Darkness brought with it a tangible excitement that reverberated throughout the bus. The past hour had seen the block Lana forced upon her to fade until voices once again chattered with one-sided conversation inside Sydney's head. Now that she had her ability back, she tried to sift through the thoughts currently bombarding her. It gave her a headache and nothing else of any significance. Lana's thoughts remained a mystery however; nothing came from her mind but the hiss of white noise.

Dainton and Emily emerged from the luggage hold just as Harmony passed by, walking arm in arm with Eric from his boat to the bus. She giggled then nodded at something he said, slipping her arm from his and kissing him lightly on the cheek. Her excitement was even more evident by the smile on her face and her thoughts were a frantic mismatch of anticipation and worry. Worry for her daughter's return home without her.

Guided by Lana, Susan manoeuvred the bus back up the narrow street onto the main road, pulling over again a short time later at a layby. Lana nodded at Sydney, an indication that they had reached the closest point the bus could get to the temple on the hill.

As they exited, Sydney watched and listened to each of the people of her world when they passed her. She was at a loss, only Harmony had thoughts other than their imminent trip home and not concerning Sydney's problem.

They followed Lana like a gaggle of baby geese as she climbed over the fence and walked with purpose to the ruin. Silhouetted by the full moon that hung low in the clear sky, Lana stopped and indicated they should form a half circle behind her. She sat and they copied her movements, sitting cross-legged on the damp grass. Not a sound was uttered by anyone - even Lewis kept his mouth shut.

Lana's soft chanting broke the silence. They all turned to watch a dim flicker of light forming about ten feet in front of her.

*****

"I don't give a damn, Callie! There is no way you're going through some portal thing to another world," Nico yelled, clambering over the fence after her.

"I have to go. If I don't then those people will be stuck there," she called over her shoulder, her pace not slowing.

"I can't let you do this," he pleaded. "Please Callie, think about Sam at least. He won't have any idea what happened to you."

"You can tell him when you get back."

"If you think for one second I'd leave your side, then you have another thought coming."

She sighed. "Fine you can come with me." She dug her phone from her pocket and began typing. "I'll text him where we're going."

"What? No you're not going. We're not going."

She looked up from her phone after pressing the send button. "I am going. Don't make me command you to leave."

He gritted his teeth and snarled at her. "I love you, but sometimes you really piss me off."

"I'll bet I do. Now come on, we only have a couple of minutes left."

The icebox of blood bags from the boot of the car, appeared in front of her when Callie called for them. At the same time, a light began to glow at the base of the ruined temple.

Nico stared at the glimmer that grew and spread before his eyes. "How are we doing this?" he asked. "Them or us first?"

Callie snorted. "Them first, I'm not taking any chances that the witch will keep her word."

He nodded. "I'll go before you." She shot him a look. "What? I need to make sure it's safe."

"And how do you plan to tell me if it's not?"

"Oh, I ..."

"Didn't think of that, did you?" She held her hand out for him to take. "We'll go together." Hand in hand, they waited for the missing supernaturals to come through the light.

After numerous bodies exited the light, a gruff looking man stumbled as he stepped from the illumination. He picked himself up off the ground and shook his head to clear it. He looked around, catching sight of them, he nodded at Nico and Callie.

"I'm to tell you that I'm the last of those returning and two have stayed behind."

"Thanks," Nico replied, handing him the keys to the car and a slip of paper. "Take my car. If you wouldn't mind, can I ask you to drop it off at that address? Speak to a guy called Sam. Tell him what happened and that I'll look after Callie."

The guy nodded and took the keys. "Will do, thanks man."

Callie closed her eyes and squeezed Nico's hand. They stepped forward through the light. She felt as if she were falling and clutched tighter to him. With a slight jolt, her foot connected with solid ground and she stumbled. Nico collided with her, sending them both tumbling forward onto the damp grass.

Strong arms helped Callie to her feet and enveloped her in a hug. It's so good to see a face I can trust. Sydney sent to her mind. I missed you, and I see you brought supper. What's in the icebox?

Callie's mind voice chuckled. Don't let him hear you call him food. They're a bit touchy about that.

Nico's cool about it, and where you're concerned, I know he doesn't mind in the slightest.

A noise, resembling the shattering of glass, broke their reunion short when the portal splintered apart.