I've read stories of evil, arrogant magicians that do Bad Things to mortals, but they almost always understand their own evil while doing so. Here, I detect not a sliver of self-awareness in this magic family.

"How could she be so evil?" I lamented, without thinking.

“You will not speak of my daughter like that! Do you understand me?” Mr. Calvin was suddenly furious with me.

The elder Calvin brooks no ill words toward his daughter, though he is furious with her for potentially exposing the family to the greater world. Certainly not for being evil! Nor does he see his own despicable actions for what they are. Apparently, magic makes right, just as some say might makes right.

She is being treated like a prisoner of war. Amber has to make a decision soon, or cede all volition to her captors.

"You can kill me, or torture me. You may hold me here for nine months or eternity. But what you will most certainly do is treat me like a human being! Anything less and you will simply have to beat me into submission at every turn."

I sincerely hope there is a change in circumstance coming up soon, for I have little stomach for more of this brand of Calvinism.