Shifting by Rachel D'Aigle

figure appeared, acting as though he had just arrived. His acting was poor.
    “Hey, Sis.”
    Juliska glided toward the door as Colin came in.
    “I must take my leave, Meghan, things to do, people to order around,” she winked mischievously. Meghan smiled and then Juliska was gone.
    “I hope you didn’t tell her too much,” Colin said accusingly.
    “What do you mean?” she asked.
    “Uncle Eddy. The Magicante.”
    51
    “Of course I didn’t tell her that, although, I honestly don’t think it would matter. I think I could tell her anything.”
    Colin wanted to gag.
    “You may change your mind once I tell you what happened after your little stunt earlier!” Meghan huffed.
    Colin continued.
    “Jae made up a lie so we wouldn’t get kicked out! He’s in a lot of trouble. He’s home, right this second probably getting killed by his parents.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    Colin explained how they had come running to the wharf, the Svoda preparing for battle, only to find her in a fireball.
    “After they took you away, the Mochries stayed behind while Juliska questioned me on whether I’d ever done magic before. Jae answered before I could stop him, saying, ‘Yes, but it was me that showed him how’.”
    “But that’s not true,” said Meghan with heightening unease.
    “Banon Blackwell then made us all wait, while she weighed her decision.”
    “What decision?” asked his sister, looking to what Colin concluded was more properly horrified.
    “As to what the Mochrie’s punishment would be.”
    Meghan squirmed, trying to piece it all together.
    “She would have to, you know. Decide on a punishment. Picture your whole job is to keep these people safe and someone breaks a law that could ruin all that. She would have to do something in order to save face from the other Svoda.”
    “Are you sticking up for her?” asked Colin too loudly, getting the nurses’ attention in the hallway.
    “You gotta see it from both sides, Colin. What was the punishment, anyway?”
    “She decided to only punish Jae, not his whole family. She demoted him in school. I guess it’s like being held back a grade or something, plus, we’ll be joining him!” Meghan was thoughtful for a minute.
    “It could be worse, Colin. At least our magic is out in the open, less to worry about. It sucks that Jae had to take such a blow, I’m sure it’s totally humiliating. And it doubly sucks that we have to go to school, too.”
    Colin knew she was being genuine and agreed with her there.
    “Honestly,” she continued, “I think Juliska did the only thing she could do. She would have to dole out some form of punishment, but if you think about it, it’s not that bad.” Colin could see her point, but had a strong feeling that things were not that easy for Jae, or his family.
    “How long they keeping you here, anyway?” he asked, changing the subject.
    “Overnight I guess.”
    “Okay. Tomorrow I’m going to see Uncle Eddy and explain what happened, and that we won’t be able to visit as much,” said Colin.
    52
    Meghan brooded. One second she felt on top of the world; she was Firemancer, like Juliska Blackwell; someone who could teach Meghan how to control and use her abilities. However, in the next moment, all her fears overwhelmed her, throwing her into an instant panic.
    “I’m tired, Colin. I guess I’ll see you when they let me out of here.” Her thoughts were clouded, but he sensed the tug-of-war going on between them.
    Colin decided to leave her and return to the Mochrie house. As he neared, passing the wharf entrance, a shadow stepped toward him so he slowed. The shadow sped up, as if intentionally wanting to run into him. Colin searched for a place to hide; it was too late. Daveena Troast’s scowling face towered in front of him.
    “I’ve got a message for you,” she gurgled. For a tough kid, she had a funny voice. He waited, assuming the message would be a knuckle sandwich, or something of the sort, but she