Birthright

by A. P. Jensen

Chapter Twenty

  Jordan woke on the aquarium floor and blearily watched a blow fish swim beneath her. Knight slept beside her, head on his paws. His ears twitched when she stretched stiff muscles. She felt sticky and gross. Jordan headed down the short hallway into the bathing room, which was now lit by moonlight.

  There was a cabinet filled with turquoise colored towels and soap. Jordan stripped and draped her clothes over a nearby bench. Cautiously, she approached the circular tub and walked down the steps into water that was almost too hot. Jordan sat awkwardly for a moment and swished her hands beneath the water, creating small waves. It felt almost sinful to bathe in a pool.

  She looked up at the skylight and watched snow drift down lazily. She grabbed the bar of soap and rubbed it over her body. This, at least, seemed normal. She lathered herself and rested with her back against the tub. The circle pendant floated on the water and glowed orange. Jordan cupped the pendant in her palm and frowned. She looked within herself and found her power.

  She thought of what Mr. Parker said about channeling her power. Picture the scene in your mind, pour your power into the vision and it will be… Jordan cupped soapy water in her palms and concentrated. She reached for a thread of power. It hummed to life within her. Water rose from her palms and contorted in midair. As Jordan’s mind mulled over the day, the water began to shape an image. Jordan stared as the water sculpted a miniature version of Mary Ann and reshaped into a magic carpet with streamers for a child. All of a sudden, the water turned into a doll-sized version of the man in the green trench coat. Her breath seized and the water splashed back into the pool. She took the necklace off and put it on a bench so she could wash her hair without it getting tangled in the chain. She washed quickly, walked into the bedroom and found Knight sitting in front of her closed door.

  “Good looking out.”

  She opened the suitcase at the foot of her bed and pulled out a pair of sweat pants, shirt and fuzzy pink socks. She balanced carefully on the edge of the bed and braided her hair. Earlier in the day, the walls of ice were highlighted by the sun, infusing the room with light. Now that night had fallen, the walls glowed purple like an aquarium night-light. As she finished her hair, the doorknob jiggled. Knight prowled to the door and growled. The noise stopped immediately.

  “You alive in there?” Cibrian called.

  Jordan approached the door, nudged Knight out of the way and pulled it open. Cibrian and Levi stood on the other side.

  “What time is it?” Jordan asked.

  “Almost nine. We slept the day away.”

  Cibrian backed away as Knight peered through Jordan’s legs at him.

  “You hungry?” Levi asked.

  They walked across the empty room to the main living area. There was no sign of the adults. Cibrian was the first to spot the gift bags on the ice coffee table. He looked into the bags and whooped. He pulled out a piece of shimmering silk and like a professional housekeeper, snapped it in one swift motion. Silver silk cascaded out in a perfect square big enough for all three teens to sit comfortably on. The silk pulled taut and looked as firm as iron. It floated in midair at a perfect height for someone to step on.

  “Come on, Jordan,” Cibrian said and jumped on.

  Knight growled at the square, but Jordan was too eager to be cautious. She stepped onto the ultra thin square, which remained stiff and unyielding beneath their combined weight. The square quivered like a car revving its engine, anxious to get on the racetrack.

  Levi picked up a note beside the gift bags. “Everyone deserves to have a magic carpet. Have fun. Be safe. I almost picked out an animal print for Cibrian, but decided these three would be best. The carpet blends into any environment.”

  Jordan and Cibrian looked down. The silk was now so sheer, Jordan could see Knight’s blue eyes glaring up at her through the material. The silk square blended with their ice surroundings perfectly. Levi pulled out another silk square and wrapped it around himself. He disappeared.

  “I love Aunt Kelly,” Cibrian said fervently.

  “How do you make it go?” Levi asked, reappearing as he unwrapped himself from the silk.

  “With your mind.”

  The carpet bolted across the room. Jordan wrapped her arms around Cibrian to keep herself from being thrown off. She swore they were moving over forty miles an hour. The room turned into a blur of color. Jordan let the roar of the wind fill her ears and tipped her back. Cibrian was a madman. They raced around the room with such speed, she got dizzy quickly. When Jordan had her fill, she tapped Cibrian and he slowed. She hopped off the carpet and staggered. Cibrian laughed manically as his carpet flipped upside down and caught him before he hit the ground.

  “Crazy,” Jordan muttered.

  Levi was impressed, but didn’t get on his own carpet. Jordan pulled out the last silk square and found that it could be folded small enough to fit in her pocket. After twenty minutes of daring tricks, Cibrian jumped off the carpet and it folded in midair. His cheeks were filled with color and his eyes danced with delight.

  “Mom never let me have a magic carpet,” Cibrian said, reverently patting the folded carpet like a prized horse.

  “For good reason,” Jordan said.

  “I guess. Don’t tell her.”

  Levi seemed more troubled by Kelly’s gift than pleased. They headed for the kitchen. Jordan and Levi sat on barstools as Cibrian peered at a note on the counter.

  “Corn chowder and chili in the fridge. Wear gloves, it’s hot. Love, Kelly,” Cibrian said aloud.

  He put on thick oven mitts, opened the refrigerator and pulled out two steaming pots. Cibrian bustled around the kitchen like an efficient housewife. Levi shifted on his seat, staring around uneasily as if he thought they were about to be attacked.

  “What’s up?” Jordan asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Are you worried about tomorrow?”

  Levi shrugged. “If we’re not chosen to go into any school then we’re not meant to be here. We’ll deal with that when it happens.”

  “When it happens? You’re banking on us not being chosen at all?”

  Levi looked around the room that contained things even his dreams couldn’t conjure. “We don’t belong here.”

  “We don’t belong in our world either,” Jordan argued.

  “We don’t belong in our world because we have power. We don’t belong in this world because we grew up in the other world. Where does that leave us?” Levi asked.

  “It leaves you in the middle with Uncle Van. He isn’t part of either world. He inhabits both.” Cibrian held up a ladle. “Corn chowder or chili?”

  “Corn chowder,” Jordan said.

  “Chili.”

  Cibrian spooned out generous amounts into bowls and turned back to the refrigerator to pull out steaming buns.

  “I’m not buying all of this,” Levi said, jabbing his finger at the refrigerator and fish tank walls.

  “All of this?”

  “Your dad all of a sudden and this place and this family that just so happens to be willing to take us in. Isn’t it pushing reality a little too far?” Levi burst out. “I mean, this can’t be real. We’re kids no one has ever wanted- even our own parents! And now we’re saved? How can that be?”

  Cibrian made himself two bowls, one of chili and one of corn chowder. He bit into a roll, moaned and put a spoonful of chili in his mouth.

  “I don’t think we’re saved,” Jordan said carefully, thoughtfully. “Maybe we’re getting another chance.”

  “Another chance for what?” Levi demanded and Cibrian paused in mid chew.

  “Life.”

  “Life? We know what life is like- we’ve been shoving our way through it for as long as I can remember.”

  “Maybe we don’t have to shove anymore.”

  “Why? You think everything’s going to be fine if we stay in this world? Either way I look at it, we’re screwed.”

  Jordan narrowed her eyes at him. “Why ar
e you acting like this?”

  “What happens if neither of us gets picked to go into a school tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you think Parker will do?”

  Jordan tried not to think of that. “I don’t know.”

  “At this time tomorrow he could be dropping us off at a government office to go back into the foster system.”

  “And what if we are chosen to go into a school?” she demanded.

  Levi crossed his arms. “Then we go to school.”

  “I thought you were in! Where is all this coming from?”

  “You’re one to talk. You call your dad Mr. Parker and you’re just as cautious and suspicious as me. And you know what, Jordan? We have every right to be. We don’t know any of these people. If we were smart, we would get out before-”

  Cibrian cleared his throat loudly and they both turned to him.

  “I hate to ruin this delightful conversation, but both of you will definitely be elected into a school tomorrow,” Cibrian said.

  “What makes you say so?” Levi asked.

  “Both of your paths are great. For both of you to reach your destinies, you need schooling.”

  “What do you mean by our ‘destinies’ and ‘paths are great’?” Levi snapped.

  Cibrian shrugged. “I told you, that’s my talent. I can see the potential in people, where their talents could lead them. I can’t explain it. I just know.”

  “I’m not who you think I am,” Levi said.

  “Then who are you?” Cibrian asked with great interest, propping his face on his fist.

  “I’m the son of a cocaine addict. I put myself into the foster system to get away from my own father. I don’t even know if he’s alive. I’ve seen things no one should ever see. Most of my life, I’ve lived on the streets, joining gangs for protection. Gangs can give you protection, but you have to pay a price.” Levi’s throat burned with suppressed anger. “You don’t know what I’ve done to survive. Now, I’m in winter wonderland and because of Jordan, we’re suddenly accepted into this rich family that just so happens to have power like her and I? What are the chances?”

  Cibrian and Jordan were silent. They could feel the barely leashed emotions in Levi. The calm exterior he usually portrayed was gone and he was ready to detonate.

  “Are you saying your future can’t be better than your past?” Cibrian asked.

  Levi ran a hand through his hair. “Yes. No. I don’t know. If my past defines my future, I’m doomed.”

  “So why let it?”

  “This is so easy for you!” Levi shouted. “You have no idea what we’ve been through, what the world is really like out there. You believe in this world and know your place in it. We don’t know anything. Ever since Haven, I feel like we’ve been fighting in a war I don’t know about or understand. And why do I feel that way? Because we were taken into an institution that drugged the kids for their own purpose. Jordan was forced into a room to be tortured by some psycho for two months! Now you tell me, Cibrian, what great future do we have before us? The children of addicts and victims of abuse and neglect- what’s in our future?”

  Cibrian set down his spoon. “It’s not for me to tell you your future. You have to believe in yourself first. The rest will follow.”

  Levi pushed himself away from the counter with a strangled growl. Jordan and Cibrian watched as he stalked across the room to the double glass doors that led out onto the balcony. Levi slammed the doors behind him.

  “Tortured souls always make the best heroes,” Cibrian said with a sigh and continued to eat.

  “I think he stayed for me. It’s not fair to him if he doesn’t want to be here,” Jordan said in a quiet voice.

  “He wants to be here. He’s just afraid of change.” Cibrian tilted up his bowl to drink the last of his chili.

  “He doesn’t know how to trust. Most of the time, I don’t either.”

  “But you’re willing to try.”

  “Yes. I guess that makes me naive.”

  “It makes you human.” Cibrian wiped his hand across his mouth. “Your willingness to try will take you where you need to go.”

  “You’re being very patient with us. How can it be I’ve known you three days and you know us better than anyone I’ve ever met?”

  Cibrian colored slightly. “We’re family.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “You don’t see us as damaged? Beyond repair?”

  “You’re two of the strongest people I’ve ever met. From what I’ve heard of your lives, the things you’ve been through- I don’t know how you’re still functioning, period. You both have every right to feel the way you do and I can’t judge you for it.”

  A small smile crept over her lips. “You act like an idiot, but you say nice things.”

  Cibrian choked on his corn chowder. Jordan rose from her seat and shook her head when Knight tried to follow. She crossed to the balcony doors and slipped outside, closing it behind her. For a moment, she looked out at Wintra, speechless. During the day, the city was a mass of white buildings. At night, the buildings glowed every color of the rainbow. It was a beautiful sight.

  Levi stood several feet back from the sharp drop. Jordan took several cautious steps forward, keeping well back from the edge where a railing should have been. Obviously, this was a launching pad for an adrenaline junkie.

  “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

  Levi didn’t speak.

  “You can have a normal life. Your power doesn’t bother you like mine does… You don’t have to go to be Declared tomorrow.”

  “I promised I would stay,” Levi interrupted.

  “Then what’s this about?”

  They stared out over the city and down at the Gardens of Wintra. The canopy of trees was a watercolor of pastel shades. People filed in and out of the Ice Tunnels with bags in a never-ending parade. There was a buzz of excitement in the air that reached them over a mile above the crowd.

  “No one’s ever expected anything of me before,” Levi said.

  “What?”

  “All my life, no one believed I had a brain, that I could think for myself and figure things out. Everyone assumes that because I grew up in a trailer park, there’s nothing worth finding in me.” He flicked his hand. “And now, before I’ve said a word the people in this world see potential in me. How can that be?”

  “Most people look at the surface. These people see beneath it.”

  His eyes were bright from the reflection of the colored canopy. “I’ve never wanted or dreamed so much in my life.”

  Jordan slipped her arm around his waist and relaxed when he draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She turned her cold face into his chest and squeezed her eyes tight as relief and her own fear of being denied drifted away.

  “No one’s ever believed in us,” Jordan acknowledged without looking up at him. “It’s a new day.”

  “What if I fail?”

  “You get up and keep walking like you’ve always done.”

  “These people believe in us,” he said and there was wonder in his tone. “They accept us. I don’t understand.”

  “I don’t either, but I’m done questioning it.”

  “He loves you.” He pulled away so he could see her face. “He tries to act cold, but he cares.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him,” she said and tried to sidle away, but he held her in place. “Move, you ass.”

  Levi smiled. “You tell me to have faith, but you don’t have any where he’s concerned, do you?”

  “So now you’re done having your tantrum, so you want to poke at me?” she snapped.

  “The thing with Mary Ann bothered me a lot today. This whole Declaration thing in front of the whole world isn’t helping either. You must have the same doubts, if not more than me, right?”

  “Of course I have doubts about who I am, what I’m doing here. I can’t help but feel like I’m an intruder in hi
s life and ruined it. Obviously, he tried to hide me and it didn’t work. You see how everybody reacts to me. I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope. I wonder if he’ll change his mind and send us away.”

  “If he does, we’ll leave together.”

  She looked out over the foreign landscape and felt a yearning in her heart, which she’d never felt before. It was how Alice must have felt in Wonderland- intrigued and scared out of her wits.

  “So we agree. We feel like frauds and are afraid of succeeding or believing that anything good can happen to us. Did I sum that up right?” Levi said dryly.

  Jordan sighed. “Just about.”

  “Well, at least we have each other.”

  “And your good looking cousin,” Cibrian said, sticking his head out. “Your food’s getting cold.”