Loud music thumped through the large house. Gideon was waiting on the back porch when Amelia hurried up, flashlight in hand. He gave a smile full of relief when he saw her.

"What happened?" She demanded.

His smile disappeared. "I don't know. Pacifica called me, and when I got here, she was drunk as hell." He started to pace, the wood creaking under his feet. "She started yelling at me and then ran off into the woods. Then I called you."

Amelia sighed, gripping her flashlight. She followed Gideon into the dark woods. Both of them flipped their flashlights on.

Soon, their voices mingled as they yelled for the blonde.

Amelia sighed, what felt like hours later, as her throat ached. Gideon sighed as well, running his fingers through his hair. Amelia looked up at the older boy, eye focusing on blue.

A bracelet of silver sat on his wrist, the star blue. An eye leered at her. She nodded at it. "What's that?"

"Oh." The Southerner said, glancing at it. He sounded nervous. "Just a tattoo."

"It looks like my bonding mark." It had finally healed, discoloring her skin into gold strands and a black triangle. She moved to take a step.

The realization hit her.

Bonding Mark...

Powers...

Demon...

Amelia froze. "It can't be." She mumbled, hand trembling. Run! "Y- You wouldn't." Run, you idiot! Hope filled her voice. "Right?"

Gideon sighed, looking behind her.

Run.

She turned...

To see Arnold drive the blade of a sword into her shoulder. She let out a shriek of pain as she fell, the scent of copper filling the air.

You stupid idiot, why didn't you run?!

"Strike three. You're out, Golden Candle."