Defined by his past ♤Legacies £ |1|

Chapter 3

"This makes no sense, Dad" Lizzie told him "Why are we being punished?"

Alaric gave her an exasperated look, "Because you started a brawl at a charity football game that risked exposing what we really do here!"

Lizzie pouted "Well, you weren't mad last night"

"I was mad last night!" Alaric retorted, walking down the steps to one of the study tables, setting the books down "My undying love for my daughters just happened to trump my rage" He turned to face his daughters, niece and student "I volunteered everyone in the game, so stop complaining. You're lucky that it's just community service and not actual jail time"

"Can I at least offer a rebuttal in my defense, if it pleases the court?" Lizzie asked. Alaric rolled his eyes, gesturing toward her to go ahead and defend herself "First of all, I was provoked. My response was totally proportional considering the levels of abuse that I was forced to endure" Hope and Kayla couldn't help but chuckle. "And secondly...," She hesitated anxiously, "If anyone should take the blame, it's Josie"

Kayla gave Lizzie a disgusted look

Josie looked at her sister, betrayed and offended "What?"

Lizzie cringed, seeing how much she hurt her twin, immediately starting to backpedal "I'm sorry. I totally cracked during cross, but if you had just let Kaleb catch the ball-"

Josie scoffed incredulously "Yeah, okay"

"You'd still be in trouble" Alaric told them sternly

Hope, amused by the scene unfolding in front of her, interjected before he could continue. "But nice job throwing your sister under the bus!"

"You don't do that" Kayla added, "I never threw Vanessa, my sister under the bus even though she deserved it"

Josie looked at Hope and Kayla, touched by their unexpected argument in her defense, giving them an affectionate and grateful look "Thank you, Hope. Kayla"

The twins glared at each other, seeming to have an argument of just looks between them.

"Speaking of" Alaric once again, tried to get to the point of their argument "The bus leaves in ten minutes, and I expect all four of you on it, working together today, harmoniously and without drama. End of debate"

Hope scoffed "Neither Kayla or I were even at the game. Why are we being punished?"

Alaric stared at both girls blankly, "You both know what you did" Josie and Lizzie stopped their silent argument, curious about the evasive answer, looking between the three of them. Alaric clapped his hands, "All right, now go. All of you" The twins walked away, groaning "Come on"

Hope and Kayla didn't move, waiting for the twins to leave

"Seriously?" Kayla asked

Alaric looked at them, tensely "What part of what I said needs translating?"

"We want to help you with research" Hope told him

Alaric rolled his eyes, looking away "Dorian has a master's degree in library science. I think the adults have it covered"