Heart of Shadows: Birthright Series, #2

Chapter 1

Mr. Parker leapt onto an impenetrable wall of ice taller than the Great Wall of China. Black eyes scanned the forest surrounding the city of Wintra. The sun began to set, casting shadows over a field of snow that led to trees that towered as high as the wall he stood on. Flurries of snow drifted around him. In the heart of the city, he could hear the echoes of people’s screams, the smell of burnt flesh and the undeniable taint of death. He didn’t turn and rush to help those in need—not yet. 

He tracked the barely perceptible vibration of power in the air and paced along abandoned guard posts. He never took his eyes off the tree line. He inhaled deeply before he stepped off the wall. He hurtled down to earth and landed in a puff of snow before he strode towards the forest. His eyes cut through relentless white and he didn’t stop until he found his quarry protected by a creature with death in its eyes.

The creature had the mane of a lion and black stripes of a tiger over charcoal gray fur. Despite the fact that Mr. Parker was acquainted with the ancient beast, he kept his distance. The creature would protect the one who roused him from centuries of slumber with his last breath. The Valor’s master was a petite fifteen-year-old who sat between his front paws. Her sapphire eyes were glazed with shock and she didn’t show any awareness of Mr. Parker’s presence.

Jordan?

Mr. Parker’s voice cut through the white noise, but she didn’t react. He took a step forward and froze when the Valor lowered his head and let out a bone-chilling growl.

I’m trying to see if she’s hurt, blockhead, Mr. Parker snapped. Jordan!

Her face was expressionless. She sat so still, Mr. Parker would have thought she was frozen except for the tiny white cloud in front of her mouth that signaled she was breathing.

He said I was exquisite, she murmured.

Jordan? Can you hear me?

He’s following me. I don’t know how. He won’t stop, Jordan said to herself.

Who won’t stop? Mr. Parker asked, trying to bring her out of her reverie.

I won’t go through it again. I can’t.

Mr. Parker was done waiting. He covered the remaining distance between them in aggressive strides. The Valor tensed even as Jordan erupted from her sitting position. Her hood flew back and a tumble of black waves fell around her like a cape. When she looked at Mr. Parker, there was no recognition in her eyes.

Jordan, snap out of it.

Her feet braced apart in a defensive stance and her chest heaved as if she ran a marathon. Her eyes flickered between sapphire and pitch black and her body trembled.

Jordan.

Snowflakes peppered her hair with white and she blinked several times as if she were coming out of a daze. He watched her eyes settle into her natural blue shade and saw recognition hit. She slumped to her knees in the snow and bowed her head.

Are you hurt? he asked.

Jordan shook her head.

You’ve been missing for hours. Luther told Monica you took off with Knight. Mr. Parker waited for an explanation and received none. You should have stayed in place and waited for me to get to you when the riot began.

Her face was bloodless. If I stayed in place, I would’ve been killed.

And you think you’re safer out here? he demanded.

Her mouth trembled. Is it over?

No. We need to go back.

She shook her head and his eyes narrowed.

People are dying. I’ve wasted enough time searching the city for you. Let’s go.

Jordan got to her feet and used the Valor for leverage. He noticed her hands tremble before she fisted them at her sides.

I can’t, she said.

You can and you will.

He took a step forward to grab her arm. She jerked back and landed against her Guardian who let out a warning hiss and bared his teeth at Mr. Parker.

No, I won’t, she said.

Didn’t you hear me before? People are being slaughtered. You can come willingly or not. Take your pick.

Jordan’s eyes flashed. The swirling snow turned into rain and drizzled over them. I know people are getting slaughtered. I was in the middle of it! This isn’t the first time I’ve seen blood and death.

So, you know you’re wasting my time. This isn’t a normal riot. Something else is going on and I don’t have time to pat you on the head or hold your hand.

The menace and power he emanated was so potent, she had to resist the urge to back away. He was one of the most dangerous men in the magical world, which she’d been ignorant of until she entered Haven. Mr. Parker was forced to take her into his household. In the three weeks she’d known him, Jordan didn’t know what to think of him. He wasn’t the father figure she fantasized about while being passed through foster homes and asylums. She was still half convinced this was all a horrible mistake and that he couldn’t be her biological father.

Jordan grit her teeth as she eyed him. I know this isn’t a normal riot. It’s a massacre. I know who started it.

What are you talking about?

During the Declaration Ceremony, before the riot began, I felt something.

She expected Mr. Parker to ignore her and haul her back to the city, but he did nothing. She aligned her thoughts with effort and ignored her roiling stomach. She thought back to the moment during the Declaration Ceremony when something latched onto her senses and screamed a warning of impending danger. She felt the same premonition minutes before a massacre broke out in a Las Vegas Walmart one month ago. She took a deep breath of frigid air as the Valor’s power engulfed her, reassuring her that she wasn’t alone.

I knew something was going to happen, she began and shuddered. There was tainted power in the air. I pinpointed it to the Eliten stands when the fire broke out. Everybody started running. Her mouth went dry as she remembered the chaos and violence that erupted in the middle of the Ceremony. I had to get out of there. I ran into the city. I stopped in an alley and he followed me.

Who followed you?

A sorcerer. He said he used the animosity between the races to start the riot.

What did he want?

Her fists trembled within the folds of the jacket. He saw the Gem do something different with me. He said my power sings to him. She swallowed and admitted, I saw him yesterday in the Garden of Wintra right after my power came back.

Why didn’t you tell me this before?

She threw her hands up in the air. How the hell did I know I was going to see him today? Everywhere I turn, there’s another sorcerer thinking I’m the elixir of life or something. It makes me sick.

Mr. Parker was silent for several seconds and then, We have to go back to Wintra. He saw the way her body went rigid with fear. I won’t let anything happen to you. I need to talk to the Council.

Why?

It seems you’re the only witness we have.

The last rays of light left the sky, turning the world into a dark place covered in ice, fear and grief. Jordan didn’t say anything as weak moonlight drifted over them.

You’re coming back with me. How did you get out here?

She blinked and looked beyond him to the daunting city walls. I don’t know.

I guess we’re going to find out. Do I have to carry you?

I can’t—

Mr. Parker took a step forward. You’re coming with me. You won’t be far from my side.

They stared at one another for a long minute before she nodded. She turned to Knight who crouched down so she could climb on his back. She buried cold hands in his fur as Mr. Parker’s barely discernible figure disappeared into swirling snow. Knight sensed her trepidation and didn’t move until she gave the command.

She fought her way out of the amphitheater several hours ago and dashed off into the city, only to be cornered by a sorcerer, a man with limitless power and capable of anything. The sorcerer who cornered her in the alley triggered a bloodbath in the middle of the Declaration Ceremony with hundreds of thousands in attendance. She channeled her power into the ice buildings lining the alley and caused an avalanche she wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for a stranger that saved her. She wasn’t sure what to make of her savior before he ran off to help with the riot. If it weren’t for a pair of alien eyes in the upstairs of his house, she would still be there. Instead, she left the house and ran into Luther, a sorcerer with a murky past. She was grateful Knight appeared and took her away from him.

Jordan was beyond exhausted. It was the day that wouldn’t end. This morning her biggest fear was whether or not she’d be Declared into an Academy. That worry was put to rest when she was accepted into the most prestigious Academy in the magical world. She wasn’t sure if it was an honor or a curse.

Jordan squinted her eyes to look through the falling snow. Mr. Parker was gone. She clenched her teeth as she thought of what awaited her in the city and squeezed her thighs. Knight responded and leapt forward. She bowed her head as Knight pelted through the snow and approached the city walls. She saw Mr. Parker’s dark figure silhouetted in white before he zoomed up the wall like a freaky bat. She couldn’t remember how Knight got them outside the city walls, so she tensed when he loped forward and showed no signs of stopping. When the towering ice wall was ten feet away, she flattened herself on Knight’s back and braced herself for impact. There was none. She raised her head and saw Wintra in front of her. She looked back at the solid city walls and shook her head. If Knight could talk, he would have had some explaining to do.

Mr. Parker flew several feet off the ground beside Knight and Jordan saw the incredulous shake of his head. The normally pristine white of Wintra’s ice buildings were illuminated by colored spotlights at night. Unlike the beginning of the day, which was busier than Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the streets were deserted.

The buildings on the outskirts of the city were shorter than the buildings in the center, which allowed Jordan to see an unnatural orange glow emanating from the heart of the city. It looked like there was a huge bonfire, which couldn’t be good for a city made of snow and ice. Every instinct she had urged her to run away, but Mr. Parker made a beeline for the war zone she fled several hours ago.

As they raced along empty streets, Jordan saw unmoving bodies littered here and there, articles of clothing scattered over the road and suspicious splatters on the otherwise white streets. She swallowed bile and tightened her hold on Knight as he kept pace with Mr. Parker who flew through the air at breakneck speed. Faint screams and cries drifted in discordant notes through the night.

Jordan!

She moaned and bowed her head as Levi’s voice reverberated through her skull. Blasts of his panic and fear jolted through her. I’m fine, not hurt. We’re heading towards the city center. Are you okay?

I’ve been trying to reach you for hours! You’re with Parker?

Yeah. We’ll be there in five minutes.

I’m trying to help Kelly and Mary Ann. There’re so many bodies.

It wasn’t the first massacre Jordan witnessed. Last time, she’d been covered in warm blood… She shook away nightmares that threatened to drown her in terror. She was lightheaded with fatigue and she swayed as she rode. I’ll see you soon.

As the buildings began to soar higher around them, she felt the temperature warm. Many of the buildings were now melted pools Knight made impossible leaps over. Some buildings looked as if they’d been hacked with axes or lay in a mountain of ice splinters, which mirrored them as they passed. Jordan saw people pull bodies off the street and line them on the sidewalk to clear the way for sleds and carriages piled high with the injured. People screamed and backed away as Knight blitzed by.

Jordan’s heart pounded in her ears as they got closer. Vertical stands surrounding the amphitheater where the Declaration Ceremony took place were engulfed in flames. Knight bounded between a set of stands, rounded a bend and noise assaulted Jordan’s ears along with so much heat, she threw her hands up to protect her face from melting off. After several seconds, she lowered her hands and squinted as she took in the pandemonium.

Knight stood on the perimeter of what had once been a massive amphitheater filled with personalized crystal seats for thousands of excited students waiting to hear what Academy they would attend. The seats were demolished by a stampede of people. Students that would never attend school lay broken and unmoving as the war continued around them.

Thishe used their affinity with air to their advantage by attacking from above. People screamed, cried and pounced on each other. Despite the fact that the riot started hours ago, the fighting rage was refueled as loved ones were found dead. Lafita tried to break people apart, but the mob was too strong and the military men were outnumbered. Darsana blasted everyone around them with fire. Jordan screamed as those who didn’t have an affinity with the fire element were engulfed in flames. The smell of burnt flesh turned her stomach. Undala doused everyone in water and tried to freeze the Darsana in blocks of ice. A Thishe woman with white blonde hair and seething violet eyes sent out a funnel of wind that swept eight Darsana into a tornado high above the crowd and in one merciless move, released them from her grip where they plummeted three hundred feet to their death.

Jordan tried to jump off of Knight, but he sidled sideways and kept her astride him. She wasn’t sure what she could do, but something had to be done. Snow began to fall heavily and melted into large raindrops. A hulking Undala male froze the raindrops as they hurtled down, turning them into lethal arrowheads that imbedded themselves into the skin of the Darsana who wore minimal clothing to show how impervious they were to the cold. The Darsana bellowed in rage and renewed their efforts to burn the other three races that ganged up against them. Eliten made the ground shift and created holes, which swallowed up groups of Darsana, burying them alive.

Panic and fear rekindled Jordan’s power. She thumped Knight to let her down, but he ignored her. A Darsana man almost as tall as Knight reached out to snatch Jordan. She pitched to the side while Knight snarled and showed the offender a full view of glinting fangs. The man backed away and fell into a pit with a high-pitched scream. Knight used his size to make a path through the horde that fell like bowling pins to get out of his way. Knight stopped beside Mr. Parker who surveyed the mayhem with utter calm. Jordan was working herself into a frenzied state and didn’t heed her inner alarm. She slapped Mr. Parker’s shoulder. When he turned his head to look at her with raised brows, she punched her fists into the air.

Do something! You’re supposed to be powerful. Aren’t sorcerers supposed to help? She screamed so loudly, her throat ached, but the cacophony around her was so overwhelming, she couldn’t even hear herself.

Mr. Parker turned from her and took a step forward. He held his hands up and everything came to a standstill. For a few beats, Jordan thought she went deaf until she realized the stadium was completely silent. Raindrops hovered in midair and even the fire consuming the stands stopped crackling. Every single person aside from herself and Mr. Parker froze in motion. People that were airborne looked as if they were hanging from invisible strings, bodies stretched out like Superman, but going nowhere. Others were frozen with icicles raised like daggers while others were consumed in flames or encased in ice.

The strength of power that pulsed from Mr. Parker turned her stomach. Many feared him and seeing him control this many people without effort reinforced how dangerous he was. She couldn’t begin to count how many thousands he held immobile. Knight allowed her to slide to the ground.

Mr. Parker glanced down at her. Satisfied?

Why’d you wait?

I don’t rush into any situation.

A little devil in her head wanted to say, ‘Is that why I didn’t meet you until I was fifteen?’ but she didn’t let the words come out of her mouth.

Three figures walked through a break in the stands and Jordan jerked in alarm until she realized that one of the men was her grandfather, Gideon. He was an older replica of Mr. Parker with a white goatee and salt and pepper hair. The second man was a tall Asian who was bald except for the long braid that sprouted from a circle the size of a half dollar on the back of his head. He wore a blood red tunic and loose black pants. The third man was the Guide of Wintra, Yale King. The Guide’s once immaculate appearance was destroyed. His white clothes were ripped and stained with blood. One of his sleeves sagged as the seam gaped.

Nice of you to finally join us, Yale said shortly.

I had something to take care of, Mr. Parker replied.

None of them looked surprised by the power Mr. Parker exerted to keep everyone still. The three men walked around the living statues and faced Mr. Parker, Jordan and Knight.

Gideon pulled Jordan into a fierce hug. We were worried.

Jordan resisted the urge to sidle away from her grandfather’s touch. It was ingrained in her to avoid skin contact, but she couldn’t deny that something in her relaxed at his touch. She met her grandfather yesterday for the first time in her life. Unlike Mr. Parker, Gideon was affectionate and happy about her existence.

This is my granddaughter, Jordan, Gideon said to the expressionless Asian who put his hands together and inclined his head in a bow. Jordan, this is the Master Healer, Han.

Jordan copied his bow and the healer’s mouth quirked.

You want to tell me what’s so important that only now you showed up? Yale snarled at Mr. Parker. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say your absence is suspicious.

Gideon shot Yale a look that should have burnt him to a crisp. Mr. Parker didn’t bother to defend himself. He looked bored.

Are you implying Donovan did this? Gideon asked in a voice so forbidding, Jordan glanced up in surprise.

Yale’s aggression dimmed a bit. When Donovan’s around, there’s always chaos. A sorcerer is behind this. These people are possessed or something.

"Donovan has his talents, but he can’t cause people to spill blood," Gideon said.

Yale waved his hands at the destroyed stadium. Look at this! Every time Donovan shows up, something goes wrong.

I came for my daughter, Mr. Parker said.

And that’s another thing! Yale ranted. "No one knows where this mysterious daughter came from or who her mother is. You’re keeping everything close to your chest, as usual. Not only did you arrive with your daughter. Yale shot a derisive glance at Jordan. You also have a boy Declared that you supposedly took in out of the goodness of your heart, which I know can’t be right. How is it that they were both accepted into The Academy?"

Jordan folded her arms across her chest and Knight growled low in his throat. When Yale’s eyes flicked warily to her Guardian, Gideon squeezed Jordan’s shoulder in warning.

Its fate, Healer Han said.

Fate? Yale spat the word as if it was poison. It’s more likely that Donovan talked to Bertrand and rigged the Gem.

I haven’t seen Bertrand in years, Mr. Parker broke in. And Bertrand would never do anything for me. Anyway, you know the Gem can’t be manipulated.

Somebody has to answer for this! Yale pointed a finger at Donovan. Someone did something to the crowd. They’re full of bloodlust—

I agree, Mr. Parker broke in. Someone is definitely behind this. Someone knows how to rally the crowd for war and amplified the race’s natural animosity for each other.

Yale sneered. And I supposed you know who did this?

I don’t, Mr. Parker said, but I found a witness.

Yale looked suspicious while the Master Healer remained expressionless. Gideon already sensed what Mr. Parker was going to say next. He cupped the back of Jordan’s neck and squeezed.

Who? Yale asked impatiently.

Mr. Parker jerked his thumb at Jordan who crossed her arms.

Yale sneered. "And what exactly did she witness?"

Jordan didn’t like how Yale talked about her as if she wasn’t here. She opened her mouth to speak, but Mr. Parker answered for her.

She met a man yesterday in the Garden of Wintra. When all hell broke loose during the Ceremony, Jordan ran into the city and the same man followed. He’s a sorcerer. He was curious because of the Gem’s reaction to her. Mr. Parker paused deliberately. He said her blood sings to him.

Silence fell as they mulled that over.

Healer Han cocked his head to the side and examined Jordan curiously. She woke her Guardian. Any sorcerer would be curious.

So, he’s a young sorcerer without a tie, Yale concluded and then looked troubled.

Yes. Mr. Parker’s voice was full of hidden meaning.

Yale’s face hardened. I’ll be in touch.

Yale whirled away as the giant Warlord who commanded the poker-faced Lafita walked through the frozen battlefield. The red-haired Warlord spread his arms wide as if he walked into a banquet in his honor.

Always nice to have Donovan around, Link said with a grin and waved his men forward.

The Lafita began to divide the immobile crowd by race and place them on square metal platforms. Since the bodies were contorted into different positions, one Lafita stood on the platform and rearranged the statues like puzzle pieces. Lafita with the air element leapt from one airborne person’s back to another like jumping frogs. Their weight propelled the Thishe within reaching distance of the Lafita on the ground. When the platforms were full, a swarm of Lafita flew them out of the amphitheater.

People in blood red cloaks filtered in and bent over the fallen, checking their pulses and calling out to each other. Healer Han excused himself and left Mr. Parker, Gideon, Jordan and Knight alone.

How are you holding up? Gideon asked his son.

Mr. Parker’s eyes burned with power. Feels good.

Gideon shook his head. One day, even your control won’t be enough. You need a soul tie.

Jordan’s heart slammed against her chest so hard, she staggered backwards. Mr. Parker reached out to her and the healers and Lafita let out yells of alarm as the mob broke out of Mr. Parker’s hold and lunged, minds still locked on destruction and revenge. Mr. Parker turned his back on Jordan and closed his eyes. He clenched his hands into fists and once more everyone but the healers and Lafita froze.

Don’t get complacent, Link shouted, voice echoing throughout the stadium. Don’t depend on a sorcerer’s power. They’re still human.

Jordan wasn’t aware of anything, but the images of William Stan and the crazed look in his eyes as he ripped her soul in half. She felt Knight nudge her back with his muzzle. She took a breath as his power seeped into her.

I can’t concentrate with her here. Take her away, Mr. Parker said.

His words penetrated through her fog and before Gideon could do anything, she walked away. Knight kept pace beside her while Gideon stayed with Mr. Parker to make sure he stayed focused and in control. She walked to the very edge of the stands and leaned against the cold metal. She unzipped her jacket. Her body was enveloped in cold, but she didn’t care. She fumbled with the long silver chain around her neck and grasped the clear circle pendant. What little power she possessed filtered into the glass, which flashed with color.

She tried not to focus on the bodies or the overwhelming scent of blood and burnt flesh. She clutched the pendant like a lifeline as she took in the destruction around her and swallowed a scream. She couldn’t get away from sorcerers who would do whatever it took to possess her. Ever since she encountered William at Haven, death followed her. Knight pressed against her and she turned and buried her face against his fur.

Chapter 2

C an you help me?

Jordan turned. A girl around her age had a grown man by the arms. The man was either dead or unconscious and despite the freezing weather, sweat dripped from the girl’s brow. She had two braids that began on either side of her temple and connected in the back, giving her a regal look. Except for the streak of blood on her cheek, she looked the same as she had this morning when Jordan saw her at the Declaration Ceremony. The black eyes that met Jordan’s were impatient.

We have to put him in that pile, she puffed, jerking her head a good distance away to a cluster of people in red cloaks gathered around Healer Han. He has head trauma, possibly critical.

Jordan stepped forward and took