Chapter 22 - Awake

Daniel laid still on the sofa with no intentions of letting the others know he was awake now. He was making serious plans in his head, cooking up schemes to bring down his father. Nobody knew his intentions for wanting the book but it was already a common knowledge that it was not for good.

The entire sorcery world was in danger as long as that book remained in Jeffrey's possession, and he hadn't met or even heard of anyone that could be said to be stronger than his father was. Sure, he had heard of Elders of the Infernal Judgement, and he could tell by their ranks that they were power houses. He had seen one of them in action and so far that was the most powerful and yet disturbing fight he had witnessed since his life.

Daniel was sure of their victory against Jeffery when he wasn't with the Maledictio Caelum et Infernium in his possession, but now that he did, there was no telling what kind of powerful transformation he might be going through right this instant.

The thought of his father getting more powerful scared him but something else scared him more. This dark power in him. He could feel it growing more and more and if he wasn't mentally strong, there was no telling when he would loose control and the darkness might consume him. He might end up hurting people close to him, and this was why he had concluded he was going to get stronger.

A lowly sorcerer like him who had rejected the idea of magic and everything that concerned sorcery was now aiming for the highest point. He was a weakling compared to the other sorcerers that sorrounded him, but that was going to change sooner or later.

This will be his story, the boy who didn't have any idea about magic growing to surpass his elders. It was his grass to grace story and he planned on making it reality no matter the cost. It was the only way to make sure the sorcery world and even the human faction were safe from whatever evil Jeffery had cooking up in his chambers.

Alexander was the first to notice he was awake and had immediately rushed to his side. He smiled at his elder brother who returned the smile. Daniel could tell Alexander was doing his best to conceal his emotions, but Daniel could see through his brother's lying face.

Alexander didn't want Daniel to worry, the boy had just woken up and the last thing he needed now was sadness or bad news. He needed rest and food before he could possibly be ready for anything he had to say.

Daniel hugged his brother who returned the embrace, while he watched the little boy who he now faced. For the brief moment that he was himself before the curse had taken control of him, he was sure he had seen this kid going toe to toe with his father and he hadn't believed it. He had thought it was all a dream but now he was sure that the little boy existed. He kept his eyes glued on the boy until Alexander got tired of the hug and tore apart once again obstructing his view.

Richard and Angus soon came rushing down. They had sensed their friends aura from wherever they were and soon they were competing for who would reach Daniel first. The two fell over each other as they struggled for who would climb down the stairs first. Angus had relieved himself of the stress and instantly teleported to Daniel's side, while Richard had to run the remaining distance.

Daniel smiled at their childishness, he was happy that their friendship was still intact. He had missed his friends a lot and seeing them like this warmed his heart.

Once again Richard felt the chills only to turn and meet the little boy's eyes on him. He couldn't understand why they weren't compatible with the other. Something was definitely odd about this kid and he was sure of it, but he didn't know what. He didn't like the vibe he got from staying beside him. It was as if his conscience was constantly judging him even when he hadn't committed an offence, and this only happened when this kid was around him.

Alexander walked off, hoping to clean himself up. He knew that Daniel would certainly ask why he was looking the way he did, and he knew he couldn't hide anything from him whenever he asked that question. He had left him with his friends hoping they would heal him a lot better than he did whenever he got injured.

He wasn't talking about his physical injuries, he meant emotionally. Their father's action had scarred Daniel to the point that he had lost control of his own mind, and had been overtaken by something else. Alexander also had his own questions to ask, but for now he would enjoy a bath better than anything else.

***

Anna Jones lay on her bed, her mind filled with nothing but thoughts of Daniel both as a lover and as a prey. She knew he had the book that could heal his mother but was killing him to get back at Jeffery necessary?

She was messed up, indecisiveness was her middle name and it tormented her. She wanted him but the nature sorcerers wanted his head. She rolled over on her bed, her eyes finally falling on the blood vial that the Baxist had left her earlier. Having an ally by her side was definitely a good thing, she could now free herself of the guilt of being the one that ended Daniel but she knew she was only lying to herself.

She didn't want to go on with this plan but anytime she remembered what Jeffery had done to her mother, her blood only boiled. She definitely wanted an eye for an eye, and that was when a wicked satisfying idea struck her.

They had learnt of Jeffery's second son, his death must certainly be more appreciated compared to a second son. Even though they didn't really know powerful or weak this first son was, she was sure that with allies she would definitely be able to get back at Jeffery. It was the perfect plan and she could almost hail herself. It was killing two birds with a stone. She gets to keep Daniel to herself, why at the same time taking from Jeffery something he valued.