The Protectors: New Generation Book 1

10 - Revelations - Dominic POV

When I walk to the park today to meet friends, a stranger approaches me. He seems out of place with his black hair styled back and a black button-up shirt and dress pants - his eyes covered by a pair of aviator sunglasses. He asks if he could talk to me, and the request wouldn't seem odd if I knew this guy. There are enough people around to make me feel comfortable to speak with him. He introduces himself as Erwin Leitner, but he asks to be called EJ.

He begins to talk about my biological parents, and I perk up at the mention of them. My adoptive parents never hid the fact that me and my siblings are adopted, but I never thought I would learn anything about who my biological parents are.

He pulls out an envelope with a picture of four adults and two children, both boys. The men and children look similar, so I assume it is a family of some kind. The children look no older than about three or four. When I ask him what this had to do with me, he informs me that this is a picture of me, my parents, my cousin, Jonah, and his parents. Apparently our fathers were brothers. He told me that both sets of parents perished in a boating accident, and me and my cousin were brought to America to be adopted.

When I ask why my cousin and I weren't adopted by the same people, EJ furrows his eyebrows and clamps his lips together. He looks away for a moment—as if he is contemplating something.

Taking a deep breath, the man says it is a really complicated story, that we will have to go somewhere else and talk about it. I have about fifty pounds and 6 inches over this guy, so I don't feel afraid to meet him some place more quiet.

We meet outside at a local grocery store. It is older than my adoptive mother's father, so no security cameras have ever been installed. This knowledge was only gained because I worked there during my senior year of high school and have come to know the owner well. We go back to the room for lunch breaks, and what he asks me next makes me doubt his sanity.

Looking at me directly in the eyes as if to stare me down, he asks, "Do you believe in magic?"

My eyebrows raise and I take a deep breath to calm myself because I don't want to insult this guy.

"Of course not." I pause trying to gauge his reaction. "That is only in fairy tales and fantasy movies."

He smirks, his eyes full of mischief, as if he knows something I don't.

Testor maiorum. Ostendere virtutem tuam. Et credimus ei.

Gasping, I stand and observe all of the objects moving around the room. A plate from the dish drain moves into the cabinet and settles on top of the other plates. A salt and pepper shaker moves neatly from the table to the counter. Chairs are pushed under the table. For the first time in a long time, the break room seems organized.

When I look over at EJ, he carries a huge grin, but he doesn't say anything.

I don't either until an embarrassing squeal leaves my mouth when a chair backs up all of a sudden and basically smacks me. EJ's grin blooms and a deep laughter escapes him, echoing through the room.

I scratch my head. "Are you laughing at me?"

"Not at you, just your expression. I didn't expect the Ancient Ones to put out all the stops." He chuckles.

"The Ancient Ones?"

He flips his hand in the air. "For another time."

"So, now that I believe in magic, what does this have to do with me?"

He begins to tell me the story of some type of witch, called a Seer, who saw me and my cousin, in some sort of dream, being part of a big group to help take down some rebellion. Apparently around sixteen years before, a group of rebels caused a revolt killing anyone in their way. The story ends with him telling me that all of the Protector's children were brought to the States for adoption.

"Am I one of these kids?"

He shakes his head no. I stare at him, but he says nothing.

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask.

He goes on to tell me that the Elders of the islands saw the sacrifices the spouses of the Protectors made during the Erbyn Revolt and thought it would be a good idea to create Guardians, protectors of the Protectors. My cousin and I were chosen as two of these supposed Guardians. He says another rebellion is rising and expected to attack within the next year. Some of the Elders were given the task to come to the US to gather all of the Protectors and Guardians. Unfortunately, two of the Guardians have passed away in accidents, and this is something the Elders would deal with when they got home. They still want the remaining teens to train someplace here in the States and then travel to our home country to continue training and eventually face these bad guys.

Home country. That reminds me.

"Where is this home country exactly? I thought I was American."

"Long story short, a set of islands was created a little over 100 years ago out in the Atlantic Ocean."

"No more information than that?"

He chuckles, which only makes me irritated at this point. "It wouldn't be a secret if I told people where it was."

I stand up from where I previously sat down to listen to his story, and I walk to the small window in the room. It isn't an exciting view - just an alleyway - but I need to concentrate on something else at the moment. What is this guy's deal anyway?

Inhaling, I gather my questions, and on my exhale, I let them spew.

"If my family isn't magical, why was my family on these islands to begin with? Who were my biological parents? Why did these Seers choose me? Why now? What about the future? What about my future? What about my brother and sister?"

He gives me a sympathetic smile, probably sensing my frustration, and goes into a lengthy explanation - well, as much as what he can tell me at the moment.

My ancestors were Russian fishermen, who apparently the witches of their area felt indebted to since one of them found this special object that is now guarded. Because of this the witches invited him and his family to come with them, especially since there was going to be a need for fishermen.

My birth father was Viktor Rybakov, a part of a very proud family who not only fished but worked with boats—their design, their maintenance and anything else that needed to be done. The Rybakov family along with other families of their area arrived on the islands and were some of the first settlers. EJ doesn't know if I have any relatives still living on the islands, but I do have a cousin who is already headed to where we are going to train.

He also goes in depth into my potential future and the potential future of my siblings. I breathe a sigh of relief. I don't have to choose between this opportunity and taking care of my siblings - well, in the long run.

The location of the training facility is also a secret, but he says, if I decide to go, the best way to travel is by plane. Having no problems with planes and me trusting my intuition, I accept his offer. My only problem is not giving notice for my job. I feel bad about this, but I can't let this opportunity pass me by.

He seems surprised I am so eager to go. Not knowing anything about my family life, he won't understand completely - at least, I don't imagine he would. He remarks that he could probably get us tickets out around nine or ten a.m., which sounds great to me. The flight will be about a five hours or so to reach the airport near our destination and about a two hour car ride from there to where we will be staying. 

Knowing I will get into a fight with my parents, I ask if it would be okay for me to come to his hotel room tonight. His eyebrows knit together, but he quickly shrugs and says he doesn't care if I come. Trying to appease his curiosity, I tell him I will explain everything - later.

Now for the hard part.

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[Per Google Translate]

Testor maiorum. Ostendere virtutem tuam. Et credimus ei. - I call upon my ancestors.  Show your power.  Make him believe.