Page 78 of Gift from the Source
We don’t ask, but if I had to take a guess of my parents, it’s probably Neil who’s writing and keeping records of their rule. Everyone will, of course, add their own accounts and experiences, but typically, one person puts it all together. It’s not something we discuss, but once their rule is over and we take their place, the book is updated and passed on.
It’s a given I’ll be the one doing the recording when our unfortunate time comes.
I have a shit ton to say.
Grabbing the tome and plopping down on the oversized chair—that was obviously designed with my Primary’s and my comfort in mind—I flip the book open to a random page.
This version is simply a replica that’s made and supplied to the realm. The original sits in my parents’ study. Regardless, the words are the same in each of them.
Those who have disregard for the laws of the land must be held accountable. Swiftly and surely. If you lax your hand with punishment, yoursubordinates will pounce and feast on your downfall. A ruler’s job is to remind the people why and how they became rulers. Fear is not an unhealthy feeling to evoke in those below you.
Crazy, coldhearted bitch.
I don’t believe I’ll ever understand how such a cruel woman birthed the children she did. My mom, my aunt, Uncle Orien, all have or had such compassion.
I take that back.
I firmly believe our creator has a petty side to her. She knows good and well every parent’s dream, whether they admit it or not, is to mold their children into little versions of themselves. Sure, they want what’s best for them, but their best doesn’t always mean good. It’s the ‘best’ they see through their tinted sight.
Willow, Oakly, my mom, all were given shit for parents—at least the Primary’s father and grandfather—and look how they turned out. They each have gone against the grain since they were born and do right at every turn.
Elementra knew what she was doing when she created them.
Flipping the pages back, I enter the timeframe of my great-grandmother’s rule. She had a harsh hand as well, but not nearly as severe as Drudy did.
There will always be a power imbalance amongst the Elementrians. That is simply how we are created. Not everyone will be as strong as the next and that is the way it should be. Without diversity and levels of power, people will resort to killing and vying for a rule that is nonexistent because there will be nothing to set us apart. We’d live in a realm of nothing but chaos amongst the masses.
Controlled chaos can be a beautiful thing but not at the expense of innocent lives. Rules and law must be upheld that protect all levels of life.
Just because some are less powerful does not mean they are weak or unimportant. They have just as much role and purpose as any other.
It is how we choose to use our blessings from Elementra that will set us apart and give us the freedom we deserve.
See, my great-grandmother was much more…
Running my finger down the page, a faint tingle passes through my hand, silencing my thoughts. I turn the pages back to where I read Drudy’s piece and do the same thing, but the feeling is gone.
What the hell?
Repeatedly, I flip back and forth just to verify that I’m not imagining this.
I’m not.
Tossing the book on the attached ottoman, I shadow from the room and in seconds I pop out in my parents’ study. All five of them hop up as though they’re under attack as I make myself known.
“Caspian, you scared me. What’s wrong?” my mom asks as she places a hand to her chest.
My impulsive and immediate need to check this out really clouded my way of entrance. Thank fuck they were only working.
“Sorry. I’ll explain later if I can,” I grumble as I cross their office to their bookshelf.
The Vito line history book has always been in the same place. I could find it blindfolded if need be.
Snatching it off the mantel it’s presented on, I don’t have to open it to know something’s different. The feeling of a concealment spell is coated all over it.
“When is the last time one of you read or opened this?” I ask.
“Years, maybe. I don’t know. Guys?” my mom says, looking at each of my dads. All of them shake their heads, confirming one of my suspicions.
