Parallel: The Secret Life of Jordan McKay (28 page)

Molly’s curious case was surely a gift from God. And though I doubted God held any hope for our family, it seemed this was His way of saying that He was still here for us, despite all that had happened.

When I look back, I think that I still lived a lucky life. One filled with magic and mystery, adventure and love. Though it’s nice to live in a perfect world, it is better to believe that it is, in fact, very flawed but beautiful because of it. I watched as Jordan came back into the room, walking toward me and grabbing my hand.

“But how?” he asked again, still lost.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure how or why she came to us so soon, but I do know that she wanted a father, and I could not deny her that affection. She is just like you, Jordan. Just as strong willed and determined. She knew what she needed to do to prevent your death, but to also put an end to our bloodline. With one kidney, childbirth for her is a major risk and so is Shifting. It was her way of forcing herself into a normal life, and though she may know what the future holds, it will be different because you’re in it.”

Tears formed in Jordan’s eyes. “I never knew. I never thought it was possible for a Shifter to move like that.”

I squeezed his hand as hard as I could muster, my body exhausted. “All she needed was the journals from you and your mother, the pictures and the memories that you laid out so well.” I saw his eyes flash, and I knew what he was thinking. “You cannot think like that any longer, Jordan. Your mother wanted you to live a normal life, and you know that. She hoped that you would be born normal, but when she realized you weren’t, her hope was lost. You cannot save her anymore. We need you here with us, as a family.”

Tears rolled down his cheek and he nodded with a shaking lip. “I’m sorry my mother never got the chance to meet her, to see how we had changed it all.”

I laughed. “But she did, Jordan. This was entirely your mother’s idea. Molly told me that.”

He began to cry, and for a while he was silent, but as the morning turned to the afternoon, I think he managed to find a sense of peace.

“I’m so sorry, Kenzie. I never meant for all this to happen. I didn’t know.”

I let out a heavy breath as he woke me from a light nap, hearing his words. “It’s not worth worrying about anymore, darling. We’re alive and together now. All the rest is history and it won’t be repeated.”

Jordan’s face curled into a smile. “I love you, Kenzie.”

I yawned before letting out a gentle laugh. “I know.”

October 14, 2028

11.29 a.m.

“Here, Molly, pass me the ball!” I yelled from across the court, putting my hands up.

She laughed. “Nice try, Dad. This is a one-on-one game, so I can’t pass you the ball.”

We were both breathing heavily as sweat coated our brow, feeling hot, though the air was crisp and turning into fall. We stopped for a moment and I put a hand on my hip, squeezing my side.

“Does it hurt?” Molly walked up to me with the ball in her hands, a solemn look on her face that reminded me of back then, when I first saw her.

“Just a little tight, is all.” I held back a wince, feeling the residual pain that still lingered as a reminder of what I had done to myself.

“Jordan, I don’t regret what I did.”

I froze and looked at her, her voice changing as she addressed me by name. I had never told her about what she had done, as a sort of experiment, to see if she could remember, and also to hopefully hide the truth from her.

“I know about it all; I could never forget that. I knew my decision to Shift for the last time was not without good cause, and I would do it again if I had to.” Her turquoise eyes blinked as she walked over to the bench and grabbed her black sweatshirt.

“You know?” I was still gasping for air.

Molly laughed. “Of course I do, Daddy.”

I laughed and walked up to her, giving her a hug. “Then let me thank you for what you did for all of us. You had a bravery that your grandmother and I could not possess.”

I felt her squeeze me like she never had before, and for the first time since she came to me, years and years ago, I felt we had finally connected. “Do you want to hear about Grandma?” she asked, looking up at me.

The words sparked a flood of tears as she said them, my mother’s face smiling at me across my memory. I swallowed hard, my voice cracking. “I would very much like that.”

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The Feather Book Series was Abra Ebner’s First look into writing, and as such, she challenged and experimented with the parameters of what makes a writer, creating a powerful series that defies structure, and is bound to leave you enchanted...

About Abra Ebner

Abra (like Abracadabra) Ebner loves to write and believes that by helping others discover the magic of writing the world will be a happier place. She lives in Washington with her husband and two cats where she writes a little bit of everything:
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FEATHER

BOOK ONE PREVIEW

Abra Ebner

PREFACE

Once upon a time, the Gods created a being far greater than anything in existence. These beings, the highest form of human life, were closer to God than even the angels, and their beauty far more appealing than any earthly creation.

The Gods, upon seeing such a beautiful creation grew jealous. The being needed no love, longed for no power, and hungered for no nourishment of either mind or soul. Their flawless creation was angelically perfect, and therefore appallingly wrong, for nothing could be more perfect than the Gods themselves.

As the being flourished, troubled by nothing, the Gods grew dark and vindictive. In their hatred they mused and the plan they constructed was horrid, inhumane, and dark. They chose to split the perfect soul for eternity, the Gods finding themselves ultimately endangered by their creations power and strength. In one swift movement they ripped the being apart, creating two hearts, both sharing one soul.

One half was the creator, the life and energy of the earth, and the mother of man. The other half was the power and protection, a warrior of worlds. In this, they created Male and Female.

As the Gods schemed in their eternal greed, they chose to make their creation a game, no more than mere pawns for their enjoyment. As punishment, they scattered the beings among the humans of earth, both halves separated and eternally locked in hunger and longing for the love of their shared soul.

The female half was the holder of their life, the emotion and beauty of the soul. In her, she protected this delicate power, never abusing its energy and forever giving to the earth and nature. Despite her possessions, she was lonely and lost in love, weak, sad, and alone.

The male half, the powerful half, was left lifeless and drained of the energy only the soul could give him. In the male’s life on earth, he searched for his strength, the female, and the power he could ultimately gain from it. Their lethal lust for that soul was so great, that it drove them into madness, anger, and despair.

Upon meeting their soul mate, the male half was found hungry, and vicious, murdering their other half in their greed, and ultimately leading to their demise. But despite their vicious love, many survived long enough to understand their power, and in finding each other, they unlocked the secret to their lives.

Together, the two halves created a whole, a life force greater and more powerful than anything on earth. Though eternally tormented by jealously and hunger, they were better together than apart, the ultimate test of eternal love.

A NEW DAY

“
Estella, take this.” Heidi thrust a thick envelope toward me as a sad tear grew in her eye, her hand trembling and weak as it floated in the air between us.

I looked at the envelope with caution “Oh no,” I shook my head, my face contorted into a sad frown, “Heidi no, I couldn’t.” I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to accept the gift.

“Please Estella,” she paused, her voice now choking in her throat, “I just want to see you happy. I am old and tired, my life is ending and yours is just beginning.” She walked toward me with a stern look on her face, the envelope still held out in front of her in her stubborn stand. Her eyes scanned mine in frantic waves and I could see she loved me like her own.

I grabbed the small manila package between my trembling fingers, treating it with delicate care. The contents were beyond what I could ever deserve, but the needs in Heidi’s eyes were deep, and I found myself unable to say no.

“
Thank you,” I looked at the ground as the familiar sadness stung at my heart.

Heidi leaned in and hugged me, her small arms squeezing the breath from my lungs. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more of a mother to you,” she whispered, her breath hot as it fell across my ear.

She was crying now, and I felt the tears seeping into the shoulder of my blouse.

“
Heidi, you are the closest thing to a mother I’ve ever known, don’t think any less.” I put my arm around her frail shoulders as she trembled into my chest, the guilt in me rising as I forced back my desire to stay, to save her from her lonely life.

She pulled away, a strong look now flooding her tear stained face, “You go, make me proud,” her eyes seeped bravery, “and find your happiness.” She patted both of my shoulders with surprising strength as her long nails dug into my skin with a sting of pain.

“I promise, I will come back soon,” I tried to smile as I dropped to pick up my last bag, but nothing came.