Dark as the Night

71

Soft thumping kicks, deflected punches, and the slapping of bare feet on cushioned floor echoed in the small training room where James and Liam were locked in a sparring match Saturday night. Grunts of exertion and occasional gasps when someone landed stood in for civilized conversation. Using their bodies as weapons, the brothers spoke the quiet language of veiled aggression.

After several minutes of circling and periodically attempting to attack each other, Liam called for a time out. As they both walked to the side of the room where they had dropped their belongings, he broke their verbal standoff. "How was the start of the new school term?"

"It's only been two days," James replied, shrugging casually as he reached down and picked up his water bottle.

Liam's voice was neutral, disinterested, as he grabbed his own bottle and asked, "How was it for Odessa?"

James finished gulping before he answered, just as neutrally, "It seemed to go alright for her."

He used the hem of his shirt to wipe sweat from his face and throat but glanced at Liam through the thin material. The elder McKenna sounded so blasé, as though it were perfectly normal for him to ask about school. But not once since James had been granted 'independent minor' status had he shown any indication that he gave a shit about how school was going for him, and certainly not about how it went for his friends.

And he didn't even bother asking about Tai, he scoffed internally. Just Odessa. Can you get any more obvious, bro?

Liam finished drinking then put his bottle back on the floor and stretched his arms out, only sparing a glance for his brother as he continued, "Has she remembered anything about her past school experiences?"

James resisted the urge to sneer. And now we get to the heart of it.

"If she has, she hasn't said anything to me," he lied. Continuing to feign nonchalance, he asked, "Have you found out about where she's from yet?"

"Not a thing." Liam wiped his own face then tilted his head toward the mat in silent question. James nodded and they dropped the subject as they walked back to the center of the room to continue grappling.

The McKenna boys had never been close, and James had never fully trusted Liam since his return to camp seven years before, but now he wondered just how much of a liar his older brother was.

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A/N: And that's the end of chapter 17. Sorry for the short installment!

Things are getting even tenser between the brothers. How do you think Odessa will affect their relationship?

Next week, an interview with a certain silver- eyed dream boat...

Please comment and hit that little star to vote! 🧡