There was no poison in the pizza, at least from what he could see. Last time he had pointed out the strange looking toppings sitting upon the cheese but his family assured him that the composition was just perfect. Today, everything appeared well in order and as he sat in his comfortable chair with a fresh t-shirt and a new pair of khakis on, he couldn’t be happier.
Then the doorbell rang.
Reluctantly, Jessica put down her slice, wiped her lips with a napkin and walked down the hall from the dining room to the front door. Connor could hear some muffled conversation and intermittent silence strewn in, but he had no reason to worry. The next door neighbor, though living a half a mile away, usually stopped by while walking his dog to discuss current events and they had started dinner earlier than usual. There was absolutely nothing to worry about.
“Matt,” Jessica said as she walked into the dining room. “We have a visitor.”
Connor was immediately tense. She only referred to him as “Matt,” the first half of his last name, when there was a situation in which caution was the utmost importance. Usually it happened when he was about to display his powers, without any knowledge that someone was watching nearby. Once she said it at a Laundromat when he was about to congratulate a rather obese woman on her pregnancy. But this was none of those times. And when he saw the visitor appear behind her, he knew that it was going to be an long night.
“Hello, brother,” the visitor said politely, a twinge of excitement in his voice. “I’m happy to see you.”
“Sean,” Connor replied, extending a hand out for him to shake. Sean accepted it and nodded toward an empty seat at the head of the table. Connor and Jess always sat next to each other in the middle with Hunter opposite of them.
“Sit, please,” Connor said. “We ordered pizza. Hope you’re hungry.”
“I see,” Sean said, rubbing his hands together and sitting down. “What kinds?”
“Hamburger. Some pepperoni on half of the second.”
“Stuff crust?”
“No. Not tonight.”
“Ah, one could hope, can’t they?”
Sean reached forward and grabbed a slice of hamburger. Hunter cautiously handed him a paper plate, to which Sean nodded in thanks and began devouring his meal. Jessica sat down next to her husband and continued to stare over at Hunter. Hunter was glaring at his never before seen uncle with fascination, but upon seeing his mom’s gaze from the corner of his eye, he realized the message she was trying to send. He cleared his throat.
“Well, I have homework to do,” he replied, shuffling his chair back. “Excuse me.”
“But you didn’t finish your pizza,” Sean replied. “And besides, don’t you know who I am?”
“I can guess, from what you said to my dad.”
“And that doesn’t interest you?”
“Not really. Dad never mentioned he had a brother, so…either you’re lying. Or, Dad had a good reason to never bring you up.”
“And what could that possibly be? Huh, Connor?”
Sean chewed his pizza loudly as he glared at his brother. Connor’s eyes looked back at him with little emotion or interest. He simply shrugged and grabbed another slice.
“Well, that’s just rude,” Sean cackled as he took another bite. “Anyways, your parents and I have to talk, so I guess we’ll catch up later.”
“Nice to meet you,” Hunter muttered as Sean nodded. Hunter immediately evacuated the room but he hid right in earshot of their conversation. This uncle of his was huge, even bigger than his dad, and he did have the same dark hair and the same soft face that turned angular at the right places. He had his dad’s looks for sure, but, he also had scars, and it looked like his face was constantly dirty, like it had been beaten and worn from countless skirmishes. And the trench coat didn’t make him appear any less scary. If this man had come to fight his father, then it wouldn’t be a breeze. Hopefully his dad’s training would pay off…
“Cute kid,” Sean muttered between bites. “A little too brave for his own good though.”
“What makes you say that?” Jessica asked.
“Oh, just that he saw how big I was, and all the scars I got over the years and he wasn’t even intimidated. As if he had no reason to fear me.”
“He doesn’t,” Connor said firmly as he stared hard into his brother’s eyes.
“Doesn’t he, Connor?”
“If you’re referring to the little play fights we had when we were younger, then no, he has nothing to worry about. Even then, I was holding back.”
“My, you are confident,” Sean snapped, throwing the half-eaten slice onto his plate. He turned his attention to Jessica. “Let me ask you a question. Did Connor ever tell you about our childhood?”
“Yes,” she said, unsure of where the conversation was going.
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know what I’m capable of.”
“I do.”
“And you still didn’t invite me to the wedding?”
“I didn’t have your address,” she replied low.
Sean kept his eyes fixed on her for a moment, and then he burst into fits of laughter, slapping the table which groaned under his might.
“I knew you wouldn’t just marry anyone, Connor. Boy, I like this one! Far better than your first wife.”
He turned suddenly back to Jessica on this revelation, but her gaze remained vigilant. Her face didn’t budge an iota.
“Wow,” Sean remarked. “You did tell her everything…you know what that means then.”
“Jess,” Connor said firmly. “Please grab Connor and leave the house. Don’t say where you’re going.”
“No need, brother,” Sean replied. “I came for you, not them. And if you come with me, I promise to leave them be. Obviously she can keep her mouth shut about the family’s secrets so there’s no need to kill her, or your offspring. I mean, you can’t find good companionship like that these days. Maybe when we’re done, I’ll make her my second wife and Hunter can be my apprentice.”
Connor was as solid as a wall and refused to entertain Sean’s verbal jabs.
“No reply, brother?”
“I let my fists do the talking when it comes to you,” Connor replied. Sean laughed under his breath.
“So, why did you invite me in if you knew it would come to this?”
“I didn’t. Jessica did, because she knew to get you in the room with me where everything would be under control. I offered you my pizza because I hoped you came for a friendly visit, but apparently you are still under the old man’s influence.”
“Yadda, yadda, yadda. Whatever, Connor. Just remember that you knew this day was coming. You had your time to be selfish. Now, we ask for you to embrace your destiny, or step aside for another.”
“You mean don’t interfere when the old man’s plans go through.”
“Exactly.”
“So he finally got them together, after all these years…I thought he was all talk.”
“You did, brother. No one else. We saw the light.”
“A light that burned your very conscience.”
“Say whatever’s on your mind, baby brother. But let me ask you, are we leaving, or are we going to settle this right here in your dining room?”
“No, we’ll go.”
Connor got up from the table as Jessica ran over and clutched his arm.
“Connor, don’t go,” she said. “This is ridiculous. This isn’t some battle for the fate of the world. It’s just your brother. Decline, and he’ll have to leave our property.”
“Jess,” Connor said solemnly. “You don’t understand…this might as well be a fight for the planet. If my father sent him, nothing short of death or agonizing defeat will stop this.”
“He could be lying, just trying to challenge you after all these years!”
“I’m sorry, Jess.”
“Stop calling me Jess! You only call me that when you’re upset!”
“He h
as to go, Mom,” Hunter declared, entering the room. “This is what we’ve been training for. A day like this.”
“Son, will you wait for me to come home?” Connor asked him and his son smiled.
“Of course, Dad.”
“It’s a school night!” Jessica yelled and Connor pulled her to his chest and embraced her.
“I’m letting him stay up because he won’t be able to sleep anyways. Not until I come home and we can celebrate.”
“No, Connor!”
“I have to go now, Jess.”
“Stop! No! I – I’ll make you breakfast! Which means I’ll have to get up really early! You know how much I hate that! But I’ll do it! I’ll make those pancakes tomorrow and buy organic syrup. I’ll make it a special occasion and spend the money. I don’t care. Just…just don’t do this!”
Jessica broke down in tears and wrapped her arms around her husband, kissing his face furiously between sobs. Connor remained still, trying not to be swayed by her offer. He simply watched Sean, who was viewing the displays of affection with interest.
“I’m sorry, Jess. We both knew this day could come.”
“But why now? We’re so happy!”
“And we will be happier. There is no way that –“
“- that’s enough,” Sean cut in, grabbing his brother’s shoulder and chucking him out the dining room wall. Connor had been caught off guard so badly that he couldn’t even catch himself. He went spiraling through two other walls before he fell outside, skidding through the grass and dirt of their front lawn. Mr. Henderson just happened to be walking up the steps with his Yorkshire terrier when it all happened. With wide eyes and a trembling mouth, Mr. Henderson barely managed to instinctively ring the doorbell. Connor climbed to his feet in a second and disappeared the moment he saw Mr. Henderson blink. As he flew behind the house, he heard his wife mention something about “repairs” to him. He tried not to laugh. There was no time for it.
Sean was right behind him, keeping a distance between them Connor knew his brother could go faster than he was so he had to be letting him lead – to where the battle would occur. Connor knew the perfect place, but he wasn’t sure if Sean had the patience.
“Follow me,” Connor said, flexing his muscles and taking their flight even further into the atmosphere. Sean smirked and obeyed but Connor knew better than to feel safe. This was Sean he was dealing with.
“How long until we get there?” Sean called out from below, amplifying his voice to ensure he was heard. Connor ignored him, fighting for precious miles. Only five more minutes and…
“That’s far enough,” Sean said as he appeared in front of his brother. Connor stopped and hovered, waiting for the first strike.
“Last chance, brother,” Sean said. “Will you embrace your destiny and join us?”
“Of course not,” Connor laughed. “Death sounds more appealing.”
“Then death you shall have.”
The first part of the Champion Collection is now available for FREE.
The Works of Julius St. Clair (Novel Samplers) Page 18
