Aaron

Everyone thinks it's cool to be a Kane, but they're wrong. Carrying this last name is a burden that has caused many tragedies to my family. To begin with, my grandfather in life directed us very hard because, according to him, our ancestors had been trained to be the true warriors, those who defended the Daynon lineage, the giver of powers thanks to the fallen star. Therefore, the Kanes must be men of steel and the women must have temperament of iron. The words affection and affection in Aquila's opinion were dirty words, insults to our family name.

Second, I never had a childhood like any normal child. I had studied at home without interacting with anyone; my friends were the computer and the cell phone, and I only saw my uncles a few times a year at family gatherings. This year I am old enough to enter the Academy and it is not exactly that I have made close relationships. Everyone seems to fit into their ideal group but I don't, I don't feel completely comfortable among any of them.

For starters, there's the Sullivans of the earth element, because all of their abilities fit that description. Australians, as arrogant as the rest but with a halo of fierceness in their turbulent green eyes. Other fellow members of the Academy have similar traits even if they come from Italy or Greece. But definitely the Sullivan name resonates on its own, they are like the Alphas of their kind. Billionaires thanks to the exploitation of gold mines.

Then there are the Nakamura. Exactly, Japanese from head to toe, of the water element. The Nakamura procreate like no other bloodline, sending at least thirty or forty heirs to Howlland Academy each year. These are the brainiacs of the school, but they don't look like nerds at all. They're strong and dominant, these the correct adjectives for them. Some Russian boys and some Korean boys match him in intelligence, but the Nakamura hold the largest naval empire on the planet so they are the most recognizable.

Then there are the Kumar of Dubai and the Hassan of India. Not that they are brilliant at math, but their natural ingenuity in open field training at Howlland, and their ability to solve complex puzzles, have made them the go-to consultants for anyone who likes to seek advice.

With those arabs it happens
the strangest thing of bloodlines, because they present abilities of the air element, but also earth. This fact does not help their pride, which is already big enough outside the lineages for being the top businessmen of the hotel chains throughout the world. From Dubai, Singapore, Monte Carlo, and all the cities where money is sneezed in exorbitant amounts. The Kumar especially are the kings of the most select caste and their luxury resorts are the most internationally acclaimed.

Then there are the Ferreiras and their cosmetology brands, with their derivatives. The Brazilians of the earth element, are the least self-sufficient of the Academy, I dare to say. But this is about the boys, because the girls are real narcissists who spend the day with their allies, the French, glued to the mirror, taking selfies or talking about fashion.

The O'Briens are, in theory, the ones I know best because of the forced dealings my family has had with them over the years. Of the water element, owners of the most important real estate properties in North America and England. Elegance runs through their veins, they are entrepreneurs of tomorrow, at least that's what the television repeats like a worn song that you hate listening to over and over again. The O'Briens share many similarities with the Kanes when it comes to status. They represent the same power in England as we do here in America. Our surnames are the owners of many firms including the Academy.

My brother Arthur has never been able to resolve his tension with the primary heir, Jason. I think it's partly because they are both the most important firstborn of the bloodlines and everyone expects them to live up to their positions. This is why they carry too much pressure on their shoulders and have declared themselves irredeemable rivals. In their place, I would smooth things over because sooner or later they will have to be partners and their immaturity will not be good for business.

Finally, there are the Donovans. Yes, the last ones, the ones who stay away, the daredevils. Of the air element just like the Kanes, but that is where the coincidences end. They have marked and dark physical characteristics. Black hair and eyes like hell, extremely white skin that shocks; and a terrifying aura that tells you a clear message: stay away. They come directly from Romania, from the land where many of the legends of the legendary clans proliferated. Nobody wants to get close to them except the Germans and the Russians; I'm not surprised. The Heirs of Germany also have their creepy vibes and they are surely all descended from officers of the Shutzstaffel, better known as the SS. Only Jonan O'Brien and my father have access to this privileged information, but I'll bet my fortune it is.

I have no proof, but no doubt either.

And after this brief exposition of the most notable surnames of the academy, I remember again why I spend my breaks in the library or in the computer room. My cousins, the other Kanes, hang out in my brother Arthur's private alcove. Which is why everyone calls them self-sufficient but of course they don't care. I'm not interested in earning free nicknames, so in the month I've been on Howlland, I've been careful not to enter that alcove and put up with the free hours in the library. I have read a total of twenty complete books.

Yes, twenty times I'd rather turn the pages than risk class separation.

The third reason why I affirm that my surname is full of tragedies is the fatal event that occurred with my dear mother. I know I never got to know her, but I have always loved her because of the fact that she sacrificed her life for me. My father says that his wife came from the best race of warriors, something like the elite group of Fayrem. The beings of the original clans are remembered as "Legendary" and in each lineage there is one that stands out and is taught in the classes. For the Kanes it was Ared, a troop general who years ago crossed through a black hole into our universe along with several warriors in the 1920s. He fell madly in love with a daughter of businessman William Wilkerson who was starting his projects at that time. . in Las Vegas Ared spent time with the Wilkersons and promoted the idea of ​​the Flamingo, the first casino in Las Vegas. Thus, his descendants became the managers of the largest chain of casinos in the country, among other businesses. Currently my uncles take care of this and my father only has small shares.

My grandfather was obsessed with this Legendary and started a tradition by naming all his children after the letter A, after the warrior. He arranged the marriage of his eldest son with Ariana, the last direct heiress of Ared and thus perpetuated the Kane name by strengthening our blood. Therefore, the Kanes are the purest bloodline currently existing on Earth.

If I'm honest, my grandfather Aquila was a bit crazy, but those are other stories and I don't have time anymore, I just got to the house of the employee that Arthur fired yesterday. My charge is to leave her the pay and in the process endure the murderous look that she will probably give me. I wasn't the one who kicked her out of the Fortress but I am a Kane after all and that should be reason enough for her. I park the car and walk to the apartment complex.

The Sun is setting and this neighborhood is quite creepy. A few meters away, leaning on an electric light pole, two guys who smoke keep analyzing my car. I don't like the way they look at all, with the tattoos marking every inch of their arms and the beard of at least, I don't know, three months. Everyone in California knows that Skid Row is the biggest slum in Los Angeles. I had no idea that the former employee lived here and it's strange because she was paid well, or at least I think so. I check her name: Maggie Smith, gate 9.

I touch the intercom button for his floor number and a short ring precedes the female voice.

"Who is looking for me?" she asks abruptly.

“Miss Smith is Aaron Kane. I've come to bring you... I think it's best we talk in private.

"Mr Kane!" Yes, yes, wait a minute" she adds nervously.

It doesn't take long and then the front door opens allowing me to go up to her door, which thankfully isn't the last one upstairs.

"Excuse me, sir," she says at the door, "I didn't mean to keep you waiting downstairs."

Wow, if I wasn't sure because I have the address written on my cell phone, I never would have recognized it. She is... changed. Maggie Smith wears light clothes in a color that suits her very well. At my house, she wore a hideous outfit that Arthur had done up in a color that dull the glow on her skin. Now she shines on the canvas, reminding me of the Arab girls who study at Howlland. Her hair falls loose to her waist. She never used it like that in the Manor because my brother is tough on the introduction of servants. But certainly this style suits her very well.

"Mister?"

《Stop looking at her Aaron》

"I haven't been waiting that long, don't worry" I clear my throat. "I can pass?"

"Of course sir! I'm a fool." She puts her hand to her forehead. "Sorry again, I don't usually have visitors."

She motions for me to come in and closes the door behind us. The apartment is smaller than my room. Although it is obvious that she is poor, everything looks clean and tidy.

"It is not a place worthy of you, but I have no other place to receive you. Please sit down sir."

He points to the closest piece of furniture and I adjust myself, averting my gaze from his figure.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"For starters, stop calling me sir all the time, I'm barely eighteen."

She's almost ten years older than me, it's a bit ridiculous.

"But your position and surname..."

“I just don't like it.

"Sorry sir..." She laughs showing perfect teeth. "Almost did it again, it's so strange not to call it that. How do you want me to refer to you?"

"Just Aaron, thanks." I adjust my trench coat and smooth it down a bit.

Actually the item of clothing is in perfect condition, but my hands can't stay still. So I look for the envelope in one of the pockets.

"Okay, Aaron." She flips her hair to just one side of her shoulders. I am at your service.

《Not anymore because of Arthur》

"I've come to bring you the... last month's payment." I hand the envelope to her and immediately discover that my hand is shaking a little.

"Thank you very much." She takes it. "I was worried about the end-of-month bills. But you needn't have bothered personally.

"My brother has insisted."

“I feel very ashamed of what happened in the Fortress.

"It wasn't your fault, don't worry."

At this moment an uncomfortable silence takes over the environment and I am not able to break it. That's it, I've given her the money and it's time for me to go. But my feet do not react. I've seen her hundreds of times in the mansion, every day walking around the corners dusting or making coffee. But I hadn't realized what an attractive woman she is until today.

Here I am, sitting in front of Maggie who arches her eyebrows waiting for me to tell her something. I'm starting to think of a more or less reasonable excuse to ask him to return to the Keep when a girl walks out the apartment's only interior door wearing a toy tiara and a rag tied around her neck.

"Mommy, mommy look." She runs to her mother, turning around.

"What a beautiful princess! She kisses the top of her head. "But princesses don't wear capes Isabella, princesses…” She removes the cloth from her neck “…they wear fancy dresses.” She ties it around her chest.

"But I want a cape," the girl pouts, "like a heroine."

"Let's do something, then mommy will sew you the most amazing caped dress that ever existed." The girl's eyes light up. "But right now I'm busy," she points out, "and it's not polite to interrupt when the grown-ups are talking Isa."

The girl examines me and walks over to where I'm sitting. She is quite pretty, about six years old, and bears a strong resemblance to her mother, despite the obvious differences of blonde hair and fair skin.

"You're a prince?"

River by occurrence.

"Not Isabella, just a normal American like you." I extend my hand. "My name is Aaron".

"You look like a prince." She gives me hers. "Also your clothes are very cute."

"Thanks." I blush.

It's amazing how embarrassed I can be in front of a woman for her daughter's expressiveness.

"Isabella, you are making our visitor uncomfortable." Maggie scolds her daughter. "Go to the room and wait for me there."

Goodbye Aaron.

"Goodbye Isabella, nice to meet you."

"Me too". She puts her little hands behind her back "Will you come again? I want to show you a castle that mom bought me at Walmart"

"Let's go, Isa" Her mother gets up and takes her by the arm.

I take advantage and get up too, seeing how our former employee leads her daughter to the room.

"No one ever comes and she gets excited," says Maggie apologetically.

"She's lovely" I run a hand through my hair when my wife smiles again "She's a very pretty girl, just like you"

Before the confession the smile vanishes and my heart dislocates.

《For all the Kanes, you are the shame of your family Aaron》

"Em... I, I hope you're not offended by my..."

I can't believe I said that out loud. It's in these awkward moments that I wish I had the ability to turn back time and not create stupid air waves.

"Not at all," she interrupts my stammer. It is an honor that someone like you considers that, it has simply surprised me is all.

Her chocolate eyes return to show pleasure and the tension clears a bit; just a little, because the sweat on my palms doesn't allow me to fully relax. I need to get out of here.

"I-I should go-go…" I add, turning my back, hurrying my feet down the stairs.

"Thanks! She raises her voice referring to the money but it didn't even blow me away.

When I'm outside, contact with the night wind burns my skin. My body temperature has risen. I get in the car and start the engine completely bewildered.

《What the hell was that Aaron?》