The miniature tornado moved suddenly. It reached in and grabbed the man into its swirling centre. He vanished as the whirlwind pulled back from the house and spat the man high into the air.
///
I chuckled as Gemini clenched his hand and the whirlwind puffed out.
‘Let's go,' Aries announced when the gates started to open again.
Nick had more backup. That was why he wasn't struggling. ‘What should we do with him?' I asked, pulling him towards the backdoor.
‘I want to kill him,' Aries said, taking hold of Father's arm to hurry him along.
We stepped straight over the ruined back door.
‘Leave him!'
We turned to Father, who now stood on the grass outside. The rain went ignored as it spat on my cap.
‘Leave him?' Aries asked. His deep growl was almost drowned out by the wind.
Father shook his head, came over to me and pulled Nick out of my grip. ‘You can't kill him. You need to prove him wrong by completing your mission. Not by using violence.'
My own growl rolled from my throat as I watched Nick hurry back into the house. ‘Are you serious?'
He gripped my bicep, pinching the skin. ‘Trust me, Taurus.'
My eyebrows rose. I ripped away from his grasp. Trust him? After he abandoned us and married someone other than our mother? He was having a laugh, wasn't he?
‘Let's go!' Gemini called.
Nick would be getting his men ready to attack. I wanted to stay and fight. My blood was boiling, but not in the same way as Aries' did. I followed the others as they vaulted over the wall. My foot slipped and I had to hold on to the top.
‘Do you need some help?' Aries called.
I kicked my feet against the wall and pulled hard. My body rose up as I threw myself over. The ground came up to meet me before I could get my feet ready. Arms caught me before I smashed against the concrete. The stink of Aries filtered up my nose as he cradled me against him like a little girl.
‘Aw, brotherly love,' Gemini shouted as I thrust away from my rescuer.
The van pulled up, so we jumped in. My breath was short. The others glanced at me as we made our escape. Being caught by Aries was the most embarrassing thing I had ever experienced.
As we made our way back to London, I swore to myself that I would never feel that weakness again.
Chapter Two
The smoke filtered down my throat and into my lungs. The haze that surrounded me made me sleepy. I had done my pull ups for the day. That was all that mattered.
‘Do you have to do that so early?' Gemini moaned when he came into the room.
It was lunchtime, I would hardly call that early.
‘Why aren't you at some bird's house?'
He picked up his aftershave and sprayed some on his neck. I only ever smoked when my brothers were out, contrary to what the others thought.
‘I was, but I got bored. Been there before, you know?'
I didn't know. I wasn't a manwhore like Gemini and most of the others. Aries was the only male that was tied down in a relationship. I didn't fancy being whipped like he was.
‘Anyway, I've got a big game tonight, so I need some practice. Will you play a game?'
I couldn't move my head, let alone try to play poker. Slapping my tongue against the roof of my mouth to try and clear the furry feeling, I nodded.
‘Great, put out your joint and come with me.' Gemini grabbed a pack of cards from his bedside table and left the room.
Putting my lips around the stub of the joint, I inhaled one more time. If I was about to lose the money I did have, I might as well be stoned.
The room spun as I stood. I giggled and tried to make my eyelids lift higher. They were almost covering my eyes. It didn't work. My steps were slow, but I found my way to the kitchen table. Sitting in one of the chairs, I looked around. Gemini sat on the chair opposite me. His hair was funny.
‘Okay, where's your money?' Gemini asked.
I stared at his hair. It was long on top and gelled away from his head, just like the fashion. My mouth opened as I tried to figure out how he got it to stay so still. A giggle escaped. I wasn't sure where it came from. Another one came. I looked down from Gemini's hair to see him scowling at me.
‘Why do you do that with your hair?'
The laughter had started and there was no way to stop it. I put my hand over my mouth. The sound of giggling erupted from me as I glanced back up at his hair.
‘Will you shut up?' he muttered, shuffling the cards.
Coughing, I tried to pull the laughter back, but it didn't work.
‘He's mashed,' a voice said from the kitchen area. ‘Again.'
Aries stood there. I hadn't even noticed him. I straightened my face, or tried to, when I caught him glaring at me.
‘I'm fine,' I said, clearing my throat and picking up the cards that Gemini had dealt.
The red and black pictures were pretty. I couldn't grasp what I was doing. It had been a while since I had played poker. Gemini was a professional. Why was I even attempting to go against him?
///
‘Gemini, are you going to take his money?'
Aries came over and stood at the edge of the table. I looked down at his metal legs and squinted. The sun came in the window and reflected off them. He was steadier on his feet than I was and they weren't even real.
‘I didn't realise he was this bad.' Gemini snatched the cards out of my hands.
I stared at the empty space. The lines in my palm were deep, but my skin was smooth. It was fascinating how many lines were on the hands. Why had I never researched what the creases were for?
‘You can't play him like that. You'd be robbing him.'
I tried to glare up at the fireman. He was a funny man. I started to laugh again. ‘You can't rob me, I have nothing to take.'
It was true. I didn't work and any money I had kept from our parents, I spent on drugs. It was my rescue fund.
‘Isn't it about time you started to earn your keep?'
Aries could do one. He always looked down his nose at me. I was sure he thought I was a waste of space. He never said anything, but I could see it.
‘You know what? I'm going out,' I announced, clambering to my feet.
‘Really? And where are you going?' Gemini asked.
I creased my forehead as I thought about his question. It was a good question and one I didn't know the answer to.
‘Just out … '
Leaving them to it, I stumbled over to the front door. The kitchen was ten miles long. It took forever to make my way to freedom.
‘Taurus, you're forgetting something,' Aries called.
When I looked over at him, he pointed to his chest. I glanced down. My own chest was bare. It was funny to see my bare skin. Why did men have hair on their chests? I rubbed my hand over my stomach. Maybe I shouldn't go out without a top on.
‘I need to go and get a job,' I muttered, opening the front door.
‘Are you sure he's only been smoking? He sounds drunk,' Aries asked Gemini as I stood watching the cars go past in the road outside. The sun was warm on my face. The hustle of the street made me want to be outside.
‘Get dressed,' Aries said from behind me.
Something hit my head. I bent to pick up the shirt that had fallen to the floor at my feet. I pulled it on as I left the boys. The fresh air hit my skin as I wandered aimlessly down the road. The pub on the corner came into view. Food! I needed to eat some crunchy crisps and chocolate.
‘Taurus,' someone yelled from behind me as I reached for the handle of the door.
The female was blonde and so was her friend.
‘Go away, Cancer,' I murmured as I slipped into the pub, hoping that they didn't follow.
It was quiet and dingy inside. The air was musky with the scent of old men.
‘Are you buying?'
Cancer had followed, her little friend in tow. They grinned up at me as I reached into my pocket for my wallet. My dope fund was the only cash I had. There was no way I could resist the crisp packets behind the counter.
‘I'll have a pack of each flavour,' I asked the barmaid as I gestured behind her.
Cancer asked for two drinks. I didn't take any notice. I ripped open the packet of salt and vinegar as soon as they were placed on the bar.
‘Someone's got the munchies,' Cancer announced.
We went over to a table. I followed them like a lamb, concentrating on one thing. The crunch of the crisps and the tang of salt that was having a party in my mouth.
‘This is my brother, Taurus,' Cancer introduced me to her friend. ‘And this is Sophie.'
I nodded in her direction but didn't look up as I tore open the second packet of crisps. Cheese and onion flavour. My gaze was drawn to her hand when it reached over and plucked a crisp from the newly revealed pile. The pink nail varnish was too girly for my taste, but her long delicate fingers drew my eye. How dare she nick one of my crisps without asking?
‘You're welcome,' I murmured.
She giggled. The sound caught my attention and made me look into her gaze. I tried to pry my eyes open to study her better. Her makeup was thick. She didn't need as much as she wore, but it made her eyes massive.
‘Cheese and onion are my favourite,' she announced.