Summary:Aalok Stilinski (Stiles) comes from a long line of witches, and he was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Stiles magic never showed up. Now seventeen, he attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from his family. But when a young professor -Jennifer Blake, mistakes him for a talented, Stiles agrees to find a lost family heirloom for her. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Stiles on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of his true identity, unearth the sins of his sister's fiance's family (the Hales), and bring forth feelings for his former childhood best friend whose recently returned. Spinning Stiles life and everyone around him into complete chaos.
Prologue
A shrill cry breached the ears of those waiting in the front. A few heads tilted toward the back bedroom door which had just opened as a very worn out looking man stepped out. His footsteps seemed to echo along the hardwood floor, coming up to a stop only once he reached the others. A few stood as he entered, the rest just tilted their bodies to face him. Seemingly waiting amidst the silence and occasional murmur. "Well...John? What is it?"
Running a hand over his face, John allowed himself to inhale before breathing out a heavy "It's a boy."
The others all seemed to relax a bit, however John still held a stiff posture. In their culture, especially the family line of his wife's side, there were tales of witches running in the family among the women. Daughters born were passed along the gift, such as his wife Claudia. So new of this newborn baby boy should be a welcome song to his ear, that is if it wasn't for Claudia's mother who was their families head. Gift of sight, or "seeing the future".
Claudia married out side of the families, not many were related, there were family lines, but everyone considered themselves family in the circle. They lived outside of the village, out in the woods and they positively loved it. Only a rare few ventured out into the 'outside world', escaping the confines of the not-so-normal family and its even worse events. So John was introduced to the world of magic and witches each with a gift or a 'talent'. Now it was normally the women and men who were 'pure' or were both of the a magic line that usually produced male offspring with talents, John was a talentless which Claudia possessed her own talent. Thus these results should be void with a male offspring's right?
Not if Claudia's mother had anything to say, which she did. Which is why John was currently just portraying a wonderful version of a plank of wood. "John, what is it? It's a boy, that means...well that means you shouldn't have to worry right?" Came a voice followed by a hand on his shoulder. It should have caused the man to jump but instead he just continued standing in place. Breathing, possibly worrying. He barely handled this family the way it was now, how was he going to handle this?
"Patricia says he is to be a beacon of hope for this family. He is to have a talent, she's foreseen it." John replied, feeling the pressure of the hand, a comforting squeeze. The gesture was kind, but it did little to help his nerves.
"Well, still, congratulations are in order John, you're a new father." John nodded his response, trying to will himself to relax. The man beside him gave a final squeeze before letting go. "It'll all be alright John, you'll see."
"Thank you Mark." He said at the same time a woman in a floral blue dress, Margret, asked "And his name? What is his name?" Generally, John would have thought they would pick the name out together, him and Claudia. Names however, were picked by the head of the family. The one who reads and see's the future. Claudia's mother Patricia.
Just as john had parted his lips to reply, a soft, yet strong voice sounded behind him. Immediately easing the tense stance he has been embedded in, relaxing into a smile as he turned to gaze as his wife. Claudia, even with her hair wild about her, strands sticking to her forehead form the sweat of labor, was still the most beautiful thing John had ever seen.
As she gazed down at the bundle in her arms, Claudia's lips curved into a loving, adoring smile. "His name, is Aalok. Aalok Stilinski."