"Take her power and join us," Marke said. "Or, you can help us find the ones responsible. She will be punished, as will those who escaped us tonight and you will be a civilian again, but in a safer situation."
Dan looked down at his sister as Marke spoke. Two of the men pulled her to her feet and stood her beside Marke. She glared at Dan, threateningly.
"Don't you dare take my power," she said with a hiss.
Anger spread over Dan faster than his embarassment. Ever the self professed princess, Kat still believed she was in charge. The chains around her body and the fact that more powerful people than she was surrounded her wouldn't change that fact.
"What do you mean, take her power?" He asked, matching Kat's glare.
Before Kat could say anything, a gag appeared over her mouth.
"Her power is still young and weak," Marke said, giving her a scrutinizing once over. "But for your age it will be appropriately strong. You will officially be our apprentice until you are able to wield the power effectively."
"But how can I have her power?" Dan asked. "Mother always said that only the women had that magick."
Marke laughed.
"Gwen would tell you that," he said. "Sadly, both her ignorange and delusions are the reason her time is limited. Oh, don't worry, she won't be killed. Death would be too good for her. As is, if she is not recovered shortly-" Marke stepped in front of Kat to look directly in her eyes as he said, "You will suffer the punishment meant for her."
If that meant anything to Kat, her eyes didn't show it. Her look was still indiginant and entitled, as if this were all some sort of inconvenience to her.
"She is a witch, or a Wielder, however you wish to call it." Marke continued, turning to Dan. "As such she is charged with wielding her magick responsibly and for the good of mankind. When a Wielder abuses this power, whatever the reason, the people harm must be healed and compensated.
"In your case, you are the target of your sister's magick. Because she is your blood, and her magick was used to harm rather than protect and presever you, the compensation is that you will be offered her power. You must learn to wield it and you will be held to the same laws that she is bound to, but you will justice."
"And the other thing?" Dan asked. "You said I'd be protected either way."
Marke nodded.
"If you choose not to take her power, it will be returned to the Source," he answered. "But you were the only person who witnessed this event who understands what is happening. They-" Marke indicated the witnesses still present. They were now in a deep sleep and the Wielders no longer watched them. "Are mundane humans and will be subject to mundane punishments for witnessing this sick display."
Marke spat the word.
"But you, as the victim will be compensated with a new life. Far from here and with no memory of what happened to you. All your current ailments will be healed and you will suffer no psychological trauma for what occurred to you. If you wish it, you will be academically and athletically gifted so that you will have the chances you were denied by your family due to their neglicence in properly educating your sister."
Wow, I thought. If I had known what a cherry gig it would be, I would have told my sister to do her worse.
But as Dan looked at his sister, knowing how she treated him. He thought of the other Wielders in the room. How had they been abused? What was done to them to make them who they were?
Would I have the power to protect someone else's little sister or brother? He wondered.
He hated school. Even if they could make him the next Joe Dimaggio or the next Einstein, he doubted that would ever change. Becoming a Wielder, having their job, suddenly sounded far better than anything school could have prepared him for.
"I'll take her power," He said. Her reaction was worth it. The gag muffled her scream and the rage in her eyes was practically intoxicating. "Sorry Kat. Maybe if we get Mom you'll get a light sentence. But I can't let you guys get away with this."
Marke smiled. The other Wielders exchanged nods of approval as Marke removed his gloves.
"Give me your hand," he said.
Reluctantly, Dan held it out. He trembled as he kept the coat closed with the other hand. The first thing he wanted to do when this was over was get some more clothes on. Marke took his hand gently. It was callused and rough, but his grip was loose.
He took Kat's with the other. She struggled against the chains but it was useless.
Marke whispered an incantation in what Dan guessed was his native language. He overheard enough language arts students in his school to guess that it sounded Latin.
As he spoke, a surge passed from Kat to Dan. It rattled his body and warmed him from head to toe as his skin began to glow. She glowed as well, but as she grew dimmer he grew brighter. Marke seemed to be in pain but he kept held his grip.
When Dan returned to normal, Marke let go.
But Dan realized. Something's different.
He let the coat fall to the floor. His nudity didn't bother him this time. It didn't have time to as he pictured clothes in his mind. The softest, most comfortable socks and boots appeared at his feet. Black jeans formed around his legs along with boxers that were as light as if he had worn nothing at all. A tight black t-shirt with an image of a wolf howling at the moon apeared over his torso and a loose fitting, unbuttoned dress shirt formed over it.
"Sweet," he said.
He looked at Kat, who looked sick as she fell back to the floor. Her chains were gone.
"Daniel," Marke said, his voice deep and offering no chance for argument. "You are now an Apprentice Wielder. Do you accept the responsibility of learning to strengthen your power and use it to the benefit of mankind?"
Dan looked at Marke, but his eyes kept drifting to Kat. The urge to return the favor was so strong right now. But surrounded by more experienced Wielders was a bit of a challenge.
Maybe they'd allow him one small vengeance. It was a worth a shot, wasn' t it?
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
