Prologue
My cousin rounded the corner, his brown eyes sparkling as his grin stretched from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, buddy.” “Torrin!” I shouted as I ran to him, hugging his legs. “Let’s play figurines!” Torrin laughed, his attention gliding up to his parents. “Is that okay?” Aunt Josie nodded, then gave a warning look. “Just don’t destroy the living room like last time, will you?” “No promises!” Torrin called out. The two of us rushed to the box of wooden figurines tucked beside their sofa. I grabbed a handful, chuckling as Torrin pressed himself against a wall, palms out, ready to defend himself. Uncle Toby said I had created this game when I was two years old. I had thrown one of the wooden dolls at Torrin in a fit, and he had used a force field to send it soaring away. I had giggled so hard that Uncle Toby made several more. Any time they’d watch me, we’d play figurines. I loved playing with Torrin. I chucked the toy at my cousin, who blocked the attack with ease. “That’s all you got?” he taunted. I stuck my tongue out at him before throwing another at his head. Torrin was remarkably skilled with his magic—in fact, most in the village were surprised by how early he’d earned his powers. I still hadn’t gotten mine, but that was normal for a little kid. After launching a few more, I announced, “I gotta pee!” Torrin’s face scrunched. “Gross.” I snickered, then skipped to the bathroom. After relieving myself and quickly washing my hands, I froze with my hand on the knob. The bathroom was just beside the kitchen, and I could hear Mama’s conversation with my uncle filtering through the wall. “What do you think it is?” I overheard Uncle Toby mumble. “He couldn’t possibly have magic yet, could he? Even Torrin getting his at six was young.” “Well, what other person do you know whose eyes change color?” my mother replied. “It’s not just a subtle shift, Tobias. His eyes go from bright blue to almost black.” There was a pause. “He’s gifted. I know it. I mean, it’s in his blood, isn't it? Torrin’s able to read minds.” She sighed. “I don’t know what his power is… I’ve never seen anything like it.” Not interested in their conversation, I opened the door and left the bathroom. It wasn’t the first time Mama had mentioned my eyes. I rounded the corner, ready to continue my game, but halted in the hallway when the front door opened. My father walked in, a strange expression on his face. Is he upset? Still, I was elated to see him. He wasn’t at dinner last night. “Hi, Papa!” I bounced up and down happily. He offered me a tight-lipped smile, then shifted his attention to Mama. “Ayana, may I have a word?” Torrin crept up quietly behind me. When I glanced up at him, his smile faded as he stared at my father. A deep crease formed between my uncle’s brows, and Aunt Josie crossed her arms. My mother nodded, fetching her coat before following Papa outside. After the door clicked shut, Aunt Josie muttered, “That can’t be good.” Torrin’s eyes stayed fixed on the closed door, and a bad feeling washed over me. “What’s wrong?” I asked innocently. It was only a few moments before Mother cried out, “WHAT?!” Uncle Toby immediately ran to the window above their sink, just as Aunt Josie hurried over to me and Torrin, ushering us out of the hallway. “Come on, boys. Let’s get in the living room.” I glowered, ready to follow her, until I heard my mother cry, “On his birthday, Vicsin?!” My heart skipped, and I moved toward the door, needing to see what was wrong. Torrin snatched my hand, and when I met his dark eyes, he slowly shook his head. Papa’s voice was barely audible through the closed door. “I’m sorry. I can’t keep living a lie anymore.” “I’m going to kick his fucking ass,” Uncle Toby growled, then stormed out of the house, leaving the door wide open. My father’s gaze widened at my uncle, and Mama was covering her mouth. “What’s happening?” I asked Torrin nervously. Torrin squeezed his eyes shut as he released my hand, covering his ears and backing away. He did that anytime someone’s thoughts invaded his own. Aunt Josie rushed to shut the door but froze the moment my father uttered his following words. “She’s pregnant,” Papa said. My family, the air, life itself… stilled. “What?” Mama breathed, a single tear slipping down her flustered face. “Heildee.” Father’s cheeks turned crimson. “She’s pregnant, as you know.” I couldn’t see Uncle Toby’s face, as his back was to us, but his fists shook at his sides. Who is Heildee? “You…” Mother choked. “You’re the father?” A wave of pain hit me as I focused on Mama, and I started to cry. Why was I crying? “I need to be with her—support her.” Uncle Toby started to move, and Papa flinched. But Mama blocked my uncle from swinging his fist, letting out a scoff as she did so. “You need to be with her? What about Merrick? Your son?!” Her voice trembled as she uttered, “What about me?” Papa swallowed. “I’m sorry, Ayana,” he whispered, then turned in the other direction. Mother’s chest rose and fell as she watched him walk away. “Don’t you fucking leave us!” she cried out, her shoulders curving inward when she realized he wasn’t turning back. “Don’t leave…” But he did. “Merrick, don’t,” Torrin demanded, but I still ran to her side. Uncle Toby pursued my father, spitting profanities as he trailed him. But it didn’t stop my father from going to his new home. To his new family. My mother’s glossy eyes stayed fixed in his direction, and that awful feeling spread through me as I gazed at her. “Mama?” I whispered. My chest ached while water poured from my eyes, and I didn’t know why. She couldn’t look at me, her lips trembling violently. When my small hand grasped hers, she completely broke down, sinking to her knees. I remained beside her, unsure about what to do as she wept so hard she choked for air. Still, I held her hand. That was the first time I had seen my mother cry. The first time I had seen her fall apart. The first time someone else’s pain became my own.
