The Light of Roria

Chapter Fourteen

"She's literally killed three plates already with her magical flying daggers and created a sword. I've managed to create nothing but extremely sore muscles from swinging your sword around. I think it's fair to say we've both earned a break for our efforts." Staci whined, laying on the grass.

She was right. I was exhausted. I hadn't done this much exercise since, well, ever. Elijah had been teaching us techniques to not only use a sword properly but also to maneuver ourselves in various stances that would help us succeed in a sword fight.

"She's right, Elijah. I could use a break," I admitted, catching my breath. I dropped the sword and it quickly faded away. Sitting on the step near the back door, I rested my head against the glass. My muscles ached in places I didn't think were possible. I realized I could probably make a lot of money helping people whip themselves into shape through medieval sword fighting. It was way harder than the few pilates videos I'd tried.

With an amused smile, Elijah reached out his hand to me. "I'll make us some dinner then."

Staci sat up quickly with a surprised expression. "You don't even sound out of breath!" She shouted before staggering up from the ground. "Your aren't even human, are you?"

Elijah smirked as we all headed inside. "Actually I'm more human than even Addisyn. Considering she's fairy."

"Seriously you've got to stop bringing that up; it's still freaking me out," Staci shuttered, her hand raised as if to silence him.

"I don't know. I've always felt a little different. I guess it's starting to make sense," I admitted, pouring a glass of water. My breath was still heavy as I spoke, and my lungs burned, causing me to cough as I drank.

"Whatever. I just can't help picturing Tinker Bell every time he says it."

Truthfully neither could I, but Elijah promised me I wouldn't be doing any shrinking, and my dark swaying marks seemed to only appear for seconds when I would use divinity. Still, I wondered what I'd look like if the person he'd mentioned hadn't placed the conceal mark on me in the first place.

"What shall I prepare for us?" he asked, opening the fridge. Elijah was really beginning to get comfortable in this century.

"Let's just warm up the casserole," I suggested, grabbing three plates.

Elijah pulled the contents out of the fridge as Staci handed me a large serving spoon, her expression suddenly going dark. Startled, I reached for her arm before she had the chance to pull away.

"What is it?" I asked gently.

There was a moment when Staci's eyes faced the living room before finally looking toward me. "It's just—" she started to say. Then with a short breath, she continued. "With all that's gone on, I'd completely forgotten. I mean, earlier I wasn't ready to say anything, but now with everything else, I don't think I have a choice."

I leaned toward her worriedly. "What is it?"

"I couldn't help it," she admitted, guiltily. "I was so curious about the picture your mother had mentioned. I just looked."

With a relieved breath, I shook my head. "Staci, it's OK. In all honesty, I would have wanted to look, too, if the situation were reversed. I just wasn't ready earlier, and—"

"No, it's more than that," she interrupted. "I mean, yeah, maybe I should have waited to look with you, but the lady the in the photo—well, I know her."

"What?" I touched my chest in disbelief.

"In fact I saw a picture of her years ago when I was a little girl and have never forgotten her face." Staci paused, struggling to admit the rest while I waited in suspense, my heart drumming in my chest. "The lady in the picture, she's my real mom."