Talent

  ***

  The police officer regarded Marianne stoically from across the table. She looked back at him, unmoving. She needed to get to a phone though, and time was important. At least she could keep up this part of the deal, and really, she knew Sarah wouldn't be out of the woods until she made that call.

  "Listen, we just want some basic answers, then we can let you go." he said encouragingly. He probably meant it too. "We all appreciate you did what you had to do to save your daughter. You need to appreciate that you also put a lot of lives in danger though. You need to talk to us, now. Get the record straight."

  Marianne pursed her lips before tentatively testing him. "I need to make a call."

  "If you want a lawyer I can contact them for you. Just give me a name." How helpful she rued. If only.

  "I have someone I need to call myself. I get a call don't I? Then I’ll answer whatever questions you have."

  The man paused for a moment before nodding and rising to stand. "Sure, come with me."

  Escorting Marianne to a small glass room which held a desk with nothing on it save a phone, he excused himself just far enough to remain out of hearing, but still keep her in his sights. "Go ahead. I’ll be out here. Make it quick."

  Without hesitation Marianne dialed quickly before holding the handset close to her. Hands trembling, she had to use her second hand to steady the one holding the receiver. As the phone rang, she closed her eyes.

  Keterlyn answered.

  Whispering, Marianne fought the urge to cry. "I'm so sorry. I really am. She’s my baby. I couldn't risk it."

  In the corridor leading to the entrance of the Library, Keterlyn slumped against the wall, still holding the mobile to her ear. She tried to steady her breath, brace for what she knew was coming. Although she may not have seen the event on the news stations, she had felt a darkness, a warning pull within her, but ignoring it, she had dismissed the feeling. Keterlyn truly did love Marianne, but love, as she so well knew wasn't always enough.

  Marianne stumbled in the silence on the other end of the phone. "Please, say something. I know I promised you, but I had to save her. I’m so sorry."

  Keterlyn took a deep breath. "I understand little sister. I do." She knew how hard this was already, for Marianne to be calling was a testament to her strength.

  Relieved, Marianne stopped trembling. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

  "I’m really going to miss you." admitted Keterlyn.

  "Me too. I don’t have much time so let’s do this." Marianne wiped her tears.

  "Yes." said Keterlyn simply, and readied herself.

  "I relinquish…." began Marianne.

  "I recall…" continued Keterlyn.

  "All that which you bequeathed…"

  "All that I endowed…."

  The lights in the room where Marianne sat started to shine brighter as she spoke. "Take the power from my being."

  "I take the power back to me." concluded Keterlyn as they together said the last line that would break their bond.

  "As I will so mote it be." came their synchronous words as the lights in the interview room burst, the glass shattering as Marianne yelled in pain.

  Marianne fell to the table, the policeman who had interviewed her arriving from the other room. He reached for her, lifting her head from where it lay motionless on the table, but as he pulled up Marianne's unconscious head though, he dropped it almost as quickly. In just a few moments, Marianne had aged twenty years. He stepped back in shock before calling out for an ambulance to be called.

  Meanwhile, slumping to the floor, Keterlyn sobbed before she realized that people were staring at her. Rising from the ground, and wiping her tears, she ran down the hall.