The Family - Volume 2

Chapter 4

- As far as your mission is concerned," said Emma, "let me be very clear on this point. Your task is to observe, not to act, and I formally forbid you to do so. If anyone turns out to be in danger, other than yourself, contact me and a member of La Famille will come and take care of it. Have I made myself clear?
Emma had been very strict, but I didn't know if I'd really listen to her.
- What if we're the ones being attacked?" asked Zoé.
- Try to get out of it, at worst use your powers, or even go to a public place. If it becomes impossible to get out, contact us and we'll come and get you.
As far as I was concerned, I doubted we'd be able to inform anyone if we had the misfortune to run into Tyna, and even less so if it was an enemy we didn't know.
- Let's talk about your mission. The main goal is to find a member of The Family.
- A member of The Family?" I asked. Who's been exiled?
- It reminds me a lot of the story of Nekrós," said Zoé.
- It does indeed, but that's not exactly the case. The person you'll be looking for has been hidden from the rest of The Family since he was born. We had to give him up for adoption, because Jihn was given a prophecy meaning that his power should not come to light, or great misfortune would befall us.
- Was it a forbidden power? asked Zoé.
- Yes, but I can't tell you more than that it's enormously powerful.
I thought quickly, only one concrete option came to mind at the moment to justify the choice of recovering this unknown.
- Do you think the information has leaked out and someone is out there looking for him?
Emma nodded.
- This secret was kept between the Ancestor and the AS, but given that Tyna betrayed us, it would be highly likely that she would want it back.
- What could it possibly mean to her? And how did you know she was looking for him? And why now?" Zoé blurted out what I'd been thinking.
The Ancestor looked desperate, overwhelmed and devastated at the same time.
- When we exiled this little one as soon as he was born, we couldn't leave him alone in the wild without knowing what would become of him, especially when we knew the power he possessed. So we continued to watch over him from afar. I can't say for sure that it's Tyna who's looking for him, but I can't think of anyone else who would. If it is Tyna, her motives are simple: it's a chance for her to find Nekrós.
- Does this person we have to track down know about The Family ?
- Yes, we explained everything to him the day he unlocked his powers, and he took it well, much to our relief. Then we went back to see him from time to time. Nevertheless, when I wanted to go some time ago, his adoptive parents informed me that he had left, telling them that it was dangerous for him and those around him to stay here. I think he realized that someone was out to get him and decided to withdraw. At the very least, it's getting too dangerous, he won't be able to run away indefinitely, we've got to find him and get him somewhere safe before someone else catches him.
Everything Emma had said sounded serious and important, but there was an intonation in her voice that made it seem essential for her to know this young man was safe. Did she have a connection with him? I didn't know, and I didn't want to ask, as Emma seemed to be in enough turmoil as it was.
- After everything I've told you, do you still want to go?
- What a question!
- Of course," continued Zoé, "we can't leave him at the mercy of a crook!
She smiled at us.
- Thank you, I appreciate your courage.
- I'm just wondering about one thing," I said. Why did you choose us?
Emma took a deep breath before saying:
- Joy, you've already proved your worth time and again, and you and Zoé are the same age and pretty good at using your powers. It'll be easier to pass you off as travel buddies. Tyna knows the puissant members of The Family and if I'd put them in the field, it wouldn't have been very discreet.
- Okay, I understand.
- Traveling buddies?" choked Zoé. Are you kidding me?
- You'll have to take it in your stride, Zoé, and who knows, maybe this little adventure will bring you closer together.
- I do hope this trip will be very short," Zoé mumbled.
- I especially hope it goes smoothly," I said.