CHAPTER SEVEN

It had been a week since the supposed suicide of the lead guitarist of Serpent's Kiss, and still, the police had no solid evidence that it had been a homicide. The Unit, however, was unwilling to let the band leave town yet. Dylan had spent nearly every free moment he had with Vynn, and he was getting to know the other band members pretty well.

"We should really figure out what we're going to do about the band now," Luke said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Vynn asked.

"We need to replace Devon," he pointed out.

"Gods, Luke, it's too soon," Vynn said in horror.

"We haven't got a choice. We're at a really fragile point in our career, Vynn. We are at the top of the music charts, but if we don't start performing again soon, everyone's going to forget about us."

"He's right," Dylan said gently. "I know it's hard for you to think about moving on, Vynn, but if you don't get a new lead guitarist, the band's not going to recover from this."

"Who could we even get?" Adam asked. "I mean, who is crazy enough to join a band that not only plays gigs, but just happens to fight the forces of evil?"

"What about you, Dylan?" Luke asked.

"Wait... What?" Dylan asked.

"Vynn said you're an awesome guitar player. I saw you the night of the gig. You know every song lyric, music note, and stage motion. You'd obviously be able to keep up with us, and you're supernaturally inclined, so that bit wouldn't bother you."

"I'm dreaming. I must be," Dylan decided. His favorite band couldn't possibly be trying to recruit him.

Adam pinched Dylan's arm. "Ouch!" Dylan cried out.

"You're awake," Adam said with a grin.

"Thanks," Dylan replied, rubbing the sore spot on his arm. "Look, I'm honored, but you guys haven't even heard me play..."

"Vynn's picky about the music she likes, but we'd be glad to audition you," Luke said.

Dylan could not believe what he was being invited to do. "I don't know," he said cautiously. He had obligations. He was still in high school, and the Silver Society needed him, but this was his dream job.

"Come on, Dylan... If anyone would fit in with us, it's you," Adam said.

Vynn looked at Dylan and added, "I don't think I could accept anyone new coming into the band, but you already feel like you're part of the family. Please consider it?"

Dylan could not say no to her when she was so vulnerable. "Okay," he agreed. "Sure, I'll audition. When?"

"How about today?" Luke asked. "Go home, get your guitar, and meet us back here."

"Yeah, alright," Dylan replied. The entire situation felt surreal, and yet he was thrilled. This was his dream come true. Could it actually be happening?

He rushed home to get his guitar. Serpent's Kiss was staying in Salem for a bit. Dylan decided he would audition, work with them while they were in town, and figure out the rest later.

~*~

Timmy was nervous as Lewis called him into his bedroom to talk privately. People had offered to help Timmy before, but never for free, and he suspected the other shoe was about to drop.

I like it here, but I won't stay if he demands anything illegal or creepy from me, Timmy decided. He hated the idea of having to run again, but it wasn't unusual for him.

"Timmy, I looked into your family," Lewis began.

Timmy tensed, suddenly wondering what Lewis might have found out. He said nothing as he waited for more information.

"I had to be sure we weren't going to get ourselves charged with kidnapping by taking you in," Lewis explained. "I'm a lawyer, as you know, and while we're happy to help, you are still a minor." He paused thoughtfully. "You told us you were an orphan, but I needed to be thorough."

"I am an orphan, Sir," Timmy replied softly.

"You don't need to call me Sir, Timmy. Lewis is fine." He paused, considering the situation. "There were charges filed against your parents when you were very young," he said sympathetically. "They were investigated for child abuse, but the charges were dropped because you healed unusually quickly and the jury didn't believe the initial hospital reports were accurate. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Si- Lewis. The charges were dropped."

Lewis nodded thoughtfully. "Children are resilient. Sometimes, their bodies bounce back impossibly fast. The jury was wrong to dismiss the case based solely on your recovery time. What happened, Timmy?"

Timmy figured lying was pointless now, at least about the legal side of things. "My parents took turns beating me," he admitted. "My mother broke my arm in four places. My dad broke my jaw. I had fractures all over my body. I had internal bleeding. I ran outside and this lady drove by in her car and found me. She took me to the hospital and they documented everything, but... I healed within a couple of days."

"Even your broken bones?" Lewis asked.

"Yeah... I've always been a fast healer." I'm a werelion, but if I tell you that, you'll probably lock me in a psychiatric ward, so I'd better not, he added silently.

"Timmy, I'm so sorry you endured all of that," Lewis said gently. "No child should grow up having to fear their parents."

"Did you find out anything else?" Timmy asked nervously.

"Should I have?" Lewis asked in a tone that told Timmy he knew more than he was saying and was trying to see if Timmy would admit it.

"The abuse got worse after that, so I ran away," Timmy admitted. "I was eight, but I figured out how to survive the best I could."

"Yet you knew your parents were dead..."

"They found me," Timmy replied softly.

"And what happened when they did, Timmy?" Lewis asked cautiously.

"They hurt me again..."

"Did you stop them?"

"Yes," Timmy replied nervously. "I stopped them." He felt tears in his eyes as he added, "I killed them. It was the only way it would stop, Lewis. I'm sorry! I didn't want to do it, but..." He stopped speaking, reduced to sobs.

Lewis moved closer. Timmy flinched automatically, but Lewis simply put a gentle hand on his back.

"That's all I needed to see," he said softly.

"What do you mean?" Timmy asked as Lewis passed him some tissues.

"You showed remorse for your actions, and I am fully convinced that you acted in self-defense and had no other choice. You're living in my house, Timmy, around my daughter and Jade... And, as far as I'm concerned, Jade is my adopted daughter, and she is my family. I won't put my family at risk by harboring a coldhearted killer, no matter how young you are."

"Right. Can I leave, or are you calling the cops?" Timmy asked.

"You're staying right here, young man. And while, yes, I'm going to speak with the police, you won't be going to prison. People trust me in this community. If I explain that you acted in self-defense and get you into counseling for your trauma, charges won't be brought against you. With your permission, I can submit your medical records to prove that they were abusive and you were a just a terrified child with reason to believe no one would help you after your case was dismissed."

"You're letting me stay here?" Timmy asked. "Even knowing what I did?"

"I don't believe you're a threat to Maggie or our girls. Abuse is unacceptable in any form, especially when it's directed toward a child. I'm going to help you, Timmy, but you have to be honest with me from now on. Do we have a deal?"

Timmy hesitated before asking, "What do I have to do in return?"

"Live a good life, Timmy," Lewis replied. "Go to school. Grow up to be a good person. And, if it's not too hard, keep an eye on Beth for me. Jade's been great with her, but you're actually in the same grade as Beth. Can you be there if she needs a friend?"

Timmy was relieved by Lewis's request. It didn't require him to do anything inappropriate. "Sure," he replied. "I can do that."

Lewis smiled before shaking Timmy's hand. "Then we have a deal. Don't worry, Timmy. I'll take care of your legal situation. You just focus on being a teenager." He patted Timmy's shoulder again before leaving the room.

For the first time in too long, Timmy felt like he might actually be safe.

~*~

Beth was sitting in her room with Jade and Joey, where Jade was trying to teach her some basic candle magick. "Beth, I want you to focus on the energy of this candle," Jade said. She pointed to the red candle that was in front of Beth. "Call up the elements within the candle."

"What's red for again?" Beth asked nervously. She still wasn't sure if it was wrong to be learning spells. She was supposed to be a Christian. Then again, if she didn't learn to do something soon, the Silver Society might get fed up with her and kick her out because she was a hopeless waste of energy.

"They wouldn't do that to you," Jade said suddenly. "And quit thinking so loud. You need to relax your mind to do this, Beth."

"Sorry," Beth replied, feeling embarrassed.

"Anyway, red is for a lot of things, but we're using it for courage and confidence. You really need more of that. So, just push your doubts away and focus on the candle," Jade instructed.

Beth tried, but she could not stop thinking that it was all a waste of time. Jade finally got annoyed and forced Beth's thoughts aside for her. "I felt that," Beth informed her.

"Well, it worked, didn't it?" Jade replied. "Keep your mind clear and just look at the candle. Feel the energy. Call on it, Beth. You can do this."

Sure enough, Beth began to feel the elements of the candle magick working. She felt confident, but not overly so. She was still feeling stronger than she had before.

Jade guided Beth into a deep meditative state. "Now, put the candle out, Beth," Jade whispered.

Beth continued to stare at the flame of the candle. Out, she thought. Extinguish.

After several moments, the flame went out. Beth could feel Jade's emotions change, which brought her back into her usual awareness.

"Congratulations, Beth," Jade said with pride. "You just performed your first parlor trick."

"I blew a candle out. It's not the hardest thing in the world," Beth replied.

"It's not easy the way you did it. Beth, you need to start small. The bigger stuff comes later, with more practice. The important thing is, you reached a level of consciousness where you could defy the rules you've come to believe limit what you can do. That's really hard to do."

"You had to push me there," Beth pointed out.

"I pushed, but you kept yourself there," Jade replied. "I didn't do that. Eventually, you won't even need the push."

"I try, Mama?" Joey asked suddenly.

"What, Baby?" Jade asked.

"I try make go out?"

Jade smiled. "Okay, if you really want to." She lit the candle again.

Joey looked at the flame, and clapped his hands together in front of his face as he exclaimed, "Poof!" The candle went out. Joey looked very proud of himself. Jade smiled.

"Wow. Even toddlers can do this," Beth said. "Again, that proves it's not a big deal."

"Oh, knock it off, Bethany," Jade said firmly. "You know perfectly well that Joey's not like other kids, and even if he was, I said we're taking this slow. You're not used to magick yet. You can't do the big stuff without learning all of the little things that make the big stuff happen. You need the basics before you can do advanced magick."

"I wish we could fast forward to the end of this so I could do something that would actually make a difference."

"I know. We'll get there eventually, Beth. Just be patient."

"That's easier said than done when everyone else is already doing the advanced stuff."

Jade gave Beth a hug. "It's okay," she said patiently. "You did well today. Be proud of that, alright?"

Beth nodded. Don't sell yourself short, Bethany, someone said.

"What did you say?" Beth asked Jade.

"I didn't say anything," Jade replied in confusion.

"I swear I just heard... Oh, great, so I'm hearing voices now?"

"Hey, hearing voices happens to be a psychic skill," Jade pointed out. "Maybe it was a spirit guide."

"It felt more like schizophrenia. It was almost like a voice inside of me was telling me something."

Your time will come. Your destiny will awaken soon. Trust yourself, the voice insisted.

"It just happened again! Jade, I think I've lost it," Beth said.

"I'm sure you haven't," Jade replied. "You're not schizophrenic. I'm a telepath, Beth. I would have noticed that by now."

"Right," Beth said, but she wasn't so sure. This voice was comforting, and she felt stronger after hearing it. Maybe it was some strange side effect of the candle magick. She was certainly feeling more confident. Or maybe, somehow, this had something to do with why all of the bad guys seemed to be after her...

I always have so many questions, Beth thought. Why don't I ever get answers instead?

~*~

Cierra had read her mother's diary from cover to cover several times already. She'd even found the detail her mother had always hidden from her.

Henry Williams.

Cierra had said the name a thousand and one times since discovering it in the diary, but she still couldn't process it. Could this truly be the name of the father she had never known?

He's dead, Cierra reminded herself. Stop getting so excited. The man has been dead since before you were born. Cierra paused. Still, there is no mention of him after your conception or birth, except to say that he was the one... Why wouldn't she have written about his death? What if he's not dead after all?

"Cierra?" Tyler called. "Dinner's ready."

"I'm not hungry," Cierra called back.

"Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just too tired to eat tonight."

"Alright. I'll save you some leftovers," Tyler said with a bit of concern lingering in his voice.

"Thanks, Dad," Cierra replied.

She made sure that Tyler would not disturb her before she climbed out of her bedroom window. It was rare that she snuck out, and she normally only did it in an emergency, but she had to know the truth. Cierra hurried to the Unit for a night of research that she hoped, for once, would turn up nothing.

~*~

When Skip and Joanna arrived at the Unit the following morning, they discovered Cierra fast asleep in the library stacks, surrounded by books and files.

"Cierra?" Joanna called gently.

Cierra jumped as she was startled awake. "Oh wow..." She said as she looked around in confusion. "What time is it?"

"It's nine-fifteen in the morning," Skip replied. "Did you stay here all night?"

"I guess I must have fallen asleep," she admitted.

"What were you looking for?" Joanna asked.

"Are those the death certificate records?" Skip asked, pointing to one of the piles at Cierra's feet.

"Yeah," Cierra replied. "I... um... I wanted to know if someone was really dead."

Research and Cierra went hand-in-hand, so Skip and Joanna did not find this particularly unusual. "Whose death are you investigating?" Skip asked.

"He's just this guy whose name I came across," Cierra replied. She didn't want to tell them anything else. She had to do this on her own. She had looked through every single death certificate for the time frame her mother had given her. There was no record of Henry Williams ever having died. Although Cierra could not understand why, she knew that she could not tell Skip or Joanna or anyone else what she was doing.

"Is everything okay, Cierra?" Skip asked.

"Yes," Cierra replied. "Everything's fine. I'm just exhausted. I'm going to head home."

"Honey, it's a school day..." Joanna reminded her gently.

"Oh... Right. Well, I guess I'm not making it in today... Bye, guys." Cierra hurried away before Skip and Joanna could ask her any more questions.

"This is the girl who goes to school with a fever of one-hundred-and-two," Skip said. "Something's going on with her."

"I know," Joanna replied. "I hope she's alright... I don't have the best feeling about this." She began to pick up some of the paperwork Cierra had not bothered to put away, which was also highly unlike her. Suddenly, Joanna was no longer in the present.

"Jo?" Skip called. "What a great time for a vision." He sighed. It took Joanna several moments to come back into awareness. "What did you see?" Skip asked.

Joanna shook her head. "It's not possible."

"What's not possible?" Skip asked in confusion.

"I saw a file," Joanna began.

"Okay... What file?" Skip asked.

"It was Cierra's file."

"Why are you so freaked out about it?"

"It was filed under warlocks, Skip."

Skip's jaw dropped. "You're right. That's impossible. Cierra's not even an initiated Witch. Why would she suddenly become a warlock?"

"I don't know. I didn't see the details, just her file. Skip... What if she's making the transition? We have to warn the others."

"Come on, Jo, this is Cierra we're talking about. She's too busy burying her nose in a book most of the time to have suddenly decided to turn evil."

Joanna sighed. "Maybe you're right, but... I don't know, Skip. The vision felt real."

"Let's not panic yet. We'll keep an eye on her, and if she keeps acting strange, we'll let Alex know and have him talk to her. Even if she's making the transition, I doubt it's too late. She doesn't feel evil."

"That's true," Joanna admitted. Cierra's energy hadn't changed in the slightest. Whatever the vision meant, it hadn't been set in stone yet. "Alright, for now, that will have to do."

~*~

Pru was waiting where she had been told to wait. She was nervous. She knew that the others were disappointed in her. "Hello, Prudence," Hugo said. He walked into the science laboratory and was followed by Lydia.

"Hi, guys," Pru replied cautiously.

"Prudence, I'm sorry to say, this just isn't working out," Lydia said.

"Oh... I see," Pru replied sadly. She wasn't exactly surprised. She was severely socially awkward, and group activities had never really been her thing. She'd only joined the Erica Vitti Society because her parents had insisted. She was embarrassed she'd disappointed them, but she wouldn't fight Hugo and Lydia's decision.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I know I don't really fit in anywhere very well. I didn't mean to waste your time."

"You are weak, Prudence," Hugo said. "Weakness is not a quality for a member of The Erica Vitti Society."

"I'm sorry," Pru replied again, not denying it. She was weak. She always had been.

"We don't enjoy having to say goodbye to a member, but you have proven to be quite the disappointment," Lydia said. Suddenly, she pulled out a long knife with a jagged blade.

Pru's eyes went wide at the sight of the blade. "What's that for?" She asked, her voice trembling with fear.

"Don't worry, Prudence. You won't feel a thing," Lydia said as she plunged the ritual knife into Pru's chest before Pru even had time to scream. "In fact, you won't feel anything ever again," she added, pushing the blade in as far as it would go.

Pru lay on the lab table with her eyes still wide open in horror. There was no blood. Lydia's father had carefully charged the knife with a spell that would kill Pru as soon as the blade touched her heart. It was also charged to leave no evidence behind.

"We'd better smite the body," Hugo said. He and Lydia began gathering energy to smite the corpse, but they stopped when they heard a noise.

"Someone's coming," Lydia said.

Hugo cursed. "Come on, we'll finish this later." He grabbed Lydia's hand and dragged her away from Pru's corpse. They hurried down the hall, unseen by the approaching person.

~*~

As Tommi approached the science laboratory, her eyes went wide and she saw images passing through her mind again of Pru being stabbed. They were the reason she'd turned around and run back to the school.

As soon as Tommi came out of the vision this time, she flung open the door to the science laboratory, and to her horror, she saw Pru's corpse, left just as it had been in her vision.

Tommi screamed, and she didn't think she'd ever stop.