Trey's POV

"Focus, Trey! What's gotten into you today?" Dean Lucia groaned impatiently after I failed yet again at conjuring up a force field. Dean Lucia had aimed a flaming sphere my way and I was supposed to pull up a force field strong enough to deflect it. It was one thing to conjure up a strong force field. I couldn't even conjure up a weak one.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying," I said, gritting my teeth.

I felt exhausted and frustrated. I had been working at force fields for two weeks now and I still couldn't do it. With every failed attempt, I could feel myself losing focus and giving into my emotions, which was something that Dean Lucia told me to avoid at all costs, especially during battle.

"You're not trying hard enough," Lucia spat. His words stung, which only intensified my frustration.

"I said I'm trying!" I shouted.

"Try harder!" he yelled back, hurling a swirling ball of ice at my face.

Maybe it was the anger and frustration that was boiling inside of me, or maybe I was finally getting the hang of advanced magic, but just as the ball of ice came my way, I reached out with my mind and took control of the fire from the flickering candle on Lucia's desk. Pulling the flame and enlarging it, I hurled the flame at the ball of ice, melting it just inches before it hit me.

Dean Lucia raised his eyebrows at me, looking impressed.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Self defense," I replied bitterly.

"Well, that was a good alternative way to defend yourself. But you can't always rely on element manipulation, even though I know how easily it comes to you," Lucia told me.

"Why do I have to learn how to conjure up a force field, anyway? Why can't I just jump out of the way. I have fast reflexes," I said.

"Because you can't always dodge spells. What if it wasn't a ball of ice I was throwing at you, but an entire wave of ice shards? Then how would you jump out of the way?" Lucia replied.

Wave of ice shards?

I found myself questioning day after day what I had gotten myself into. What the hell was I thinking taking up such an enormous responsibility? How was I going to be the leader of the good side? As far as I knew, Dean Lucia was far smarter and stronger than I was. He should be the one leading our side, not me.

But whenever I voiced this to him, he told me I needed to have a little more confidence in myself. He said that he couldn't be the leader because he needed someone to carry on the legacy if something were to go wrong in this war. If we lost--which was very probable because no one had won in centuries--then it would be my responsibility to train the person that would take charge for the next war.

"How about we take a break?" Lucia suggested. I nodded, glad that he was offering one. Usually, we trained for four hours straight. But I knew the look he had on his face. He wanted to talk.

"So, what's bothering you? You seem distracted," he asked, sitting at his office desk. I sat in the chair across the table from him.

"I'm not," I said.

"If you're going to lie, at least try to make it convincing," he said. I glared at him and then sighed, slouching back into the chair.

"There's nothing bothering me," I repeated, although we both knew there was. And I was fairly certain he knew exactly what was bothering me.

"Caley," he said.

Yes.

Caley.

It had been nearly two months now since winter holidays had ended and we still weren't speaking to each other. She was too proud and stubborn to talk first and I was at a loss for words. I didn't know how to apologize to her because apologizing meant telling her everything, and telling her everything was not something I was at liberty to do. Thanks to her father.

"Are you two still not speaking?" he asked. I nodded. "Why not?" he asked.

"Well, because I kept an enormous secret from her and to apologize to her would mean to tell her everything about that secret. Including the part about me being the leader of this movement," I replied, my tone a little harsher than I had intended it to be.

"You can't tell her that. You can't tell anyone that," he said.

"Why not? She's a part of the Order now. Why can't she know?" I asked.

"Because I don't want people knowing just yet. Not this early in the war. We still don't know who we can trust," he replied.

"She's your daughter," I said, sitting up.

"And knowing her, she would make a big deal out of something like this. And that is something I want to avoid, especially now," he said, his voice grim and his eyes sad.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, not understanding.

"Caley's relationship with me has been nothing short of rocky so far. Until a few months ago, she's finally made an effort to try and forgive me for what I did to her and her mother. If you tell her that I chose to give you this incredible responsibility over her, my own daughter, I'm afraid she'll go back to hating me again," he explained.

"So you're sacrificing my relationship with her so that your's doesn't suffer?" I asked. He flinched at my harsh tone.

I knew it was a selfish thing to ask. I knew better than anyone that Caley's relationship with her father was a difficult one. It was, after all, me who told her time and time again to try and make ammends. I was the reason they were back on speaking terms. And now it seemed like, because of my interference, I was suffering.

"That's not what I had intended on happening. I didn't think she'd find out about the Order at all. I wanted her completely out of this whole situation. My only goal was to keep her safe. I can't lose her. Not after I lost her mother the way I did..." he trailed off, his eyes dark and stormy.

"Well, I don't know how to apologize to her," I said.

"Blame me. Just tell her that I didn't want her to know about the Order because I was trying to keep her safe and the only way to keep her safe was to keep her out of it. Don't let on about your real role," he said, his gaze fixed on the night outside the window.

"And what if she asks why you recruited me?" I asked.

"Tell her it was because your family has been in the Order for a very long time and that it was necessary for you to be in it, as well, especially since your house is now headquarters," he replied. I nodded and we were silent for a few moments. "Make sure you apologize soon, though. I need you to be completely focused from here on out," he said.

"Yes, sir," I said.

"Good, now let's get back to force fields," he said.

I sighed. It was going to be a long night.

                                                                   End of Trey's POV

"Four dead, five missing," Blackwood said, throwing a few files onto the table.

We were currently in my father's office. The shades were drawn and all of the higher up members of the Order were present. Blackwood had called an emergency meeting and we had all gathered as soon as we could.

My father picked up one of the files, a grim look on his face.

"It was a family?" he asked.

"Yes, but not just any family. Read the name," Blackwood replied.

"The Masons," Dad said, his voice hollow. The light from the lamp flickered in his navy blue eyes.

"They're targeting Order members," Blackwood said.

"That's ridiculous, though. The Masons aren't even that involved with the Order. Why would they kill them?" Sylvia asked.

"That's what I want to know," Blackwood said.

I felt the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I remembered Elijah talking about the Mason family. He had said they weren't initially going to kill them, just kidnap them and bring them into captivity to hold as hostages. But then the family turned suprisingly violent and in their self-defense, the family's lives were taken. All except one.

"Peter Mason was the only one who survived," Long said.

"Peter? The toddler?" Natalia asked, a worry crease appearing in between her eyebrows.

"He's four," Long answered, nodding.

"What are we doing with him?" Christopher asked.

"We're putting him in the Trinity Foster Care system. The Masons had no immediate family; they were all killed in the previous war. We had no other choice," Blackwood answered.

"The poor thing," Natalia whispered, shaking her head. I saw Christopher squeeze her shoulder comfortingly. My eyes immediately darted to where Trey was sitting, which was right next to my father, as if he were his right hand man. His gaze had been fixed on me and he quickly looked away when our eyes met.

It had been almost two months now since Trey and I last spoke. I still hadn't confronted him about not telling me he was in the Order and he hadn't approached me about it, either. I was beginning to think that our relationship was over for good.

There was a tiny part of me that was almost all right with this, though, and that part scared me. With Trey and I not talking, it was easier for me to get away from Trinity and go to Elijah's for meetings and quick training sessions. I didn't have to lie to anyone to get away. Abbey was usually with Lance and I tended to stay away from them when they were together because they made me sick. I was able to leave for a good three hours before heading back and no one would suspect anything.

But that part of me was very minute. The rest of me wanted to feel the warmth and security of Trey's arms after a long day's worth of classes and training. I wanted to be able to lay in his arms by the fire in the common area and just sit, forgetting about the world and all of the problems that plagued my life. I missed the small things Trey did, the little kisses he'd plant on my shoulders or on my head; when he brushed my arms or hands gently with his fingers; when he massged the back part of my neck; when he made me smile for no reason at all.

I wanted him back, but my ego was too proud.

"So what was the purpose of the killing?" Natasha asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. I blinked and looked at her.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" my father said. Everyone looked at him. "They're trying to show us that they're serious about this, that this is no joking matter. They've made their first big move by killing off a family in the Order. They're showing us that they can easily take our lives if they have to," my father said, his voice dripping with disgust. "We're going to prove them wrong, and this time, once and for all," he said.

"What do you suggest we do?" Blackwood asked.

"Fight back. We can't stay in hiding anymore. Not now. People are starting to get hurt and when others in the magical community get wind of this--which they will--people will start getting scared. We have to let them know that the Order is still alive and there to protect innocent lives. If they think they'll get away with this, they're wrong," Christopher cut in before my father could answer.

Everyone began talking at once to show their agreement, but my eyes remained on my father.

My father shook his head.

"No. That's exactly what they want us to do. They want us to come out in the open because once we are, they'll know exactly what we're doing. We need to remain lying low and operate under the radar," my father said. "Our secrecy is the only cover we have," he added.

"You expect us to just sit back and let them murder innocent people?" Blackwood asked, sounding aghast.

"I'm not saying we'll sit back and relax. I'm saying we need to work out a proper strategy. For too long they've been pushing us and pushing us to act, which is exactly what they want us to do. They have the upper hand when it comes to combat, but we have always had the element of intelligence. We cannot act on impulse simply because they bully us into doing so. We need to think this through strategically," my father said.

"He's right. If we attack back, we will be playing right into the enemy's trap. We need to come up with a plan," Long agreed.

"Have you finished the detection spell?" my father asked Long.

"It's nearly complete. It's in the experimental stages now. So far, it has been working on the test subjects. But those test subjects are told to lie. We'll need to test it on someone who is lying intentionally to see if it is actually doing the job it is supposed to do," Long replied.

"Good. Keep us posted on the progress of that spell," my father said. Long nodded. "Ok, is there anything else you wanted to tell us, Minister?" he asked.

Blackwood had an annoyed expression on his face. It was obvious he didn't like the fact that he wasn't in control of the Order. But he didn't say anything. Instead, he just shook his head stiffly.

"Ok, then. Let's convene again when the spell is ready," my father said.

And with that, we were dismissed.

I got up and began walking out of my father's office. Some of the others stayed back to talk to my father about some things. I descended the stairs alone, walking out into the crisp late winter air. I pulled the sleeves of my jacket over my hands and began heading towards the Rossi dormitory building.

It was late and the campus was silent. People were all inside in the warmth of their rooms. The occasional smoker or passerby would walk past me, but other than that, the place was dead.

So when I felt someone grab my hand, my immediate response was to shout,

"Abfugio!"

Whoever it was landed with a thud a few feet away from me. I turned to see who it was and raised my eyebrows when I saw that it was Trey. He was muttering curses under his breath as he got back up on his feet. I fought down a smile and tried to remember that we weren't speaking to each other.

"Someone grabs your hand and your response is to fling them off their feet?" he asked, coming up to me. His hair was a little disshevled from the force that I threw him back with. He put his hand up to smooth it down.

"I'm a girl walking alone on a campus at night. I think it was a very plausible reaction," I answered. He looked at me, his multicolored eyes somber.

"Do you have time to talk?" he asked.

"Not really," I replied, starting to turn around. He grabbed onto my arm again and I turned around to face him, twisting my wrist out of his grip.

"Didn't you learn your lesson the first time?" I asked.

"We need to talk," he said.

"Really? Right now? Are you sure you don't want to wait another two months?" I asked, my voice turning steely.

"Yes. I want to talk right now," he said, ignoring my attitude.

I glared at him.

"Well, maybe I don't want to talk to you," I said. His eyes flashed in annoyance.

"Is that right?" he asked. I nodded defiantly. He looked at me for a long moment before shrugging. "Fine. Have it your way," he said, turning around to walk towards his dormitory building.

"Fine!" I called after him. I turned around myself. I couldn't walk off in the same direction he was going, so I was going to have to walk the long way.

Before I took even four steps, I was being turned around forcefully. Trey's lips came crashing down on mine before I could speak and I found myself reaching up, tangling my fingers in his hair. I kissed him back as hungrily as he was kissing me before I remembered that I was supposed to be angry with him. I pulled away, my breath coming out unevenly.

"Still don't want to talk?" he asked, his own breathing uneven. I glared at him and rolled my eyes.

"Walk," I said, pointing my finger towards the dorms. We fell in step as we walked in the chilly night air.

"Look, I'm sorry, Caley. For not telling you about being in the Order," he began.

"Ok, you're forgiven," I said.

"Really? That easily?" he asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"No," I said bluntly. His face fell.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked him.

"Because your father told me I couldn't," he replied.

"Since when do you do what my father says?" I asked.

"Well, if I'm not mistaken, he's kind of the dean of the university. And the father of my girlfriend," he replied. "I'm not about to thwart that kind of authority," he said.

"Why didn't my father want me to know?" I asked.

"He was protecting you. Like I said, he just wanted you to be safe, Caley. Keeping you uninvolved was the only way to do that," he said.

"And how come he came to you?" I asked.

"Because my family has been in the Order for generations," he replied. "Look, I know that you're angry he didn't tell you, especially because he's your father and you've been trying to reconnect with him. But if I was in his position, I would do the same. You heard what happened to the Masons back there. This war is no joke. It's serious and he just didn't want to lose you," he continued after I looked uncertain. "And I feel the same way," he said.

I looked at him. We had stopped walking now. We were standing under a lamppost, the yellow light illuminating us in the darkness.

"I don't want to lose you, Caley," he said.

I felt my heart swell up in a wave of emotions.

He didn't want to lose me.

But I was already gone. And once he found out about me being on Elijah's side, it would be for forever.

But right now, I still had this moment. I still had time. I wasn't going to waste it. When the time came, I would figure out how to make it up to Trey about my own lies. But for now, it was best if he didn't know. It was for his protection; for his safety.

I smiled up at him.

"Ok. You're forgiven," I said.

He smiled back and leaned down, kissing my lips longingly. I responded eagerly, but I couldn't help but feel a dark and nagging forboding in the back of my mind.

_______________________________________________________________________

A/N: Chapter 31! Woo hoo! Trey and Caley are on speaking terms again!

Sorry I'm a loser and don't update very often. My summer classes end this week, though, so my schedule will clear up until school starts again.

Do you see that? It's THE END? It's near!!

Wow, that was weird. I'm awake on 3 hours of sleep. Time for a nap.

Vote and comment!

XOXO