The moment I stepped backstage with Mary and the red-haired woman, I felt it. That familiar pressure of a powerful witch. I knew this pressure anywhere. Grandma.
There Madam Moon or Grandma, as I knew her stood waiting, dressed in an elegant black evening gown, her head wrapped in pristine black and purple cloth embroidered with gold lined protective sigils. Her sharp eyes swept over me from head to toe, lingering just a second too long.
"You're late, Kainos," she said. Her gaze then narrowed slightly, as she analyzed him. He's been at it again, she thought.
"You were fighting again, tourist this time." Her eyes then snapped to Mary next, irritation and annoyance radiating off her like heat.
"Mary," Madam Moon said coldly, "I told you to stop him from fighting. Your only job tonight was to get him from the prop house to the stage. And you couldn't even do that." Her nose wrinkled. "Cause you've been drinking again."
Mary flushed. "Madam, I..." Madam Moon only raised her hand to stop Mary. "Save it."
Kainos blinked, surprised. Every time I get into a fight, she already knows. How does she do that? Maybe she can read minds. Or maybe she as familiars watching me.
Madam Moon turned back to him, lips curling into a sly smirk. "Grandson," she said smoothly, "I can't read minds… but I can destroy them." Kainos's eyes widen in surprise. She leaned closer. "And I can watch your movements, but I haven't even received any report's yet."
Kainos smirked back, I was impressed. Oh, she's good, but that's also a little scary. But that was also one of the many reason Jasen, respected the women of his new family. They were powerful, but not arrogant, and they even loved him a lot. This was despite the common trope where men born into female-dominated witch covens or matriarchal magical societies. They are treated as second-class citizens, are marginalized, or are otherwise treated poorly.
Kainos never had to deal with that treatment. Every witch in his coven was a woman of color. Mainly black or Native American, with black heritage. It mainly contributed of Haitian's, Ethiopian or Egyptian decent. But Kainos knows his grandmother has some Greek heritage, and his mother has some Roman heritage from her father.
Moon then looked to Mary. "I can smell the cheap alcohol on Mary," Moon continued. "After all I taught you, the first thing your supposed do is remove the scent. Then you clean the rest, that's why your still stuck on the basic's sweety."
Mary's embarrassment deepened. "Yes Madam Moon...." She raised a hand, silencing her before she could continue speaking. Her eyes then returned to Kainos "And you...you smell like blood." Then moon got closer to his ear and whispered. "When you're close to losing control, you release an aura. It weakens and intimidates the people around you."
Kainos stiffened. Kainos didn't even know he did that, she knew this whole time. Which mean his mother knew. So this is how they could always tell he he got into fights. Even when he got better at hiding the bruises or cleaning off the blood, or making sure not to get caught.
Moon's gaze softened just slightly. "I tell you because I know you can learn to control it." Her hand softly caressing his small face.
Before he could respond, the crowd erupted into cheers. And Samira had just stepped backstage. Her hips shaking in great confidence from her strutting. She was radiant, Her thick but lean curvy body wrapped in a tight navy-blue dress with a thigh-high slit, matching heels clicking softly against the floor. Her long black curls covered her face but didn't hide her amazing beauty. Her amber eyes glowing in the light.
She took in the scene quickly, then looked to the red-haired woman. "Sarah. How did it go?"
The woman known as Sarah bowed slightly. "My lady. There are quite a few here. But only is one is here to see him. Not of the Greek kind, but Roman, and bears a letter. A purple envelope with a golden eagle seal stamp." Samira's eyes widen from surprise. "Oh a Praetor. Is she speaking on behave of them or is a former one herself?"
Sarah shook her head. "I do not know my lady, but the letter is legitimate. This person wishes to speak after the performance."
Samira raised an eyebrow. And shows a faint smile. "Oh… so they finally send someone, and they have manners. Rare, but not to rare for that side of the family."
Kainos and Mary exchanged confused glances. Greek. Roman. Who did she mean by they? and did she say Praetor? Is mom part of some modern day roman society?
"Mary," Samira said sharply, "go earn your paycheck. Announce to the crowd Kainos is about to preform."
"Yes, my lady," Mary replied, hurrying off. She placed a bright smile on her face before stepping oput.
Samira turned to Kainos, speaking softly in French. "Qu'est-ce qu'on t'a dit à propos des bagarres, ma chérie?" (What have we told you about fighting honey?)
Kainos. Sighed internally. "I won't make excuses mom. Some men attacked Mary, and I stepped in to defend her. No one is dead, and she erased their minds."
Samira sighed and held out her hand. "Hand it over, baby."
Kainos knew better than to argue. She new that when I started fighting older kids and adults, I had started taking money from them. I called them my spoils of battle. I also consider it compensation for starting fights with me, especially when I didn't start fights, or even wanted to fight to begin with.
Mom only started doing this when I got lost, and I was found standing over the bodies of gang banger's and cops. The local police and a small gang were working together to funnel drugs in the community, and started to trafficking teenagers. I didn't know at the time because, they were trying kill me so I beat them all within a inch of their life. I don't even remember that happened. When I came too, my fists were bloody and I was surrounded by a bunch of cops. While standing over a pile of bodies. Good thing no one was dead, even though I thought they should all have died.
Kainos then handed her the three hundred dollars. Then she gestured again. She knew how I work. "All of it. Even the money from the pictures."
I sighed internally and handed over the remaining two hundred and fifty I had. Mom then tucked the money into her cleavage with ease. "Rules are rules. You fight, you lose the money. Now go work and earn it back. Do well… and I might add a bonus."
"Yes, ma'am," Kainos said respectfully, heading for the stage. Moon smirked, watching Kainos walk away. "You spoil that child."
Samira smiled faintly. "Maybe, but he's a good, kid despite the hand he was dealt. He could be so much worse."
Moon nodded. "He's more like your father than his own, which I admire, considering all things." Moon said quietly.
"Mother please don't talk about a man I've never met," Samira said coldly. Moon sighed, and said nothing. There's a reason for that honey.
The crowd roared and cheered as Mary stepped on stage. Mary's voice rang out, captivating the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen of the French Quarter! Thank you for supporting our home and its people! I know many of you have been waiting all night, so please help me in welcoming the boy wizard himself…"
"KAI THE BLACK!"
Cheers exploded as Kainos emerged from the shadows of the stage. In pristine and wonder. All eyes were on him and once the crowd settled down, he began.
At first he said nothing.
Then with a flick of his wrist, metallic black cards etched in gold burst into the air from his sleeves. Then like a conductor his hands began to move. He was moving them into formation in the air. The cards began to glow as they formed images. First the American flag billowing. Then a moving thunderbolt. Then A eagle flapping its wings. Lastly as the cards glowed brilliantly, they formed a image of his mother. Her beautiful smile and curly hair, and that gaze that melts hearts.
With his other hand, water suddenly rose from the nearby fountain. It shot over the crowd and shaping itself into a flowing pathway. Kainos stepped onto it, walking effortlessly above the crowd. Children in the crowd eyes and mouths opened wide in amazement.
The cards circled him like a sphere, the water from his path circled around him. The light of the cards light reflecting on the water. Until He stood at least 50 feet in the air above the crowd. The water and cards began to move between him and the crowd. The cards then formed a giant wall, and shined brightly onto the water. A a shimmering image came to life, It was a giant light image of New Orleans itself.
The crowd was silent. Then a thunderous applause followed. Kainos raised his hands, bowed and spoke clearly.
"Thank you all for coming out tonight. I appreciate your patronage, and hope you enjoyed the show, and please enjoy the rest of your night, and be safe."
He then clapped his hands together. The cards collapsed and circled around him slowly forming a sphere. The water began to circle the sphere, until a flash of light occurred. Water sprinkled out showing a night rainbow, where Kainos use to be in the air, the cards began to glow and exploded into mini fireworks in the air.
Gone. Kainos was from everyone's sight. Mary blinked up at the empty space. Amazed in the marvel of magic he showed "I swear… I'll never get used to how amazing he is at doing that."
"I'm glad I keep impressing you," Kainos said stepping out of her shadow from behind her.
She yelped. "Can you not do that?!"
Kainos smiled softly "I will when you stop drinking on the job." Mary just stuck her tongue out at me and I smiled doing the same.
Then we turned as Mom and grandma approached us, both looked visibly pleased. "That was a fine show as always. A great way to end the night."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Samira smiled, then reached into her chest and produced a thicker stack of cash then what Kainos gave earlier.
Kainos felt the weight. and instinctively counted it. In almost a instant his eyes counted the. 10', 20's, and 100 dollar bills.
Twelve hundred! It's Twelve hundred dollars. I didn't think she would give me this much. Kainos thought.
"You did well," Samira said. "But you're not done tonight."
Kainos put the money away, and looked at his mom. "More pictures with the tourist?"
"No," Samira said carefully. "Someone is here to see you."
"Me?…Who is it?"
Samira paused for a moment. "Someone who knows your father."
Kainos stiffened. "My father?" This is the first time she's talking about him, without me saying anything.
Mom placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's complicated."
Before she could continue. A voice cut in smoothly. "It's alright, Lady Samira. I can handle the rest from here."
We turned. There a woman stood. Kainos noticed she was tall, with long black hair, Asian from what he could tell, but he also thought she looked a little mixed with native American. She has hazel eyes that were beautiful and intimidating at the same time. She has a athletic build, lean but muscle was there. She and looked as dangerous as she does beautiful. A massive military sea bag rested on her shoulder like it weighed nothing.
Kainos couldn't look away. "Wow," she said casually. "You really are handsome, as they say."
Samira nodded once. "Thank you."
Moon and Mary studied her carefully, but said nothing. Samira kissed Kainos' forehead. "Do what she says, and trust her. Ok!"
Kainos still confused on what was going on. Just kept a straight composure "Yes, ma'am." He didn't know what was going on, but when his mother asked him to trust someone. He knew that person can be trusted.
As Kainos walked off with the woman. Mary spoke. "Lady Samira, is Kainos gonna be okay?"
Samira eyes showed a rare instant of weakness and said. "I hope so." Then Samira looked in the crowd and past it. There she saw them. Two individuals with powerful aura's hidden with powerful magic. Her eyes began to glow ocean blue instead of their usual amber color.
As Kainos walked next to the woman. They left the French Quarter as eyes followed. The Locals and tourist couldn't help but notice the two. A handsome little boy, and a stunningly beautiful woman next to him. But there was also a air to them. An air that said don't approach for your own good.
They walked until the city faded into trees and deep into the forest area. The woman looked around with a smile on her face. "This will do," the woman said, dropping her bag. Then she waved her hand in the air. Then Kainos noticed a shift around, like something had changed.
"What was that?" He said looking around them. She then snapped her finger and the dark area they were in became illuminated. Kainos was surprised to see that. Is she another witch or something?
She then pulled out two swords from her bag, tossing one to Kainos.
Kainos caught it and noticed, it was made of wood. "What are we doing here." He asked.
The girl smirked with a tinge of bloodlust radiating off her. "We're here to fight," she said. " don't worry about holding back. Use everything you got. Magic, weapons, and lose control if you need to. I've controlled the Mist. So we won't be bother by any regular mortals."
Kainos' heart skipped. This feeling, it's the first time he felt it, in this new life. Fear. This woman was radiating some sort of feeling. Kainos felt like she wanted to kill him. But as much as this fear take a hold of him. He was more focused on what else he heard. The Mist. That word I only new that word from something in my past life, but for some reason I couldn't remember clearly what it was.
"How do you know my father?" I asked, as goosebumps began to form on his arm.
She smirked. " technically they want me to not tell you. But to hell with that. I know what it's like to have my chained yanked by the gods."
Wait did she say the god's? The recollection was was beginning to form more and more. It was so close he could taste it on the tip of his tongue. He could even taste it.
"I know your father Kainos, because he's mine too."
His breath caught. "Your my sister?"
She nodded. "Half sister but yes...My name is Galatea," she said. "Daughter of Mars. Granddaughter of Aphrodite."
She raised her blade, and pointed it at him. "But the father that sired you was his Greek counterpart, you know as Ares."
Kainos' mind exploded with accelerated thoughts. No way, I'm in the Percy Jackson universe. Then his realization reeled in. Oh god I'm in the Percy Jackson universe.
That's when Galatea launched forward with blindingly speed. As she swung the sword down. Kainos raised his sword in defensive block. She pinned him down as her strength overwhelmed him met wood.
"To answer your other question. I'm here to train you, little brother. Dear old father want's to know if you have what it takes." She smiled.