Page 31 of Grimoire Omens

“I don’t know how it works with humans. With the umbradriad, our ability to manipulate elements manifests at birth, although sometimes it might appear as if we can only touch one or two. As we age, our affinity grows stronger, might even unlock our access to other elements.”

“Do you go to a school so you can figure out how to use your powers?”

“We are educated by tutors almost from birth, not just with the elements but in politics, history, fighting, strategy.”

I frowned. “Sounds as if you’re raised to be soldiers.”

“Because we are. The umbradriad are in a constant battle with demons, other territories, and every few centuries, an ancient or outside menace will threaten.”

“Do you never know peace?”

“Do humans?”

I almost blurted out, “hello, we’re not at war right now,” but that would be a lie. Earth constantly had skirmishes happening. Uprisings. Fights for supremacy. Even in Canada, considered one of the most pacific of countries, we weren’t without troubles.

“Guess in that respect we’re not that different.”

“The umbradriad and humans have much in common. There are some that theorize you are descended from us. A splintered group that somehow managed to leave Infernal for Earth and went on to evolve slightly differently.”

“You know, one of those DNA tests would probably tell us for sure.” At his frown, I had to explain. “It’s when a sample of your blood is analyzed at its deepest levels. Our scientists have managed to identify the parts that allow them to know where a person came from on our planet. They can use it to match up family members and more.”

“It’s easy to identify family and doesn’t require blood.”

I cocked my head. “Okay, you’ve got me curious. How?”

“The pattern of their spirit. Although the method requires at least two suspected members of a dynasty to be present to do the comparison.”

“What if all but one person is dead in a family?”

“Then why does it matter?”

“Inheritance? Knowledge?”

He snorted. “If you’re not sure if you belong to a family, then why would you deserve their wealth? As for knowledge…if you’re the last, then better to forge a new future than dwell on the failed past. Families aren’t decimated without reason.”

“Guess so.”

“You seem bothered.”

“Because I happen to be someone who doesn’t know where she came from. I mean I had my mom and Grams.” I grimaced. “But I never knew my dad. Mom doesn’t even remember his name. Part of why Grams hated me so much. I wasn’t just a bastard, I was an unknown bastard.” I offered the last in finger quotes.

“Ah yes, humans and their utter disdain for progeny born outside of a recognized union.”

“Do elves not care?”

“That depends on the situation. Some unions can turn acrimonious when infidelity surfaces. The umbradriad can be possessive and jealous about what is theirs. However, the unattached are free to spread their seed, and oftentimes, those born outside a recognized union will allow for a link between families that strengthens them both.”

“And which are you?”

“The only child of a union that was frowned upon.”

“Why?”

“Because my mother wasn’t from the Eastern Territory like my father but the North, which is the most hated of the four.”

“Why?” I sounded like a parrot.

“Because Northerners are savages.”