Warlock's Storm [Completed]

Chapter Six - Subtlety is a Gift

Lilith eyed the messenger with acritical eye. Her interest was piqued. "Carry on."

"There was a Philip Storm who was stripped of his powers and sent to the Human World. He was sent to live in Salem, Massachusetts in 1675." There was a collective gasp in the room. Everyone shuddered at this significant year combined with that town name. "He married a woman and had two children. A daughter named Eleanor and a son named Richard. Eleanor was born with a mark that later identified her as a witch during the hunt of 1692. She was hung to death. Richard, for whatever reason, was not put on trial. Or even under suspicion. Richard went on to have 4 sons.That's all of the information we have on the family."

"I think it's enough, don't you?" Lilith turned to look at Samantha. "Do you have any marks that would identify you as a witch?" Samantha stared at Lilith with confusion.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Have you got any Witch's Marks? Very strange moles, birthmarks, deformities?" Lilith knew many people had such things and were not witches. But where there was smoke, there were often flames. Samantha appeared to think for a moment. And then her face started to go pale and she stopped breathing. "Yes... what is it?" pressed Lilith.

"I was born with an extra finger." Again the room gasped. Samantha would have laughed if it weren't so awful. "They pulled it off when I was a baby. But I had an extrafinger. I still have a small part of it on my hand."

"The evidence appears to be mounting," said Lilith. "You appear to be a descendent of a Warlock." Lilith paused dramatically. "Why was Philip Storm stripped of his powers?"

"It appears he misused them. The records are not very clear as to his crime. Or what powers he misused. However, there is a symbol here that indicates he was very powerful and it took a lot of incantations to remove his powers. Many Witches and Warlocks had to join their magic together to make the incantations powerful enough to overcome Philip Storm. This, even though he appeared to have them removed without much fight. It almost looks like he didn't even want them anymore."

"Well, it appears that the gathering didn't do a very thorough job. He must have had some left to pass on.Enough to remain dormant for all of these years. Until a simple joining symbol reignited it." There was a murmur that spread through the room. Samantha's mind was racing as she tried to keep up with the conversation. "Which makes you a Witch, Samantha. And subject to our laws." Samantha was suddenly very happy to be sitting, otherwise she would have collapsed.

Pandemonium ensued for the next few minutes. Tyler was arguing forcefully with Lilian, his mother by his side. The remaining Council members were arguing with one another loudly. The young woman who had brought in the information looked around the room with utter amazement. The Council Chambers never looked like this. It was a place where opinions were heard with respect and decorum. Samantha tried to control her emotions, but her body was shaking almost uncontrollably.

A sudden clap of thunder brought the room back to order.

"I think it is reasonable to assume that we cannot leave her crime unpunished. No matter what the outcome of our research, something needs to be done. No matter how her abilities came to be, she needs to learn that there is responsibility that comes with power. We all know this because we grew up with our powers. Samantha Storm did not grow up with hers and has never learned how to respect them. I would say that she needs to be treated as an infant, but her powers are far too great for a slap on the wrist. Further, she shows absolutely no remorse for her actions. I would put forth the motion to have her powers removed and her memory erased. She should not develop her abilities and she should not be a part of our world."

This time, there was silence as theCouncil members contemplated what Lilith put forth. Samantha was also contemplating the motion. It actually didn't sound too bad to her. She cleared her throat, "Ummm, sorry, I have a question."