CHAPTER FOUR

It took the members of the Silver Society about a half an hour to find the forbidden floor of the library. "Fifty bucks says she's in there," Dylan said.

"Cierra doesn't like breaking rules," Arnie pointed out.

"But she's addicted to books, and addicts do things they wouldn't normally do for a fix... And Cierra would view secret books as a challenge," Aideen said. "Dylan's probably right."

Within minutes, Jesse had the lock picked and they were inside. To their dismay, they did not immediately find Cierra. Her bag, however, turned up in the third row, next to a fallen book.

"Alex... Do you think the scroll was being literal?" Melissa asked.

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"I mean, maybe Cierra is actually lost inside of a book... This book."

Jesse went to pick up the book Melissa had indicated, but Dylan grabbed his hand. "Don't be an idiot, man," Dylan said. "If it trapped Cierra inside, what's to stop it from doing the same thing to you? Think, dude."

"That's asking too much of him," Aideen said with a laugh.

"If we can't touch it, how are we supposed to figure out if she's in there?" Jesse asked.

"She's in there," Alex replied firmly. "I can feel her."

"Great. How do we get her out without opening the stupid thing?" Arnie asked.

"Why don't we try a summoning spell?" Melissa suggested.

"That could backfire. We don't know if anything is attached to her that might come back with her," Alex replied.

"Why don't we use gloves and bag it? Someone at the Unit will know what to do... I think," Dylan said, pulling out a pair of the Unit's best latex crime scene gloves. "I mean, they've dealt with weirder things, right?"

"Only Cierra could get trapped inside of an evil book," Aideen said, shaking her head. "Dylan's suggestion is the best one we've got. Let's try it."

"See, Alex? Reading is evil," Arnie said.

"Joke later," Alex replied. "Get Cierra out of there now."

"Who's going to touch it?" Dylan asked.

"It's your idea. You do it," Jesse said.

"No way, dude. I'm not risking getting sucked into a book for all of eternity unless it's a book on music."

"Well, I won't do it. Reading isn't really my thing."

"As an empath, with my luck, I'll get stuck in there, so not it," Arnie said.

"You guys are such chickens. I'll do it," Melissa said. She put on the gloves before picking the book up and slipping it into her bag. "See? Piece of..." Suddenly, Melissa began twitching and gasping for breath.

"What is it?" Arnie asked, completely panicked. "What's happening?"

"Gotcha," Melissa declared with a smirk. "You boys are way too easy!"

"That wasn't funny, Missa! What if you'd really been in trouble?"

"Oh, Arnie, relax." She kissed him. "I was just kidding around. I'm not afraid of the big, bad book."

"Let's get it to the Unit and get Cierra out of there," Alex said, hurrying the others out of the library.

~*~

It was a fairly warm night, and Battery Park was full of tourists and locals trying to relax after a long day of work. Joey had immediately run toward the water upon arriving, so while Jade chased after him, Beth remained by herself taking in the scenery. There were several boats on the water, some carrying tourists and others getting ready to pick up their party guests. It was peaceful, in a busy sort of way, and Beth could see why Jade liked it so much.

"Are you lost?" A boy with short brown hair and hazel eyes asked Beth.

"Oh, no, I'm just waiting for a friend," Beth replied. As she continued to make eye contact with the boy, she was taken aback. He was rather handsome, and had a smile that could probably charm nearly any woman.

"You're not from around here, are you?" The boy asked.

"No, I'm from Salem."

"Interesting town."

"Very." Beth normally wouldn't have talked to a stranger in New York City, but she was oddly drawn to this boy. In fact, if he had asked her to go into a dark alley with him, she probably would have gone.

"So, do you have a name?" He asked.

"It's Beth... Bethany, really, but no one calls me that..." Why can't I stop rambling all of a sudden? Beth wondered.

"Well, Beth, it's very nice to meet you. I'm-" He reached out his hand to shake Beth's, but it was suddenly slapped away.

"Bad Half Breed!" Jade said. "I thought I taught you better than that."

The boy's eyes went wide. "Jade... Oh my God, you've come back to kill me, too!" He cowered away from her in terror.

"Not today, Half Breed. Not today."

"Um... Jade, do you know this boy?" Beth asked.

"Half Breed, Beth. Beth, Half Breed," Jade replied.

"I'm confused," Beth admitted.

"That's because he used the Seduction on you. I told you it's not nice to use that on poor, defenseless tourists," Jade scolded him.

"I'm still lost, Jade," Beth said.

"Beth, this is my half-brother, the Half Breed," Jade explained.

"Why do you keep calling him that?"

"Because he is a half breed. He's half vampire, half devil worshipper. We have the same father. Well, had."

Again, the boy cringed. "You're really not here to kill me?" He asked softly. "I mean, that would finish the family off..."

Jade rolled her eyes. "I don't kill kids," she said. "And you know I love you. By the way, happy day before your birthday."

Suddenly, Joey came running up to them screaming, "Uncle Hawf Bweeeed!" He threw his arms around the boy.

"Is this...? But I thought he was dead," the boy said in confusion as he hugged Joey tightly.

"The cult lied. There's a shocker," Jade replied. "Joey found me."

"Where have you been?" The boy asked.

"Salem. You should come back with me."

"I can't, Jade... My mom..."

"Is an alcoholic bitch that treats you like dirt and doesn't take care of you," Jade said harshly.

"My mom needs me. She's always sick."

"Drunk, Half Breed," Jade corrected him. "She's always drunk."

"Semantics."

"What a big word for the Half Breed," she said with a laugh. "I'm impressed."

"I've been doing a lot of reading lately."

"Jade, you never mentioned that you have a brother," Beth said.

"You never asked," Jade replied.

"I didn't know that I needed to ask something like that."

"Well, now you know."

"Do you have any sisters that you neglected to tell me about?" Beth asked with a pout.

"Just you, Beth," Jade replied with a smile. "My only blood-related sibling is the Half Breed."

"Do you have a real name?" Beth asked him, seeming calmer at the news that Jade didn't have any other secret family members. "I'm a little uncomfortable calling you Half Breed."

"I'm Austin," the boy replied. "It's nice to meet you. Sorry for using vampire parlor tricks on you, but you're cute, and I wanted you to talk to me."

"It's okay, I guess... As long as you weren't planning to make me your next meal."

"I don't bite... Unless you're into that sort of thing."

Beth turned red and Jade laughed. "Go easy on her, Half Breed," she said. "She's not used to New York sarcasm. Besides, she's too old for you."

"I'm turning thirteen tomorrow," Austin said charmingly.

"And she's fifteen, so you're out of luck," Jade countered.

"Age is just a number."

"A number that's too high for you." She shook her head. "So, what are you doing for your birthday?"

"I don't know. Going to a movie?"

"Wrong. You're going to help me take Beth sight seeing because that's the last thing the cult would expect you to do."

"You can't keep me from them, Jade," he said sadly.

"Wanna bet? That's the only reason I'm here."

"You came back for me? Really?" He asked in surprise.

"Yes, Half Breed. Contrary to popular belief, I happen to care about you, but please don't tell anyone that I'm here."

"I won't. The devil worshippers want you killed on sight, you know. Dad and your mom were very high ranking."

"The higher ranking they are, the bigger boom they make when you destroy them."

"Did you really destroy them?"

"I destroyed their bodies... If they had souls, those probably still exist in some form."

"You're scary, Sis."

"Thanks, Half Breed. So, where do you want to go first?"

Austin smiled. "Anywhere. I missed you."

"I missed you, too," she admitted.

"And me, Uncle Hawf Bweed," Joey piped up.

"I didn't even think you'd remember me, Joey," Austin said.

"You the Hawf Bweed. 'Course I 'memba you."

"You always were an unusual kid... But that's why I like you."

Austin took Jade aside for a moment. "Why did you do it, Jade? What made you finally snap?" He asked.

"Honestly?" Jade asked.

"Of course."

"You, Half Breed. I did it for you."

"What do you mean?" He asked in confusion.

"I thought I'd already lost Joey. You were the only other person here that I really cared about. And they tortured you," she said softly.

"It was just my initiation," he replied awkwardly.

"It was a brutal initiation, into both cults. It was cruel." She forced herself not to flash back on being powerless to protect him that night.

"I turned twelve. They made me take my vows. It's not a big deal, Sis."

"I went through it, Austin. It is a big deal."

"You just called me Austin."

"Yeah, I did. Look, I saw what they put you through, and I was so mad, and I was sick and tired of getting tortured all the time because they joined a stupid cult and I happened to be born to them. I couldn't stand watching you go through it all, too. So I put an end to it. Dad can't hurt you anymore, and neither of them can hurt me... Or anyone else... Ever again." She sighed. "I never told anyone that before... But it was worth it. I just wish I could take care of your mom, too."

"She's all I have. I'd go to someone even worse if she died."

"I could take you in. I got emancipated."

"I can't leave her, Jade. No matter what she does... She's still my mom, and she needs me."

Jade sighed. "I can't change your mind, can I?"

"Nope," he replied firmly.

"Then I'll let it go, for now, and just keep you safe. I know thirteen is a big birthday in the cults. They're not getting their hands on you."

"Thanks, Jade... For caring."

"No problem, Half Breed. Now, let's go have some fun."

~*~

It took Shooter over an hour, but he finally found a way to break the spell on the book. Cierra was shaking and a bit dusty, but otherwise generally unharmed. The Unit's healers quickly took care of the small cuts on her face.

"Seriously, Cierra, how did you manage this one?" Shooter asked.

"I was curious..." Cierra replied quietly.

"And what did this teach you?"

"To listen when signs say keep out?"

"Exactly! Good girl."

"The scroll was being literal. Literal! What the hell? Just when I think I've figured that thing out," Alex mumbled.

"I assume there will be a scroll beating session tonight?" Aideen asked.

"Oh yeah."

"I'm just glad that you guys figured it out," Cierra said. "I saw what happened to everyone else who got stuck in there."

"The question is, how the hell did that book end up in a college library?" Skip asked.

"Maybe it was Erica Vitti Society members?" Dylan suggested.

Jesse shuddered. "Remind me not to apply there," he said.

"Like you'd even get in," Aideen teased him.

"That's not the point. I don't ever want to be near those freaks again."

"Does the college have a chapter?" Shooter asked.

"Of course they do," Skip replied. "The E.V.S. is everywhere. They've even started branching out into junior highs and elementary schools."

"What's next?" Shooter asked. "Pre-school? Evil warlock toddlers? Hexing before potty training?"

Aideen cracked up. Jesse, however, was not amused. "I heard there's already a new head to the chapter at Bishop. They're coming back," he said. "There's no escaping them."

"Don't join when they invite you this time, man," Dylan replied. "Problem solved."

"They won't take you on, Jesse," Randy said. "Everyone knows what happened to the last chapter heads."

"Yeah, Jesse ate them," Aideen teased him.

"I didn't eat them... both," Jesse replied. "Lydia Blaire is alive and well... Okay, maybe not well, seeing as how she's in a psychiatric hospital, but she's alive."

"Back to the point... We're going to need to look into this occult library tomorrow," Skip said. "For now, let's all just get some rest."

~*~

Clarissa Phillips had curled up on the couch and was watching one of the most depressing "chick flicks" ever when Courtney walked into the living room.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Courtney asked.

Clarissa's eyes were wet and puffy from crying, her nose was red, and she was wearing old sweats and an oversized T-shirt that had once belonged to her husband, Benny. "I'm fine, sweetheart," she said quickly, sniffling and blowing her nose.

"What's the matter, Mom?"

"It's just this movie... It's so sad..."

"Why do you watch movies like this if you know they're going to make you cry?" Courtney asked gently.

"Sometimes it feels good to cry, sweetie..." Clarissa lost the little bit of composure she was trying to pretend she had and started sobbing. Through her tears, she said, "You weren't supposed to be home. I thought you had a date."

"I did. He's probably at home trying to explain to his parents why there's soda down his brand new designer pants."

"Do I want to know?" Clarissa asked.

"He got a little too personal a little too fast," Courtney replied with a shrug.

"Good for you, then," Clarissa said with pride.

"Mom... Stop trying to change the subject. You're not the type to cry over chick flicks. What's the matter?"

Clarissa sighed. "I just didn't think it was going to be this hard..."

"What do you mean?"

"It's September, Courtney... And I thought I was finally okay, but the closer we get to the anniversary, the harder it's getting... I miss him so much..."

"Oh, Mom," Courtney said, finally understanding. "I miss Daddy, too."

"I know you do, baby. You and Deenie both do." Clarissa hugged her daughter, wishing hugs were enough to heal this sort of pain.

Now Courtney was crying, too. "I can't believe it's almost been a year."

"Neither can I. It went by so quickly... I feel like we only lost him last week."

"I just wish... I wish he'd listened to me. Or that he'd taken Deenie with him."

"If he had taken Aideen, she'd probably be dead, too. It was a trap."

"She would have found a way out. Deenie's too stubborn to die."

"So was your father..." More tears poured down Clarissa's cheeks, and it took her a few moments to speak again. "She's so much like him that it's frightening at times, but in a good way."

"Is it wrong that I'm still kind of mad at him? Does it make me a bad person?"

"No, Courtney, it makes you human. Don't you think I'm mad at him, too? He left me to pick up the pieces because he just had to do things himself. It hasn't been easy on any of us, and he should have listened when his Reaper daughters warned him that he was in danger... And I should have seen it coming..."

"It's not your fault, Mom. He made his choice. We couldn't have changed his mind. I know. I tried."

"You both did." Clarissa sighed and began wiping the tears from her cheeks. "This isn't going to fix things. I just need to pull myself together and move forward. Living in the present is important."

"Crying is healthy, Mom," Courtney said gently.

"Not when it's in front of your teenage daughter," Clarissa countered. "I should be taking care of you, not the other way around. I'll be okay, Courtney. I just need to have a small nervous breakdown every once in a while." She offered her daughter a small smile and said, "And the best part of nervous breakdowns is the ice cream. Do you want some?"

"Always," Courtney replied, returning the smile although she was faking it.

~*~

"On this night, and in this hour, we call upon the ancient power to aid us in our task. Do now what we ask," Ambrosia Liggman recited the chant over six black candles. Twelve of her coven members joined her as she added ancient words in a hum, their voices rising, until the magick pulsed through the room like an electrical current.

Knowing they were being heard, Ambrosia continued. "Feros, Feros, come to me. Rise up now from the sea. Justice is what I need. Aid me in this vital deed."

Her Craft siblings added, "As we will it, so shall it be!"

"Brothers and Sisters in the Goddess, it has worked! I feel the power of Feros within me. Now we will make things right," Ambrosia declared.

"What does Feros see fit to do?" Alice Jessink, the youngest coven member present at barely eighteen years old, asked softly. She was a pretty girl with long red hair and stunning blue eyes, and although she was only a neophyte in the Craft, her energy was strong and Ambrosia knew she would prove useful that night.

"He will inflict revenge upon the vampires, of course," Ambrosia replied.

"What if he harms the wrong one?" Alice asked nervously.

"He won't, Alice. Feros knows what he is doing," Luigi Osinini said. "By the Rule of Three, justice will be served."

Alice knew better than to question her High Priestess and Priest, but she also had a bad feeling about things. When she had joined the coven's outer circle, she was under the impression that witches never caused harm, but this ritual seemed pretty destructive. It was terrible what had happened to Annabella's children, but was summoning a God that was prone to killing really the best way to resolve the issue? It would not bring the children back.

"He is going to act now," Paulina Willis said eagerly. She was an energy sensitive, and she could feel everything that Feros was about to do. As far as she was concerned, vampires were vile creatures anyway. The bastards deserved this, no matter what the outcome.

~*~

Erylia awoke to the sound of screaming. She quickly jumped out of her bed and ran toward the hysterics. What she saw made her wonder if she was still asleep and having a nightmare.

Two other immortal Uanie were standing before nine corpses. The woman, an Irish vampire named Brynn O'Rourke, had clearly been the source of the hysterical screams. She was still shouting like some sort of banshee as her husband Travis was desperately trying to calm her down.

"Children!" Brynn screamed in her normally lovely brogue. "How could they kill children?"

"Brynn, darlin', ya must stop screamin'," Travis said gently in his own thick brogue. "You will wake the undead, and they won't like waking up to this."

"What happened?" Erylia asked in a whisper.

"Someone's murdered the children," Brynn said. "The monster!"

"There's no blood," Erylia said. "How did they die?"

"Witches, o' course," Travis replied. "Who else could have done something like this?"

"To children?" Erylia asked in disbelief. "Perhaps it was warlocks. Witches don't usually hurt children."

"An eye for an eye," Brynn said. "Three times three is nine." She had stopped screaming, but now her voice was hollow and hoarse.

"You think this was revenge for the three children they lost? That can't be right. I don't even think it was one of ours who killed them. We're more civilized than that, and we know not to challenge a Salem Witch, especially in her own territory." Erylia took a closer look at the nine dead children. They were all born vampires, the children of day walkers. Their parents were low ranking, and they should not have been targets. The oldest was seventeen, the youngest, only three.

"Good Lord, she's just a baby!" Erylia cried in horror, desperately checking the youngest victim for any sign of a pulse. "She's already cold..."

"They all are. The heat was stolen from their bodies," Travis replied. "It's like the life was sucked right out of them."

"We'll have to alert the rest of the Council, as well as the Undead. Jacob needs to know."

"They won't take this well," Travis said with a frown. "Jacob, in particular, will be furious."

"If the witches did this, they clearly want a war," Erylia replied, "and they're going to get one."