Sharla - Family Secrets

Fate

Bishop Demetri's Headquarters  Father White, stood waiting to see what his fate would be.  "Ehem. So what is to become of me?" Father White asked as he walked towards the trio. He glanced from Zamilia to Sharla then to Atéri the demon that kidnapped him. He watched it reunite with his wife and daughter. The image of the beast was still fresh in his mind, he noted how different he was when he had his family around him.  Sharla then opened her eyes and stood before Father White. He stopped in his tracks. "Why did you keep this from me?" "It wasn't my story to tell Sharla, I left it up for your mother whenever she returned." Sharla stared at the priest that raised her. She knew he was ancient as well as he knew her from infant and she was over 100 years old. Maybe he has some immortal blood in him or something she wondered.  "How old are you Father White?" She asked quizzically looking him up and down.  His face still looked like a 30-year-old man, the only giveaway was the long grey hairs he had. on his head and beard. There must be some fountain of youth they use or something.  "I am four hundred and forty-five years old today actually," Father White smiled.  "I see. I guess I should wish you a Happy Birthday. Wish it was under better circumstances. Is that how you were able to keep tabs on me all these years and only moved me when it seemed apparent that I wasn't ageing," Sharla asked. "Yes," he replied.  "What about Liah, you moved both of us from Sancia to Braanzalia to Citale then back to here, why?" she asked.  "As you may know, Liah is special too. She is of a rare family that is immortal. She too will one day learn her origin. But for now, she remains with us, to learn and to grow. I knew you two would balance each other in the end and ensured you grew together. You needed to have that one friend you could confide in. I know you may feel that I betrayed your trust, but I hope in time you will forgive me and move forward. There are many battles coming our way. Soon you will need to choose which side you are on. I am sure you may want to know your father, but I must implore you to not follow his pathway, as it will lead to your destruction. Remember your training, putting Christ before all else." Father White explained.  "How dare you try to manipulate my daughter. I will kill you where you stand right now!" Atéri shouted as he started to walk towards the priest. Within a blink of an eye, he stood between Sharla and the priest. Atéri lifted his clawed hands to swipe the priest head off his body. Sharla quickly seeing the hate in her father's eyes, quickly manoeuvred the priest from her father's claws and placed the priest behind her back. "Father no... please no..." Sharla shouted.  His hand froze mid-air before put them at his side. He stared at her, "Why are you taking his side?" Atéri asked perplexed.  "You... were not in my life... he was..." she stated.  "That is not my doing," he countered as he glared at Zamilia who was just standing there shaking.  The very thing she feared, was happening right in front of her. The beast now has them. All these years of running from him, only to end up back in his grasp. She swallowed and placed her hands at her side, she held up her chin defiantly and walked towards Atéri. She knew it was her fault all this happened. Maybe if she gave him the chance to explain or change, their family would not have split up.  Maybe she would have seen more than just three years of her child's life. She may have even had more children with Atéri. He was ... no, he is still the love of her life. She never stopped loving him. She only feared for her child and her soul. If she hadn't seen his demonic side, would they still be happily married?  She remembered his sweet happy smile and the laughter he had when they were together, his smile always melted her heart. He was always so caring and so kind towards her... and how did she repay him, stealing the best part of his heart. His only child. Perhaps he never stopped loving her, perhaps there was still a chance to get back the man she fell in love with...was it too late?"  Her mind is so messed up now. Seeing him right before her after all these years, the longing and love feelings flowed right into her. She wasn't sure if he still felt the same or even if he wanted to put the family back together. But she had to do something. She had to try and work things out with him. With the priest now out of harm's way, for now, she should do something now. Sharla slowly stretched her hands towards her father, he stood silently watching her. When she felt he would not move or box her hand away, she stepped closer to him. She placed her hand gently on his cheek. He leaned into her touch.  His mind then went back to when she was a baby and she touched his cheeks laughing and playing with his horns. She was a brave child and seem to still be a brave woman.  Sharla closed her eyes as the same memory played in her mind.  "Father.... show me your horns... the ones I saw as a child," Sharla said.  He tilted his head to look at her questioningly. "Are you sure?" he asks.  "Yes father, show me the real you," she replied.  He stood taller and gradually his horns grew from the front of his head. They had gotten taller and looked more deadly than she remembered. She slowly touched them as she closed her eyes. She saw the child she once was happy, playing with the deadly horns. No fear in her eyes just love and adoration for the man she knew as her father. She felt love, trust and safe in his arms. She then remembered her mothers face when she saw them playing. Her mother's face was mortified. She wondered why her mother was afraid when she was not. A thought then came to her... "Father, will I transform into a demon too?" she asked Atéri.   "I'm afraid I don't have the answers for that. But I do know that with your Nephilim blood and witch blood you are more powerful than any being here." He replied.  "Are you saying I am more powerful than you?" Sharla asked still touching her father's horns.  Zamilia stopped advancing as the same scene played out before her that scared her into running away from everything she loved.  "I don't know... nor do I wish to find out. I just know that you are mine and you belong with me now..." he replied. He turned to look at Zamilia and stretched his regular hand towards her.  "We should be a family again. I never stopped loving you Zamilia... I never gave up hope that you would one day regain your senses."  She looked down at his hand, then looked to Sharla who nodded her head, then back to Atéri, looking him into his deep fathomless eyes. She could get lost in them for days. She felt warmth coming from him.  Maybe the fear she had was just fear of the unknown. Maybe... just maybe it was okay to be with him. He hadn't hurt her, he loved his daughter and would never do her any harm. She was a grown woman and could make up her own mind about her soul and who is her saviour. Maybe Atéri could be saved... Maybe she could work on finding a way to save his soul. Maybe she could save her family and they would become one again.