Convergence

I got the feeling that Azazel was only helping us to defeat Morgan just because he wanted him dead. Squeak didn’t trust him either but she obeyed me and took us where we needed to go. Azazel didn’t care that Morgan wanted to be the sole ruler of everything. It seemed to me Azazel was angrier at some sort of betrayal, but I dared not mention any of it out loud. Rick would no doubt make some attempt to kill Azazel and have us take on Morgan by ourselves even though we don’t stand a chance against either of them. I needed Azazel to help take Morgan out. I’d have to deal with Azazel after that was done.

We arrived back at the flea market warehouse right outside the front doors, only this time the parking lot was empty. It was dark outside and had started to get cold. Without all the people or the smell of the food trucks, it started to feel incredibly spooky and I hesitated. Azazel noticed my trepidation.

“What is it? Does this place frighten you?”

“Of course it does,” Rick growled. “The last time we were here, that idiot of yours tried to have her killed.”

Azazel’s lips curved upwards. “Then I will be sure to torture him before I kill him. He should know better than to harm my daughter.”

Rick pushed on the door and was answered back with a loud click of a locked door.

“Great,” he said. “Now what?”

Azazel let out a smug huff and waved his hand over the lock. “How can you pretend to be her protector if you can’t even open a door?” He pushed on the door and it opened wide. “After you, Kari.” He gave me a princely bow.

“Um… thanks, Azazel.”

“Call me daddy, honey?”

“What?”

He pouted. “All this time, I’ve always wanted to hear you call me daddy.”

“Somehow that word just sounds disgustingly wrong the way you say it.”

“But….” He gave me the big puppy dog eyes. “You’re my little girl and I love you.”

Rick grabbed my hand and pushed by him tugging me. “She said no, psycho. Let’s go.”

The warehouse looked empty, but I could feel magic all around me. The place was smoky and dark like one of those haunted houses at Halloween.

“It’s so creepy in here.”

“Don’t worry, dear. Daddy will protect you.”

“You saying that still just sounds wrong. I don’t care if it’s true.”

Rick whispered in my ear. “Listen, Princess. I didn’t tell you this last time we were here, but I need to tell you what I saw when I went to the back that last time.”

“What? You’ve never been afraid to tell me anything.”

“Well… I’m not sure how I should tell you. I mean, you really seem to like this guy, but the thing about it is when I went back there, I saw that James dude you’re crushing on.”

I shook his hand off mine. “What are you talking about?”

He hesitated. “I didn’t want to tell you this, even when we saw him, but I don’t think he’s as innocent of evil as you seem to think he is.”

“What do you know about it? What do you know about anything?” I pushed him out of my space.

Azazel stood between us and spoke to Rick. “You saw this boy with your own eyes?”

“Yeah.”

“How long has he been in your school?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like he’s new or anything. I think he’s older.”

Azazel turned to me. “How long have you known him?”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Stop shouting, my love, and listen to me. My power always has a desire to collect more. Without your mother’s magic, you will always be attracted to that which will make you stronger.”

I was in complete disbelief.

“Think about it logically,” he continued. “Have you ever loved anyone else?”

“I loved you. Even knowing you weren’t my biological mother.”

He smiled. “Besides me. Have you ever had a crush on any of your other little classmates?”

I thought back but couldn’t remember. All I thought about was James.

“You can’t think of anyone else, can you? Out of all the people that have come in and out of your life over the years, the only person you were ever truly attracted to was this one. And as you got back bits of your mother’s magic, have those feelings changed at all? Do you feel you may be falling for someone else?”

I wasn’t sure. I knew what he was implying. He glanced at Rick when he asked the last question but I wasn’t sure how to answer.

He continued. “All I’m saying is that he may be right about this James guy.”

I scoffed making my way to the back. The thought of believing what they were trying to imply was a bit much. I couldn’t just toss it aside either. Lots of guys had little crushes on me all my life but I could never bring myself to feel the same way. I even felt bad that I didn’t and started to wonder what was wrong with me. Why didn’t I ever like anyone? But the moment I saw James my whole world was turned upside down. I could finally just assume I was a late bloomer. He was perfect. Everything I ever could’ve hoped for… and yet. With more of my mother’s magic, I could sense those feelings waning. Now it was more like I was forcing myself to believe I was in love with him.

We made our way toward the back. There was a sense of impending doom with each step we took. Mom’s magic came back so effortlessly, but Dad’s… I didn’t even know what it felt like.

“Azazel,” I said cautiously.

“Call me daddy, snookums.”

I groaned. “I don’t know how to use my magic.”

“You mean my magic?”

“Well yeah.”

He chuckled. “That’s because I don’t think you have a vindictive bone in your skinny little body. You have to feel what’s known as negative emotions to access my magic, though I suspect my magic helped you claim what you could of your mother’s. Like I said before, it takes in only that which will make it stronger. Things like rage, jealousy, and greed will give you access.”

“So like all of the cardinal sins?”

He smiled. “It’s not as simple as that, but if it makes you feel better to think that then go ahead.”

Rick shushed us and we stopped our cautious approach to the back of the store. “We’re getting closer to where I saw Morgan.”

“Caroline, the sales lady, told me that he spends his days in one spot and his nights in another. What makes you so sure that he’s even here?”

Azazel seemed amused. “I’m surprised you didn’t notice, my love.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, for starters, the stink of that retch all over this area. There’s no way that he’s not here. And for another, that young man isn’t your protector.”

I looked at Rick. “But Ashe….”

“No doubt a creature loyal to Morgan and magically disguised as a summon animal.”

Rick growled. “How could you possibly know that?”

“I’m not an idiot,” Azazel scoffed. “You are insanely realistic, though. Congratulations.”

He held out his hand and a swirl of purple smoke emerged from his fingertips surrounding Rick and Ashe. After a few moments, they had changed into several little creatures.

“What?” I was amazed. “How did you…? What’s going on? Where’s Rick?”

Azazel closed his fist and the swirl of smoke surrounded the creatures trapping them inside. They screeched and groaned but couldn’t escape.

“My daughter asked you a question.” His fist tightened and the creatures screamed louder.

One of them spoke followed by another finishing each other’s sentences.

“The one you know as Rick….”

“…is safely kept inside.”

“Our master only wants….”

“…that girl who stands beside you.”

“She has a power….”

“…that our master seeks.”

Azazel grumbled something under his breath—a threat no doubt—that made the little creatures start to tremble.

“When did they even take him? How long have they had him?” I was frantic.

“It has not been very long….”

“….since your friend has been gone.”

“Only since today….”

“…at his great aunt’s house, he went away.”

“I have to find him. I have to!”

“It’ll be okay, my sweet child. I’ll get him for you.” Azazel turned his attention back to the creatures and ordered them to take us to Morgan.