“But I’m not Native American,” I argued. Truth be told, I didn’t know what I was. I knew I had darker skin, but people had treated me like dirt my whole life. I didn’t think I belonged anywhere.
“Of course you are,” Mr. Baine said. “Not all Hawkei look Native American. After we were gifted our powers, we sought to expand our tribe. Men and women from all over the world joined us, and so our culture is very diverse, influenced heavily by both our Hawkei and non-Hawkei ancestors.”
“Where’s your Familiar?” I asked rather harshly. I wanted the proof.
“I’m afraid Thalassa is too big to bring on such a journey,” he said, before continuing with his story. “Twenty years ago, the Hawkei underwent many disagreements, one of them being whether couples from separate Houses— or those with different powers— should be allowed to mate. At the time, it was thought that mixed-House children would have diluted powers, and many feared losing our magic. Interhouse relationships were outlawed, and anyone found to break that law was sentenced to prison— or death.”
I shuddered.
“I’m afraid your parents were among those sentenced,” he said sadly. “Your mother was Nivita— an Earth Elementai— and your father was Yapluma— an Air Elementai. People from those two Houses were not allowed to be together. Or have children.”
My hands curled into fists. How dare he try to use my parents against me! I blew a breath and spoke sarcastically. I didn’t believe him. “And that’s why I was taken away and put into foster care?”
He took a deep breath, like it pained him to admit the truth. “Yes. Unfortunately, the Elders— our government— did not think you worthy of the tribe. But things have changed, and the Hawkei have been trying to get these interhouse children back.”
My body went rigid. Holy shit. He was serious.
“Why?” I asked in disgust. “Why would I go back to a society that thought me worthless?”
“We’re not like that anymore,” he insisted. “But you’ve been very hard to find, Mr. Wahkin.”
“How did you find me?” I demanded.
“Remember that break-in you were wanted for last year?” he asked.
I crossed my arms. I couldn’t believe he’d bring that up. I didn’t do break-ins— not anymore. But since Marty died, I was desperate. I fell into the wrong crowd, and they convinced me to get in on a burglary job. It ended in five arrests, and only three of us got away. It hadn’t been pretty— hence why I preferred to stay off the radar.
“Yeah, I remember,” I bit.
“Well, there’s been a warrant out for your arrest ever since,” Professor Baine explained. “You were caught on camera in a bar fight a few days ago. It tipped off our officials on your whereabouts.”
“Okay, I get that, but seriously, how did you find me here?” I asked. “My name’s not on the lease.”
It was one of the reasons the police hadn’t arrested me on that warrant yet. They didn’t know where to find me.
“Ah, yes. That was a tricky one,” Baine said. “Once I had a general idea of where you were staying, all I had to do was follow the scent of magic.”
“Scent of magic?” My eyebrows shot up.
“Well, not literally,” he said. “I’m a particularly gifted Elementai. I’ve mastered techniques many others have not. Among them, I’m able to siphon magic from creatures who are not my own Familiar.”
I went rigid, and I instinctively placed a leg in front of Oberi’s lounging form.
“Not to worry, Mr. Wahkin,” Mr. Baine said. “I have no reason to draw from your Familiar. However, the technique allows me to sense the magic around me. Since Oberi is the only magical creature in the area, I was able to sense her from a great distance.”
“Him,” I corrected.
Mr. Baine hesitated, like he was confused. “Yes, of course. Sense him.”
Silence settled between us for a few moments. I was still trying to absorb everything he’d said. I could feel Mr. Baine’s eyes on me.
“You do believe me, don’t you, Charlie?” he asked.
I contemplated it. Did I believe him? It was all so crazy… yet seemed to make all the sense in the world.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “For the last couple of years, I’ve been able to… I don’t know how to explain it. I can sense the world around me through air pressure. It’s like my eyes don’t work, but I can get an idea in my mind of what a room looks like just by how the air moves.”
“That makes perfect sense!” Baine sounded delighted. “You came of age, so your magic started working. Now that you and Oberi have bonded, you will begin learning magic at a rapid rate. Soon, you’ll be able to control the Air itself.”
I gaped, and he must’ve noticed.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Well, I-I think I already did that.” And it wasn’t just that blast in the alleyway, either. I could do it playing darts and things like that, though on a much smaller scale.
Holy shit. This guy wasn’t lying. There really was a society of magical people who could control the elements… and I was one of them.
“What do you want from me?” I finally asked.
“Nothing.” He sounded genuine. “I only want to help.”
“But why me? I’m nothing special.”
“You are very wrong about that, Mr. Wahkin,” he countered. “You are an Elementai, a member of the Hawkei tribe. You belong in Kinpago with the rest of us. There, we can teach you how to use your element and strengthen your bond with your Familiar. There’s a school, Orenda Academy of Magical Creatures—”
“A college?” I balked. “No, I’m too old for college. Besides, I don’t even have a high school diploma.”
“Precisely why we will give you an education. You can get your GED and a college degree. All Hawkei deserve that much.”
“Wait… give it to me?” It took a moment for what he was saying to sink in. “Like, a scholarship?”
“All Orenda Academy expenses are paid by the tribe,” he explained. “You will have room and board, food, money for supplies—”
“Thanks for the offer, but this all sounds too good to be true,” I said bitterly. “What is it you really want in return?”
Baine took a long breath. “We want to make amends, Charlie.”
I scoffed. “Then the Elders who threw me out can go drop dead.”
Baine got really quiet. “They are. The council is new now, full of people who want to restore balance to our tribe, instead of tear it apart like the ones who came before. Reaching out to our outcasted members is one way for the tribe to atone for its many sins.”
My blood ran cold. I still didn’t want to go. “Why would I go back to a society that executed my parents and made me an orphan? You abandoned me.”
“You can’t stay here,” he pointed out. I opened my mouth to protest, but Baine continued. “Sooner or later, your warrant will catch up to you. We can provide you with a good home and proper education. If you stay here, you’ll end up in prison… or worse.”