POWERS OF NATURE Book 1 - Into the Storm

Chapter 25

Michael grinned, his obvious disregard for her threat plain on his arrogant face.

"Is he alive?" Stephanie spoke to Matt, feeling a calm spread over her as he nodded, then she looked back at Michael. "That is your son!" She hissed, while pointing at Aiden. Her talent danced with glee inside of her. This is what it wanted, a chance to be free and Stephanie mentally shot it down, determined to keep control of herself even as the anger she felt made her shake, her calm slipping at Michael's nonchalant shrug.

Lightning flashed outside, and Michael looked from her to the weather. "Well, Matthew, it seems you did have a valid point and I dare say I threw you from the balcony a bit too soon. She is indeed in control, the others had all lost it by now."

"I told you, Father." Matt spoke for the first time, his calm tone contradicting the fear in his eyes.

"Unfortunately," Michael sighed, as if it did really pain him, "My creator would not want me to deviate from the rules. She must die like the rest." He mused as he stroked the handle of the dagger.

"Tell me something, Michael," Stephanie said, her voice low as she took a step towards him, "how did you end up being immortal? You were a boy in the dreams."

Michael's face turned into a frown. "Dreams?" He cast a look at Matt who shrugged. "What dreams?"

Stephanie shook her head. "I'm not sharing that." She smirked smugly at the anger that flashed on his face as she refused to answer him. "I asked you a question. How is it you are still alive?"

Michael's face twisted. "It is part of me being the Enforcer, you insolent little girl. I cannot die, thanks to my power. After the last one nearly took me with her, it drained my life force so I became older. It worked out for the better. Now I can ensure that the rules are followed, and make sure the rest are dealt with. It is easier for a grown man to travel the country than a child."

Stephanie gave a laugh of her own at the insult and his arrogance, making a mental note of his comment about traveling the country. Why would he need to travel the country if she, the Kairós, was in one place? "No, Michael, I won't allow that." She said instead, shaking her head.

Michael narrowed his eyes at her, his face contorted into rage. "Don't you threaten me, girl. You will not disobey me! All of this is your fault." He sputtered, his anger no longer contained, "I know that that is my own flesh and blood but, because you couldn't just love my creator, he is destined to die!"

Stephanie stared at him incredulously. "How is that my fault, Michael? Just because I look like her and am one of her chosen ones? I refuse to allow that to rule my destiny. And I will not let you harm Aiden either. Over my dead body will he die tonight."

Matt let out a strangled cry at her words, his body jerking forward, and Stephanie clenched her fists in an effort to stop herself from snapping at him as Michael spun to look at him.

"What was that? Do you care for this girl?!" Michael shouted, hauling Matt up by the shirt. Stephanie forced herself not to move, not to react as Michael brought Matt closer till they were nose to nose. "Answer me!" He said menacingly and Matt shook his head, holding his father's arm.

"No, Father, I don't." Matt said, and he was dropped to the floor.

"Liar." He spat, before turning to look at Stephanie. "Tell me, do you care for Matthew as he so obviously cares for you that the mere mention of your dead body causes him to whimper?" Michael sneered at her.

"I do not care for him. He was nothing but Aiden's brother to me. Leave him be, he has not broken any of your precious rules." The lie pained her but she knew it was necessary. Stephanie forced herself to follow through on the lie by being as cold and detached as possible, even passing an uninterested gaze over Matt. If Michael suspected for one second that she did in fact care for Matt, that she loved him, he would use it and make her choose between them. She couldn't let that happen, no matter how much it would hurt Matt, because she knew she wouldn't be able to choose.