Two Tribes, page 23
part #1 of Young Atlanteans Series
‘Do you want coffee? It’s a super-fandango barista that cost the best part of a grand?’
‘No!’ JJ said, knowing Xavier knew he was angry and was enjoying poking him nonetheless.
He felt Xavier nudge his leg. ‘I take it things didn’t go well with the sultry Latitia.’
JJ’s eyes opened at that in a silent dare. He was clearly goading him for a fight. Like when he was bored when they were kids. He did it for the real excitement of danger that only a kid with anger issues and telepathic abilities could inflict. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and alcohol and he wore a smirk to prove he was right.
However, instead of taking the bait, JJ was hit by a wave of sadness. He didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it. It wasn’t really him furnishing the flat, or even Latitia. The day the two of them always knew would come was already here. They were no longer kids scrapping. The trip had changed something subtly between them. Maybe their fathers knew it would. Without even realizing it, they’d taken up their prophesied mantles as rivals. With all his extra sensory perception and he’d still missed it; he’d been too preoccupied. ‘I took her memories,’ he said, in numb resignation, as the final piece of his heart felt like it was ripped from his chest.
Xavier’s eyebrows rose at that.
It was a confession in a last-ditch offering of vulnerability between brothers. Xavier would understand that there was only one reason he would do that: he liked her enough to reveal his true self to her.
A flicker of guilt ran across Xavier’s face as he registered it and then it disappeared. JJ kept his eyes on him as he walked over to the expensive coffee maker and made one for himself. ‘Talking of mind wipes, Alexia is on the war path because of Dwayne,’ Xavier said, stirring sugar into his cup.
Something inside JJ’s chest shrank, if that were possible. Poor Alexia. It had made such complete sense at the time and now he was on the receiving end he felt hollow with guilt. She would have fallen in one day. Latitia had simply been the nudge. Dwayne’s indifference, his preoccupation with Trick, hardly being home; Alexia had every right to be angry. He wanted to reach out to console her as he’d always done as a child, but she wouldn’t thank him and he needed to be careful with Latitia. He was too tired to give it the serious thought it deserved and Xavier was clearly in a volatile mood. In the end, before he succumbed to sleep, he said, ‘You’re gonna regret that, Xav.’
Then Xavier’s laughter and, ‘I don’t think so,’ drifted far away.
CHAPTER 25
Alexia was relieved that Valarie Johnson was working lates all over the weekend as she was dragging Latitia to Rhythm and Booze to see Dwayne. Not only had it been plastered all over social media and conspicuous to miss, but she had to see if she could get through Xavier’s mind wipe. She’d heard stories of how strong emotion and being near a subject could sometimes make cracks appear. She just had to try. The idea appealed to her romantic side.
The notion had occurred to her to go into Dwayne’s mind and throw a few switches herself, but she was inexperienced and it was dangerous. She didn’t want Dwayne to end up a vegetable in the hospital. God, it suited Xavier either way. Her blood simmered every time she thought of Xavier’s smug face. Heaven knew what kind of suggestions and failsafes he’d left behind. Xavier hadn’t even picked up his phone when she’d phoned to have a go at him. In the end, she’d texted How could you? And cried frustrated tears.
Eventually the reply came: I will not let my sister get dragged into street battles with local thugs over DJing. You’ll thank me one day. X. She ended up throwing her phone and cracking the screen.
So now, as she gave their names to the bouncer to check the guest list, it was with a smugness to spite Xavier as well.
Latitia was still quiet and subdued. She’d normally be hopping with excitement to get out and do her favourite thing in the world: dance. Instead, she shuffled her feet as if she was cold or nervous and it was unseasonably warm for October.
Inside was a brightly lit cocktail bar, with the club name in yellow neon over the optics and photos of R&B singers through the ages around the walls. The place was small, with high stools around little pillar tables, encouraging people to cluster with their drinks around them and a stairwell in its centre, leading down to the music and club below.
Alexia felt a strange tingle in her chest and the hairs prickled on the back of her neck. It was unusual for her to feel nerves.
Latitia yanked her arm. ‘Let’s get a drink,’ she said, pulling her towards the bar.
Alexia couldn’t help keeping an eye on her; snatching sideways glances when she thought she wasn’t seen.
In the end, Latitia turned to her squarely and said, ‘What? Is my eye makeup smudged?’
The sudden aggressive way she said it almost threw her off balance, but she quickly recovered. ‘Just an eyelash,’ she said, flicking the imaginary object from the top of her cheek. It worried her given her plan for the evening. Latitia was clearly unstable. When the young, smiling barman came and leaned forward to hear them, she quickly ordered: ‘Two virgin daiquiris, please.’ She daren’t allow Latitia alcohol in her current state.
He nodded and they both watched as he threw the ingredients into his blender, shook them and threw the contents into two tall long-stemmed glasses, with a slice of strawberry on the side.
They both took a long sip in silence. Latitia was unusually quiet. ‘Are you OK?’ Alexia said eventually. Latitia led the way to one of the perching tables. ‘Only, you haven’t said much since we got back.’
Latitia climbed onto her stool and sipped her drink again. ‘Honestly, I feel hungover, but I know I didn’t drink last night.’ Then she pulled a face. ‘Do you think someone could have spiked my drink?’
Alexia mirrored her position on the stool opposite and took a bite from her strawberry. ‘I don’t know, but Jay was watching over us like a hawk, so it’s unlikely.’ She felt her cheeks go pink with guilt. ‘Did you see JJ last night?’ she asked, not able to look her in the eye. It was still unclear how deep JJ’s mind wipe went and how it affected a person after.
Latitia pulled her ‘no-clue-what-she-was-on-about’ face again. ‘No, why would he have been there?’ As she said the words, her hand went to her forehead again. She was clearly in pain.
Alexia tried to laugh it off. ‘It is his dad’s hotel.’
‘Oh, yeah. I forgot.’ But she’d gone a grey colour like she was going to be sick.
‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ Alexia said, feeling terrible. None of it was her fault, but she felt responsible in some way. She wanted to text JJ, but she was still too angry with Xavier and didn’t want him getting involved.
‘I don’t feel so good. I think I might just go to the ladies,’ Latitia said, sliding down from her stool.
Alexia went to go with her, but Latitia put up a hand. ‘It’s OK. You stay and look after the drinks. I won’t be long.’
Alexia didn’t like letting her go alone at all, but she reluctantly eased back onto her stool. She watched Latitia pick her way quickly through the growing crowd feeling the worse kind of friend. Was she really any better than Xavier, being a party to this? She was quick to blame Xavier, but this had been JJ; her beloved brother, the one she’d been closest to since birth. She felt wretched and confused. Everything was turning to crap as it always did around them. She delved into her small clutch bag for a tissue and dabbed the corner of her eyes.
Two more virgin daiquiris appeared on the table in front of her from the same young handsome barman. Then he went to move on to a new customer. She immediately held up her hand to get his attention. ‘Excuse me? Sorry! I didn’t order these.’
The barman smiled a broad, friendly smile. ‘No charge,’ he said, with a dismissive wave. ‘He told me to say they’re from an admirer.’
Alexia looked around her to see if she could spot anyone looking at her, secretly hoping it was Dwayne. ‘Can’t you give me a clue?’
The barman laughed, making him very handsome. ‘It’s more than my job’s worth.’ He went back behind the bar, clearing some glasses as he went. She hadn’t heard of a secrecy code of conduct between barmen. It occurred to her that maybe he had bought them himself, but then dismissed it as he’d paid no extra attention to her. She sipped her drink through a straw, churning over who it might be, until she felt a familiar presence next to her and her heart sank. Oh you, she projected.
JJ was right next to her with the rat-bag, Xavier, right behind him. She wanted to scream, but instead put down her drink and held her head in her hands. She was too upset and angry to deal with the pair of them right now.
‘We need to talk,’ JJ said in her ear.
She whirled around on him, angrily, on her stool. ‘Well, we don’t always get what we want, do we?’ she said, flashing Xavier an angry look over his shoulder. ‘You shouldn’t even be here. Latitia is in the Ladies, probably throwing up because her head hurts so much and you’ll make it worse.’ She glared at JJ. Then her eyes narrowed on Xavier. ‘And you! I’m not even talking to you.’ She looked at JJ again. ‘Did you know he was going to do that to Dwayne?’
JJ put up both his hands to calm her down. ‘That isn’t the point, Alexia.’
Alexia tutted and gave them her back.
‘You should take Latitia home,’ JJ said.
She just couldn’t believe it. She hated her brothers sometimes. They ruined everything. ‘We were here first!’ she said through gritted teeth. She picked up her drink and drank it fast until the air rattled through the straw loudly. Then she picked up the other, regretting the brain freeze.
‘Please, Lexie,’ JJ said, using the pet name in the soft voice he had reserved for her since they were small. ‘We’ll talk soon, I promise. We have to meet someone here tonight to talk business and it’s dangerous for Latitia to see me.’
Alexia huffed and rolled his eyes. Then she slammed down her drink and said, ‘You may as well have those,’ and slid off her stool. ‘Some stranger brought them,’ she said spitefully to Xavier. He registered her meaning as she elbowed through the pair of them and flashed him an image of her dating another faceless boy. They’d want to know who it was and it would irritate them. Even if she knew, she wouldn’t tell them.
She found Latitia holding the sides of the sink in the ladies. ‘Sorry,’ she said, splashing a face that looked pasty and miserable.
‘Come on, let’s go home,’ Alexia said, grabbing her some paper towels. ‘It was a bad idea, coming here. You’re obviously not well. We’ll go outside and I’ll call an Uber. The air might do you some good.’
Latitia nodded and allowed her to lead her. They pushed their way up the stairs and made it out to the street. She was right. A wave of relief flooded her with the fresh air. It was dark and there was no wind and only the slightest bite of cold. It was a nice evening for a walk. So they sauntered in the direction of home, Alexia figuring she’d call an Uber as soon as they got too tired or cold.
‘I’m sorry, Alexia. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.’
Alexia put an arm around Latitia’s hunched shoulders. ‘It’s OK. No need to apologize. There’s loads going around,’ she said, flinching slightly at her shameless lie.
They hadn’t gone that far when a sleek black car slowed down next to them and the driver rolled down the window. ‘Alexia?’ he asked.
Alexia looked around them for someone they knew and nodded with a frown.
‘Get in!’
She hesitated. They hadn’t ordered a taxi and certainly nothing as upmarket as this one. This was more like an executive car.
‘Everything is OK, Alexia. We know who you are.’
Latitia was foolishly reaching for the handle having had enough of their walk. Obviously not registering how strange this was, even for her. ‘Did my father send you?’ she asked, praying it was as her feet were now aching.
‘One of your people,’ he said, cryptically.
Latitia was already in the back seat, so Alexia felt pressured to get in behind her. She rested a little easier when the driver pulled away, talking into a phone instead of a radio. Stuff like that was familiar territory – especially when he took them straight home without even asking their address.
Still, she hadn’t been able to relax. Something felt off. She gave Latitia an unfriendly shove and got out with a huge sense of relief onto the pavement. She’d been stupid to blindly get in and she would pull her up on it. It could have literally been anyone. It was probably just her brothers, making sure they got home, but she vowed to have a serious word about communication.
Then, as she turned away, the driver called, ‘Wait!’ He got out, walked around the car and handed her a card. She took it gingerly and immediately examined it for clues. It had a simple eleven digit number on one side and four familiar symbols on the other. ‘What’s this?’
The driver was already walking back to the driver’s side when he said, ‘Your admirer sends his regards.’ Then he turned and flashed her a smile as he opened his door. ‘And he said if you ever need him, for anything at all, call the number and someone will come.’
She stood frozen in shock as the man got back into the car and it glided off. Latitia was fidgeting next to her. ‘Can we go inside? I’m freezing.’
Alexia nodded absently, her mind still on the mysterious message. She slipped the card into her bag and watched the tail-lights disappear into the distance.
The symbols were arranged like a logo, but it was clear what they were to anyone who knew them. They were recognizable to any Atlantean. Four consonants from the Old Language, but she had no idea what they meant. She hadn’t exactly been a model student in Atlantean Antiquities Studies with Max.
Still, as she walked back to the apartment, a vice gripped her heart with the realization. Her admirer – the one buying her drinks and sending expensive cars – wasn’t someone her age. He was rich and powerful and very definitely Atlantean.
Latitia put her key in the door and, for the first time in days, Alexia had butterflies. Imagining who it might be was just the distraction to take her mind off Dwayne.
CHAPTER 26
JJ nudged his way through the crowd of the downstairs part of the club. An empty space with wooden floors and simple red uplighters in the walls that made it darker and more conducive for dancing.
Why are we even here? Xavier projected, leaning in from behind him.
JJ spotted Dwayne behind the decks, completely oblivious to what had been done to him. He felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t exactly told Alexia the truth. Xavier wasn’t flying solo on this one. To be faces, we need to be seen was his reply over his shoulder.
Xavier rolled his eyes.
He couldn’t deny that night clubs attracted people, provided fronts for illicit money, which attracted more villains and villains marked turf. And wasn’t it a coincidence that they were here to see their favourite turf accountant.
Dwayne dropped a heavy tune and everyone started to chant and bounce. JJ had to hand it to him, he was really quite good. He’d come on leaps and bounds since the last time he’d heard him.
JJ felt a tug on his arm. ‘Mr Cooney will see you in the back.’
That was fast. They hadn’t even had to announce themselves; proved they had good CCTV and spotters out in the club.
He turned his head to Xavier, who raised his eyebrows and gave him the universal look for here we go. Then they followed the huge guy to the furthest point and through a black painted door at the back of the club.
The narrow hallway was painted red and veered off to the right before they came to a stop in front of another black door and huge bouncer standing in front of it. JJ noted they were all human, worked out and were built for strength and not speed. Despite their size, they would be easy to take down.
The two men nodded at each other and the doorman stepped out of the way, allowing them in. JJ and Xavier followed cautiously. They were immediately hit by a cloud of cigar smoke. There was a large circular table with about six men around it involved in a serious game of cards. There was already a pile of money in the centre.
Two girls in pink heels and short sequined dresses were serving them drinks. It put JJ in mind of a speakeasy of the 1930s.
‘Ah, there’s my boys,’ Mr Cooney said, from the far side of the table while gripping a large cigar with his teeth. ‘These are the lads I was talking about, fellas. Pull up some seats for ’em. What’s a matter wiv ya,’ he said to the hangers-on, perching on stools nearby.
Two chairs were immediately squeezed in at the table. JJ shot Xavier a look and the two of them sat – a greasy man in a sharp suit and bad teeth grinning between them. ‘Breakfast,’ he said, looking over at Cooney and making the whole table laugh.
JJ let the slant go. It worked in their favour to be underestimated. Don’t win too soon or too big, JJ projected. Their opponents’ auras alone would give them away, even without the ability of entering their minds.
Got it, Xavier replied, splaying his hand of cards.
‘Cigar?’ Cooney said, making the table laugh again.
‘No thanks,’ JJ said. ‘It stunts your growth.’
Cooney and the table laughed at that. ‘See what I mean, lads. Clever sods.’ He took a few short puffs, still holding his cigar in his teeth, and blew the smoke over the table, making JJ want to cough. ‘Settled in the wharf, OK?’ Cooney asked, while the game proceeded.
‘Nearly,’ JJ said, shooting Xavier a scathing look. ‘Just got a get a few things. It’s great, though. Thanks for setting us up.’
Cooney nodded, accepting the respect, and took his turn taking a card.
‘I’m not sure we have the kind of money needed for a hand,’ JJ said, looking warily at the huge pile of money already in the middle.
