Free Tempest’s Legacy by Nicole Peeler

father in my side mirror. He looked confused, lost, and lonely.
    “No matter what happens to me, you tell him the truth,” I growled at Ryu, choking back tears.
    “Baby, everything is going to be fine, you’ll…”
    “Shut up, Ryu,” I snarled, turning to stare him down. “Just promise me that whatever happens, you’ll tell him the truth. He can’t just be left again.”
    Ryu was silent, his face hard.
    “I can’t promise that, Jane. He’s a human.”
    “He’s my father.”
    “And he’s human. We can’t risk exposing our kind. You know that.”
    “Fuck your kind. And fuck you. Anyan will tell him, or Julian.” And I knew they would, at that.
    Ryu just shook his head. He was angry now, but I didn’t care. I dug out my cell phone to start dealing with the fallout of my leaving.
    “Jane, I don’t know what I did…”
    “Yes, you do. Now be quiet while I deal with my responsibilities.”
    As I searched through my list of contacts, I took one last look out the back window as we pulled out of my long drive and onto the main road. My father was still standing there, looking small and lost. My heart breaking for him, and for the family we’d once had, I dialed Grizzie and Tracy.
    Ryu, smart for once, kept silent.
    I woke with a start as we bumped to the ground at O’Hare. Our trip was on the Alfar, so we were in first class. At any other time I would have enjoyed the experience. But after staking out the seat next to Julian, to Ryu’s obvious consternation, I simply settled myself in, waited untilthe captain turned off the “Fasten Seat Belts” sign, then reclined my seat as far as it would go and forced myself to rest. That I fell asleep was a shock, but I guess I was even more tired than I thought.
    I yawned, made a face at the taste of my own mouth, and pulled a piece of gum out of my pocket. It was rather linty, but it would do. I stretched, letting my brain shift into autopilot, something I’d learned to do long ago, after Jason’s death. I’d have tons of time to think later. For now, I just needed to keep it together and get through these next few weeks.
    After we’d coasted to the gate and were allowed to stand up, Anyan handed me my duffel from the overhead carrier then pulled out his own bags. From which he dug out his cell phone and made a call. He made no attempt to hide his half of the conversation.
    “Hello, Carl? It’s Anyan… Yes, I’ve brought three others with me. A pureblood, whom I trust,” Anyan said, giving Ryu a look that clearly challenged the baobhan sith to be anything but trustworthy. “And the one I told you about, Julian, as well as Jane. Yes, Mari’s daughter.” I felt a stab of pain at the mention of my mother’s name, but I kept it under control.
    “We’re heading straight to Borealis. We’ll check in with you and Cappie when we get to the hotel. Will she be at the site?… Okay… Thanks, Carl. Bye.”
    I perked up, wondering if we’d meet this Capitola woman. She’d helped us during our last investigation, and I had all sorts of questions for her. Like where she got that name.
    And who she is to the barghest
, my libido thought petulantly. I ignored it.
    Anyan flipped shut his cell and slipped it into his back pocket. “Okay, we’re good to go. We’re here officially. That said, remember not to show off, Ryu. Alfar lackeys aren’t popular here.”
    “I’m no one’s lackey,” Ryu replied huffily.
    “Whatever you say, Chief. Just don’t go flashing your powers.”
    “What about me?” I interrupted. “Am I an Alfar lackey?”
    “You’re fine, Jane. They know about you already.”
    I am the “victim’s daughter,” after all
, I thought sadly.
    We headed to the rental car place to pick up our wheels. Ryu had, of course, ordered something luxury, another large SUV. Anyan was driving, since he knew the terrain. Ryu, the little shit, took stock of Anyan in the driver’s seat and therefore opened the door to the backseat for me. I ignored him,