Page 48 of The Jaguar's Flower

“So this is a control environment now.” When he stared at her, she shook her head. “Basically, it means it’s sealed. If you add something, it changes based on the variables. Mac and I, for instance. We change the balance because we’re different organisms. We’re the variables.” She tapped her chin before she reached for his hand. “Your other children were ripped from this place before you found a way to seal it. Why don’t you bring them back, like you did me, now that it’s sealed?”

Sarus’ heart skipped a beat. When he squeezed her hand, the primordial only gave a half-hearted smile. He needed to tell her the truth, but where should he start? He didn’t want to terrify her or see the pity in her eyes. When she nudged his arm, the primordial sighed. “You are my last child, Violet. My only child now, because ofhim.”

“Explain more about the variable. I would like to hear more of that.” He tried to change the topic.

“This realm is like an empty petri dish because you created all that is in it, and you sealed it from other outside influences.” When she paused, she waited for him to nod. “When you added the fairies and the mermaids, you didn’t know how they would react, or your realm would react to them. Those are the first variables you added. They provided a change.” As she took a breath, she tried to explain things in a way it would be simple to understand.

“I’m going to go off of human generics since I don’t know about fairies and mermaids. Assuming mermaids are like the stories, they populate the waters. Suppose there were fish or other life within the waters. Then not only did the mermaids have to learn how to interact with the sea life, but they had to learn how to react to the mermaids. This creates a cause and effect which prompts changes. Do you kinda get it?” When she touched the tree, she watched the bark change. “Just like this, I’m an invading force, so the tree reacts. If I cause it harm, the reaction changes.”

“I understand,” Sarus answered. When he touched the tree, the bark changed from the touch as he kept his hand by hers. “I wouldn’t call it invading. The tree feels us and reacts to us. If you hurt it, it might smack you with the branches.” He teased his daughter. “As for the rest, what do we have to look forward to with you and Mac living in the realm? Any theories you may have?”

“That depends.” She chewed on her lip. “Mac has a brother, and I have a friend. We left them in the facility. I’d like to bring them here and continue my work.” When she met his eyes, she gave him a weak smile. “Your plants are different, and I’d like to study the fairies and mermaids. The tests I run don’t cause more than a pinch of pain at worst.”

Before he could say anything, her voice dropped to a whisper. “I know all about genetics, but all of this magic. It’s unnerving.” She met his eyes. “Mac is a jaguar, while I’m a primordial raven. I’m still not sure what that means. Can I get pregnant? Genetics says it’s impossible for a raven and jaguar to reproduce. But when I tested mine and his, they were almost identical. Does that mean it’s possible?”

Sarus tried to contain the laughter, but it spilled from his lips. The primordial chuckled again at the look of shock on his daughter’s face before he nodded. “You will have children, but they will not be abominations.” He grinned as his eyes traveled around the garden. “The two shifting sides cancel out. If a wolf and panther mated, their children would be normal without the shifting. The same will be for you and Mac.”

He cleared his throat. “You are not only a primordial raven, but you hold your own magic. We will find what that is soon since you have recently awakened this part of you.” Sarus took a breath. “Whatever powers you have, they will transfer to your offspring. Regardless, I will love them all the same as my grandchildren.”

“No offense, but that wasn’t really my concern.” When he arched his brow, she laughed. “You took in mermaids, fairies, and Tulip. I doubt it’s really in you to discard someone based on something so simple.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m also not sure the powers you’re talking about are awakening. Certain sensations are more intense.”

Her fingers brushed against the bark of the tree again. “No one ever asked why I chose genetics. As much as I love it, it’s an easier field when I feel in tune with nature and the surrounding animals. It’s not as intense as when Mac is close to me. I knew when the lab rats wanted to be left alone or when the plants needed different nourishments. It never really made sense, but I felt their energy.”

She met his eyes again. “It’s why I’m curious why you think I’m your only child left. My soul would have returned to you if I died. Yet, I don’t feel anything truly similar to us. It’s why I can accept you’re my father. It’s the energy that radiates from you.”

“You are not only observant but incredibly smart.” Sarus cupped the side of her head before he answered. It didn’t feel right to hide the truth. “Do you remember anything about the phantom ravens or the empty realm?” When she nodded, Sarus continued to explain. “The souls that go through there are either ours or our children. I wasn’t lucky in the previous rounds. The reaper, I’m sure he’s the reason why I was able to take you home.”

“That doesn’t sound right.” When he continued to stare at her, she shifted until she sat cross-legged. The grass parted as though it knew what she wanted. She drew in the soft ground until she made a representation of what she remembered. “I remember little of the visual, but I remember the sensations. The ravens would not harm me or drag me away. I had a choice.”

She smiled as she thought of Mac. “I felt pulled to them, but Mac kept me grounded to life or whatever. If others died, they would have the same choice. The ravens don’t drag the souls away. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”

Sarus smiled. “The ravens are more like our reapers. What you felt is exactly what I hoped for when they came into the picture.” He stared at the drawing in the dirt.

“It wasn’t the ravens, Violet.Heor the other one he works with is there. When we don’t help the soul, or if the ravens can’t help the soul, for example.” Sarus inhaled. “Then he absorbs them. They could be half-primordial souls, and it’s still enough for them to take.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s not right.” When she gripped his hands, she sighed. “I felt pain. A lot of it. It wasn’t from Mac until the sleep trance. He was angry. I assumed it was yours because I knew it wasn’t the ravens. They were content but protective.” Her grip on his hands tightened. “Why was there so much pain, Sarus?”

It was his turn to be confused. “Do you feel my pain, Violet?” When she nodded, the primordial swallowed the lump in his throat. “Is it not my pain?”

“No,” she whispered as she watched his eyes. “I feel yours, but in that other place.” She swallowed hard. “The pain. It sparked the raven the first time. I needed to help stop the pain.”

“If that is the case, then I hope my theory is true when it comes tohim.” Sarus rubbed his jaw as he thought of the other primordial. “As for the other children, it might be possible they are still alive out there.”

“Is there a way to find them? As much as I tried to ignore it, I felt you and Asmodeus.” She blushed as her thoughts turned to Mac. “It wasn’t until I touched Mac that I felt a portion of what he did. Now, it’s a lot stronger. But I knew you and Asmodeus without any explanation.”

Sarus glanced at the fountain in the garden. Because of the darkness within him, the primordial could never get near it without the waters turning black. “If there is a way to find them, we will do it.” He turned his attention back to his daughter. “If they made me believe my children were dead, but it’s possible they are not. Then they are hidden from me.” His brows drew together as he sat in deep thought.

“Until the facility, I never felt connected to anyone. The shifters, they put me at ease.” She kept her voice soft. “Then Mac.” When she took Sarus’ hand, she squeezed it. “If we can find your other children or the woman you loved, we should try. You said it yourself. Souls are reborn. We can find them, or at least try to find them.”

Before Sarus could nod and agree, he felt the entrance of the primordial pool. Without a second thought, he phased them into the protected portal. “Violet.” He glanced at his daughter. “We will find them.” The primordial nodded as he turned his focus back to the portal. “And we will bring your friend and his brother here, too. I will protect you all. I promise.”

“Thank you.” She hugged him tight. She felt a genuine connection with him for the first time, not just the emotions he tried so hard to hide. “I promise we’ll do whatever we can to find my siblings.” It was so strange to say out loud, but she refused to retract the statement. She wasn’t alone.

Chapter thirty-three

Macwatchedthelastmemories of the clan leader. No, his father. The Davorin hated them but protected them until the jaguar wasn’t able to anymore. “What is this?” Mac groaned as he rubbed his temples. Why did he need to see every awful memory of a man who didn’t want to be their father?

“He was a piece of work.” A voice brought Mac out of his thoughts.

---