The Dark Society

76

Karen felt liberated, though achieving a balance between attachment and control had proved challenging. Nevertheless, rules of conduct existed for witches, yet she had ignored them in favor of mastery. With this in mind, she entered the temple, but upon meeting the bishop, neither seemed taken aback.

"Karen..." he whispered.

"Surprised?"

"Should I be?" Leon answered. "You're not the first to seek guidance today."

Karen's nature had never changed since learning of her mother's deception. But like Leon, she had forged a different agenda, so this unexpected encounter held significance.

"I noticed," she confirmed while caressing a candle. "Since you and my mother have been collaborating, I felt a visit was warranted."

Leon grew alarmed, seeing that Karen's disorder and strength had manifested. Thus, he avoided making any provocative gestures or remarks.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She grew angry.

"You may dispense with the pleasantries since you know what I'm looking for."

He stepped forward.

"I do."

Karen watched as Leon grasped a volume of text. She had once relied on faith, but recently her bonds to humanity felt weakened. With this in mind, Leon hoped to delay Karen's departure long enough to discover what she knew. But with her newfound insight, it wouldn't be easy.

"Your hunger for power is strong," he added.

She drew near.

"Did you think it would fade?" Karen replied. "Besides, once I have the gemstone, my ascent will be complete. Remember?"

Leon sneered because though powerful, Karen was inexperienced. Even still, she had endured many heartaches and wanted to right the wrongs. More importantly, Karen's knowledge of the stone was shocking, so he again suggested the unthinkable.

"The fusion would solve everything," he declared while examining the text.

Karen remained poised.

"Or kill me in the process."

Turning pages, the bishop scowled.

"You know the risks," he said. "Yet it's what you want--everyone knows it, even Luis. Besides, he's still the object of your affection, isn't he?"

Karen ascended the stairs.

"I hoped you wouldn't mention him, but I'm not surprised, knowing you as I do."

Leon grinned.

"Even if it's successful, you can't control such power, and he'll still be under Sabrina's spell."

Karen smirked.

"He has nothing to do with this," she declared. "Secondly, I wouldn't overestimate Sabrina's strength--every witch has weaknesses."

She had disclosed her ambitions at last, and based on her words, Sabrina was the focal point of her rage.

"True," he conceded. "But Sabrina is unique and possesses exceptional power."

After he said it, she swaggered and smiled.

"Because she's a Morgan elder?"

The bishop appeared shocked.

"How did you know that?"

Karen stepped back.

"I didn't--until now."

Karen's resentment for Sabrina far exceeded any loyalties to the church. However, even though she had become a vengeful spirit, the adolescent girl he had once mentored was still there.

Even so, she was intent on obtaining the emerald--an ambition he and her parents feared. In the end, Karen's passions were conflicted, and if she pursued Sabrina without the gemstone, she would fail.