Birthright

by A. P. Jensen

Chapter Fourteen

  Cibrian was out the door before Jordan got up from her chair. Levi looked warily at Heath.

  “I saw your work. Impressive,” Heath said. “You’re an earth talent, right? We found five people being held down by high grass and three people buried alive. Seems you were holding your own before we got there.”

  Levi didn’t respond, so Jordan led him down to the kitchen. They both tensed when they saw Mr. Parker at the table. He was reading a newspaper and dressed casually in jeans, a red shirt and gloves. Kelly had breakfast platters on the dining table and she beamed when she saw them.

  “I wasn’t sure what you like Levi, so I made a little bit of everything,” she said.

  Mr. Parker didn’t look up as Kelly ushered them into seats at the table. Jordan hesitated when Kelly pushed her into the seat on Mr. Parker’s left. Cibrian was already eating and talking to Kelly as easily as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Mostly to give herself something to do, Jordan loaded up her plate. Levi didn’t eat until several minutes passed and Cibrian didn’t keel over. Knight walked down the stairs and that finally got Mr. Parker’s attention.

  “He’s in the house?”

  Jordan shrugged.

  “You named him?” he continued and set the newspaper down.

  He acted as if their fight several hours ago was a figment of her imagination and she didn’t like it.

  “His name’s Knight,” she said grudgingly.

  His mouth twisted. “Hmm.”

  He didn’t have to say a thing to show he didn’t care for the name. “I like it,” she snapped.

  Mr. Parker began to eat and Jordan was forced to do the same. She looked across the table and saw Heath staring at Levi.

  “You’re very strong for someone so young,” Heath said.

  Levi didn’t answer.

  “Donovan says you tracked Jordan here from Nevada?”

  Levi nodded.

  Heath shook his head. “That’s unheard of. You must be a tracker talent of some kind.”

  Cibrian spoke up with his mouth full of eggs. “He’s gonna be huge.”

  Jordan winced when Cibrian downed his food with a gulp of soda.

  “Can you track anyone?” Heath persisted.

  Levi glanced at Mr. Parker who waited for his answer. “If I have contact with them, yes.”

  “Wow.” Heath waggled his brows at Mr. Parker. “Jordan sure makes things interesting around here.”

  Mr. Parker grunted and ate his pancakes.

  “I assume you’re an earth, fire talent?” Heath asked Levi who glanced at Cibrian. “I’m the same. You’re built like a Darsana too.” He took in Levi’s husky form and nodded with approval. “You have a lot of control over your power. When did you Awaken?”

  Levi glanced around the table and found everyone waiting expectantly. “Twelve.”

  “Damn,” Cibrian said admiringly.

  “It got me out of trouble.”

  “What kind of trouble?” Mr. Parker asked sharply.

  Levi looked at him with cynical eyes. “It kept me alive on the streets. No one could sneak up on me.”

  “Do you know anything about our world?” Mr. Parker asked.

  “Just what we learned in Haven, which isn’t much.”

  “People like us, people with power, live by the laws in our world. We have our own schools, government and places that we claim as our own. We live side by side with the Ignorant, for the most part peacefully. It’s always been that way and will continue to be so.” When no one said anything, he looked at Cibrian. “William Stan’s death has gone global. I can see you know Jordan’s connected to his death. No one will link Jordan Parker with the death of William Stan. The girl in the surveillance video has nothing to do with my daughter. Got it?”

  Cibrian nodded, looking troubled and uncomfortable.

  “Why?” Levi asked.

  “William Stan was well loved by the people. Those loyal to him want to believe the girl was part of a conspiracy to have him assassinated. If anyone finds out Jordan is linked to William’s death, they’ll kill her.”

  Jordan moved the food around on her plate with a shaky fork.

  “If anyone asks about Jordan’s past, the story is that she was raised in the Ignorant world until she Awakened. Got it?”

  “About her power,” Cibrian ventured. “When will she get it back?”

  There was a long silence.

  “I don’t know,” Mr. Parker admitted and glared at her. “It doesn’t help that she keeps doing stupid stuff that weakens her.”

  “To protect myself,” Jordan said indignantly.

  “Which you wouldn’t have to do if you stayed on property,” he retaliated.

  “So, all this is happening to Jordan because she’s your daughter and she might have all the elements?” Levi asked.

  “Yes.”

  Jordan slumped in her seat. Mr. Parker’s eyes settled on her for a second before hr focused on Levi again.

  “I’m a sorcerer. You understand what that means?”

  “That you could lose it and kill people?” Levi said.

  A muscle ticked in Mr. Parker’s cheek. Heath coughed.

  “I have power like William, but Kelly has orders to report me to the Council or take care of me herself.”

  Kelly smiled and Levi looked doubtfully back at Mr. Parker.

  “I also have the pills they served in Haven. Those pills will keep me sane long enough for Kelly to decide what tact she’s going to use.” He paused. “I went to Haven and found it empty.”

  “We’re not lying,” Jordan said stonily.

  “I’m not saying you are. I’m trying to say that there must be a lot of people involved in this operation and they’re powerful to keep something like this under wraps.”

  Cibrian opened his mouth to speak, but Jordan and Levi shot him a warning glance and he drank more soda. Jordan didn’t want to talk about the Master, didn’t want to give Mr. Parker another reason to yell at her.

  “I’m trying to track those responsible,” Mr. Parker said, but the anger in his voice indicated he wasn’t getting anywhere. He focused on Levi. “Do you know what the purpose of Haven was?”

  “William would break the kids that Awakened.”

  “You could hear them screaming,” Jordan said dazedly.

  “For what purpose?” Mr. Parker asked.

  Levi shrugged. “I don’t know. I fought too much.” He fingered the scars on his neck, shuddered and glanced at Jordan. “Most of the kids would be broken by him and disappear before a new batch of kids would come in.”

  “How long were you there?” Kelly asked, not touching her food.

  “Three years.”

  There was a long silence as everyone watched Levi and Jordan stare stoically ahead. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind they’d been through a hell they couldn’t imagine.

  “Jordan will be staying here whether she wants to or not,” Mr. Parker stated, bringing everyone’s attention back to him.

  Jordan was tempted to kick him. He talked over her as if she wasn’t there.

  “She needs my protection so there isn’t another incident like the one she had with William. Because I’m a sorcerer, I have enemies and the fact that I don’t live in our world seems to encourage idiots more often than not. As you both experienced last night, the news that I have a daughter is going to cause a ruckus. There’s no stopping it. Most will assume I’ve kept Jordan out of the spotlight for her own safety. We’re going with that story.”

  Jordan asked, “Why don’t you live in your world? Wouldn’t it be safer?”

  “I’m more comfortable on the fringes of both worlds,” Mr. Parker said.

  “Some families like us have a home in our world and one in the Ignorant world. It’s convenient,” Kelly said.

  “Do you want to stay?” Mr. Parker asked Levi who choked on his bacon.

  “What?”

  Mr. Parker raised his brows. “Don’t you
want to stay with Jordan?”

  “Why would you let me?”

  “You’re a part of everything. You went through hell together and I won’t ask you to leave if you don’t want to.”

  Cibrian and Heath looked from Mr. Parker to Levi as if they were watching a tennis match. Levi looked around at everyone’s expectant expressions. Jordan held her breath and waited for his answer.

  “We don’t know you,” Levi said and his voice had all the suspicion of someone who trusted more than once and learned never to take anyone at their word.

  Mr. Parker nodded. “That’s the risk you have to take. I won’t hurt you. I’ll give you shelter and my protection. I mean what I say. I don’t ask for your trust, just honesty. I expect the same in return. You follow the rules of my house, which means you’ll go to school, learn how to control your power, how to implement it. You’ll be home before curfew and follow my lead when we’re in my world.”

  “And if I decide to leave?”

  Tension filled the room.

  “I’ll wipe your mind clean. You won’t remember Jordan or Haven at all. Those that aren’t trained to control their power turn to drugs, alcohol, go into mental institutions or commit suicide, but it’s your life. If you want to go on the run, it’s up to you.”

  “But we’d love for you to stay,” Kelly added and shot Mr. Parker an angry look.

  “And if I want to leave?” Jordan asked.

  “It’s out of the question,” Mr. Parker growled.

  “I’m telling you, maybe I’m not your daughter-” she said a tad desperately.

  “You are and you aren’t going anywhere.”

  Mr. Parker rose and walked towards his office. Heath had a smile on his face as he followed. An awkward silence fell and Kelly excused herself and took off after the two men with her hands on hips.

  “Let’s weigh your options,” Cibrian said to Levi. “A. You go on the run, B. You go into a foster home where I suspect you’ll be treated like crap or C. You stay together, learn how to control your power and maybe learn a different way to live. In choices A and B you’ll never learn what you can do and you’ll be alone.” Cibrian raised a finger like a stern teacher. “Therefore, you’ll never truly know yourself because you’ll never understand your power, which is a part of you. Geez, this is a hard decision.”

  Levi glared at him. “Why do you care? What do you get out of this?”

  “Cousins,” Cibrian said as if that was obvious.

  Levi blanched.

  “He can’t be my dad,” Jordan muttered.

  “Get over it, Jordan!” Cibrian said and then flinched and let out a long sigh. “Damn.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I don’t know why she’s so ticked. We don’t leave until tomorrow.”

  “What are you talking about?” Jordan asked, looking around for an explanation.

  “Wanna meet Rhonda?” Cibrian asked and pushed his chair back.

  Levi and Jordan glanced at each other and then followed Cibrian out of the house. The cool morning was rapidly being replaced by sticky heat. Jordan felt her steps slow and Knight nudged her with his muzzle, propelling her forward. As they passed the pool room, Jordan saw the adults standing outside of Mr. Parker’s office on the wraparound porch.

  “Where are you going?” Kelly called.

  “Rhonda’s beeping me,” Cibrian hollered without stopping.

  Mr. Parker opened his mouth to object, but Kelly elbowed him in the stomach. “Tell her I said hi!”

  Cibrian waved his hand to acknowledge the message and muttered to himself. “Always on my case. Can’t just let me be, can she?”

  “You can speak to her mind to mind?” Levi guessed.

  “Yup. We’re both telepathic. It sucks.” Cibrian wrapped an arm around Jordan’s shoulders as they trudged across the pasture. She tried to sidle away, but he tightened his hold and she gave up.

  “Who’s Rhonda?”

  “My cousin. Sometimes she travels with me, but for the most part she takes care of Tolly House.”

  “Travels with you?”

  Cibrian shrugged. “My parents have been living apart for as long as I can remember, but they made their divorce official recently. They let me live wherever I want so Rhonda keeps me company. She’s not really a people person and we’re her only family.”

  “Were you raised here?” Jordan asked. Cibrian didn’t blend in with the country setting. His hair was always neatly made and his clothes were fashionable and obviously expensive.

  “Not really. I spend most of my time in my parent’s houses in the capitals,” he said with a shrug. “When I visit Tolly House, I usually end up at Aunt Kelly’s.”

  Jordan heard the bitterness in his voice, but didn’t pry. Knight dashed ahead and leapt across the stream without effort. As they crossed the bridge, Jordan had a flashback of the scene yesterday between herself and Mr. Parker and shook it off. Jordan glanced at Levi whose eyes took in the view from every angle.

  “Do you feel like we fell down the rabbit hole?” she murmured.

  “Yeah.”

  “Wait till you see his house,” she said and then stopped. “What about the Master?”

  “Rhonda will be there and the Master would be an idiot to come back. He knows you’d tell somebody and Knight is here too,” Cibrian pointed out.

  Levi brushed his hand against her arm. I’m here too.

  She nodded and continued on. Levi strolled beside her, face expressionless. He was acting like a stranger and she didn’t like it. She grasped his hand and his eyes whipped to her. Can you see yourself here?

  No.

  She released his hand and they walked in silence. She saw Levi examining Knight and at times, he closed his eyes and breathed deep as if drawing in the scent and warmth of this place. Jordan needed help climbing the steps to Tolly House. Her heart pounded with fatigue and she gasped for breath.

  Jordan pushed ahead of Levi so she could step into the wonder of Tolly House and catch Levi’s reaction. She wasn’t disappointed. Levi stopped as if struck dumb, eyes darting to the floating rose petals, the floating upper level and then the winter and spring scenes on either side of them. Dripping with sweat, Jordan stepped into the winter scene. Sweat froze instantly. It felt as if needles were being jabbed into her skin. She squeaked and jumped onto the gold path, rubbing her arms.

  “Cibrian Maurice Tolly!” a woman called from the upper level.

  “Come on,” Cibrian said and beckoned them to follow as he started up the stairs.

  Jordan grabbed Levi’s nerveless arm for support as they started up the stairs. She saw Knight take off into the meadow and then make a circle. She was sure he was in the exact spot the Master stood yesterday. She shivered and looked up at the rose petals that fell inches above her head and dissolved into nothing before they made contact. She wanted to reach up and grab the petals, to see if they were as soft and real as they looked, but she didn’t dare. When they reached the top of the steps, Jordan and Levi stopped to take in this new bizarre scene. A circular gold dining room table that could easily fit over fifty people took up most of the floor. Above the table, a chandelier with three white angels, back to back, sparkled in the light.

  To the right and left were two more staircases that led to an even bigger circular floor above. These stairs jutted out past the floor they stood on and curved sharply upward to the second floor. The circular floor had a gold railing covered in vines and minuscule roses in varying states of bloom. Everywhere Jordan looked beyond the landing, rose petals drifted down like soft pink rain.

  Levi moved forward, not gripped by the same paralysis as Jordan. He crossed to the opposite side of the room and skirted the gold dining table to the break he could see in the railing. Gold and white steps led down to another paradox of scenes divided by a gold path. Unsteadily, he walked down the stairs to the scene on the left and his sneakers sank into soft sand. He stood on a beach where the sun beat down on his back, mak
ing him instantly drowsy. He stared at the never ending stretch of white sand, at the waves crashing on the shore and the palm trees that towered overhead. He’d found heaven.

  Jordan stopped beside him, holding her shoes in one hand as she walked on the beach barefoot. She stared out at the waves, closed her eyes and inhaled. She could smell something indefinably sweet that blended with the smell of the sea. Jordan crossed the gold path to the scene on the opposite side. With sandy feet, she stepped onto a cushion of fallen leaves. The leaves on the trees were in shades of orange, yellow and red. A large lake with a bridge arching over it lay in the distance. Leaves floated down from trees in lazy swirls and covered the ground and lake in autumn hues. Jordan shivered as a chilly wind ruffled her hair and caressed her nape. Jordan glanced across the path to Levi on his knees in the sand. His eyes were closed and his head was tipped up towards the sun. Tired of the cold breeze, Jordan stepped onto the gold path between the two environments and felt the temperature level out.

  At the top of the staircase, Cibrian beckoned to them with a smile on his face. Knight bounded down the stairs, passed Levi’s reverent form and plunged into the waves. It took Cibrian and Jordan to drag Levi away from the beach.

  “I didn’t tell Rhonda I was bringing you two. She’s gonna freak,” Cibrian puffed as he pulled Levi up the stairs.

  “Why’s she gonna freak?”

  “She loves celebrities,” Cibrian said with a wink.

  Levi and Jordan stared at him as they reached the top floor. “But we’re not-”

  “Cibrian, you lousy, irresponsible, lazy procrastinator!”

  “Rhonda, you vivacious, gregarious lovely flower!” Cibrian sang.

  A woman with straight white blonde hair with a bob cut and startling orange eyes walked down the stairs from above. She had several pairs of shirts slung over one shoulder and a flowery apron that had several pairs of socks tucked into the front pocket.

  “We have to leave soon and you haven’t even packed. This is the most important day of your life. The least you can do is look somewhat decent-”

  She lifted her head, saw the trio standing there and stopped with her feet on different steps. Her eyes immediately lowered and she bowed her head like a servant.

  “I didn’t know you had company,” Rhonda said quietly.

  “They aren’t company, they’re family,” Cibrian said.

  One orange eye peeked between the blonde curtain of hair. “Excuse me?”

  “This is Jordan, Uncle Van’s daughter.”

  Rhonda gawked and lost her footing on the stairs. Clothes went flying and she fell to her knees in an ungainly heap, all without taking her eyes from Jordan. When Jordan moved forward to help, Rhonda jumped up and collected the clothes in her arms.

  “I’m honored,” Rhonda said and bobbed a curtsy.

  Jordan blinked and Cibrian rolled his eyes.

  “And this is Levi, Jordan’s brother.”

  Rhonda closed her eyes and dropped her face into the pile of clothes in her arms. When Jordan and Levi took a wary step back, Cibrian held up a hand.

  “She has some of the Tolly birthright. She can sense connections between people. She won’t tell me exactly how it works-” Cibrian said in a loud whisper when Rhonda opened her eyes again.

  Rhonda lost the subservient façade. She walked forward and threw her arms around both of them. Jordan and Levi looked at Cibrian over Rhonda’s shoulder. Cibrian seemed more surprised than either of them.

  “She’s usually not so touchy feely,” Levi said apologetically. “She grew up Ignorant like you two. I think she was in foster homes too, so she’s probably having bad flashbacks. My dad picked her up-”

  “Shut up, Cib,” Rhonda said and pulled away.

  On closer inspection, Rhonda was in her late twenties and actually quite pretty though in a startling way you had to get used to.

  “Welcome. Your journey’s just begun, but the tighter you stick together, the better,” she said.

  “Thanks,” Jordan said uncertainly.

  “Levi wants to leave,” Cibrian blurted.

  Rhonda turned her striking eyes on Levi who took a step back. “You have to stay. You’re fates are entwined.”

  “So Cibrian keeps saying,” Levi said with a shrug.

  “Why do you want to leave?” Rhonda asked.

  “Yes, Levi, why do you want to leave?” Cibrian demanded.

  Jordan tensed and shook her head behind Levi’s back.

  “You wouldn’t understand,” Levi said.

  “Why?” Cibrian pushed, ignoring Jordan’s threatening glare.

  “You’re strangers to us. What we know of this world is tied up with Haven.”

  “There’s good and bad in both worlds,” Cibrian said.

  “And how are we supposed to know the difference? I know the other world. I know how it works and how to survive in it. This one,” he glanced around at the riches around him and falling rose petals. “I don’t know anything about.”

  “Won’t you stay for Jordan?” Rhonda asked and then, “You’re dating, right?”

  Jordan rolled her eyes as Cibrian slung an arm around her.

  “That’s what I said. Their connection is deeper than physical.”

  “We’ve been through a lot together,” Levi admitted.

  “She knows just as much as you do,” Cibrian pointed out. “And she’s staying.”

  “She doesn’t have a choice,” Levi said without looking at her.

  Jordan felt as if he were stomping over her heart. After coming all this way, he wouldn’t stay. A liability. That’s all she was to him.

  “Cibrian!” A woman said sharply and they all jumped.

  A woman descended from the staircase opposite from where Rhonda had. She was dressed in black silk pants and a ruffled white top. There was a string of pearls draped around her neck and she was fussing with the clasp of a matching bracelet as she walked down the last steps. The woman’s resemblance to Kelly was shocking. They could have been twins if it wasn’t for the obvious signs of age around this woman’s eyes and mouth. She was sophistication personified. She gave off the impression of supreme wealth, confidence and immense snobbery. The woman kept her gaze on her bracelet as she talked without once looking up.

  “Cibrian, you better get into The Academy. You wouldn’t want to embarrass your father and I, now, would you?” she drawled.

  Cibrian’s face hardened. “What are you doing here?”

  She finally looked up and pinned him with a cold gaze. “I won this house in the divorce. I visit every now and then.”

  She took in the silent crowd and raised one thin brow. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing visitors. Rhonda, introduce me.”

  Rhonda bowed her head, but Cibrian held up a hand, frowning at his mother. “She’s not a servant.”

  The look she cast him should have frozen him into an ice cube. “Mind your manners.”

  Face cast in mocking respect he said, “This is my mother, Ruth Dunn.”

  Ruth looked around expectantly, but no one said anything.

  “This is Jordan,” Cibrian paused, watching his mother closely as he finished, “Uncle Van’s daughter.”

  Ruth paled. “That’s impossible. Kelly’s infertile.”

  “Mom!” Cibrian snapped.

  Jordan narrowed her eyes at this woman who looked so much like Kelly, but who gave her the creeps with every word out of her mouth. Where Kelly’s eyes were filled with warmth, her sister’s eyes were scathing and malicious.

  “Isn’t it convenient that you come along right after William dies and everyone’s looking to Donovan to take his place? We’ve been waiting for Donovan to have a child. No one knew he already had one. Where has he been keeping you, dear?” Her voice was syrupy sweet.

  “Does it matter?” Jordan replied.

  Ruth frowned. “I guess not.”

  Levi shifted, drawing Ruth’s attention.

  “Hmm. And what is your
reason for being here?” Ruth asked, voice arctic.

  Cibrian tensed. “I invited him here, mom.”

  Ruth ignored her son and didn’t bother to hide her sneer as she eyed Levi up and down. “What are you doing with the daughter of Donovan Parker? Don’t tell me Donovan let his little daughter have a boyfriend.”

  The taunting tone scraped Jordan raw. She’d been through too much to let some rich bitch look down at her as if she were trash and too stupid to know she was being insulted. Anger bubbled up. She wasn’t going to take any flak from anyone- not even Kelly’s sister. Jordan stepped towards Ruth and got her immediate attention.

  “Levi’s none of your business,” Jordan said and sensed Levi move behind her.

  “He’s not from your bloodline,” Ruth said and it wasn’t a question.

  “Why does it matter to you?” Jordan asked.

  Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Cibrian and Rhonda glance at one another.

  Ruth’s curved in a cruel smile. “You have quite a mouth on you, baby.” She began to circle Jordan like a shark. “Who is your mother?”

  Jordan stepped towards Ruth who backed off in surprise. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Ruth’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, I would.”

  “Ask my dad.”

  Jordan nearly choked over calling Mr. Parker her father, but the effort paid off. Ruth’s mouth compressed in a tight line and her eyes flashed with anger.

  “Your mother must be trailer trash. I guess that’s why Donovan never mentioned either of you to anyone. Like mother, like daughter. Obviously, you were a huge mistake and he’s ignored you up until now.”

  Her cruel words slapped Jordan across the face and it stung all the more because Ruth stabbed blindly, but accurately. The taunting tone and the disdain in Ruth’s eyes triggered a lifetime of defending herself. Ruth let out a strangled scream as Knight appeared and pressed against Jordan’s side, wet from his swim in the ocean. His presence acted like a match to a flame. Jordan’s anger transmitted into power that flooded her body like lava. She didn’t think, all she knew was she wanted Ruth to pay. Power consumed her.

  The smell of something burning filled the air and a flaming rose petal drifted in front of Jordan’s vision. She stared at the curling petal that turned into a piece of ash, unaware her eyes flickered between blue and black.

  Levi started to reach out for Jordan who stood motionless, eyes fixed on Ruth. Even as Levi reached for her, a blast of heat sent Ruth, Cibrian, Rhonda and Levi flying backwards. There was a terrifying whoosh as the falling rose petals went up in flames, creating a seething curtain of fire. Heat caressed Jordan’s face with deadly hands. A part of her gloried in making Ruth scream in fear while the other part of her tried to stem the rage fueling her power.

  Levi crawled forward and reached through the flames that shimmied over Jordan’s skin. He knew what Jordan was capable of. Ruth’s cutting words, coupled with all Jordan went through since the incident in Walmart made her deadlier than before. When he made contact with her skin, it felt like he grabbed a live wire. Pain spilled into him and the urge to let go and run was strong, but he held on. Power zapped through him making his head ring like a gong. The sheer depth of the power filtering through her made him sick.

  Jordan felt Levi’s touch and it jolted her out of her rage. It wasn’t just Ruth who cowered. The red haze lowered long enough to see Rhonda and Cibrian covered in ash, hands over their heads. Shock and shame made her jerk away from Knight. Her lungs burned as if her insides were on fire. She staggered back because the loss of power was so abrupt. The rose petals that had been so delicate and perfect were gone. Ash drifted down around them and the smell of burned flowers filled the air. The elegant gold room was now gray and smoking.

  Ruth was on the floor. Her perfect white shirt was scorched and tattered and her beautiful hair was now singed. “You’re a monster!”

  “Don’t you ever talk about my mother that way again,” Jordan said.

  Ruth stared at her with a mixture of fascination and fear. Cibrian’s mouth flapped wordlessly, face covered in soot. The clothes Rhonda held a minute before were now scraps of blackened material.

  “See ya,” Levi said.