Convergence

I woke up in a dark room. I couldn’t even see my own body. I felt around searching for answers. Did I really just say yes? Energy flows around everything all the time, and dark energy has its own vibrations. It’s the embodiment of desire, the pull of greed, and it felt so good.

I pulled the covers from around me and tentatively placed my feet on the floor. Seemed I was in a bed. From a standing position, I could see light coming from under a door. I walked over to it and felt around for the knob. Once the door was opened, a flood of light filled my eyes. It took a moment to adjust. Was I alone?

I wandered carefully down the unfamiliar hallway. I was unsteady and used the wall for balance. Why couldn’t I remember? It was like my whole life so far was slowly slipping away, memories of good deeds and friends became more like something from a dream. I only remembered feelings here and there. The idea of trying to be perfect for almost seventeen years, feeling the pressure that something wasn’t right, and then suddenly feeling complete with the addition of my father’s power were all I knew. So much so that the thought of going back to being such a goodie good was the farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to see what I could do with this.

I followed the sound of voices until I came into a room. My father and brother sat around the living room talking with the TV playing in the background. It was like a normal, everyday scene one with a family might come across when they woke up. They looked alike in the forms they had chosen for themselves and I started to wonder if I were able to change my appearance as well. I’d never have a bad hair day again.

“Glad to see you’re awake.” Azazel smiled when he saw me and I felt a warm sensation of family touch deep within. He still felt like my step-mother. “How are you feeling?”

“Good, I guess. Strange.” I chuckled. “But in sort of a good way. Natural.”

Azazel crossed over to me and placed his hands on my shoulder. “My beautiful daughter, I am so proud of you!” He circled his arms around me in a tight hug.

“Thanks, I guess. Why would you be proud? I thought you would be upset. Aren’t you trying to kill Morgan now?”

“Well, that was when I thought he wanted to hurt you.” He started playing with my hair. “You are my most precious child. My most loved. You are the one I cherish more than anything else in existence and it is for you that I even remain in this plane.”

I glanced over at Morgan who still looked like my beloved James and my heart broke for him.

“Why would you say something like that? Seems harsh. I mean, shouldn’t a parent love all of their children the same?”

He laughed as if what I had said was some sort of hilarious joke. “Oh, my dearest one, you have twenty-three brothers and sisters and I love none of them as I love you.”

I glanced at Morgan again. “But, that hardly seems fair.”

Morgan noticed my glances and then let out a huff. “Do not worry for my well-being, little sister. I’ve known his feelings as long as you’ve been alive. I was his most cherished and then it was you. I’ve come to terms with it.”

“Still, it doesn’t seem fair.”

Azazel smiled wide. “You still have such a kind heart. It’s hard to believe that you truly wish to follow your demon heritage. Our family does not have the same feeling of equality and love that you’ve come to understand. Those feelings do exist, just not in the same terms you know.”

“So, if you have another child with some other witch or whatever, you wouldn’t love me anymore? I wouldn’t be your favorite?”

“Do not worry yourself of my other children?”

“My brothers and sisters? Don’t worry about my family? Is that what you just said to me?” I could feel my body starting to tremble in a new feeling of what I could only relate to anger.

He let out a sigh. “I can feel that you’re upset. That’s not a good thing for you right now. You don’t have control of your powers yet.”

“So, I could hurt you?” The question came out more hopeful than I expected, like I wanted to hurt him.

“Sure, along with everyone else in this town. So calm down.”

I took in a deep breath. Hurting innocent bystanders wasn’t part of my plans. At least I had that much control. At least I wasn’t that evil, although the idea did hold some appeal.

“So powerful,” Azazel smiled. “Would you like to see your little friend?”

“Rick? He’s okay?”

“Of course. I couldn’t take the risk of you being upset, though I had planned on killing him later.”

“Daddy, don’t you dare!” The words just sort of flew out of my mouth shocking both of us.

He gasped. “You called me Daddy! I do so love the sound of it. Follow me, love.”

We headed back toward the kitchen. There was a doorway that led down into a basement that may as well have been a dungeon. There was only a single light dangling on a string. I saw Rick. He was free to walk around in what little space he had at his leisure, but I could tell he was suffering. He looked worn and tired, aged by the stress of his captivity.

“I’ll leave you two alone to talk,” Azazel whispered.

I carefully made my way down the stairs and watched him pace. His arms were wrapped around him in a guarded position when he heard the creaks in the steps. He didn’t seem to recognize me at first. His eyes were sullen and angry, but after a few moments his eyes grew wide and he met me at the base of the staircase in a few strides.

“Kari?” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried. They wouldn’t tell me what happened to you.”

“What have they done to you?”

“Morgan did something to Aunt Augustina, I don’t know what. I went home to talk to her….” He stopped and I could feel that he was trying to keep something from me. “I was really worried about you.”

“I’m glad to see you too.”

He noticed my hesitation. “What’s happened? Why haven’t they captured you? What’s going on?”

“How’s Ashe? Is she okay?”

“As long as I’m okay, she is too. Why are you avoiding my questions?”

I shook my head. “I… well….”

“I’ve never known you to stutter, Princess.” He looked deep into my eyes and it just broke my heart. “Or to ever back down from a comparable opponent. I mean demons, sure, but never a person. What’s going on?”

“I’m just so glad you’re okay.” I forced my eyes to meet his once more in an attempt to make him believe me. “I just had to see you, and now that I have, I’ll just go back up to my father.”

He grabbed my arm preventing me from, leaving.

“Your father! Are you serious? Have you lost your mind?” He practically shouted. “You’ve decided to help them out, haven’t you? I can’t help you around them.”

I couldn’t find the words to explain myself.

“What part of evil demons did you not understand?”

I remained silent.

“Do you plan on taking over the entire world now? Want to destroy every creature who dares to oppose you? Plan on killing me now?”

“Just stop it, Rick! I don’t know what happened. It just happened. James asked me to join him and the words just flew out of my mouth.”

“That thing isn’t James. You know that.”

“I know.”

“You can’t just do what he wants in the hopes that you two end up happily married with three kids in your future.”

“Dammit, Rick, I know all that! James, I mean Morgan is my half brother.”

He released my arm and just stared at me.

“That’s the reason he took my book. He didn’t want my magic. I mean… well, he did want my magic… his magic… his demonic powers… whatever, but he also wanted me. He wanted me on his side.”

“Did you just say Morgan is your brother? Are you kidding me right now?”

I just looked at him unsure of what to say.

“Seriously, are you freaking kidding me! Well, that Azazel has his family all together now, like an evil royal dynasty. I bet he just had all sorts of people spreading lies with some sort of plan to get his claws into you.”

“We’re not all of his family,” I mumbled afraid to even speak the words. “He has more kids.”

He gave me an open mouth stare. “Really? Are they pure demon or more half breeds like you?”

The way he said ‘half breed’ sounded hateful, like some sort of derogatory word.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He tried to wave it off as if he didn’t say anything.

I could feel the power in me begin to swell.

“Half breed? Sounds weak.” The ground started to shake. “Do I seem weak?”

“Kari?” Rick lost his balance and fell.

He sounded terrified. I could hear the quiver in his voice. Another part of me fed off his fear. It filled me a joy I had never felt before, an almost mouth-watering pleasure that tingled throughout my body and I wanted more.

“This isn’t you, Princess.”

“How would you know?” I scoffed stopping the mini earthquake. “You know nothing about me.”

“Not this version of you, but I know you’re a kind person, even if you don’t believe it right now.”

“She’s better than before.” Azazel walked gracefully down the steps looking as god-like as ever. Rick’s jaw practically dropped at the sight of him. “She’s born anew. She will never be the person she was before. My daughter, the goddess of evil.”

“There’s nothing evil about her!” Rick protested. “She is good and kind and….”

Before he could finish the fight for my soul, Azazel swung out his arm and landed a solid blow on Rick’s face knocking him unconscious. I barely saw the movement, and yet… it was like having two sets of eyes. One set only saw a twitch and Rick hit the ground, but the other saw all of Azazel’s elegant movement. He lifted his arm like a dancer and then swiftly moved it across his body connecting the tips of his fingers with Rick’s face. There was hardly any effort.

“Come, my daughter. Let’s go show the world the new you.”