CHAPTER 20

I awoke the next morning, and almost panicked, not seeing Sonia next to me. I looked across the room, seeing her wobbling across the room on her legs, using the wall for support. I yelped and got out of bed, running to her and caught her before she fell.

"Should have woken me up before you tried walking," I said, helping her stand. She leaned against me.

"I'm not a baby, I can walk... I'm just a little weak still, that's all..." she protested, looking up at me.

I stared down blankly at her before picking her up and putting her back in bed, "Sonia, you need to rest, and I MEAN it. I don't want you hurt... I'm going somewhere... going to get some spell books for you for the crucifix. Stay here. If I come back and you're out of bed... you can guess what you're not getting for a week."

Sonia's eyes widened, "Okay! Okay! I'll stay in bed!!!"

I laughed and walked outside. I had to go to the library in Castlevania. Yes, I have a deathwish, just so you know.

I closed my eyes and disappeared. I reappeared in the library next to the shelf of spell books. I had to find Soul Weapons...

Running my forefinger along the book titles, I spotted the book and pulled it off of the shelf. I heard demons roaring in the distance; I had to get out of here fast. Damn, were all of the books this heavy?!

I was about to disappear when Succubus's voice entered my ears, "Oh, coming home so soon? I'm surprised."

I snarled, "I just came here to get a book."

"I thought you weren't going to come here ever again... out of grief for your Mother, you left. How thoughtful..."

"Father never showed any sorrow for her, that's why I left. I'd never be around someone who didn't express their emotions--"

"Of course I didn't show any sorrow!!!"

My eyes widened and I spun around, looking up. Father was floating in the air and slowly lowered to the ground and approached me, "Why, Adrian, my boy! So good to see you again..."

I narrowed my eyes, "I'm not joining you, Father..."

"Just so you know, sorrow is for the weak. Emotion as well. I gave up both after Lisa died," Father hissed, glaring down at me.

"You've just become more weak than you already are, then," I barked back.

Father turned to Succubus briefly, "Thank you for telling me of Adrian's visit. You are dismissed."

Succubus bowed respectfully and disappeared.

I scoffed, "She's still working for you? Even after she helped me?"

"She always kept me company... and she wanted to come back, anyway... I could use the power."

"Oh, so you don't grieve for Mother, do you? How thoughtful..."

"Silence!" he shouted, "Your human side has made you weak, Adrian... I already know your greatest weakness as well as your lover's... your weaknesses are each other... you are a fool to fall in love. You shall lose her at my hand. I could use her power as well. I'll be sure to let you visit her whenever you like," he crooned, a sly smirk appearing on his face.

A growl escaped my throat, "If you harm one hair on Sonia..."

"Then what? What will you do? Kill me? Face it, son, you could never harm me either. I know you."

"I have no time for this, Father!" I shouted. I took the book and disappeared, hearing Father's menacing laughter as I left.

Reappearing in front of the cottage, I walked inside, seeing Sonia in bed. I put the book on the table and walked over to her, "Good girl..."

Sonia sat up and embraced me, "What took you so long?"

"Eh, had a run-in with Father..." I said with a shrug.

Sonia gasped and looked up at me, "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"Oh, we fought... verbally... we probably just bruised each other's pride... he knows about you..." I murmured.

She grimaced, "He does?"

"I'm not going to let him hurt you; I've already told you that."

Sonia nodded, "Yeah, I know..."

"How are you feeling?" I asked, kissing her forehead.

"A lot better... I used the rest of that herb stuff on myself while you were gone... sorry, but I had to. That's the only time I got out of bed. It wasn't a far walk, either..."

I smiled, "It's okay if you did that..."

She smiled back, "Okay..."

I kissed her lips, "Maybe tonight... depending on how you're feeling..."

She grinned, "I can fake how I feel..."

"And I can see past it," I responded slyly.

She narrowed her eyes at me, "Damn you..."

I kissed her, "I hate to disappoint you, Sonia, but I was damned the moment I was conceived..."