a Merlin's abilities. His blood carried in it all he'd learned. All he'd experienced.
Unlike him, Seren wouldn't have to learn her powers. They would course through her now, along with the ability to wield them.
The room began to swim as he was weakened even more.
She clutched him to her as she greedily drank his essence. Afraid she would consume too much, he pulled back.
She advanced on him.
Kerrigan caught her in his arms. "Enough, Seren! If you take too much, you'll kill me."
Her eyes were no longer human, they were completely red with the black pupils showing him a reflection of himself. He looked pale. But he was still in control here. Not her.
"I want more." Her voice was deep, demonic.
Kerrigan ground his teeth at the sound he despised. He'd given her the very worst of himself. And he hated it. "Nay."
Seren shrieked as that word echoed in her head. It was strangely painful, and the new creature inside her rebelled at its utterance. It clawed at her, demanding that she take Kerrigan now and make him pay for the pain he caused by denying her.
How dare he tell her nay!
She leaned her head back as an invisible wind whipped through the room, sending her hair flying about her. It was warm and wicked, licking her flesh, making her wanton. She licked her lips hungrily as her entire body demanded appeasement.
She'd never felt anything like this before. It was power. Raw and uncomplicated. Hissing, she let it pour through her until she was able to channel it into the palm of her hand. With a laugh, she unleashed it against the table that was closest to her.
The table splintered into ashes.
Oh, this felt good. Too good. Nothing could stop her now. Giddy with that knowledge, she started for the door, only to find Kerrigan in her way.
"Where are you going, little mouse?"
"There's no mouse here," she said in a voice that seemed to echo in her head. "I'm going to face the bitch and kill her."
"Nay, Seren. You're not that strong yet."
"Watch me." She started past him only to have him grab her. She sent a blast at him that he deflected.
Enraged, she moved to attack him.
He wrapped himself around her, pinning her limbs so that she couldn't move.
Seren screamed out.
"Shh," he whispered against her ear. "Let the power flow through you. Don't let it consume you. Give it a few minutes and it won't hurt anymore." His deep voice began a soft, gentle lullaby that her mother used to sing to her long ago when she was just a child. It reached down deep inside her and touched something alien. Something soft and quiet.
Her anger retreated as she remembered being a small child in her mother's lap.
"Be good for me, Seren. Always."It was her mother's tender voice she heard crooning to her, not Kerrigan's.
And then the evil returned. It sneered and fought against those tender thoughts. It wanted vengeance and gore.
What do you need with goodness? Banish it. Laugh at it. You have your own power now. You need no one else. Take it and use it to hurt all those who dared to hurt you…
That voice was overwhelming and cold and it brought with it a flurry of images that burned her.
Indeed, something inside her crackled and popped, and unleashed a torrent of memories that weren't her own…
She saw a younger Kerrigan. Dressed in meager rags, he was only ten-and-eight summers in age. He shook in terror as he held his sword above his head. It burned in his grip, yet still he held it tightly within his desperate grasp. He could hear the echoing laughter that rang in the trees of the dark forest that surrounded him, but he saw nothing of the woman who made such a sound.
"Show yourself," he snarled, his grip tightening on the hilt even more. "I have no fear of you."
"Perhaps you should."
He jumped forward as the heavenly voice whispered in his ear. Turning about, he gaped at the sight of the woman before him. Dressed in a gown so red that it was inhuman, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her pale hair and skin were a stark contrast to the vibrancy of her dress.
"Who are you?"
She licked her lips as she gave him a seductive pout. "I am Morgen, queen of the fey."
He angled his sword at her, ready to kill her if she tried to take it from him. "I don't believe in the fey."