Page 10 of Gifted Destiny

“I didn’t think it was that bad,” I grumble petulantly. It’s not exactly true. We’d escaped to the roof to protect the books, and the rain had soaked us within seconds.

At the time, I hadn’t been certain that Bren’s magic caused the sudden tempest, but I remember comparing his magic to the spark of static electricity in the air. The roiling clouds had also felt just above our heads instead of their usual altitude.

Science had never been my favorite subject in school, and I hadn’t lied when I’d professed ignorance about the storm’s catalyst. I might have access to all the data in the library, but it’s easier to maintain my ignorance if I avoid this fact.

Tremayne politely avoids my childlike whine of protest. “The storm affected the entire three-hundred-acre campus, and this building was the epicenter. As I mentioned, no one was hurt. However, Apocrypha’s campus borders property owned by a group of magicless who bear a centuries-old grudge against the academy. They delight in reporting the slightest anomalies. While Addington or Walthers might have spoken Bren’s name, they probably weren’t the only ones who contacted the BSP. The bureau and other organizations are under pressure right now because anti-supernatural groups are encouraging the magicless to report everything.”

The headache that has been building all day throbs at the base of my skull. My sudden initiation into the supernatural world has been full of surprises. I didn’t pay attention to the divide between the supernatural and magicless communities before I arrived at Apocrypha.

Everything has changed. The library is required to send a representative to the OSC, also known as the Supernatural Council. The seat has been vacant since my grandmother died, and the world desperately needs her input. I have to pay attention to these alarming politics whether I’m interested or not. We’ve decided that Garrett will attend the meetings on our behalf, but we should agree on our course of action as a group.

A connection I hadn’t previously considered prompts a question before I have time to process it. “Is it possible thatAddington or his allies are behind the dissent? If a group is acting similarly to a terrorist cell, scared supernaturals might encourage drastic measures against the magicless.”

Tremayne tugs at his beard. “It’s not out of the question, but the magicless who participate don’t need much encouragement. Perhaps you haven’t heard the latest news?” The old mage’s voice grows somber, and his eyes flicker above my head – to Avery. The vampire has been quiet throughout most of our conversation. His steady stillness contrasts with Bren’s and Kodi’s restless activities and Garrett’s vibrating tension.

“We haven’t heard anything,” I confirm nervously. I’d almost forgotten the world outside the library existed. Sometimes, I wished that were true.

“Two days ago in Alaska, a particular hive of vampires was attacked. The assault was brutal. Several members were chained up outside in the snow. When the sun rose, they were unable to escape. Several of the clan’s members were employed as enforcers and apprehended supernaturals who bend the law to their liking. While a magicless sect claimed responsibility for the horrific attack, it couldn’t have been carried out without inside information or supernatural abilities. The vampires were too powerful to be overpowered by a group of magicless. Evidence tampering has stalled the investigation and created issues. The sect that claimed responsibility can’t be found, so their accomplices remain a mystery.”

The savage attack should horrify me, but my past has numbed me. If a man can experiment on helpless children and forcefully impregnate adolescent females, why would he balk at burning vampires alive?

“The attack coincides with an ongoing argument at the OSC regarding magicless who perpetrate crimes against supernaturals. Currently, violent crimes enacted against the magicless by supernaturals require a collaborative approach,and supernaturals generally receive a harsher punishment. However, the opposite is rarely seen.”

Tremayne pauses as he determines our comprehension, and I can imagine him as a professor. He’d be patient and understanding, but he wouldn’t allow students to take advantage of his compassion. A pang of sadness reminds me of what my life could have been like if I’d grown up in a relatively normal situation.

“A combined judicial system operates successfully in other industrialized nations, but our country thrives on individualism. The nation lacks a collective conscience. If an event doesn’t directly affect a citizen, they typically choose to ignore the situation. Governing bodies have been aware of supernaturals for nearly a century, but many supernaturals chose to hide their presence because they feared retribution. Public integration has been scattered and incomplete for most of my life. Even in fully consolidated populations, however, hate groups appear. This is true regardless of the factor separating them – be it race, sex, magical ability, or wealth.”

I’ve seen evidence of this in my short and relatively isolated life. When supernaturals decided to publicize their existence and global communication became available to nearly everyone, many of the nation’s struggles were blamed on the newly outed race. No side can shoulder all of the blame. Alongside the magicless that demand total segregation are supernaturals that seek supremacy.

Silence envelops the table for several moments. Although Avery likely never met the vampires who were killed, it still affects him. His sadness shivers along the thread connecting us. Supernaturals are separated among themselves, and the different factions don’t always play nicely together. Shifters and vampires are often at odds and both consider mages nothing more thanmagiclesshumans with skills.

“It’s a mess,” Kodi mutters. “It’s always been a mess, but now people are dying.”

My head whips toward the ghost. My best friend is actually paying attention, and he sounds worried about matters that don’t immediately concern him. It’s so unusual that I half expect to see him fully materialized. He’s somewhere in between. I notice hints of color and a little more substance, but it isn’t complete.

Noting my attention, he looks downward with a panicked expression. “What? Am I fading?”

“Actually, it’s the opposite; you’re almost in color. I’m just …, I’m surprised ....” My words stutter to a stop as my cheeks flush with heat.

Kodi snickers and winks at me in a way that makes my heart flutter. “Ash, it seems I can get hard for more than just you, little minx.”

“Kodi,” I hiss in mortification. I’m certain my cheeks currently resemble ripe tomatoes. Beside me, Bren chuckles and presents his raised fist. Kodi floats over Avery’s vacated chair and mimics the gesture, although they stop short of contact and a proper fist bump.

Garrett’s expression doesn’t change. “Kids,” he grumbles with a dramatic eye-roll. I can’t read his emotions or intent as easily as I can with Avery, but his irritation is exaggerated. Our immaturity irks him, but he’s equally pleased to see his brother laugh.

Avery’s response is a mix of amusement and embarrassment on my behalf. Ansel’s lips quirk the tiniest bit, but he doesn’t have the energy to do more than this.

“Absolutely fascinating,” Tremayne breathes. His enthrallment with Kodi’s flickering transparency overrides his reaction to our antics.

“Anyway …,” I say and clear my throat loudly to recapture everyone’s attention. “While I’m grateful for the context, we can’t solve the division between the races overnight. Let’s move on to the idea you mentioned, Tremayne. Can we do anything about Bren’s magic? The library might have given Ansel until midnight, but I doubt my energy will last that long.”

The caffeine’s effects are already fading. The man who might be my father has deftly avoided agreeing to become a gargoyle. My desire for his acceptance is selfish. If he dies, I will lose his memories of my mother and grandmother. Tremayne might be able to offer more information about my grandmother, but Ansel knew my mother best.

“Forgive me,” the mage replies. “This old brain has a tendency to get sidetracked.”

“Join the club,” Kodi mumbles. We ignore him.

“My long-winded explanation can be summarized. The storm did not only affect the library. Because of this, the BSP possesses the authority to investigate and incarcerate if necessary. If you need the library’s exemption as an excuse, you’ll need to provide proof that his absence would be detrimental to the library’s purpose. This might be difficult considering the relative newness of your relationship. There is a theory that suggests an atmospheric mage’s powers can be controlled.” Tremayne speaks the last word gingerly. He’s wise to do so because my guardians and I bristle. Each one of us has been controlled in different ways throughout our lives.

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