More secrets

Abaddon listened intently to Tamela's account of the shadow monster, his brows furrowed in deep concern. He looked uneasy. Tamela had never seen him like that and it made her worry even more.

"I've never encountered or even heard of this exact creature, Tamela," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Not in all my years as a Shinigami. But I promise you, I will research it. We have research documents and centuries of journals from our ancestors. We'll get to the bottom of this, Tamela."

Tamela thought of his study, with shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls, each holding knowledge of the supernatural and the afterlife. She was certain he was right, the answer must be there.

He paused for a moment, deep in thought, and then began to speculate, mentioning things that were similar but not quite right for one reason or another. "It could be a form of malevolent spirit, but its behavior doesn't match that of any spirit I've encountered. There are also dark entities that exist in folklore, like wraiths and demons, but none of them seem to align with what you've described. As to why it would target you… We'll find answers, Tamela, I will ensure your safety. You've faced something truly unusual tonight, and I understand it must be terrifying. I'm here for you, and together, we'll confront this mystery" Anger flickered across his features. 

His gaze softened as he saw the fear and confusion in Tamela's eyes. Abaddon reached out to comfort her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. His touch was warm and reassuring. 

He said, "Rest, and regain your strength, nothing can breach our protections."

The living room, with its dark, heavy curtains and ancient artwork, seemed to hold its breath as they grappled with the enigma of the shadow monster. It felt like a sanctuary at that moment. In this place, the supernatural mysteries that surrounded them seemed to momentarily fade into the background. In the face of the unknown, father and daughter shared a bond that transcended their unique existence, offering solace and support in their shared vulnerability.

Abaddon's expression remained resolute as he made a decision that weighed heavily on his heart. "Tamela," he began, his voice carrying the weight of concern, "until I can gather more information and understand the nature of this threat, I must insist that you do not leave the house. It's for your safety."

Tamela's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and disappointment. She respected her father's wisdom and authority, but the thought of being confined within their home left her feeling stifled and anxious. "Father," she implored, her tone measured and respectful, "I understand your concern, but I can't just stay here. I need to know what's happening, to find answers."

Abaddon's gaze remained unyielding as he replied, "Tamela, I understand your need for answers, but we're dealing with something that I can't yet comprehend. I won't risk your safety by letting you venture into the unknown. Please, trust me on this. I'll do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this mystery."

Tamela couldn't hold back her curiosity about the mysterious white light, which had seemed to materialize in her time of need. She described it as best as she could, her voice filled with wonder. "It was like a radiant glow, Father, a pure and blinding light. It coated my sword and allowed me to harm that creature. I've never seen or felt anything like it before."

Abaddon's reaction was unexpected. He went unnervingly still, his eyes holding a warning of an intensity that sent a shiver down Tamela's spine. "Never do that again," he said, his voice low and grave.

Confusion and frustration welled within Tamela. "But why, Father? It saved me. What was that light, and why is it so important?" She pressed for an explanation, wanting to understand why her father had reacted so strongly.

"Does it have anything to do with my mother? This was not Shinigami magic, Father. You cannot possibly expect me to believe that. It must have come from my mother. How can a human have magic, was she some sort of priestess?" She thought a moment. "No that doesn't make sense. That kind of power would have to be learned. This was innate, something inside me."

For a long moment, Abaddon remained silent, his gaze fixed on some distant point as he seemed lost in thought. Finally, he reluctantly relented, though she could tell he chose his words carefully. "Tamela, I've kept this from you for too long. Your mother... She wasn't a human, and you're right, she wasn't a Shinigami. She was something else."

The admission left Tamela stunned, and her mind raced with questions. She threw her hands in the air and started to pace. "Not human?" her voice filled with a mix of emotions. "Then what was she? What is this light, and how do I use it? Why did you keep this from me?"

He sighed and spoke with a guarded tone. "That's all I'll say on that subject." His stern closed-down expression declared that the discussion was over. "I can tell you that your mother had enemies, ones that I thought were ignorant of your existence. I suspect they are the ones who sent that monster after you tonight. When the light touched you, when you changed… It's imperative that you stay safe and not draw any attention to yourself."

Their conversation hung in the dimly lit living room, a shroud of secrecy and unanswered questions surrounding them. Tamela, with her mother's nature creating more questions than answers, felt the weight of them pressing in. Her determination to uncover the truth called to her with unbearable intensity.

Ignorant that he had made his situation worse, Abaddon patted Tamela's leg and left her alone to rest.