Two Tribes, page 35
part #1 of Young Atlanteans Series
JJ did the same. ‘Feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?’ JJ said with a deep sigh. ‘It worked. Our fathers really did make us grow up.’
Xavier conceded with a small, thoughtful nod of his head. ‘I guess we did.’ He chuckled. ‘In style, though.’ With their father now on board, the school seemed to have been fast-tracked and just granted independent status for the end of December, and with a building contractor already hard at work, the crèche and the shop were due to open in the new year too. ‘We’ve come a long way,’ he said, pleased with himself.
‘The Johnsons can’t grumble too much. The boys are local celebrities, thanks to us,’ JJ said.
‘No, of course not,’ Xavier said, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice. ‘And you’re dating their sister. What more could they ask for?’ He couldn’t help finding the whole thing highly amusing.
JJ rolled his eyes. ‘Come on,’ he said, getting out of the car.
Xavier did the same, still grinning. They ambled into the building and up the stairs to find out what it was all about.
Xavier thought he’d never feel so at home in his new life. It was the happiest any of them had ever been. He hoped JJ realized it before he ruined things like he always did.
JJ knocked the door and they both waited. Valarie opened it immediately. ‘Great! You’re here. Come on in, boys,’ she said, holding out her arm as if they didn’t know their way.
Xavier followed JJ into the living room that remained unchanged. The TV system still dominated, with the two kids sitting right in front of it. They both cheered and jumped up to say hello and ask what they’d bought them. Xavier produced two bars of chocolate. JJ looked at him strangely. ‘What?’ Xavier said, irritably.
JJ just shook his head as if the world had gone mad. Xavier nodded to all the other Johnsons sitting around the room. He was surprised to see Alexia already there. So they’d all been summoned. His theory of it all being JJ’s fault was quickly evaporating. There were no seats left so he perched on the arm of the sofa, while JJ sat on the floor between Latitia’s knees. It was very telling. It meant JJ, who never showed how he felt about anything, didn’t care who knew. But he couldn’t dwell on how mad that was. Valarie looked decidedly nervous and that worried him the most of all. She was fidgeting and biting her lip like she had something to say that she didn’t want to deliver. ‘Spit it out, Val. We’re all grown-ups,’ JJ said, with his cheeky smile that always won women over. It worked as she smiled and one of the kids jumped on his legs. ‘Yeah … I’m a grown up,’ little Marcus said.
Xavier looked back at Valarie in the hope she’d just say whatever it was.
‘OK, I’m just going to say it. Sorry, baby,’ she said, looking straight at Latitia.
Everyone looked at her and she went bright red. Xavier dropped his eyes to JJ’s, who looked suddenly alarmed.
‘I had to contact your dads in the night. I’m sorry, but I had to.’
‘Mum!’ Latitia barked.
Xavier and JJ exchanged a startled look. ‘Why?’ they both said at the same time.
Valarie didn’t seem to be able to look them in the eye, which was worrying.
‘Now I don’t want you to think that I don’t think you’re good kids, because I do. It’s just well … we all know there is something different/special about you.’ She flashed a look at Latitia again and she put her face in her hands. ‘Mum, don’t,’ she groaned into them.
‘Sorry, baby, I can’t not tell them the reason.’ She straightened and seemed to get taller as she renewed her purpose in speaking. Then she looked both JJ and then Xavier in the eyes, which made Xavier raise his eyebrows in shock.
This couldn’t possibly be anything to do with him; he’d had barely anything to do with any of them since he’d left.
‘My kids haven’t been the same since you all came here. They’ve been fighting, distant, moody and, recently, Latitia has been getting the most awful night terrors.’
Xavier looked at JJ, who looked increasingly uncomfortable.
‘What did our father say?’ Xavier said for them all.
‘I’m sorry, you can’t stay here anymore. He’s taking you home.
All three of them jumped to their feet.
‘No! Alexia shrieked as if someone had died.
Xavier looked up at the ceiling, already running ways they could stay through his mind to get around this.
‘I’m so sorry. Your dad asked me to be honest and so I have. I no longer think you’re a good influence for my kids to be around.’
JJ shuffled his feet, struck dumb and Alexia ran out crying.
* * *
JJ didn’t know what to say. He knew it was his fault. It was always his fault. All he could do was look at them all watching him closely and just shrug. To their credit, they weren’t gloating. They all looked either sad or ashamed. They’d been brought up well by Valarie and none of them would argue with their mother. ‘When?’ he said simply, looking directly at Valarie.
Your dad said you could finish up the term. It’s only a week. Then you have to go home. ‘Look, I really am sorry.’ She started to walk to the door and he followed, knowing that was her polite cue for him to go. When they got to the front door, it had been left open. ‘In the day she’s fine,’ Valarie explained. It’s just at night she wakes up and she’s terrified.’
JJ gave her arm a squeeze as he walked out.
* * *
I don’t bloody believe it,’ Xavier shouted furiously. Alexia sniffed back her tears and squashed in between him and JJ in his two-seater car. JJ guessed getting pulled over by the police was the least of their worries now. ‘Just when we got everything going our way. Bloody typical!’ Xavier spat.
‘You can’t blame her,’ JJ said wearily, looking blankly out of the passenger window.
‘Stupid Latitia. Why doesn’t she bloody get over herself?’ Xavier said.
‘Look, she saw me, OK!’ JJ shouted, his last nerve finally breaking. ‘She saw my true form and couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t deal with it and I messed with her mind. That’s why the Murr had to come in. To sort it all out. I ruined it, OK. Not her.’ The anger in his voice trailed off to exhaustion by the end of his sentence and he put his head in his hands. He felt Alexia’s hand touch the back of his neck. ‘I’ll ring Father, OK. I’ll sort this out for you both.’
When he let his hands fall and finally looked up in misery, Xavier looked at him strangely, then out of the front screen. ‘No, leave this one to me. I’ll talk to him.’
JJ was just too exhausted to argue. Alexia already had her phone to her ear. ‘Pick me up from the wharf, now,’ she said, rudely.
They pulled into the tarmacked area in front of their building and all piled out of the car, but instead of coming up, Alexia just strode away. ‘Where are you going?’ Xavier called.
She whirled around furiously.
JJ paused on the steps.
‘I’m warning you both now. I’m not going anywhere. You ruin everything.’ Then she stomped off.
* * *
Xavier threw his car keys down on the kitchen side. JJ flopped face down onto the sofa as if he’d been shot. Xavier tapped his phone to speak to his father, the king, already scripting out the message he would leave when he inevitably wouldn’t pick up.
However he threw him when he answered.
Hello, Son, the familiar lilt of his father immediately said. I take it Valarie spoke to you?
‘After everything, I can’t believe you’re pulling us out,’ Xavier spat, barely able to speak, he was so angry.
JJ rolled over and leaned up on an elbow to listen in.
‘We did everything you said.’
But Valarie, she’s a good friend. She’s worried sick and it’s our fault.
‘No, your fault, Dad. Your fault! I’m not taking this and neither is JJ or Alexia. I demand you pull Valarie in. Pull all of them in. Make them understand. You owe us that much.’
JJ sat up, alert, at that.
That’s not fair on them, Xavier. What about Latitia?
‘Deprogram her if you must, or reveal it all to her, properly. I don’t care, just do something. Anything, so we can stay.’
There was silence on the line for a beat and JJ got up and walked over. Xavier looked him in the eye the whole way. He wouldn’t be moved on this. He was in the right and he was prepared to fight him. Surprisingly, he just leaned in to listen to his phone. ‘I’m with Paige, JJ is with Latitia,’ he shrugged. ‘I’m not sure what Alexia is, but we’ve all come too far to let it all go.’ Xavier flicked a last look at JJ and delivered his final stroke. ‘JJ won’t admit it, but he more than likes her. He’s changed. We’ve all changed. Dad? Say something.’
CHAPTER 39
JJ stared at his brother, not believing what he was hearing. How dare he say those things and make those decisions for him. And yet, as he looked at him like he wanted to kill him, what he’d said sunk in. It was true, all of it. He did feel for Latitia. For the first real time in his whole miserable life, he felt properly for another person.
There was something different about her. He’d known it from the moment he met her. It was the reason he’d needed her to see the real him in the first place.
Xavier put the phone to his shoulder. ‘Dad said, what do you want to do?’ His eyebrows were up while he waited, but there was no pleading in them. He was hard and implacable, like it made no difference to him either way. They would fight over this. ‘Think, JJ. Don’t be obstinate; it affects us all.’
He could be right, with all of it. Resignation began a slow journey through his body until it seeped into every cell. Maybe he shouldn’t fight it. Perhaps he couldn’t if he tried.
‘You don’t have to bind her to you.’
JJ was already thinking that was easier said than done. They’d been moments away from it just the other day.
‘If we want to stay then we have to do something drastic. You have to be brave.’
And there it was. Xavier calling him out on what was stopping him. Fear.
JJ swallowed and balled his fists. Xavier stiffened in readiness. But instead, JJ closed his eyes and said, ‘OK.’
‘What?’ Xavier said in shock. His face brightened and he bounded around saying. ‘OK, OK, Dad. He said OK.’ He was ecstatic.
JJ watched him, smiling wanly. It was hard to get excited about something that would probably signal the end of his relationship. He watched Xavier’s excited nods of agreement and then him clicking off his phone. He put the phone down on the side and pulled JJ into a tight hug, smacking his back loudly.
‘What did he say?’ JJ said, through the loud thuds on his back.
Xavier put him away from him and, holding the tops of his arms, gave him a gentle shake. ‘Don’t worry, it’s all good.’ He went to the fridge, pulled out two beers and opened them.
JJ took the one offered. ‘Come on, Xav,’ he said, taking a huge swig.
‘We’re going home for Christmas and Paige, her family and all the Johnsons, are coming with us.’
JJ’s heart was beating hard. ‘To Soho,’ he clarified. It was out of the question to take them all to their castle in Ireland. It would be too much and just blow their minds.
Xavier grinned and shook his head. ‘To Filfla!’ he said, not able to keep the delight out of his voice.
JJ just stared at his brother and waited for the gotcha. Instead, Xavier just nodded and grinned.
JJ put his head in his hands. He was taking the girl he liked, who was already terrified of the real him, to the centre of the Atlantean world. And her whole family was coming with them. ‘Oh my god,’ JJ whispered. ‘They’ll have to deprogram them all.’
EPILOGUE
‘Do you really think it’s a good idea bringing all those humans here?’ Jay asked, shaking his head. ‘I could have made sure they had a great weekend at the Bluebell. We could have laid on the charm and they would have all gone home happy.’
Dante swirled the amber liquid and ice around in his cut-crystal glass. Then he looked out of the vast panoramic window to the sea. Human problems seemed so far away when he retreated to his beloved Filfla; spectacular island home and centre of everything Atlantean. He felt very weary and sad about it all.
‘What is it?’ Jay prompted.
Dante looked back at his oldest and dearest friend. They’d battled and fought their whole lives and still loved each other deeply, but they’d always been on the same side. Their children weren’t so lucky; they were the product of prophecy.
‘You’re thinking of the whole Darkly Begotten thing,’ Jay said, now mirroring his sadness.
Dante nodded and watched a shoal of fish swim to the window and dart away. ‘It’s started, Jay … I thought … I hoped they’d be much older.’ He looked over at Jay and he was thoughtfully absorbing what he’d said. Jay was nothing if not pragmatic.
‘And you think bringing them here will help you keep some kind of control.’
Dante let out a sigh and bobbed his head slightly again. It wouldn’t be that easy. ‘Xavier and Paige are almost there already, you can feel it. So are JJ and the Johnson girl, once she accepts what he is … and Alexia—’ He didn’t even bother finish that one. The mystery Demidov was a whole other problem entirely. One that he’d have to give his whole attention to. For the time being, he’d concentrate on their two sons.
‘It’s unlikely they’ll end up with these girls for life. They’re so young,’ Jay said. ‘I’m not sure we should be encouraging a bonding that could take away their choice. That’s all,’ Jay said, shaking his head and draining his glass.
All Dante could do was nod his head in agreement. He wasn’t wrong. ‘Ah, but we weren’t much older when you think about it and their mother was eighteen. Once the hormones kick in—’
Jay nodded reflectively.
‘No, we have to take the bull by the horns on this one, Jay. We’ll lay it on the line to the families and make them an offer they can’t refuse.’
‘And what if they do … refuse, I mean,’ Jay said, getting up to top up both their glasses.
‘We’ll soon over run the school and have a strong foothold on the ground in London. They won’t have anywhere to go.’
‘Our boys might have something to say about that,’ Jay said, smiling and saluting him with his glass.
‘Neither one is king yet,’ Dante said, tipping his glass back at Jay and throwing the contents down his throat. ‘And while I have breath in me bones, I’ll keep it.’
Jay laughed, just like when they’d plotted as kids. He was in no hurry for the boys to grow up, any more than Dante was.
Dante grinned and Jay narrowed his eyes suspiciously, knowing full well he was up to something. Then he leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘Didn’t you wonder how everything went through so quickly with the school?’
Jay frowned, intrigued.
‘I made all the necessary applications two years ago … Then when Dr Henry said the boys had approached him, I was so surprised and impressed, we decided to let them run with it.’
Jay chuckled; he should have known that Dante would have always been way ahead of this. ‘And what about the Murr drugs, the social media app? … will you let that continue?’
Dante shook his head and smiled as if they’d genuinely got one past him on that one. ‘I have to admit, the toe rags surprised me there, but no harm done. As soon as the request went in for the shipment to Murrtaine someone notified me. Same with the lawyers and the hackers. I’ve decided to let them run with it and see where it takes them. Watching closely, of course,’ he said, tipping his glass at Jay.
Jay had to hand it to him; as usual, he’d thought several moves ahead of them all.
‘Nah, bother, Jay. While they’re here, getting smitten with their girlfriends and trying to win over their families, everything will move into place. By the time they all go back for the new term, we’ll really own the school. They just won’t know it yet.’
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ALSO BY T STEDMAN
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21st Century Sirens Series (Adult)
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Soul Breather
Blood Sister
Shield Maiden
Tiger Lily
Night Goddess
Darkly Begotten
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The Dark Valentines (Adult)
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The Watchers
Diablo
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The Novellas
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Protector
Lost Moon
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Non-Fiction
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