Karyn exited her room, softly closing the door behind her. Poor Jennifer cried herself to sleep just minutes ago and Karyn decided to let her have her rest. She went downstairs, seeing her mother sitting on couch and watching some kind of TV series. Rachel looked away from TV and looked at her daughter's face "You look sad, dear. How is Jennifer?"
Karyn sighed heavily and sat on couch "Worse, actually. She cried herself to sleep after telling me full story of just how bad things are between her and her father. Remember about a year ago Jen and Mrs. Madison came here, asking if Jennifer could stay for couple days?" Rachel nodded "Yeah, I remember that well. Haven't seen Linda that furious... well, ever. And we are pretty good friends. Though neither she nor Jennifer ever told us what happened that day." Karyn nodded "Yeah, well Jennifer told me today what happened... Her father demanded that she would break up with me and when Jennifer refused, he hit her..." she then told her mother full story. Rachel didn't really know what to say "That is horrible. To go so far as to saying that she isn't his daughter anymore... poor girl. I guess today was last drip that broke the dam..."
Karyn nodded "Yeah. I don't know what to do, mom. I want to help her, but I don't know how..." Rachel nodded "I want to help her too. I will try to talk with Linda, maybe we will manage to figure something out. This cannot continue." Karyn nodded "Agreed. Think I and Jen could skip school for couple days? I think she really could use a break from everything and I don't want to leave her alone." Rachel nodded "Sure, dear. I'm sure your father will agree after hearing the story. Don't worry about school, just take care of your girlfriend." Karyn smiled warmly and gave her mother a hug "Thanks mom." she said.
Meanwhile Ember, who was still possessing Athena's body, returned to Athena's room after some shopping. "Glad I remember some of the spells from the past. This will be useful." she put bags with her purchases next to Athena's bed and sit on chair near desk, thinking about her next move.
She wanted to get back at Zoe, but she couldn't. Jennifer's wish prevented her from hurting her family. She could manipulate her little puppet to make Zoe's life hell, but she felt if she rushed too fast it would backfire epicly on her. What she could do is to make Athena her willing servant. An extra pair of hands and eyes would always help. And she would have someone near Zoe ready to act and make her pay once she was ready. Though, Jennifer may just ask her to leave Zoe alone, she wasn't vengeful. A quality that she will have to add into girl sometime. Being forgiving was all good, but some people deserved punishment. "Well, Jennifer will learn. And I will be happy to teach her."
It was also true that Ember didn't know full story of what is going on yet. She knew that Jennifer's wishes changed something, but because Jennifer herself didn't get memories of new reality and Ember was new edition in her life, she didn't know anything.
She could have read Zoe's memories, but she actually forgot that fact, so absorbed in her anger. It was her job to help Jennifer and when Ember found out that Zoe hurt her, well she saw red.
Well, she will get full story soon. Now she needed to think how to introduce herself to Jennifer's girlfriend. Ember knew that there was no chance for her to break Jennifer's and Karyn's bond. After all, she made sure to make it stronger than ever by adding subtle changes into their minds. It was what Jennifer wanted, a kind of bond that wouldn't break. She just worked on existing things and attraction that already was there to make them madly in love with each other and protective of each other. They will be a couple to be reckoned with in the future and Ember wanted to be there to guide them.
She guessed that just coming clean would work. As long as Jennifer trusted her, Karyn would trust her too. The fact that Jennifer didn't tell about Ember sooner could be easily explained that she didn't want to scare Karyn and make her leave her. Jennifer had deep fears of abandonment, it was actually one of her greatest fears, so it should work. Still, there was the whole stigma of evil entity hanging on Ember, so who knew how it would work out? Even if she didn't remember her life, the fact that some kind of dark magics twisted her into creature she was today was hard to ignore. Well, she will cross this bridge when she comes to it. For now she had to make some alterations to her newest servant.
Ember in Athena's body closed her eyes and dark aura surrounded her. There weren't any noticeable changes on Athena's body, but her mind was entirely different matter. After a solid minute the aura disappeared and Ember exited Athena's body. "Awaken, my servant." Ember sent mental command and Athena's eyes snapped open, looking straight at Ember. She stood from her chair and fell on one knee, bowing to her mistress.
"Your wish is my command, mistress. How may I serve you?" Athena said to Ember, eager to please dark wraith. If Ember could smirk, she would be grinning from ear to ear. "For now act like you used to, dear. Observe Zoe, look for some potential recruits to serve me and in time, Jennifer. Report to me every night or if something suddenly comes up, report at once. I gave you enough power to contact me and the power of illusions I gave to you will serve you well. Don't disappoint me."
Athena bowed her head "I will do as you ask, mistress."
"Good girl. I will leave you alone now, do your tasks. Oh, and prepare the ritual. I don't think I will need it, but just in case something goes wrong it is good to be prepared. I think attic in your house will do nicely."
Athena again bowed "As you wish, mistress."
"Good." Ember just said and left Athena's house, leaving her new servant to her tasks.
