“We checked your official time of birth, then looked into the astronomical records of both events. It’s well documented that shifters respond to the moon and other celestial anomalies in unique ways. I thought I remembered there was an eclipse that day, and I was right. When you started shifting after your birthday last year… Well, we were trying to find any explanation we could, and this is where it led. We don’t know what it means, but it does seem significant.”
“Okay, but…” I trail off. “Sorry, what? I mean, solstice and new moon, eclipse. Sure. But what does the “height of events” or whatever mean?”
Mom takes another slow breath before beginning again.
“Alright. You’ve all heard of the summer solstice.” As her eyes circle the table to see everyone nodding, she continues. “We normally consider it to be a full day, but in reality, it’s a moment. In the summer, it is the moment in which our specific location on Earth is most tilted toward the sun, recorded down to the minute. The exact minute you were born, Raya, was on the summer solstice for our location that year.”
My skin starts to pebble and the hair on my arms stands on end. That’s a wild coincidence already, and my parents aren’t done yet.
“When we checked further, it turns out the new moon was at its zenith at that exact moment in time too, creating a perfect eclipse. We all know the moon is essential to shifters; we respond to its call no matter our animal, and celestial events have always been important to our kind. It makes sense that this could be why your animal is different.”
“Does that mean there could be others like her?” Jo asks.
Dad nods slowly, his eyes full of concern as he takes in my baffled expression.
“We think so. We found a few historical records of shifters with otherwise unheard of abilities—invisibility, partial shifting, communicating with animals—but not much information is out there. They also seem to be linked to astronomical events, but just as we haven’t gone around proclaiming your struggles, it’s doubtful others would either.”
I can’t do more than blink. This is impossible. For a shifter, out of everyone on earth, to be born, down to the minute, during an eclipse on the solstice… what are the chances? I can’t even fathom doing that math, but the probability must be astronomically low.
I snort, and everyone’s eyes lock onto me in astonishment.
“Sorry, bad pun," I say, pointing to my temple. “In my head.”
Even Wesley looks concerned for my mental welfare now.
I stare at my reflection in the windowacross from me. I have no idea what any of this truly means, or what additional impacts there could be, or if there’s anything to be done about any of it at all. Everything is still up in the air, and while I have some possible answers, I also have more unknowns.
Fantastic.
Asher’s hand squeezes mine, bringing me back to reality. I blink my eyes to refocus, noting the increased concern on everyone’s faces as they stare at me.
“Okay, well," I say, then stop when I don’t know what else to say.
My sister swoops in, coming to my rescue as usual. “That’s enough of that, I think. Let’s give Raya some time to let it all sink in. Dessert, anyone?”
I offer a shaky smile, hoping it’s enough to reassure them for now.
While Asher drives me home,my reflection stares back at me from the window. Average brown eyes, blonde hair in relaxed waves, no outward signs to hint at the confusing information that has rocked the foundation of who I am. It seems like there should be something to show how unmoored, how detached I feel. I’m unsure who I am or what any of this weird phenomena means about me.
When we pull up to my building, my body is on a slight delay. I open my car door after Asher has already closed his and is rounding to my side of the vehicle. It takes me an extra moment to remember to move my body to step out of the car.
I wait as Asher punches in my code to open the door, grateful he remembers it because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to. His hand is light on my lower back as he guides me inside, waiting for the elevator to take us up to my floor.
As the doors close in slow motion, I turn my body towardAsher. His lips are moving, and sound trickles into my ears like it’s coming through a long tunnel.
“Raya?” he says, and I notice the deep lines etched around his eyes and mouth. “Raya, sunshine. Can you hear me?”
I nod, and my head feels a little less muddled, but still slow.
Am I nodding correctly?
“Are you okay?”
“Mm’kay," I mumble. My lips don’t want to move properly.
“Shit.” His curse is low, and I’m pretty sure it’s not aimed at me, but I try to frown anyway. I feel my head tilt as I contemplate it.
“Where’s your key?” he asks, and I fumble with my purse, but manage to pull my keys out. The world is starting to come back to me now, as we walk slowly down the hall toward my apartment.
