Deal with Devil

Caspian POV

We all head down to the basement to the training room. When you first walk in you see a wide open space with all sorts of gym equipment. Around the perimeter is a quarter mile long track which we use for our laps. We all start off with eight laps every morning, but Prryhus has extra today meaning he won't be doing the normal workout routine. It doesn't take us long to run the two miles. Along with our personalized abilities, we all have enhanced stamina leading us to be stronger and faster than the average person since we can train for extended periods of time.

Currently, I'm at the bench press with Zephyr. We are pretty close in height and stature meaning we are partners for pretty much everything in the gym. Zephyr is a little taller than me, but I'm a bit thicker so we even out. Pyrrhus is the same height as me, but he's stronger than I am when it comes to the weight room so he usually does everything by himself. I honestly think he prefers it that way anyways. Rai and Silas are always partners despite the four inches between them. Rai might be taller, but Silas is just as thick if not thicker than him. Silas is built like a boulder being the shortest and stockiest of us all. I watch as Pyrrhus finishes his last lap at the same time we all finish our pre workout. Our physical strength and keeping our bodies maintained is important, but not as important as controlling our abilities which is why we have a second training room. We all head towards the back of the room to the thick metal door leading to the arena. It's double the size of the normal training room with different items and elements that we can mold and use with our abilities. There is an underground pool for me since I can't just make water squirt out of my hands. I can however multiply water. I can turn a single rain drop into a tsunami. Well, I've never tried it at that scale, but that's basically how it works. Silas also has to have things to manipulate like rocks and trees. Fortunately for him, there is always ground meaning he never has to look too far for an outlet for his ability. Zephyr manipulates the wind and there is always air for him to bend to his will. Rai and Pyrrhus are the only two who can fabricate their abilities.

The whole point of this bunker like space is to enable us to train without worrying about damaging anything. Nothing will burn or collapse meaning we can do whatever in here. We all take a few minutes to warm up. I see a few lightning bolts and rocks being thrown around before I decide to send a wave to knock out Silas. He's the easiest to pick on since he's the youngest with the least experience. I watch as the water wipes him out crashing him to the ground. He sits up and spits out the bit of water that flooded his system. I see him glare at me before he punches the ground sending small earthquakes my way. This causes the others to stumble as well signaling the beginning of training. We all go at each other using our abilities to weaken the others. It's almost like playing Rock Paper Scissors. Silas' vines get burned up by Pyrrhus, but his flames are soon blown out by Zephyr and so forth. All of our abilities can cancel out the other, but you have to use it the right way and wait to make your move. I do pretty well with this because I view it like a game of chess always paying attention to the potential future moves.

This goes on for a while before we start building each other up. Not only can we tear each other down, but we can enhance each other's abilities. I can use water to spread Rai's bolts and Zephyr can spread out Pyrrhus' flames. There are so many ways to help each other out, and I think that this is what makes us stronger. Soon we are all burnt out leaving out muscles aching. I collapse on the floor with my brothers as we try to catch our breath.

I hear my father clearing his throat causing us all to sit up. I wonder how long he has been there. We were all too caught up in our training to hear him come in.

"Good work today boys. I have something I need to talk to y'all about though. Since Cal is living here now, you all need to be quiet in the morning when you get up for training. She isn't apart of that so no need in waking her up. Also, she doesn't need to know about all the training yet so please try to be discreet with your abilities in the house."

He looks us all over making sure we understand. We all nod and echo out a string of 'yes sir'. I honestly didn't think about us waking up Cal. It's always been our routine to wake up at 5:00 am so it's difficult to remember that not everyone does that too.

I head up the stairs after my brothers to go get ready for school. We all hurry up and shower seeing as school starts in an hour and it takes thirty minutes to get there. Soon Pyrrhus and I race out to car securing the front seats leaving Silas the backseat. He joins us grumbling causing us to laugh at him as Pyrrhus drives off.

Cal POV

I don't manage to get any rest after Sander left. I don't know how long I laid here on the bed, but judging by the clock it seems to be close to an hour. I feel so tired. Not just physically, but mentally too. It takes so much effort to suppress everything I have been through and to keep up this front. I keep telling myself that if only I had been stronger and not so submissive none of this would have happened. That as long as I'm cold to Sander and the boys they can't hurt me. However, I know that if I was stronger it wouldn't have stopped anything. Actually, I wasn't always submissive. I didn't put up with what he did. I feel a tear trickle down my face as I recall that it was my decision to let him abuse me.

**

I felt the sharp sting from his palm as he slapped my cheek. The impact knocked me down to my knees, but I was ready this time. The abuse has slowly grown over the last four years. He started out with verbal abuse, but over the last year that escalated. I wasn't going to put up with him hitting me anymore. I pulled out the knife that I had hidden in my waistband. I ignored the small incision on my waist and slashed it towards his arms. He stumbled back in shock looking at the long gash that when from his shoulder to the outside of his elbow. He was shaking with rage, but I steadied myself with the knife held out in front daring him to try it again. He looked at me with disgust before smirking. I was confused as he left the room with the door slamming behind him. I stood there in shock for a moment before I heard cries and pleas heading my way. I watch as he flung the door open dragging in a girl that looked about my age. She looked very familiar despite the bruising that decorated her eyes and cheeks. I look down to her tattered dress and take in a sharp breath. She was from my class. Her name was Mary Williams.

"This is what happens when you don't obey me, Princess."

I watch in horror as he takes out a gun and shoots her in the head without hesitation. I fall to the floor crying and screaming as I watch the carpet soak up her blood.

"If you try that stunt again, I'll kill more. Do you understand? I will do to them ten times worse than what I plan to do to you."

Suddenly it felt like the whole world was on my shoulders. It was up to me to keep all of those girls safe. Images of my classmates swirl my mind. I look down to Mary's blonde hair that is red from the blood.

"I understand."

My mom had sold my body to the devil four years ago, but with those two words I just sold him my soul.

**

I wipe away the tears not letting me pity myself. It was my own choice. At ten years old, I sacrificed myself to save others. Sounds noble, but if I could go back I don't think I would do it again. I hear a knock at the door bringing me out of the hell that's in my mind. I make sure all the tears are gone before I open door. Zephyr is standing in the hallway with his normal lazy smile.

"Ready?"

He opens his mouth to say more, but stops when he looks at me. I curse at myself realizing my eyes are probably red and puffy from crying.

"Are you okay, little one?"

His eyes are filled with concern causing me to fake a smile and nod my head. It takes so much out of me with that simple gesture. I know today is going to be a long day. He takes a step towards me, but I stumble back out of habit. Zephyr's eyes widen watching me cower.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Sorry if I scared you."

He rubs the back of his neck and looks down at the floor guiltily.

"Sorry, I just woke up. Let's go."

I walk past him towards the stairs. I keep my head down because I can't bare to see the guilt and disappointment in his eyes. It takes him a few moments before I hear his footsteps coming after me. I need to be more careful with my reactions, or they will start asking questions. Questions that I don't want to answer.