Selene stuck her head into the room and rubbed her eyes to see if she wasn't going blind. The room was dimly lit with blue lights which she was sure hadn't been there before. Benjamin was sitting up in bed like he had been awake for a while. He had some books on his laps.

"What's wrong?" He tilted his head to look at her. For some reason, that single gesture looked so hot to Selene.

"Nothing. The lights are weird." She said awkwardly.

"Oh. I'm used to having blue lights on at night back at home so I used a light spell to change the color of your lights. Does it bother you? I can change it back." He said.

"No, it doesn't. May I come in?" She shifted her weight from one foot to another.

"It's your house." He made room for her on the bed when he noticed she wanted to sit beside him. If he found it weird that she was sitting so close to him, he didn't comment.

Selene looked at him for a while. Selene had always wondered what he looked like when he first woke up and she'd finally gotten her answer.

His hair was disheveled and untidy which gave him a strange look since she was used to him looking so prim and proper. It didn't make him look ugly—just different in a good way.

His golden eyes were a bit bloodshot and puffy like he had slept badly. He still looked amazing though. The blue light reflecting on his face did strange things to Selene's heart.

Selene reached out to touch his cheek without thinking. Ordinarily, she would never have dreamt of being so forward but she just couldn't help it. Her body acted before she could think.

"You look tired. Did you sleep at all?" Selene asked.

"Not really. I tried sleeping but..." he shrugged.

"What's this? What are you doing?" Selene broke their eye contact to look at the book in his hands.

"I was doing some research on Synergy and Telepathy. I wasn't really able to answer your questions so I wanted to go over a new book to see if there was anything I was missing." Benjamin said.

His words were like a dagger to her heart. Selene remembered how harsh she'd been to him earlier that day when he'd been trying to explain things about Rodia to her.

"I'm sorry. I was stupid. I took out my frustration on you when you were just trying to help." Selene said quietly. Her eyes were filled with genuine remorse.

"It's fine. I'd be angrier in your shoes." His eyes softened as he gave her one of his beautiful half-smiles.

"What have you found out? Can I see the book?" Selene asked.

"Sure. The writing's all old and cramped. So far, I've found out a bit more about Synergy. Apart from the ability to share power, we can also communicate without talking." Benjamin said.

"That sounds like Telepathy." Selene looked at the book and wished she'd brought her glasses.

"It is. When you got attacked, I felt like I could hear your voice in my head asking for help. I'd been trying to understand why and the book just explained that. The bond is kind of like having two phones which are sharing data. The stronger we make the bond, the greater the possibilities." Benjamin said leaning over to point out a line to her.

"This says that after a while, it'll be difficult to know where one person in a Synergy begins and where the other ends." Selene read out.

"That's what happens after a few years of strengthening the bond." Benjamin nodded.

"And how do you strengthen that bond?" Selene asked.

"There are many ways. The first is by connecting your minds. You do this by engaging in an activity you both like—perhaps reading—then you try to communicate back and forth using Synergy Telepathy. Another is by performing magic together." Benjamin answered like a good student.

"What's this?" Selene pointed to some words in the book.

"Oh, those are the other ways to strengthen Synergy." He said blushing furiously.

"Strengthen. I'm seeing Blood magic. I thought you said Synergy is a bond of the soul." Selene said.

"It is but that doesn't mean a little blood won't strengthen it." He was avoiding her eyes now.

"Well? Let's try it." She said.

"I'd rather not," Benjamin said gently.

"Why?"

"Blood Synergy is the ultimate form. Once you do it, there's no going back. We'll be almost unstoppable and there'd be no limit to what we can do with your Telepathy and my Magi but there's a bad side. The more powerful we are, so also the more vulnerable." Benjamin said rubbing his neck tiredly.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means if I get stabbed, then you'd feel the exact amount of pain. One doesn't exist without the other. If I die, then so do you. We can't enter into that kind of bond when you don't even have your memories." He said.

Selene chewed her lip and nodded. It sounded like a huge step—huger than deciding who to give your virginity to.

"What about this one? Synergy of Intimacy." Selene read aloud.

"Uhm. That involved intimacy. Like kissing and stuff." Benjamin blushed fiercely.

Selene looked at him wondering why he seemed so awkward. She finally put things together and got the answer.

"Like sex?" She asked.

He made an uncomfortable noise and retreated a little. Selene snorted then decided to stop teasing him. He already looked flushed and embarrassed.

"I can understand the kissing part. I did feel something then." Selene said seriously.

"During that time, I can actually feel how powerful you are. I could see inside your head even though it was hard. When you kiss someone, you share a part of your essence with them. Sex is more intimate and that's a bit like sharing a part of your soul. It's not half as strong as blood synergy but it's strong enough." Benjamin said awkwardly.

"Strong enough for what?" Selene asked.

Benjamin just cleared his throat but looked like he was disinclined to answer. Selene looked at him and tried to put things together again. He seemed too embarrassed to talk about it. She couldn't always expect to get the answers easily.

"Yesterday, you had this idea about how to make me get my memories back. Was this the idea? Synergy of Intimacy?" Selene asked bluntly.

"Yes. But I wasn't thinking sex, of course. Haha. Not at all. I wouldn't take advantage of the situation like that." Benjamin said nervously.

Selene resisted the urge to smirk at him.
"Then what were you thinking?" She asked.

"When I touched your head, I could feel your power trying to escape but it was still being held back. I already know that when I kiss you, I feel like I'm inside your head." He shivered.

"Have you tried removing this memory block?" Selene asked.

Benjamin looked affronted.
"Absolutely not! I wouldn't do such a thing! It's invasive and wrong!" He said.

"Well, would you like to try now? I'm permitting you." Selene moved closer to him.

"Are you sure?" He asked with his eyes darkening.

"I'm very sure." Selene tried to make her eyes look innocent. It wasn't hard.

"I'm not sure your aunt would like this. She didn't seem like she approved of the idea earlier." Benjamin said moving closer to her as he cleared his throat.

"She's not the one being hunted down. Don't make this awkward." Selene scoffed.

Benjamin didn't reply. Selene particularly liked the way he held her face and kissed her. It was very different from the kisses he'd given her before. She could understand why he'd been reluctant to remove the memory block by kissing her.

It wasn't a romantic, slow kiss neither was it a lust-filled one. It was invasive and oddly intoxicating. On one hand, she wanted to pull away but on the other, she wanted to welcome him into her head. It was so confusing.

She seemed to be able to hear the words he was chanting even though he wasn't saying them aloud. It was faint but distinct. The louder the chants got, the more invasive the kiss felt until it got to the point that it was actually painful.

Her head began to hurt so badly that she wanted to push him off but then he suddenly moved back, coughing gently. The pain in her head subsided till it was nothing but a dull thump.

When his hand came away from his nose, it was covered with blood.

"Oh, my Gawd! Are you ok?" She reached behind him for some tissues.

He nodded but continued coughing.

"Usually when I kiss people, they don't actually end up bleeding. Here." She said nervously.

"Thanks." He took the tissues from her hands. He held it against his nose with a frustrated look on his face.

"I don't feel any different. Did it work?" She asked.

"It didn't. Your mind kicked me out the minute I tried to touch your memories. I'm so stupid. I can't believe I actually thought it would work." He said angrily.

"Hey, you tried your best," Selene said.

"My best wasn't good enough. I should have known it wouldn't work. It's good that I didn't try to probe too much. It would have ended badly." He said with his head titled up.

"I'm sorry. How's your nose?" Selene tried to touch him but he waved her away.

"I'm fine. I can heal myself. I was stupid so I deserve this. Don't worry about it." He said firmly.

"What do y..." Selene started to say when they heard a knock coming from another part of the house.

Benjamin used the opportunity to move away from her. He didn't even pause to see if she was going to tag along. He opened the door and walked in the direction of the sound.

It was around that time that Selene realized it was raining heavily. She'd been too engrossed with checking Benjamin out to notice.

They were joined in the living room by Tianna who looked every bit as guarded as Benjamin did. Selene looked at him and she could barely recognize him. He looked so sharp and focused.

Tianna nodded at him. Benjamin stood in front of Selene protectively like a bodyguard. Selene tried to nudge him aside but he stood firmly in place. Since he was taller than she, all she could do was peek over his broad shoulders while standing on her toes. In order not to trip, she gripped his back and innocently pressed her body to his.

Benjamin made a weird sound like he'd noticed but was too concerned about who was knocking on the door. Selene was sure she'd never seen him so alert and fierce before.

Tianna peeped through the eyehole to see who was at the door. She made a startled sound and threw open the door in shock.

The three of them gaped at the strange sight at their front door. It was enough to give anyone a heart attack.

What appeared to be a teenaged girl stood at the door. She was completely soaked by the rain with her short black hair sticking to the sides of her cheeks and forehead. Her black clothes were glued to her body making her look even thinner and raggedly than usual.

The strangest part of the girl's appearance happened to be her eyes. She had black streaks running down to her cheek like she had been weeping black tears.

"Not to be rude but Dusk needs to get away from the rain. May I come in?" The girl said in a strange voice.

"No! Don't! What if she's a vampire?" Selene blurted out before her aunt could speak.

Tianna and Benjamin gave her a strange look like she had lost her mind. Selene blushed and threw her hands up.

"Hey! Considering all the crazy stuff that has happened in the last 24 hours, can you blame me?" She said.

"Please come in. Whoever you are." Tianna said turning away from her niece.

The girl stepped into the house. She was followed by a drenched black cat who shook its paw in distaste. The cat looked up at the girl with disdain like it blamed her for their ordeal.

The cat trotted over to Selene and looked up at her with its small head tilted. It had glowing ember eyes and dainty white paws. It bowed his head regally before sneezing violently.

"Dusk likes you. She only sneezes when she likes people." The girl said approvingly.

"How quaint," Selene said dashing off to get a towel so she could dry the poor creature who kept washing its paw.

When she returned with the towel, she sat on the couch and patted her thigh. The cat probably sensed her intentions. It jumped into her lap. Selene gave the cat a rigorous but gentle rub. The animal seemed to enjoy the intense pampering.

"She has a weakness for little creatures. I assume the cat is your Spirit Animal." Tianna said to the girl. She handed the girl a towel so she could dab her hair.

"You assume right. Normally, Dusk doesn't like anyone touching her. She must really like you, Selene." The girl said.

Selene looked at the girl, surprised to hear her name on the girl's lips. She watched the girl dab her hair while trying to place the face.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Edith. How did you know where to find us?" Benjamin glanced at Selene like he knew she hadn't been able to realize the strange girl was her ex-boyfriend's sister.

Selene instantly recognized the girl. They'd only met once—while she had still been dating her brother. She suddenly felt awkward.

"A spirit told me," Edith said looking at everyone with her mascara streaked eyes. She looked like an image from Halloween with those scary eyes.

"How is that possible? There are wards around this house to prevent anyone from finding us." Benjamin frowned.

"The wards keep out those who mean harm to the Child of Black Day. I do not mean harm to her." Edith said shrugging.

"How do you know that? Benjamin? Who is this strange girl?" Tianna turned to Benjamin.

"She's Laurence's little sister—my stepsister. She's a Necromancer." Benjamin said calmly.

"I can sense that with all the strange clothes and makeup. Or at least what is left of the makeup. Want some wipes? I'd offer you a change of clothes but I doubt you'd like all the colored garments I have." Tianna said.

"That's fine. I brought my garments." Edith tapped a bag on her right arm. It was wrapped with a waterproof case.

"I wish I knew you were coming. I'd have asked you to bring some clothes for me." Benjamin said ruefully.

"No worries. I brought some." Edith tapped another bag with a waterproof case on her left arm. She tossed it at Benjamin who caught it easily.

He unzipped the bag and winced.
"Might I ask how you got these clothes from my room?" He said.

"I didn't ransack your room. You have so many strange wards around the door. I can't go two feet near it without feeling sick. Laurence helped me." Edith said.

"He did?" Selene's eyes looked wider than saucers.

Edith turned her dark eyes towards her and gave her what looked like a smile.

"Yes. That was his final role in your destiny." Edith said.

"What?" Selene blinked at the strange girl. She wondered if Edith would hate her now that she'd broken up with Larry. She had cheated on her brother and had caused a huge argument after all.

"I still don't understand how you found us even with all your good intentions. Spirit or not." Benjamin sounded perplexed.

"I found you because I had to. I found you because it is my destiny. I found you because my place is by the Child of Black Day. I have come to pledge my allegiance." Edith shivered.

"It's 2 am. We can't get anything more from Edith. She's shivering and needs to get changed. Let's all get some sleep." Tianna said.

"But..." Selene tried.

"Now, Selene. You can't get the answers you need or any help from Edith if she gets pneumonia." Tianna said firmly.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I shall be an honorable guest." Edith rose to her feet bowing at Tianna.

Tianna bowed at her and glared at Benjamin and Selene like she knew what they had been doing earlier. Selene rose still holding the cat in her arms. The cat was damp but no longer shivering. It yawned tiredly.

"Dusk needs some rest," Edith said looking at her black cat who had completely forgotten about its owner.

"The two of you can stay in Selene's room. She has a spare sleeping bag in there." Tianna said.

"Or you can take the bed," Selene said hurriedly.

"No, thank you." Edith bowed her head. Her eyes still looked dark even though she had wiped off her makeup.

"Well. Follow me." Selene said politely.

Selene took the cat to her bedroom with Edith trotting faithfully behind her. Tianna looked at Benjamin thoughtfully.

"A Necromancer under my roof. I never thought I'd live long enough to see the day. Such a powerful one too." Tianna said.

"The most powerful one I've met. Edith is a bit..." Benjamin paused tried to look for the right word.

"Strange? All Necromancers are like her. Intense, dark, and mysterious. I'd like to hear what she has to say. You should get some rest as well Benjamin." Tianna said.

He bowed his head and went back to the guest room.

Tianna paced around the living room for a while. She didn't know what to make of Edith however, she could tell the girl was genuinely there to help.

But how did she know Selene was the Child of Black Day?

#M.M💀🖤