“Mom!” she screamed, her feet finding a way to move even faster through the maze that was growing harder and harder to climb through. The walls changed once more, Cassidy spotting her mother and someone else in front of her but she was far too away to see who it was.
“Mom, I’m coming! Come to me! Mom, can you hear me?!” she yelled, rounding yet another corner but the figure was gone once more, hidden behind the ever changing walls. “I’m coming! Mom, where are you?” she pleaded, her voice heavy as the energy started to leave her but she pressed on anyway. A step to the right and suddenly the wall to her left started to move once more. Cassidy anticipated the move and went to turn into it when the wall became a sludge like substance, enveloping Cassidy’s frame like quick sand.
“No! Let me go!” she screamed, trying to free herself but struggling just made it worse. Before she knew it, her entire body was encased in a sand like substance, pulling her deeper and deeper into the maze.
“Mom! I can’t—Mom, I need your help! Mom, please, save me!” Cassidy tried screaming one last time but by the time the words left her lips, the maze had consumed her and she was gone.
Cassidy cried out as she snapped up in bed, Chase sprawled out on the other side away from her and she was thankful that she didn’t manage to wake him. The bed sheets were soaked from sweat, Cassidy’s heart eagerly throbbing in her chest at the nightmare. It was strange, seeing as she hadn’t dreamt of her mother since she, supposedly, committed suicide over a year ago. Since becoming an Exodus member, she really hadn’t thought of her at all until Caleb brought her up yesterday. She had a huge role in this life that Cassidy was now living and she felt guilty for everything. From what the League had told her, her mother died, basically, to protect her. Whether that was a fragment of the truth or not, Cassidy couldn’t just let it be. She needed to know answers and rest would never come to her if she didn’t figure it all out.
She pushed her feet out of the bed, grabbing up Chase’s button down shirt and pulling it on over her bra and underwear, quietly sneaking out of the room and into the kitchen. A wave of her hand started the coffee pot, manipulating the electrical elements inside the machine to start brewing and she sat down at the kitchen island with a heavy sigh.
“No amount of coffee in the world would make me feel better right now,” she mumbled to herself, rubbing her temples that were throbbing and pushing her hair out of her face. Today was the day that she would stand in front of the Chancellor, knowing what she knew on a grand scale. Of course, there was a lot that they would say is false—mainly all the things painting the Exodus in a bad light and she had promised herself that she would let the Chancellor air his side of the truth just as openly as she let Caleb.
Cassidy let Chase sleep, pulling on a pair of jeans and buttoning up Chase’s shirt that she had stolen and tying the excess fabric at the base of her stomach. Her hair was brushed and curly around her shoulders and she left for the Chancellor’s office before she told Chase goodbye.
The walk down to his office was the longest she’d ever experienced. Each step reminded her of her dream and she felt the pit in her stomach well up as she neared his office. She couldn’t peg if she was worried because she was reminded of her dream or the fact that she was going to see her Dad and know that he was her Dad. It was so twisted, it was almost laughable to her. And, before she knew it, she was outside his office.
“I shouldn’t be doing this alone,” she said to herself with a quick laugh, raising her fist to knock before dropping it. “Nope, definitely should not do it alone,” she mumbled, spinning on her heels to walk back to her room.
“Cassidy,” the Chancellor’s voice called out from his desk, the man going over papers at his desk. She instantly felt in trouble, stopping herself from moving away from the door. Her heart accelerated and she could feel the blood pooling in her cheeks almost instantly.
How could someone she barely knew cause such a reaction from just her name? At the end of the day, because of him, she had no idea who the man behind the desk was. To her, he was nothing but DNA. Her father died with her in that car.
Cassidy didn’t go there to back off, though. She needed answers and he seemed to have them all wrapped up in a little bow. So, regardless of what she may have felt or how much she wanted to run, she needed to listen to him.
Her knuckles knocked on the mahogany, edging the door open just enough to cause it to creak and she locked eyes with the man sitting behind the desk. A few seconds ticked by and she finally pushed it open, leaning against the doorframe.
“Hey,” she said softly, giving him a nod. “I didn’t mean to interru- if you’re busy, I mea- I can come back la—” She tried to get out but the Chancellor stopped her mid sentence with his wave to come sit down at the chair in front of him.
“Come in, come in. I expected you earlier, if I’m honest,” he smiled, moving to close the door behind her before sitting back behind his desk, Cassidy slipping into the chair that he pointed to.
“I had a long night, needed some rest,” she said, fiddling with her fingers as she tried to settle herself in the chair. The amount of anxiety welling up inside her was pretty par for the course for facing one’s Dad, regardless of if you knew him or not.
“Of course. Chase said that he thought you’d appreciate meeting him instead of an entire welcoming committee. I would’ve met you when you got back but, I thought it best not to overwhelm you more than you already had been,” the Chancellor reasoned, pulling the glasses from his face and pinching the bridge of his nose. “You seem to be generally unharmed, that’s a plus, at least.” He sighed as he looked his daughter over. For her to be sitting in front of him but have no idea who the man was, was heartwrenching. He’d watched her grow up for over twenty years but the past year, she was forced to forget who he was. She didn’t remember him watching over her for entire childhood. Never would she remember what songs he would sing to put her to sleep. Every minute of every day was spent in service and protection of his daughter and now, she would never remember that feeling for the rest of her life. The daughter that he had raised no longer existed. He felt like he had to distance himself from the Cassidy that sat in front of him, otherwise he’d lose himself to the guilt of taking away the last thing that he created that was still absolutely pure.
“I appreciate it, I’m fine, really. I learned some things... that I’d like to clarify with you, for my mind, at least,” she said, the both of them nodding at her comment. Of course she’d have questions.
“Well, I don’t know what all they told you but yes, I’m your father,” he said gently, leaning back in his chair to watch her reaction. He could see the frown form on her face, even if it was involuntary. “I know you’re confused... why I went through the things that I went through to protect you, but, you need to know that I did it to protect you. I love you with every fiber of my being, Cassidy and I’d rather die than see anything happen to you,” he said, closing the folder in front of him and clasping his hands together to listen to what she had questions about.
“But, why? Wouldn’t it make more sense for you to protect me to keep me close? Why... why send me away when it sounds like I needed you the most?” Her voice broke, something she couldn’t stop from happening, and she wiped away the tear that tried to roll down her cheek.
The Chancellor sighed, licking his lips and coughing for a moment before continuing. “Your mother was sick. She was unstable and using erradictly. She attacked another member of her Origin and when she broke the law, I was forced to exile her. It was only a few weeks later that the League killed her. They tried taking her, using her as a bargaining chip to get me to surrender but.” He stopped, licking his bottom lip for a moment and thinking how to continue his sentence without losing it. “I loved your mother. She was the most exquisite human being I have ever met but, the Exodus exists above her, above me, above all of us. We’re here to hold a balance, to protect those in this society and to protect us from those who would want us destroy
ed. So, when they took your mother, there was nothing I could do. It was only a matter of time till they killed her when she wasn’t useful anymore.” The Chancellor’s gaze dropped, staring at his hands before taking in a deep breath and staring at Cassidy.
“They told me that you killed her,” she said softly, chewing on the inside of her lip. Hearing the way that the Chancellor described his life with her mother broke her heart even more. How in the world could she believe what the League had fed her when it was clear that they were the ones who wanted to twist the truth.
The Chancellor instantly seemed hurt by her comment, offended that it was even a possibility. “I was wondering what they were saying to try and sway people to their cause. The League are a desperate sort of people. They have no family, no home, no sense of community and they’ll hop on to anything to try and give them a semblance of that. They’ll take a lie and spin it with some truth to make it just believable enough to get even the purest of heart to take it at face value. I hope... I hope you don’t think I did that,” he said, nearly begging his daughter to not assume he set up her mother’s death.
“I—” she paused, running her hand over her face, her look obviously showing just how tired she actually was. “I don’t know what to think anymore. My memories aren’t even mine. You’re my Dad. I made out with Chase last night and I was kidnapped for the better part of the day yesterday while some soul figure shit tried to give me the heebie jeebies,” she blurted out, squishing her nose at how ridiculous she sounded but it got a laugh from the Chancellor and she laughed in unison. She leaned her head into her hand, propping her elbow upon the chair arm and stared at the man who was her father. Their dimples were similar. His eyes were hazel versus her blue ones. There was a dent in his nose from years of wearing eye glasses and his eyes had sunken into his face over time. They had similar facial structure, though, and the longer she stared at him, the more similarities she found.
“Well, your mother was really the one you turned to for boy advice but, I can try,” he offered and Cassidy wrinkled her nose even more at his comment.
“I wouldn’t even chat men with my other Dad, don’t feel obliged—” she started before she frowned, resting her forehead on the inside of her palm. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean- he, he is all that I know. I don’t- I don’t know who you are,” she said with a grimace. “Yet, at least. I’d like to get to know you,” she offered, her lips turning up into a gentle smile. She couldn’t pinpoint what was so great about him but she just felt relaxed talking to him. There was a sort of ease that she fell into without even knowing about it.
The Chancellor cracked a smile and nodded his head when she offered the last bit of her conversation. It meant the world to him that she was trying so hard to bridge the gap between the two of them. It was such a large gaping hole that they found themselves in that he would need her help to get over it.
“I agree. Getting to know the woman you are now, would be an honor, I assure you,” he said with a grin. “Was there anything else that you wanted to go over with me while you’re here?” he asked, arching a brow.
Cassidy, licked her lips and thought back to her time with the League, one particular part highlighting in her head. “I take it Mom didn’t start the League, then, right?”
“Your mother, start the League? God, no. They hadn’t come out and said who they were when she died but there were already a few others who were grouped together. When your mother was killed, it was a catalyst for this whole war we have going on. It’s why the elders of each Origin asked to have you sent away. Your mother didn’t want someone forcing you into triggering and I wanted to keep you from being used as a bargaining chip. You’re too important.” That seemed to be the argument that everyone had lately. Important. The key. The person that everyone wanted. But, why? To her, she was still so simple. Powerful, yes but nothing more than anyone else.
“Why? Why do so many people think that I’m this person to fulfill the prophecy or whatever,” she said, completely disinterested in hearing about the prophecy any more than what the Chancellor had left to say.
“Because your mother, a Chi, said that the prophecy was to be fulfilled by someone close to me. Now, many thought that it would be her. Some think that it’ll be Bryan, some think it’ll be you and some think that your mother was just plain wrong but I know your mom. And she was hardly ever wrong,” he said with a shrug. The facts were the facts. Half of the Exodus didn’t even put much faith in the ideal of the prophecy but there were some, like the Chancellor who thought it had merit.
“Who’s Bryan?” Cassidy questioned, bypassing everything about the prophecy. She needed to know why this person was close to her father.
“You might have seen him when you were with the the League. He was a Delta when he was with the Exodus but, he’s my nephew, your cousin. He was raised in my Origin from a baby. His mother, my sister, died in childbirth and so did he. An Omicron revived him in time to not only save his life but to trigger him as well.” Bryan was a few years older than Cassidy but she didn’t remember anything about him.
“The only one I saw at the League was Caleb, a Sigma. They held me in a channeling room and then when he let me out, I walked out of the door and was somehow brought back to my old house that I had back in town. I didn’t see anyone else,” she said with a shrug. It was clear that Cassidy was growing disinterested in reliving the lies that she had been told while she was held captive. The Chancellor was right. They took a truth that they knew would get her interest piqued and added in their own flair. If they told her a nugget of truth, she would be hook line and sinker for their team. It truly was ridiculous.
The Chancellor thought that it was odd the League kept her from so many people. Capturing her was one thing but to keep her deprived of all the people who could turn her against the Exodus was a strange tactic.
“Well... it doesn't matter anymore. You're here, you're safe and we're going to keep you safe. That is what matters now.” The Chancellor reached out and grabbed Cassidy's hands, thumbing over the back of her knuckles and giving them a squeeze. She managed to get a genuine smile to grace her lips for a moment before squeezing them back and slinking her hands away.
“It's nice to be back,” she whispered with a nod, pushing herself out of the chair and adjusting her shirt.
The Chancellor grabbed his glasses and placed them back on his head with a chuckle. “And maybe next time, don't come to meet with your father in your boyfriend's shirt,” he said teasingly, giving her the best fatherly glare he could muster. Cassidy turned bright red but rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
“What? It fit and I make this look better than he does. Besides, we're not anything,” she said nonchalantly, making it to the door and moving to exit before stopping herself. “I'm sorry I don't remember you. But, I promise, we'll make better memories,” she said gently, flashing a smile before walking out.
“That we will,” the Chancellor said with a nod after she walked away, going back to the work in front of him.
Chapter 13
Regardless of what truths she was presented with, they were incredibly overwhelming for Cassidy to process. The entire framework of the life that she understood was called into question. She just wanted to know what of her current memories were still the same as her original but the only person that would know that was gone forever.
Her fingers grasped her phone out of her back pocket, fiddling through the menus and landing on Chase’s name, trying to think of a witty comment to make. Herr grin spread across her face, chewing on the inside of her lip as she typed, erased, typed some more and erased again. It’d be simpler to contact him via her bond but this was more... normal. And, while she was far from normal, there were certain aspects of her life that she wanted to keep magic out of.
As she compiled another text, ready to send and turning to head back to her room, she heard the yelling ripple down the corridor she was walking down. Her heart leapt at the sound, more than one voice b
ooming in the middle of the room and the sound of a scuffle. Something was going down and Cassidy couldn’t help but follow the sounds to the source. Whether it was curiousity or her sudden hero nature, she felt like she could help.
“You spineless rat!” an Omicron yelled at a man who was kneeled on the ground. The room was confusing when she entered. One man laid injured on the ground, bleeding from a wound to his abdomen. Cassidy recognized that the man who was injured was a Chi, Garrett, that was on security detail the first week she was at the Exodus. The Omicron was next to him, the blue igniting across his hands over the wound and trying desperately to stop the blood flow. The man who the Omicron was talking to was another Chi, a knife with blood dripping from it in his hands. Cassidy wasn’t the only one who had followed the sounds of the argument, several others including the Chi elder, Ezekiel, finding the scene in front of him.
“What happened?” Ezekiel demanded. His voice was terrifyingly loud. She didn’t know if it was because he was a Chi and he just had a charismatic charm about him or not but she felt compelled to spill everything that was in her mind at the moment to him. It actually took every fiber of her being to hold her tongue when he spoke.
“Jon was trying to leave the north wing defenseless. He- He was trying to give the League an easier entry point, sir,” Garrett managed to get out as he was being worked on. The blue Omicron magic pulsed over his skin, trying desperately to save him and it was starting to work after a few moments ticked by. Ezekiel’s gaze switched from the injured man of his Origin to the accused, watching as his hands were violently shaking. It was clear that the man was on withdrawals from something, whether he had stopped using magic or the League tortured him long enough to get him to flip sides, he was willing to kill to further their means.
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