Page 8 of Gifted Destiny

Zosia releases Garrett’s hand to sip the glass of water next to her coffee mug. My brother retakes it when she has finished, and I squeeze her other hand encouragingly. The disclosure can’t be easy for her; most of our knowledge stems from the memories she refused to acknowledge for a third of her life.

“There’s more,” she continues. “We believe they use a unique combination of advanced technology and magic for their process. When I was imprisoned, I wore a collar similar tothe magical tether that was placed around Kodi’s neck after we arrived at Apocrypha. Mine was metal and not entirely magic or electronic.”

Tremayne’s expression remains impassive, but my intuition perceives a slight shift in his demeanor. Does he know about this magical technology? How? Despite myself, I trust this man and want to believe that my intuition is correct, so I don’t ask him immediately. Instead, I tuck the question away for a later time.

Zo pauses again. Her hand feels sweaty in my grasp, but I don’t care. “We obviously don’t know how the process works, but it seems to alter the developing child’s genetics. Although Kodi was born to magicless parents, he possessed an unheard-of magical ability. Kodi’s inclusion suggests that they’re not only enhancing supernaturals; we believe they’re creating supernaturals from normally magicless babies. When Walthers attempted to tether Kodi a second time, he’d mentioned something about subservience. To our knowledge, this level of obedience hasn’t been achieved. If they continue, however ….”

“They’ll have an army,” Ansel finishes. Dread drips from every word, and my skin prickles with goosebumps. Our father is powerful enough as it is. He’s the alpha shifter of our continent and has most of society’s elite under his thumb through blackmail and bribes. If his work is adding the magicless to his numbers, how can we ever hope to defeat him?

Chapter 6

Bren

Tremayne appears to age two hundred years before our eyes. The prospect that Addington might be raising an army of subservient supernaturals chills him as thoroughly as it does me.

“How did you reach the conclusion that each of your guardians is affected?” The old mage isn’t disbelieving; he’s gathering information. Knowledge is power.

“Kodi knows he was, and Walthers confirmed it. Using him as an example, we realized the parallels. Kodi’s mother died while giving birth to Kodi’s sister. His younger sibling was also injected but in ill health from her birth. Garrett’s mother and Avery’s mother died of childbirth complications. Bren’s mother is still alive but supposedly unwell. The brothers believe she might have given Addington permission to inject their child.” Zosia glances toward us again. “Did I describe that correctly?”

We all nod. It’s as accurate as any of us know.

“The situation is worse than I imagined,” Tremayne grumbles as he tugs fiercely on his beard. “These men didn’t invent the process of stealing magic. Centuries ago, it was used as a form of punishment in the worst circumstances – when a trial ascertained that a supernatural used their magicwith ill intent. It was considered barbaric and extreme. When magic-dampening cuffs and cells were invented, harsher means became obsolete. How Addington or his mentor learned the process and gathered the necessary materials is as alarming as what he’s doing with the extracted magic. Altering life in-vitro is playing God.”

Zosia’s eyes spark with distracted curiosity. “Supernaturals believe in God?”

Tremayne startles as he’s shaken out of his grim thoughts, but I offer Zo a fond smile. I’d been slapped on the face when I asked a similar question as a child. She is the literal woman of my dreams because she’s appeared in my visions since they began, but she’s also all I’ve ever wanted in a woman. The thought of being separated nearly makes my magic spark in response. Her touch is the only thing that keeps me anchored.

The little lioness at my side flinches when she realizes what she’s done. “Fudgesticks. I didn’t mean to derail the conversation. My wayward tongue and my curiosity are in cahoots.”

I won’t contemplate that wayward tongue … too late. My body reacts without my permission and creates discomfort in my pants. Zosia is the only woman who has ever elicited desire in me with a thought or a word.

Thankfully, our guests are oblivious to my body and mind. Tremayne chuckles and Ansel offers Zo a weary smile. The library is strengthening him, but he won’t live past midnight. Is he prepared? Is anyone truly prepared to die?

“Don’t apologize. Your grandmother, mother, and almost every feline shifter I’ve come across share your curious nature. There’s a reason why cats are called curious.” The mage’s blue eyes twinkle. When he smiles, he reminds me of a thin Santa Claus. I like very few people, but he might be included in that number.

“I believe I can answer your question without leading us too far afield,” he continues. “Ansel told me you were raised in a magicless orphanage connected to a Christian charity. Like the magicless, there are as many variations of worship and deities among supernaturals. Abrahamic religions don’t represent the majority, though. Most supernaturals describe themselves as paganists as opposed to monotheists. They believe in the natural order of evolution. Therefore, tampering with the natural order is akin toplaying God.”

Tremayne pauses briefly, weighing his words before speaking. “I don’t mean to sound condescending or disbelieving, but do you have any proof to substantiate your theories? It will be necessary if these men are tried for their crimes.”

“Walthers monologues like he’s a supervillain in a movie,” Kodi grumbles sullenly.

When he doesn’t continue, Avery explains. “When Addington visited yesterday, he baited Kodi by telling him his sister was still alive. Kodi was almost tethered again when he ventured away from the library. The rest of us worked together and traced the source of the tether to an electronic device in Walthers’ office.”

Kodi interrupts again, and his voice rings with remembered embarrassment and shame. He regrets taking the bait even though we’d managed to free him. “The blabbermouth told me all about what he and Addington had done already and what they planned to do yet.”

“He implied that he made all of us,” Avery adds.

“I know how Addington operates. He won’t give up until he succeeds, and he won’t engage in any transaction without a written contract.” My brother’s tone is sour as he recalls what our father taught him. Garrett never intended to assume control of the alpha’s empire, but he was determined to destroy our father. The lessons provided him with valuable insight. “If he has an agreement with the magicless, he will possess written proof.He also maintains records of the bribes and blackmails he’s employed with his business partners.”

“The magicless also maintain detailed records,” Zosia adds.

I’m enthralled and impressed with the seamless manner of this conversation. It reminds me of a carefully rehearsed dance where we each step in to contribute assistance to the refrain. It’s a favorable omen for the future of our relationship.

“The prison I escaped from has to be near Centreville Hospital. The surrounding geographical area records births and deaths. We could research stillbirths and maternal mortality. I don’t know if the latter is related, however. Bren’s mother survived, and Kodi’s mother lived to bear another.”

“My case is unique as well. The death of my mother might have been because of my nature and not the injection. Carrying a vampire to term is supposed to be nearly impossible.”

Tremayne takes in every detail as he methodically strokes his beard. Is it spelled to absorb information like a sponge? I nearly giggle at the thought. I’ve heard of stranger enchantments.

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