It's Always Something - 13. Chapter 13

Cameron and Fabien were taking a short break before their spar. The eldest redhead spent the last hour showing his brother how to combine his growing telekinetic power with his element power to create things from the snow and ice, both on the ground and what they created from the atmosphere. Fabien made a dagger, a sparkling ice castle and a snow fort. He also made three decorations, which were made of ice, and on the inside were recreations of his home, the Dog & Butterfly. The third one was larger because he'd carved the likeness of his family, all made from snow. The decorations really impressed his older brother, which made the teenager blush and swell with pride at the same time. Cameron stuck with ice and made a few ten-foot-tall solid walls of ice that were five inches thick, a dagger, and a long, thick staff that he used to pole vault over the gymnastic horse he'd created.

"I can't believe how awesome my baby brother is." Cameron said as he inspected his brother’s newly formed dagger. The pride in his heart couldn't be contained and was prevalent in his voice as he praised Fabien. "This is awesome and creative craftsmanship, Ian. Your dagger's got a nice weight to it while being aesthetically appealing...not that beauty is important when you have to defend yerself, the carvings on the blade and hilt add intrigue and shows yer talent for detailed work if yeh want to keep it in a cold glass display case."

The sixteen-year-old blushed as he wrapped his arms around Cameron's waist and hid his face in the older redhead's chest. He'd always hero-worshiped his birth brother and Taylor because they were among the strongest and protective men in his life. He and Rhylan constantly acknowledged how loved they felt and were never treated like a burden by them.

Cameron chuckled as he gently rubbed the teen's back, then lowered his head and kissed Fabien's head. "I love yeh, my beautiful Little Red. No matter how old or grown yeh get, you'll always be my baby brother. I'll always be here to protect and help guide yeh and Rhy," he softly said.

The teen dried the tears from his eyes, raised his head, and smiled as he kissed his brother's chin. "You and Tay have always been there for and looked after us. I love you, Cammer."

"So, yeh think yer ready to take yer big brother on, do you," the older redhead asked with a smirk and a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

Fabien raised his head and matched the expression he was challenged with. "As ready as you are to be taken down by yeh little brother, Big Red." He yelped and lurched forward when his brother playfully pinched his left butt cheek through his jeans.

"Before we start, I want yeh to realize something, Fabien."

Upon hearing his full first name, the youngest of the pair quickly adopted a serious posture by standing up straight, his head held high, and his gaze met Cameron's. When he was ready, Fabien nodded for the speech to continue.

"Now that yer close to bein' an adult, mentally, physically, and emotionally, our spars, including ones with Tay and Rhy, are gonna be more intense. Tay and I won't be going at yeh boys with everything we've got, but the goal is to work up to about seventy-five percent full strength. Also, the rules will not be as strict as when we were younger. We'll all be able to use magic, mind tricks, hand-to-hand, and anything else we can think of," Cameron paused, placed his hands on his soon-to-be opponent's shoulders, then continued, "Are yeh with me so far, little brother? There's no backin' down, no tears spilled because of injuries yeh can cry afterward when we're patchin' each other up. Fer all intents and purposes, yer men now, Fabien Michael O'Leary. You and Rhylan, and in both my and Tay’s opinions, damn fine ones already in the makin'. I know you and yer wolf will step up to the challenges facin' both-a-yeh and make yer brothers proud of yeh."

Fabien felt a twinge of fear and a shiver run the length of his spine but pushed them back to the depths of his being. Then, firmly said, "I understand, Cameron, and... Oh, fuck it, I'm not gonna lie to my big brother, so don't laugh."

Cameron pulled his sibling into a loving embrace. "Fabien, I may resort to the typical older brother jokes, but I'd never laugh at you, certainly not during a serious discussion, yeh know that, right? You're my brother, and I love you more than I love anything or anyone else. This step up in sparring is to help the four of us get stronger so we can protect each other and ourselves."

"I love you too, Cammer. I was gonna say I'm not gonna lie and say I'm completely ready. I'm a bit nervous and scared, but I promise to put my heart into this and future exercises and spars."

"All yeh can do is your best, little brother, and as long as I know that's what you're givin', then I'll always be proud of yeh." Cameron tightened the embrace, then kneaded and dug his fingers into his brother's sides and between his ribs.

Hysterical laughter and squeals burst from the teen's lips as his body squirmed. "Cheater," he hollered between the endless flow of laughter that echoed through the trees and bounced back at them.

Cameron chuckled, "Don't tell me you've forgotten the first rule of combat, to always be ready fer anything."

Fabien got himself turned around so his back was against his brother's chest. The tickling never stopped, and the younger witch never stopped laughing. His snow boots created ditches in the snow as the heels slid along the ground. His legs almost flew out from under him when he tried to get some traction and create leverage to throw his attacker off balance and escape. That's when an idea came to him. Working quickly, he let himself slide to the ground. His emerald eyes glittered and glowed a slightly dark green, and he made the snow under Cameron's feet slick. Next, the teen summoned a wind gust equal to a small tornado and sent it hurling at the older redhead right when he'd grabbed his brother's legs and pulled forward.

Cameron yelped as he left the ground, was blown back a couple feet, and landed on his back in a large pile of snow. He got to his feet and grinned at the smirking teen. "Feelin' bold there, aren't yeh, little brother?" He got to his feet, and as soon as he tried to take a step, he realized Fabien cast a spell on him.

"You didn't forget the second rule, expect the unexpected, did yeh, big brother?"

Cameron continued struggling in an attempt to move his body. "Oh, yer really askin' for it, now."

Fabien giggled. Knowing he couldn't keep his brother stationary much longer, he covered the older redhead's head with snow, then used his hands to make Cameron look like Santa. His concentration on the spell was waning fast because of his laughter, so he got his phone from his pocket and snapped a picture.

Unable to help himself, Cameron shook his head and giggled at the playfulness. "Alright, yeh cheeky little bugger, playtime's over, now let's get to work," he said.

Fabien nodded and chuckled as he said, "You were sooo cute looking like Santa, Cameron. The clan's gonna love seein' it and hearing the story." He squealed as his body was bombarded by the countless snowballs Cameron hurled at him. "I thought yeh said playtime's over?"

"I spoke too soon. Yer cheeky comment required a playful retaliatory response."

*****

"Oh, I wasn't aware anyone would be in here. Allow me to introduce myself. I am The Mystical and Mysterious Mystofelles." He executed a sweeping wave followed by a bow at the waist. When he straightened his posture, he extended his hand.

"I'm Ethan, and this is my best friend, Alex, Ethan said as he and Alex returned the friendly greeting and shook hands.

For some reason, the Stormcloud teen was wary and distrustful of the guy, so he quickly assessed the man's tall, slender frame. He judged the older male to be just over six feet tall, give or take an inch, and figured his age to be around the late forties, maybe early fifties. The long, black pants stuck to his waist and legs like the clothing was part of his skin. The bulk of his hair was jet black, highlighted with silvery white strands scattered here and there with seemingly no rhyme or reason. His black shirt and dark red open long-tailed coat shimmered and reflected the dull overhead lighting, designed to keep the mysteriously spooky atmosphere that Magic Manor was known for.

Alex didn't seem to have the same hesitance as his bud and eagerly asked, "Are you traveling through town, Mystofelles?"

"Why, yes, I am, my young one. I've been intrigued by this place for quite some time and have thoroughly enjoyed wandering its highly reputed and majestic halls."

"Would you happen to have a card," Ethan asked, hoping his expression matched the innocence of his voice.

"I believe I've got one," Mystofelles replied.

As the magician rummaged through the inside pockets of his coat, a small black disc fell out when the man pulled his hand out of the jacket's left side and landed on the maroon carpet they stood on. Ethan noticed this, and the raven-haired teen quickly gazed at the man's face. Satisfied Mystofelles hadn't seen the item fall, he placed his foot on top of the object when he pretended to stumble and even steadied himself to make it look realistic.

"Eth, are you ok," Alex asked with concern.

"I'm fine, Lex. It's probably a pebble or something in my shoe that pressed into my big toe," Ethan replied as he sat on a trunk's lid, pulled his shoe off, and acted like he was shaking the invisible offending object out of his footwear, and then giggled because it tickled when he massaged his toe. He blushed when Alex and Mystofelles chuckled.

"Being ticklish can be very fun, my dear boy. I'm sorry, but I seem to have used up my cards."

"That's ok, I just like collecting them to prove who I've met and watched perform."

"Well, I'm off. Ethan, Alex, it was nice meeting you both."

Ethan waited a minute or two after Mystofelles left, then bent down, retrieved the disc, and placed it in the small pocket inside the right-hand pocket of his jeans. He turned to Alex, "Lex, I don't trust him."

"Why? He seemed nice enough, a bit theatrical, but that's also describes most magicians."

Ethan shook his head and hugged Alex. His friend had many talents, but having a mind for seeing the clues to a puzzle starting to form a picture was not one of them. "I've gotta get to my truck and call my Dad. When I get back, I'll help fix the props."

A minute or two after he'd left, Mystofelles returned. "Ethan, Alex," he called out as he reached the doorway.

"It's just me, Ethan went to his truck to call his Dad."

"Oh, how thoughtful of him. Alex, my young friend, you didn't happen to see a small black disc on the floor, did you? It's part of my act, and I seem to have lost it."

"I didn't, but I know Ethan picked something up. He usually parks out front."

"Do you know what he drives?"

"A dark green Chevrolet Silverado," Alex replied.

"Thank you, you've been most helpful."

When he got to his truck, Ethan put the disc in the bottom of the middle console and replaced the previously removed items on top of it. The teen stood with his back to the Manor's entrance after he closed and locked the driver's side door. Next, the young man picked up his phone and dialed Joe's cell, which went straight to his Dad's voicemail. He hung up, texted nine-one-one, and placed the phone on the edge of the truck bed. The teen heard something behind him and started to turn to see what the sound was right as someone's hand smashed the left side of his head into the side of the Silverado, knocking him out cold. The assailant picked the unconscious young man up off the ground as the phone rang. The device was flung to the ground seconds before the heel of a thick-soled boot smashed it into pieces beside the left back tire, just before the teen's limp body was carried away.

Umm, hi, @chris191070, @Paladin, @BoyLove, and @Greg. Nice weather we're having, huh? Umm, what are y'all doing with feathers and sonic toothbrushes in your hands?
 
Hope everyone enjoys the chapter. I had an awesome time writing it. 
 
As always, thanks for reading, reacting, and commenting. I'm always appreciative.
 
Love y'all