Superior Jackie reaches into her bag sitting on the floor and pulls out a thick folder. She opens it and hands the folder to Victor. “It’s calledRage. It’s an uncommon occurrence that happens to empaths. Empaths can channel and absorb emotions from others. But sometimes, those emotions can be ‘poisonous,’ causing an empath to rage out.”
Victor looks through the papers in the folder Superior Jackie handed him. “So, someone was pushing their emotions on me to poison me?”
“Yes, for the most part,” Superior Jackie answers. “We don’t know who it was. By the time Charles got to the warehouse, the presence of the person who might have done this to you was no longer around.”
“What about my eyes?” Victor asks as he looks at the two superiors.
“I can answer that one for you, young empath,” Superior Charles responds, taking a drag from his cigar. “Some of the most powerful witches or warlocks with an ability will sometimes have glowing eyes, based on the specialty they arewielding. Your grandmother’s eyes used to glow when she was conjuring a powerful spell.”
“Do your eyes glow?” Victor asks Superior Charles.
“No. I’m not as powerful as your grandmother. You might be the most powerful empath warlock, even before me. That’s saying something.”
Superior Jackie takes the folder back from Victor. “Even though Charles is an empath like you and can control all the specialties known to us, you will become more powerful than him or me. You could become the next High Priest or even the Grand Warlock.”
Victor shakes his head and bolts up from his seat. “But I don’t want that. I don’t want to be some superior. I don’t even know how to be a warlock. I’m not even in a coven. I’m only 32 years old, much younger than both of you. No offense.” He turns sheepish after that last comment.
“None taken, young empath,” Superior Charles responds as he blows a puff from his cigar. He puts his cigar between his teeth as he reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket. He then starts patting around. “Where did I put it? Ah! Here it is.” Superior Charles pulls out a silver metal card the size of a credit card and holds it to Victor. “Take this. It might help next time someone tries to give you their poisoned emotion.”
Victor takes the card from Superior Charles. “Thank you. But won’t you need this?”
“No, that’s for you,” Superior Charles answers, puffing his cigar. “It’s an artifact I created for empaths. Keep it on you at all times. And if you’re naked, keep it close to you. It will help repel emotions that are being forced on you, especially tainted ones.” He stands up, as does Superior Jackie and Victor. Victor cranes his head as Superior Charles towers over him. “Once you finish your basic specialties lessons, come see me, and I’ll assist you with your empathic ability.”
Superior Jackie smiles gently while placing her hand on Victor’s shoulder, giving a comforting squeeze.
“Until we meet again, young empath,” Superior Charles says as he shakes Victor’s hand. Leo opens the connecting door when the superiors take their leave. “Good evening, Superior Jackie, Superior Charles.”
Superior Charles stops and speaks in a low, husky voice so only Leo could hear. “Take care of our young empath.” Leo looks over at Victor, who has now sat back down. Superior Charles looks over his shoulder, “He’s going to be the most powerful warlock you’ve ever seen in your lifetime.”
Once the superiors exit the room, Leo walks over to Victor.
“Hey there, how are you doing?” Leo asks, placing his hands in his pockets.
Victor licks his lips and speaks softly. “I don’t know how to feel right now.”
Leo removes his jacket and vest and sits beside Victor. “The others left a few minutes ago. Would you like me to stay with you tonight?”
Victor nods and then rests his head on Leo’s shoulder. Leo wraps an arm around Victor’s shoulders and turns on the TV. Victor feels a little uneasy after speaking with the superiors. His mind questions why his grandmother kept all this hidden from him before she passed away. Why didn’t his mother tell him anything? But Victor is still too tired, after the toll his body has been through the past few days. Victor can tell he needs to rest.
Victor and Leo watch the TV in silence until they retire to their bedrooms.
Chapter Eighteen
The next day, Karl tests Victor on all the spells he’s learned. Victor ensured he brought the silver card with him so he wouldn’t rage out again.
“You’re a very quick study,” Karl proudly tells Victor. “And I’m happy you’re not raging out today.”
Victor stops his air throws to take a quick breath. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know what was happening. I’m just glad I didn’t hurt anyone.”
Karl pats Victor’s shoulder. “Hey, no hard feelings. It wasn’t you that night. You shouldn’t have to feel sorry for your actions.” Karl looks over at Leo, “I think he’s ready.”
Leo gets up from his seat and brings Victor his jacket. “You sure he’s ready?” he asks Karl.
Victor looks between Karl and Leo. “Ready? Ready for what?”
Leo tosses Victor his jacket. “Suit up. We’re going to fight.”
Victor gives Leo a confused look as Leo approaches his spot inside a circle. “I don’t know if I’m ready for a fight,” Victor states as he puts on his jacket. “What if I rage out again?”
