CHAPTER EIGHT

As soon as he got to Jade's house, Shooter found her standing on the front porch. "What's so urgent, Goth Chick?" He asked. He raised an eyebrow as he sensed a powerful magickal shield wrapped around the house.

"Shooter, something happened last night," Jade began. "I want you to try to stay calm... It's a shock, but it's a good thing."

He was suddenly very nervous. "Come on, Jade. I'm a big boy. I can take it... Out with it."

"Someone tried to bring Tammy back from the dead under their control."

Sparks instantly shot out of his hands. He cursed as he shook them off.

"Who the hell did it? I'll destroy them," he said.

"It backfired," Jade replied. "Aideen's protection spells prevented Tammy from being put under anyone else's control... But, Shooter... Tammy's alive."

He stared at her. "Impossible," he said. "That's impossible. Don't-"

"Shooter, listen to me. Tammy is alive, and she's not under anyone else's control. She's herself. She's back."

"Where is she?" He demanded. He wouldn't believe it until he saw it for himself.

"She's upstairs in the guest room."

He stared at her. "She's here?" He whispered, terrified to believe it.

"She's here, Shooter," Jade confirmed. "She's safe."

He didn't speak for a moment as he tried to take that in. Finally, he whispered, "Can I see her?"

Jade took his hand, which was sparking slightly until she touched it. "Come on in," she said. She opened the door and led him into the house.

Jade didn't follow him upstairs. She knew Shooter needed to do this on his own.

When he reached the guest room, he gently knocked on the door. When it opened, Shooter nearly collapsed.

"Took you long enough," Tammy greeted him with a warm smile.

"Tam..." Shooter whispered. "It's true..."

"Did you think Jade would lie about something like this?" Tammy asked with a laugh that lit up her eyes.

Seeing life in her eyes made reality sink in. Shooter flung his arms around her with so much force he nearly knocked her to the floor. He held her tightly, realized she was warm, and held her even tighter.

"Shooter... Need to breathe now," Tammy reminded him.

Shooter eased his grip, but he didn't release her. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he continued to hold her. He was terrified she'd vanish the moment he released her.

Tammy, as always, seemed to know what he was thinking. She gently took his hand and placed it over her heart. He could feel her heart beating, strong and steady.

"I'm real," she promised before wiping his tears away with her thumbs as she cupped his face in her hands.

It helped, but he was still too afraid to let her go. Tammy leaned in closer and kissed him. Sparks shot out of his hand as he suddenly felt like he was the one who'd been resurrected.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I know," Tammy replied. "I love you, too. Now, enough of this sappiness. I'm ready to go back to work."

"Tammy-"

"I never quit, and I miss the Unit. So, what do you say, Shooter? Will you be my partner again?"

"Always," he promised. Then, he smiled and added, "No one else will put up with me."

Tammy returned his smile. "Good. Then let's grab some coffee and go see Skip and Susie," she said. She led him downstairs.

Jade had just finished brewing a fresh pot of coffee when they walked into the kitchen. "Are you good?" She asked Shooter as she handed him a cup prepared exactly as he took it.

"Yeah," he replied. "I'm good."

"We're going to see Skip and Susie," Tammy added after savoring a sip of her own. "Oh, Gods, I missed coffee..."

"Do you want me to bring them here? The house is still warded," Jade offered.

"That might be a good idea," Shooter said. "People shouldn't see Tammy yet... Not until we can find a way to explain her return to the mortals."

"Arnie could modify everyone's memories."

"Well, until he does, Tammy should stay here."

"Shooter, you can't keep me under lock and key forever," Tammy protested. "I can take care of myself."

Shooter sighed. If it were up to him, Tammy would never leave the protection of the house again, but he knew she'd never agree to hide. It wasn't her style.

"Just for today, Tam... Give me one day?" He asked.

Tammy softened at the look in his eyes. "Alright," she agreed. "One day."

"I'll call Skip," Jade said.

"Don't tell them I'm back," Tammy replied with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I want to see the look on Skip's face. And I owe Susie a good shock for all the times she jumped into my body over the years."

"You might give Skip a heart attack," Shooter pointed out.

"Jade can resurrect him," Tammy replied with a laugh. "Come on, Shooter. A girl's got to have a little bit of fun when she's resurrected after a decade and a half."

Twenty minutes later, Skip and Susie arrived. Jade opened the door. The first thing she said was, "Brace yourselves."

As they followed her into the living room, they found Shooter on the couch. "Shooter, what's going on?" Skip asked in concern. "Your emotions are all over the place."

"That would be because of me," Tammy said as she entered the room.

Susie squeaked in surprise. She stared at Tammy, too stunned to move.

"Tammy?" Skip asked as his skin paled significantly.

"Don't faint, Boss," Shooter said in concern.

Susie remained motionless for another moment before poking Tammy with her index finger. "She's real, Skip!" She exclaimed in excitement before flinging her arms around Tammy.

"How?" Skip asked.

"It's complicated," Tammy replied. "I promise I'll explain, but get over here and hug me first."

"Is it permanent? Because I refuse to lose you again," Susie said.

"It's permanent," Tammy confirmed.

"Yay!" Susie cheered. "This is the best day ever!"

Skip looked concerned, but he nodded and said, "This is truly a miracle... I'm so glad to have you back."

"I'm ready to get back to work," Tammy said.

"So soon?"

"You know I get bored when left to my own devices."

"It'll be just like old times!" Susie said. "Tammy and Shooter, me and Skip... Order has been restored."

"Excuse me for a moment," Skip said. He walked into the kitchen.

"I've got him," Jade said. She followed him.

Skip clutched the sink for dear life. "Are you okay, Skip?" Jade asked gently.

He trembled as he looked up at her. "I don't know," he replied honestly.

"You're thinking about Jo."

"You're not supposed to read your boss," Skip said, trying to make light of things.

"I didn't use my telepathy, Skip. I just figured with Susie's comment about old times, you'd naturally go there."

"I'm thrilled that Tammy is alive," he said quickly.

"I know," Jade reassured him.

"I just miss Jo. There's not a day that goes by when I don't think about her. And I'm feeling my emotions, Susie's emotions, Shooter's emotions, and even Tammy's, and it's a lot to process."

"It's okay, Skip. Just take some time," Jade replied soothingly.

"How did this happen, Jade?"

"The short version is that someone tried to raise Tammy under their control, but thanks to the spells that were put in place when she died, it didn't work."

"And we're sure she's not under anyone's control?"

"I'm sure, Skip. I'd sense it."

He nodded. "Then this is a gift, and we should celebrate."

"Take your time. I'll sit with them until you're ready."

"Thanks, Jade."

"No problem," she replied. She left Skip alone to process his thoughts and joined the others. Jade had a feeling it was going to be a long day.

~*~

There was blood on the floor when Tristan Saunders walked into the science lab. Audra Preston was desperately trying to clean up the mess. The tears in her eyes told Tristan how terrified she was.

He knelt beside the sophomore, making her jump. "It's okay," he said soothingly. "I'll help."

"B-Bonnie said I have to do it alone," Audra replied. Her hands were trembling.

"Who'd they sacrifice?"

"P-P-Paulie," Audra finally got out. She began sobbing harder.

Tristan knew that Paulie Preston had been Audra's older sister. The girls were very close, having been born only eleven months apart. They'd joined the E.V.S. at the same time, at the insistence of their father. Like his younger sister, Stephanie, William Prescott had been the President of one of Bishop High School's chapters of the E.V.S, graduating the year before Hugo Becker and Lydia Blaire took over and two years before Stephanie led her chapter in shattering the barrier between Valley and Mirror. Unlike his sister, William had survived into adulthood. Aside from their cousin Brett, who'd been killed by a Siren, the Prestons had a long and glorious history as being some of the most powerful and evil warlocks in Salem.

"Paulie spoke out against Bonnie one too many times," Tristan said. "She should have known better."

"Why weren't you there for the s-sacrifice?" Audra asked.

"Bonnie knows I liked Paulie," he replied.

"Would you have stopped them?"

"There's no stopping Bonnie once she sets her mind to something," Tristan said, "but I would have tried to make her see reason."

"B-Bonnie said I had to c-clean up the mess or she'd do the s-s-same thing to me..."

"I won't let her hurt you, Audra. You've been nothing but loyal."

"I'm s-scared, Tristan."

"I know. And you should be... This is what the E.V.S. does, especially in the high schools. The only chapter in history to have everyone make it to the end of the school year was the one Chad and Kelly ran."

"Paulie was my sister... Bonnie took her body. How do I explain this to my parents?"

"They will understand. If someone doesn't meet the standards of the E.V.S, they get eliminated. Your parents know that."

"How are you so calm about this?"

"Because this isn't new to me, Audra. One thing you'll learn if you want to survive is how to accept the way things are done here and keep going."  He paused before adding, "I'm sorry about Paulie. Really."

It was still early in the year, and Tristan wondered who would replace Paulie in the club. There were plenty of warlocks enrolled in Conant High School, but the club was very particular about who they invited to join. He didn't have the heart to tell Audra that someone would almost definitely take her sister's spot in the next couple of days. She was already traumatized enough.

"Go home, Audra," he said gently. "I'll finish cleaning this up."

"But Bonnie said-" Audra began to protest.

"Bonnie is the club's President, but I'm a Saunders. I do what I want."

Audra nodded, her gratitude clear. Tristan continued cleaning up the mess, wondering what Bonnie might be plotting to do next. He didn't trust that girl as far as he could throw her, but he had to play nice. After all, she was a Pierce. Their line held tremendous power, although not as much as the Saunders line did. He knew better than to cross her unless it became absolutely necessary.

~*~

After football practice, AJ headed to Om Shanti to see his mother. It was raining and he hadn't brought an umbrella with him, so he rushed inside the store to escape from the downpour. Beth was carefully arranging some new cauldrons in the display case.

"Hey, Mom," he greeted her with a smile and a hug.

"Hi, sweetheart," Beth replied warmly. "You forgot your umbrella again, I see." She laughed softly before offering him a towel to dry himself off a bit. "How was school?"

"It was... School," AJ replied with a laugh.

Beth smiled at that. "What brings you by?" She asked.

"I just wanted to check on you. You haven't been feeling well. I was worried."

"I'm okay, honey," Beth replied quickly. "I've just been tired."

"Are you sure that's all it is, Mom?"

"I'm sure." She kissed the top of his head. "Go home, honey. You've got homework. I'll be there in a little while."

AJ frowned, knowing something wasn't right. His mother wasn't budging, so he'd have to talk to his father and see if he knew anything.

"Okay, Mom. I'll see you later," AJ replied. He kissed her cheek before leaving the store.

Immediately, he felt someone watching him. AJ looked around, trying to figure out if it was a friend or a foe. That was when he spotted a werewolf staring at him.

"It's not even dark out yet," AJ mumbled. "Running around Pickering Wharf in wolf form in broad daylight might draw some unwanted attention. Who are you?" 

The wolf growled. Several other werewolves came into view then. Every single one of them looked at AJ like he was their new favorite delicacy.

He weighed his options. He couldn't go back into Om Shanti without risking the wolves attacking his mother. There weren't any tourists around. With the rain, they were probably hiding out in the museums, shops, and restaurants lining Essex Street or sitting in their hotel rooms waiting for the storm to pass. No one was witnessing this unexpected gathering of lycanthropes. AJ was on his own.

The wolves began to surround him. AJ had no choice but to run down the path that led to the small lighthouse at the edge of the wharf. He was fast, but werewolves were typically faster than any human. He knew he couldn't escape from them.

"I'll go down fighting," he decided aloud. He was a warrior. That was what warriors did.

At first, he was holding up alright. AJ was no pushover as a slayer. Even at just fourteen years old, he could hold his own in battle. His dad had trained him well.

Unfortunately, there were simply too many of them. AJ was in serious trouble. As the most dominant of the wolves lunged at him and knocked him to the ground, AJ felt its warm breath on his face.

"Leave the boy alone, ya filthy, unholy beast!" A voice cried defiantly.

AJ was baffled as the Alpha jumped off of him in alarm. Blood began pouring out of its mouth as a very elderly, furious man stood between the wolf and AJ.

The other wolves growled and tried to attack the man, but failed. As the wolves went right through him, AJ realized the man was a spirit.

"On yer feet, Boy!" The spirit shouted. " 'Tis not the end of this fight."

AJ stood up and watched the wolves as they tried to regroup. Their Alpha suddenly shifted back into a human. As he did, his body turned to dust, but not before a voice said, "Oh my God... Kwame?"

AJ looked at the new arrival. Belinda Bowen had never looked so pale or shocked in the entire time AJ had known her. The Mistress of the Wolves was a strong woman, but something had horrified her.

"Hurry, Woman! Get these mutts under control before they destroy Salem," the ghost said.

"Right," Belinda replied, visibly trying to focus. Her eyes widened as she realized who she was talking to. "Mr. Corey..." She focused on trying to take control of the wolves.

"Mr. Corey?" AJ repeated. "You're Giles Corey?"

"Aye, who did ye think I be? Bridget Bishop?" Giles replied sarcastically. "Aye, ye caught me! I left my lacy red bodice at home!"

"My dad knows you. Randy Schwartz?"

"I know who fathered ye, Boy! Why do ye think I came here tonight?" Giles shook his head. "Focus. Others cometh."

Sure enough, more of the shadow creatures arrived. This time, it was vampires. They hissed and surrounded AJ, Belinda, and Giles.

One of the vampires clutched at his throat. Blood began coming out of his mouth. Giles sneered at him, and AJ suddenly remembered the legends that claimed if the ghost of Giles Corey spoke to you, you'd die from a blood or heart ailment soon after. His father had never met that fate, thankfully, but it seemed the old spirit might just have the power to kill after all.

"The wolves are under someone's control," Belinda said. "I can't hold them off for much longer."

AJ staked three of the vampires in quick succession as Giles killed another. "We need to get away from them," AJ said. "The lighthouse is warded. If we can get inside, we can call for help."

"Go on, Boy! Take the woman and seek sanctuary. I shall hold the beasts off," Giles said.

"What if they hurt you?"

Giles smirked. "I am honored by yer concern, Boy, but I am already dead. They cannot do me any true harm. Go."

AJ nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Corey," he said. "Belinda, on my count, run!"

He knew Belinda was ready. "One," he said as he staked another vampire. "Two..." He started inching away from the fight, sending a vampire flying with his telekinesis. "Three!" He shouted.

They both ran toward the lighthouse. It wasn't open to the public, but AJ quickly picked the lock so they could get inside. Just as they were about to enter, a door appeared and opened next to the lighthouse.

Joey and Jade came running out. "Jade!" Belinda cried in relief. Along with Susie's daughter, Gigi, their souls were sisters. They were stronger together.

"Are you two hurt?" Jade asked.

"No, Giles Corey saved us," AJ replied.

"Giles is here?" Joey asked in surprise.

"Yeah... Remember how you said we shouldn't worry until we saw him? Well, I saw him."

There could be no more discussion as the creatures swarmed around them. Jade started attacking them with spells, trying to keep them at bay.

"Get thee inside!" Giles shouted.

With a powerful burst of energy, the shadow creatures began splitting apart, atom by atom. Beth stood in front of them. AJ watched as his mother took down every single creature who had dared to attack them. Then, she started to sway and collapsed.

"Mom!" AJ shouted. He ran to her side.

Jade knelt on Beth's other side. "She'll be alright," she promised AJ. She began to cast a spell that seemed to strengthen Beth quickly.

Beth opened her eyes. "I... What happened?" She asked.

"You fainted, Mom!" AJ replied.

"I may have overdone it just now," Beth admitted.

"Come on, Beth," Jade began. "We'll recharge your energy inside of the lighthouse." She turned toward Giles. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Corey," she said.

Giles nodded before fading from sight. Jade and AJ helped Beth get back on her feet. Joey scooped her up in his arms.

"Joey, I can walk," Beth protested.

"Sorry, Aunt Beth, but I'm not taking any chances," Joey replied firmly. He carried her into the lighthouse. The others followed them inside.

"Alright, what exactly happened before we got here?" Jade asked.

"Shadow wolves," AJ replied.

"Kwame," Belinda said softly. "Their Alpha was Kwame, Jade."

Jade shook her head. "Tammy was right," she mumbled. "Bonnie's resurrecting Salem's dead under her control."

"You saw Tammy?" Beth asked in surprise.

"Oh, yeah, I didn't have a chance to tell you... Tammy's back from the dead."

"What?!" Beth demanded.

"She's not under Bonnie's control," Joey added quickly. "Aunt Deenie's magick protected her from that."

"Bonnie as in Bonnie Pierce?" AJ asked. "The head of Conant's E.V.S. chapter?"

"Yes," Joey replied. "We don't know why she's doing this. Maybe it's the next major E.V.S. event, or maybe it's a personal vendetta, but she's definitely a threat."

"Joey, why don't you take AJ to the Salem Shadows' sanctuary and call the others? You should brace them for the possibility that they'll run into lost loved ones," Jade said.

"Do your homework, honey," Beth added.

Joey nodded. "Come on, AJ," he said. He opened a door and they left together, with AJ sensing his mother and Jade were hiding something from him.

~*~

"Are you alright, Belinda?" Jade asked when the boys left. "I know how much Kwame meant to you."

"I don't know," Belinda admitted. "I sensed him, but he felt wrong. It wasn't the first time I felt him this week. I decided to check things out, but I never expected Kwame to be here, alive... Sort of. When Giles attacked him, it broke the connection to Bonnie, and for just a second, he looked at me, Jade... Kwame saw me, and he wanted to tell me something, but he turned to dust." She shook her head. "I lost him again."

Jade hugged her tightly. "What do you need?" She asked.

"I don't know..." Belinda sighed. "I'm just going to go home to Thea and Athena," she decided. Thea was the lion queen and Belinda's wife. Athena was their twelve-year-old daughter.

"Do you want me to have Thea pick you up here?"

"No... My wolf needs to run. The sun's setting. I'll be fine."

"Call me when you're up to it."

"I will," Belinda promised. She left Jade and Beth alone.

Jade turned her attention toward Beth. "When are you going to tell someone the truth, Beth?" She asked sharply.

Beth looked at her with innocent eyes. "What truth?" She asked.

"You're pregnant, Bethany!" Jade snapped.

Beth sighed, knowing she couldn't hide it any longer. "Did you read my mind or is it just obvious?" She asked.

"You were thinking very loud the night you found out," Jade said, softer now. "I was waiting for you to tell me."

"I'm scared, Jade."

"I know you are. What I don't know is why. You were scared when you had AJ, but you were also pretty young. You've come a long way since then."

"I'm having strange dreams... They started before I found out about the baby."

"Tell me about them," Jade coaxed her.

"I see myself holding a baby... A little girl. And I'm looking in the mirror, and when I see my reflection, my parents are standing behind me." Beth shook her head. "They don't try to hurt me, and I don't feel threatened... They're trying to tell me something, Jade, but I don't trust them, so I won't listen. I can't hear them."

"Well, at least we know it's not your Mirror self, since you destroyed her fifteen years ago," Jade said.

"She blew you up! She had to go."

"And I appreciate that," Jade said with a laugh. "Beth, how many times have you had this dream?"

"At least a dozen... It's always slightly different. Every time I have the dream, my parents seem a little more desperate... Jade, I'm positive the little girl in the dream is the baby I'm carrying. Do you think something's wrong with her?"

"You should ask a doctor that question, Beth," Jade pointed out.

"I'm afraid it's not a physical issue... Maybe it's a magickal one."

"Alright, then here's what we'll do. We're going to see Annabella, and she'll check you out. She's a licensed midwife anyway. If anything is wrong, she can help. I'll hold your hand the entire time... And once we have answers, you'll tell Randy, and ultimately AJ, the truth."

"But-"

"You're pregnant, Beth. Your husband and son kind of need to know that."

Beth sighed deeply. "You're right," she admitted. "I'm going to start showing soon."

"I know you're scared, Beth, but you're not alone. I'm here for you, and you've got the world's sweetest husband, and a doting son, and we're all ready to spoil you while you grow this tiny human, okay? You've got this, and we've got you."

Beth snuggled into Jade's arms. "Alright," she agreed. "Let's go see Annabella."