Chapter 80: What is This?

“Yes. It is. Look at you.” William hopped down from the driver’s seat.

Marcus automatically followed. Still arguing. “No.” He emphasized. “I’m not.”

“Are.”

“Aren’t!”

“Are.” William pushed open the doors, twin on his heels. They observed the empty lobby save the sounds of practice in the music tutelage nearby. Accompanied by the familiar smell of dirt and sweat. “Look. You’re in!” William gestured before letting his arms fall exaggeratedly. “And you didn’t even light on fire.”

“It was a trap.” Marcus said accusingly, slumping. Had he not pursued William to argue he wouldn’t have been lured back into this place.

“Not my fault you’re stupid.”

Marcus was still calling him names in retaliation when they rounded the corner. Running into two short redheaded men.

“Mac. Ronald!” Marcus greeted happily. “I was just hoping someone would hit my brother.”

Tossing Marcus a disgusted look, William shook his head. Looking from one to the other, he commented. “Mac when will you begin thinking for yourself? Frankly it’s disturbing that you obey every command from your young brother.” He tilted his dark head toward the shorter redhead.

“Odd happening onto you.” Marcus drew their dark looks. “Just yesterday William here was boasting he could outman the both of you.” Taking a step back he added. “At the same time.” Marcus gave an encouraging nod. “Go ahead William.”

Opening his mouth to argue the falsehood, William realized it’d just look like he was backing down now. Giving Marcus a dark look that promised a broken nose later, he hunkered to center his footing and prepared to face off with the Turner brothers.

Teeth grinding, Mac swung.

Ducking, William was caught off-guard by Ronald’s uppercut to the chin.

Both men lunged at him.

Elbowing Mac, he turned on Ronald Turner. Startling himself when he impulsively slapped his palm to Ronald’s forehead.

Looking at the back of his hand he wondered what the hell he was doing.

Instantly pale, Ronald collapsed limply.

Wide-eyed William stared at his hand. Flipping it over to inspect it.

Confused, Mac came at him again.

Duplicating the move again, William was stunned to see it work a second time. Dumbly watched Mac drop. Blinking he stared from Mac to Ronald Turner.

Neither moved.

“What just happened?” He asked in awe.

“You killed them?” Marcus crept closer to lean over one limp figure. A deep frown creasing his face.

William crouched to check their pulses. Finally breathing when he found a slow steady beat. “They’re just...unconscious.”

“Whoa.” Marcus stared. “That’s awesome!” His eyes brightened and he gleefully hopped from one foot to the other. “I want to try!”

William’s gaze fixed on his twin, as he stepped over Ronald and headed for Marcus.

Retreating Marcus lifted his hands to ward him off. “You touch me and I’m telling Miss Truyen you’ve dreamt of courting her but are too gentlemanly to ask.”

“That’s wretched.” William shook his head. “That lady is the width of any other three.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll make her believe it.” Marcus vowed.

Throwing his hands in the air, William headed for the Herbal Studies room.

Marcus followed. Bumping into his brother as William flipped around in the doorway. “You try it on me Marcus and it’ll take the entire tutelage to pull me off you.”

“Not if you’re unconscious.” Marcus laughed. Seeing his brother’s steady glower, he blinked innocently. “I don’t have to try it. I’m the better twin.” He grinned unabashedly. “Anything you can do I can do better.”

“Like Herbal Studies?”

Marcus winced.

After a brief meeting with the tutor, in which they focused on avoiding his atrocious breath, they exited the room. Tutelage book dangling from William’s hand.

“I’ll drive.” Marcus offered as he hopped on the driver’s bench and gathered rein. Muttering about how the Herbal tutor’s breath resembled the aroma of a dead feline.

William tossed the tutelage book on the floor below the bench.

Steering the vehicle onto the dirt of the country road.

“Marcus.” William said quietly.

“Yeah?”

“Touch me and I’ll break your arm.”

“A little excessive, don’t you think?” Marcus commented guiding the horses over the angling road. “I told you I-”

When William turned to look at him, he slapped a palm to his forehead.

Lids flickering William slumped in the seat. Legs dropping. He teetered side to side and Marcus had to catch his collar and pull him back over toward him.

Marcus hooted victoriously. Wincing when William stirred next to him.