Ember
Professor Vetito stands at the back of the class, showing memories from his eyes like an old film projector. The images are of his own family, and he’s describing how someone could ascertain what abilities their child may inherit by studying their DNA. It’s an interesting subject, but my focus is elsewhere.
Memories of the conversation with Eliza this past weekend swirl around my mind nonstop. I stare at the black drapes covering the windows to the outside world. So many veils in my life have sheltered me from the truth. With the recent turn of events, it’s like someone has finally pulled back the curtains, and the sun is blinding. It’ll take some time for my eyes to adjust, to understand the situation, and to figure out a way to move forward.
“Ember?” Professor Vetito says firmly, snapping me from my trance.
I look over my shoulder. “Yes?”
His eyes are like flashlights in the dark, pointed at the screen for his projections. His forest-green suit is almost black in the shadows. “I asked, who does a child inherit their mitochondrial DNA from?”
Thank goodness. It’s an easy question. “Oh, their mother.”
“That’s correct.” He nods approvingly, and the picture on the screen bobs with his head. “But let’s pay attention, shall we?”
My cheeks flare with embarrassment, but I’m sure one is redder than the other thanks to the bruise—a gift from Alphonse. “Yes. Of course.”
“Mitochondrial DNA,” Vetito continues, “is important regarding how abilities develop. The first ability is believed to have emerged from a mutation in this DNA thousands of years ago. Mutations still happen to this day, creating new and rare abilities, and even abilities that can be dangerous to one’s health.”
My interest piques at hearing this, especially after learning that Mad Marie’s abilities were making her sick.
The projection changes to a young, pretty woman with blond hair, wearing a lab jacket. “I once knew a person who suffered from this condition.” Vetito’s tone is sad, remorseful even. “She wanted to keep her ability but didn’t want the side effects that came with it.”
I tilt my head, focusing on red marks near the woman’s jawline and forehead. They’re patchy, almost burn-like.
“Martha was looking for a way to control the toxicity in her blood,” Eliza’s voice replays in my head. “She was displaying symptoms of someone with acute radiation exposure and had burn marks all over her body.”
My heart stops and a chill engulfs me. Is this Martha?
The image disappears, and Vetito clears his throat. “That’ll be all for today. Next class, we’ll discuss more about mitochondrial DNA, the chromosomes that one inherits from their father, and how they can play a role in what kind of ability you inherit.”
The class clears out, but my eyes are trained on Vetito walking to his desk. Aiden did say it was in Vetito’s class last semester where he learned about Black Mold’s identity. How is it that Vetito knew when it’s not common knowledge? And now he may have known Martha before her days as Mad Marie.
I need to take advantage of this time and see what I can find out, if anything, from Vetito. I head toward him with my backpack in tow and plaster on a friendly smile.
He looks up, and his shoulders sag. The large growth under his left eye seems a bit larger than normal. “Oh, hi, Ember. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Hey, um, well…” I swallow back the knot in my throat. “I wanted to ask you a few questions about today’s lecture.”
“You did?” He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “I’m surprised to hear this. It seemed like the curtains were more entertaining than the class material.”
My chest stiffens a little, and I shuffle my feet. “Oh, no. They weren’t. I… I…” My gaze falls to the marble tile. “I have no excuse.”
He chuckles. “At least you’re honest, unlike”—he clears his throat—“some of the other students. What is it that I can help you with, then?”
It’s hard to get a read on him. Should I ask for any more info? But if losing Erik taught me anything, it’s that I can’t assume I’ll have the chance to talk to Vetito later. Nothing is guaranteed.
It’s a harsh lesson that I've already learned twice.
I take a deep breath for strength. “I was wondering if you could tell me more about the woman from your memories. She looked familiar.”
Vetito’s eyes widen just the tiniest bit. “I doubt you would know her.”
“Why’s that?”
He frowns, looking to the side. “Because she’s dead.”
“I–I’m sorry,” I say, a little dumbfounded, but I’m not sure if I believe him. “Was it because of her abilities?”
“Something like that.” Vetito’s face becomes still as stone, unreadable.
Nerves and the sense of not knowing what to say next render me useless. I don’t think I’ll get anything more out of him regarding Martha, but maybe I can try asking about Stanley. “You taught the Villain’s History class last semester, didn’t you?”
“I did.” Vetito eyes me with a sense of speculation. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, my boyfriend was in your class and told me that you shared some information regarding Black Mold that I was curious about.”
“And what would that be?”
“Black Mold is, well, the reason my mother is no longer here.” Vetito’s eye twitches, taking me off guard, but I continue, “I’m trying to learn more about him. Aiden told me that you said you went to school with him, that you knew him before he became Black Mold, and his name was Stanley Bitar. Is that right?”
“That lesson will always haunt me,” Vetito mutters.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I did know Stanley.” Vetito’s back becomes ramrod straight. Anger bores from his eyes. “But that was a long time ago. I only shared that information with my class because I felt it was relevant at the time, since there was so much talk about him, because of you attending this university.”
The bitterness in his tone surprises me, but I hold my ground. “Why don’t you think it’s relevant for everyone to know his true identity?”
His nose flares. “You of all people know exactly why it’s relevant for it not to be widely known.” He leans forward. “I’m not stupid, Ember. There’s no way you are blind to the fact that Stanley and Eliza share a last name.”
I step backward. “You know Eliza?”
He stands, picking up his briefcase. “I did, and I think that’s enough for today’s conversation. Don’t you think?”
“Can you please tell me what you know?” I ask, feeling panic enveloping me. He can’t leave now. “Were you friends with Stanley and Martha? With Eliza? With my parents?”
The heels of his loafers tap across the floor as he heads toward the door. My heart drops into my stomach, knowing there’s nothing more I can do. I’m not willing to cause a scene. Vetito stops, throwing me a look over his shoulder. “I was their friend.” He looks me up and down before staring into my green eyes—my mother’s eyes—with an intensity that I’m not certain is meant for me. “Never talk to me about this again.”
“Please.” I step closer to him. “What happened?”
He stops with his hand on the doorknob, pausing there as if deciding whether or not he should answer me. “They were selfish,” he finally says. “All of them were.” He narrows his eyes. “If I give you any advice, let it be this; don’t follow in your parents’ footsteps.”
His words cause a million doubts about my future to rush to the surface, and I’m stunned into silence. With one last annoyed scowl, Vetito opens the door and disappears into the hallway, leaving me with more questions than I started with.
* * *
My foot taps, marking each second, while I sit on a black bench outside Aiden’s class building. The campus is alive with teachers and students walking about, seemingly without a care in the world. Unlike me, who is having my past unravel more with each passing day.
I stare off into the distance at the student center, standing taller than any other building on campus. It’s a modern design, with the front consisting of three rectangular sections with angular roofs; the center section is made from polished steel, while the other two are glass arranged in a rhombus pattern. It’s strong and bold, a representation of the university itself.
The doors to Aiden’s building burst open. A herd of students rushes out. I stand, hoping to see Aiden. It feels like hours pass before one person, taller than the rest and with hair the color of snow, appears.
Aiden chats with Billy, who has Carly on his arm.
“Aiden!” I yell and wave.
He glances around for a moment before his gaze lands on me, and he smiles. He heads my way after saying goodbye to Billy.
Aiden’s black jacket is unzippered, revealing his red shirt underneath. His hair is down, lying long and wavy past his shoulders. A certain rosiness dots his cheeks that’s normally only present when he uses his abilities. “Hey!” he says, stopping in front of me. His smile slides into a frown, and he lightly touches my cheek. “What happened here?”
“I was practicing with Stella yesterday, and her golem got the best of me.”
“Hey, Stiles!” a deeper voice emerges from behind Aiden.
Aiden scowls and turns around. “What is it, Jomo?”
Jomo approaches. His skin is dark as the night sky, and he has bright yellow eyes, like a cat hiding in the shadows. His dreadlocks are the same color, and they’re tied back with a black ribbon. He grins at me. “Oh, you know, thought I’d see you with the Guardians’ daughter, since she’s made you so popular in the papers.”
“Do I have to remind you of our talk with Valentino?” Aiden squares his shoulders, meeting Jomo’s stare. They’re about the same height, so it’s a bit of a menacing sight. “Our conversations should be limited, for both of our sakes.”
“But that doesn’t apply to the Guardians’ daughter, does it?” Jomo smirks at me. “I might as well size up my future competition, since there’s no way you won’t make it into the Defender program, right? People with parents like yours always get stuff handed to them. I doubt you’ve worked hard a day in your life.”
The unexpected attack on my character leaves me speechless.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about, Jomo. Leave Ember out of this.” Aiden’s veins glow blue. “Your problem is with me.”
Jomo’s lips curl. “Whatever. You’ll have your day, Stiles.” He throws me and Aiden one last dirty look before heading off.
Sparks crackle from Aiden’s fingers. “The nerve of that guy!”
“Hey,” I say, with a vague nervousness, but I want to distract Aiden from the uncomfortable interaction, and I’d rather forget it. “Don’t worry about him. He’s just trying to get to you. Tell me about your day. Did you have practice?”
The sparks dissipate around Aiden’s hands, and his veins normalize. “Yeah. I teamed up with Billy, so things went smoothly—well, for me at least.”
“Oh?”
A mischievous glint shines in his eyes. “Billy really hates my forcefields.”
“That seems to be the one thing everyone can agree on,” I say, trying to be funny, but my voice is tense.
Aiden frowns, looking concerned. “Enough about me. Why are you here? I was just coming to meet up with you and Stella for lunch.”
I fidget with my hands. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”
“Okay.” He looks off in the distance and adjusts his backpack on his shoulder. “How about we go near the lake? It doesn’t look like many people are there right now.”
“That’s fine.” I pick up my bag off the ground. “Let’s go.”
We walk in that direction, and I keep my gaze on the gray stone path. Aiden reaches for my hand, and I take it, enjoying his touch, but my heart races about our upcoming talk. Trees replace the glass buildings in my peripheral vision as we near the lake. We sit on a wooden bench and drop our packs at our feet.
The view is picturesque. The water glitters like a million diamonds in the sunlight. A fresh, clean scent, like rain, fills the air.
Aiden tightens his grip on my hand. “What’s going on, Em?”
I take a deep breath. “I don’t think I should try out for the Defender program.”
“What? Why—”
“Let me finish,” I say softly. “There’s more.”
“Okay.” Aiden’s blue eyes reflect his nervousness. “I’ll stay quiet.”
“After class, I talked with Professor Vetito. I don’t want to get into it right now, but it turns out he was friends with my mom, dad, Eliza… Stanley and Martha.”
Aiden’s mouth drops open.
“He’s bitter toward all of them. I’m not sure of all the details, but he implied it’s because everyone had selfish motives.”
Aiden’s lips tremble like he wants to say something, but he tightens them, keeping his word.
“He told me not to follow in my parents’ footsteps, like I’m doing something wrong.”
Aiden’s stare is full of pain while he represses what he wants to say.
“I don’t think that I am,” I say, feeling the weight of the world dropping on my shoulders. “But I do have to consider what my future looks like as a Guardian. If Vetito told your class who Black Mold is, it’s only a matter of time until more people know and someone pieces together that Eliza is his sister.” My eyes bore into Aiden’s. “And that the sister of a villain has been raising me for the last almost nine years.”
A cloud passes over the sun, shadowing Aiden’s face.
“You have to think about what this means for you too.” My stomach turns, and a queasiness travels up my throat. “If I’m discovered to have ties to a villain because of Eliza, it could be held against you as well.”
Aiden places his other hand atop mine, and his face looks older with his concern.
“I can’t,” I choke up, trying to hold back my tears, but they sneak out anyway, “ask you to give up your dream because of these secrets in my past. That isn’t fair to you.”
He nods, eyeing the grass. “Can I say something?”
My lip quivers. “Yeah. That’s really all I had to say.”
“Tell me…” He adjusts, straightening his posture. “What do you plan on doing, then?”
“What?” His tone surprises me. “What do you mean?”
His brow creases. “Are you planning on dropping out of school? Break up with me? Retreat to your house and hide again?”
I shake my head. “No. I mean, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it that far.”
“You wanted to try out for the Defender program because you felt it would be the best way to get closer to those who may have answers about your parents. Has that changed?”
“No. I still feel that way, but—”
“Do you recall what I told you after the press conference?” Aiden’s tone is firm. “That we’re going to face challenges, Ember. Do you remember that?”
Shame pulls at my heartstrings. “I know, but this is different. This could jeopardize your entire future. You’ve worked your whole life to be a Guardian, and it could all be at risk because of decisions my parents made.”
Aiden caresses my face, the cheek without a bruise. “You’re now part of my future too.” He takes a shaky breath. “Do you love me?”
I soften. “Of course, I do.”
“Then, we’ll handle what happens. I won’t live my life afraid of the future any longer.” He leans closer, holding my stare. “And neither should you.”
“It’s just all so scary.” Tears well in my eyes. “There are so many unknowns.”
“There are.” Aiden pulls me into him, and I lean my head on his shoulder. “But has your goal changed since you first decided to pursue the Guardian path?”
“No,” I whisper.
“Then, for now, stay focused. The test is coming up, and you’re definitely ready for it. If something happens later, we’ll reevaluate and figure out what we need to do. Who knows, maybe we can challenge the system. Point out how unfair the law can be to innocent people.”
“It doesn’t seem fair, does it?”
“Not really. Especially since your parents stayed quiet because of it.”
Though I shouldn’t feel liable for my parents’ decisions, a sense of guilt washes over me. “I wish I could talk to them.”
“I know.” Aiden kisses my forehead. “But if you could, they’d be alive, and we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
A tired sigh escapes me. “That’s true.”
“I believe in you, Em,” Aiden says confidently. “I believe you can do this, and we’ll figure out everything about what happened to your parents. You just need to believe in yourself.”
A bird flies high into the clouds and disappears behind the trees in the far distance. The cloud blocking the sun shifts, and rays of sunlight streak over the grass.
“You’re right.”
Aiden retightens his hold on my hand. “And be confident in us.”
The sunlight washes over him. His pale skin seems to emit a glow, and his eyes glimmer like aquamarine gems after being freshly polished. Sadness tugs on his broad shoulders, but a deep devotion resides in his gaze full of love and serenity. I focus on our hands together; a gentle hum by our connection fills my senses—a connection I’ve never fully understood between us.
I hold his gaze and tuck a lock of his hair behind his ear. Guilt and acceptance wash over me. “I’m sorry, Aiden. I let my fear get the best of me.”
“Promise me this will be the last time you doubt us.” His eyes beg for my response. “Okay?”
“Okay. I promise.”
He eyes my lips, and I bring them to his. His touch sends a desirable, electrifying chill through my body.
“So,” he says a bit breathlessly, “I think we can both agree there’s a lot we have to figure out.”
I nod, nuzzling my forehead against his.
“But let’s focus on one thing at a time, and the first thing being the Defender test. Let’s get you through that, and afterward, we can figure out what the next step to take is. Sound like a plan?”
I kiss him again. “It’s a plan.”