CHAPTER SEVEN

Cierra had sat at Tyler's bedside for hours before Alex finally brought her and Terri home. Alex stayed after they put Terri to bed.

"It's my fault," Cierra whispered.

"Cierra-" Alex began.

"I made the stupid wish that stopped time from moving forward. I am the only reason that warlocks would target my dad. I wasn't with him to protect him when they attacked." She shook her head. "If he dies, I'll never forgive myself."

"You heard Chad... He's going to be fine," Alex said soothingly. "Stop blaming yourself, honey. What happened to Tyler is not your fault, and as far as this unending night... Well, it was an accident. Accidents happen, especially when magick is involved."

"I had no idea that I could do this."

"I know." He wrapped her in his arms. "I'm with you, Cierra. No matter what happens, you're not alone in this. Okay?"

She nodded, too exhausted to protest. As Alex held her on the couch, she slowly fell asleep in his arms.

What happened next was horrifying.

Cierra found herself in a dark room. She could smell a tremendous amount of blood. She struggled to adjust to the darkness. Her night vision had gotten stronger since she'd become a wereleopard, so soon enough, she found herself able to see.

This is Bishop High School's basement, Cierra realized. The particular area she was in was still burned from the fire that had killed several young E.V.S. members. It had been off-limits to students ever since.

"Save us!" A girl cried. Cierra moved closer as she heard her familiar voice. "We're trapped and he won't let us leave! Please... Erica would want you to save us."

"Who are you?" Cierra asked nervously.

"Bianca," the girl replied.

Cierra automatically stepped backward to put distance between them. Bianca Truman was Jesse's evil ex-girlfriend. He'd mauled her to death in that basement. Cierra knew she couldn't be trusted, but the girl seemed genuinely terrified.

"Who are you afraid of?" She asked cautiously.

"The one who trapped us here... They sealed him here a long time ago, but he's rising. Please, help us!" Bianca's desperation was clear.

Screams echoed through the basement. Flames sprang up from the floor. Cierra could feel the students burning. She could smell their singed flesh. She struggled for air, clutching at her throat, trapped just as they had been. She screamed, but no sound came out as she choked on smoke.

"Cierra! Cierra, wake up!" Alex said frantically.

She gasped as air filled her lungs. For a moment, she couldn't focus on anything but breathing. As her mind cleared, she looked at Alex.

"What did you see?" He asked gently.

"They're still trapped in the basement," Cierra said in horror.

"Who is, honey?" Alex coaxed her.

"The E.V.S. kids from Hugo's chapter... They never left that basement, Alex." She started crying.

Alex gently stroked her back as she cried. "It's okay, Cierra," he said soothingly.

"No it's not... We have to help their souls, Alex. I know they did a lot of evil things, but they were just teenagers... They didn't deserve to die like that. And something is keeping them trapped there... Something evil that was buried beneath the basement is rising. He'll hurt them."

"Start at the beginning. What happened?" He asked patiently. Alex knew that Cierra tended to be out of it when she first came out of visions.

Cierra explained the vision to him. He listened silently, his concern visible on his face as he took everything in. "Are you sure it was real?" He finally asked.

"Why else would I randomly dream about Bianca Truman unless it was real? I hardly knew the girl," Cierra replied.

"Alright... Then we'll look into it. Just do me a favor and don't mention this to Jesse until we know what we're dealing with. Bianca's still a sensitive subject for him."

"I understand. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is upset Jesse."

Someone knocked on the door. Alex frowned, but Cierra stopped him from worrying as she said, "It's Chad."

"You know his knock?" Alex asked.

"I'm clairvoyant," she reminded him with a weak smile.

Alex opened the door and returned with Chad. "Sorry to stop by so late, but it's urgent," he said.

"It's fine," Cierra replied. "What's going on?"

"I know who attacked Tyler, and you're not going to like it."

"Just tell us, Chad," Alex said. "I don't think either of us has the energy to wait for a dramatic reveal."

"In light of recent events, fine. I'll dial it down a notch and cut the theatrics this time," Chad agreed. He took a deep breath. "She's back, Cierra... Rikki is in Salem, and the first thing she did was try to kill your father."

"My sister did this?" Cierra repeated in disbelief. "But why? She doesn't even know my dad. He's not part of any of this."

"He's important to you. That was apparently a good enough motive for her."

Cierra felt torn between crying and flying into a blind rage. She surprised herself by choosing the latter. "She's gone too far," she said. "She traumatized Terri and almost killed my dad. I have to stop her."

"Does that mean that we finally get to kill her?" Chad asked excitedly.

"No."

"Oh, boo!" Chad pouted in frustration.

"It means I'm going to confront her. I'm not going to stand around playing games when the lives of innocent people are at stake."

"We've been over this, Cierra. Rikki clearly doesn't respond well to time outs as punishment. If she did, my binding skills would have been enough to keep her away for good."

"Chad, she's my sister. I know there's something good inside of her. I'm not giving up."

"She just tried to kill your father, Cierra! How much more proof do you need that she can't be redeemed?" Chad turned toward Alex. "Back me up on this, handsome."

Alex paused thoughtfully. "Rikki has done a lot to prove she's evil, but she's only eighteen years old. People can change," he said.

Chad flung his hands up in frustration. "You're both impossible! Fine, we'll let her live. And, because it is my duty, I'll clean up the mess and protect both of your hopelessly optimistic, naive butts when she proves just how rotten she can be."

"You know I appreciate you, Chad," Cierra said.

"You better, girlfriend..."

"It's nearly six in the morning," Alex said. "I'll put on some coffee and get breakfast started. Are we letting Terri stay home today?"

"Yes," Cierra decided. "She had a hard night. I never skipped school, but I don't think Terri can handle going in today."

"I can stay with her if you want to go to class," Alex volunteered.

Cierra shook her head. "As much as I'd love the distraction, Terri needs me. I won't leave her today."

"I'll stay with you guys, too," Chad began.

"You need to go to class," Cierra protested.

"Cierra Olivia Denton, your evil- or misunderstood- little sister is trying to destroy you! If you think I'm letting you out of my sight, you're-"

"Chad Jeffrey Ko!" Cierra snapped, giving him a taste of his own medicine for once.

Chad gasped. "My middle name actually is Jeffrey," he said. "How did you know?"

"Wait, really?" She asked in surprise.

He burst out laughing. "No, it's not, but I couldn't resist." He paused. "You just middle named me. Don't stop now. Unleash your rant."

She nodded. "You are a senior! You are not messing up your high school education when you're weeks away from finishing it! You will go to class, you will learn something, and you will enjoy it! Are we clear?"

"Crystal," he replied. "Consider me humbled." He turned toward Alex and added, "Hey, Gorgeous! Keep her safe, alright? I'm trusting you. I'll come back after school."

"Stay for breakfast," Cierra said. Alex took the hint and walked away to start making it as he'd promised. Cierra paused. "What is your middle name, Chad?"

"I'll never tell," Chad replied with a glint of mischief in his eyes. In a dramatic stage whisper, he added, "It's Dae."

"Dae?" Cierra repeated.

"Every Korean is supposed to be given a Korean name. Mine means 'the great one.' My father knows power when he sees it!"

"Do you have a Chinese name, too?" Cierra asked gently.

"It's not part of my legal name," Chad replied a bit awkwardly, "but my mother called me Yichen."

"Yichen... What does it mean?"

"It means 'grandeur of the moon, sun, and stars.' My mother told me she chose it because she saw the universe in my eyes when I was born."

"Chad... That's beautiful," Cierra said softly.

"I never told anyone that before," he admitted. "In fact, names have power, and I've always guarded that information with my life. But you're not just anyone." He smiled at her.

Cierra was touched. She immediately hugged him. "I'm proud to know you, Chad Dae Yichen Ko," she said.

She noticed him sniffling slightly but didn't dare to call him on his tears. He quickly wiped them away before standing up straight. "So, trophy husband," he called to Alex, "what's for breakfast?"

~*~

Lydia...

The voice was in her head. Lydia Blaire was pretty sure about that much. Still, it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Bianca?" She whispered aloud.

Lydia, we need your help! We're still in the basement.

Lydia pulled her knees to her chest and started rocking to soothe herself.

Lydia, please... We're scared, Bianca insisted.

"No ghosts," Lydia begged. "No ghosts, please..." She started whimpering.

You can't ignore me! It's your fault I'm dead! Bianca shouted.

"No... No, no, no... I didn't... It's not... I..." Lydia started sobbing.

You ran into fire, Lydia! Of course I ran in after you! And then everything fell apart.

"Stop it... Stop it!" Lydia screamed. She slammed her fists against her head trying to make the voice stop. "No more... My fault... I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"

"Lydia, what's the matter?" One of the doctors asked gently.

"My fault... My fault! Make her stop!" Lydia sobbed.

Suddenly, she felt heat all around her. "It burns!" She screamed. "My leg!"

"Lydia, it's alright. There's no fire now. You're safe," the doctor insisted.

"It burns!" She screamed again. She began rocking harder as she began to sing, "Salem's burning, Salem's burning... Fetch the engines, fetch the engines... Fire, fire! Fire, fire! Pour on water, pour on water... Salem's burning..."

The doctor sighed. "It's time to call Arthur," he decided.

As a needle was shoved into her arm, Lydia collapsed.

~*~

The building had been filled to the brim with warlocks. Rikki watched them from the shadows, observing unnoticed as they each awaited her arrival. The crowd was filled with only those who had proven themselves worthy. They were the most elite of the elite, the strongest and most dedicated. They would do anything to get ahead, and nothing could stand in their way.

She knew several of them. Her followers from New York were all present. Warlocks from all over the globe had come to Salem for this meeting. She hadn't met most of the foreign followers. It was interesting to see how loyal these strangers were to her. Simply knowing the rumors of her power levels and the fact that, unlike Cierra, she was a proud warlock had convinced them she was the true Vitti descendant. They had vowed to serve her, and here they were, ready to prove themselves.

At the front of the crowd, Amos stood with Mr. Ko. The two men were some of her biggest supporters in Salem. Mr. Ko's first name was Nolan, but he preferred to keep things formal, and very few people were allowed to address him casually. He was currently working very hard to prove his loyalty to Rikki in the hopes that she would not punish him for his son's betrayal.

Rikki moved into view. "Good morning," she greeted them.

Everyone stood up straighter. All eyes were on her as she took her place on the small stage at the front of the room. The room fell silent, and only the sound of their breathing gave away the fact that at least three hundred people were present.

"I am pleased to see you all here," Rikki continued. "My full powers have returned and I am stronger than ever. I am confident in my ability to lead you all into a new era. Today, we will begin building this new future together as the Eight Spokes Society rises once more!"

There was cheering in the crowd. "Vivat Octo Orti!" Rikki proclaimed.

"Vivat Octo Orti!" They echoed. The power of the words alone made the room vibrate.

She knew this was a good group of followers. They would not be easily stopped. The mistakes of her previous trip to Salem would not be repeated. She was ready, and so were they.

"Hail Rikki Henley, descendant of our beloved Erica Vitti!" Mr. Ko cried.

"Hail our Lady!" The others replied. "Hail! Hail!"

"Together, we will rise!" Amos added.

"Hail! Hail!"

"First Salem," Rikki declared. "Then, the world will know what we are capable of!"

"Hail! Hail! Hail!"

Rikki smiled at her followers. They were loyal to her. They would do whatever she demanded. It would not be long before she destroyed her sister and sealed her destiny forever. Until then, her power would continue to grow as the new Eight Spokes Society began to terrorize Salem.