The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II - 20. Chapter 20

The Brotherhood: Awakening

Chapter XX

By X

 

 

The four shadowy spheres brimmed with dark Skylarian energy. There could be no doubt these were my people. I did not fear them, but I confess, I was apprehensive. Not for myself, of course. My concern was solely for Q and Soullen.

What if they had detected my little outburst and perceived it as a call for help? Perhaps they saw themselves as the calvary coming to the rescue. That would be the best-case scenario. I could easily set the record straight, explaining that it was all a big misunderstanding. Sure, they’d scold me a little, but ultimately, they’d shrug it off. I’d suggest they try some ice cream - which they would quickly decline before turning to fly off in the direction from which they came.

I could already hear myself yelling after them. “Seriously, thanks, guys! I mean it; it won’t happen again!”

I’d give an apologetic wave, look at Q, and smile. He’d look at me and shake his head.

But…

But what if this is the worst-case scenario, and their sudden appearance had nothing to do with the newly improved bathroom décor? Then that changed the game entirely.

This could be something akin to a battle royal.

And then what? Was this Sunny’s warning being realized? Was this my rock and a hard place? What could I do if hostilities boiled over, blades unsheathed, and battle lines were drawn?

Where was my position on that line? With the man I love or the family I never knew I had? The family who accepted me into the fold with open arms?

I looked at Zac and Soullen. It was just ice cream.

If there was ever a time I needed a reassuring glance from Q’s cold, chronically unimpressed, annoy-me-and-I’ll-bury-you eyes, it was then. Sadly, I had to make do with the back of his head. If Q was worried at all, his posture didn’t show it. He stood firm and defiant, like an impenetrable warrior ready to conquer the world. I found comfort in his boldness.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Zac asked, looking over his shoulder at me.

My lips barely parted before Q answered. “It looks like we have company.”

“Company?” He looked back to me for answers. “What company?”

“Of the Skylarian variety,” Q clarified.

“Skai? Here?” Zac glanced at Q before fixing his eyes on me again. “Why would they be here?”

I was as clueless as he was.

“I don’t know, buddy,” I replied, gently squeezing his shoulder. “It’s going to be fine, though.” I don’t know if he bought my fake smile.

“Do not worry, Zac. I will not allow any harm to befall you,” Soullen assured him.

“Even now, you sound like you have a couple of bodies buried in the backyard,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“I do not,” Soullen protested sternly. “What purpose would that serve?”

“Wait, what harm?” Zac asked Soullen curiously. “They’re my people. Why would they harm me?”

If Soullen had a more in-depth explanation, we never got to hear it, for Q’s simple announcement silenced the room.

“They’re here.”

The four spheres didn’t appear to slow down as they approached. At their current velocity and trajectory, they’d crash through the parlor’s large glass windows in seconds. The glittering spray of pulverized glass and metal debris would be dramatic and stunning. It would also be harmful to Zac and only Zac.

Hopefully, he was right, and they’d cut back on the showmanship to ensure his safety. But just in case, I snaked my hand across his chest and pulled him directly behind Q. If shit went flying, he could act as Zac’s shield.

It turned out my concerns were unfounded. Instead of crashing through the windows, they passed through the glass like it wasn’t even there. The orbs struck the ground and erupted into pillars of Askyli. They briefly eclipsed all light in the room and drowned us in shadow before taking form to reveal four Skylarian brothers.

One of whom was all too familiar.

“Kaylec,” I scowled through gritted teeth before focusing on his three companions. I didn’t know them, and they piqued my curiosity. They might have been from our house, but we never crossed paths. But something told me that wasn’t the case. The confusion on Zac’s face confirmed my suspicion. He didn’t know them either, and Zac knew everyone.

Kaylec was not the one running the show. The brother standing in front of the pack, staring Q down, was in charge. If standing face-to-face with one of Eiyr’s fiercest El’odian warriors fazed him, it didn’t show. Whether that confidence was earned or a mere show for our brothers, I couldn’t tell.

Outside of Kaylec, they were adorned in black and dressed the same. Cargo pants stuffed into knee-high boots and a button-down shirt under a vest. The only smattering of color was found on the ties, gloves, and five small buttons down their vests. They were all the same shade of red.

“Qua’quelle,” he said with a minor nod of acknowledgment. Taking a step forward, he clasped his hands behind his back. “Prince Soullen.” This time, his nod was more pronounced and accompanied by a slight bow, a sign that he respected the title.

His eyes met mine briefly as he scanned the room. They were dark and cold and in complete juxtaposition to the warmth of his olive complexation. But then, as he turned to look back at Q, I caught glints of light pink and dark purple simmering to life like two amethyst crystals under a rising morning sun. His eyes might never be warm, but the fire trapped inside their darkness was brilliant. I couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of me then. Or what crazy bullshit Kaylec has whispered in his ear about me.

I doubt he found me nearly as impressive as I saw him.

“Calyx,” Q responded with the same gesture. “I see Aulus finally decided to drop that dreadful orange he’s so fond of and converted to red. Not much of an improvement, but it’s something, I suppose.”

Zac couldn’t help himself, of course. “Actually, it’s more of a vermillion, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Shhh,” I nudged him from behind.

“What?” Zac whispered. “I’m not wrong.”

I was more interested in why Aulus’ men were here than Zac’s knowledge of the color wheel.

“Your insults won’t get you very far,” Kaylec sneered, stepping closer to Q as if he was about to throw down.

“Relax,” Calyx said, raising his hand before Kaylec to stop him in his tracks. “I will handle this.”

“And what is this, exactly?” Q demanded, his words wrapped in the warmness of an arctic chill.

“There’s no need to be hostile, Qua’quelle,” Calyx assured him. “We have no quarrel with you. Not today.”

“That depends on the answer to my question.”

“We’re here for the boy,” Calyx said.

Soullen quickly stepped next to Q. “I will not go anywhere with you, Calyx. The exchange for my freedom has….”

“I’m not here for you,” Calyx interrupted, looking past Soullen with cold indifference. “I’m here for Zac.”

“Zac?” I blurted out.

“Me?” Zac sounded just as surprised. He looked back at me and asked, “Why me?”

“The fact that you have to ask says it all,” Calyx said.

“What is this about?” I finally asked.

“Why am I not surprised that you don’t get it either,” Kaylec added harshly.

“Enlighten me,” I insisted.

For the second time, Calyx raised his hand before Kaylec to stop him from interfering. “Prince Aulus has ordered us to bring you home, Zac.”

“But why?” The desperation in Zac’s voice was palpable. “I don’t understand.”

“And that’s part of the problem,” Kaylec stressed, yet his tone was softer than how he addressed Q and me.

“Price Aulus believes it’s inappropriate for you to be here,” Calyx clarified.

“Getting ice cream?” Zac retorted.

“Zac, you don’t know me, but I know a lot about you, so I know you’re smart enough to understand this isn’t about ice cream,” Calyx said sternly.

“Well then, I guess I’m dumber than you think because none of this makes sense. Why would Prince Aulus care what I’m doing right now?”

“Or even know Zac was here?” I asked.

“Prince Aulus is well-informed,” Calyx answered cryptically.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I questioned.

“It doesn’t matter….”

“What it means, Jacob,” Q interrupted a pissy Kaylec, “is every good organization needs solid intelligence. A network of spies, if you will. We’re no different. Aulus is the head of Skylarian intelligence, so I’m not surprised he knew Zac was here. He’s almost as good as our Setesh.” Q turned to face me, trapping me in his steely gaze while hurling another subtle insult. “Almost.”

“How dare you!” One of my brothers fumed.

Calyx gestured for silence.

“But he insults our Prince!”

A stern look from Calyx was enough to bring our brother in line.

“If y’all are well informed, then you know that Zac isn’t here all willy-nilly, right?” I asked. “He’s here with Sunny’s permission.”

“We know,” Calyx confirmed. “Which is something we find most disturbing. That Sundryn would allow our youngest brother to consort with our enemy is beyond reprehensible and calls into question his guardianship over the boy.”

“Hold up, Sunny is a great guardian,” I affirmed brashly. I wasn’t about to let them drag Sunny through the mud. Walking around Zac, I stood boldly next to Q with my ire on full display. “He’s done a great job with Zac and me, for that matter. No one cares about Zac more than Sunny.”

“Facts!” Zac added proudly, giving me a solid pat on the back.

“That remains to be seen,” Calyx countered. “We’re not here to adjudicate his role as Zac’s guardian. That’s being handled outside this forum.” He turned to Zac again, “We’re here to take you home where you belong.”

“What do you mean it’s ‘being handled’?” Zac asked just as I was about to ask the same question.

“Prince Aulus is considering having a different, more suitable brother step in and become your guardian. There are plenty of good brothers willing to take on the responsibility.”

“What?!” Zac exclaimed, looking at me with pure panic in his pleading eyes. “I don’t want a good brother. I want Sunny!”

“You can’t do this to him,” I snarled.

“It’s not your place to decide what can and can’t be done, Akuzio,” Calyx scolded. “You’ve done enough harm by bringing him here in the first place.”

“Careful…” Q warned coldly.

That felt like a gut punch. The idea that I would do anything to harm Zac was beyond insulting. I was so taken aback by Calyx's statement that I couldn’t find the words to express how pissed off I was.

“Why are we even arguing over this?” Kaylec questioned. Fixing his eyes on Zac, they briefly faded into pools of Askyli before returning to their typical canary yellow hue. With a puzzled look on his face, he glanced at Q.

“Problem?” Q said.

Looking over at one of our brothers, Kaylec made a simple head gesture toward Zac. “Malik, just take him.”

The brother melted into shadow, wrapped around the group, and appeared behind Zac. He was about to put his hand on Zac’s shoulder when, out of nowhere, Q pressed his sword to Malik’s neck. I didn’t even see him summon it, but there it was, the eiyrlin blade gleaming under the parlor’s fluorescent lights. Q never even looked back at Malik. His steely gaze was set on Calyx.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Q cautioned before finally turning his head to face my brother. Much of his raven hair obscured his face, but I could see the ominous white glow of his eye where the long tendrils parted.

Almost in unison, Kaylec summoned his daggers while my other brother called upon a massive battle axe. It looked cartoonishly large compared to his slight frame, but there was no denying the severe damage he could inflict with that thing.

They stood like statues, posed for battle and craving the other to strike first. I could watch the bloodlust overtake Kaylec. He wanted this. No, he needed this. He was practically salivating at the thought of going after Q, especially now that he would finally be in the right.

I love Q, and the fact that he would stand up for Zac melted my heart, but this was Sanctum business at the end of the day. He had no dog in this fight, and drawing his weapon on one of my brothers - who was just following orders - made Q the villain in the scenario. It was all the justification they needed to go all in on Q.

Kaylec knew this. He was counting on it. I could see it in his bloodthirsty eyes.

My heart pounded in my ear. This was it. This was the moment Sunny warned me about, and I hadn’t figured out the answer yet. As the seconds ticked by, I pictured every possible way this could go horribly wrong. Would I be left standing over a pile of black or white silt?

To his credit, Calyx maintained a cool head and allowed me to kick the can down the road.

“Kaylec. Alaric. Stand down,” he ordered.

“But Malik….”

“Is fine,” Calyx interrupted Alaric. “If Qua’quelle wanted him dead, he wouldn’t have offered the warning. Malik, come.”

I didn’t get the sense that Malik ever feared for his life. Whether that was bravado or stupidity was hard to tell. But he was clearly embarrassed about being caught off guard. The contempt in his eyes made that abundantly clear. His gaze drilled into Q, searching for an opening that would allow him to redeem himself.

“Malik….” Calyx repeated forcefully.

Tapping Malik’s shoulder with his sword, Q smirked, “Looks like it’s time to go. Please, don’t let me keep you.”

“This isn’t the end,” Malik hissed, fading into shadow and reappearing next to the other three.

Q’s blade evaporated into the air as white smoke.

Taking a step closer to Q, Calyx threw his hands out and said, “Qua’quelle, what are you doing? This matter does not concern you nor The Brotherhood.” He slowly brought his hands together as if he was about to pray. “Why are you inserting yourself in our affairs?” Calyx glanced over his shoulder at Kaylec. “Is this ego? Would I have been better served by leaving Kaylec behind?”

“This is not my doing!” Kaylec protested aggressively. He pointed his dagger at Q. “This is his doing.”

“I never said it was, brother,” Calyx explained. “But it occurs to me that your presence here has complicated matters. Backing down now would mean losing to you, backing down to you, and because of your history, the proud Qua’quelle could never allow that to happen.” He seemed lost in thought for a moment. “I blame myself. I should have seen this coming.”

I didn’t like the way he said ‘the proud Qua’quelle.’ On paper, it would probably read as complimentary. But said in Calyx's voice, there was a definite hint of mockery, as if pride was a weakness.

That said, I wondered if Calyx had a point. Was Q’s ego and a bitter rivalry with Kaylec getting the best of him? Was this standoff more about his refusal to acquiesce to Kaylec than protecting Zac’s rights?

“You place too high a value on Kaylec if you think he occupies any real estate in my mind,” Q retorted callously. “Are you bothered by the gnat that flies into your windshield? No, you let the wipers wash it away without a second thought.”

With a thunderous roar, Kaylec lunged, thrusting his dagger at Q with lightning speed. Reacting with equally fast reflexes, Calyx summoned his weapon and caught Kaylec’s blade in the cross-guard of his sword, stopping the dagger millimeters away from Q’s left eye. Without missing a beat, Soullen had his swords out – one resting over the entangled weapons before Q and pressed against Kaylec’s neck while the other was held to Calyx’s chest.

“It seems the same cannot be said about him,” Q said calmly without so much as blinking.

“Stand down!” Calyx ordered just as Malik and Alaric swung their weapons at Q.

They were disciplined enough to stop the second the order came down. Alaric’s battle axe sat close enough to Q’s face to give him a clean shave.

Needless to say, it was a holy shit moment for me. Especially since I was the only El’odian in the room with my dick in my hand, unable to do a fucking thing. I was utterly useless. I could almost forgive myself because I didn’t have complete control of my powers yet, but deep down, I knew that even if I had, I would have frozen.

I was trapped in a prison forged from brotherhood, loyalty, and love. The dream of finding true love and a newfound family was turning into a nightmare. What hope did I have to navigate the waters between these two worlds without it all crashing down around me?

“Threaten him again, and I will end you,” Soullen warned, his eyes swirling with white fire.

“There’s no need for that, Soullen,” Q said. “We are all just having a conversation here. Do as he asks and stand down.”

The skin on Kaylec’s neck folded as Soullen applied the slightest bit of pressure before withdrawing his swords and letting them melt away.

“I’ll go!” Zac declared loudly. “Please, everyone, just stop fighting. I’ll go home with Calyx.”

Soullen’s eyes instantly softened as he turned to face Zac. “You do not have to go with them.” The desperation in his voice was endearing; the affection in his scarlet eyes was heartwarming. “Qua’quelle and I can protect you.”

Placing his hand on Soullen's cheek, Zac smiled warmly. “Thanks, but I don’t need protection from them, Soullen. They’re my family. I’ll be fine.”

As Zac pulled his hand away, Soullen leaned into his touch to allow the moment to last a few seconds longer.

“Finally, we can be done with these two,” Malik remarked bitterly.

“What about Akuzio?” Alaric inquired.

“Oh, please,” Kaylec said as he backed away from Q. “You’re sadly mistaken if you think he’ll choose us over his Naverian lover.”

“Akuzio is free to do what he wants,” Calyx stated to Kaylec’s annoyance. “We came for Zac. Now, come along.”

“Thanks for letting me tag along,” Zac said, giving me a side hug. “I guess I’ll see you at home.”

“Count on it,” I smiled.

“You’re going to be counting for a long time,” Kaylec sneered.

“What does that mean?” I asked, slipping my arm around Zac's chest and pulling him back into me. “Where are you taking him?”

“Home,” Calyx said.

“Yes, but whose home?” I challenged.

“Back home to our Club in Venice, of course,” he answered as if it were the only option.

“Venice?!” An unnerved Zac exclaimed, grabbing my arm and squeezing tightly. “Are we talking about Venice in Florida or Louisiana or what?” His southern drawl slipped out for a moment when he mentioned Louisiana. He sounded cute, but I admit it freaked me out that he could hide it so perfectly.

“Italy, Zac,” Calyx explained.

“Italy!” Zac’s response was louder than before.

“Yes. Prince Aulus wants you in his city with him while this gets sorted out.”

“That’s insane,” I said. “You can’t take him to Italy.”

“I mean, I always wanted to go, but not like this!” Zac clarified.

“Excuse you?” Alaric looked at me, astonished that I would make such a claim. “You forget your place, Akuzio.”

“All I’m saying is that you can’t take a kid away from his family.”

“We are all his family, Akuzio,” Calyx declared.

“I know that, Calyx, but his home is here. There’s a difference. Tearing a kid away from his home is devasting and unfair. Please, let me take him back home until….”

“That’s not your call!” Malik interrupted. “The order has been given, and we must follow it. You are not exempt from this, brother.” The light caught his eyes, giving them a ghostly appearance. He settled them on Zac. “Now, Zac, are you really going to defy the will of your Prince?”

“Well….no,” Zac said meekly.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Calyx said warmly. “Now, come along.”

Zac tapped my arm so I’d release him. “It’s okay, Jacob. I don’t want to cause any more trouble. It’s time for me to go.”

Squeezing him tightly against my chest, I reluctantly let my hand fall to my side.

He turned to face me one last time. “Tell Sunny he’s always been an awesome big brother to me, and I hope to come back home to you guys soon.” He was about to turn and walk away but stopped abruptly. His gaze lingered on the floor briefly before moving his eyes to mine. They were as brilliant as a tropical ocean and on the verge of unleashing a terrible tsunami. “Tell him I love him.”

“I will,” I said, choking back my emotions for his sake.

He quickly turned to walk away.

“I don’t think so,” Q said, stepping in front of Zac and causing him to crash into his back.

Zac steadied himself by grabbing onto Q’s sexy waist. It was probably a dream come true for the boy, but I digress…

“I’m afraid you’re not going anywhere,” Q declared.

The satisfaction on Soullen’s face was beyond measure.

“Qua’quelle, what is this?” Calyx demanded forcefully.

“Zac came here with Jacob, and he will leave here with Jacob,” Q insisted.

“This does not concern you, Nave,” Alaric snapped, slamming his battle axe down on the ground. Q’s cold indifference to his threat only made Alaric angrier. “You seem to forget you are outnumbered five to one.” His gloomy eyes drifted over to Soullen briefly, “…and a half.”

“I am eager to show you my half,” Soullen countered with a sinister grin.

“I would redo your math, brother,” Kaylec said. “Poor Akuzio can’t use his powers, and even if he could, he’d sooner use them against us than turn on his precious Naverian lover.”

“Do you ever shut the fuck up?” I retorted.

“Am I wrong?” Kaylec taunted.

I ignored him.

“Your silence speaks volumes, brother,” Kaylec smirked proudly.

“Enough of this inane prattling,” Calyx said. “The boy comes with us. Step aside, Qua’quelle.”

“It’s okay, Q, I’m good to go,” Zac said, sounding about as convincing as CJ saying he’s a virgin.

Looking over his shoulder, Q said, “Quiet, grown folks are talking.” He followed it with a wink.

“Qua’quelle, you are escalating the situation needlessly,” Calyx asserted. “We returned your Prince in good faith, and now you won’t allow us to leave with one of our own? Where do you get the gall?”

“The hubris!” Malik added.

“Your actions go against The Accords,” Alaric piled on. “Zac is a human member of The Sanctum. He’s our youngest brother, and you are essentially kidnapping him by not allowing him to come with us.” Lifting his massive axe, he put it on his shoulder. “We can cut you down, justifiably so and with no repercussions, for you have no cause. Not even The Great Mother would side against us considering your actions today.”

“You speak of hubris,” Q said softly, yet the force behind his words reverberated off the air in the room. I could feel the oxygen rattle around us.

Oh….fuck!

“Hubris is believing you can erect an Anazian Field to hold me and then claim I have no cause?” The glow of his eyes was subtle at first, but with every word Q spoke, the intensity grew ever so slightly.

I looked up and back to Q. Anazian Field?

“Hubris is believing you can charge at me, weapons in hand, and believe I have no cause.”

“Qua’quelle, calm yourself,” Calyx beseeched, remaining as composed as Q while the others became increasingly agitated. “You don’t want to do this. If we go down this road, there is no coming back. Move aside and allow us to take the boy back with us, and we can go our separate ways. Otherwise….well, my patience is running thin.”

“Look at my face and ask yourself if I’m at all concerned about your patience,” Q said. “Instead of trying to take the boy from his home, you should humble yourself before him. It is but for the grace of his presence that I have refrained from taking any action against you.”

“You overestimate your chances,” Malik stated brashly. “You are trapped within my field with no way out.”

“You are outgunned, Qua’quelle,” Kaylec said smugly, twirling his daggers in his hand. “We are not the young, inexperienced Skai that have fallen to your blade.”

Q slowly raised his hand and pointed his finger to the ceiling. Not knowing what he was up to, I grabbed the boys and pulled them a few feet behind him. The tip of Q’s finger began to glow. It was a soft glow at first, but the intensity grew a hundredfold instantly. What I could only describe as white lightning arched from his finger in several directions, flying between my brothers without hitting them but striking the walls and ceiling. Q's light consumed the shadows that created this Anazian Field around us, returning the ice cream parlor to normal.

“You were saying something about being trapped here?” Q quipped.

“You’d risk exposing us to the mortal world?” Malik growled.

Before shit got entirely out of control, I decided to do the only thing I could think of that might bring this standoff to an end before anyone got hurt. I grabbed Soullen by the wrist and started shaking his hand.

“What are you doing?” a perplexed Soullen asked as his hand flopped about.

“Fire this thing up,” I whispered, but loudly.

“What?” Soullen asked.

“You heard me. Juice your hand up like you’re about to blast something, but don’t.”

“You are not making any sense!” Soullen said and tried to pull his hand free.

Q and my brothers started hurling verbal insults again. I knew we were moments away from it becoming physical.

“Soullen, do you trust me?” I asked desperately.

He looked at Zac briefly before nodding.

“Then do as I ask.”

The Anavi started to swirl around his hand almost instantly. It was beautiful, like whisps of light dancing to a tune only they could hear.

“Akuzio, what are you doing?” Kaylec demanded. He tried to come at me, but Q materialized his sword and blocked his path.

“Getting a second opinion,” I said with a snarky tone and then pressed Soullen’s hand to Zac’s chest, right over his Skai pendant.

The result was immediate. The necklace activated a dark bubble around Zac, knocking Soullen back into several tables.

“Oh shit,” I winced. “My bad! Didn’t think that part through all the way.” I looked at Zac through his protective field. “He’s fine.”

“This changes nothing!” Kaylec roared.

“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

“He’s right, Akuzio,” Calyx said. “What do you hope to accomplish by doing this? You’re only making it harder for the boy.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” was my brilliant comeback. “Maybe someone who can help straighten out this mess will show up. I don’t know, but it was this or watch the peace between Skai and Nave be destroyed right before my eyes.”

After kicking off several chairs and a table, Soullen came at me in a huff and punched my arm. “You could have warned me!”

“I said ‘my bad,’ didn’t I?”

“I do not know what that means!”

Calyx sighed heavily. “Nothing changes, Akuzio. No matter who comes for Zac, he will leave with us today. Such is the will of our Prince. Our brothers will understand that even if you can’t.”

“You just made things infinitely worse for your Naverian lover,” Kaylec sneered. “Unlike you, they will have no trouble cutting through him to get our brother back, for they are loyal to The Sanctum – to our Prince.” He moved his gaze away from me and settled on Q. “Please, I beg you….resist.”

“Oh good, more Skai,” Q said sarcastically.

Fissures of shadow and darkness appeared around the room—four of them, to be exact. Askyli poured out of them like water from a pitcher. The dark energies twisted and churned until my bothers emerged. Eolaeis was the first to take his human form, followed by Liam, Xazzumir, and Elijah.

I looked around. No way, Sunny doesn’t show…

As if reading my mind, the final orb of dark energy appeared near the ceiling, and from it, Sunny appeared. His eyes were literal pools of flames, frantically searching the room. The instant he spotted Zac, the fires were extinguished, and he descended to the ground. He walked through the bubble, collapsing it back into the pendant, and embraced Zac.

“Oh, thank god, you’re okay!” Sunny pushed Zac back a little so he could look him in the eyes. “You are okay, right?”

Zac didn’t have the words. He nodded and buried his face in Sunny’s chest as they hugged.

“And you?” Sunny asked, looking over at me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him with a smile.

That didn’t stop Sunny from grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me in for a three-way hug.

While trapped in Sunny’s arms, I noticed the weapons disappear from Calyx and the rest as soon as they saw Eolaeis. His presence alone brought the room's temperature down to just below a simmer.

“I was so worried when we were alerted that Zac was in trouble.” Sunny continued squeezing the life out of us as he looked around the room. “And here you are in a…uh...ice cream shop? What the fuck? Did you eat peanuts or something, Zac? You know you’re allergic! No, wait, we cured you of that.” He released us and cupped Zac’s face in his hand. “What is happening right now?”

Zac was a mess. His tears fell like Niagara Falls. He couldn’t form coherent words. The poor guy was full-blown ugly crying. I choked up a little, watching him.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Sunny said in a panic. “Why are you crying? Don’t cry. You said you were fine. Are you not fine?” He then looked at me desperately. “Why is he crying? He said he was fine.”

I smiled. “He’s crying because of you, dummy.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“God, you can be so dense sometimes,” I teased. “You came, Sunny. You came for him.”

It finally clicked for Sunny. Kissing his head, he pulled Zac back into a hug. “I will always come for you.” He kissed Zac’s head a second time. “Always.” Spinning around with Zac in his arms, Sunny addressed the crowd. “Now, can someone please explain what the fuck is happening?”

Liam and Elijah rubbed Zac’s back and ruffled his hair.

Liam looked at me and mouthed, “Are you good?”

I nodded.

“Yes, I would like to know myself,” Eolaeis said, stepping between Q and Calyx. “Qua’quelle.”

“Eolaeis,” Q responded.

And with that exchange, two things were abundantly clear. First, there was no love lost between these ancient warriors. Second, they had mutual respect for each other. Which I’m sure was earned while facing each other on the battlefield.

“My Lord, Eolaeis, it is an honor as always,” Calyx bowed slightly.

“I am no one’s Lord, Calyx,” Eolaeis insisted. “Now, please, tell me what is going on here.”

Calyx explained his mission and everything that had transpired up until that point. He left nothing out of his report. Eolaeis listened intently, nodding occasionally as he scanned the room with his illustrious emerald eyes. He gestured for silence when one of the other brothers tried to add their two cents. He made it clear he wanted to hear from Calyx alone, but that didn’t stop Kaylec from repeatedly trying to interject. I don’t know why he bothered. Eolaeis shut him down with a disapproving stare every time.

“You what?!” Sunny shouted, gently placing Zac against my chest. He walked up and got right in Kaylec’s face. “You did this, didn’t you?” Sunny’s wagging finger was close enough to apply makeup if he wanted. “You’re pissed off that I took Jacob’s side, so you created this fucking mess to get back at me. Is that it?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Kaylc responded dismissively. “I had nothing to do with any of this.”

“Liar!”

“Sundryn, stop,” Calyx pleaded gently, grabbing Sunny’s arm. “He speaks the truth. Kaylec was with Prince Aulus when he got the news about Zac. He volunteered to help us when we were dispatched to retrieve the boy and bring him home.”

“Of course, you’d volunteer since Jacob was with Zac,” Sunny argued. “Anything to stick it to Jacob while you fight your little proxy war with him.” Without looking at Q, he pointed at him, and then, with the same hand, he summoned a dagger. “Here, take it! If you want Q dead, take it, and end him now. No one here will stop you.”

God dammit, Sunny. What the hell are you doing?

“That’s enough, Sunny,” Eolaeis said.

“No, it’s not, Eolaeis! Kaylec has had a hardon for Qua’quelle for centuries. Let him take his shot now and be done with it.” Sunny got so loud and close to Kaylec’s face that I thought they were about to kiss. “Otherwise, keep your bullshit away from Zac and Jacob.”

“Sunny!” Eolaeis exclaimed.

The dagger in his hand crumbled into black smoke and vanished as Sunny backed away.

Kaylec shouted at Sunny in a rage, his eyes churning with darkness. I don’t know what he said, but I knew it was in El’odian. I felt the pins of pain tickling the base of my skull. As his tongue lashing continued, the pain steadily grew worse.

“What are you doing?” Sunny demanded, looking between me and Kaylec. “You know you’re hurting him.”

I saw Kaylec eye me up and smirk as he continued his tirade in El’odian.

“Kaylec, stop!” Liam yelled. “Can’t you see what you’re doing?”

I felt dizzy.

“Jacob!” Soullen rushed to my side and, with Zac, helped me stay on my feet

The second Q took a step toward Kaylec, I grabbed his arm. “Don’t, please,” I pleaded, feeling his resistance to my grip. I felt his energy coursing through him like a violent river. He was about to unleash. “No….please.”

“Kaylec, stop!” Sunny demanded as he looked at me.

“Enough of this, Kaylec,” Eolaeis ordered.

Kaylec's refusal to stop earned him a solid punch to the face as Sunny spun around and clocked him but good. He went flying back into the glass window and would’ve gone through it had it not been for Eolaeis reinforcing the window with his powers.

When his feet hit the ground, Kaylec charged at Sunny, but Calyx intercepted him.

“Stop this petty squabbling now!” Eolaeis’ thunderous voice shook the room as he took Skai form, extending his large wings over the space like a canopy of shadow. He looked massive. His voice boomed. “I will not ask again!”

As if all that craziness wasn’t unfolding around us, Q turned to me, held my face, and gently asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “The pain didn’t get too bad, and it’s going away now that he shut up. I’m good, I promise.”

When the tempers in the room cooled, Eolaeis shed his wings and returned to human form.

“You dare strike me?” Kaylec spat. He wanted to get in Sunny’s face, for his own was twisted in anger, but the wall known as Eolaeis stood between them. “You dare strike your brother?”

“Excuse me?” Sunny said, cupping his hand over his ear. “Did I hear you correctly?” Looking directly at me, he pointed between Kaylec and me several times. “Did you just hear that?” Every word was dripping in sarcasm. “Now, hitting a brother is a problem? I don’t recall you having any qualms about throwing Jacob across the bathroom into a fucking wall.”

Sunny barely finished his sentence before Q snapped his head in my direction.

“He did what?” The sharpness of his tone was like a scalpel cutting into flesh. Luckily, it wasn’t my flesh Q wanted to slice and dice.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said flippantly. I wasn’t trying to dismiss Q’s question, but rather the idea of being thrown around like a rag doll. The last thing I needed was for him to fly off the handle. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Jacob.”

“Just let it go. I’m good.”

“And if you think you’re taking Zac anywhere, you’re out of your mind!” Sunny shouted, pointing accusingly at Calyx.

Sunny’s sudden outburst drew Q’s attention back to my brothers and away from me. But knowing Q, I was sure the ragdoll discussion had a pin in it. He wasn’t a ‘let it go’ type of guy.

“Not fit, my ass! Where do you get off suggesting I’m not fit to look after Zac? I’ve been doing it just fine since he joined us. And I plan to continue looking after him until I’m dead and buried.”

Despite biting down on his lip, Zac couldn’t contain his smile. When Soullen saw him beaming, he, too, followed suit.

“That was not my assessment, Sundryn,” Calyx clarified. “I’m merely following the orders of our Prince.”

“Raz appointed me as Zac’s guardian, so why don’t we ask him about this?” Sunny pulled out his phone and started texting like a madman.

“Sundryn…”

Sunny walked away from Calyx to stand in front of me. He never looked up from his phone.

“You’re just wasting his time, Sundryn,” Calyx sighed heavily. “When did it become okay to disregard the will of a Sanctum Prince? And to do it so brazenly in front of the Naverians? It’s an affront to everything we are. Who we are. Rest assured, Prince Aulus will hear of your blatant disrespect of his authority.”

“You’re right.”

Sunny spun around to look at Eolaeis, shocked that he would side with Calyx.

“Eolaeis, you can’t be serious,” Sunny pleaded. The poor guy looked like a wounded puppy as he stared at Liam, Elijah, and Zazz, hoping one of them would back him up.

I wondered if Liam and Elijah were on his side, but even if they were, they didn’t dare say anything. They couldn’t. Eolaeis was right. We followed a hierarchy and chain of command. Hell, it was the very foundation of The Sanctum and The Brotherhood. I couldn’t imagine a Brother so openly defying Q or any other member of The Brotherhood’s leadership. It’s just not done.

“It’s not our place to question Prince Aulus unless his conduct was unjust and ran contrary to the will of The Sanctum,” Eolaeis continued while walking over to Sunny. “That’s not what’s happening here, and you know it.” He placed his hand on Sunny’s shoulder and shook him gently. “I know you’ve grown attached to Zac.” He smiled warmly at Zac. “We all have. But he’s not only your little brother. He’s The Sanctum’s little brother, who must obey if Aulus requests his presence, just like I would. Just like any Skylarian would. Dragging Razual here will get you the same lecture, for he has no authority to override Aulus.”

“How is any of his justified?” Sunny beseeched. Gesturing at Zac, he shook his head in frustration. “Look at him. He looks terrified.”

“Trust me, Sunny, this will all get resolved,” Eolaeis assured him. “But it will be done by those in a position to challenge his decision and only if they deem it necessary.” I almost missed it, but he tapped the screen on Sunny’s phone and gave him a subtle wink.

Sunny smiled and started texting again.

“He does look scared, doesn’t he?” Q eyed Zac closely. His simple remark drew everyone’s attention. “I must say, I find it interesting that you were sent here to save young Zac from the evil, corrupting influence of the Nave, and yet, here he stands – more afraid to go with his own brothers than he ever was with us.” He shrugged dismissively. “Funny how that worked out in the end, no?”

“You and Prince Soullen should go,” Eolaeis said. “I appreciate you looking after Zac, but Calyx was right. This does not concern you, so please drop the barrier around Zac and be on your way.”

Q cocked his head. “That’s the thing. I can’t do that.”

“Barrier?” Zac asked, feeling himself up. “What barrier?”

Eolaeis turned to Calyx and his gang. “I suspect one of you tried to teleport Zac away at some point?”

“I did,” Kaylec confessed, eyeing Q angrily. “It failed. Something prevented me from grabbing hold of him.”

“Qua’quelle placed his own Anazian Field around Zac to prevent him from being displaced,” Eolaeis explained.

“I don’t see anything,” Zazz said; his eyes went black as he scrutinized Zac. “Do you guys see anything?”

Liam and Elijah both shook their heads no.

“Nor do I,” Calyx confessed.

Placing his hands behind his back, Q leaned forward a bit. “Perhaps you’re not as powerful as you think.”

“It’s there,” Eolaeis said. “You would’ve had to touch Zac directly to remove him from this space.”

“That’s why you prevented me from…..”

“Look at you catching up,” Q said mockingly while interrupting Malik. “Good for you.”

“But how’s that even possible?” Elijah asked. “His necklace would’ve protected him.”

“Maybe it knew he wasn’t in danger?” I offered with a shrug. “I don’t know how these things work. Just my two cents. Something to consider in the future, I guess.”

“Your condescension is not needed here,” Kaylec jeered.

“Pot meet kettle,” I said.

“What is your interest here, Qua’quelle?” Eolaeis inquired while standing in front of Q.

The difference between them was crazy. While Q had more of a chiseled swimmer’s physique, very tight and sexy, I might add, he was dwarfed by Eolaeis. He was taller than Q and built like a mountain – all muscle with broad shoulders and an impressive chest barely contained in his blue polo shirt. If I’m being honest, based on size alone, he could pick Q up like one picks a cat up by its scruff and throw him across the room like a frisbee. But I’m talking about Q, so that would never happen.

“What can I say?” Q said. “The boy grows on you.”

“Why does everyone keep calling me ‘the boy?’” Zac leaned into me and whispered. “I have a name.”

“Shhh!”

“I’m just saying!”

“I see no reason why he should be pulled from his home because he ate ice cream near me,” Q continued. “This is an overreaction. Far be it from me to tell The Sanctum how to run their affairs, but I would never sanction the removal of one so young from the only true family he knows.” He paused briefly to look at each Skai in the room. “But I suppose that’s what makes us different.”

“You dare to stand in a room full of Skai and suggest that The Brotherhood is superior to The Sanctum?” Zazz’s venomous words had no impact on Q.

“I’m merely making an observation,” Q said. I don’t know if he knew who was talking to him, for Eolaeis was basically blotting out the sun. “How you choose to interpret it is entirely up to you.”

“I tire of all this,” Calyx announced and approached Zac. “The boy comes with us. End of discussion. If the Naverians insist on interfering, I suggest you rally the troops.”

Calyx reached out for Zac, and in that instant, Q turned to intervene. Reflexively, Eolaeis moved to block his path. They were all outmaneuvered by Sunny, who jumped directly in front of Zac. It all happened so quickly and ridiculously, like a poorly rehearsed dance.

“What are you doing, Sundryn?” Calyx challenged, his eyes pulsating with Askyli. “His frustration was reaching its zenith. “Enough of these games. Move aside!”

“Who’s playing games?” Sunny said defiantly. “You keep throwing Prince Aulus in our faces. And you’re right, Calyx. No one here has the authority to go against his orders. I accept that. And I sincerely apologize for making things difficult for you. I get that you’re only following our Prince’s orders.”

Calyx signed, but his frustration had yet to fade. “Finally, you come to your senses. Now move!”

“I will, but first,” Sunny shoved his phone in Calyx’s face, “I see your prince and raise you mine!”

I could see the contact information on his screen from where I stood.

P Zenial

I shook my head, making a mental note to explain to Sunny that he either needed to spell out “Prince” or remove the “P” entirely because it sounded weird when spoken aloud.

“What have you done?” Calyx demanded angrily.

“I want a second opinion from someone who can push back against another prince.”

“How dare you waste the Prince’s time with your foolishness!”

“It’s too late, bro. I already sent the message. Can’t wait to hear what Prince Zenial says about all this.” He moved aside and pointed at Zac. “But hey, feel free to take Zac and go. I won’t stop you. I don’t think Prince Zenial would appreciate you leaving before he can weigh in, but hey, what do I know? I’m just an irresponsible guardian.”

The room fell silent. Q and Eolaeis stood relaxed and composed. I think they would have been more nervous waiting for a pizza to be delivered. The rest of us felt the weight of anticipation hanging heavy around us. We didn’t move. We just looked at each other initially, but then our eyes moved to the window as if expecting another dark orb to appear in the distance. Presumably, Zenial was on his way. It was just a matter of when and where he’d pop up—the minutes ticked by, each raising the anxiety in the room.

“Well, I’m glad I stuck around,” Q said, breaking the forced silence in the room.

Like Marionette puppets controlled by a single string, we turned our heads in unison to face him.

“I will give you Skai this much,” he smirked. “You certainly know how to make things entertaining and needlessly complicated.”

I jabbed him in the side to shut him up. I didn’t need Q adding more fuel to the fire.

“You should leave before our Prince arrives, Nave,” Malik suggested harshly. “It’s only going to get worse for you from here.”

“And yet….” Q walked around the crowded parlor, admiring the posters of ice cream hanging on the walls. “Eolaeis aside, I’m the only one in this room not afraid right now.”

He wasn’t wrong. The tension was increasing. We were like misbehaving kids waiting for our ‘father to come home’ to handle the situation. And now he was on his way with belt in hand. You can only hope it wasn’t your ass getting whooped.

“Ah….” Q turned on his heels to face the bathrooms. “It looks like the guest of honor is here. How exciting.”

Again, the Marionettes turned in unison to face the bathroom. The lights flicked like a scene from a cheesy horror movie. I saw darkness seep out from under the restroom door. I envisioned Zenial’s Askyli enveloping the bathroom's interior and sensing the explosion and damage I caused earlier. My stomach turned.

No shadowy sphere to announce his arrival. Just darkness moving in the bathroom, I broke. What did that mean? Was I the losing ass in the whooping story?

Everyone was on pins and needles, eagerly waiting for that door to open, and then, I heard the water running. It sounded like Zenial was washing his hands….for a very long time.

Sunny got up on his toes to whisper in my ear. “What is he doing?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered back with a shrug.

When the water finally stopped, I heard him cranking on the paper towel dispenser – a lot.

“How much paper does he need?” Sunny asked softly.

“Dude, I don’t know. Everything about this is weird.”

And then the hand dryer went off for like ten minutes. Maybe longer.

What the serious fuck?

When the door finally opened, Sunny grabbed my arm and looked as confused as the rest of us.

“What the….” He gasped. “Ms. Cynthia?!”

“Well, of course, Suga,” she replied while looking around the room at all the stunned faces. “Were you expecting someone else?”

Instead of Dad, we got someone infinitely scarier.

Mom.