Ok, this chapter has some content from The Red Pyramid. I do not own the Kane Chronicles.
Also, I've been working on this fanfic for about a year. Just now decided to post it up. Comments are appreciated.
Chapter Two – Brotherly Love
I peered across the street to see a taxi let two familiar men out. "Wait here please, just picking up my daughter." Julius' voice asked.
He has changed quite a bit since the last I saw him personally six years ago. He had shaved his head completely bald, and was fancying a goatee. Honestly not how I expected my older brother to age, but then again I had changed a bit as well. Four years ago, in fact, I decided to try braids and beads, and have not changed it since.
I watched as Julius started ushering Carter towards the Fausts place when he abruptly stopped. He did a complete hundred and eighty degree turn to spy me looking right at him, leaning against the tree as casual as I could play it.
"What?" Carter asked worriedly as he spotted me as well, but didn't seem to recognize me whatsoever.
"Carter, go on ahead." Julius urged as he took in my expression towards him, an overly pissed off little brother standing outside your in-laws place.
"But-" Carter instantly protested.
"Get your sister. I'll meet you back at the taxi." Julius instructed quickly and crossed the street, Carter watched for a second before continuing to his grandparent's place.
"Long time no see, Amos." Julius greeted, plastering a fake smile over his alarm to seeing me here. "I figured they would tell you to back off. Maybe they got sick of me beating them around that they sent you this time?"
I huffed to the very thought. "Well, you got some of it right." I started in an even tone. "I'm not supposed to be here. However, I came on my own accord. We need to talk."
"About what?" Julius attempted to play innocent now.
My eyes narrowed, and I could tell he noticed through the sunglasses. "Your plans, Julius. I've been watching, and I know."
His brown eyes narrowed as well. "Then why are you here?" He demanded.
"I thought that would be obvious, to stop you." I snarled. "You've been obsessed since her death."
"You recall the warning he gave." Julius started coldly. "Two Kanes, and one to lead them."
Of course I did. Since Caroline's death, we had shared multiple ideas on the subject. Now it started to get clearer that it was possibly the Outlaws of the Kane family, and I being the usual audience. "So you wish to summon them?" I muttered angrily.
Julius pulled his hands out; the first stage to a fight with him is freeing his hands. "He is rising, and you of all people know who stopped him last! I only plan to pull the big three out, not the troublesome two as well."
"Julius," I scowl, "the release of Bast has sent you into exile. Do you know how lucky you are to only have that?"
He didn't respond, which I angrily shook my head. "They will kill you and your children!"
"I have to, Amos. You know it's the right thing." Julius defended.
"No. If I don't stop you, Julius, they will. The Per Ankh is shadowing you."
"They don't know my plan. By the time they figure it out-" Julius explained in an angrier fashion.
"And the children?" I snapped, reminding him of the two that needed him most. "What about them?"
"I've made arrangements to protect them. Besides, if I don't do this, we're all in danger. Now back off." He kept his stubborn ground.
Being his little brother, I could only do one thing and equal the stubbornness. "I can't, Julius."
"Then it's a duel you want?" His right hand grasped his staff in his bag, which I hadn't noticed was opened in the first place. "You never could beat me, Amos." He reminded, making me wary for another brawl with my own brother, not the first.
I wasn't sure I wanted to face him here, especially with the kids here to witness it. The Fausts would never change their opinion; they already hate us that the apparent sight makes Mrs. Faust want to learn how to throw knives. Plus, Julius has had more practice recently than I have being alone in Brooklyn House and him running from the House of Life. Before I could react, a sudden voice shouted "Dad!"
I fell backwards to the surprise as I took in Sadie had been the one to make the surprise attack and hugged her father. I took my sunglasses off and noticed Carter appear out of the bushes as well, giving me a look of curiosity as I stood up. How much did they hear? I know Julius has yet to tell them anything about their heritage as a Kane.
"I-I must be going." I finalized our fight, fixed my fedora before leaving.
Perhaps it was luck that they appeared. Julius may play a good act, but he wouldn't dare let his kids watch him fight, especially a brawl with his own brother. I planned to intercept him again, hopefully at the museum when the kids are not in hearing range. For now, I need to get my nerves adjusted, and eat for my anxious pacing made me forget about breakfast this morning.
