Justin & Alex
A/N: Thanks to everyone that reviewed the first chapter. I wish I could reply to the anonymous readers. Please know that your comments are also very much appreciated.
Warning: Okay, guys. This is part one of the chapter I warned you about. There will be depictions of non-consensual intercourse between Alex and her brother. And I didn't gloss over the details. What you will read will be gritty, raw and at times gut-wrenching. And I make no apologies.
It is what it is, and there's no sugar-coating it.
Also some of the language will be course. In other words, this is not for the lighthearted. Again, I strongly caution those of you that might be offended or disgusted by any part of this subject matter, please go no further.
Furthermore, I deviated from the plot from the film a bit. I made the main villain a supernatural being instead of some sleazy thug and expanded the "sex" scene.
Lastly, this sucker is long. It's probably the longest chapter I've ever written. So after much deliberation, I decided to split it in half. Don't worry though, the second part is done and will be up in a day or two.
Disclaimer: I don't own Wizards of Waverly Place or the film Daniel y Ana.
Chapter Three- Part One
April 5th, 2015
The late afternoon sun has already set over the expansive metropolis, signaling the end of another day. Its gentle rosy-golden glow had briefly caressed the man-made mountain range of New York City's skyline before the fiery celestial body disappeared below the western horizon.
Elsewhere, in one forgotten sliver of the urban sprawl, night has fallen upon the four occupants of a late-model Toyota Prius. The cold illumination of the newly risen moon gives no comfort as its merciless luminance fails to penetrate the eerie shadows that have presently plunged the car into darkness.
For the driver and passenger of the Eco-friendly vehicle, the day's end only brings with it the likelihood of an untimely demise. Ever since they pulled into the abandoned alley way, each passing minute draws the terrible prospect of certain death imminently closer. The air inside the Prius has grown stale and stifling. While the atmosphere feels downright claustrophobic.
And for Justin and Alex Russo, their shared horror only intensifies.
Presently, brother and sister continue sit in suffocating silence, save the low thrum of the still running motor, as they apprehensively wait for further instructions from the two criminals currently holding them hostage.
lllll
In the interim, Justin's analytical mind sifts through and examines the dire situation from every possible angle. But no matter what path he explores in this jumbled maze, he winds up at the same dead end. With only the worse case scenario presenting itself, he's seen plenty of episodes of Dexter to know what the gruesome outcome will be. Barring divine intervention, it appears that he can do nothing to prevent it – not with a gun armed and ready to blow the back of his skull off at any given moment.
Worst of all it's the anticipation of impending doom that's driving him insane. What's with all the waiting? Why haven't these carjackers made a move yet? If he and Alex are going to be killed, then the gunmen should just pull the fucking trigger already and get it over with. As horrible as it sounds, at least it will be a quick end to this madness.
Abruptly the unnatural quiet is shattered by the grating voice of the first assailant. "Cell phones and wallets, now!" he barks.
At first, Justin is slow to act on command. He's stunned by the great sense of relief that's washed over him. It takes him all of thirty seconds to realize that he's not going to die, at least not yet anyway. Reality soon sets in, however when he feels a hard protuberance harshly push itself into the back of his head. Wishing to forestall any harm that may still befall him and his sister, the ex-wizard speedily starts digging through his pockets to pull out the demanded items. Once he's retrieved them, Justin stares straight ahead as he hastily hands the phone and billfold over his right shoulder.
At that same moment, out of the corner of his right eye he happens to spy the second assailant brusquely snatch Alex's purse right out of her trembling hands. Justin rightly deduces that the desired articles are in her Coach handbag. Poor Alex, she's probably too afraid to go rifling through damned thing right now. Momentarily, Justin observes how she sits stiff as board; the curtain of her long dark hair now conceals her tear-stained face.
He's also hyper-aware how she's tried her best to keep her eyes glued to the windshield. Not once has she dared to look back (or over at him). Not since they took on the two extra passengers.
"Alright then, shut the engine off, but leave the key in the ignition. Understand?"
Yeah, Justin understands alright. He understands that he would love nothing more than to pulverize this guy given the chance. Nonetheless, he simply nods, demonstrating comprehension prior to completing the task asked of him.
The next order comes quickly, sharply striking Justin's senses like the crack of a whip.
"Okay, jerk-off, you and sweet cheeks here open the doors and then slowly step out of the car."
As Justin and Alex carefully extricate themselves from the vehicle, the thug creepily adds, "And don't try to play hero, geek. Or I may have to find out how tight your girlfriend's cunt is!"
That does it!
Justin's hot Mex-Italian blood ignites, causing him to finally lose his temper. Without any regard to his own safety, he ferociously lunges at the man that dared to speak about his sister in such a disgusting manner.
"You fucking son-of-a-bitch!" he roars, eyes flashing with vehemence. But in the next instant he's deterred from further action when the butt of the gun is brought down hard against the side of his face.
"Justin, no!" Alex shrieks as she tries desperately to get to her brother. However, her efforts are halted by the pair of beefy arms restraining her.
He hears his sister's plea a moment too late. The force of the blow has already knocked him down onto the gritty asphalt below. What follows is a gush of crimson, warm and sticky, that starts to trickle down his cheek. All the while his steely eyes glower defiantly at the bastard that's just pistol-whipped him. Justin's male pride has definitely been wounded. And more than anything, he wishes to God, Merlin or even Captain Jim Bob Freaking Sherwood that he could just wrap his bare hands around this fucker's neck and snap it like a chicken's.
But when Alex's wretched sobs of anguish reach his ears, Justin's fiery rage is immediately doused by remorse.
Filled with regret he mentally castigates himself. How could I have been so stupid? I could of have been killed. Or worse, Alex would've been...oh God; I can't bring myself to think about that.
Meanwhile, the disguised attacker only scoffs as he reminds his young victim of his power over Justin, Alex and the situation at hand. Crouching down near the bleeding twenty-five year old man, he leans his ski mask covered face in real close and growls, "Stop eyeballing me, boy! Didn't I warn you about not being the hero, fuck-face?"
Justin, fearing that his little sister might be next one to get hurt, quickly averts his hate filled eyes. Yet, he can almost sense the asshole's satisfied smirk beneath his mask.
"That's better. You know, you're so lucky the boss wants see you two alive. If it were up to me, I would have shot you and left you both to rot."
Alex's woeful wailing steadily increases in volume while Justin battles to maintain his self-control.
The jerk, nonplussed by the siblings' plight, resumes his diatribe, "Now, I want you to get up and do exactly what I say and when I say it. Otherwise, I won't give a flying fuck what the boss man wants. Capice, paisan?"
Justin slowly rises to his feet, with eyes down and fists curled tightly. He nods stiffly to show this monster that he understands the deadly implications if he should step out of line again. Hopeless realization sets in - there's no escape, the cavalry isn't coming and Alex is too much of an emotional mess to be of any help right now. Not that he blames her. How could he when the culpability lies solely at his feet?
If I hadn't missed that turn we wouldn't be here right now.
"Here, put this on over your eyes," he hears the man say as he's being handed what appears to be a thick black athletic headband, the kind that a tennis player might wear. Before he slips the stretchy strip of fabric over his head, the last thing Justin sees is his sister. Her beautiful brown eyes are now obscured by a similar band, wet tears soaking through the material, as she's being shoved into the backseat of his own car.
lllll
She doesn't know how long they've been driving- Alex Russo has lost all notion of time. Nor does she know where she and her brother, Justin are being taken to. The only tangible things she can be sure of right now are the sound of his steady breathing and the feel of his hand on hers. She takes what little comfort she can from his touch as they sit together side by side in the backseat of Justin's Prius.
Blinded as she is by the terrycloth band over her eyes, her sense of hearing has been heightened. She can now distinctly hear the sounds of blaring horns, screeching tires and car stereos being played way too loud. Every resonance her ears perceive makes up the unmistakable cacophony of a typical New York City rush hour. Which is why it's so shocking to her is that no one, not single stupid person has bothered to look over to notice that there are two blindfolded people sitting in the back of a silver hybrid hatchback.
Fucking New Yorkers, so caught up in their own little world they could care less about what's going on around them.
Moments later, however the pulsing din of heavy traffic dies down and Alex senses that the car is no longer traveling on a main road. In fact, it feels like they're not on any road at all. The tell-tale bumps and dips as the car jostles about are indicative of dirt and gravel. This is not good. They've definitely strayed off the beaten path - but to God knows where?
Then to her surprise, the car starts to decelerate until very soon it comes to a complete stop.
Crap, we're here- wherever "here" is, she thinks frantically.
Justin squeezes her hand right then, reassuring Alex of his promise that he wouldn't leave her. Next, she hears the two front doors open then slam shut followed the crunch of heavy footfalls as the two kidnappers walk towards the back of the vehicle. When the door on her side is yanked open she's hit by a sudden blast of cold wind. While off in the distance she hears the deep lamenting sound of a fog horn followed by the sloshing something (a boat maybe?) slowly moving through water.
Where are they? Chelsea Pier? Or is it one of the more seedier looking docks off the Hudson?
"Watch your head, lass" she's told by the surprisingly gentle lilt of a Scotch-Irish brogue which she can only presume belongs to the second man who had been silent until now. Her heart rate speeds up just then when she feels the roughness of a calloused hand encircle the tender flesh of her upper left arm. Alex then feels herself being pulled out of the confines of the cramped backseat. The Celtic brute's grip on her only tightens further as she's blindly lead away with only this criminal to guide her unsure steps.
"Justin?" she desperately calls out as she tries to get her bearings which is hard to do when you're blind and teetering on a pair of precarious high heels.
"I'm here, Alex," her brother quickly answers, his voice she notices is strong and deep. She realizes of course that it's all pretenses. Deep down she knows that Justin is just as scared as she is. All the same, the valiant effort to try to lull his beloved little sister into a false sense of security is greatly appreciated. Even in this most desperate hour he's still trying to be the brave knight to her damsel in distress.
And she couldn't possibly love Justin Vincenzo Pepe Russo more than she does right now.
As she continues to stumble forward she really regrets her choice in footwear today. Alex concludes that high-heeled boots and gravel go together about as well as tuna fish and peanut butter. (Unless you're her younger brother Max, who is still partial to that totally gross and unlikely sandwich combination). Her feet start to hurt under the stress, and she's pretty sure she'll have a blister or two to show for it by morning. That is until she remembers that she may not live to see another morning. Her body shivers and not just from the chill of the night's the lower temperatures.
Alex takes a moment to think about her forgotten wand. How could she have been such an idiot to leave it lying there on her dresser? She may be the family wizard, but she still relies greatly on the sorcerous branchlet to be the conduit by which her power can be released. Although she's brilliant at make-em-up spells and conjuring on the fly (which is what gave her the edge to win the competition in the first place), her prowess at using hand magic has never been strong- not like Justin's used to be. Besides in the frazzled emotional state she's in now, she knows she's not capable of stringing two words together, much less come up with right combination of rhyming phrases for a proper spell.
Alex is so afraid of what would happen if she tries to use magic right now. With her luck she might unintentionally cast an incantation that would only end up worsening her plight and in the process expose magic to mortals which is a big no-no in the Wizard World. In fact, if the Wizard's Council were to find out (which they will) then she would have to face a tribunal where she would most likely be stripped of her powers, no matter what the extenuating circumstances are. She could probably appeal to Professor Crumbs. But as powerful as he is, the seven-hundred fifty year-old wizard is only one of twelve other members that sit on the prestigious assembly. His ballot might be cast in her favor but it would be lost in a decisive vote of twelve to one.
And so no matter which way she tries to spin this situation, Alexandra Margarita Russo is totally screwed.
lllll
Soon, her aching feet receive some much needed relief when the rocky terrain gives way to the solid smoother planes of what she believes to be concrete. There's a sudden change in the ambient temperature that follows (from cold to warm) telling her body that they've gone somewhere indoors.
"All right, we're about to approach some stairs, so watch your step, Miss." Mr. Lucky Charms speaks to her again in that deceivingly mild tone. Alex can't help feeling disconcerted by how his amiable voice goes against the grain of his present actions.
Alex is the first to be gracelessly forced up the steps by the overgrown leprechaun that continues to manhandle her. Her only reprieve from this mistreatment is the certainty that Justin won't be too far behind. Thankfully, her feet find purchase again when they all arrive on the first landing. Afterward, there's about a twenty-step trek or so which she attributes to ambling down a short corridor. Soon they stop walking and she knows in her gut that she and her brother have at last arrived to their intended destination.
lllll
Suddenly, Justin feels two large hands roughly push him forward. He almost trips over his own big feet- miraculously though he manages to stay upright. With his heart beating incessantly like a drum, Justin breathes in heavily, his nostrils flare out in anger- he's sick and tired of the ceaseless abusive treatment of his "handler".
"Don't you dare move a muscle, punk!" he's aggressively told. "I gotta go get the boss now. My friend here will keep you two company, so don't get any cute ideas while I'm gone."
God, he's really beginning to hate this motherfucker! That smug voice and cocky attitude have been grating on his nerves since this unfortunate misadventure began. So it's not surprising to Justin the modicum amount of relief he feels when he hears the man's heavy footsteps retreat back from whence they came. Sadly, they return only a few moments later followed by another set of footfalls which he reasons to be those of the leader of this motley band of reprobates.
The footsteps come to an abrupt stop. With no hint as to what comes next, time seems to drag on, slow and agonizing, as an eerie hush falls over the room or wherever he and Alex are being held against their will. Justin's heart is racing with fearful anticipation. The moment he's dreaded has at last arrived when and his sister find out the reasons behind their strange abduction.
Then all at once the deafening silence is expelled by the melodic vocalizations of an unseen third man who no doubt is the aforementioned boss. His rich tenor is accented with the supercilious modulations usually associated with English aristocracy.
"Maurizio, and Ian," the mystery man gently intones, clearly addressing his two cohorts. Afterward he begins reproaching his partners in crime like two mischievous children, "Is this any way to treat our guests? And what is that cut on the young man's face? Did I not specifically instruct that these two people should not be harmed, hmm?"
"I'm sorry, sir." Maurizio quickly apologizes to his superior. He goes onto explain, "It's just that the kid got out of line and I had to teach him a lesson."
"A lesson, you say? Why, my dear Maurizio, you're hardly qualified to teach anyone anything," the criminal ringleader jeers with a humorless laugh that sounds a lot like the tinkling of an out of tune piano.
Ian, who has remained quiet up until this point, speaks now to take up for his partner. "But sir, what Maurizio says is true..."
However, the Irishman's pleas for clemency are altogether snuffed out by his boss's thunderous roar.
"ENOUGH! I didn't hire you two buffoons so that you can improvise or disobey my orders! Defy me again and I may have to teach you cretins a lesson of your own. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
Even though the Brit's denouncement wasn't directed at him, Justin is still affected by the abrasiveness with which it was delivered. Whoever this man is, it's quite apparent that he's a person that commands respect and usually gets it by any means necessary.
"Y-yes, sir," Maurizio stutters repentantly.
Meanwhile Ian humbly offers, "We're sorry. It won't happen again."
After a very pregnant pause, the Englishman reluctantly accepts his underlings' acts of contrition. "Very well, see that it doesn't."
Next, Justin hears the crime-lords' hands merrily clap together as he announces with the enthusiasm of a carnival barker, "Now, then let's dispense with all this nonsense and 'get this show on the road', as you Yanks like to say. Remove their blindfolds, if you please. The poor dears have been kept in the dark long enough."
As the band is removed from his head, Justin blinks his eyelids furiously as he tries to adjust his vision to the precipitous intrusion of light. Seconds later, when his eyesight is fully acclimated, he begins to slowly take in his surroundings. What he sees both confuses and disturbs him to no end.
The room that he and Alex have been taken to is completely devoid of any color- nothing but stark white surrounds them, wall to wall and floor to ceiling. There are no windows and the only exit is the narrow door which is shut closed and is painted in the same albescent shade as the room. Justin's gray eyes continue to meander and then gape wide open in shock when they spy what appears to be a full-size mattress and box-spring adorned with only a plain white fitted sheet. There are no pillows or any other bedding that he could see. Then he finally takes in the most lurid details of all – directly in front of the makeshift bed there is a professional video camera set up on a tripod accompanied by pair of studio lighting kits.
Justin's mind is a vortex of questions that he's dreading the answers to. What the hell is all this? What do they want from us?
Yet, despite his trepidation he slowly raises his gaze to seek out the man that masterminded this entire operation. Justin can barely contain the gasp of surprise when he discovers that unlike his associates, the head honcho's face is not concealed behind a mask. In fact what Justin now perceives is an open jovial expression, friendly and smiling, as if this man meant the Russo's no harm. But deep down Justin knows that the opposite is probably true taking into consideration the manner by which they were brought to this place.
As Justin continues to appraise the Englishman's appearance, he notices that he is immaculately dressed in a tailored white suit adorned with a blood red rose boutonniere. Furthermore, he looks quite young, probably not much older than the former wizard. Yet despite his youthful features, he's is still extremely handsome. The high cheekbones of his narrow face complete with pointy chin give him an almost elfin countenance. Of course the slightly aquiline nose and lack of pointed ears quickly negates that conclusion. Adding to his pleasing aesthetic is the set of full fleshy lips that look a bit too feminine to be considered manly. There's also the shock of long white hair that flows down soft and straight over his shoulders and back. Yet his most striking attributes are his eyes which are the most dramatic shade of violet Justin has ever seen.
Those same eyes now stare at Justin as he and Alex are graciously greeted as if they were honored guests just arriving at a cocktail party. "Ah, Mr. Russo, we meet at last. And this must be your lovely sister, Alexandra."
Justin watches with repugnance as the white-haired bastard brazenly walks up to his sister. He then gallantly tries to take her hand in his so that he might lay a gentle kiss upon it. But when she recoils from his touch with a sneer, Justin secretly claims a small victory.
That's my girl. Give him hell, Alex.
Unaffected by Alex's rebuff, the smarmy stranger steps back as he smiles widely showcasing two rows of perfect white teeth. "Charming, absolutely charming. I like a woman that's spirited... as will our clientele. Would you agree gentlemen?"
"Yeah, boss. She'll be great!" Ian pipes up with unnatural exuberance. Maurizio mutely nods in agreement. Both men still have their weapons trained on the siblings.
Justin, who's had about enough of all the flowery innuendo, finds his voice at last, "What is this all about? Who are you? And why did you abduct us?"
"Ah, Justin," the violet-eyed man replies as he turns his attention away from Alex. "Those are all good questions and quite valid ones for that matter. The answers you seek, dear boy, will be revealed momentarily, I can assure you."
Not satisfied by the vagueness of the response, Justin seethes, "Look, I don't know how you know our names or what you want..."
Justin is summarily halted from protesting further when the man promptly throws out his hand. Then he recites in a clear loud voice, "Silentium est aureum!" while expelling a bolt of blue light from his fingertips. Justin is hit square in the face by the azure illumination.
"Oh my God, you're a wizard!" Alex suddenly exclaims with a gasp. Justin is just as stupefied as he quickly tries to figure out exactly who or what they're dealing with. He struggles to speak but thanks to the Silence is Golden spell his lips have been effectively sealed shut.
"A wizard? Preposterous, dear girl," the newly revealed mystical creature laughs, mocking the insinuation. "What I am is something more powerful and infinitely more dangerous than your garden variety prestidigitator. Wizards, bah! I can't stand the lot of them with their uptight rules and their silly little council. But never mind all that now.
"As for who I am, my identity is of no importance, since the form you see before you is merely an illusion, the successful result of a simple transmogrification spell. You might say, however that I am a practitioner in what your precious Professor Crumbs refers to as the dark arts or as I like to call it, black magic."
Unimpressed by his summation, Justin already knows exactly what this son-of-a-bitch is. However, he's been rendered speechless by the spell just recently cast upon him. So it's up to Alex to voice his conclusions which she does in the next instant.
"So you're a warlock then, big deal. I've faced your kind and worse before." Alex tries to sound confident and brave in an attempt to intimidate her foe. But her well-intended stand is belied by the quiver in her voice.
"Oh, my darling, how shortsighted you are. A warlock is such a detestable sort of fellow. All he has in his repertoire are his pathetic little potions and herbs with perhaps a few hackneyed incantations up his sleeve. A warlock is too feeble-minded to grasp the concept of real magic.
"No, no what I am is a sorcerer, a dark lord, if you will and I am no one to be trifled with. Oh, I know you won your family's dreary wizard competition, Alexandra. I was actually present in the arena that day-in disguise, of course to avoid detection. But I must say that I was mildly impressed with the cunning you used to try to snatch the prize from your more deserving brother, Justin.
"Your other brother, Maximilian posed no challenge to either one of you, so I paid him no mind. You two however, were a sight to behold. Spell after counter spell, each more grander than the last, so precise, so in tune with one another. It was like watching a pair of finely trained dancers in a ballet...or better still, two lovers."
Justin's mouth goes dry as his blood runs cold when hears the word "lovers" casually tossed out in the open as he watches his sister's face blanch in horror. What is this dark lord implying by that last statement? Does he know of Justin's clandestine desires? Impossible. How could he when Justin barely acknowledges the existence of those feelings himself.
"I knew then that you two would make wonderful additions to my unique video collection. But I was in no hurry to acquire you just yet. So I learned everything there was to know about you two and then bided my time. Meanwhile I pursued other lucrative ventures until the perfect opportunity presented itself to snatch you up. And viola, here we are.
"Oh, don't look so shocked. I'm not.
"Allow me to explain my motives. Despite outwardly appearances, I am much older than you think. I've been around since before the pyramids in Egypt were built. And during my long life I've witnessed centuries of depravity on both the mortal and supernatural plane.
"And as a pan-sexual by nature, I've seen and done it all. There's no creature, be they mortal or otherwise, that I haven't procured sexual favors from. Both males and females of all ages and races. I've even dabbled in some inter-species relations. In the end it's made no difference to me, pleasure is pleasure. But what fascinates me most, what really stirs my passions is the phenomenon of incest, particularly when it occurs between a brother and a sister such as yourselves.
"My only regret is that I never got to experience it for myself since I am a only child. Of course that maybe because I killed my siblings as they slept in their cribs. But I digress...
"In any event, while incest is frowned upon by both mortal and wizard societies, you'd be surprised how many of these same 'upstanding citizens' find the subject positively titillating. And there are quite a few of them that are willing to pay top dollar for a even a glimpse of such an act. In fact several high ranking members your precious Wizard Council are considered to be some of my best customers."
"No way," Alex quickly repudiates. "No one I know that sits on the council would be that gross."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk...Alexandra are you really that naive? Inside every ostensibly righteous man beats the heart of a pervert. Why even Chancellor Tootie-Tootie's sexual proclivities would rock the very foundations of wizard-dom if knowledge of it ever got out. I guess you can't blame the man for wanting to keep his practice of pederasty a secret. He must have acquired a taste for buggery after he time-traveled to Ancient Greece. Who knows? All those innocent young boys he's had under his tutelage over the years. Quite the scandal.
Justin's mind is reeling. First, all this talk of incest is making him extremely nervous. It's a topic that's too close to home. And having Alex in such close proximity isn't helping matters either. So far he's allowed his love for her influence his poor judgment. Justin can't afford anymore slip ups, so he needs to play it cool and not let on what perversions beat in his own heart.
And now the second piece of shocking news. The chancellor a child rapist? Is this dark lord out of his fucking mind? Justin knows Tootie-Tootie. Hell, his whole family does. And aside from Professor Crumbs, the chancellor is one of the few wizards he most respects and admires. So unless he's shown irrefutable evidence, there's no way he'll ever believe him capable of something so reprehensible.
Meanwhile, the alleged dark lord blathers on, "Now you maybe wondering why I chose to dabble in an industry that is expressly prohibited in the Wizard World?
"Well, due to the puritanical repression enforced by the council, they inadvertently created a market that has been clamoring for the assorted variety of visually stimulating diversions that only I can procure for them. My films have gained quite the reputation, via clandestine sites, on the World Wide Wiz Web. But the real money lies with private collectors that frequent the Magical Underground looking for something wholly taboo to spice up their boring little lives. And that, my dear lady and gentlemen, is what brings us here today."
Justin is going to be sick; he can actually feel the bile quickly rise up in his throat. This warlock, sorcerer or whatever the fuck he is intends to use them in the most depraved way possible. And there's little he can do to alter the course of the events that are about to transpire. He's about to be forced to do things to his little sister that he's only imagined in his most torrid of fantasies. Justin Russo never thought in a million years that his dreams would transform themselves into a living nightmare.
lllll
Surreptitiously Justin glances over at his sister. His heart clenches when he sees her big brown eyes glistening with unshed tears as her petite body trembles with anger.
He continues to look on as Alex balls up her fists as she bravely addresses the unidentified sorcerer, "You can't make us do anything! I'll stop you, I'll find a way." Alex's voice sounds so hallow that her words have no impact.
But to Justin that doesn't matter, he's never been prouder of her.
The white-haired sorcerer's evil smile only broadens as he lays out all his cards out on the table once and for all, "That's where you're wrong, my pet. You think that your meager talents are a match against mine? Hardly.
"The source of my magic is infinite and isn't generated or regulated by some ridiculous power plant. Why in fact I can wield more power from my little finger than you can from your entire body. You're just a girl who muddled her way through some meaningless contest. If Justin hadn't thrown the match, you wouldn't have won a thing."
Giving Justin a knowing wink, and he smugly says," That's right, my boy. I know that you deliberately lost the competition so that you could give your powers to sister. How brotherly of you. Or was there another sentiment that influenced your decision that day?"
Unable to vocalize the rage churning inside him, Justin can only manage to glower at the man that's just uncovered one of his most well-guarded secrets. How many more would be revealed before this nightmare comes to an end?
The sorcerer then turns his attentions back to Alex, "And Alexandra, you poor ignorant girl. Did you actually think that you won that competition on own your merit? You're a mediocre wizard. And the best you can probably hope for is the ability to cast a half-way decent spell without mucking up it too much.
"Let's be honest, child. You still use your wand as a crutch, for Merlin's sake! A wand, how quaint. When anyone of true consequence knows that real power, when properly used, can be conjured up with just a thought. Face it, wizard, without your magic stick you're just another pretty face.
"And just so you both know the walls of this room have been permeated with the most ancient of charms, the Malleus Maleficium, or the Witch's Hammer if you prefer. And as I'm sure your beloved well-read brother already knows, there is no way to counter its affects unless you manage kill the one that invokes its power in the first place. Hence one of the main reasons behind both the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials. And since you have no chance in Hades of taking me out, there is no possibility of escape through conventional or magical means. Not even the Wizard Police can penetrate these walls the until our business here is concluded."
Alex juts out her little chin defiantly. "So what do you expect us to do now? Give in to your demands? Never!"
The white-haired devil's smile never wavers as he looks Alex straight in the eye to assert the following decree, "What I expect is for you and brother to remove every stitch of clothing from your fit young bodies and then rut around like animals on that mattress over there. And all while the evidence of your illicit joining is captured by the lens of my camera."
"WHAT! You're insane if you think that's ever going to happen!" Alex yells incredulously.
"Oh. I can assure that I'm quite sane. Meet my demands, Alexandra and I swear that you will both leave here unharmed. Defy me in any way, and your brother here will pay the consequences for your insolence as will the rest of your family. Imagine the fun I'll have when I see the light go out in Mommy and Daddy's eyes right before I turn my attentions to Baby Brother Max. His screams will be music to my ears as I slowly incinerate his body to a cinder. I haven't decided yet what I'll do to your werewolf. But the vampire wench will definitely meet the first rays of tomorrow's sunrise. Won't that be lovely?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Alex angrily sobs. All of the psychological torture is starting to get to her as she imagines, in vivid detail, her family's horrific demise.
"Oh, but I would. You have no idea what I'm capable of, girl. So don't test me," the sorcerer coldly attests.
Enraged by the shocking death threats to his family and loved ones, Justin tries to enunciate his fury through a series of grunts and muted growls, his arms gesture furiously, as he tries to maneuver forward to get his point across. But when he hears the cocking of a gun behind him, his footsteps cease.
The sorcerer notices Justin's foolhardy attempt to express his discontent. Yet as much it annoys him he decides to release the boy from his enchantment. With a lazy wave of his right hand he tiredly recites the counter-spell, "Restitutio in integrum."
With a sense of relief, not only does Justin feel his lips split apart to return to their normal state, he can also sense the cut on his cheek being healed in the process. Stunned, he places a hand on his face and what he finds is nothing short of miraculous. Save for the caked on blood still on his skin, the abrasion itself is completely gone. It's as if it never happened.
But instead of demonstrating gratitude for the favor, Justin Russo casts a venomous gaze upon the man that ordered his captivity.
"Why did you heal me? If you're just going to kill me, why bother? Answer me you bastard!" he growls dangerously, his gray-green eyes are alight with rapacious ferocity.
The sorcerer genially smiles at the incensed young man as if nothing were amiss. He knows that in spite of his great anger, Justin poses no threat.
"Now, there's no need for name-calling, Justin. Haven't I been polite, gracious even and extremely patient? But...my patience is wearing thin. I healed you simply because I want you to be seen in the best possible light. You see, my customers expect top quality for their hard earned money. I can't sell them a film where the leading man is marred or damaged. That just wouldn't do.
"And as for killing you, well that's up to your lovely sister here, is it not? Your life and the lives of your loved ones are in her hands. If she agrees to my terms then I promise both of you that I will not harm anyone you care about. Deny me what I want and I will see to it that everyone you've ever known meets a painful end, starting with your family. The choice is simple."
TBC...