After dinner

Beth waved to everyone as they exited the house through the glowing portal. Odo lingered, reaching out slowly—almost reverently—to touch the shimmering edge before it could close, trying to trace its exit path.

But just as Charlene stepped out on the other side, she felt it—an energy signature, subtle but familiar. Fate magic. Someone had tried to follow them.

Without hesitation, she turned and slammed her hand into the closing portal, scrambling the pathways mid-closure. Her instincts screamed one name. She reached into the spiritual tangle and yanked.

Before Seth could react, Charlene vanished. The portal snapped shut.

“Princess!” he called out, panic thick in his voice.

Meanwhile, deep inside Charlene’s mind’s eye, Odo found himself strapped to a chair in a void of darkness.

“What… what is this?” he muttered, blinking against the sudden beam of light that pierced the shadows and hit him in the face.

Charlene stepped out of the dark, cloaked in authority. Her voice was disguised—deep, cold.

“I asked you a question.”

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” Odo demanded, squinting.

Charlene kicked the chair, making him jolt. “Don’t play dumb.”

Odo’s temper flared. “Do you know who you’re messing with? I’ll have your head for this!”

She laughed, low and sharp. “No one knows you’re here… that’s the fun part.”

Odo growled. “You should keep your nose out of business that doesn’t concern you.”

“Are you with the Sect?” Charlene asked, circling him.

He didn’t answer.

“I’ll ask one more time. Then—”

“Then what?!” he barked. “What will you do to me?”

“I’ll end you,” she said, her tone dead serious.

Odo’s bravado faltered. “My son… and my granddaughter—they’re leaders in the Sect. They’ll vouch for me. They’ll make you free me!”

She flipped the chair, knocking him flat. Then she sat on the back of it, pressing it into his chest. He choked for air.

“You spy on them. You tried to track us. And now you want their help?” Charlene laughed bitterly. “Oh, Grandpa, you’re worse than a villain in a bedtime story.”

She released pressure just enough for him to breathe. He coughed and groaned, slowly pushing himself off the floor—free now.

Charlene saw it coming even before he moved. He unbuckled his belt and stepped behind her.

Without turning, she said coolly, “What are you gonna do with that belt?”

“Teach you a lesson,” he said, raising it to strike.

Charlene blinked—her movement swift. The belt missed. She spun and snapped her fingers, revealing herself fully in the dim light.

Odo froze. “Charlene? What is this?”

“I asked you a question,” she said, standing tall, feet apart, hands behind her back.

“You don’t disrespect your elders, little girl!”

“Disrespect? Who told you to stick your hand in that portal?”

Odo flinched. “How did you know—?”

“Oh, we’re playing that game?” Charlene paced the floor, frustration bleeding into sarcasm. “Let me guess… I’m too stupid? Too much of a half-breed to figure out you were trying to trace our location?”

Anger surged through her body like electricity. It crackled along her arms, forming luminous ropes of energy that snapped like whips. The sound echoed.

Odo stepped back, suddenly unsure. “Let me out. I’m your grandfather!”

“NOW you want to claim that title?” Her voice boomed through the chamber of her mind.

He shrank under the intensity. “I’m sorry. I let my curiosity get the best of me. I didn’t mean any harm. I care for you. I care for my son. You must know that…”

Clack. The energy chains dropped to the floor.

Charlene studied him—sweat gleaming on his forehead, fear written all over his face.

“Odo…” she said softly, her tone shifting. “I mean, Grandfather.” She blinked, and the lights went out.

Odo’s voice trembled in the dark. “Charlene! Stop this, young lady!”

Suddenly, she was inches from his face.

“You went too far.”

He stumbled back. “When I get out of here, you’re in so much trouble!”

“I’m not here for punishment,” Charlene said. “I’m here to teach you a lesson. You don’t get to treat people like dirt and think there are no consequences.”

She stepped closer. “I don’t trust you. Not yet. But who’s to say I’ll ever let you out?”

He looked around, defeated. “Where… where am I?”

“You’re in my mind’s eye,” she said. “You’re trapped here with me… until I say otherwise.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said honestly.

“And I believe that, maybe,” she said. “But your actions? They say otherwise. I don’t know why you treated my dad the way you did when he was growing up. I’m not asking. But it ends now.”

Odo hung his head.

“You can’t keep doing this and still call yourself family,” Charlene continued. “So here’s what you’re going to do.”

She extended her hand.

“The hidden place stone. Around your neck. Give it to me. That’ll be a good start.”

Odo hesitated… then slowly reached up, broke the chain, and placed the stone in her hand.

But just as she closed her fingers around it, he lunged and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a rough but heartfelt hug. Then—with a quick move—he swatted her rear.

“Don’t ever lay a hand on me like that again, young lady!” he barked. “I may be old, but I’ve still got moves. I’ll give you a run for your money!”

Charlene burst into laughter, stunned. “You really are something else.”

He held her tight. “I’m sorry. I truly mean it.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I can feel it now, Grandfather.”

A warm light filled the space. She placed her hand on his neck, healing the wound she had caused. With a blink, she reopened the portal.

“Go home,” she said gently.

Odo stepped through.

Moments later, Charlene stepped back into the cave. Seth ran to her, his expression frantic.

“Princess!” he shouted. “What happened?”

Without a word, Charlene opened his hand and placed the hidden place stone into his palm, gently curling his fingers around it.

“We won’t be having any more problems with Odo… not anytime soon.”