The Heir

by Ariana Rodriguez

  Too little too late, Jessica thought and turned her sharp gaze towards James. "It was easier to let your wife trade her baby for a little girl that wouldn't remind you of a past lover, right?"

  James shook his head and spoke through gritted teeth. "It wasn't like that."

  "Then tell me how it was!" Jessica demanded then lowered her voice, "This is your chance. And if you're thinking of giving me the vanilla version, don't."

  They stared at each other until he broke eye contact and nodded grudgingly "No sugar coating it but I think I'm going to let your mom tell you the beginning without me. I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

  "Don't go, stay" Lauren protested. He shook his head and patted her hand reassuringly before getting up.

  "If I stay, you'll feel like you have to watch what you say and that's not fair to anyone. Just give me a shout when you're done"

  He walked out and Jessica waited patiently as Lauren gathered the courage to speak. She sat up straight and took a fortifying deep breath. The only sign of her nervousness was in her hands. She couldn't seem to keep them still.

  Jessica had an idea of how her mother might be feeling because she was just as nervous. Her stomach was churning and her palms were damp, it took everything in her not to wipe them dry on her jeans. Even though she wanted the truth she feared that it might be more than she could handle.

  "your-" Lauren was about to say 'father' but she hastily corrected herself "James and I, come from prominent families back east. I grew up knowing what was expected of me, my parents-your grandparents wanted me to marry a man of their choosing-James. As soon as I turned eighteen I ran away, James and I were friends and I just couldn't see me married to him."

  "I sold all of the jewels I took with me and headed out west. I ended up in Montana" The memory of those first days had Lauren smiling wistfully "It was all such a culture shock, but I loved it. I got a job at a diner and I had this small house I was renting."

  Lauren clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. "I met your father at the diner. He came in with a couple of friends and when I saw him, I swear it was like tunnel vision." Lauren smiled at her

  "Later on he told me that it was the same for him. Nothing else mattered but being together. Honestly, when I think back on those days I realize that everything happened so fast. One day I'm living on my own, waitressing at a diner and the next month I'm engaged to a man I just met." Lauren shrugged sheepishly when she noticed the incredulous look Jessica was giving her. "We knew we loved each other, why waste time?"

  "So what happened?" Jessica asked impatiently.

  “Soon after he moved in I suspected I was pregnant. I made an appointment at the local clinic and they confirmed that I was indeed pregnant. That night I went home.” Lauren took a shuddering breath and gathered some much needed courage before continuing.

  Lauren told her what happened on the night that she found out she was pregnant. She told her about all of the blood, the dead bodies and Cade’s last words to her. Lauren left no detail untold.

  By the time she finished recounting the events of that faithful night Lauren was sniffling and Jessica sat motionless as she watched her mother trying to regain her composure. She wished she could offer some sort comfort but she felt awkward just thinking about it.

  Instead she sat there and mentally sorted through all the new information she'd just received. She knew she was supposed to be shocked but she wasn't. She’d grown up being able to do so many weird things that she doubted anything else could faze her.

  "I loved your father and I will until the day I die." Laurens eyes begged her to believe and Jessica did. "I went back home and I agreed to marry James. I told him everything and he agreed to claim you as his. He agreed to help me keep you safe and we thought that that would be enough but it wasn't"

  The memories made Lauren feel restless, she got up and began to pace while rubbing her hands up and down her arms. When she felt that her emotions were back under enough control to speak, she turned and faced her daughter once again.

  "The night after I gave birth to you, there was an attempt against your life. We don't know how he got in, all we know is that if Layla hadn't been staying with me while James went home to have some real rest," Lauren took a deep breath "you would be dead."

  Jessica sat up straight and her eyes flew wide open.

  "You’re right you know. About me," she clarified. "It was easy for me to give you up."

  Even though Jessica had imagined and even claimed as much, it still hurt. It hurt a lot more then she'd thought possible. In her chest she felt her heart shatter in to a thousand little pieces.

  Lauren saw the pain in her eyes and rushed to explain. "It was easy for me to give you up because I knew that to keep you would mean to kill you. Layla saved you that night, not me!" Lauren pressed a hand against her chest, the admission left a bitter taste in her mouth and she added in a whisper. "I stood there like a statue."

  "So you asked her to take me because you didn't want me to die?" Lauren nodded. "Not because I'm some kind of freak?"

  Lauren debated for a second whether to answer her truthfully or not and in the end the truth won out. "Maybe it was my main fear during pregnancy but not as much when you were born. I'm not going to lie, I'm terrified of the creatures those people can become and maybe a bit to know that you might be like them." Jessica started to shake her head and Lauren she rushed to finish explaining. "But it doesn't matter."

  Jessica raised an eyebrow skeptically.

  "Really, it doesn't matter because you are my daughter"

  Jessica shook her head again, not in disbelief of her mother’s words but because even though she could do some weird things, shifting wasn't one of them and she told her so.

  Lauren walked to the bookshelf, pulled a book out; she opened it to the first page and retrieved the note that she’d kept for almost eighteen years.

  “This note was inside the small box your father told me to take.”

  Jessica took the old piece of paper from her mom and read it.

  “Lauren, if you are reading this it means that I am no longer with you and that I haven’t told you everything about me. I hope you forgive my lack of courage but I was scared to tell to you. I am a shape shifter Lauren, and our child will be too. You don’t know you are pregnant yet but I noticed it the moment it happened.

  My cowardice kept me from telling you. Now it is too late. If I am no longer by your side it could only mean one thing. Only death could keep me away from you. Away from you and our unborn child. Along with this note you will find a small vial, the liquid inside is for our child. It will hide her from those who wish her harm.

  You will know when it is time to use it.I’m sorry I’m not around to protect you both. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more but it’s for your safety. I hope you never forget how much I love you and that you tell our baby that I love him too. Love always, Cade.”

  Jessica finished reading the note and with tears in her eyes looked at her mom. "So I'm a shape shifter?"

  Lauren nodded. "After you were attacked, James took a small sample of your blood and mixed it with the serum; he found that it basically put all your abnormalities to sleep and that it destroyed your scent."

  “Will I ever be able to shift?”

  "We think so." James answered her from the door way, "but we're not sure."

  Jessica turned to look at him. "How can we find out?"

  "The only way is if we let the serum be deluded by your blood completely" James proceeded to explain to her his theory about her white blood cells treating the serum like an enemy and slowly weakening it until it became ineffective.

  "And how long until that happens?"

  "I estimate that you have less than a year. But I don't think it's a good idea to do that, without another dose we run the risk of them finding you. Without the serum it would be like painting a bull’s eye on your back."

  Jessica took a second to calculate the risks before deciding against a
nother dose. "No more serum" She told them. They both tried to argue but Jessica stood up and spoke over them. "No, maybe it was your choice to run and hide, but not mine. And one more thing.”

  They looked at her and waited.

  "I fired the bodyguards.”

  "You did what?!"

  "I fired the bodyguards" She repeated and crossed her arms. "I don't want bodyguards, and I definitely don't want those ones, they proved to be incompetent, I’m sure that if we ever ran into trouble I'd be the one saving them!"

  "They were highly recommended" James bit out.

  "Maybe they were but I don't need them and I don't want them."

  "If you don't want to take the serum then I'm going to insist on the bodyguards. I'll find bodyguards that are up to your standards."

  "No serum and no bodyguards."

  "If you don't take the serum you're getting the bodyguards."

  His words were said with such finality that she started seeing red. “I hope they have good health insurance because they are going to need it."

  James looked at her and nodded. "I'll make sure they do.

  “Please, lets’ not argue. I’m sure we can compromise.” Lauren interjected, “No serum and one bodyguard.” She offered to Jessica.

  Jessica took a deep breath and grudgingly accepted. “And since I’m going to be here for a while I’m going to look for a job. I don’t want to spend my time doing nothing.”

  She turned to go before they could argue and headed for her room, taking the stairs two at time. Four months, she was here for four more months. Time could not fly by fast enough.

  Chapter 7

  So what do you want for your birthday?" Shane, her bodyguard, asked her.

  Jessica thought about that for a second, she couldn't tell him the truth; that she wanted to find someone that knew her real father. She needed to find someone that could help her understand the other part of herself. Someone to teach her how to do the things she thought only possible in stories.

  “I think I'm good." She told him and was surprised to find that it was mostly the truth.

  They were headed towards Jessica's volunteering job when he stopped in the middle of the side walk to give her a skeptical look.

  "Seriously, you don't have to get me anything, I have everything I could ever want." material wise at least, she added to herself and pushed away the feeling of disappointment that threatened to take over her.

  Her birthday was in a couple of weeks, that meant that she'd been with her family for two months, and in that time she hadn't come closer to finding anything else about her father. The disappointment she felt was heavy enough to sink a cruise ship. Although, she did have to admit that it was one of a few blemishes in her close to great life at the moment.

  Two months ago she never would have imagined that things would have turned out as good as they did. She liked to think that she had come to have a normal relationship with her parents. It was as normal as someone in her situation could manage; most of the time she got along famously with them. She no longer teetered between calling them father and mother or by their first name, they were now her mom and dad.

  "Earth to Jessica!” Shane snapped his fingers inches from her face. "What were you thinking about?"

  Jessica shook her head; she was amazed to find that they'd reached the second hand shop she volunteered at. "Nothing I was just dozing off. Anyways thanks for the escort but I'm going to be late."

  She leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek but he turned at the last minute and it landed on his lips. Before she could pull away he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her close and deepened the kiss. When he finally released her, Jessica was too shocked to do anything but stare up at him. He smiled back at her before rubbing a thumb across her bottom lip.

  Any bystander looking at them would just see a couple of lovers sharing a goodbye kiss. But Jessica was infuriated because she never agreed on taking things that far. If looks could kill Shane would be dead five seconds ago.

  He took her clenched fists and held them against his chest before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

  "Smile, you never know who is watching."

  "That wasn't part of the deal.” She grated out through what barely passed as a smile.

  The deal had been that he would play the part of her boyfriend in public without any of the benefits. She hated being escorted around by a muscled guy in suit so she’d come up with this solution. Her bodyguard dressed like a normal person and to keep people from wondering the claimed to be dating. Not once had Jessica agreed to kissing or any deeper forms of affection.

  "We've been going out for months." He blew softly on her ear and Jessica shuddered with disgust. "People are going to start talking if all they see is us holding hands." He then stepped away and gave her a crooked smile.

  Jessica wanted nothing more than to slap the smile off his face but she knew that if she did she could kiss her freedom goodbye. Instead Jessica smiled evilly at him and took great pleasure in his sudden alarm.

  Shane took a step back and without losing the smile, Jessica whispered, "kiss me again at your own risk."

  Without waving goodbye, she turned and stepped into the store. Whistling a happy tune, she made her way around the racks of clothes and to the store counter. She refused to let him ruin her day.

  "You're in a good mood." Lottie, the store owner, commented when she drew near.

  "That’s right," She answered with a smile, leaning her elbows on the counter. “I’m in a great mood."

  "Well, if you are ready to work you could start by changing the clothes on the mannequins."

  "Yes ma'am"

  "None of that sass young lady!" Lottie told her with a smile.

  "No ma'am" She answered with laughter in her voice and turned to do as she was told.

  She'd just reached the first mannequin when the doorbell chimed. "Let me know if you need any help" She called out; her back was to the door. If she’d seen who it was, she doubted she would’ve answered so cheerfully.

  "Actually I do need your help."

  It had been months since she'd last heard that voice, a voice that could melt butter, but she was sure she’d be able to recognize it after years. He was the man responsible for her aversion to any other mans’ kisses. Not just kisses, she couldn't stand any other mans’ touch.

  His kisses ruined her for everyone else and then he disappeared like a magician. She

  "How can I help you" She asked him as she turned to look at him, striving and barely managing to achieve an impersonal tone.

  Jessica was secretly thrilled to see him again but she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she’d thought about him day and night.

  "You could help me by telling who that guy is."

  "What guy?"

  "The guy that was just touching you" He clarified through clenched teeth.

  "Oh well, that’s actually none of your business." She answered him mock cheerfullness.

  Even though her heart raced at the sight of him, Jessica turned away, dismissing him. In a surprising move he snagged her by the waist, turned her back around and brought her flush against him. Instantly, her nerve endings came to life after so many months of hibernation.

  "Oh it's my business alright." He murmured in a seductive voice that sent shivers down her spine. Too shocked to struggle, she just looked up at him like a doe caught in headlights. "Next time he touches you, think about this."

  Before she could protest, he brought one of his hands up to the back of her head and claimed her mouth. Once again Jessica felt like she’d been struck by lightning. The passionate kiss came up from some deep place inside of him and he poured it directly into her like a current of electricity.

  Only with him did she feel so alive.

  Jessica made a sound that came from deep in her chest and kissed him back just as passionately. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the embrace. The rest of the world ceased to
exist and she clung to him like a life saver. She clung to him like she never wanted the kiss to end.

  Then just as suddenly as he’d reappeared in her life, he pulled back and ended the kiss. Jessica opened her eyes dazedly and could feel passionate heat burning her cheeks. Her hands were still around his neck and as if scalded, Jessica quickly dropped them to her side.

  "You have a week to break it off with him." He ordered, looking in control of himself while she stood there, fighting to get a grip on herself.

  Passion made way for mortification and mortification made way for anger.

  "Who do you think you are?!" She flung at his already retreating back.

  He reacted as fast as lightning. He moved quickly and silently like a predator after its prey and the next thing she knew she was being hauled back into his arms. Their eyes clashed, both glittering with gold sparks of anger before he crashed his lips against hers.

  With Jessica’s hands fisted between them she tried to push him away but it was futile and she soon found herself once against lost in the heat of his touch. His lips cast a magic spell over her that she hadn’t the power to break.

  It was he pulled away.

  "You have one week." He repeated huskily before walking away without a backwards glance; leaving her alone to deal with the emotional aftermath.

  Jessica pressed her finger tips against her kiss swollen lips, if she closed her eyes she could still feel his lips against hers, could still taste him. Even his scent, masculine and tempting as sin, surrounded her like cloak. But strongest of all she was the self-loathing.

  Instead of fighting him tooth and nail she’d fallen in to his arms like a love starved fool.

  “Dasha were my eyes deceiving me or did a hunk just walk out of this store?” Laura asked Dasha from behind Jessica, they also volunteered at the shop.

  “I need to go to church because I’ve just met Jesus!" Dasha exclaimed.

  "Let me know when you go because I'm coming with. I need to be saved too." Jessica heard Laura reply and she almost groaned out loud.