Read Online Determination by Angela B. Macala-Guajardo - Free Book Online Page A

pace.
    “Remember: time means nothing here.”
    “It’s so hard to forget that part,” Roxie said. “I don’t know how to make sense of it when I’ve always been told to make the best of every minute of my life.”
    “That’s understandable. Don’t fight it if it makes your brain hurt.”
    The dark figure fleshed out into a Numina, a male one. He looked Indian with his smooth caramel skin and dark hair. He wore a sherwani, a long button-down coat that came below his knees, and black slacks underneath. The sherwani look stylish enough for special occasions. It had a brass background with stencils of tigers and elephants cradling palm fronds and elephant grass. The Indian Numina’s wings looked like Sekiro’s dragonfly-faerie hybrid, but with fewer pointy ends. He tugged at one of his cuffs, met Roxie’s gaze, and smiled warmly.
    Roxie returned the smile, but then diverted her attention to the ball of light. It was half as big as the Indian Numina. From within it looked like a second man was stepping out of it with rays of sunlight showing through clouds from behind. It looked... heavenly. With all her knowledge and spiritual beliefs, she couldn’t think of a better word to describe it. The light faded and before her stood the man from all the family photos that Roxie recognized as her father. He had the same hair and dark eyes, same nose, same broad shoulders. He wore a navy blue coat and slacks, a loosened silver silk tie, and a pale blue dress shirt underneath with the top three buttons undone. No blood marred his clothing or features. He looked unharmed and puzzled and his eyes widened when he noticed Roxie.
    Roxie held herself back right as she started to run to him. Sekiro placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
    “Let him come to you. Trust me, he will. Asiya told me your dad likes to act upon things once he makes a decision. Sounds a bit like you,” she added cheerfully.
    Sekiro was right about Roxie’s bullheadedness. She couldn’t help it; it was just her nature. Still, it was neat to know she and her father shared a trait. Grandma had remarked now and then on what quirks and traits she got from which parent, but never did this often because it left a bittersweet after-feeling. The comparisons just slipped out now and then. This time, at least, it was mostly sweet and slightly bitter. “Should I get rid of my wings and armor?”
    “Nah, save yourself the trouble. He knows who you are. Besides, you’re gonna need them once it’s time to see your mom.”
    “Roxie?” Dad said, unsure.
    Roxie popped a big smile that had tears behind it. For the first time in her life she’d heard her father say her name. She forced herself to breathe evenly. She couldn’t afford to start crying. Not now. If she did, she might not be able to stop for a long time. Her grief over the loss of Aerigo was still roiling around in the back of her thoughts. “Hi, Dad.” Dad. Not “my dad” or “my father.” Just “dad.” What a strange feeling saying those two words generated. She couldn’t think of a good comparison to this moment. There probably was none. She felt more complete, more whole, being able to address her actual father, even though he’d been dead for eighteen years.
    “Oh, Roxie, it really is you.” Dad approached her with open arms and tears in his eyes. At the same time as Roxie let her heartstrings tug her towards her father, their respective Numina held them both back.
    Sekiro said to Roxie, “Would you be willing to donate some of your energy to him so you can hug him back and whatnot?”
    Roxie blinked at the question, then thought of all the shadow people she’d been unable to touch until they stole her energy. “Do you even have to ask?”
    “Just a courtesy thing,” she said with a shrug. “Hold out your hand to him. He’ll know when to stop.”
    Despite her eagerness to give sufficient energy to her father, the thought of the sensation of having it siphoned made her mentally