Convergence

Convergence Chapter 25

I felt so weak I could hardly stand. I stood on wobbly legs and made my way to him using trees to steady me.

"There you are." His large head dipped down to meet me. "Your attempt was admirable, but it's time for you to go."

"Go where? I thought you wanted to kill me."

"Ideally I wanted you beside me for all eternity. I get lonely sometimes."

I scoffed. "Don't give me that. You're just trying to trick me again."

"Am I?" I could hear a rumble from deep in his stomach. "Well, I guess you'll never know." He stretched out his neck.

"I loved you, Daddy." I closed my eyes and waited for the fire.

Moments passed and nothing happened. I opened my eyes. He had taken back his human form and stood in front of me.

"Now who's tricking who?" His eyes looked somber and lined in red as if he had been crying recently. "You speak of my tricks, but you are just as devious."

"Just kill me and get it over with. I know that's all you want."

"It's not what I want!" He seemed genuinely upset. "I mean it is." He grabbed his head and growled. "That baby! I understand the dilemma of my accursed son. Even now I find myself saddened that he had to die in order to make me stronger, but it would seem he has made me weaker."

"Love doesn't make you weak, Dad. I can see the pain of your soul. Aren't you tired of this? Wouldn't you rather go back to the way things were before I knew I had powers? Wouldn't you rather go back to taking care of me?"

He smiled. "Sweet girl."

"You were there when I needed someone to cry on when I needed advice. I still need you, Dad."

He lowered his head. "It would seem that you are much better at this manipulation than I am. You know all the buttons to push to get that damn baby to react."

The ground started to tremble and I could feel Azazel starting to turn. I felt my magic twisting inside of him and knew I only had one chance before he was lost to the demon. I mustered up all the strength I had left and darted out after my magic. I grabbed his hand and pulled at my powers with everything I had until he pushed me away.

"You learn far too quickly, Kari," Azazel said. "But you just weren't fast enough." He shot off like a bullet into the sky and disappeared into the distance. His voice echoed over the area. "Follow me if you dare."

The winged horses landed behind me. Tyler and Rick caught up to me with Ashe. Rick immediately embraced me when he came into range.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked Rick, my eyes never leaving the sky where Azazel vanished.

"Good enough, Princess. You have your magic back."

"How do you figure?"

"Well... because you're glowing for one."

I looked at my arms. There was a golden glow surrounding them. A quick once-over revealed that I was indeed glowing and the loose pieces of clothing were floating. I closed my eyes and calmed my powers knowing the deed was done when I felt my clothes fall into place.

"This isn't all of my power."

"What are you talking about?" asked Rick. "It's all the power that matters."

"You're completely Howe now," Tyler interjected. "I can feel it."

"No. I'm not complete as just Howe. I am also a child of The Dark King. I won't be complete until all is as it was."

"Wait a minute," said Rick. "You mean to tell me you're going after your demon powers now? That's just insane!"

"He's still too powerful. If I take back what he gave me, then he'll no longer be a threat to anyone or anything."

"Are you nuts?" Rick grabbed my shoulders. "You don't know what he'll do to you. Hell, you don't know what all that power will do to you."

"I understand his struggle, Rick. I felt it when I first became a demon."

He released me and rolled his eyes.

"If I can catch him at a moment of clarity, I can take it all back."

"Those moments of clarity won't come easily without the witch bouncing around inside of him. You do know that, right?"

"He does have a witch inside of him. My baby brother has been giving Morgan a heart and a conscience for around twelve years or so. Michael's only existence has been a demon heart."

"Michael?"

I smiled at him. "I remember. Mom was going to name him Michael. She said it was up to me as his big sister to look out for him. I remember talking to him inside of her."

Rick grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "Don't be. They wanted me to forget. My guardian and my therapist brainwashed me to forget him. Maybe they thought losing my mother was bad enough. But since Azazel absorbed Morgan, Michael has become his conscience. I can defeat Azazel with Michael's help."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I have to be. Otherwise, I have no right to rule." Squeak appeared in her white dragon form and took me into the sky. "Watch over them for me."

"No!" Rick grabbed onto Squeak's tail and climbed up her scales. He was out of breath once he reached me but incredibly determined. "I watch over you. I'm your guardian."

In all honesty, I did want him by my side and was happy that he insisted on tagging along, but I was afraid that "tagging along" was all he could do. His power was greatly depleted in such a short amount of time and I still had that sinking feeling that Azazel could find a way to take him from me again. But if Michael had taught me anything it was that love and hope could change the outcome of many situations.