. Jordan felt her heart skip and knew she was pushing herself to the brink. Levi held the crowbar in one hand and froze when Knight lunged past him at a figure he hadn’t noticed.

  Jordan put a hand on his back. Knight’s on our side.

  You idiot. You can barely stand. You could’ve been killed. Levi’s voice was furious. Why didn’t you tell me you were this weak?

  I’m fine, Jordan insisted even though talking to him taxed her to the limit. Through physical contact, it bridged their mental connection.

  Your heartbeat’s skipping.

  Even in their predicament, Jordan found the energy to be surprised. How do you know?

  Levi stepped forward to brain someone who tried to outrun Knight. Jordan clutched the back of Levi’s shirt as more people appeared from the high grass. The back of his shirt was soaked with sweat and she could feel him shaking. He was wearing down.

  Levi, we need to get over that gate, Jordan urged.

  How?

  She lost contact again as he dodged forward. These people were so panicked by the Valor, they couldn’t concentrate long enough to use power to defend themselves. Knight frolicked through the fray, ripping and destroying anyone in his path. Jordan yanked open the door of the Beetle and got into the driver’s seat as Levi fended off the ones who got too close.

  “Get in!” Jordan screamed.

  “I can’t,” he shouted.

  Two men tackled Levi and Jordan kicked the door open, braining one of the men. Another man lunged and yanked her out of the car. Jordan let out a choked scream and Knight crept up behind her attacker and swiped at him. The man let out a shriek and fell to the side, shaking convulsively. Knight turned to the man using the crowbar to choke Levi, picked him up in his mouth and tossed him as if he were a Frisbee.

  Levi crawled to the Beetle and sat with his back against the door with Jordan. He gripped her hand. Any ideas?

  Nada.

  The pasture seemed to be hiding endless hooded figures. Knight whipped through their ranks, but he couldn’t attack and defend the teens. Knight backed up in front of Levi and Jordan, hissing and breathing hard. Blood dripped from his mouth and stained the dirt beneath his paws. He growled low in his throat and braced himself in front of the teens. Jordan tried to stand and failed. She fell sideways and saw the boots of the remaining enemy take a step forward. She raked her brain for a way out of this.

  Eight figures stood over a muddy battleground. Where were these people coming from?

  “Don’t hurt the girl,” a woman said.

  “What about the boy and Valor?” someone asked.

  “Kill the Valor. The boy may come in useful. He’s a strong earth talent.”

  They eased forward and Knight crouched to attack just as a deafening boom of thunder rocked the world around them. Jordan clapped her hands over her ears as everyone stumbled back. There was absolute silence and then the sound of measured steps crunching on rock. A pair of polished Italian shoes, cowboy boots and fluffy pink house slippers appeared in front of Knight.

  Levi slid down beside her and touched her leg. Run?

  Don’t bother. Jordan didn’t know whether to feel relieved or afraid.

  Who is the guy standing in the middle of the cowboy and the lady?

  Jordan felt his alarm. My dad, Mr. Parker.

  “You dare come onto my property?” Mr. Parker hissed and Jordan shuddered at the danger in his tone.

  The figures scattered, but Kelly held up a hand and everyone froze in mid run. Jordan saw the ears of the bunnies on her slippers go stiff from an unnatural chill. Heath wore his usual jeans and flannel shirt with a vest, but flames licked the bottom of his boots.

  Mr. Parker walked up to the nearest person and flung back their hood. A middle aged white male stood pale and shaking. Mr. Parker put his hands on the man’s shirt and lifted him off the ground.

  “You’re suicidal, hmm?” Mr. Parker’s voice could have been personified by the devil.

  “Rumor is, you have a daughter,” the man’s voice quavered.

  “So, you tried to capture her?”

  The icy question made the man kick his feet and run in midair. His eyes rolled in their sockets as terror took over.

  “You risked your life to confirm a rumor?” Mr. Parker dared the man to say yes.

  “If she inherits the birthright, she could save thousands.”

  Mr. Parker’s eyes flashed and he threw the man backwards. He landed several feet away in a cloud of dust and didn’t move. Mr. Parker’s hands clenched at his sides as he eyed the assembled ice statues.

  “Since you risked your lives for a rumor, I’ll confirm it for you. Jordan is my biological daughter and under my protection. By coming here, by trying to capture her, you forfeit your life.”

  Fingers twitched. More thunder boomed overhead and a bolt of lightning whizzed down and engulfed Mr. Parker. He tilted his head up and let electricity sizzle over him before he turned to Kelly.

  “Deal with them,” he said.

  Mr. Parker walked around Knight and examined Levi with eyes the color of amber. Levi clutched the crowbar, but Mr. Parker didn’t react. He reached down for Jordan who tried to edge away. He picked her up in his arms and Jordan’s hair floated around her in a cloud of static. Lightning leapt from him onto her and Levi’s eyes rounded in panic, but Jordan shook her head because it didn’t hurt. She watched dazedly as bolts of electricity flashed over her.

  “Come, boy,” Mr. Parker said to Levi who stood uncertainly, watching Jordan for a cue.

  Mr. Parker strode to the gate and glided through as if it wasn’t even there. Jordan’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly as he walked to the black truck and set her on the passenger seat. Levi shoved the gate open and got into the back seat. The truck bounced as Knight settled himself into the truck bed. Mr. Parker gunned the engine as a flash of purple light and a shrill scream came from the other side of the gate.

  “Don’t look back,” Mr. Parker commanded as they took off down the paved road.

  No one spoke. When Mr. Parker parked in front of the house, he came around to Jordan’s door and hauled her shaking form into his office. Levi trailed behind and Knight took off into the forest in the direction of the lake. Mr. Parker plunked Jordan down on a couch near the fireplace and glanced at the wooden logs, which immediately burst into flames. He tossed a white cashmere blanket over her and paced in front of the fire. Levi stood in the doorway.

  “Sit down, both of you,” Mr. Parker commanded.

  Levi hesitated for a moment, but when Jordan wrapped the blanket around herself, teeth chattering in reaction, he joined her on the couch. She leaned heavily against him, heart pounding erratically as if she were having an adrenaline rush. Mr. Parker whirled and the fury on his face made them both draw back into the couch cushions.

  “What the hell are you playing at?” The quietness of his voice sent chills down both of their spines.

  Mr. Parker took in the male sitting beside Jordan dressed in army fatigues that were several sizes too big for him and a shirt with hacked off sleeves. Levi wore a raggedy fishing cap low over sharp hazel eyes and a face too young to have grooves near the
mouth.

  “And who are you?”

  The raw power that exuded from this man was enough to make Levi’s stomach turn. This man would kill without hesitation. He could feel Jordan shivering against him despite the heat from the fire.

  “I’m Levi.”

  “How do you know each other?”

  Levi glanced at Jordan, but her eyes were glassy. She didn’t look as if she was following the conversation.

  “Haven.”

  Mr. Parker’s eyes narrowed. “You escaped together?” His coal black eyes flicked to Jordan with building ire. “I can’t give you the time you need to trust me. Everything is moving too quickly. If you insist on doing stupid, reckless things I’m going to have Heath sleep in your room to keep you out of trouble.”

  Jordan didn’t react to his threat and he returned his attention back to Levi.

  “How did you find her?”

  Levi hesitated, then shrugged. “I can sense her presence.”

  Mr. Parker’s eyes lit with interest. “How?”

  “It’s as if she’s a beacon sending out a signal. After she went into Walmart, I couldn’t feel anything from her. I thought she died and then I felt the beacon blare two days ago for a minute. I drove from Nevada to El Paso.”

  “You’re a tracker. Interesting. Why are you here?”

  Levi floundered for a moment. “I don’t know what happened to her. I needed to know…” he trailed off and glanced sideways at Jordan.

  Mr. Parker eyed Levi thoughtfully. “She’s safe, but she does stupid things that put her in danger.”

  Jordan’s head came up and she glared at Mr. Parker. He ignored her and considered Levi in unnerving silence.

  “You weren’t with her when William tried to take her back.”

  Jordan whispered, “I ran across the street while he put gas. I needed pills.”

  Mr. Parker looked between them and then said, “How did you two meet?”

  “Our rooms were next to each other,” Levi answered.

  Jordan tensed, thinking of the horror of living in a dark, isolated room for years. Had Mr. Parker ever fought for his life? Had he fought to keep his soul, everything he was? What Levi was to her couldn’t be put into words. They were strangers that got each other through hell. When she’d been tortured by William and at her weakest, she was comforted by Levi who spoke to her telepathically. At first, she thought she was going crazy, but she clung to the voice that reassured her one day they would escape, that she would survive William’s torture. She didn’t lay eyes on Levi until the night they left Haven.

  “We saved each other,” Jordan said.

  Mr. Parker focused on her and his eyes narrowed to slits. “So, what were you trying to do? I told you there’s no escape for either of us. Running isn’t in the cards.”

  “I can’t do this,” Jordan whispered.

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  Jordan looked at him with tears in her eyes. “My whole life I’ve never had a say. This time I do. I won’t stay with a sorcerer.”

  A muscle ticked in his cheek. “There’s nothing I can do to change the way you feel, but I tell you this now, what you saw outside the gate is only the beginning. You’ll be hounded the rest of your life. Living with a sorcerer is your only option.”

  She clutched the cashmere blanket and shook her head. “No.”

  “Yes. I promised you protection and I’ll give it whether you want it or not.” His voice was hard with conviction.

  “The only reason I’m being hounded is because they think I’m your daughter. Maybe I’m not!” Jordan’s voice rose.

  Mr. Parker crouched in front of her. “Penn brought in Angelina. She can smell lineage through blood. You’re a Parker.”

  Levi looked between father and daughter. There was so much he didn’t understand, but after Haven, he learned being ignorant was sometimes the better route. Levi shifted and half rose from his seat.

  “I just wanted to make sure she’s okay. She is so-”

  “You’re going to leave me?” Jordan turned to him so quickly, her braid whipped Mr. Parker in the face.

  Mr. Parker got to his feet. “Neither of you are going anywhere.”

  Levi tensed. “I’m leaving.”

  “You’re not. You can try, but I’ll find you and bring you back. I’ll find you no matter how hard you try to hide.”

  Levi’s eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Mr. Parker examined the dirty, exhausted teens, walked to the door and hollered, “Cibrian!”

  A door opened upstairs and Cibrian slid down the banister. He strode into the office wearing a sweater that matched the sky blue of his eyes and soft gray pants. Unlike the first time Jordan saw him, he looked worried. When he saw her, he paused.

  “What the hell happened?” Cibrian asked.

  “Nothing,” Jordan said irritably.

  Cibrian froze when he saw Levi. There was recognition in his eyes and giddy excitement. “So, you made it. I was wondering when you were coming, Levi.”

  Levi glanced at Jordan who just shook her head. She had so much to explain and Cibrian was the least of it. Cibrian held out a hand to Levi who glanced at Mr. Parker. How the older man could make a raised brow look threatening was beyond him. Levi took Cibrian’s hand and saw the other guy’s eyes expand until no white showed. He jerked his hand back as Mr. Parker tapped his shoe impatiently as if he were waiting for some kind of verdict. A minute later, Cibrian blinked and stared at Levi with grave respect.

  “You’re going to be huge.”

  Cibrian ran his hands through his hair, giving himself a Mohawk. Cibrian backed away and held his hands up like a photographer lining up a shot.

  “Separately, both of you are exceptional, but together… You’re incredible.”

  “So they’re supposed to be together,” Mr. Parker needed confirmation.

  Cibrian nodded. “Definitely.”

  Mr. Parker made a disgusted sound. “Cibrian, Levi needs a shower and clothes. Can you get a pair of jeans and shirt for him?”

  Cibrian had a gleeful look on his face and he didn’t move. He continued to stare from Levi to Jordan, seeing more than the bedraggled, drained teens before him.

  “Cibrian,” Mr. Parker bit out and Cibrian jumped.

  “Yeah, sure. Jeans, shirt. Okay.” He looked Levi over, taking mental measurements. “I think he’ll fit into my jeans, but he’ll probably need a shirt from you or Heath.”

  Mr. Parker looked from Cibrian who was lean as a swimmer to Levi’s more muscular frame and grunted. Cibrian walked to the glass door behind Mr. Parker’s desk and took off at a run into the night.

  “We’ll settle this at breakfast. Shower, sleep if you can and I’ll lend a shirt. Jordan, put him in the room next to yours. It’s stocked.”

  Mr. Parker walked out of the office.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Levi asked.

  “I have no idea,” Jordan said wearily.

  They sat for several minutes, staring into the flames. She knew she needed a shower to warm her up, but for the moment, she soaked in the fact that Levi was alive and right beside her. Nothing else mattered.

  “Come on.”

  Levi hauled her up the stairs and Jordan pushed open the door next to her own and stopped. This room was undeniably masculine and decorated in shades of blue. This room didn’t have the extra princess room that Jordan did, but it was spacious and comfortable with a desk, TV, couch and armchair.

  Levi didn’t walk in. “Isn’t there somewhere else I can shower?”

  “I’m sure this is how they all look,” Jordan replied.

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. He moved carefully, as if afraid to mark the carpet with his boots. While he stared at his surroundings, Jordan cocked her head to the side. Their time together had been short, but the desperation, fear and will to survive forged a connection between them. For the first time, she noted how much older and intimidating he looked. He took car
e of her, yet now she felt awkward, as if she were looking at a stranger. They knew how to lean on one another during a crisis, but how would they deal with each other now that there was no threat? She wanted to cling, but held herself back.

  Levi felt Jordan’s regard and turned to her. The first thing he noticed was how healthy she looked. Her cheeks were no longer hollow and colorless, eyes no longer filled with fear and pain. She looked very young with her hair coming loose from her braid. Her clothes fit well and she looked as if she belonged here. His throat tightened.

  “I’m happy you came,” Jordan said.

  “I wanted to make sure-” he broke off and shrugged.

  Her hands fiddled with her pendant. “I don’t know if this place is safe.”

  “It’s nicer than Haven or any of the homes I’ve been in,” he paused. “Your dad’s a scary shit, but he seems okay.”

  “You don’t know what he is.”

  “You called him a sorcerer?”

  “William was drawn to me because Mr. Parker is my dad.” She sank to the floor because her legs trembled. “You can sense how dangerous he is.”

  Levi nodded.

  She blew out a breath. “What we can do, they call it power. With our power, we draw on one of four elements- water, earth, air, fire. Most people inherit one or two elements from their parents. William and Mr. Parker have all four elements, which make them the most dangerous beings on the planet.”

  “Okay,” Levi said carefully, trying to follow. “So, having all the elements makes them stronger than other people?”

  “It makes them invincible,” Jordan said hoarsely. “Their power is constant and it never wears down. It’s what drove William over the edge. He thought I could save him because women that have all four elements absorb their power or something.”

  Levi’s eyes moved suspiciously around the room and Jordan could feel the restlessness in him. It was like watching a tiger pace in a cage. The anxiety of being confined was on both their minds.

  “What did William do to you? How come I have to touch you to communicate?” Levi asked.

  Jordan hugged her knees to her chest. “He ripped my soul in half.”

  Levi dropped to his knees in front of her. “He did what?”

  A tear cleared a path through the dirt on her face. “He thought taking a piece of my soul would save him and it didn’t. Mr. Parker had to cut my tie with him. My power’s been gone for two weeks.”

  Levi was afraid to touch her. “Will it come back?”

  She shrugged. “They say it will. When I touch Knight, I borrow his power. That’s how I’ve been able to talk to you.”

  He frowned. “The lion thing? Its name is Knight?”

  “His name,” Jordan corrected. “He’s a statue I woke up. He protects me.”

  Levi shook his head because he couldn’t process all of this at once. “Who is the cowboy and the lady with the bunny slippers?”

  “The cowboy’s Heath.” She cupped the cold pendant in her palm. “He watches over the property. Kelly’s Mr. Parker’s wife.”

  “So, you have a dad and stepmother. Who’s Cibrian?”

  “Kelly’s nephew, my cousin.”

  “Have any of them hurt you?”

  “Not yet.”

  “If they didn’t come to help, we might be killed or worse.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  They sat in silence for several minutes and then Levi said, “Maybe this place is best for you. You don’t have to be on the run or constantly looking over your shoulder. Parker isn’t going to let you go. I just came to check on you.”

  Jordan stared at him in disbelief. Fury and fear crashed through her. A minute ago, she’d been humbled by Levi’s appearance, that he would come all this way because he cared and now he was trying to brush her off as if she were nothing- like her mother, like her father.

  “What are you saying?” Jordan demanded. “Why come all this way if you’re just gonna turn around and leave me?”

  His face hardened. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay-”

  “I’m not okay,” she choked. “I’ll never be okay.”

  “You will be. Look at this place,” he gestured around the room. “This is a fairytale.”

  “You think having a long lost dad show up means everything’s going to be fine now?” Jordan’s voice began to rise.

  “You have family now. William’s gone and these people can help you.”

  “Every day I wake up thinking I’m still in Haven. I tell myself a hundred times a day that William’s gone, but the fear’s always there. Even though Mr. Parker took me in, he doesn’t want me. I feel like I’m hanging onto sanity by my fingertips.”

  Levi reached out, but she held up a hand. A tear rolled down her cheek and curved around her chin.

  “I saw people die because of me. William murdered them because they were in his way. Nothing would have stopped him. He managed to link with me-” she broke off and wrapped her arms around herself. “I can’t do this alone.”

  Levi watched her for a moment. “You’re not alone.”

  Anger made her lightheaded. “I just met these people. You and I have been through too much to accept this at face value. I trust you more than anyone in the world. You think I’ve forgotten what we’ve gone through? These people may be good, maybe not. You think I would trust them over you, that I would replace you?”

  Hazel eyes narrowed. “If these people can help you with your power, you should stay.”

  “What does that mean?” she demanded.

  “Do you want to pop pills the rest of your life? All three of them are powerful. Anyone can feel that. They have control and Parker isn’t like William.”

  She examined Levi. He was calm, cool, collected. “How do you control your power?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you’re like your dad and you have all the elements.”

  “Then how come I didn’t save William?”

  Levi’s lips curled in a sneer. “Why would you? He’s a bastard.”

  “I know that!”

  “These people want to help you. I came here thinking you were in trouble, but you’re not. If you need me, you know how to reach me.”

  Something within her burst and she shouted, “Why are you trying to leave me behind?”

  He put his face so close to hers, all she could see were his eyes.

  “You’re the one who walked away. I ran into Walmart right after the police. I saw the bodies. I heard the gunshots.” His eyes kindled with fury. “The police took me into custody. They were holding me as a suspect because I’m the only one who knew who you were. They wouldn’t tell me what happened to you. I thought you died.” He turned away from her and paced. “Apparently, you and I don’t exist. I died three years ago in a house fire with my foster parents in Alabama.”

  Jordan didn’t know what to say. It never occurred to her what Levi did once he discovered her missing. Realizing he’d seen the carnage William left behind made her rush to the bathroom as her stomach heaved. They heard a high-pitched scream in the hallway. Levi opened the door and Cibrian rushed in waving a salmon pink shirt at Knight like a matador to a bull. Knight growled and bared his fangs. Cibrian jumped on the bed, holding the jeans aloft like a whip.

  “I’m too young to die. Jordan, do something!” Cibrian hollered.

  Levi backed away slowly from the Valor who ignored them both and walked into the bathroom where Jordan splashed cold water on her face. He rubbed his face against her shoulders as she stood hunched over the vanity.

  “I’m gonna shower,” Jordan said without looking at either of them and walked out with Knight on her heels.

  Cibrian cleared his throat and jumped from the bed. He held out the rumpled jeans and creased pink polo shirt.

  “Thanks.” Levi hesitated before taking the shirt.

  Cibrian cocked his head to the side. “Who are you? You’re not blood related, but you fit with this family.”

  Lev
i shot him an incredulous look.

  Cibrian shrugged. “I don’t see auras, but I can see when puzzles fit together. It’s part of my talent.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Levi muttered.

  “With our power, we develop talents. My family trait is to see opportunity and I can see it in you. You’re going to have a very interesting life.” When Levi didn’t comment, Cibrian prompted, “What’s your story?”

  Levi stopped in the doorway of the bathroom. “Don’t have one. I’m nobody.”

  Cibrian clucked his tongue. “You may think you’re a nobody, but you’re going to be someone everyone will know in the future.”

  Levi looked at his shoes caked with mud and then the spotless bathroom.

  “You were raised like Jordan?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Cibrian waved his hands impatiently. “I mean, you weren’t raised in our world. You don’t know about the Parker’s or the Tolly’s?”

  “Tolly’s?”

  “Me! Cibrian Tolly. The Parker’s and Tolly’s are famous. God, you and Jordan have a lot to learn. Why are you so dirty anyway?”

  Levi examined Cibrian’s carefully gelled hair and pressed clothes and shook his head. This guy was as blithe as a two year old.

  “Got into a fight,” Levi said and set his borrowed clothes on the vanity. He stripped off his shirt and threw it in the sink and started to wash it. He needed it clean. There was no way he would blend in any environment with a salmon pink polo unless he was at a private school. He glanced in the mirror and saw Cibrian staring at the bruises on his body.

  “Who did you fight?”

  Levi shrugged. “I don’t know. They were trying to take Jordan.”

  Cibrian sat on the counter beside the sink, eyes boggling. “How’d they get past the gate?”

  “They didn’t. Jordan was on the other side.”

  Cibrian was rendered speechless for several seconds before he slapped his hand on the counter. “Is she suicidal? Why would she do that? I came over to talk to her and she wasn’t in her room. I woke Uncle Van and he stormed off with Aunt Kelly and Heath. Boy, he must’ve been pissed.”

  “Uncle Van?” Levi used a pleasant smelling soap to scrub his shirt.

  “Donovan. I call him Uncle Van. Why are you washing your shirt? Aunt Kelly will freak if she sees you doing it like this.”

  “Why are you here?” Levi asked bluntly.

  Cibrian shrugged. “I live next door and Jordan took off before we finished talking. Aunt Kelly told me not to come, so I snuck over to see what’s going on. I didn’t expect this, though.”

  “I’m not staying long.” Levi wrung out his shirt and draped it over the bathtub.

  “Really, now? And just how do you think you’re going to get away with all these people waiting to ambush anyone who tiptoes over the property line? Jesus. How did they find out about Jordan so fast?”

  Levi folded his arms and leaned against the counter. “Why are they trying to take her?”

  “They probably want to see if she’s compatible with a sorcerer and bind her to someone before Uncle Van can state publicly that she’s under his protection.”

  “This is crazy.”

  Cibrian sighed theatrically. “It is. But Uncle Van will take care of her. You’re loyal to her, protective too. She’s going to need all the help she can get.”

  “What does that mean? You said she’s safe with Parker.”

  “She needs people she can trust. If the people in our world find out she’s connected to William Stan’s death, they’ll crucify her,” Cibrian said.

  “Why?”

  “He’s a king in our world. Everyone’s mourning his death. The news says it was an assassination attempt. No one wants to believe he lost control. They’ll blame her.”

  Levi glanced into the mirror and then away. “I can’t stay.”

  “Why?” Cibrian asked.

  “I just came to see that she’s okay. That’s it.” Levi moved his shoulders agitatedly.

  Cibrian let him have thirty seconds of peace before asking, “So, what’s your affinity?”

  Levi let out a low growl.

  “What are you drawn to? Which elements?”

  “You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?”

  “Nope. So, what is it? From the look of you, I’d have to guess earth and… hmm. Fire?”

  He stilled. “How can you tell?”

  “Darsana, fire people, have orange eyes and black hair. People of the earth, Eliten, have green or brown eyes and brown hair. Since your eyes are in between and your hair is brown, I guess fire and earth. Am I right?”

  Levi nodded reluctantly and took in Cibrian’s blue eyes and hair such a deep red it was nearly black.

  “What are you?” Levi asked and Cibrian smiled, satisfied by his spark of interest.

  “I’m Undala and Thishe.” At Levi’s blank look, he elaborated. “Undala are people of the water- red hair, blue eyes. Thishe are people of the air. Blonde hair, violet eyes.”

  “You don’t have any traits of a Thishe,” Levi pointed out.

  “Exactly,” Cibrian said like a proud teacher. “That’s why you should never challenge someone without knowing for sure what elements they have. Some people deliberately hide their affinity to an element so people will underestimate them.”

  “Challenge someone?”

  Cibrian smiled broadly. “In school we challenge each other using elements against one another. It’s a game of wit and survival. You’ll see.”

  “No, I won’t.” He put a hand on the button of his jeans. “Do you mind?”

  Cibrian jumped off the counter and closed the door. He settled himself on the couch and turned on the TV.