Found Heritage

Chapter 6

In about a week, I was unpacked and settled enough in the house to the point I could do just about anything I wished. In that week, Phédre and Alcuin had about two assignations each. I had managed to escape the house without Joscelin in the course of the week. Of course he had been with one of my foster-siblings on their assignations when I escaped to Night's Doorstep.

"So the gadje chavi returns," one of Haycinthe's friends called out. "Welcome, welcome. I'll let Hays know you're here."

"Thanks, Emile." I took a seat at the back table. Haycinthe arrived seconds later.

"So, you've managed to dodge Delaunay's sight for a second and headed out," he spoke.

"I did. I may not be a servant of Naamah, but I'm skilled enough to to sneak out without much noise."

"What did you do in that school of yours?" Haycinthe waved for a jug of wine and two glasses.

"Learn, of course. Math, science, the usual classes. Also had band and ROTC classes." I saw that he had a confused look at band and ROTC.

"What's this band and ROTC?"

"Well, ROTC's an acronym for reserve officer training corp. Mostly for the military. And band well..." I wasn't sure how to explain that since I was still learning about the different Night Court Houses and where they stood in the story of the King of Persis. But it seemed like Phédre caught on that I was in band and explained Eglantine near the beginning. "It's sorta like some of the Eglantine adepts who play musical instruments."

"And how much of your marque did you get done before you had to move?"

"I don't have a marque in the adept sense. It doesn't work that way, Haycinthe."

Just when the jug arrived, I saw Guy walk in and I couldn't hold back the sigh. Knowing that Guy was there told me that Delaunay knew I left without tellin' him. Still, I poured myself some wine as if I hadn't noticed Guy. If Delaunay really did send him out after me, then let Guy come and get me. I just took a drink when Guy came over.

"Delaunay..." he began, stopping when I raised a hand.

"I know." I stood and turned to Haycinthe. "I'll try and be back." And I followed Guy out to the waiting car.

Back home, I was directed to the library where Delaunay waited for me.

"I know Phédre had a thing for leaving without informing me, but I wasn't aware you were," he told me without looking up from the book.

"I come from a single parent home, Delaunay," I stated. "My mother worked two jobs just to pay the bills. As long as I left a note or called her from time to time to tell her I was fine, I did what I pleased."

At that, he looked up. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He stood and crossed over to me, placing a hand on a shoulder. "I'm sorry about your mother, Morgan. Really I am. Seriously, I want you to inform either Guy or Joscelin before you leave this house. Is that understood?" I nodded. "Good. Now, there's a legal matter I wish to have your opinion on."

He turned and went to the desk where he had some papers laid out with a pen near them. "I've done some digging and found the identity of your biological mother."

"Wait a minute..." I was sure I had a very confused look on my face while I walked to stand before the desk. "You mean the woman that raised me wasn't my biological mother?"

"Yes. Your mother died some years ago, I'm sorry to say..."

"What about my father? Since you've managed to locate my mother..."

He raised a silencing hand. "Your father was quite easy to locate."

"And?" I gave him a look that I was sure that said 'Well? Are you going to tell me?'

He didn't mean my eyes, which meant one of a few things. "I'm your father."