The Pentagram Child(9)

“You spoke about this to Sophia?”

“I did.”

“So you think me a coward?” I asked bitterly.

“No. Trust me, I know of the strength it took for you to walk away from her but understand my son, that it took that very same strength in her coming here looking for you.”

“You think I don’t know this!?” I ran a frustrated hand through my hair and then let the anger boil once more, only to slice my arm down and shout,

“I know this! I am reminded of the fact every damn day I breathe on Earth’s plane but I am also reminded of what it feels like to have nearly lost her. You have seen her scars and you know the truth…where was my protection then?”

“Where was the protection of the Gods? Where were the self-righteous Fates guiding her then… guiding her to you? You put too much on yourself when only the ones above us are to blame.” He argued and I knew this conversation was getting me nowhere for I would never feel differently on the matter. It was a simple fact that where Keira was concerned, I could never seem to do right by her.

“It no longer matters. I am removed from her life and therefore have removed the threat of taking her life.”

“You’re making a mistake.” Why wouldn’t he just give it up!?

“You mean to torture me, is that it?!” He simply shook his head at my questioning.

“Then you say these things only because you don’t understand.” At this statement something deeper passed through my father’s eyes and if I had to choose the emotion I would say it was nothing less than understanding.

“Come, I wish to show you something.” My father stood and walked up to the arched balcony that was joined from two small staircases either side of his altar. The walls on these sides were covered in books crammed so full they looked close to bursting from the shelves. I followed him up the steep staircase and saw that what originally looked like only enough space for one person to stand there was actually another room beyond its darkness.

“Immaru!” My father spoke the word for ‘light’ in Sumerian and I sucked in a quick breath at what he had hidden there.

“You see son, we are not without our similarities.”

“Does she know of this place?” I asked in astonishment as I took in the cavernous space where every inch was filled with my mother’s image. It was a space so big that it looked like a hollowed out mountain and was impossible to see an end, even given my enhanced abilities. Her beauty shone from every surface in the room like a silent prisoner of Heaven lived down here.

“No one but I knows of this place…and now so do you.” I shook my head as I was assaulted with an image of my father that I had proceeded to get wrong on so many levels. Yes I knew of his obsession with the only woman he really truly loved but for a being of his stature, then this news was a revelation. Understanding quickly dawned on me.

“You keep this place hidden to keep her safe” I said trying to take in the hundreds or maybe even thousands of statues, sculptures, paintings and real life drawings of the woman that gave birth to me. It was a hauntingly beautiful sight to behold flickering in the firelight.

“I have many enemies.” Well I knew of that fact as it mimicked my own in the central realm.

“So you do understand?”

“What I understand is that if the other half of your soul chooses not to be with you and therefore shuns your protection, then to protect her you must let her go.” I frowned and turned from the treasures my father held dear to look him in the face.

“But you have been trying to…”

“You misunderstand my meaning. Keira did not shun your protection Dominic. She did not shun your heart. She fought for it… now don’t you think it is time to do the same?” He added this last part as he paused at the door before turning from the room to walk back the way we came. I lowered my head to scowl at the floor, taking in everything he had told me. Was it possible that I could better protect Keira with her by my side, than from a distance? But that wasn’t the question that needed answering the most. It was could I really protect her from me?

“Wait, how did you know?” I asked storming back into room and feeling the surge of power as he locked the invisible vault door behind me.

“Know?”

“About my own obsession, about my own room dedicated to Keira’s image?” I said pointing back at my father’s hidden room. I watched a genuine smile curve his lips before he answered with a simple…



“I have met her son, trust me…”



“…I know.”





Chapter 3