Dancing on the Dark Side

9 Fair Trade...

I lower my binoculars and see the Death Magician standing in front of my car. Right in front, glowering at me with those creepy glowing eyes of his.

"Why are you here, spying on me?" Obie growls out in a deadly-cold tone that raises the hairs on my arms. I can't fight the reflexive shudder that crawls up my spine and down to my toes. I drop my binoculars and try not to look as guilty or embarrassed as I feel as I set them on the seat beside mine. With a sigh, I get out of my car, and cross over to him. Though it freaks me the fuck out, I maintain eye contact with the Death witch and force my spine into a straight line.

"I'm not giving up." I admit to him, tipping my chin up in obstinance and refusing to look sorry for what I've been doing...even if I know it's wrong. On so many levels. "I need a teacher." I repeat my same dilemma aloud in case he's forgotten. His scowl assures me he, in fact, has not. Though the intensity of the glow in his red-violet eyes dims a degree or two.

"I gave my answer," He shoots back, voice as steely as my own. I swallow back a few choice words about what he can do with that answer, and make my face calm despite the growing annoyance and anger at his rejection.

"And I can't accept it." I reply, the words bursting from my mouth through clenched teeth, my muscles tense in anticipation of a good old fashioned brawl. Obie's no twig, and I instinctively know he'd give me a run for my money in hand-to-hand, but that's the only way out of this I can see. I just pray he's not about to use his power to try and get rid of me- permanently.

"If you're trying to raise Mari, it's not going to work." Obie suddenly tells me, his voice surprisingly gentle for the intense look of scrutiny he's giving me. I jerk back like I've been sucker punched in the gut, horror and grief digging their sharp hooks into my heart at the very thought.

"I would never-" I sputter defensively, my whole body cringing in revulsion. "Abuela-" I suck in a breath to steady myself. "She wouldn't let me even if I wanted to. She's probably strong enough beyond the grave to stop me from trying." I add softly, a little more to myself. Though the thought's crossed my mind a few times since I discovered I was a witch, I haven't allowed my human-sense of what's right and wrong to waver. And bringing my abuela back for my own selfish reasons is completely wrong.

"Probably," Obie agrees with the barest hint of amusement in his voice. When I look back at him though, his face hasn't so much as twitched out of the scowl it's in. "Why, then? You can't just want control, there's no way it's so simple if you're coming to me for help."

I let out a sigh, my eyes drifting away as I consider lying to him. There's no way he'd validate my 'dreams' with abuela as something that's really possible...and I'm not ready for him to tell me that it's not possible for her to be talking to me in my sleep. It's been the glue that's been holding me together since her death. Finally, my eyes snag on the sign announcing REAPER'S HILL CEMETARY, the crooked-bladed thing standing in for the P loosening my lips.

"Abuela told me I need to learn control. She said something's coming and I'm going to need my powers for it." I tell him, the heat from the sun feeling miles away as I speak the truth aloud. It's not something I've really allowed myself to think too deeply about, but saying it seems to give the reality of the situation an added dose of power. To my surprise, Obie stiffens in front of me, the flare of reddish-violet light in his eyes blinking out faster than the flame of a candle being blown out.

My whole body tenses as I wait for the inevitable 'that's impossible' retort I feel is the only sane reply to my words. My abuela is dead, after all, and this man knows it. He probably even knows that she was cremated and had me arrange her funeral in such a way that her ashes were place in a specially engraved container. He must know what I'm saying is impossible-

"If I were to teach you," Obie begins quietly, using the same tone I did and no longer scowling. His face is unreadable, but there's a sadness in his eyes I recognize, not condemnation. "You would regret it." His words are confident and calm, the resounding truth of his word nailing me in the chest with it's truth. "Dark Magic," He continues, a hollow look emptying his eyes for a moment and making me shudder again. "It's more than just Death, it's-" Obie blinks and gives his head a sharp shake. "It's not for shits and giggles." His more flippant words erase the creepy-crawly sensation prickling along my skin.

"I get that. Hell, it's in the name, isn't it?" I snap, trying to rid myself of the sensation. The tiniest smile picks at the corner of the Death Magician's mouth and he lets out a snort.

His eyes lock on mine, boring into me, and there's a light in his eyes that wasn't there before. Like he's only now looking at me. The assessing look he's giving me allows me to practically see the wheels turning in his head as he considers. His expression is still shuttered and cold, so I don't dare hope-

"I'll do it." Obie says suddenly after a minute. I blink at him in surprise - half expecting him to have rejected me. Again. "On one condition."

"Name it!" I agree excitedly, my exhilaration at finally getting a teacher overshadowing my common sense.

"When you're completely trained, I want you to owe me something. A favor. No questions asked." He tells me, jutting his chin out - as if waiting for me to ask or object. I catch how his eyes dart to the mausoleum with his family's ashes. I recall how I'd seen him here yesterday, staring at the building so somberly... Maybe he wants me to bind his magic so he won't go out like they did. Despite how sad and depressing of a plan I think of that being, I understand it. Only a strong witch can bind another witch's power or strip it from them. If I get control of my powers, I should be strong enough to bind him.

"Deal." I agree, holding my hand out to him expectantly.

"You can't reengage on it later." He warns, not yet reach out to me, as if waiting to see if I'm strong enough to do what he wants – what I assume he really wants. Waiting for me to say no. But this is my chance. My only chance to get a real education and gain control over something that will destroy me if I can't. There is no 'backing out'. Not when I'm so close I can practically taste it.

"You have my word. One favor, no questions asked." I agree firmly, my hand shaking at him in reminder. He hesitates, but now I can see the glow of his eyes are more than simple embers. For the first time since I've met him, there's hope. The violet color in his eyes burns brightly as our hands shake and he gives me a small, tight smile.

"Then you have a deal, Fi Vene."