Chrysalis: The Emergence of Emery (The Gifted Series Book 1) by Maria Macdonald

you know?” The corner of his mouth curls up.
    “Unlikely,” I answer, looking over his shoulder.
    “Emery. You can sit there and pretend like you’re not listening, but you should pay attention. I’m going to enlighten you… and that’s not something I do very often.”
    I look back to him, torn between wanting to get away and anxious to find out what he wants to say.
    “Better,” he murmurs. “Elijah thinks he knows everything. He doesn’t. He’s the highest level in all the elder houses. That, however, does not make him invincible. There are always factors that he hasn’t considered. Has he told you about your parents?” His question catches me by surprise and I find myself nodding. “Well, if that is true then he has fed you a pack of lies. Although it’s doubtful even he knows the truth.”
    “And that would be?” I question, almost kicking myself for asking him anything.
    “Your mother, my aunt. She was from Alposco House… my house.” I nod at him but say nothing. “I don’t think Elijah knows much about our history. All the details, the books, the documents, they are with us. We collected them as we collected the houses.” He sneers as the waiter places his latte in front of him with shaking hands. “My house, it’s dark. It always has been. We have always stayed away from the light. The two sides never mixed. I wouldn’t say we lived in peace, but we kept a distance and seldom crossed paths, choosing to run our houses in different ways. The two sides rarely saw things in the same way. You brought an end to that Emery… you ,” he emphasizes, pointing at me.
    “I don’t understand?” My words are soft as my brain tries to make sense of his tale.
    “Okay, so you know your mother was an Alposco.” I nod. “She was dark, Emery. Dark and light don’t combine. Ever.” I feel my frown as confusion washes through me. “Oh for God’s sake Emery, how stupid are you?” Zeit snaps. “Your father was light, your mother dark. You being here was the first time those sides mixed to make an heir.”
    “But… but… Elijah?” I blurt, knowing he’s older than me.
    “Zarina, your mother… she wasn’t his mother. He’s light, you’re dark. One day the dark will call to you, and unless you come to us you’ll destroy everything you hold dear. Elijah, Kade… all of them.” The smirk turns into a full blown grin and for the first time I feel a frisson of fear zip through me.
    He’s obviously delighted to be enlightening me.
    “You’re stronger than Elijah, you have dark and light power, it’s only appearing late because the dark side develops slower. Kade will have to fight you one day, to save them, because he’s the strongest of us all. Except… maybe you. You’ll drain his power and kill him, too. One day you’ll have to leave them or obliterate them all.” His eyes sparkle. “It’s amazing, you’re like our own little bomb, waiting to detonate, and they’re welcoming you into their fold with open arms. We just have to sit back and watch the fireworks. But make no mistake Emery, until that happens, as long as you choose their side, we will keep trying to kill them. To capture you or kill you if need be.” He shrugs at the last comment as if it’s no big deal and he hasn’t just threatened my life.
    I make a move to leave, but can feel myself pushed down into the chair. “Stop it,” I whisper and watch as Zeit chuckles. It annoys me and I can feel the zing of my power. Slowly, I pull myself up and from the pull of his ‘Earthing.’ His eyes widen a fraction.
    “You’re already stronger than I thought, this will be interesting to watch.” Suddenly his smug look drops from his face.
    “That’s if you live long enough to see,” Kade bites out from behind me, and I can feel his heat warming my back.
    “Now, now, Kade, we’re in company,” Zeit say ’ s gesturing around at the pedestrians.
    Kade places his hands on my shoulders. “There will be a time, Zeit,”