I grabbed the door handle, fully expecting to have to work some magic to get it to open, but the door swung open effortlessly.
Marcus scratched away at a sketch pad, and the couch squeaked as he shifted. “I’m not really up for visitors,” he stated flatly.
Rishi hurried over to me and began purring as he rubbed against my leg.
“Rishi seems to want company,” I said as I sat beside Marcus. Rishi jumped onto my lap and kept nudging my hand.
I waited for Marcus to say something, but he didn’t. I knew I would have to make the first move. “You weren’t at our demigod lesson.”
“So?” Marcus asked. “I’m sure you figured that out on your own.”
“It wasn’t a question,” I said. “We needed you there, man.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Of course we did.”
Marcus slammed his pencil down and tossed his sketchbook aside. “You don’t have to lie to make me feel better. I know what theVillain’s Clubactually thinks of me. None of you really want me around.”
“That’s not true,” I insisted. “Marcus, you’re as much a part of our team as anyone. Hell, there wouldn’tbea Villain’s Club without you.”
“Of course there would. I don’t contribute anything, and I don’t have a purpose. I’m supposed to have all these powers, but I’m not as talented as you guys.”
“Marcus, that’s bull, and you know it,” I said. “You can break wards, summon spirits, read minds?—”
“Hardly!” he cried. “I can’t hone in on anything anymore. It’s all useless chatter. I can’t puppeteer people like Alistair can, or survive a knife to the heart like Chancey, and I’m not fast or strong like Ivy. Even Ez has healing powers, and Opal can talk to marine life. You’re better off with average supernaturals than you are with me.”
“It’s our differences that make us stronger,” I encouraged. “You’ve got all sorts of strengths. You were incredible when we broke out of the Institute. Your magic was unstoppable.”
“I can’t even remember doing that, so thanks for bringing it up that I lost my mind,” he growled. “Apparently I can’t access my full abilities unless I’m fucking crazy.”
I took a breath. “Even if you can’t pull off everything a warlock could possibly do, it doesn’t make you weak.”
“You don’t understand the potential I have!” Marcus insisted. “Witch powers are diverse, and most witches and warlocks only have one specialty. When Mother Miriam came to me to unlock my powers, she said I was different. Most witches can’t harness more than one power because it’s too much for them. Their bodies will give out. My goddess said that I’d be able to harness them all. She said I needed the power of all five Casts to accomplish what I was put on this earth to do. I didn’t get it at the time, but I understand now that she gave me access to all Miriamic powers because I’m a demigod. And my body can handle it… but I don’t think my mind can.”
“Is that what this is about?” I wondered. “You’re afraid you’ll never reach your full potential because of your depression? Marcus, you’ve barely scratched the surface, and you’re already the most powerful warlock I’ve ever known.”
“Maybe… I don’t know. I met with my parents.”
Several moments passed, but he didn’t elaborate.
“What happened?” I asked carefully.
“They told me they knew I was a demigod.” Marcus shot to his feet and began pacing around the room. “They’ve known all this time, ever since I was a baby.”
“Why didn’t they say something earlier?” I demanded. I hated Lucas and Nadine for keeping this from him.
“They wanted to— or so they said,” Marcus admitted. “I guess there was some sort of magic, a curse, that prevented them from telling me— a spell so powerful even my mom couldn’t break it. I had to figure it out on my own before they could talk aboutit freely. I just feel… betrayed. Even if it isn’t their fault, they could’ve tried harder to get around the curse, you know?”
“Maybe they did try,” I offered. “We don’t know the parameters of this spell you mentioned. Marcus, I know your parents really care about you.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure they care about thescrew-upof the family. My parents wereso proudof me when I came home with a mark from all five Casts. They said I had to be destined for great things. But then my magic got out of control, and I killed all those people in the town square. If they could’ve at leasthintedat something, maybe I would’ve understood the extent of my powers. Maybe I could’ve controlled them better.”
“Marcus, I think theydidtry to tell you,” I pointed out. “And you know what else? They fought for you. You told me your mom spoke to the rest of the witch’s council to get you sent to the Darke Institute. I’m sure she didn’t know how bad it was there and just wanted to see her son get help at a reform school. She did what she thought was best for you, because your coven was going to hang you if you didn’t go. Your parents didn’t abandon you, and neither have we. I don’t understand why you’re afraid people are going to leave when they never have in the past.”
Marcus sank back into the couch. “I don’t know, to be honest. I ask myself that question every damn day. The best guess I’ve got is that I was abandoned in a previous lifetime, and now my soul is permanently damaged.”
I wanted to tell him he wasn’t damaged, and to knock some sense into him, but I didn’t think that would help. Marcus didn’t need tough love right now. He needed to be heard.
