The Five

6. Legends

"Thank you for this," Akashi said warmly. He stood in front of the mirror in his new room, admiring the outfit Joe let him borrow. Joe's clothes fit him surprisingly well. "I'll try not to ruin your shirt at dinner." He chuckled. "I tend to be messy when I eat."

Joe smiled. "Don't worry about it. Stains lift easily with magic." Despite the name he carried, he didn't seem like a bad kid. Joe was usually a pretty good judge of character, and his radar wasn't going off, but it was still bothering him. His eyebrows knitted together. "I want to apologize for being so harsh with you earlier."

Akashi whirled around, shock marking his handsome features. No one had ever apologized to him before. Not once. He shrugged like it didn't matter. Show no fear. "I'm used to it. You know who my father was."

Joe didn't say anything. Akashi wasn't wrong. Joe did know who his father was. He battled him on more than one occasion. He was the former leader of Serus. He'd never met a man with a higher desire for power who would do anything and everything to get it. Jay Winters killed so many people; mortals and wizards alike. Anyone who dared stand in his way was eliminated. It made him nervous to have his only son standing in front of him now, one of The Five. In the back of his mind, he kept thinking...what if Akashi turns out like Jay? Nothing or no one would ever be safe again.

"Yes, I did."

"I'm nothing like him," Akashi declared. "I never want to be."

"Good." Joe looked him straight in the eye. "Because I can't allow you to be."

He swallowed hard. There was a threatening undertone in Joe's voice. "What do you mean by that?"

"Addey is my sister, all I have left in the world, and Freya is her best friend. I've watched them grow up. I love them both like they were my daughters." Joe rose to his feet. "And I won't let anyone, no matter how powerful, hurt them."

Guilt flooded through him. Akashi was well aware of the sins of his father, as well as people judging him because of them. Why would this man be any different? "You don't have to worry." His words dripped with bitterness. "I won't hurt them."

"Great. I'm glad we understand each other." Joe waltzed over to the door. "Dinner should be ready soon." He opened it and let himself out.

Akashi stood in the middle of the room, his eyes on the open door. He heard Joe's footsteps echoing down the empty hallway. It didn't matter how far he ran or how long, he was never going to be able to escape the darkness his father left behind. A weary sigh escaped him. He just hoped Freya didn't share the views of her friend's brother. She saved him, stood up for him, and he was a stranger to her. Maybe her kind heart would be a blessing in disguise. He tried to get rid of his dark thoughts as he headed into the hall. He hoped he could remember the way.

***

"Where is Akashi?"

Freya asked the question as soon as Joe walked through the kitchen door. She had a plate of spaghetti in both hands, while Addey was busy tossing a garden salad behind her.

"He's coming," Joe said.

"Does he even know the way in here?" Addey asked. She didn't remember him coming into the kitchen.

Joe stopped. He hadn't thought about it. "I don't think he does. I'd better go get him."

"No, it's okay," Freya said quickly. She set the plates on the table, one in front of Joe, and one in Addey's place. Her and Akashi's were already on the table. "I'll go get him and bring him in." She hurried from the kitchen before Joe had the chance to protest...a little too eagerly.