The Dark Society

79

Karen returned home and found her father waiting, but surprisingly he didn't appear distressed or angered. If nothing else, Jordan's posture appeared stern while he occupied the doorway.

He studied his daughter's body language upon entering because no matter what she said the sincerity would be doubted. For this reason, even the most subtle of gestures became more austere and emotionless.

Jordan felt besieged by Karen's witty sneers from the outset, though she often unveiled her emotions with expression. On the other hand, she was irritable, so a degree of empathy felt warranted. Nevertheless, Jordan felt relieved by Jessica's sudden but inevitable return.

"Where've you been...?" Karen petitioned while she was eyeing her mother. "As if I didn't know."

Jessica soon joined her husband in the kitchen.

"Then why ask?"

Karen closed.

"You seem upset."

"Wouldn't you be?" she questioned.

Karen parted the draperies while she pondered her mother's actions. She'd expectedly undermined her daughter's intentions by consulting the bishop, but without Luen's help she was powerless to intercede. Given that, Karen smirked while relishing the new probabilities of success.

"The shadow over me is gone and I've embraced my gifts."

Jessica scowled.

"So be it..." she responded. "Yet, it's not your rite of passage that concerns me, but your intent."

Karen paced.

"It's no secret." she declared.

Her mother pondered.

"You're not well and that's no secret..." she explained. "In which case, invoking the spirit isn't advisable because you're inexperienced and such a ritual is risky."

Karen gawked.

"I don't fully understand why you impeded my progress, but I wasn't surprised knowing your need for control."

Jordan approached.

"Luis has moved on, let it go."

Karen instantly became angry.

"You bastard, how dare you!"

"Karen!" Jessica scoffed.

"As for you..." she added while facing her mother. "Standing there not knowing what losing the love of your life feels like, but wasn't it you who separated Luis and me?"

Jessica's stare fell.

"It was for the best..." she admitted. "You were children who couldn't differentiate between love and lust."

Karen smirked.

"That's why you stifled my abilities..." she continued. "You knew they'd one day surpass your own."

"Regardless, I was protecting you and the coven."

"Ah yes, my devoted sisterhood..." she retorted. "Seems that amid global ascents they don't desire my direction. Another minor calamity I'll deal with in due time."

"Thinking like that is why you'll fail."

She sneered.

"Then you intend to stand against me?"

Jessica squinted.

"When people get hurt or killed by your rage, yes I would."

Her daughter glared.

"I question if Katherine Morgan thought the same when she murdered her husband..." she retorted. "I guess I'll have to ask her myself, won't I?"

Her mother again scowled.

"I never knew how your obsessions controlled you until now..." she admitted. "But, are you willing to sacrifice everything to gain revenge against Sabrina?"

"Yes...!" she exclaimed. "Because Luis and I love each other and she stands in the way."

"If you want to blame Sabrina, do so..." she acknowledged. "However, Alex and Luis are innocent and incapable of resisting manipulation."

Karen giggled.

"How'd you become so weak and sympathetic...?" she asked. "If memory serves you're not exactly innocent are you?"

"That's enough...!" Jordan interjected. "She's your mother!"

"Yes, she is..." Karen whispered while gazing into her eyes. "And due to that she'll stand with me, won't you?"

Her parents angrily marched upstairs, leaving Karen surrounded by a profound silence. In light of this, she departed as her mother watched from atop the balcony.

"Karen, don't do this...!" she pleaded. "I don't want to lose you!"

She turned.

"You already have."

Karen's intentions were clear and she was willing to follow through. This is why she wouldn't hesitate to exploit her advantages.

"That didn't take long." A voice greeted.

"They'll be watching the villa; suggestions?"

"Camden Manor?"

"Perfect."

"Stay there as long as you want, but be discreet and don't attract attention."

Karen twinkled knowing he'd come through again, but this time she knew how to thank him. Although, as her daughter enjoyed her newfound freedom Jessica was angered.

"She'll go into hiding."

"I imagine so..." Jordan whispered. "What should we do?"

"Let Karen believe she holds an advantage..." Jessica pledged. "Then at her most vulnerable she'll learn otherwise. Meanwhile, it's time we paid Stephen and Diana a visit."