Claiming Family

by Desi Lin

  I glanced around, trying to figure out where to start.

  Another archway, opposite the one we came through, revealed another room filled with shelves and more books. A fireplace at one end, flanked by several Victorian chairs and a couple side tables, made a cozy reading area.

  Souta headed for the box containing gloves set on a long table and slipped a pair on before handing me a pair. “Where should we start?” We tugged on the gloves, and he strode over to the shelves, fingers running along the spines without actually touching them.

  “I have no idea. Anything about power, I guess?” So much of our history remained myth or hearsay, verbal histories handed down until someone finally wrote it out, then recopied it through the years until the archivists figured out how to preserve them. I didn’t know how they did it, as far as I knew it was a secret known only to them.

  “The creation myth?” Souta suggested.

  I shook my head; I’d already looked at the creation myth, and it didn’t hold any answers.

  His finger paused on a book before pulling it out. “Someone needs to figure out better titles. Elementum Society: Its Beginnings and Traditions: An in-depth look at how we began. Really? Lot of damn words that don’t make me want to read this.”

  When he glanced back at me, I shrugged. “Might be worth a look, but I’m guessing it won’t be much help.”

  I joined him at the shelf, looking over the titles until one caught my eye. What Can We Do? A Historical Look at Elementum Abilities.

  Pulling it carefully off the shelf, I headed toward the long table and pulled out a chair to sit. “I’m gonna check this one. You’re right, though. Seems like they were all titled by the same guy.”

  Souta joined me, the society book still in hand.

  “Might be worth a look.” He reached over, ran his fingers through the soft strands of my hair before gripping my chin and turning me toward him for a kiss. “We’ll find answers, hot stuff. They’re here somewhere.”

  My gut churned. What if we didn’t find answers? Would I be a danger to the guys? Shaking my head, I put the thoughts from my mind and focused on searching for answers.

  Two hours later, we weren’t any closer to answers. We’d moved to the other room, and my stomach interrupted our silence with a loud growl.

  Carefully, I rolled up the untitled scroll I’d found regarding great power and glanced over to find Souta grinning at me. My stomach emitted another growl as our eyes meet and neither of us could contain our giggles.

  Closing his book, Souta bounced up and grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet.

  “Apparently, I’m neglecting you.” His grin made me feel a little better about not finding answers. We still had a lot more books and scrolls to search, but we needed a break. “I’ll text Brooks as soon as we decide where we want to eat.”

  Nodding, I picked up the scroll and the book to return them to the shelves we’d found them on.

  “Archivist Gabby,” Souta spoke into the intercom, “we’re heading out now, ma’am.”

  She must have been around the corner or down the hall because she met us just outside the rooms. “Did you find what you needed?” She smiled again, and I noticed how genuine it seemed. Too many human librarians had fake smiles. I shook my head. “Oh, dear. What were you hoping to find?”

  “Information about power fluctuations, or sudden increases in abilities,” Souta replied for me. “We’re working on a school project.”

  A lie, smoothly told, and one I was thankful for. I didn’t know that I wanted any more people than necessary knowing what happened. Needing Souta’s touch, I reached out and laced our fingers together.

  “Next time, why don’t we check the restricted section?” Archivist Gabby offered. “I think I recall something in there about fluctuations of power.”

  “Thank you, that’s a great idea.” Souta gave her his killer smile as he wrapped an arm around me. “Come on, hot stuff. You need feeding.”

  Ten

  “Hey, firefly.” JJ leaned over the back of the couch in the den and kissed my cheek. “I’m kidnapping you today.”

  Glancing up from the movie we were watching—one with plenty of things exploding even if I couldn’t remember the name of it—I smiled. After the failure of the Tabularium yesterday, I needed a release or a break or just to watch things blow the hell up.

  I tilted my head to the side for a better view of those molten gold eyes. “Is it kidnapping if I want to go?” I reached up and pulled him down for a better kiss, firm lips on his.

  A peck on the cheek wasn’t going to cut it.

  “I’m going with no,” Souta piped up from where he sat curled around one of the huge overstuffed, fringed floor cushions. Since we were slumming it today, his black hair was all over the place, and he wore only a pair of low slung, plaid flannel sleep pants. “You’re taking her for the day, right?”

  “Yeah, I got plans for our girl.” He waggled his eyebrows or tried to anyway. It ended up looking more like someone tased him. Failing to contain my laugh at his goofiness, he mocked glared at me, then stalked around the couch. “Oh, you think it’s funny, do you?” He perched his hands on his hips and tilted his head, a black lock curling onto his forehead.

  Holding my hands up in surrender, I shook my head, but he still looked so ridiculous I couldn’t stop laughing. Gripping my waist, he lifted me and flung me over his shoulder.

  “No!” My screech barely escaped through my laughter. “Souta, save me!”

  Souta laughed. “At least let me kiss her before you haul her off to your mysterious cave.”

  As JJ spun around, I pressed my hands on his back to lift myself as much as possible to glare at Souta.

  “Traitor,” I muttered as he closed the distance between us.

  “You look stunning as always, hot stuff. Even upside down.” He pressed his lips to mine, his tongue demanding entrance, but the angle was too awkward to do more than peck. “Have fun.”

  Bounced out the front door across JJ’s shoulder, I couldn’t help but wish he was coming with us. Unfortunately, Souta had obligations. He’d promised his old dance instructor he’d help fill in at her studio today, since one of her teachers quit without notice.

  Once we made it out to the driveway, JJ set me on my feet, where a vaguely familiar tan sedan waited. He opened the door as I pondered where I’d seen it, then it hit me. The first time I’d been to JJ’s his father came home in this car.

  “Where are we going?” I climbed in, and JJ closed the door on my question.

  He rounded the car to climb in the driver’s side before answering. “It’s a bit of a surprise. You’ll love it. I promise.”

  We headed out, and I let silence reign as I took him in. I loved JJ’s style. It always seemed simple and effortless, but he looked amazing, with just a touch of class. Girls at school still craned their necks as he walked by, and he remained oblivious to his effect on them.

  Today he’d chosen a pair of dark-blue jeans and a fitted, emerald-green Henley topped with a faux leather blazer/jacket thing I’d seen him wear several times. He’d tossed a green and black scarf loosely around his neck and wore a pair of black shoes that seemed too nice for ordinary sneakers.

  Once again, I worried about being underdressed for a date. Mind you, I wore a lovely pair of black jeans, with no tears anywhere—which was a miracle in itself—a long-sleeved, flowy top with splashes of bright-purple, lime-green, and turquoise and simple black flats. But what if he wanted to take me somewhere nice, somewhere better than our usual haunts? Would my outfit be good enough? I’d needed to search to find the shirt I was wearing, and I couldn’t remember why I’d bought it in the first place. It wasn’t my usual style, but I figured JJ would like its large splashes of color.

  It didn’t take long to arrive at our destination, and I climbed out of the car, staring at the simple storefront windows littered with unpainted, stark white mugs, vases, and figures. A brightly colored sign proclaimed the place to be Art Spot, a
stylized, neon bullseye standing in for the O. I had seen places like this before, where they held all kinds of little things you could paint, then take home. A hand slid into mine, and I grinned at JJ, the teeth sinking into his lip revealed his nervousness.

  “After everything going on, I wanted to do something relaxing and fun. You need it, I think. Hopefully, it’s not too silly, or childish?”

  Grinning, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I love the idea,” I whispered against his lips, his golden eyes widening. “Just don’t expect pretty from me.”

  Kissing him, my tongue dived in to play with his for several minutes. I panted as I drew back, my insides tingling and my heart racing.

  Forget about painting, I wanted to drag him back into the car, find a deserted parking lot and live out a few fantasies. And that scared me a little. The way they all drove me crazy enough to forget all common sense, it felt like I was losing myself in them, and I wasn’t entirely sure I minded.

  Swallowing hard at the direction of my thoughts, I turned toward the shop, hoping JJ didn’t catch any hint of where my mind ventured. It wasn’t their problem after all. I slid my hand down his arm, tangled our fingers together, and tugged him inside.

  A young gal in paint-splattered jeans, T-shirt, and apron sat at a table with a mom and daughter. She glanced over distractedly as the chime on the door tinkled our arrival, not really focusing on us. “Welcome to Art Spot. Have you ever been here before?”

  JJ nodded. “We’re good.”

  Has he brought Sophie here before? Or does he just enjoyed coming in on his own?

  “Great. Why don’t you have a look around, pick out your piece, and I’ll be right over with some supplies? I’m Marissa, if you need anything.” Marissa returned to helping the mom and little girl at the table with her.

  “Come on, firefly. They have some great stuff if you know where to look.”

  I let my eyes drift as he guided me toward a shelf near the back. The walls were lined with shelves, each one filled with random things. Mugs, plates, bowls, and containers of all kinds and sizes fought for space with whimsical trolls, animals, and knickknacks. Bins with smaller items sat on a couple shelves, and I wondered what fun little treasures they hid.

  Then I looked at the shelf JJ aimed for. Really looked. Most of the shelves contained similar items to the others around them, but the top two shelves held very different items. These items were bigger, more complex, and elaborate than the cute little bits of whimsy everywhere else.

  I scanned over them, looking for something I could paint that I wouldn’t ruin too badly. A rearing horse stood next to a noble knight and his lady fair. A majestic lion rested next to an elaborate pirate ship. And behind it, I found the piece I wanted to paint, no matter how horrible it might end up. Nearly on tiptoes, I reached up and grabbed the dragon, complete with flames shooting from its mouth.

  “Nice choice,” JJ said as he stepped up next to me, a large mug in his hand.

  I’d thought he would choose one of these more elaborate pieces, but I realized something like a mug would give him way more artistic freedom.

  “Come on, I have us set up over here.” He jerked his head toward one of the tables.

  I followed him, noticing paints, brushes, and cups of water laid out and waiting.

  My curiosity must have shown on my face as we sat down on paint-spattered chairs, because JJ grinned when he glanced over at me. “I’ve been here a few times. Marissa was distracted by the group she was with when we came in, so she didn’t realize it was me. And I know my way around.”

  “JJ!” Marissa strolled over to us, eyes fixed firmly on my boyfriend and a wide grin on her face. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”

  She stepped close, one arm starting to wrap around his shoulders.

  Nope. Not happening. Snagging his hand, I laced our fingers together, smiling even as I glared at the way too forward bitch. She needed to go find a man of her own.

  My completely oblivious boyfriend just grinned at her as he waved away her apology. “No worries. I knew where everything was.” JJ wrapped an arm around me. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Sera.”

  The gal’s eyes flattened, and her smile froze. “Lovely to meet you. Let me know if you have any questions.”

  Not a chance in hell, bitch.

  JJ turned away from her, to snag two aprons off the table. He gave me one and pulled the other over his head, before picking up a brush to hand me. “Watch your brush size, especially when it comes to the smaller details, and you’ll be fine. What color are you planning to paint it?”

  From the corner of my eye, I watched Marissa slink away and restrained the smirk trying to break through. I bumped JJ’s shoulder with mine as I pulled on the apron, then dipped the brush into the deep crimson paint. “Red, of course.”

  “Right. What was I thinking?” He dropped a kiss on my lips before he selected a brush of his own. “Want my help?”

  Since I had no idea where to even begin, I nodded.

  “Okay, start with your base coat, not too heavy. Better to do a couple thin coats rather than one thick one.”

  “Like nail polish,” I mused as I leaned into him.

  “Yeah, I guess.” He laughed, the sound sending a shiver through me.

  I loved his laugh.

  “Work on the big areas, and I’ll help you with the details, Okay?” JJ’s arm wrapped around me for a quick squeeze, careful not to jostle me, as I held the dragon steady and applied paint to his chest. He picked his mug up and painted a strip of blue around the edges.

  For several minutes we worked in comfortable silence, both lost in our creations. Absorbed in trying not to screw up the beautiful piece, my brain was quiet for the first time in weeks. Peaceful, in a place of no worries or fears, I relaxed completely. Now I could see why JJ loved art so much, especially if it helped him like this.

  Wet on my nose yanked me from my meditative state, jerking me upright. “You were way too relaxed, firefly. I thought you might fall asleep.” He choked the words out around fits of laughter. My nose still felt wet. Trying to cross my eyes to see what he’d done, I caught a hint of red.

  “Did you paint my nose red?”

  JJ hid his brush behind him and continued to grin at me. “No idea what you’re talking about, Rudolph.”

  Deliberately dipping my brush into the red paint, I lunged at him, “Oh it’s on.” Wielding my brush like a tiny sword, crimson paint dripped from the tip. He tried dodging, but I was faster and managed to leave a huge red stripe on his cheek. His chair rocked precariously. We grabbed each other before he toppled over. Once steady, his arms came around me, and he gave me a quick kiss.

  I glanced over at the mug he was working on, thankfully not seeing any random drops of red. He’d painted it a vibrant lime green with bright blue strips at the top and bottom, Sophie was written in pretty, flowy lettering across the middle. The beginnings of a hot pink flower indicated he wasn’t done yet.

  It was a bit on the eye-searing side, but from what little I knew of his sister, she’d love it. Our embrace lasted a little too long for comfort in a public place, so I wiggled out of his arms.

  “How’s Sophie doing?” I retook my seat and went back to my dragon.

  “She’s adjusting.” He rinsed the red paint off his brush and switched back to his neon palette. “It’s so new. It’s hard for her to figure out everything she needs to do now to stay healthy and make sure she gets her insulin dosage right and all. My folks are beating themselves up for not noticing the symptoms sooner despite the doc telling them it happens a lot. But there’s an obvious change in her that’s nice to see.”

  He finished off the flower he’d been working on and set down his brush after rinsing it. “Come on, let’s see about the details on your dragon, then you can see her yourself. We’re going to catch a late lunch with her and my folks after this.”

  I tucked the hand not holding the brush under my thigh, so he wouldn’t see it
shake. Lunch with his family? Crap, I wasn’t prepared for this. They were the most normal people in the world, and I needed them to like me. They wouldn’t deny our Genus, but I wanted them to be okay with me being in a relationship with their son. And I was far from normal.

  Thankfully, I dressed to please JJ. Hopefully, that would help.

  Burying my nerves, I let JJ guide me through adding in details on my dragon as he finished off a few more embellishments on Sophie’s mug. Twenty minutes later, we left our pieces with Marissa for a final firing or whatever needed to be done to them. Honestly, I hadn’t bothered to pay attention to her words after JJ said he would pick them up later, my nerves still getting the better of me.

  As I climbed into the car, I had to slide my hand under my thigh again, so JJ wouldn’t see me tremble. Despite having spent time over at his place, I’d only briefly spoken to his parents a few times. I knew his sister a little better, mostly because she came into the studio when we were playing.

  We pulled up to a place I’d seen but never been, one of those chain family places, which meant keeping all Elementum stuff under wraps. This would be an ordinary, family lunch. Elements, could I do ordinary?

  I wiped my sweaty palm on the seat as JJ rounded the car and opened the door for me to get out. He laced our fingers together, and we headed inside. I worried my hand would betray my nerves, but he didn’t seem to notice anything wrong. Inside, sunlight streamed in from the huge windows, making the hand that shot up and wave easy to see.

  My stomach flipped as we made our way to the table. Halfway there, I let our hands slide apart, my feet dragging. Stopping back a few steps, JJ hugged Sophie, then ruffled her dark auburn hair, messing up the long ponytail she’d pulled it into. He laughed as she scowled at him. Dressed in a pair of pale blue pants and soft pink tee with a smiling, sequined watermelon on it, Sophie’s outfit made me feel better about my own casual choices.

  He greeted his parents with smiles and a kiss on the cheek for his mom. In a pair of jeans and a navy-blue polo, JJ’s father looked so much like him it was easy to imagine what JJ would look like at that age.