My forehead creases as I wait for this news to seep through my mind. Every relative dead? I picture the happy faces in the diplomacy offices. Shock waves run through my body. That can’t be right. “I thought there were Lewises in Lower Purgatory. I wanted to meet them.” Plus Grandma, Dani, and the million other Lewises from the diplomatic offices.
“Those folks have the name, but they’re not part-Furor. None of them have our fight in their veins.” Her bloodshot eyes lock with mine. “The ghouls wiped out anyone who could be next in line for our Senate seat. Anyone who could remember or resist.” Her eyes glisten. “It wasn’t just us; they targeted all Senators.” Her voice breaks, and the sound cracks my heart in a way I never thought possible.
“We can talk about this later.” I half-rise from the bed.
Mom sets her hand on my arm. “No, you’re right. You deserve to know your heritage.”
I sit back down beside my mother, my mind spinning. “I don’t get it. Why did you and I survive?”
Mom bites her lip. “A friend sacrificed everything so I’d be safe. When you were born, the protection applied to you as well.”
My throat tightens. “Who was that person? Was it my father?”
Mom squeezes her eyes shut, fresh tears glide down her cheeks. “That’s all I can tell you right now, Myla.”
I know my mother well enough to realize one thing: that answer means ‘yes.’ Yes, your father died to save us both. And more. A web of dark secrets still hangs around this house. Part of me wants to grab her shoulders, force her to tell me more and tear the sadness from our lives. Another part feels super-guilty for having pushed as hard as I have. She looks red-eyed and miserable.
Trembling, Mom sets her hand over her mouth. “I need some time alone.” She sucks in a shaky breath. “We’ll talk again after Verus’s next visit.”
I rise to my feet. Rage, empathy, and guilt battle it out inside me. I force myself to step toward the door. Best to end this before we both lose it. “Okay, Mom.” I walk away, gently closing the door behind me. Her quiet sobs echo through the house.
Listening to her crying, my internal battle of emotions ends. Empathy wins, big time. I don’t want to upset Mom any more for one day, so I’m extra-quiet while getting ready for school. Even Betsy’s on her best behavior; she doesn’t kick or buck as I drive away. The day zooms by in a blur of classes and chatting with Cissy. I forget all about Mom’s sadness.
When I walk through my front door again, I find Mom’s still in her room with the door closed, quietly sobbing. My heart sinks. Finding out about Mom’s past is sure different than I thought it would be.
Chapter Eight
Cissy and I sit in our usual seats in the back row of Biology class, waiting for the other students to settle in. My best friend bobs up and down in her chair. “Did I tell you Zeke’s parents are back from their trip?”
Only twelve times. “Yes, you mentioned it, Cissy.” The day after I first visited the Ryder library, Zeke’s parents went on a week-long diplomatic tour. Before leaving, they called Cissy’s house, saying that under no circumstances should she visit the mansion. For a few days, she and Zeke tried hanging at her place, but her parents are still having issues with Zeke’s reputation. Long story short, they’ve been counting the days until the Ryders return.
And if I’m being totally honest with myself, they’re not the only ones counting. I can’t wait to get back into the library and see what I can find out about my mother’s past and father’s identity.
Cissy doodles in her notebook. “I’m going over to the Ryder mansion after school. You coming?”
“Hells, yeah.” I didn’t realize it was a question. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Cissy chews her bottom lip. “I wasn’t sure if you’d still want to. Last week you left pretty early. I was worried you didn’t like hanging out in the library.”
Oh that? Only when thrax Princes show up. “No, I’m totally into it. I’ll be there after school.”
“Good news.” Cissy leans across the aisle and taps my desk. “Hey, did you see that?” She nods toward the front of the class.
Craning my neck, I spy a large glass case by the teacher’s desk. It’s a three-foot cube that’s perched on a small silver table. “Cool. The Lady always keeps it interesting.”
The Lady is LDY-99, our Biology teacher. With charcoal skin that stretches over her skeletal frame, the Lady looms seven feet tall in her hooded black robes. Her distinguishing marks are her halo-like afro, oversized eyes, and little round glasses. She’s definitely the coolest teacher at school.
“Today, I’ve a surprise for you all.” The Lady steps up to the empty glass case. “We’re going to learn about Reperio demons.”
I do a happy-dance in my chair. Reperio are awesome.
The Lady picks up a garbage can and chucks the contents into the display. Scraps of paper, broken pencils, and paper clips settle to the bottom of the case.
After that, the garbage starts to move.