‘Do we have your word, Mister Mackerville?’ asked Cecilia.
‘Madam, I promise to return the memory of any human you bring to me.’
‘And where can we find you?’ asked Kenneth. ‘Who’s to say you don’t run off so we can never find you?’
‘I live in Flamethroat Valley,’ said Mackerville. ‘I’ll write the address down if you like.’
Kenneth was about to retort when Cecilia interrupted.
‘Let’s shake on it,’ she said. ‘Mister Mackerville, I am a truth seeker, and I will know if you are lying. Shake my hand while making a promise, you will not be able to break it.’
‘What happens if I do break it?’ he asked. ‘Hypothetically, of course?’
‘You’ll lose the gift R?ven has bestowed upon you,’ Cecilia said. ‘I think that’s a fair deal, don’t you?’
Cecilia had a unique ability. Her truth-seeking Power meant she was also able to bind a promise and make it into a living contract. If the promise were broken they would lose the thing they wagered.
‘A very fair deal, my lady. I would be happy to shake on it.’
John Mackerville held out his hand, waiting for Cecilia to approach him. She did, taking several shaky steps across the room towards him. She looked down at his hand and took a deep breath before gripping it tightly.
‘Mr. Mackerville, do you swear to revive the memories of each and every human we bring to you?’
‘Of course, my sweet,’ he smiled widely.
‘Do you swear to continue living in Flamethroat Valley, and to remain in contact with us after this day?’
‘I do.’
‘Do you promise to keep this deal a secret?’
He paused. ‘Of course.’
‘If you break this oath then you waive the right to R?ven’s Power, and it will be returned to her.’
‘I understand,’ he smirked.
‘Then we have a deal.’
‘Excellent. A deal,’ he agreed.
Cecilia let go of his hand and took a step back. Looking over her shoulder, she caught R?ven’s eye and gave her a nod.
R?ven took a shaky step towards John Mackerville, her face set.
‘Thank you, R?ven,’ Cecilia whispered. ‘Although you have lost no human relative, your generous deed will help thousands of innocent people.’
‘I have witnessed the loss of memory,’ said R?ven in a barely audible whisper. ‘I know what it’s like to not be remembered.’
‘You’re a hero, R?ven,’ said Xara, her bland tone not reflecting the gravity of the sacrifice.
‘Thank you, Xara,’ said R?ven.
‘You don’t have to do this,’ said Kenneth, hurrying forward. ‘What would your parents say?’
‘They wouldn’t say anything, Mr. Redding,’ she said. ‘They don’t even know who I am.’
‘Surely there is someone else … another Mage … someone older, who will volunteer.’
‘It is too late,’ said Mackerville. ‘The deal has been struck. Now please, my sweet. Your Power, if I may?’
R?ven walked up to Mackerville and stood before him.
‘What do I need to do?’ she asked.
‘Stand very still,’ he said, a smile playing over his lips. ‘I will extract the Power. You may feel weak afterwards.’
R?ven closed her eyes and took a deep breath as Mackerville placed his index finger on her temple. Nothing seemed to be happening for several moments, but eventually, a faint glow issued from the point where his finger met R?ven’s skin.
The glowing grew brighter, and whiter, forcing Cecilia, Kenneth, and Xara to shield their eyes.
As quickly as it had happened, it was gone. R?ven staggered, and Kenneth rushed forward to secure her.
Mackerville inhaled deeply and smacked his lips, as though taking the Power had been extremely tasty.
‘Oh, that feels nice,’ he said. Immediately, Cecilia could hear the difference in his voice. It was an otherworldly echo, as R?ven’s had been. ‘Thank you for the Power, my sweet. It was delicious.’
R?ven steadied herself against Kenneth, her face pale.
‘I must congratulate you,’ said Mackerville. ‘Many pass out once their Power has been taken. You must be a fighter. So tell me, little one. How does it feel to be human?’
Cecilia felt her head spin at the sound of his harsh voice. He did not speak softly, as R?ven did. It made her head cloudy.
‘I am not human,’ said R?ven in a soft voice. She sounded different; like a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She seemed to realise this too, and perhaps, for the first time in her life, she was able to talk at normal volume. ‘You only took my voice.’
Mackerville sneered. ‘Yes, I took your Power, precious. That makes you Powerless, and thus, Human.’
R?ven shook her head. ‘That is not my only Power,’ she said. ‘I am also a shape-shifter.’
Mackerville’s face fell. ‘A shape-shifter you say? How … how interesting.’
R?ven smiled. ‘I promised you my voice, not both of my Powers.’
Mackerville smiled. ‘You chose your words carefully, my sweet. How clever of you.’
R?ven smiled. ‘I thought so. Enjoy the voice,’ she said.