Barcode: Legend of Apollo by Kashif Ross Page B

Louisiana. Still, the program here allows us to graduate high school and college at once while providing us with a path to become politicians. That’s a deal my father couldn’t pass up.”
    I don’t blame him for placing emphasis on  their  arena. The Payne family worked hard to run from California teams that were out to destroy them. It took decades for them to rebuild their name and power in Louisiana.
    The tragedy surrounding how the Payne family was outlawed from California is an urban legend at many campuses. Most believe they were attempting to become the next group of tyrants like Helios. I even heard that half of their students shared similar fighting styles with the dictator, which caused several Senators to turn against the family and attempt to destroy them before they rose to power.
    Over the past decade, Blake and Eve Payne have reestablished their legacy. Eve is specifically known for her power and sword. I’ve seen pictures of her victims’ limbs. They say she continues cutting her opponents even after their death. Blake isn’t as malicious, but not many warriors last long in the ring against him. I believe the record is forty-seven seconds.
    I had no clue the duo had children. Judging from what I’ve heard about Eve, everything I know about Kode makes sense.
    But it is Monte that carries the weight of the history and future of his family on his shoulders. He seems to work hard at representing his family name with pride.
    “So what’s up with you and my cousin? It seems like you two shaped up nicely when she came in the room.” Monte makes a faint choking sound. Then, he looks away in embarrassment. That’s when I notice Angie approaching from behind. I decide to provoke him a bit more. “Is she your master, or are you her boy toys?”
    Kode tilts his head towards me, and I imagine him smiling behind the mask.
    I notice how neat his hair and gear are kept. He doesn’t seem to have one strand or thread out of place. He even sits upright in a strong, but non-aggressive manner.
    I haven’t moved him a bit. He’s maintaining his composure, and possibly laughing the more I attempt to provoke Monte.
    “I could try and get my uncle to loosen her leash, for a price.”
    Monte hardly slaps the table with any force, but it bounces an inch from the ground. He prepares to make a witty and aggressive reply that Angie would hear clearly, but Kode grabs his arm and points behind them with his thumb.
    Once Monte notices my cousin, he attempts to disperse some of the anger. Though I couldn’t aggravate him as much as I’d like to, the table incident was enough for Angie to take notice.
    “Monte, that type of behavior is unacceptable.” Monte manages to watch both Angie and me at the same time. His eyes focus on her, but he definitely notices my smirk. “And why didn’t Kode stop you?”
    “He did. I’m sure you saw him grab my arm, so get off his case.”
    “You know better than to sass your superior,” she says in a low, but firm voice. I noticed the country accent a bit more that time. I doubt Kyle and Wesley heard anything. Both boys can hardly pry their eyes from her body. “Four extra hours of training tonight, and two for Kode.”
    I poured the gasoline, and Angie lit the match right over Monte’s face. Kode’s swag hasn’t changed a bit. In fact, he holds up four fingers.
    Did he just request more punishment?
    Angie sighs, “Fine. Four hours.”
    When she leaves, Monte glares at me with more rage than Hannah after Angie walked in the room. Monte’s the first to leave the table, and his brother trails along.

Ten
    The second a baby crowns, liminal beings can tell parents the god contained in their barcodes. Once out of the womb, the creatures can measure the baby’s power and potential.
    Liminal beings were created when the gods decided to introduce barcodes to our world. Centuries of war passed before Zeus was approached by the Titans. They discovered a power for humans