Chrysalis: The Emergence of Emery (The Gifted Series Book 1) (8 page)

I say nothing and wait for him to carry on.

“Okay, so years ago there were houses, we’re the House of Laird. Everyone had a place in our society and largely it was peaceful. Our ancestors tended to live in their own communities, often away from regular humans for fear that one of the children would display something they couldn’t explain. Country villages were always good, so that’s where you would mostly find them. Back then a lot of people did join with their
other half,
the fear of vulnerability wasn’t really a concern back then, it was just the natural way. If you loved this person, the other half of your soul, you knew there would never be another being that you could love more than the person you belonged to… so why not be together, as it was intended.

“A few years before I was born things started falling apart. Some houses turned dark, they started by striking out within their own families. Then, when one person beat the others back, they took over and used their new found placement as ruler to try and battle other houses, ultimately wanting to take over that house, too. Obviously the more they ruled, the more power they had at their disposal, even though traditionally they couldn’t rule a house unless they were a blood member. More houses fell. When there were only the six head families left, they thought it best to disband and separate members, to try and keep everyone alive. The intention was to bring this new monster down... but that never happened.”

I can feel my heartbeat picking up speed as Elijah explains our story. I take a few deep breaths and he notices, pausing the history lesson so I can gain control. Once I calm he carries on.

“Our mother, Zarina, she was from Alposco House. She was paired with our father Edrin way before the family wars started. Her house, like Laird is one of the major six. All six houses are similar to royal bloodlines. Those houses always made the decisions, decided our laws. And they had many followers, people who chose of their own free will, to believe in their values. They were respected, revered and loved. Laird was the Head House. The blue of our family, the blue light that shines from your power, it is the royal blue, the Laird blue…” Elijah pauses and I watch his eyes move above my head and they become unfocused, staring into the distance.

“Our mother died not long after you were born, I don’t know how. Our father disappeared after she went. Many think he committed suicide, unable to live without her.” His eyes move back to mine and are now sharp. “The man you saw this morning, the same one who you spoke with on the phone, he is Zed. When you were attacked the other day while out with Sicily, can you remember the name of that man?” I shake my head no. Everything was so rushed and then I was dragged back by Kade. “His name was Zeit. He is Zed’s son and our cousin.”

I gasp at his revelation.

“Zed is our uncle, our mother’s brother and he’s from the House of Alposco. Emery, he wants us… we’re the heirs to the Laird House. Stay away from that man, he will try and win you over. But if you refuse to bend to his will, make no mistakes, he
will
hurt you, maybe even kill you. Although that’s a stretch, you’d be much more useful producing another heir.” I feel my eyes widen, and he nods his head in agreement. “Yeah, scary, huh? Zed is a level eight like me. You need to learn your powers, and quick. It would also help if you learned Kade’s. You may need every advantage in the months to come. Now, do you have questions?” he asks, and I watch his lips twitch.

“I have loads.” I sigh. “I think I’m going to have to go over everything you’ve said and maybe ask you tomorrow. Like, why would I use Kade’s powers? I mean, that would be an invasion of privacy, and it would be me violating him seeing as he hasn’t allowed me to use them surely? I wouldn’t feel right.” I stop, wondering how Kade might feel if I was to use his powers.

“Anyway, at the moment, I’m still trying to decide whether being nearer or further away from Kade is best. Let’s face it, he doesn’t seem to like me. He can’t leave that house, they’re his friends not mine. I need to be the one to move away from him so he can have some peace.” Elijah opens his mouth, but I hold my palm up to him. “You’ve done enough talking for one day, and anyway I’m going to bed,” I say getting up and walking away. As I do, the thought hits me…
I’m not alone
… it’s something I forget easily, as in the past I’ve never wanted to think about the fact that I had no one. I take the few steps back to Elijah lean down and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you for sharing… my brother,” I whisper then walk back to my room.

Twenty minutes later and I’m annoyed at having to get out of bed for a drink. When I get to the door I can hear Elijah talking, I pull the door ajar and listen, realizing my hearing must also be more enhanced than it was before.

“We’re at the Vallarta. No, Zed called her today, he was down in the street. Okay, shit, don’t growl at me. She’s coming into her powers. I wasn’t going to tell you, I mean if you can’t be nice then why should you know anything. Yes, I know, but Katarina isn’t always right. I’m telling you now because she thinks it would be better if she moves as far away from you as possible. Shit! Apparently she doesn’t think it’s right that she takes on your powers without your agreement, something about violating you. She feels it’s best to get as much distance from you as possible, give you peace or some crap. It’s not my fault, this is entirely on you. Hello. Hello. Shit.”

Then there’s silence, and I’m just about to creep back into bed when I hear. “Hello, Tristan. Yeah, what happened? Smashed it? Another phone, damn. Okay, well, I’ll check in tomorrow, but now he knows where she is. If he feels any fear he’ll be to her a damn sight quicker. Okay, later.”

I tiptoe back to the bed and throw myself under the covers. As I lay there struggling to find sleep, I’m not sure if my brother just did something wonderful, or broke the newly growing trust I’d found for him forever.

I can feel Elijah’s surprise when he enters my room.

“Practicing already, Em, I’m impressed,” he tells me but I ignore him, keeping my eyes closed and concentrating on the power buzzing across my skin. I feel it cascade down my arm as I stretch. Opening my eyes, I shoot a white flash from my fingertips. The spark flows across the room shattering a vase before it even touches it.

“Damn, Em.” I look over to Elijah to see his eyes are fixed to the now vaporized vase.

“What?” I snap. The annoyance of what I overheard last night is still clinging to me.

His head spins to me and a frown crosses his brow. “Em, what’s wrong? I can feel the conflict in you.”

I stand up and pull the sneakers that I found in the duffle this morning onto my feet. “You know, I would probably understand more of what’s going on if you explained, but you don’t. And when I wanted to leave your house,
on my own
, you chose to come with me. I didn’t ask you to come.” I stand and grab my jacket.

“Em, what the hell are you talking about?” I can hear the confusion in his voice, and I can feel the uncertainty tinged with worry inside him.

“I left that house to get away from Kade. I need to sort out my own head, make my own decisions. You had no right to tell him where I was. Now I’m leaving. Alone this time.”

“I don’t think so, Em.” Elijah steps in front of me, crossing his arms and working his jaw.

“You don’t get this, Elijah. I’m leaving, you don’t control me, or command me, you can’t bend me to your will.” When he doesn’t move, I sigh. “Listen, I’m pissed. What you did, telling Kade? You betrayed my trust. Now I just need some space. I know you want to protect me, but that doesn’t mean you can leave me out of the decision-making process, especially when it’s my life we’re talking about. With that said, I
am
coming back. I want to have a family… I want to have you. It’s all just a little bit too much, and I need a couple of hours to myself.”

Elijah stares at me, his jaw still working but it’s tense. Then he pins me with his eyes. “I’m sorry, again, Emery,” he tells me before leaning forward and pressing his thumb to my forehead. I expect to fall and for Elijah to catch me. I expect that I’ll sleep, waking even more pissed. But I don’t. Before I realize what’s happening Elijah is falling. I catch him at the last moment and surprise blasts through me when I can lift him—although it is a struggle—onto the sofa. I watch for a few minutes as his chest moves up and down, his breathing even and calm. Then I grab my bag and haul ass out of the hotel.

As I sit sipping my diet coke and people watching, I second guess my decision to leave the hotel. I’m not in danger as I’m in public, and it’s a highly built up area. Still, I feel guilty at leaving Elijah like that. But at the same time, I’m also aggravated that he thinks he can control my life. I know he’s trying to keep me safe, but he can’t do that forever. Withholding information isn’t the way to help me either. If he didn’t hold back so much then maybe my understanding would be greater.

I know that he’s right, that he can’t tell me everything in one go, but it took him so long to even start to explain. On top of that, I’m now getting powers I don’t understand, having feelings I can’t explain, and I’m trying to decide how best to navigate my life. Including whether to leave the other half of my soul behind, which, from what I understand, means I’ll live some kind of half-life for the rest of my days.

I let out a heavy sigh, my chest sagging and decide it’s time to leave. Leaning down to grab my bag, I jump slightly when I see Zeit has taken a seat in the chair opposite me.

“Emery…” he drawls the word out while leering at me.

“Zeit,” I return, keeping my tone even.

“Ahh, you remember me then? Glad to see I made an impression on my cousin.” He clicks his fingers in the air and a waiter appears beside him.

“Yes, s-sir.” The waiter stutters, even he can feel the darkness that rolls off him. I watch as Zeit’s eyes sparkle amused with the fear he’s summoned in the clueless waiter. Strangely, I don’t feel scared. If anything I’m perturbed. I wanted to have a quiet afternoon, hash some things out in my own head. The last person I needed to see was him.

“Get me a latte. My cousin here will have a diet coke,” he snaps.

“No, I won’t. Thank you anyway,” I say to the waiter who scurries away.

Zeit brings his hands to the table and arches his fingers together. “So how much has Elijah told you so far?”

“Enough,” I reply, trying to think of a way I can get him away from the people around us.

“Hmm… I don’t think he has. Father told me you had no clue who he was. I think your big brother has been keeping you in the dark, Emery. You do realize the dark is the best place for you to be, right? You could come and join us you know?” The corner of his mouth curls up.

“Unlikely,” I answer, looking over his shoulder.

“Emery. You can sit there and pretend like you’re not listening, but you should pay attention. I’m going to enlighten you… and that’s not something I do very often.”

I look back to him, torn between wanting to get away and anxious to find out what he wants to say.

“Better,” he murmurs. “Elijah thinks he knows everything. He doesn’t. He’s the highest level in all the elder houses. That, however, does not make him invincible. There are always factors that he hasn’t considered. Has he told you about your parents?” His question catches me by surprise and I find myself nodding. “Well, if that is true then he has fed you a pack of lies. Although it’s doubtful even he knows the truth.”

“And that would be?” I question, almost kicking myself for asking him anything.

“Your mother, my aunt. She was from Alposco House… my house.” I nod at him but say nothing. “I don’t think Elijah knows much about our history. All the details, the books, the documents, they are with us. We collected them as we collected the houses.” He sneers as the waiter places his latte in front of him with shaking hands. “My house, it’s dark. It always has been. We have always stayed away from the light. The two sides never mixed. I wouldn’t say we lived in peace, but we kept a distance and seldom crossed paths, choosing to run our houses in different ways. The two sides rarely saw things in the same way. You brought an end to that Emery…
you
,” he emphasizes, pointing at me.

“I don’t understand?” My words are soft as my brain tries to make sense of his tale.

“Okay, so you know your mother was an Alposco.” I nod. “She was dark, Emery. Dark and light don’t combine. Ever.” I feel my frown as confusion washes through me. “Oh for God’s sake Emery, how stupid are you?” Zeit snaps. “Your father was light, your mother dark. You being here was the first time those sides mixed to make an heir.”

“But… but… Elijah?” I blurt, knowing he’s older than me.

“Zarina, your mother… she wasn’t
his
mother. He’s light, you’re dark. One day the dark will call to you, and unless you come to us you’ll destroy everything you hold dear. Elijah, Kade… all of them.” The smirk turns into a full blown grin and for the first time I feel a frisson of fear zip through me.

He’s obviously delighted to be enlightening me.

“You’re stronger than Elijah, you have dark and light power, it’s only appearing late because the dark side develops slower. Kade will have to fight you one day, to save them, because he’s the strongest of us all. Except… maybe you. You’ll drain his power and kill him, too. One day you’ll have to leave them or obliterate them all.” His eyes sparkle. “It’s amazing, you’re like our own little bomb, waiting to detonate, and they’re welcoming you into their fold with open arms. We just have to sit back and watch the fireworks. But make no mistake
Emery,
until that happens, as long as you choose their side, we will keep trying to kill them. To capture you or kill you if need be.” He shrugs at the last comment as if it’s no big deal and he hasn’t just threatened my life.

I make a move to leave, but can feel myself pushed down into the chair. “Stop it,” I whisper and watch as Zeit chuckles. It annoys me and I can feel the zing of my power. Slowly, I pull myself up and from the pull of his ‘Earthing.’ His eyes widen a fraction.

“You’re already stronger than I thought, this will be interesting to watch.” Suddenly his smug look drops from his face.

“That’s if you live long enough to see,” Kade bites out from behind me, and I can feel his heat warming my back.

“Now, now, Kade, we’re in company,” Zeit say
’
s gesturing around at the pedestrians.

Kade places his hands on my shoulders. “There will be a time, Zeit,” he says, then running his hand down my side. He slips his fingers through mine and pulls me away. I glance over my shoulder and catch Zeit’s wink as I leave. The minute I turn back, I realize we’re running. Kade looks back at me, his eyes scan my face then he continues forward. I feel power coursing through me as my body keeps time with his. We slow then come to a stop. Kade pulls me in front of him and he searches my whole body.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, but he ignores my words until he’s done his own assessment. “Kade…” I say softly and his eyes meet mine.

“I felt your fear,” he growls and I nod.

“Yes, but I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me. My fear came from the things he told me.”

“What? What did he say?” Kade asks grabbing both my hands in his, and I wonder if he even realizes he’s holding them.

“He said I’m dark.”

Kade shakes his head. “Not possible.”

I nod my own reply. “Yeah. Apparently Elijah and I have different mothers, Elijah just doesn’t realize that. The mother he thinks is his, is actually only mine. Zeit said historically, light and dark families don’t mix… like ever. And I’m the first mixed child to be born, which makes me super powerful and also capable of destroying everyone.” I sigh and look around realizing we’re now in a secluded area of a park.

Pulling my hands from Kade’s I sink onto the grass and Kade paces back and forth. As I watch his movements I know that I could love this man so easily, I already feel it there, just waiting for me to accept it, so it can cover me. I can feel him, too. I know Elijah said that he can’t read Kade, something about him being able to block it, but I do get glimpses sometimes, like now. It’s strange, usually in those sparse moments that I can
feel
him, it’s power, strength, and ferocity that I feel. Today it’s fear. “Are you scared?” The words are out before I have a chance to stop them, and he halts looking down at me.

“Fuck, yeah.” His answer is startling. “I don’t know what exactly you are, except that you’re my other half. We need to stay away from each other, but every time I try to keep away from you it kills me. The first time I saw you, Emery… you were eleven, I was thirteen. I accompanied Elijah on one of his many visits to check on you. The second I saw you my whole world slotted into place. I knew who you were instantly. For years, I’ve hoped you weren’t going to come into your power, that you’d never come into our world. You would remain safe, and I could watch you from a distance. My mistake was thinking that would ever be enough. I can’t ever be with you. I can’t allow myself to have a weakness, and Emery, you
would
be a weakness.”

I feel my chest compress as pain crushes me inside. He kneels down next to me, lifting his hand up he cups my cheek and whispers, “Emery, no matter what, wherever you are, I promise I’ll always keep you safe.” I close my eyes and feel the pain inside me disappear… replaced by emptiness.