Page 22 of Ashes and Lilies
“Not always,” Miles said. “My sister, Colette, isn’t even a witch. My Er Bashou’s name is Jin—his family named him after Titus’s original form—and he isn’t related to me at all. However, Maria is Titus’s cousin, and Bryce is Bailey’s oldest brother. Usually, family members aim to become Officials to support theirrelatives as they become the Xing. But it is a skill-based role, so they have to train very hard.”
Bailey—the Wood Xing before me who died.
“Oh,” I replied. Now, I felt bad about wanting to crush Bryce’s dreams.
“Of course, the flow of their abilities within their quintets works similarly to ours,” Miles continued. “In our quintet, Julian can subdue Damen. It works in the same way in the other quintets. If Finn’s having dangerous outbursts, then Anthony should be nearby. It’s a system of checks and balances known as the Supportive or Controlling aspects of our powers.” Before I could ask, he added, “You can control me, and Julian is your supporter. On the other hand, Titus isyourcontroller, while you support Damen.”
That made sense. Titus had been trying to tell me what to do earlier. If this was the case, then it was my job to ensure that Miles became a responsible citizen.
“I don’t want to know what you’re thinking,” Miles said, sitting back in his seat. “But don’t look at me like that.”
I ignored him.
“If I’d been raised with my birth family, do you think they would have been Officers too?” I asked, touching my chin.
Miles grinned. “Wouldn’t it be funny if Bryce was really your brother?”
“No,” I instantly answered. “It would not.”
There was no way I could be related to such a brute.
I looked at Julian. “Do you think it’s possible to find out who my birth family is?”
Julian’s face dropped. “Potentially,” he answered. “But the birthrate for fae females is pretty low. Generally speaking, the birth of any female would have been a huge celebration for thatfamily, and fae tend to be a little bit extreme. A missing baby girl would have been a big deal.”
“Oh.” I bit the tip of my thumb. I wasn’t sure how to interpret this update. “Why are there so few females?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself,” Julian said with a shrug. “I’ve heard rumors that there’s a particularity about their females that makes them both vulnerable and valuable. But the fae are close-lipped about the details.”
“So,” I pressed, “no one knows anything about me?”
“Not yet,” Julian replied.
I turned my attention from him and stared at the carpet. Why was my lip quivering? I’d always known there was only a slim chance for these answers.
“Don’t worry.” Julian patted my hand. “Titus has already started looking into this. We’ll see what happens.”
I glanced between them, taking stock of their nervousness.
Were they worried that I’d dwell on this? Sure, I might be disappointed, but I still knew more than before. I didn’t start with super-high expectations—the likelihood of anyone in my biological family popping up was minuscule.
“I—” I began, but then I screamed as a ghostly form materialized behind Miles’s shoulder.
Mr. Weaver’s face wrinkled further as he furrowed his bushy brows and glared at me. He appeared to be on the verge of another rant.
Before I could call off the alarm, I’d been pushed on my back, and Julian shielded me, blocking my view of anything other than his firm—and surprisingly solid—chest.
His frame tensed over mine as he glanced around the room. “How did it get in here?” His chest rumbled against my hands. “Hurry up and make it go away!”
“Don’t you think I’m trying?” Miles replied. “It’s notworking!”
I should have been helping them, but something appealing about this position made me want to remain for a moment longer. For some reason I couldn’t explain, Julian felt safe.
“Girl,” Mr. Weaver’s voice floated through the room. “Will you stop wasting my time and set these idiots straight? The Montrone nincompoop is spraying holy water at me.”
I fought back a sigh as my fantasy crumbled around me. Mr. Weaver was so dramatic.
I pushed my hands against Julian’s chest, and he slowly allowed me to sit up again. I was just about to comment on his tenseness when I noticed Miles.
