Zai Edwards

Zai's mother realizes her Talay is Alpha when Zai is 5. Edith (mom) homeschools Zai and Canvin (Canvin has no special powers) so that she can keep Zai safe. When Zai turns 10, she wants to make some friends, but her mom won't let her go to school for her own protection. Zai finds out about a book club at the local library and convinces her mom to let her go. Zai goes to the first meeting and loves it, so she goes to the next and the next and the next. Pretty soon she becomes a regular member of the book club. She makes many new friends there and starts to fall for one girl named Sorria. Zai's 11th birthday rolls around, and she asks her mom to let her invite some of the book club kids over for a party. At first Edith is hesitant, but then she gives in.

Later a kid at the book club has his birthday party, and he invites Zai, along with a few of the kids from the book club. Zai knows that her mom won't let her go so she lies and tells her that she's going to an extra meeting. After this Zai starts to lie to her mom more and more.

After her 12th birthday, Zai asks her mom if she can go to school. They have a huge argument, and Edith doesn't want Zai to go. Zai thinks she's just being mean. Edith tells Zai about her powers and Zai is mad that her mom kept this from her for so long, and as compensation, Edith agrees to let Zai and Canvin go to school.

School is harder than Zai thought it would be, but a few of the kids from the book club go there, including Sorria.

Another year goes by, and Zai and her mom fight more and more. She wants to come out to her mom, but she knows that it won't go well. So she just keeps it herself.

Another year, Zai feels alone because she wants to tell someone how she feels but doesn't want to risk her mom finding out. She starts to self-harm.

And yet another year. Zai plucks up the courage to come out to Canvin, but makes him promise to not tell anyone. He tells her he's bi, but feels like he can't tell their mother either.

Zai has her 16th birthday. She has fun with her friends and forgets her pain for one night.

Sorria has stuck with her all this time, and she tells Zai a few months after Zai's birthday that she likes her. Zai tells Sorria she likes her too, but that she can't date her because of her mom. They keep their relationship secret.

Canvin turns 18 and moves out. Zai keeps in touch with him.

17 years old. Zai can't believe it. She accidentally comes out to her mom in an argument. Her mom gets mad, as feared, and tells her that she had such high hopes for her. She tells Zai that she can live in the house for 1 more year, but then she has to leave. Zai is relieved in a way because she was planning on leaving as soon as she could anyway.

At 18 Zai leaves home. She buys a tiny apartment 2 cities away from the one she grew up in with Sorria. She goes to art school.

19. Canvin calls her to ask if she wants to spend Christmas with him and his girlfriend. Zai agrees.

20 years. Neither Canvin or Zai have heard from their mother for a  while. Zai starts to branch out and makes new friends.

21. Both Sorria and Zai graduate. They travel the world together, going to all the places they always wanted to go. Canvin breaks up with his girlfriend.

another year of traveling the world. Birthday in Sweden.

and another year. They return home.

at 24 Sorria proposes and they get married. Zai is hesitant to invite her mother, because she knows how she'll feel. She invites her mother. She regrets it. Edith doesn't do anything particularly bad, but she acts weird and shifty the whole time.