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CHAPTER SIX: Something Else . . .
The next day after breakfast Michael came running up to me and asked to talk to me in private. I told my friends I'd see them later and followed him to a spot clear of students and faculty. "What's wrong Michael?"
"That therapist just came to talk to me."
"What did he want?"
"He asked me if I had a good relationship with you and Dad. Then he asked a bunch of questions about what I do during the week and some questions about Mom. He even asked about our birth. He's was actually pretty annoying."
"You think someone's annoying? That's a new one but what did you say about us?" I asked impatiently.
"I said we hang out as much as we can but we're both usually busy.
"And about Dad?"
"I told him about the time we spend with Dad during the summer and all of the games that he plays with us that are actually just another way to make us learn more. He seemed to like that part." Michael said looking to me to see if I approved.
I nodded. "That's good. Did you talk about all the stuff he does with us separately?"
"I said he doesn't do anything with us separately except during our birthday when he spends half the day with you and half the day with me."
"What did he think of that?"
"He asked if it bothered me that Dad doesn't spend alone time with us but I told him we don't mind at all because we understand that Dad has to do his job and we like doing things as a family."
"Is that all?"
"Pretty much."
"It sounds like you did good brother."
"It sounds more like he's fishing for something to me."
"Just trust me." I said.
"I always do . . . but what if this stuff gets Dad into trouble?"
"Michael Dad pays four hundred dollars a year for you to go to school here and eight hundred for me. That means that they have to protect their investment." I explained.
"What investment?"
"They invested three years in me so there's no way they're going to let me go now-especially with the price increase they're planning for next year."
Michael shook his head laughing at me when we heard someone calling my name. Both heads turned to see none other than the therapist heading our way. Michael gave me a nod and pretended he had to get to another practice for something.
"Hello again, Mr. Rainer."
"Hello again, L-Mr. Black. I must admit it is a strange situation having to refer to a patient by their last name only. I noticed you were speaking with your brother, may I ask what you were talking about?"
"He wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything that might get me kicked out."
"Oh, well, that was nice of him."
I shrugged. "I guess you could take it that way. I think he's just paranoid that he'll be left alone."
"What makes you say that?"
"Michael has abandonment issues. It started when he noticed we didn't have a Mom but he really cracked when Dad sent us here and started taking off overseas."
"There's nothing in his file about that?"
"It's not an official thing. I mean he won't even admit it but anyone who knows him for a long enough time can tell."
Mr. Rainer stopped us outside of his office and turned to me. "Have you told anyone about this?"
"Just you."
"You don't think your brother needs help?"
"Of course he does but that's why he has a twin."
"What happens when you're not there?"
He had said it so plainly but it was enough to stop Lucifer in his tracks. "That won't happen."
"People say that all the time but you don't know what the future will bring."
"We promised eachother we'd never leave the other alone. Before you say anything I understand what you're saying but my brother and I have never once broken our promises to eachother."
"I see. I would like to talk about this. Do you have a class soon?"
"I have study hall right now but my next class starts at one."
Mr. Rainer checked his watch as we arrived at his office. "That gives us just under an hour." I sat down but finding it comfy decided to lay back against the arm. Mr. Rainer smiled and took a seat at his desk, "Do you like that couch?"
"Yes."
"Tell me what's been happening since we last talked."
"The older girls took me to the store with them and I helped them pick out their dresses for the dance on Friday."
"Did it go well?"
"They bought me McDonalds and a Star Trek game."
"You're a Trekki?"
"It was Star Trek Conquest. Strategies and an emphasis on quick, precise observation to conqueror enemies with more advancements than your given. Excellent for the training of a military mind."
"I must say I continue to be impressed with your level of intellect. Most children your age would find it difficult to see the games they play in such a perspective. But let's switch topics because I wanted to talk about this relationship with your brother."
"You make it sound like a problem." I said sitting up as I began to feel uneasy about what sat before me.
"I think it might be."
"Because I'm always getting in trouble?"
"You and your brother are unusually close even for twins but you are different from him. I wasn't sure until I did a little more checking but now I know that you're one of us."
"One of us?"
"Listen I understand this may be hard for you to hear but you and your brother are adopted."
"I know."
"You do?" he asked with an arched brow.
"I found the papers last year up in the attic." For a brief moment I had paused thinking that I might be in trouble. Then I opened my mouth and the lie came right to my tongue without thought.
"Then you know that your father is not your real father. Did you know that your adopted father was investigated by Child Services. I read through the file and there are some peculiar situations. You electrocuted yourself by sticking a metal rattle into the socket only you didn't get shocked you just charred the rattle. Then there's the times your brother Michael brought stray animals to school that 'appeared dead' according to your teachers but by recess were running around with you and the other children. Not to mention when you both fell out of the North tower two years ago and didn't even have a mark on either one of you."
"Are you a half-blood or something else?" I inquired dropping all masks.
"You really are a smart one aren't you? I am something else." Mr. Rainer answered.
"What?"
"My name is Thantos, God of non-violent deaths."
"Servant of Hades."
"Yes I am a servant of Hades and when need be a recruiter."
"What do you recruit for?"
"It would seem that the Gods of Olympus have begun collecting half-bloods and expectantly Lord Hades has none to name. Which is why I am seeking half-bloods to work with him. Any chance I might interest you?"
"Well I am the Prince of Darkness."
"True but are you a half-blood?"
"Yes and I'm not so sure it would be in my best interest to be part of Lord Hades collection."
"I think you might be a little more inclined once you know the truth."
"And what might that be?"
"Lord Hades is your Olympian Father."
"I know."
"E-Excuse me?" Thantos stumbled over his words shocked again by this child's knowledge.
"Well his wife sure wasn't very happy to meet me," Lucifer replied and continued before Thantos could ask another question. "I met her a short while back and cut a deal. Nothing too serious just a little insurance-more like an agreement to stay out of eachother's way."
"You cut a deal with Lady Persephone?"
"Yes, for myself as well as my brother and at little cost to me. Although I have to say that I don't understand how you know about my parentage when my Father doesn't even know about me."
Thantos chuckled at the childish question thinking this boy was not as smart as he tried to make himself appear. "I might not be an Olympian God but I have my own resources for information and they don't suffer from the usual conscience problems that most do. Lord Hades does not yet know about you but I will be reporting it soon and when I do I would like to be able to say that at least one of his sons will become an asset to his estate."
"What about Michael?"
"Michael's life is outside of our world. He is content to be blinded by the mist as most mortals are and I think it would be far better for his safety to remain that way, don't you agree Mr. Black?"
"I told you I'm not leaving Michael." Lucifer reiterated sternly, "You don't get one without the other so again I ask what about Michael?"
The minor God scratched his head not knowing what to do at this point. There was no doubt this boy was the son of Lord Hades. A Prince of Darkness who owned the name with every characteristic in him and better than his predecessors. "If you truly wish him to be involved then it will be arranged but of course I would need your assurance that you will join us.
"What kind of assurance?"
"I want your word that you will be in London on the 6th of next month to meet with Lord Hades."
"My word? No blood, contract-digital signature."
"I don't understand that last reference."
"Then you truly do need me and I will go where my Father requires me to be along with my Brother, who is also his son, Michael."
"Very good boy. Now as to how we're going to get you out of here. I'm going to call your stepfather in and suggest that you and your brother be moved to a different school."
