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“It worked.” I couldn’t believe it.
“Open it.” Eric was even more eager than I was.
With both hands I carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay a beautiful white, almost translucent, book that seemed to swirl like a kaleidoscope. Of even more interest to me was a letter with my name on it in my father’s handwriting next to the book. I plucked up the letter and anxiously opened it. “It’s from my dad.”
“What does it say?” Eric brought his book closer to give me some more light.
I began to read out loud.
My Dearest Daughter,
Please forgive me for keeping who you are and who I was from you and your mother. I too was cursed and had to do my part. My family, your family, the Aelius family was to be kept secret from the world until the time was right. It meant that I needed to give my life in order to save you. Now that you have been reunited with your book, the gifts you’ve always possessed will begin to emerge brighter and stronger. You too will come to realize your prophetic gift.
I paused. “Prophetic gift?”
“That makes sense,” Eric responded. “In a sense you were already using it by predicting which couples should break up. And you’ve mentioned many times how you knew you were ‘meant’ to do certain things.”
Oh. That was interesting. But I didn’t have time to ponder. I wanted to keep reading.
This gift is more than following your heart, like I encouraged you to do. You will receive visions at times. Just like I did before I died. Sorrel, I was a very old man, only years from death when I met your mother. It was well worth the wait. However, I knew my death was near. I was shown in a vision that if you and your mother didn’t leave California, the Selene family would find you and destroy the Tellus book before the appointed time and before it was time to reveal the great secret that the Aelius line still lived. There is no telling what the Selene family would have done to you had you survived as a child after they destroyed the Tellus book. Knowing I wouldn’t live long enough to protect you, I gave my life to change the books, just like Queen Vita did many centuries ago when she cast her curse. I sent each family off in different directions until there would be someone worthy to protect you.
I smiled up at Eric with tears in my eyes.
His eyes were wide with wonder.
I know your tenacious heart must have many questions. For now, know that your birth and this day have been long awaited and were foretold even before the curse was cast. There was a great pruning that needed to occur—a curse that would create a worthy family to carry on our gifts. A family so strong that it would best serve our people and the world. This family needs—
“Did you hear that?” Eric interrupted me.
I lowered the letter and listened. “I don’t hear anything.” However, a familiar and unwanted sensation coursed through me. I grabbed Eric’s arm. “I think we’re being watched.”
Eric dropped his book and flipped open his thermos lid. Simultaneously, two men walked out of the shadows near some barrels in the corner.
Vincent walked near, clapping his hands together, and when the light was right, I caught the absolute hatred he had for me etched on his stone face.
“A daughter of the sun,” he drawled. “That we can’t have. It is our family who is the strongest and will prevail.”
“I don’t think so.” Eric brought the thermos to his mouth before I could stop him.
“No!” I screamed and tried to bat it out of his hands. Eric’s grandfather shadow hopped and grabbed me before I could reach him.
Vincent lunged for his son but was too late to stop Eric from getting enough of the poison down. Eric started to violently shake.
“Damn you,” Vincent shouted at Eric. “Father, get her book, it must be destroyed.”
Eric desperately reached for his book as his father restrained him.
“You’ve always been such a disappointment, son.” Vincent wrapped his arm around Eric’s neck, choking him. “I suppose now you will finally be of some use to us.”
Eric’s grandfather threw me to the side as if I was nothing. I hit the rock floor and was momentarily dazed, but I forced myself to roll over and from my prostrate position watched in terror as the man I loved struggled to breathe and began turning shades of purple. His eyes caught mine, pleading with me to help him. Using all my strength, I got on my hands and knees, willing myself to stand or crawl to Eric.
The grandfather held my book as Vincent worked to force Eric’s hand onto it, using his powers of persuasion to try to bend Eric’s will to his. It allowed Eric enough air to speak. “Sorrel, find the light within you.”
