Short chapter. I am writing a paper and needed a break, so this was what I did to distract myself from the theories of Emile Durkheim. Oy. The rest of what I planned for this chapter is too detailed to write right now so I figured I'd put that into a chapter on its own. Hope you enjoy.

FYI, this is the point where the cannon of magic in this world might be off. It isn't like they are too specific with things so I'm improvising. Just go with it ;)

Justin yanked his hands against the metal cuffs, trying desperately to get them around Max's neck. Alex just stared in astonishment. This didn't make sense. How did Max get so powerful? And evil? Max stood back from them smirking with pride. He rolled his wand between his palms and smiled.

"So I take it you've been enjoying your summer so far." He laughed maniacally. "Well let me fill you in on what I've been doing at summer school… thanks to you two."

Justin watched as Max sat on the arm of the chair, wracking his brain for a way out of this. He mentally went over all of the spells he knew in his head. A beam of light shot out of his hand at his brother, but Max waved his hand and the spell deflected and hit Alex in the face, leaving a scrape across her cheek. Justin gasped in horror as Alex winced. Max held out his hand and a small green ball of light appeared in his palm.

"What's wrong with you Max?" Justin was beyond being pissed. Now he was concerned. This wasn't his brother. And he started to think they might be in real danger.

"It's power, Justin. More power than you two combined. A little present from my new friend Ronald. We've been hanging out a lot this summer, and he's taught me quite a bit." Max raised an eyebrow and flicked his hand toward the door to the lair. It slammed shut and began to glow green. "Sound barrier." He smiled and then waved his wand at the ceramic cat on the table and it came to life. Justin and Alex watched, confused and terrified. Then Max whispered something and the cat began to shriek convulse in clear pain.

Alex closed her eyes and turned her head away. Justin's jaw dropped. "Max!" he yelled in horror. "What are you doing?!"

"Just a little warning." Max flicked his wand again and the cat disintegrated before their eyes. Then he stood up and walked back toward his siblings slowly. The sneer from his face left and he was cold. He spoke to Justin. "Now, I'm going to be back in two weeks for another visit. You have until then to convince mom and dad to let me come home. Then things are going to change around here." Max shifted eyes purposefully to his sister. He moved closer to her.

"So Justin," he was still staring into Alex's eyes. "You're pretty fucked up over these dreams huh? She must really be…" he licked his lips and moved closer to her, "good."

"Fuck you!" Alex shouted in his face.

Max just smiled. "Hmm…" He touched her inner thigh with the tip of his wand and rubbed it up and down slowly, grazing the edge of her miniskirt, "Don't tempt me." Justin growled and his entire body lifted off the wall trying to jump at Max but the cuffs caught him. Max laughed at him and then placed his hand around her throat and put his lips against her ear. "Wow Alex, you really got a hold on him don't you?"

Alex closed her eyes and cringed away from her little brother as a tear fell down her eye. "I'm going to kill you!" Justin roared. His biceps bulged as he pulled as hard as he could to free himself. But it was no use. The sharp metal cut into his wrists but he didn't feel the pain. He exploding with rage.

"Oh?" Max tightened his grip around Alex's neck and she gagged. Justin gasped in horror. Then Max loosened his grip and his hand slid down her body, groping her breast and then moving to her stomach. He pushed her back roughly against the wall as if reprimanding a dog. Alex felt as if she might be sick. She looked at Justin with tears pouring down her eyes. Max moved back to Justin, making sure to keep out of kicking distance. "Now listen to me, because I'm only going to say this once." Justin sneered at him but stayed silence. "I'm the boss. You do what I say. Believe me Justin, you don't want to see what I'm capable of. So like I said… Don't fuck with me."

Justin knew that he couldn't allow his anger to put Alex in danger. He clenched his jaw and nodded. "Now, we gonna behave?" Justin twitched his head to acknowledge the order. Max waved his hand and the cuffs disappeared. Alex's knees buckled under her but Justin caught her before she hit the ground. She rubbed her wrists and Justin put his arm protectively around her, keeping an eye on Max.

"Let's go," Justin whispered to her threw his jaw. He began to lead her toward the door but she pulled away from him, staring at Max with pain in her eyes. She moved toward him and Justin grabbed her arm to stop her but she shook it off. Max smiled and disgustingly licked his lips as she approached. Then, without say a word, she smacked him across the face. Max shook hair out of his eyes and smirked. Justin pulled her by the arms and she followed him out of the lair.

Sorry for all the Max fans out there, but I had to make him evil for now. Believe me it will all be worth it in the end.

Thanks again for all the wicked reviews!