Birthright

Chapter 14 - old map- Jackson pov

The name falls out of her like a pebble into still water, small, harmless and somehow it sets off an avalanche inside me. Heat flares behind my ribs, a raw, animal edge that tastes like iron and old smoke. For a second my vision narrows due to the rage. I have to force my breath shallow, count to three, feel the wolf and the newborn vampire in me settle like two soldiers being ordered back to their posts. I need to calm down, I cannot have my otherside awaken within yet.

I clear my throat and force a half-smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

Lex watches me, the grin gone, reading whatever storm crossed my face. He steps closer, a silent anchor. “You okay, Jack?” he asks, casual, but the question is a rope thrown across a chasm I don’t want to fall into. I nod once. “Fine. Just thinking of our next move”

“What’s the next move?” Ephy asks. “What are you up to?”

I study her for a moment. I don’t know this woman, not really, even if there’s something about her that pulls at me. And she’s running from a high-ranking vampire she’s supposed to marry.

I decide to play it careful, give her just a sliver of truth.

“We’ve heard whispers of a rebellion,” I say. “We want in.”

I watch her face, waiting to see what she’ll give away.

I step forward, trying to sound steady.

“We’re here to help,” I say. “I want to see Talvarna thrive again.”

I watch as Ephy considers what I’ve just said. She walks over to the gaping hole in the wall, where the stone has crumbled away with years of neglect.

Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.

Lex catches my eye that look that says you really shouldn’t have asked.

“Look, sorry,” Lex says quickly. “Jackson doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

Ephy turns, her expression cool and guarded.

“How do I know I can trust you two with that kind of information?” she asks. “You could be working with Lucian and the ones in the castle.”

Lex grins, the kind of grin that’s more defiance than charm.

“Oh, honey,” he says, “I can guarantee you we are not.”

Ephy lets out a short, incredulous laugh, the sound echoing off the broken stone.

“What are you supposed to be?” she says, smirking. “Talvarna’s savior?”

“Look,” I say, “we’re not from around here. I grew up among those who escaped the war. I’ve trained my whole life to help when the time was right. Do you even know what we’re asking about? Or has all hope died? are the people of Talvarna really content with this version of their world?”

Ephy’s expression shifts. She looks away, thinking, my words clearly hitting somewhere deep. After a long breath, she murmurs,

“Goddess, no. We hate it. There is a group like the one you’re talking about, but they’re far from here. I’ve been trying to reach them myself, only..” She hesitates. “I have loose ends to tie up first.”

“What loose ends are those?” I ask.

She waves a hand in the air, cutting me off. “Nothing I can’t handle myself.”

I don’t want to push her, so I let it go. My lips press into a thin line.

“Okay,” I say quietly. “So..where is this place?”

I pull out the smudged ink map and spread it across a flat rock.

Ephy leans over, brow furrowed. “What map is this?”

“The kingdom,” I say, confused. “Is it not?”

She shakes her head slowly, pointing at a faded mark near the edge. “I don’t know what this is. There’s no place called High Tower. Not anymore”

I look at her, puzzled, as she studies it more closely.

“This is an old map,” she says finally, her voice brightening with something close to wonder. “A map of the old kingdom.”

Her eyes trace the lines, excitement flickering across her face. “I’ve heard stories of these places, but most of them aren’t here anymore. Just ruins. Or land reclaimed by time.” I see the sadness seep from her.

“Anyway,” Ephy says, rolling up the map, “you need to head to Mount Kanjuna, deep in the Enchanted Forest. Old fae land. I’ve heard there’s a camp there, people gathering.”

She glances toward the crumbling horizon, her voice lowering.

“People are talking. There’s a shift in the air these days, something’s coming. Some believe the rightful heir will return and rescue us.”

“Is that so?” I say, watching her carefully.

“I don’t know,” she admits, her eyes distant. “But it’s put hope back in people and the will to fight.”