CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It was strange sitting in the living room with Kurt, Josh, and Himari, but Cassandra also realized that it was kind of a gift. She'd never had a family growing up. The corrupt slayers who raised her had tended to her basic needs, like feeding her, clothing her, and giving her shelter, but they weren't patient or nurturing to her. They usually didn't beat her or any of that, but they locked her in the smallest closet in their house for hours on end to discipline her, and for Cassandra, that was worse than being beaten.

It hurt to realize that she had a family who loved her and she had been ripped away from them, but at the same time, if she'd grown up loved, would she even be Cassandra anymore?

"Cassie... Are you okay?" Kurt asked gently.

"I'm fine," Cassandra replied automatically.

"Kai-chan, come... Let's talk," Himari said as she gently took Cassandra's hands in her own.

They walked to the kitchen. "What do you want to talk about?" Cassandra asked.

"You have a great weight on your shoulders," Himari replied. "I can see it. What's troubling you, Kaida?"

"I'm going down a rabbit hole I probably shouldn't," Cassandra admitted.

"Which is...?"

"I'm wondering who I'd be if I hadn't been kidnapped."

"Oh, Kai-chan..." Himari sighed. "Our past shapes who we become, but it does not define us. Deep down, you would be the brave, fierce, beautiful young woman you are today, even if a few things were different."

"It's just... You're really warm, and nurturing, and funny... You, Josh, and Kurt have been smiling and laughing all day. I can't help but wonder if I would have been more like you... I'm all business, all the time. I'm stoic, responsible, and ready for battle... I don't laugh much."

"Kurt makes you laugh."

"He does, and honestly, I'm grateful I have him. You may have noticed that I have trouble connecting to people. Kurt gets by my walls, and I honestly don't understand how he does it."

"Love has a way of breaking through even the strongest of barriers, Kai-chan." Himari smiled. "He's good for you."

"I know... He'll be a great dad, too. I can already tell. This kid is lucky to have him."

"The baby is lucky to have you both, Kai-chan."

"Himari, why did you name me Kaida?"

"It means little dragon. I knew you were special and would need a strong name. It's also a family name. It was my grandmother's name, and it is my middle name, given to me so the little dragon's spirit would continue to protect our family."

Cassandra was surprised her name held so much significance to her mother. "I'm sorry it went to waste on me, since I only used it for a couple of years... I honestly don't know how to name a child. Names have power, and I don't want the kid to grow up hating whatever we pick... Maybe Kurt should just pick the name."

"You should give your child a name with a powerful meaning." Himari paused. "Perhaps you can pass Kaida down if you have a daughter..."

"Is that what you want me to do?"

"I want you to choose a name that feels right to you, Kai-chan. When the time comes, you will know what to do. Trust your heart."

"I'm not very good at following my heart," Cassandra admitted.

"You followed it to Kurt."

"That's different."

"Try not to worry so much, Kai-chan. Things will work themselves out."

Cassandra wasn't sure she could believe that, but she didn't argue. Instead, she said, "We should go back before Kurt and Josh start to worry about us."

Himari nodded and began walking toward the living room. As Cassandra sat with her family, she tried to relax and let herself live in the moment and enjoy their time together instead of worrying when the next crisis would hit.

~*~

Cierra stood with Chad outside of a property that had once belonged to Erica Vitti. The house stood on the edge of town, and it was where Cierra and Chad did a lot of her training. No one could enter unless they had Vitti blood with the exception of Chad, the guardian to the bloodline. It was the one place that Cierra knew was safe, unless Rikki found her way there.

Chad clapped his hands as they stepped inside. Dozens of candles ignited simultaneously, providing light in the darkness.

"Alright, girlfriend, what has you so spooked that we had to meet here?" He asked.

"This," Cierra replied, pulling the Book of Shadows out of her bag.

Chad's eyes widened in confusion. "Cierra... This book has Erica's energy all over it," he said.

"It's her Book of Shadows. Look," she opened it.

Chad frowned. "It's just a family Bible," he said as he looked at the first page.

"You can't see it? I figured the family's guardian might be able to..."

"So reveal it to me," Chad replied.

She hesitated for a moment before casting an advanced revelation spell. It shattered through illusions, so she hoped it would at least allow Chad to see what was in the book.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Good work," he said. "I can't believe it... Where did you find it?"

"It was in the Unit's library, but not the restricted one. It was up on a really high shelf, until it fell off and landed on my head."

Chad laughed. "Subtle," he said.

"Chad, this book is dangerous, right? People will kill to get their hands on Erica's Book of Shadows."

"No one will know that's what it is unless you tell them. You're the only one who can read it aside from me. You're safe, Cierra. And this book is an incredible part of your heritage. Read it cover to cover and learn everything you can."

"But she was evil, Chad. So her spells will all be evil."

"Good and evil aren't black and white and you know it. The spells themselves aren't all going to be evil. It's about the intention behind them."

She sighed. She did know that, but she was still reluctant to try to learn anything from her very evil ancestor.

"I'm keeping it here," she said. "I'll read it, but I don't want this book around Terri or my dad."

"How's Tyler doing?" Chad asked.

"He's okay... Tired, but in good health considering the situation. He's taking his medication and eating what the doctor recommended. He'll be alright, but he still needs a little help with things right now."

"I'm glad he's getting better. He's a good man." He paused. "Alright, let's get started." He motioned toward the cozy corner they'd designated as Cierra's studying space. She sat down with Chad and the book, and together, they began to read.

~*~

Cedric Becker was surprised when Rikki approached him. Hugo had appeared to him in a dream and informed him she had freed him, but he hadn't expected her to come see him.

"Hello, Cedric," she greeted him.

"Rikki Henley," he replied. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"That's quite simple. I want you to pledge your loyalty to me."

He paused, not sure how to handle the situation. "I'm afraid that my loyalty remains with your sister," he finally replied calmly.

Rikki frowned. "I saved your brother from his destruction. Do you dislike him?" She asked.

"Hugo was a spoiled, entitled brat, but he was still my little brother. I loved him despite his many faults. I appreciate what you did for him, Rikki."

"And yet, you will not pledge yourself to me. You still choose that traitorous imposter."

"Cierra's not an imposter. She was born first, Rikki. She's the rightful heir."

"She won't even call herself a warlock! She is a disgrace."

"She's actually a lovely person if you get to know her."

"Being lovely doesn't make you a good leader. She is holding our kind back as she sits on a throne she doesn't even want."

"Let me ask you something, Rikki. Why do you want the throne?"

"It's my destiny."

"That's not really an answer."

She paused, and Cedric knew she wasn't sure how to respond. After a minute, she said, "The warlocks are my people. They deserve a leader who will protect them and make them stronger."

That wasn't the answer he'd expected. "Most warlocks would say they wanted the position for power," he said.

"Power is certainly a plus, but there's so much more to it."

"What will you do to those who don't follow you?"

"I will show you why you should. If that is not enough and you continue to defy me, you must ultimately be handled accordingly."

"Are you going to kill me, Rikki?"

"Only if you force my hand, Cedric. I take no joy in shedding precious warlock blood. The Becker family has already lost one son. I would hate to see the line end with your death."

He nodded. "If that death isn't coming right now, I have a class to teach."

"Spread your knowledge while you can, Professor. That is your legacy." With that, Rikki walked away.

Cedric was relieved that she left. He had already made up his mind that he would not betray Cierra, but he wasn't exactly ready to die yet. Still, if it came down to it, he knew he'd give his life to protect her.

~*~

Jesse and Tommi stood outside of Bishop High School armed with courage and very little else.

"Mirror Me said this is going to be really dangerous," Jesse said nervously. "Maybe I should do it alone."

Tommi rolled her eyes. "I can handle it, Puppy Boy," she replied. "We're in this together."

"Right... Let's do this then."

He took her hand in his and they began to recite the spell. "Spirits trapped beneath the ground, with our words become unbound!" In unison, they repeated the chant thirteen times.

Jesse could feel the spirits beginning to escape. There weren't many of them left. He was slightly startled as he saw them begin to appear.

Monique Ferguson and Kendra Anders were clinging to each other as they fled from the building. The girls had died holding onto each other for comfort as they burned in the basement. Seeing them still trying to protect each other, he felt sorry for them.

Zack Levitz came running out behind the girls. He looked at Jesse and Tommi and smiled sadly. "Thank you," he whispered. He hurried after Monique and Kendra, wrapping his arms around them protectively before they vanished into a bright white light.

Tiffany Brent, who'd been killed by Stephanie and Gregory's chapter of the E.V.S, appeared next. She walked out with her head held high, but Jesse sensed how scared she had really been. She walked with purpose toward the light.

A handful of spirits Jesse didn't recognize escaped next. Finally, Kyle Michelin and Pru Patterson appeared. Unfortunately, Bartholomew Bryce's astral form was right behind them. He grabbed onto Kyle and tore him apart in front of Jesse and Tommi before devouring his soul.

"Pru, run!" Tommi shouted.

Pru began running toward the light. She escaped from the edge of the property, and she had nearly made it to the light when Bartholomew grabbed onto Tommi and Jesse and pulled them toward the school.

His astral form was incredibly strong. Jesse had a feeling he would be able to drag them right to his body. They were going to die if they didn't escape quickly.

"Tommi!" Jesse shouted as Bartholomew slashed at her arms and drew blood. Jesse hadn't realized an astral projection could do that kind of damage to a living person.

"That hurt, you jerk!" Tommi snapped at Bartholomew. She kicked him, which only served to make him angrier as her foot went right through him.

Just as they were about to vanish into the school, someone pushed them both out of Bartholomew's grasp. Jesse was stunned to realize that Pru had put herself between Bartholomew and the two of them.

The timid bookworm now glowed with more power than Jesse would have ever expected her to possess. The light radiating off of her was nearly blinding. It made Bartholomew wince in pain. He flinched away from her and retreated slightly into the school. Pru kept herself close to him so he couldn't attack Jesse or Tommi.

"Pru, be careful!" Jesse warned her.

Pru looked at him with sadness in her eyes. "You both cared about me," she said softly. "I'm grateful to you, and I won't let him hurt you."

"Pru, you can still cross over," Tommi said. "It's not too late!"

Pru smiled at her. "Get to safety," she said. "And thank you for remembering me."

Jesse watched in horror as Bartholomew grabbed onto Pru's spirit. Her light began to dim.

"Pru!" Tommi screamed. She tried to move toward her, but Jesse grabbed her and stopped her.

"We can't help her now," he said sadly. "She saved us, Tommi. She made a choice, and we have to respect it."

Tommi had tears in her eyes as she allowed Jesse to lead her away. They made it to safety just as Pru's light vanished entirely.