Chapter 5 - Pt 2

        My smile drops in surprise and she nods emphatically. “Yup, cousin. Grandfather had loose scruples and he fathered a lot of children he likes to refer to has his “personal bastards”.” I was astounded by the blunt statement, looking around to see quite a few eyes were upon the both of us as she chatted away loudly. “Dad and Dana were the only two he acknowledged and that was because there was a lot of push and shove between him and your father, though he never saw them as his children... just parasites he’s keeping around because they’re “useful”.”

      Wait, what, I’m also related to the doctor?

      “Fortunately for you, your dad was the only one he had legitimately and the only child he loved, which is why you guys get all the fortune.”

    Oh wow, I blink. She has no filter what so ever.

     “My father was bitter about it at first but he got over it with time, soon he learned grandfather is nothing but a bitter old man with no one to love. You’re so lucky you never had the misfortune of meeting him-”

     Is she even breathing? I wonder in fear.

    “-Oh my gosh!” She squealed suddenly, startling me, and drawing even more stares. “I can’t believe I almost forgot to tell you why I was here, my parents just landed from Britain for a visit and we’re having a family lunch at a fancy restaurant so I’m here to help you get ready. It’s going to be with just Dana and my family. Your father sends his apologizes, he says he wouldn’t be able to come to pick you up because his meeting is going to carry on for much longer. Which is why I’m here.”

      I open and close my mouth but can’t offer a response in return, still struggling to digest the previous information she just loaded on me. Shaking off all other confusing thoughts, I decided to focus on the one that comes to mind first. “And where exactly is this fancy restaurant in which I’m meeting your family?”

     “On the Louvre and Palais-Royal, don’t worry though I’ll be taking you.” She rises to her feet and holds out a hand. “Come on, I came to get you so I can help you get ready!”

~*~*~*~

      As it turns out Rae got her tactlessness from her father, in the past hour I’ve tried my best not to blow up while Dana, Rae’s twin Michael, and their mother Felicity, have done nothing but send me apologetic looks.

     “So Coral,” Felicity looks up from her meal with soft brown eyes. Her children bear a strong resemblance to her than their dad, but when talking about personality Rae has an exemplary resemblance to her father.

    I don’t know about Michael because he’s been quiet throughout lunch, only speaking when a question is directed his way. “How have you been feeling, am sure it is not easy dealing with the awareness of being an Elemental Conjurer.”

     “Fine, I guess,” I shrug. “I mean for someone who has just learned she’s not exactly “normal” or from a “normal family”, and that she has a “crowd” of relatives,” I say in air quotes. “I guess am doing pretty okay. Overwhelmed, but okay.”

     “Yes, well we were hoping to slowly let you in on the family tree but I guess there’s no need to now.” She says and all eyes move to glare accusingly at a sheepish looking Rae.

     “But don’t worry,” She turns back to me. “You’ll be just fine. We’ve all been through these feelings despite knowing our true identity all our lives. If you need to talk or anything, please feel free to call me or turn to Dana. We might not have been in your life before but we want to be now.”

     “And despite your mother’s actions,” Dana adds, reaching over to pat my hand. “We understand why she kept you away.”

     “Considering how she almost lost you, of course, we do. We’ve all had to live with the constant fear Grey imposed upon our lives.”

      Blinking, I pause from lifting my spoon and look up with a frown. “Fear… almost losing me…” I tilt my head at Kingsley’s statement. “What the hell are you guys talking about?”

     They exchange looks I can’t quite read, but I do notice the slight smack Felicity gives Kingsley in the ribs beneath the table. “Ouch!” He hisses audibly and glares at her, obviously not understanding that he needs to shut up when he argues. “How was I supposed to know Steven didn’t tell her-” 

     “Wow look at the time, I’m so late for training with the team!” Rae stands abruptly out of her seat and everyone stares at her in surprise. Ignoring the looks, she motions for me to get up. “Come on Coral, I need to get back to school.

     Sighing out loud, I throw the napkin placed over my lap on the table and slowly rise to my feet. I’ve barely touched my food since I had to deal with their questions and Kingsley's loose mouth, but now my previous hunger is gone. They’re bent on keeping secrets from me. “Well, since it seems everyone wants to hide this big knowledge regarding my mother, then I will take my leave.”

      On the way back to school the tense silence between the both of us is filled with soft French music from the taxi’s radio. “You’re wrong,” She finally speaks, breaking the tension between the two of us. I honestly thought she was going to be silent through the trip back and was a little grateful, but it seems I’d hoped too soon. “It isn’t that they won’t tell you, it’s that they can’t.”

      “Look-”

     “Just,” She cuts me off, expression pleading. “Listen please.”

     Sighing, I roll my eyes and shrug. “Fine, go ahead.”

      “Our entire family is messed up, in more ways than you can imagine. Our grandfather was a tyrant and a mighty son of a bitch.”

     She gets a glance from the taxi driver at the foul language but he otherwise doesn’t pay us or our conversation any attention.

      “He made those around him miserable, and because of that, we have more enemies than friends. The crazy stuff they’re trying to keep from you is not something you want to learn about just yet… trust me. Our entire lives are built on secrets and lies, and though you may resent your mother’s unconventional ways of doing things, one day you’ll come to learn her true reasons for hiding you away from uncle Steven and the rest of us. I can’t tell you not to be angry, or to feel excluded and lied to, but what I can say is that you should give everyone a chance. Your mother, in her way, thought she was doing the right thing and now uncle Steven believes keeping you out of things while you try to settle into this new life is the best course of action for you.”

     The taxi rolls to a stop in front of the building Rae parked her cart and after paying the bill, we head into an underground parking lot. Looking around I realize its the same building Devon parked his cart yesterday, I hadn’t noticed this fact earlier because my mind was a mess when we left the academy.

     As we head back, I slowly thought about what she said. “Fine, I’ll give everyone a chance,” I say and immediately a grin forms on her lips. “But this doesn’t mean I trust any of you yet.”

     “No problem,” She nods in understanding. “Trust can be built later.”