Henry shook his head. “Wow mate, you just aren’t going to quit with that, are you?”
Rain didn’t even hide his smirk. “Net, as it is too much fun. But I have been there for this celebration. With bonfires lighting up the hills. The rhythmic beat of drums echoing through the trees. A circle of people swaying, chanting, not for show but for something older than language. Candles flickering in every doorway. Smoke curling up from every altar. There’s a scent of incense in the air and sometimes, there’s a full moon.”
“Blimey! Now you are spouting poetry?” Henry exclaimed. “You really dig this black magic crap.”
Rain shrugged as he defended, “And what is so different than your knights of the realm, medieval magic crap?”
“Facts in history, Mr. High IQ.” Henry raised his chin up in defense.
“And this was where Santiago put the kids?” I asked, cutting into their arguments. “I have heard of this Catemaco. But like many… I have never been there.”
“That is where Carlos claims they are,” Henry replied with a whine in his voice. “I mean I was hoping for—”
“Yes, Belize. We know,” Rain cut in. “This location is a long ways from here as well, the plane trip alone is like 8 or 9 hours. Then we will take a rental car to Catemaco.”
“Oh crikey,” Henry grumbled. “Being with you for a whole day?” He shook his head at Rain. “I will want to throw down with ya.”
Carlos raised his hands at them. “I will not have you throw down or duke it out. At least not in the car. You two have to…” He looked frustrated. “You have to try to get along. This is arescue. A retrieval of the highest importance. We cannot have this infighting.”
“Infighting?” Henry asked. “No, no, my friend. You got us all wrong.”
I blinked at this. All they had done since I met them was argue.
Henry nodded as he went on, “If Rain apologizes for his Sir names—”
“Apologize?” Rain cut him off. “For making jokes?”
Henry nodded.
“If I did that, then you would have to apologize to all of us forbeingA JOKE,” Rain replied.
“Aguas!” Carlos cut in. “You are like little chicos. Do we have to be parents to you?”
The two men stared at him, then they both leaned their heads back to laugh.
I shook my head then in a blink… I did my thing.
The men abruptly halted when my blade landed on the table between them. Handle up, with its sharp tip embedded into the wood.
The two large men literally jumped from their chairs. With hands up, they looked astonished.
“Blyat!” Rain exclaimed.
Henry agreed, “Blimey!’
Both of them stared at me. Shock written on their faces.
“We never even saw your hands move!” Henry claimed as he looked stunned.
Rain had now blanked his expression though he did nod his head.
Carlos laughed. “So, consider Selena to be your therapist. But bearing knives, not words. I would call this move.You’d best behave.”
They went quiet as they continued to stare at me.
I raised my hands and tried to console them. “I would never kill you. And I would never do it unless you got way out of hand. I mean most of it is fucking hilarious. I would just aim for what would be a little painful.” I shrugged.
Both men gaped at me now.
