Tell Me Where I Belong
Maelynne's POV
I echoed Angel's question. "What about me, Jeb?" I asked. "Who is my mother?"
"Was," he corrected gently. "The only three mothers I managed to keep track of were the ones who were the mothers of my children."
"Max and Ari?" I asked.
He shook his head, and said, "Max, you and Maelynne are both destined for greatness. Ari's mother was my wife who died soon after he was born. Max's mother was Dr. Valencia Martinez. Your mother who, I regretfully inform you, you will never meet, was Melena Thropp."
"Mother is dead?" I asked, numb.
He nodded and I sprang to my feet. "This had better not be a test or a sick joke, because if it is, I swear you will never see the light of day again," I threatened.
He nodded and said, "This is not a test nor is it a sick joke. I regretfully admit that it true."
Suddenly it hit me—Max was my younger—biological—half-sister and Ari was my younger—biological—half-brother.
I smiled weakly at Ari and smirked knowingly at Max.
He shrugged back at me. Max grinned weakly in reply and then the five of us—six counting Total—were led out for Max's and my "final" test.
As we were walking, I asked, "Who are my sisters?"
"Elphaba, the green older one, Thropp, and Nessarose Melena Thropp, as their father so aptly described the girls," Jeb scowled.
"So, Elphaba and Nessarose?" I repeated.
He nodded and said, "Mae, I know it's in your nature to side with the underdog and show favoritism towards those against whom the odds are stacked, but don't do that with your sisters. If your, well, I'm not sure how else to describe him, stepfather hears of you favoring Elphaba over Nessarose bad things will happen to you."
I scowled and asked, "What are you doing?"
"You're going to face Alpha. She's not a strong fighter, especially when her opponent is angry or upset," he advised.
I nodded and said, "Thanks for the hint, Jeb."
He nodded and walked away from us, hoping I'd take his advice against Alpha.