“Hey, Kiddo, can I talk to you for a second?” my dad calls out as I pass his office, rushing to my room to get ready. I reluctantly turn on my heel and walk into the study to face him.
“Everything ok? You’ve been kind of down and out lately and I just want to make sure nothing else happened.” I can tell Chris has wanted to broach the subject all week but let me have time to work it out myself. That’s what he’d want for himself- space and time to deal.
“I’m ok, Dad. Just been a rough week. But I’ve got a fun-filled weekend with Morgan planned that’ll pull me outta my funk,” I smile.
“Speaking of Morgan… I think it’s important that you know who she is.” Chris takes off his reading glasses and motions for me to sit down. I do as he wishes and wait for him to continue. What could he possibly tell me about my best friend? “I know you two are very close and Morgan is a wonderful young woman. But Morgan is a little something extra, if you know what I mean.”
“What are you talking about? What do you mean, ‘extra’?” I’m on the edge of my seat.
Chris sighs and rubs his tired eyes like he usually does when he has to talk about something uncomfortable. “Morgan’s grandmother was a very powerful Haitian Vodou priestess. That same black magic runs through her veins, though it’s quite possible that Morgan has no idea. But because of it, she is naturally drawn to you. She can’t help it. You are a source of power. Being in your proximity is like sustenance for her.”
The news is beyond anything I could ever comprehend. I seriously thought Chris was going to inform me that she was involved in some type of scandal with a powerful government official. Okay, that I could believe. But Morgan has black magic in her lineage? How does that fit into the fiasco that is my life? Is she really even my friend or is she drawn to me by some inner influence?
“You have to understand just what you are, Gabriella. You will soon be the single most powerful magical force. Ever. There will be others that will draw from your power. Be wary of people around you, especially those who want to constantly be in your presence. They are trying to harness your energy, and it will only get worse once you ascend.”
The first person that pops into my mind is Dorian. He came into my life so unexpectedly, and has been persistent in staying there. But I feel like I need to be around him. He has been a source of energy for me. Every time we are together I feel so anxious yet good. He makes me forget about the burden of my birthright. With him, I am free of those worries. All I feel is pleasure.
“Can I draw energy from others?” I don’t know how Chris knows all this but he seems to have all the answers.
“I suppose so but I’m not entirely sure. Did Natalia say anything about it in the book?” Of course. The book.
“I haven’t finished it yet. Just haven’t been able to bring myself to read any more bad news.” After learning that I will never have children of my own, I couldn’t put myself through anymore disappointment. Not until I was strong enough to deal with it.
“Well, it’s certainly possible. Although I’m not sure how Morgan’s bit of power would be enough to sustain you. I’m assuming it’d have to be a very powerful force of Light.” Chris sighs and rubs his eyes again. “Or Dark,” he mutters.
“Good thing we don’t have to worry about that right now,” I say, standing. I give my dad a smile and kiss him on the cheek. “I gotta go, Dad. I’ll check in later.”
Chris’s words haunt me as I mindlessly shower. I’ve been feeling crappy for days, ever since the strange encounter with Dorian in the coffee shop. And I know I need him to feel better. My body literally craves him. And not just in the sexual sense either. I just need to feel his presence. Even the thought of him momentarily clears my troubled mind. Could he be…?
No. That’s impossible. I’ve entertained that possibility before and concluded that I’d be dead by now if that were true. Maybe all that Dorian is to me is a mystery that I can’t solve, a challenge I can’t conquer. Maybe what draws me to him is his unattainability.
After I am sparkling clean and meticulously groomed, I look down on the skimpy lingerie I purchased from Frederick’s of Hollywood, or as Morgan calls it, Victoria’s slutty younger sister. The piece is completely see-through, black, and has light blue detailing on the bodice. It comes with a matching thong that looks more like a piece of black dental floss than underwear. Morgan insisted that Dorian would love it and chose it for me after we had looked at several risqué pieces on Tuesday night. I moisturize with the shimmery scented body butter we also purchased before slipping on the short chemise. It hugs every curve in the right place and the stitching at the bust is the only thing obscuring my nipples. Satisfied and praising Morgan for her impeccable taste in lingerie, no matter what may run in her bloodline, I finish dressing and grab my small overnight bag.