The Athlete

by Elin Peer

  Jonah nodded. “Ahh. Okay.”

  “Except, we could be related!” Solo’s chest heaved. “Your father could have been the donor. That would explain why we look alike.”

  Magni’s frown deepened when Solo continued, “And your math is flawed anyway.”

  “Flawed how?”

  “My birthday is August 23rd, yours is October 2nd. That makes for fifteen years and almost eleven months between us. Theoretically, you could be my father.”

  Magni jerked his head back. “Huh! I see that I’m not the only one who’s thought about this.”

  Solo shrugged. “I don’t like to admit it, but the resemblance is there.”

  Magni snorted as his gaze glided around to us bystanders. “‘Don’t like to admit it.’ That’s fucking insulting when I’ve got nothing but good genes to pass on.” He turned and whistled for Finn. “Hey, Doctor, come here for a moment.”

  Finn was talking to Laura and Khan but looked up. “Did you just whistle for me? I’m not a dog, you know.”

  “I know. But we need you to sort something out.”

  Both Laura and Khan came over with Finn. “What’s the problem?”

  “You need to do a test on me and Solo. The question keeps popping up and it’s time we found out.”

  Finn leaned back, one side of his mouth lifting with amusement. “What question would that be?”

  Magni rolled his eyes. “Don’t be stupid. How fast can you do a paternity test and determine whether or not Solo is my son?”

  “Or brother,” Solomon added.

  That comment made Khan cross his arms. “Brother?”

  “Yes. Maybe your father’s sperm was used.”

  Khan shook his head. “Our father was a married man. He wouldn’t have used sex-bots.”

  “I’ll do the tests and let you know. But let me ask you this question.” Finn tucked his hands into his pockets. “What difference will it make?”

  Magni groaned. “Ahh, you’ve lived too long with Athena. Don’t get fucking philosophical on me. Just make the damn test.”

  “Did someone say my name?” A woman came from behind with a cute girl around four years old sitting on her hip.

  “You have big ears, Athena.”

  “No, Magni, it’s the witch thing. You say my name three times and I appear.” Athena grinned. “At least that’s what Finn tells our children.”

  “You need to adjust the magic then, because I only said your name once.”

  “You wanna come to Daddy?” Finn reached for the girl on Athena’s hip, who leaned toward him. “Why don’t we go find your brothers and see what trouble they’re up to?”

  When Finn walked away, Magni called after him. “Aren’t you going to do the test?”

  “No.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Because it’s sunny and I’m at a wedding.”

  “Tomorrow then?”

  “Tomorrow.” Finn swung his daughter through the air, making her squeal with delight.

  “I swear Finn is a bigger child than his children.” It sounded like a complaint, but Magni had a small smile on his face when he pulled Mila close and placed another kiss on the top of her head.

  “Hey, Willow, do you think the musicians can play something more upbeat? I would love to dance with my man.”

  Magni turned and gave Laura a look of horror. “What did you say? You’re not serious.”

  “Why not?” Laura was beautiful with her long red hair and the blue dress she was wearing. “Willow is a dancer. Of course there’s going to be dancing at her wedding. Right, Willow?”

  “I’m counting on it.” Willow looked up at Solomon. “Remember you promised to dance with me today.”

  “I remember, but it doesn’t have to be right now, does it? I haven’t even tried the food yet.” He nodded toward the cabin, where helpers were setting out trays of food on long tables outside.

  “That’s right and we’re not even the slightest bit drunk yet.” Magni turned to Jonah. “Have you ever been drunk?”

  Jonah and I exchanged a quick glance. Alcohol was illegal in the Motherlands and we weren’t going to tell them about our family’s side business.

  “Are you talking about beer?”

  With a firm hand on Jonah’s shoulder, Magni pulled him between himself and Khan. “Yes. That’s exactly what we’re talking about. It’s time for you to indulge in the nectar of the gods.”

  Jonah was a tall man in the Motherlands, but seeing him walk away with Khan and Magni brought perspective to how tall the men here really were.

  “Make sure he eats first. Don’t let him drink on an empty stomach,” Pearl warned.

  With a look over his shoulder, Khan nodded to his wife before calling out to Hunter and Solomon. “Are you guys coming?”

  “It’s fine,” Willow assured Solomon. “We get that big men are scared of embarrassing themselves while dancing. Go find your courage in a beer or two.”

  “The only thing that I’m scared of is stepping on your toes and hurting you.”

  “Go!” Willow pushed her husband with a grin.

  “What about you?” I asked Hunter.

  He shrugged. “Nah, I’m good. I’ll go play with Finn and the kids instead.”

  As Hunter ran off in the opposite direction, Willow sighed. “He would have gone if not for Solomon.”

  Mila, Pearl, Athena, and Laura moved closer to her. “One step at a time, Willow. At least Hunter is here.”

  “I know.” She gave a sad smile. “I just want them to be friends again. Like they used to before I came between them.”

  “Those things take time.” Athena stroked Willow’s arm.

  “Maybe if Hunter finds love himself, he’ll come around and forgive Solo.” Willow’s eyes fell on me and it made my heart pump faster.

  Pearl spoke up in a no-nonsense tone of voice. “Don’t you worry about Hunter and Solo. Today is your wedding day. You don’t get to be sad when we are all here to celebrate. All you need is something to eat. I’ll bet you didn’t eat anything this morning, did you?”

  “I had a biscuit and some juice.”

  “You’re going to need a lot more fuel than that if you want to dance all night.”

  “Pearl is right.” Laura pointed to the long tables with food. “Let’s go, ladies!”

  CHAPTER 18

  Culture and DNA

  Hunter

  Being back among my own people was bittersweet. The food here was better and drinking a nice cold beer again made me realize how much I had missed it.

  At the same time, I knew it would only be for a few days before I had to return to the Motherlands and I was getting tired of answering the same questions over and over.

  Earlier, I had gone to the bathroom and when I returned, Emanuela had been playing around with a soccer ball showing off to Raven, some teenage boys, and at least five single men.

  They were playing on moss and Emanuela was impressing them with her speed and sharp skills that made the men curse out loud when she outsmarted them. I was both proud of her and annoyed with the men for getting too close to her.

  By midnight all of the families had gone home, with their children tired from playing around all day.

  “I don’t know where the time went.” Mila sat between Jonah and Raven in an improvised circle of chairs, logs, and benches that we had carried from the house down to the bonfire by the river. “I was dancing so much that I didn’t get a chance to talk to Christina or Kya much tonight.”

  Raven made a sound of agreement. “I know. This wedding should have been spread out over more days than one. I don’t want it to end.”

  “I’m just impressed we made it through without any fights.” Zasquash elbowed Solomon, who sat with Willow in his lap. They were looking down on Samba sleeping in Willow’s arms like two parents in love.

  Mila had the other puppy in her lap and we had just been laughing about how Trailblazer lay exhausted on his back, snoring while Mila stroked his belly. Toda
y had no doubt been the most exciting day in the puppies’ life.

  “Fights aren’t always a bad thing.” The light from the fire bounced against Raven’s dark curly hair as she looked over at Zasquash. He didn’t hear her as his attention had gone back to Darlene, one of the musicians, whom he would be marrying soon. They sat against each other with his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

  But the rest of us heard Raven, and her comment made Willow raise an eyebrow. “Fights are always bad at a wedding.”

  Leo straightened up. “That’s not true. Normal weddings take place after men have fought for the bride in a tournament. I think fights belong at a wedding, and I guarantee there will be fighting at this wedding too if anyone touches one of the single women here.”

  Raven rolled her eyes. “Give it a rest, Leo, will you? Not all of us women are defenseless. I know Magni and my father made you swear to defend us with your lives, but who would hurt us?” She pointed to Leo and the eight men who sat on the other side of the fire pit. “All you men here are former classmates of ours, or colleagues of Solo, which means it’s your freaking job to protect women. And then there’s you, a police officer. At least five of you worked as security when the performers from the Motherlands were here on tour.”

  When Emanuela widened her eyes, Raven lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “What?”

  “You cursed.”

  “Did I?”

  “Yes, you said ‘freaking.’”

  “Oh, sorry about that. It rubs off on you after ten years, I guess.”

  Leo stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “I’m not a police officer. I’m a police inspector, Raven, and you know it.”

  From the small smile on her lips, I reckoned that Raven was more than aware. “Sorry, my bad. I’m not big on titles.”

  Zasquash chuckled. “Don’t worry; now that Leo will be your mentor you’ll have plenty of time to get it right.”

  Raven turned her head and stared at him and it made Zasquash give a sheepish glance at Leo.

  “Oops, you didn’t tell her?”

  Leo groaned. “No, I didn’t fucking tell her, so thanks.”

  I leaned forward. “What didn’t you tell Raven?” I had known Raven since she was eleven and I was twelve. She was one of the toughest women I knew, and I cared about her.

  Leo shifted in his seat. “It’s nothing. I’ll talk to Raven about it later.”

  But Raven had never been a patient person. “No, tell me now.”

  Not even her chocolate-colored skin could hide that her neck and cheeks were flaming up. She had always had a temper.

  Leo used one finger to scratch alongside his right eye. “All right. Your father has raised concerns that you’re not being treated fairly at the police academy. That’s why Commander Magni has ordered me to keep an eye on you. You know, to be a mentor of sorts.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What about the other recruits, do they get a mentor too?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t want special treatment.”

  “Good, because I won’t fucking give you any.”

  Raven moved to the edge of her seat. “I don’t need your help. I can do this on my own.”

  “Hey, kiddo, I’m not excited about the assignment either.”

  “Tell her the worst part.” Zasquash, who was tipsy, seemed to find the whole thing funny.

  “No. That can wait.” Leo picked up a stick and poked at the fire.

  Raven turned to Zasquash. “Tell me!”

  “When you’re doing the practical part of your education, Magni wants you to work for Leo. He’ll be your boss.”

  Raven eased her posture a little. “Okaay, but why is that a bad thing?”

  Zasquash laughed. “I didn’t say it was bad for you. But Leo was beyond pissed about it. Like the rest of us, he doesn’t think women should be allowed on the police force to begin with, and now his ass will be on the line if anything happens to you. I’ve never seen Leo argue with Magni like that.”

  Some of the other men found it funny too and laughed. Maybe I would have laughed with them if I hadn’t known how much this meant to Raven. I agreed with Leo that women shouldn’t be in the police force, but I still felt bad for her.

  “I don’t know what’s so funny.” Emanuela’s voice cut through the laughter as she looked from Zasquash to Leo. “Why do you men have a problem with women being police officers?”

  Darlene sighed. “Oh, sweetie, it’s not worth arguing with them; I wasted hours doing it already. They’ll tell you it’s because they are protective and that police work is too dangerous for women.”

  “I’m not arguing with them.” Raven stood up. “I’m showing them that they are wrong, and like I said,” – her eyes narrowed again – “I don’t need your help, Leonardo.”

  “Raven, where are you going?” Mila called after her as she walked off.

  “The bathroom. Or is that too dangerous for a woman now?” Her last sentence was dripping with sarcasm and frustration.

  As Raven walked away in long strides, Emanuela addressed us men again. “My brother is the first man to ever be allowed on the Council of the Motherlands. For hundreds of years it has been believed that it would be too dangerous to allow a man to be in power. Do you see a parallel?”

  “That’s bullshit,” Storm, a former classmate of ours, muttered. “Men are much better leaders. You Motlanders treat your men like children.”

  Emanuela met his stare head-on. “I could say the same about the way you treat your women. For the last four hundred years women in the Motherlands have protected men from themselves, thinking that men in power inevitably leads to death and destruction through warfare. The intention was honorable, but I think we can all agree that it was wrong to suppress a part of the population for something their forefathers did centuries ago.”

  We Nmen made sounds of agreement. “Yeah, it was fucking wrong.”

  “My sister is right,” Jonah said. “There’s nothing worse than being held back just because of your gender. I know from experience what it feels like, and not even your good intentions of protecting Raven can justify how you just humiliated her by laughing at her for following her dream.”

  “Spare me your lecture, Momsiboy,” one of the soldiers said and belched out loud.

  My strong reaction to the insult surprised me as much as the tall guy who had made the comment. With my eyes shooting daggers at him, I hissed, “Don’t you fucking speak to my guest that way.”

  “Or what? Are you going to throw a soccer ball at me?” He gave a mocking laugh.

  I was ready to bolt out of my chair and get physical, but the man was drunk and Jonah placed a calm hand on my arm. “It’s okay, Hunter, I can handle this myself.” Jonah had a small smile on his face when he addressed the man. “Let me ask you something, do you have a lot of sayings here in the Northlands?”

  The man shrugged. “I guess.”

  “What’s your favorite one?”

  “Ehh… I don’t know.” He thought about it. “Maybe this one: ‘If people talk about you behind your back, just fart.’”

  The man laughed out loud and Jonah joined in. “That’s a good one. I’ve never heard it before. One of my favorites sayings is ‘If you can’t convince them, confuse them.’”

  “Oh, okay.” The man nodded, waiting for Jonah to go on. When Jonah didn’t the man frowned. “So what’s your point?”

  “There is no point?”

  “Wait, what?” The man looked puzzled. “Then why did you ask me about my favorite saying?”

  “Oh, I was just curious. I find culture fascinating.” Jonah stroked his cheeks. “I may look young to you, and thank you for the compliment by the way, but respect for cultural differences is important, don’t you think?” Jonah didn’t wait for the man to answer. “Can you imagine if someone like me looked down on everyone who was different from me? How could I be fair when making decisions that affect millions of men, women, and children around the world?”

&nb
sp; The man wasn’t laughing anymore. Instead he looked thoughtful.

  Raising his glass of beer, Jonah smiled to all of us. “There’s one saying that I know we share and that’s ‘cheers.’”

  An echo of cheers met him, even from the rude man who had just called him a Momsiboy, and I had to give it to Jonah that he knew how to diffuse a confrontation.

  “Hunter, why don’t you tell us more about your life in the Motherlands?” Zasquash put his glass down on the ground and wiped away beer foam from his beard.

  “Yeah, tell us about all the women you’re fucking.” Storm encouraged. “Are the women throwing themselves at you?”

  I just shook my head, not interested in sharing anything. Instead they shifted their attention to Emanuela. “At least tell us that he’s taking advantage of being surrounded by women.”

  Emanuela smiled. “I don’t know about that. Hunter is very popular. He’s had to turn down several women.”

  Storm and some of the other men exchanged glances of confusion. “What the fuck, Hunter. How many women have you turned down?”

  Leo furrowed his forehead. “I think a more important question is why?”

  They were all looking at me like I’d betrayed the Northlands somehow.

  I gave a low groan to Emanuela. “Why don’t you just tell them I’m a homosexual and that my dick is deformed while you’re at it?”

  Emanuela caught the irony, but in her attempt to make it better, she made it worse. “No, it’s not like that. My brother took Hunter to a sex club and although he said no to most of the women, he did sleep with one.”

  “You two went to a sex club?” Leo was pointing at Jonah, whose palms flew up.

  “Not me. It was Cole. Our other brother.”

  “Look.” I spoke up. “Things are different in the Motherlands, okay? You wouldn’t understand.”

  Storm scrunched up his face. “Then explain it to us.”

  My chest rose in a deep inhalation, as I already knew there was no way I could explain it in a way that would make sense to them. “There were at least ten women for every man in that club and because I was new and foreign I had at least forty women wanting to have sex with me.”