A Family Stronger Than Steel

Chapter 10

The Construction Coven was hard at work repairing the damages Bonesborough had sustained from the boiling rainstorm. Thanks to Superboy's strength and speed, work went quicker than expected. Dell used his super strength to help move heavy debris and his speed to swiftly fly in more supplies.

"Here's the cobblestone you requested," Dell said, landing gracefully in the center of the construction site.

"Thank you, Superboy," the foreman, Henry Ironsmith, replied gratefully. "We'll have Bonesborough back to normal in no time."

"I'm just doing what I can to help," Dell replied, his voice filled with a quiet determination that resonated with the foreman and the workers.

"And we appreciate it." Henry traced a spell circle and levitated the cobblestone into place with a finger flick. "Being a part of the Construction Coven, as of late, has been... a challenge."

"What do you mean?" Dell asked, surprised.

"By orders of Emperor Belos, our funding has been redirected to other departments," Henry said. "Members have been vocal about regretting their decision to join. But now they have; they can't leave because of these." He showed Superboy his coven sigil branded on his forearm. "We're bound to the coven, for better or worse. Leaving the coven would mean becoming wild witches, outcasts in society."

Superboy nodded in understanding. "I hope things improve for you all soon," he said sympathetically. There were many reasons why Mom and Baba never joined a coven and remained wild witches, the brands being one of them.

"We have received funding from other sources that allow us to continue our work," Henry added. "But it still hasn't made things easier."

Dell wondered about his future after Hexside. If he wanted to get a job outside of being Superboy, he'd have to carefully consider the potential consequences of joining a coven. Or was Dell Whispers only meant to be Superboy forever?

"LOOK OUT BELOW!" A loud shout caused Dell to glance and notice scaffolding collapsing just a few feet away, interrupting his thought.

Reacting quickly, Dell rushed to help those in danger. His superspeed slowed time to a crawl, allowing him to reach the workers about to hit the ground. He grabbed them one at a time, placing them safely on the ground before the scaffolding collapsed. Dell stood there, catching his breath and surveying the scene; the structure lay in ruins.

"Is everyone all right?" Dell asked, doing a headcount. He looked each worker in the eye, his concern evident in his voice and expression.

"Thanks to you, Superboy," a man responded shaky. We're all okay."

Dell's hearing suddenly picked up the sounds of a carriage approaching. When he turned to face it, he saw two magnificent albino snorses pulling the sleek black vehicle. A figure in a dark cloak with curly gray hair and a short beard stepped out and approached the site.

"How are we supposed to get any work done when our lives are constantly at risk like this?" A worker shouted angrily. "Not even the Emperor's Coven shirked safety protocols like this!"

"Well, what are we supposed to do? Quit?" A second one asked, his voice tinged with defiance. "We'll be made wild witches if we do that. And I'd rather not worry about Coven Scouts hunting me or my family down."

"I'd rather take my chances with them than risk my life working in this death trap," another worker said.

"Go ahead, let's see how long you last out there on your own," the man in black said, approaching the workers, who seemed to cower at his presence. All except for Dell.