Star Struck: Page 5

The room stood still for a moment. No one moved. I didn't even dare to breathe. Then the hells broke loose.

I have never once seen my father move like he did that night. His movements had a ruthless efficiency from his years in the Guild. In an instant my father pushed me back against a wall.

His fingers wrapped around my throat, lifting me off of the ground with magical strength. I fought to breathe in his iron grip.

"What are you?"

I tugged at his fingers to no avail. I choked out a response.

"I'm me!"

"Don't treat me like a fool. I know my son, and I know what he's capable of."

His eyes bore into me, searching my face for any clues. I focused on mustering enough strength to cast a spell. I forced more words from my throat.

"See for yourself."

I cast Share Mind, showing the night I met Samara. I cut away before the real fun started, showing him flashes of my time as Forester's apprentice.

His eyes widened, struggling to accept the truth. His hand opened, dropping me. I nearly collapsed, but managed to stay on my feet.

"No, that's... that's a lie!"

I rubbed my throat, coughing as air returned to my body. My throat burned as air rushed through it.

"You're a damn fool, Dad."

"My son would never serve a demon!"

"Would I?"

I showed him the birthday party, his speech, seen from my perspective rather than his own. The others recoiled as my anger literally flowed from me. I went further back.

Watching through a window while he and Damian practiced various spells and rituals in the backyard. Jealous, of both power and attention. Then even further.

Aunt Olivia's hateful glare when Victoria mentioned my mother's death, and the guilt that ate at my soul from it.

Damian laughing while a minor ghoul chased me through the woods. They all felt the utter panic I had felt as the monster chased me through the foreboding trees.

The disappointment on Helen's face when she tore the overcharged amulet off my neck. Shame, like a deadly acid, flowing through my veins.

The annoyance in my father's eyes when I failed to do any magic after my 8th birthday.

Everything. Almost 2 decades of being an utter failure in the eyes of everyone I knew.

My knees buckled, and I crashed to the ground. My cheeks were wet with tears and my nose had begun to bleed. I felt dizzy, like the world was contorting around me. Blood dripped down my face onto my shirt.

I felt a presence next to me. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. I let myself be vulnerable, just for a moment, while my father held me. It was a kind of bittersweet melancholy. A peace from sadness.

I felt someone touching my hand, seeing Lexi entwining our fingers. She flashed me a smile but graciously said nothing. Victoria pulled my other arm around her, leaning into me. Even Damian sat down behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder.

We must have looked strange, huddled on the floor, but I couldn't have cared less. I had my family.

The Next Day.

I looked around one last time at my childhood bedroom. I'd spent 18 years there, yet it felt like it belonged to someone else all together.

There was a knock at the door, and Lexi entered, with a bag slung over her shoulder.

"Ready?"

I nodded, picking my bag up off the floor.

"Not so fast, you two."

I turned to see Samara lounging on my bed.

"How in the hells did you get passed the house's wards?'

"I have my ways. But anyway, I'm not here to chat."

She waved her hand, teleporting Lexi into the hallway, and shutting the door.

"Hey, what the heck?"

"It's a somewhat private matter."

"(Sigh) What's up?"

"I have a gift."

I quirked an eyebrow.

She snapped her fingers, conjuring a red and black, double-edged sword in her hand. It had a glowing ruby imbedded in the pommel and hilt, and the silver blade had a channel of red in the middle.

"This is Vedra, a sentient weapon, gifted to me by Queen Lilith. And now, gifted to you. She can take the form of any weapon and will serve you devoutly."

I gingerly gripped the soft leather handle. She was perfectly balanced, and felt impossibly light. There was a faint vibration, like she was eager to strike at something.

"Hello there, Lucas."

Her voice flowed into my mind like a dextrous psychic tendril.

"Woah."

"Quite the eloquent one, isn't he?"

Samara laughed.

"Don't worry, Lucas, only we can hear her. Oh, and fair warning, she's horny."

"Wait, what?"

Samara pecked me in the cheek and disappeared.

I scratched my head with my free hand.

"So, how is a sword horny?"

Vedra hummed in my hand, sending flashes of erotic imagery to my mind.

"Woah ok stop."

"Haha. This will be fun."

There was a flash, and she disappeared from my hand. I could still feel her presence in my mind though.

Newly armed, I joined Lexi in the hallway. Victoria, early as ever, waited for us in the living room.

"You guys ready?"

I looked over at my father, who gave me an approving nod.

"Yeah, we're ready.