A Trial of Sorcerers: Book One by Kova, Elise (universal ebook reader .txt) 📕

“Leave it be, Gwen.” Fritz was there, too.

“You’re being stupid.” Gwen grumbled something nasty sounding. “You have a big head for such a snail-sized brain.”

Her mother sighed. “I see you never outgrew your childish taunts.”

“Stop fighting, you two,” Fritz scolded, reverting to the big brother. “No matter what you think of Reona’s decision, it’s hers to make.”

“She’s going to find out,” Gwen insisted.

Find out what? Eira wondered and pressed even closer to the door.

“She will not,” her father said sternly. “Especially once we put all this to an end. You saw her today.”

“You three can’t be serious.” Eira heard stomping she presumed to be Gwen. “You’re going to try and disqualify her after the fact? You’re going to punish her because of something she has no control over?”

“You saw what happened!” Her mother’s voice cracked with sudden volume. Eira jumped. Her heart was beating harder than it ever had in the trial. But she couldn’t step away. A terrible curiosity was holding her to the door. When her mother spoke again, her voice wavered. “Her…her magic. She made the trident.”

“Fritz filled in the gaps between the prongs with ice before anyone could notice,” Gwen countered.

“We think no one noticed,” her father hissed.

“And I won’t always be there.” Fritz sighed.

“What will happen if someone saw?” her mother whispered.

“It isn’t a crime for a Waterrunner to make a trident,” Gwen said.

“You and I both know the implications run deeper than that. Where she comes from…there’s her hair and eyes, too. Her power. You saw it today. People will be watching her, and if she continues on this path someone will discover the truth.” What was her mother talking about? The way she spoke made Eira sound like some stranger.

“Which is why you should tell her so she’ll be ready,” Gwen insisted again.

Eira couldn’t bear listening in any longer. She yanked open the door. “Tell me what?”

Her family stood in the hall, looking like small children caught filching warm cookies from the cooling rack. Fritz took a step back. Gwen folded her arms over her chest and glared at her siblings. Her parents exchanged a glance.

“Well?” Gwen motioned between her parents and Eira.

“Whatever it is, I want to know.” Eira took another sip from her mug, hoping the broth would give her strength and courage in equal measure. Unfortunately, there was no courage potion. All she had was slightly chicken-flavored hot water that smoothed over the aches in her muscles.

“We were debating who would tell you to drop out of the competition.” Her father’s words were a glancing blow. Why would he lie to her?

“That wasn’t what you were discussing, and I know it.” Eira’s nails dug lightly into her mug. “I know it wasn’t because you’ve all had no problem telling me to drop out already. Save for Gwen.” Her aunt gave her a weak smile. “Now, what were you talking about?”

“It’s not something you need to worry about,” her father said.

“Tell me!”

“If none of you will do it then I will.” Gwen turned to face her. She opened her mouth and took a breath.

“Stop, Gwen,” her mother snapped with a voice usually reserved for when Eira broke something. “You and Fritz leave. We’ll handle it from here.”

“But—”

“This is our family’s business.” Her mother cut Gwen’s protest with a glare.

Gwen just rolled her eyes and crossed over to Eira, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and gripped her tightly. “Eira, we love you very much.”

“And we always will.” Fritz’s expression crumpled.

“I…I never questioned that.” Eira stared down at her mug as her aunt released her.

“Good.” Gwen and Fritz started down the hall, Gwen hesitating as she stood by Reona. “Tell her. She deserves to know. Don’t back away from the truth.”

Her mother just sighed as they retreated into the recovery room, the door closing them off from the world. Her parents exchanged a look before their attention ended up back on Eira. There was a strange and inexplicable sorrow filling them.

“Just, tell me,” Eira demanded again, softer this time. “Whatever it is, I can take it.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” her mother said, eyes shining.

“Stop treating me like I’m fragile! If I say I can do something then it means I can.” If the trial today didn’t prove that, Eira didn’t know what would.

“Very well,” her father said. She could tell she’d worked his last nerve. But Eira didn’t feel remorseful. Whatever this secret was, it was clearly long overdue to be told. “If you think you’re mature enough to handle the truth, we’ll give it to you.”

“Herron—”

“No, Reona, she clearly thinks she’s ready.” Agitation dripped from her father’s words.

“Eira, we love you very much.” Her mother lightly took the mug from Eira’s grip. Eira didn’t fight as she placed it on the nearby desk. “We always will; all we’ve ever wanted is the very best for you.”

“I know,” Eira said, weaker. The first ugly blossoms of regret were poking their heads up from the bed she’d made by pursuing this question. “I don’t like some of the things you’ve asked of me. I don’t like being coddled by you both and Marcus…and the rest of the family. I don’t like secrets. But none of it ever made me doubt you loved me.”

Her father stepped forward, arms folded. He was the imposing mountain Eira remembered from growing up. Someone that only Marcus ever had a chance of measuring up to.

“We are not your birth parents.”

She blinked, and blinked again, as if the sudden problem with her ears could be fixed by bringing the world into better focus. “I…what?” Her voice was distant, detached, and did not sound like her own. “I don’t think I…”

“Eira, listen.” Her mother stroked her hair thoughtfully. “We have always seen ourselves as your parents—your real parents. We are your family. We love you.”

Eira turned her head to stare up at the woman touching her. Her mother’s—Reona’s eyes were filled with a distant pain that threatened to spill over. Eira blinked several times, trying