The Genius

by Elin Peer

  Shelly gasped out loud. “No!”

  “Yes. I don’t know who he was or the motive for doing so, but why would they come straight here except to warn Hunter that Willow might be in danger again?”

  “You think Solo is the murderer?”

  Squinting my eyes, I wrinkled my nose up. “What else would it be?”

  “But Solo was always so protective of women, remember?”

  “He was also jealous and possessive.”

  “All you Nmen are. I refuse to believe that Solomon would do something like that.”

  “That doesn’t change the fact that a woman is dead and her husband was the one who killed her.”

  I didn’t like the strange look that Shelly was giving me. “You don’t think I could do that, do you?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Good, for a second you had me worried. Killing your wife isn’t normal behavior, you know.”

  “I wish I could read lips or get close enough to hear what they’re saying,” she mumbled.

  “Me too.”

  “Lord Khan has his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. He’s leaning in and speaking with a serious expression on his face. Hunter has his arms crossed; he does not like what he’s being told.”

  “What is he being told?” I asked.

  “That’s the mystery, isn’t it?”

  “Okay, quick, laugh. They’re breaking up the meeting and Hunter is coming this way. He’s looking pissed.”

  I didn’t laugh, but I did follow Hunter into the woods.

  From the way he was stomping and moving fast, his mood was easy to read. When I stepped on a branch that broke and made a loud sound, Hunter turned to see who was following him.

  “What do you want?”

  “Hunter, what’s going on? They told you something about Solo, didn’t they?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I know I was drunk last night, but I still remember what you told me about Willow and Solo. You can trust me. If Willow is in danger we can leave now.”

  Hunter waited for me to catch up to him before he spoke. “They came to warn me that Solo might show up.”

  “Here?”

  “Yes, he was invited so he has every right to participate.”

  “Not if he killed his wife.”

  “What?” Hunter’s face twisted into a big question mark. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Remember yesterday when they told us about that domestic violence case where the man killed his wife?”

  “Yeah?”

  “They came straight from that to warn you, so Shelly and I figured that maybe Solo was the husband.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “He’s not the husband?”

  “No!” Hunter threw his hands up in the air. “Solo is on the Doom Squad.”

  “No way.” The Domestic Violence Team, also known as the Doom Squad, was a specialized unit under Magni who investigated claims and dealt with offenders. Lord Khan stuck to the century-old policy of zero tolerance for violence against women.

  “Those guys are brutal. You sure Solo is part of that?”

  “Magni said it himself.”

  “Then why were they warning you?”

  “Because he talked about coming?”

  “Here?”

  “Where the fuck else would he be coming?”

  “Did they say when?”

  “Could be tonight or tomorrow. They don’t know if he’ll show at all.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Hunter threw his hands in the air. “I don’t know.”

  “You’ll need to talk to Willow about it. Let her decide if she wants to stay or go.”

  Leaning his head back, Hunter ran his hands through his hair. “I can’t!”

  “You have to.”

  “Pearl and Lord Khan want me to keep it to myself.”

  “Then why did they tell you?”

  It was like Hunter couldn’t come to rest. He squatted down, picked up a twig, and used it to poke at the ground with jerky stabs. “Because they don’t want a repeat of the last fight we had. They asked me to promise not to attack Solo if he arrives.”

  “That’s a big thing to ask.”

  Hunter got up and spat on the ground. “You wanna know the worst part?”

  He didn’t wait for me to answer.

  “They said that they were trying to protect me. That my soccer career could be in danger if I got injured. Like I can’t fucking fight. I’m a top athlete and a formidable fighter.”

  “They know that. All you students were selected because you each were the strongest and fiercest warrior for your age.”

  “That’s right. I’m lethal and I’m not afraid of Solo. If he comes close to Willow, I’ll take him out.”

  I took a step closer and placed my hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Look, you’re angry and worried about Willow. I get it. But I have to agree with them. Getting into a physical fight with Solo won’t be a good move. He was the best fighter back then and being an elite soldier probably hasn’t slowed him down.”

  Hunter narrowed his eyes. “You don’t think I could take him?”

  “Hell, I don’t think I could take him, Hunter.”

  Hunter spread out his arms. “What’s that supposed to mean? I could take you any day of the week.”

  “Sure, if we were playing soccer.”

  “Fuck you.”

  I laughed. “Fuck yourself.”

  “Are you trying to make me fight you?”

  “If that’s what it takes to make you calm down,”

  With his jaw tense and his nostrils flaring, Hunter scoffed. “I’m calm.”

  My lips twitched in a grin. “The calmest I’ve ever seen you.”

  His humor was still suppressed by anger but he threw away the twig he’d held onto and walked back toward the school. “If he hurts Willow, I’ll kill him.”

  “Deal. I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t need no fucking help. I’m strong enough.”

  I followed him. “Can I at least help dig the hole?”

  Hunter gave me a sideways glance. “That’s too much work.”

  “Then let’s throw him in the lake for the fishes to feed on.”

  Hunter kept walking.

  “Or maybe it’s better to leave his body to rot in the forest until the animals tear his flesh apart one piece at a time.”

  “That’s right. If he hurts my sister the wolves can have him.” Hunter looked straight ahead walking fast. “And the birds can feast on his fucking eyeballs.”

  “Hell yeah,” I said, letting him vent.

  We had only walked another ten steps when Hunter turned his head to me. “You realize we’re talking about someone who used to be our friend?”

  “You mean he was your friend. I was his teacher. Different thing. I’d leave all my students to rot in the forest if I could.”

  The edge of Hunter’s lip lifted a bit. “You talk a big game.”

  “No, I’m serious. You don’t know how annoying I thought you all were.”

  “Bullshit, you loved us.”

  With a grin I flung my arm around his shoulder. “I’ll never admit to that, and if you start spreading nasty rumors about it, the birds will be feasting on your handsome eyes before this weekend is over.”

  CHAPTER 29

  Party Games

  Shelly

  I was dying to have a real conversation with Marco, but we were being pulled in different directions all afternoon. Five of the Nmen had gone hunting for old time’s sake and carried back a deer with pride.

  Paysey, Nicki, and Rochelle broke into something close to hysteria, accusing the men of murder.

  “You want to help us skin it?” Oscar asked with a grin.

  “Oscar,” Archer called out as if he was still his teacher. “What did I always tell you about teasing the girls?”

  Oscar gave a crooked grin. “They’re not girls anymore.”

  “I know, but that doesn
’t change anything. If you're going to be a smartass, be sure you’re smart because otherwise you're just an ass.”

  “You got to admit it’s a fucking good catch. The steaks are going to be juicy and…”

  Kya, who came to stand next to Archer, stopped Oscar. “You’ve had your fun upsetting the women, now take that deer away from here.”

  “We were going to eat it for dinner.”

  “Fine, but the rules haven’t changed. Take it to the butcher’s house and fill up the fridge with what you don’t need for tonight.”

  My sister shot the men a disgusted look. “I don’t understand how you can live with yourself. You just killed an innocent being that had feelings and you’re laughing about it.”

  “Rochelle, that’s not necessary.” Kya faced her. “The cultural differences between our countries won’t magically disappear in only ten years. You don’t need to understand or condone their customs, but you do need to tolerate them and not judge.”

  “But did you see the poor deer?”

  “Yes, and like you I’m a vegan. I understand your opinion, but I’m asking you to remember that respect goes both ways.”

  As if Rochelle was back to being a student, she bowed her head. “Yes, Kya.”

  Kya pointed to Marco. “Would you mind keeping an eye on the men? Make sure they know what they’re doing.”

  “Sure.” Marco gave me a quick smile before he jogged after them.

  It ruined my plan of getting him to myself. I wanted to tell him that my mother had agreed to release me from my promise not to marry him. After the episode with Boulder yesterday, I’d come to the conclusion that keeping Marco safe trumped my resistance to marriage.

  Willow was teaching a group of women dance moves. “No, you have to turn left, sway your hips, and then let your hand fall down.”

  “Looking good, ladies,” Tristan called out from his seat on a picnic table where he, Nero, Storm, and Nathan were playing a card game.

  I sat down with them. “Who’s winning?”

  “We all are.” Storm grinned. “We aren’t really playing. We’re enjoying the show.”

  “You like dancing?”

  He smirked. “Sure. As long as it involves women moving their bodies in a sexy way.” Leaning in a bit, he lowered his voice. “Personally, I prefer voluptuous women with big tits and a generous ass.”

  “Like my sister?” I asked since Rochelle was on the heavier side.

  He looked over to Rochelle, who had joined the dance lesson. “I wouldn’t mind if she packed on a bit more, but yes, she’s got a significant effect on my midsection.”

  The other men laughed.

  “Are you laughing at our dancing?” Rochelle called out to them with a pout.

  “No, they’re admiring your moves,” I shouted back.

  Raven came from the side with leaves in her hair. “Hey, I wanna dance too,” she said and put down a bow and arrow. “Plato and I almost got a squirrel, but it was too quick.”

  The men playing cards looked up. “I’ve never met a squirrel too fast for my gun,” Nathan said. “Why are you messing around with a bow and arrow? This is fucking 2447, not the medieval ages.”

  “You went hunting too?” Rochelle gave Raven a pointed look that Raven missed because she was pulling off her shirt, leaving her in only a tank top.

  “Geez, it’s hot,” she said and wiped her forehead.

  Willow waved her hand to Raven. “Come join us if you want.”

  “Hey, Raven,” Nero grinned at her. “If it’s so hot, why don’t you slip out of the rest of your clothes?”

  Raven gave him an exaggerated smile and with a sway in her hips, she moved closer to him. “Let’s make a deal, Nero. If I slip out of my clothes, you’ll slip into something more comfortable too?”

  His smug smile grew and his voice deepened. “Now you’re talking. What would you like me to slip into? You?”

  Raven gave a mischievous grin. “Nah, I was thinking you could slip into something relaxing like… well, I don’t know, maybe a coma.”

  The men exploded in laughter. “First she kicks your ass this morning and then she whips you again. When are you going to learn not to mess with Raven?”

  Nero crossed his arms. “I had to let her win. She’s a woman and women have sensitive feelings.”

  Raven had already moved away and was now following the directions of Willow when Mila came carrying a basket.

  “Who wants to play some party games?”

  “Sorry, Mila, we’re in the middle of an intense card game – maybe later,” Storm lied. “Why don’t you join Willow’s dance class? I’m sure they could use another fairy.”

  Mila’s shoulder sank. “Oh, okay. I guess I can do that.”

  It wasn’t until three hours later, when Lord Khan and Magni had returned, that Mila had her chance again.

  “Now that we’re all here and dinner is over, I thought it would be fun to play some of the party games that I’ve prepared for us,” she said and looked around for support.

  “I’ll play.” Nicki and a few other Motlander women volunteered.

  “How about you?” she asked Hunter and it occurred to me that she was taking a big risk. If Hunter said yes, the other men would most likely go along. But if he said no, there was no chance they’d play.

  “Hunter will play,” Marco said and got up. “And so will I.”

  Like ten birds taking off from a branch at the same time, my stomach was all aflutter. This was one of the reasons I loved Marco. He was willing to ridicule himself to save the face of someone else. I’d seen him let boys win against him when they needed a confidence boost, and now he was seeing Mila’s struggle to get the Nmen onboard with her party games and gallantly coming to her rescue.

  Hunter rose from his seat so slowly that it looked like he was lifting not only himself but a heavy pile of internal resistance to party games as well.

  “We need four men and four women for this game,” Mila instructed.

  “I’ll help,” I said, inspired by Marco’s good deed.

  “What about you, Dad, will you play?” Mila blinked her eyes at Magni, who stiffened.

  “Ehh… I think this is a game for younger men.” Magni pointed to Plato and Sultan, but they got busy drinking beer.

  “Please, Dad.”

  He sighed. “Okay, I guess Boulder and I can do it.”

  Boulder, who was sitting next to Magni, slammed down his glass of beer. “Why do I have to suffer just because you can’t say no to her?”

  “Fuck you. If I’m doing it, you are too.”

  People were laughing as the two large warriors made their way to the center of the outside area where we had enjoyed dinner.

  “Okay, so first of all I think we should give our eight volunteers a big hand,” Mila began and we all clapped.

  “This is an improv game and we’ll have two teams competing. Each team will have two men and two women.”

  “Why not men versus women?” Storm shouted.

  “Because this is a school of inclusion and we don’t want to pit the genders against each other.”

  Storm grinned. “You’re afraid of us crushing you.”

  “Bring it on,” Raven said and lifted her chin.

  Mila’s eyes flickered to Pearl and Athena, who were both wise and kind Motlander women. “I guess we could vote on it.”

  The men and Raven all voted for a gender vs. gender game.

  “You’ve got this,” Finn called out to Hunter, Boulder, Magni, and Marco, who stood shoulder to shoulder with serious expressions on their faces. The stakes had been raised and there was now pressure to defend the male honor.

  Raven convinced Paysey to switch with her because she couldn’t pass up a chance to compete.

  “Now which team wants to begin?” Mila asked and picked up two baskets.

  “We do. We do.” Raven raised her hand.

  “Raven, why don’t we let the men show us how this game is played?” I said knowing that we woul
d have a strategic advantage if we could learn from their mistakes.

  “Need us to go first, do you?” Boulder grinned.

  “Who is the leader of your group?” Mila asked and four hands flew in the air.

  “Right,” Mila licked her lips. “Ehm… Dad, why don’t you close your eyes and pick a note from the basket? It will be a few lines describing a situation that once happened here at the school. Your job is to remind the men in the audience without using words. If they can guess it you get five points.”

  “Hmm.” Magni stuck his hand down and pulled out a note that he and the other men studied for a minute.

  “Easy,” Marco said with confidence.

  “Yes, but to complicate it a bit, you have to pull props from this basket, and I have to warn you that they are random and may be a distraction from the story.”

  Marco pulled out a pair of sunglasses, Boulder a yellow cape, Hunter an apple, and Magni a pink scarf with purple stripes that he held between two fingers as if it was a soiled diaper. That alone had all the men screaming with laughter.

  The women’s team moved back to give them space and the four men began moving around, unsure how to portray the situation.

  Putting on the sunglasses, Marco pulled off his shirt and pants until he was in his briefs. It didn’t escape me that like me most of the women were smiling.

  Taking the cape from Boulder, Marco placed it on the ground like a towel and lay down, a hand shielding his eyes from an imaginary sun.

  “Beach… he’s on the beach,” someone yelled.

  Marco jumped up again and nodded eagerly, pointing to Magni ,who rolled his eyes and put on the pink scarf. It looked funny, and the audience were in stitches.

  “He’s a woman,” Raven called out.

  “Stop it, you’re helping them,” I scolded her.

  “Sorry, I just get so competitive.”

  Hunter was laughing at Magni too while eating the apple that was supposed to be a prop. When Marco pulled him over and tapped Hunter on his shoulders, he seemed to understand. Squatting down a little he spread his legs in a strong stance.

  The audience were cheering when Marco climbed up and balanced on Hunter’s shoulders. It was an impressive feat and a testament to Hunter’s strength. With his six foot three, Marco was only a few inches shorter than Hunter.