“Supposed to be?” I latched onto the word.
“What do you expect? Nothing is fool-proof. Anything can happen. The hope is that it won’t. To answer your other question,” he continued, “being Chosen means you’re more powerful than regular enchanters and you were born with some purpose. Each purpose is different for every Chosen. You’ll figure out yours eventually.”
“You sound like a fortune cookie,” I grumbled. The more he spoke the more confused I became.
Theo shrugged and tipped the chair back. I hoped he didn’t fall. No, on second thought, I hoped he would. It would wipe that arrogant smirk off his face.
“How do you know I’m Chosen, though? What if you’re mistaken?”
He shook his head. “Trust me, you’re Chosen. Only Chosen get protectors born specifically for them and I know you’re mine.”
The way he said you’re mine delighted me way more than it should.
We sat staring at each other for I didn’t know how long until Theo jumped up and said, “Want me to show you around?”
“Yeah, that’d be great.” I’d need to learn my way around this place on my own eventually. Well, maybe I’d need to learn, since it sounded like Theo wasn’t going to let me go anywhere on my own.
“This room used to be an attic,” he explained, “before it became the library, and then, of course, it’s technically restricted.”
“Technically,” I echoed with laughter.
He grinned. “The manor was built in eighteen-seventeen and taken over by enchanters in nineteen-twenty after it fell into disrepair. They fixed it up and returned it to its formal glory that you see today. It’s large enough to house a hundred enchanters in a crisis but most of the time there isn’t more than twenty of us—adults, teens, and children included. Most come and go and are only here on business but then there are the lucky ones who live here all the time.” He started for the stairs and swept his hand. “Shall we?”
I scooted off my chair and scurried after him and down the stairs. I nearly fell, and he stuck his hand out to steady me.
“Thanks.” A blush stained my cheeks, but my hair thankfully fell forward to hide the hideous red color. I’d never been so affected by a guy’s touch before, especially one as infuriating as Theo. It figured when my hormones finally kicked in they’d have to choose to like an asshole like him.
“There’s really not that much to show you,” he admitted. “Most is empty rooms or spaces meant for large gatherings. The main spaces used are the bottom two levels.”
“Really? It feels like a maze.”
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for. The manor is much like a maze.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. His black t-shirt strained over his chest muscles. For someone so lean, he was very muscular.
“But why?” I asked as he started down the hallway. I struggled to keep up with his long-legged stride. “What’s the purpose?”
“Confusion,” he explained, leading me down the main set of stairs to the third level. “In case the wrong people get in here. Like I said, this is a safe house. It’s meant for protection. Enchanters usually only come here if they’re traveling or have been attacked and need to hide.”
“Is that likely?” I gulped. “The wrong people getting in here, I mean.”
“I’ve never known of it happening,” he admitted.
We finally reached the bottom level and stood in the massive foyer. In front of us was a massive, arched wooden door. It looked so thick and heavy I wasn’t sure I could open it.
“This is the heart of the manor. You already know where the dining hall is,” he said and pointed to the double doors. “Now,” he said and pointed to the two large hallways on each side of the staircase, “that hallway—” he pointed to the one on the left of the stairs “—leads to the Committee’s rooms and offices. It is strictly off limits. You don’t seek out a Committee member. They find you. And that hallway—” he motioned to the hallway on the right of the stairs “—is where the classrooms are located. I’m not going to bother pointing them all out to you. I’ll be with you at all times. You won’t have to worry about getting lost.”
“You mean you’ll be coming with me while I learn to go all magicky? Won’t that be boring for you?”
He winced. “First off, please never use the word magicky ever again in my presence. Secondly, I’ll be watching you, not learning or participating.”
I had a hard time imagining him not participating. He didn’t seem to be able to keep his mouth shut.
Also, the idea of trying to learn how to do magic with Theo right there all the time didn’t sound appealing at all. I could only imagine him sitting there staring a hole into my skull.
“Great,” I muttered, letting my distaste leach into my words.
He smirked like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Come on, this way.” He started down the hallway across from the dining hall. Portraits lined each side of the hallway. I recognized this hallway from when we arrived. As if I couldn’t help myself, I stopped in front of the portrait of the blonde-haired girl.
Theo came to a stop beside me. “This is the hall of The Chosen Ones,” he whispered as if their ghosts still lingered. “And that is your mother,” he pointed to the portrait I was mesmerized by.
My head snapped to the side to stare at him. “What?” I gasped. The girl in the picture hardly resembled the only photo I had of my mother. She looked so prim and proper here and not at all happy.
“Cosette White,” he said and nodded at the picture, “your mother.”
“She was a Chosen One?”
“Yes, and murdered by The Iniquitous.” His words were harsh but he said them softly and I could see pain in his eyes. He looked over at me with a look in his eyes I had never seen. There was a fierce protectiveness in his gaze and even loyalty. “I’ll never let them get you,” he vowed.
He moved to another picture before I could say anything. He pointed to the picture.
The man couldn’t have been older than twenty with a strong chin, fierce green eyes, and glowing golden hair that curled around his ears. The smile curving his lips was sardonic and his arms were crossed over his chest.
“Thaddeus Lucero,” he said. “Your father and leader of The Iniquitous.”
“No.” I shook my head, my fists clenching. “It can’t be. You said he’s part of The Iniquitous. This isn’t him. Steven Pryce is my dad,” I cried. Theo looked at me with pity. Even though Theo had already told me this I still didn’t want to believe him and it was even harder when presented with a picture of the man. A man I supposedly shared DNA with but I’d never ever met in my life.