Interference: Book One Read online

  “Alright. Dad and Ma live in Brooklyn. I have a large family nearby on my father’s side, but Ma is from Japan, so that side of the family is still overseas. I’m an only child, but it never felt like it growing up. I had cousins everywhere. I loved it. My gift comes from my father’s side, he is Regalian, and Ma is not.”

  “So, I guess he never found his other half?”

  “She died very young. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine anyone better for my father than Ma. You can’t tell me they aren’t meant to be.” He smiled at the thought.

  “That’s interesting,” I whispered. “Did she struggle to understand your gift?”

  “She’s trying. Dad knew Fremont would be the best place for me, with guidance from Fitz. Ma doesn’t understand why I can’t train at home, and she’s been heartbroken since I left.”

  “That’s sad and sweet at the same time. I knew you had a unique blend of features, but I wasn’t sure about your heritage.”

  “What about you? You’ve said little about your folks—besides the fact you cut your mom’s fingers off. . .” One eyebrow raised in question.

  “Well, funny story really . . . I didn’t actually cut them off myself. Anger overpowered everything else in the moment, and she cut them off while chopping potatoes. I didn’t realize I had an out-of-control gift at the time. She’s a horrible person, Ren. We’ve never gotten along. Not saying I didn’t feel bad about it, of course, I did.”

  Well, sort of.

  “I hate to hear that about your mom. What about your dad?” he questioned.

  “He left when I was an infant. Probably to get away from her.” I turned up the mug, finishing the rest of my mocha.

  “I’m sorry, Mercy. I’m not sure how I’d cope if I didn’t have anyone to help with my gift. You turned out remarkable considering.”

  “Thanks, Ren. You’re pretty incredible yourself.”

  “I hate for breakfast to end, but I promised Fitz I’d have you back quickly.”

  I absorbed the softness of his smile, the affection in his eyes. “This has been wonderful, Ren. It’s the first time I’ve felt normal in a while. Thank you.”

  Ren smiled but didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. We stood to leave, and he took my hand as we exited the bakeshop. I let him, even though my instinct was to pull away. We weren’t there for long, but already the city streets were waking up. Several more cars were on the road, and the occasional jogger would dodge us on the sidewalk.

  The massive doors to Fremont opened, and Dr. Lee leaned against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. “Mercy, I need you to come with me. You have a visitor.”

  “Who would visit me?” Oh no. Please say it isn’t so.

  “Your mom,” he answered.

  My mother sat, wearing her usual tan slacks and cream cardigan, in a dark brown leather chair in front of Dr. Lee’s desk—her hand still bandaged, and a disgusted sneer across her face at the sight of me. Dr. Lee raised the blinds to brighten the room, and warmth from the sun radiated into the small space. In the distance, a dark cloud hovered.

  “Mom, what brings you by?”

  “Apparently, they require a parental visit. Ridiculous policy,” she spat.

  “Oh, I see. After meeting you, I assumed they’d realize that isn’t necessary in my case.”

  “Don’t get smart with me. I fully intend to sign the paperwork to keep you here an additional six months after turning eighteen, with weekly electroshock therapy sessions. You aren’t capable of making your own decisions, and I won’t have you back in my house until they get you straight.” She tilted her chin high, as if she had the upper hand.

  “You don’t have to worry about that, Mom. I don’t plan on coming home. Ever.” I shrugged.

  “Mrs. Monroe, Mercy is excelling at Fremont. She’s finished her high school finals, an amazing athlete, she has close friends. You should be very proud,” Dr. Lee added.

  “Proud? You’ve got to be joking. Look at her. She reminds me of her father. Selfish, arrogant, and lazy.”

  Thunder rolled outside of the window, and I reminded myself to stay calm and breathe. Dr. Lee slowly reached for his letter opener and slid it into the top drawer of his desk. Good call.

  “Why are you here? Why did you bother coming at all? You care nothing about me, you never have. I would’ve been better off going with my dad instead of enduring your presence for the last seventeen years!” This was quickly going downhill.

  “I wish he would’ve taken you! Then you could have perished right along with both of them! That’s what you deserve!” she screamed.

  The room turned silent as rain pelted against the window. Sadness crept its way inside of me at her words.

  I whispered. “Perished? What are you talking about?”

  She stood, and the venom behind her next words surprised me. “Noah and Annabel Monroe.”

  Dr. Lee stood abruptly. His eyes widened as if the information he’d been waiting for had just been revealed.

  “You didn’t really think I was your mother, did you? That I could ever birth something as vile as you?” She stepped around me, never taking her eyes off my face. “I hope they come for you. I hope you get what you deserve, just as they did,” she whispered.

  The door slammed, and I fell back into the chair in shock. What just happened?

  “Mercy, listen to me. The things she said, well—I need to speak to Fitz immediately. Are you alright? Let me help you back to your room,” Dr. Lee fumbled over his words.

  My room. Nora and Neela were, no doubt, waiting for me to return to offer their support. They knew how I felt about my mom—or who I thought was my Mom. I couldn’t see them right now. I needed to be alone.

  “Can I wait here? I need to think.”

  “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

  Noah and Annabel Monroe. Someone killed my parents. I needed to know what happened—how I ended up with that heinous woman. Strangely enough, there was peace peeking through the confusion and pain. It hit me—the relief of knowing I didn’t come from her. Knowing I wasn’t her spawn and I could be better. Warm salty tears left paths down my cheeks as I tried to balance the gratefulness of not belonging to her with the mourning of the only mother I knew.

  Fitz ran into the office with Dr. Lee. Hair disheveled, sweat on his brow, and what looked to be tears in his eyes. He stared as if seeing me for the first time.

  “I knew it was you all along.”

  9

  ⥈

  “What are you talking about?”

  Shaking his head in disbelief, he looked as though he could hardly believe it. “I’ve been looking for you, Mercy. For years.”

  “But you’re the one who brought me to Fremont.”

  “Well, yes, but I didn’t know it was you. I’d hoped, but I couldn’t be sure,” he explained.

  “Fitz, I know I ask this often, but are you high?”

  “I promise I’ll explain everything when I return.” Fitz spun to leave the office.

  I’ve heard that before. “You’re leaving? Where are you going?”

  “I need to speak to your mo . . . to, um, Mrs. Monroe first. I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Fitz and Dr. Lee quickly departed, and left me alone to sort through the haze of confusion my heart and mind were wading through. What was going on? It was as if the entire world had forgotten to take their medication.

  Was I supposed to wait there? I couldn’t do that. I needed to find something to occupy my mind and release the energy coursing through my veins. Maybe the gym or pool would be empty, considering it was still early. I left the office in a hurry, and as I turned the corner, I collided with Drake—knocking a book from his hand.

  “I’m so sorry, I . . . I . . .” I stuttered. I couldn’t think straight.

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  I didn’t answer, I couldn’t for fear of crying.

  He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me, even when he knew he shouldn’t. He le
d me back into Dr. Lee’s office out of view, concern flooding the dark brown of his eyes.

  His palm cupped the side of my face. “What’s wrong? Tell me what happened.”

  I shook my head, unable to explain. I opened my mouth and closed it. Drake gave up on words and leaned forward, pulling me into his chest. My heart slowed, as the smell and warmth of him relaxed me. At once, the confusion drifted and contentment settled within me.

  He held me for several minutes, his arms tightening—his nose and lips buried in my hair. Neither of us wanted to let go.

  “If you need to talk, you know where I am. Okay?” he asked.

  I nodded. Once again, I leaned further into him, our proximity fueling the attraction. His chest expanded, breathing me in. My anxiety eased, and I pulled back slightly. We were too close, and we both knew it.

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it,” I said.

  “I haven’t been there for you like I should. I’m sorry.” He brushed a hair from my face. “I’ll do better.”

  We stood frozen, inches apart. It would be so easy to lean forward—feel the warmth of his lips on mine. But he wasn’t mine.

  Backing away, I nodded and quickly left the office to change into my Fremont swimsuit.

  I flipped the switch, and the sound of the overhead lights echoed throughout the empty room. I walked around the pool, staring at the blue glass-like water as though it called out to me. I threw my towel to the side and dove in headfirst. I needed the release—craved it. My mind struggled to process everything, and I couldn’t do that around my friends.

  I stretched my body as my arms stroked the water and my legs kicked in a steady rhythm, which I knew I could keep up for a long while. Turning my head from side to side, I took deep breaths of air and closed my eyes. Focus on the movements—forget everything else. I tried to clear my mind, but Drake interrupted my line of thought, as he always seemed to do.

  Why did I feel so strongly for him if he wasn’t mine? I’d never been in love, and I wouldn’t pretend to be an expert, but I’d never had an instant connection with anyone in my life.

  The muscles in my thighs cramped. I welcomed the stinging pain. I couldn’t be sure how long I’d been out there, but I knew I had swam at least twenty laps. Swapping to a backstroke, I worked a different muscle group and pushed my body as hard as possible. The conversation with the woman I thought was my mom replayed inside my head. Even if she wasn’t my mother, she raised me. It hurt that she felt so little for me. I’d spent my entire life with her—I knew nothing else. Couldn’t my parents have found someone that had a heart?

  Swim harder.

  You’re selfish.

  Don’t quit.

  You’re lazy.

  Push forward.

  You’re arrogant.

  The water thrashed against me and pulled at my body as if it knew I was all of those things. It became more challenging to move, as if I were in a pool of syrup instead of water. A wave crashed down on top of my head, and I barely got a breath before it knocked me under once again.

  You deserve to die, just like your parents.

  Maybe I should’ve let the water take me. The waves created a cyclone that spun around my body from one side of the pool to the other, refusing to set me free. My foot pushed against the bottom of the pool, and I surged up, needing to breathe.

  You’re not worthy.

  I kicked my legs harder to swim to the surface until I heard the most heartbreaking truth of all.

  He’ll never be yours.

  I stopped kicking and my arms floated out to my side. My mind gave in to all the pain and bitterness. A heavy weight pushed down on my chest as though an anchor forced me to the bottom of the pool. My life should have been different. A loving mother and father should have raised me. They would have taught me everything I’d ever needed to know about my gift. I would have never questioned if I was worthy of anything or doubted my abilities.

  Most of all, I wanted to be with the one my heart called out to. Even at seventeen years old, I knew who that was.

  Dark eyes stared down into the blue depths around me. Drake. My heart swelled at the sight of him standing on the edge. The water calmed, and I swam to the surface. He angrily grabbed my arm and pulled me from the pool.

  “What was that?” Drake screamed.

  Nora’s eyes darkened, and her hands shook as she placed a towel around my shoulders. Drenched and gasping for air, Ren lay on his back by the pool.

  “What happened? What’s going on?” I asked, confused.

  Drake gripped the sides of my face and forced me to look at him. “Mercy, we’ve been trying to get you out of the water for over an hour. We thought we’d lost you.”

  “What?” My head tilted to the side, trying to make sense of his words.

  “Ren tried to use his gift to control the water, and he couldn’t budge it. What were you doing?” Nora asked.

  I thought back at everything going through my head in the pool. It all felt like a dream. I recalled giving in. I remembered letting the water take control.

  “I’ve never seen that before, never felt anything like it.” Nora, shaking and weak, looked as though she was close to tears.

  “Never felt what?” I asked.

  “Despair. Hopelessness. You were literally drowning in your own emotions, and you weren’t doing anything to stop it.” A single tear fell down her cheek as she watched me, as if she remembered the torture I’d put myself through.

  “I . . . I’m so sorry. I would never put any of you in danger. Please, tell me you know that,” I pleaded.

  Drake scoffed. “You think we’re upset because you put us in danger?” He leaned in close, whispering, “I’d give my life for you, Mercy, but I need to know that you’ll do everything in your power to survive. No matter what happens. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for me.” Drake stormed off, leaving me speechless.

  Ren helped Nora to her feet.

  I stepped toward them. “Nora, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know what was happening.”

  She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I know you didn’t. That’s what scares me. I’m worried about what will happen if you don’t learn to control your powers, Mercy.”

  Ren wrapped his arms around my shoulder and kissed my forehead. “I’m going to help Nora back to her room, and then I’ll be back.”

  I shook my head, focused on the settling ripples of the pool. “I think . . . I need to be alone.”

  Ren’s brows shot up. “I’m not going to leave—”

  “I’m okay, now. I promise.” I smiled to assure him.

  He nodded, but didn’t look pleased. “Don’t get back in the water. Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  I watched as Ren assisted Nora back to our room, leaving me baffled at what happened.

  I sat on the lounge chair by the pool after they left, wrapped up in a large towel. Lights glistened over the surface of the water that had been angry with me minutes before. I should never have jumped in with my emotions that high. I could’ve killed my friends, people that would have given their life for me.

  “I heard I might find you here,” Fitz called out. “I received a rundown of what happened in the water.”

  “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I whispered, my eyes never leaving the pool.

  “I know.” He sat in the lounge chair beside me and paused, as if trying to find the words he came there to say. “I feel it’s my responsibility to protect you. I only wish I could have done it sooner.”

  Finally, I turned to face him. “What are you talking about?”

  “The only way I can make up for lost time is to teach you everything your father would’ve wanted me to.” Fitz’s words surprised me.

  “You knew my father?” My voice echoed against the concrete walls around me.

  “He was my best friend, Mercy. Noah Monroe grew up in Seregalo with me. Long story short, he and his wife moved to New York before you were born. It devastated me, and I felt
as though I’d lost my family. The day you were born, Regalians across the world sensed the wave of power, but one of our elders detected Monroe blood. He made the mistake of telling the council, including Aadya. Your parents tried to shield you from Aadya, but there was a terrible attack by the Custos, and you supposedly died along with Noah and Annabel. When you turned thirteen, we all felt the ripple again and knew you were alive.”

  “So, she really isn’t my mother? It’s true?”

  “Yes, it’s true,” said Fitz.

  “How did I end up with her?”

  “That’s the part I didn’t understand. I had a long talk with her today, so I could piece the puzzle together. Apparently, she’s the non-gifted half-sister to Noah. Banished from Seregalo because she was born without power. They must have kept her birth a secret—I don’t remember Noah having a sister. They sent her away at an early age and she remembers very little of our world. She has major resentment toward Noah, and that has carried over onto you,” he explained.

  “So that explains why she despises me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “Noah panicked when he realized the extent of your power, and he knew Aadya would come for you. She said Noah showed up on her doorstep offering an obscene amount of money to hide you and raise you as hers. She was unmarried and struggling, so she accepted. Plus, Aadya would’ve never suspected her.”

  “My parents were trying to protect me? They loved me?”

  “Oh, heavens, yes. Your father was over the moon when Annabel was expecting. When I heard the rumor of his death in New York, I felt like a part of me died right along with him. I came here searching for you, and found over fifty babies with the last name Monroe. And, there was no guarantee that your name hadn’t changed. All I could do was wait and hope that if you survived, your power would surface.”

  I shook my head, confused. “How did you find me?”

  “Dr. Lee was the one who heard about the trouble a Monroe girl was dealing with at school. One of his contacts reached out to him, so we investigated. I had my suspicions, but I couldn’t be certain you were the one, not until today.”