"Is Anya still alive or have you killed her?"

"Come now, Sarah, I'm hardly capable of murder. And besides I mean only to borrow her body. I will return it when I'm done..."

"Done with what exactly?"

Sigrid chuckles and shakes her head. "Now where's the fun in me revealing everything to you now? There's so much more to come. Although I have to admit your little spell that got rid of my black magick was quite the nuisance. I was so keen on having a few wolves at my mercy."

Sarah can feel Raurlin tense behind her. She turns to him and says "go find and help Jackson." Raurlin is out of the room just as Sarah completes her sentence.

"Ah Jackson is still alive too? I always knew those two would outlive me. Up until the time that they killed me...did you know that? That they killed me? Oh I'll bet you're falling for one of them too...don't tell me it's my Raurlin?"

"Cut the crap. Tell me why you're here."

Sigrid crosses her arms with a huff and she stomps to the window. She watches as snow covers the ground heavily.

"I'm not going to tell you why I'm here. But maybe you should be asking yourself why I allowed myself to be taken."

Sarah stands up and walks to the door.

"Sarah" Sigrid calls after her "I must warn you, this spell won't hold me much longer."

"Oh I'm counting on it. In fact I think it'll be right on time. See you soon, Sigrid."

Sarah shuts the door behind her and she walks a few feet before doubling over. She attempts to steady her breathing. Jackson jogs to where she is standing and he squats in front of her.

"Sarah?"

Sarah shakes her head and holds a finger to her lips and Jackson nods. Sarah straightens and she and Jackson begin walking to the crypt. They stop just outside the door and Sarah drops an arm on Jackson's.

"Jax, I need to tell you something. The spells I've done today are on a...magical timer if I can say it like that. There's another spell I need to do, a bigger spell bigger than anything I've ever done. Chances are it will drain me completely. Then I will be at my weakest. She may try to use or take my body. You must stop her."

"Anya?"

"No Jackson, Sigrid."

Jackson frowns and he looks past Sarah down the hallway. He turns back to her but before he can speak Raurlin and Naomi walk to where they are standing.

"That's everyone" Naomi announces "Sandy and Dezra are also set up down there. It's just us now."

"Well...not all of us" a voice calls out from behind them.

Naomi turns around and she gasps as the third witch walks slowly towards them. She seems to have a white layer of skin completely covering both her eyes and she is holding the wreath in a hand.

Raurlin steps in front of Naomi and he holds an arm to Sarah. Jackson remains planted where he is standing, the shock of seeing Sigrid being too much for him.

"How's my timing Sarah?"

"A little early but I don't see why we can't start now."

Sarah holds a hand up and a small slit opens on her palm. She holds it out to Sigrid who laughs. Simultaneously there are several roars heard outside. Naomi turns to Jackson.

"What's that?"

"The Cavalry" Sigrid answers and she makes for the front door.

Raurlin attempts to chase after her but Sarah catches onto his arm and pulls him back.

"Raurlin you're with me. Naomi, Jax, go."

Naomi glancest at Raurlin briefly then she takes off after Jackson who is making for the front door. Outside before them from the top of the steps leading to the front door the wolves have gathered on one side. Most of the young wolves who have just undergone the awakening are among the wolves who are ready to fight. They stand in a group in the snow bear chested. From up the driveway a group of vampires are walking.

They shout war cries to announce their arrival and they come to a halt just before the wolves with Sigrid in front of them. Naomi immediately rushes down the stairs and stands with the wolves and Jackson follows suit keeping close to Naomi. Sigrid begins walking towards the wolves and the vampires follow closely behind her. They all seem to be under the influence of black magick and the black magick is swarming under the skin of their faces.

Sigrid comes to a halt just in front of the wolf pack, leaving a few feet between them. She holds a hand up in a fist and the vampires come to a halt behind her and they fall silent. Some are covered in tattoos and others have paint smeared across their faces and chests. A rush runs through Naomi. Her body tenses and it's as if everything inside is happening incredibly slowly. She becomes completely aware of her heart beating steadily in her chest.

She looks up and all around her the heartbeats register all at once in her mind. She can feel Jackson stiffen beside her and she turns to look at him. His red eyes are square on Sigrid and Naomi turns to look at her. Sigrid turns and looks directly at Naomi and she frowns. Naomi keeps her eyes on Sigrid as Sigrid turns to the vampires and raises her hands.

"Brothers and sisters on this day blessed by the Gods we are united again!"

The vampires cheer and Sigrid allows them to settle down before continuing.

"For hundreds of years we have been separated but from today no more! I am here to correct a wrong. There is a man in that building who is part vampire and part beast. This is unnatural."

The vampires cheer again and Naomi can feel her anger growing and gathering just under her skin. Her cheeks feel hot and there's a throbbing in her gums. She clenches down harder on her teeth and they grit with the effort.

"This hybrid could tip the scales against us forever. We cannot let this happen! The wolves protect this man...Why? Perhaps they protect their new alpha. Perhaps their new alpha will try and rule you too...A wolf ruling vampires?"

                                                                                                  ❄

Raurlin paces in the little room. His arms are crossed tightly against his chest. In front of him Stellan and Mikain are standing on either side of the large ceremonial bowl. Stellan looks at Raurlin with a look of urgency. Mikain turns to Sarah who is sitting at a little distance. She is leaning back in her chair and her eyes are shut. She looks tired.

"Raurlin...son I don't see that you have much of a choice. You knew this day would eventually catch up to you."

Raurlin looks at Mikain and demands, "and you're okay with this? This is insanity."

Mikain nods slowly and responds "what's insanity is an outright war that's about to break out in my front yard. What's insanity is me being here while my wife is in labour. What's insanity is your very existence."

Sarah stands up and she walks to where Raurlin is pacing. She steps in front of him and places a hand gently on his shoulder. Raurlin sighs and looks down at her, completely defeated.

"Raur...I'm sorry that it has to be this way but every imbalance requires sacrifice. The longer we stall the longer Jackson and Naomi stand out there ready to go to war. The time has come. The time is now."

Raurlin nods his agreement and he walks to the bowl. He stands behind it and faces the window. Stellan pulls his shirt off and Mikain and Raurlin follow suit. Sarah steps in front of Raurlin with the bowl separating them. She holds her arms out and slowly opens her hands with each palm facing the ceiling.

She begins shaking ever so slightly and then she drops to her knees. She wraps an arm around her stomach and her breathing quickens. Raurlin steps to his right to go to her but Stellan holds a hand out.

"It's okay. She's okay."

"You've seen this before?"

"I have. Just stay there and get ready..."

"Ready for what? Stellan, ready for what?"

Sarah cries out in pain then immediately falls silent, her chin resting on her chest. She stands up and slowly opens her eyes. She blinks once and then twice. Her left eye is completely washed white as Anya's are. She turns to Stellan.

"Stellan. A pleasure to see you again. Raurlin, I doubt you can recognise me like this."

"Idonea?"

Sarah's head nods up and down.

"Don't worry Sarah is fine. I'm just partially using her body, see she needs help with this spell. I understand she's taken to Jackson?" Idonea laughs "he does have a thing for balancing witches doesn't he. When will he tell her the truth about me?"

Stellan clears his throat and says "Idonea, your sister is already here."

"Sigrid? I see. Then we should act quickly shouldn't we"

Idonea reaches into the bowl and she pulls out the large knife. She hands it to Stellan who cuts into his wrist and holds his arm out above the bowl. He hands the knife to Mikain and Mikain cuts into his palm and he holds his hand above the bowl. Their blood pours into the bowl.