The Shadow Fox by H. K. Varian

Author:H. K. Varian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Spotlight

Chapter 7

The Spider’s Curse

Your power too is bound by it.

The words hung in the air while questions raced through Darren’s mind. How could his whole family be cursed? Were they in any danger? He was too stunned to even formulate full sentences.

“But . . . I definitely have my powers,” Darren blurted. “In fact, sometimes I think I have too much power. There’s no way I could be cursed.”

Professor Zwane shook his head. “I’m afraid that I’m quite certain you are. I’ve experienced the weight of the curse before—I can feel its same hold on you.”

The professor paused as he handed a piece of paper to Darren. It read The Anansi–Impundulu Wars by Dina Salawu. Then he turned back to Darren. “This book should help. See if you can get it from the library before your stay here is over. Your power, it’s . . . quite ancient. Can you summon lightning from within yourself, or do you need to channel it from the sky?”

“I can create it,” Darren said, sounding a little frantic. “Is that bad?” He took a deep breath to get his racing heart under control.

The professor put a calming hand on Darren’s arm. “It’s not bad. That power is rare. It comes only from the most ancient and powerful impundulu bloodlines. Many of those bloodlines led the charge against the Anansi, and many of those bloodlines were cursed.”

“Wait, that doesn’t make any sense,” Darren said. “You said the impundulu bloodlines were cursed to not be able to use the Changer gift, but I have it. So how did I become a Changer?”

“The same mysterious way I did,” Professor Zwane answered. “All curses have laws. And all laws have loopholes. Somehow, you and I slipped through and came into our power despite the curse.”

“So then . . . is it possible that there are other people in my family who are Changers, but the curse is blocking them from developing their powers as well?” Darren asked.

“It’s certainly possible,” the professor said with a nod.

“And if I break the curse, will they become Changers, or is it too late if they’re older than twelve?”

“It’s not too late,” Professor Zwane said. “Most Changers start to develop powers in their twelfth year, but if a curse is broken, there’s no age limit on transforming.”

Darren thought about what a relief it would be to have another impundulu in the family—especially if that impundulu was Ray. For once, Darren would be the one to give help and advice to his big brother, instead of the other way around. That would be so cool. And it would be great to be able to be completely honest with Ray. Darren wasn’t used to keeping secrets from his brother, and he definitely hated it.

But then again, Darren thought. All those times I’ve wished these powers away . . . All the times I almost lost control, or was afraid I would hurt someone . . . Ray would have to deal with all of that too.

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