

From Within the Light

First edition © 2016 by Clemy Warner-Thompson

Front cover designed by Emily Wittig

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof  
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever,  
without the express written permission of the author.

Printed in the United Kingdom

First Printing Oct 2016

ISBN – 978-1-326-75182-1

Some stories come from the many tales that we have heard over the years. Others come from dreams that we once lived through, or past events that haunt our every day. Some people are weakened by these stories when everything seems in darkness, and yet there are those of us that shine brightly when pushed to our limits.

I have learnt something from writing this tale, something I didn't think I would ever find until years had gone by.

I have learnt that no matter the stories you hear—the stories full of lies or honest truths—that we are all strong in our own way. That the feelings and emotions we hold onto are the forces that keep our heads held high. We all have the necessary strength to stand against our own demons and make a difference.

Through the hard times, we find parts of our soul in the people we love.

Through our struggles, we find our wings.

We find our strengths.

# From Within the Light

A Tale of a Troubled Soul

## C. Warner-Thompson
Prologue

"Run, Cassie, run!"

Kale's shout echoed through the trees like a fast approaching whirlwind. Cassie didn't dare look back for the chance of fear overwhelming her, stopping her in her tracks. She pushed herself to move faster and faster, her feet plunging in the muddy ground without thought or delay. Remnants of rain from the night before deposited themselves on her head and shoulders, as she lunged through the last branches of trees in order to reach the clearing where Kale would be waiting.

He was there, but visibly out of breath. His shoulder and his thigh were badly wounded, but as Cassie appeared from the tree line he forced himself to keep going, grabbing her by the hand tightly. She found it difficult to keep up with him, understanding without difficulty how he had managed to outrun their enemies as well herself. Each of his strides covered two of hers. The way he moved even with injury made it seem as if the air itself was pushing him to move faster. He dove into the trees on the opposite side of the clearing, droplets of his blood staining the leaves as they passed.

Cassie glanced back only once, but what she saw caused the breath she was holding to sting her lungs. There were so many shadowed shapes chasing them, armed with swords and crossbows. Some of them had such darkened auras that the air of the clearing shadowed, tainted with their essence. It was no wonder they fell from grace, Cassie thought, focusing on the remains of the dark plumes of black feathers escaping each of their backs.

A branch cut through her cheek, pulling her back to reality quickly. She focused onto Kale seeing that many thorn filled branches had pierced his arms and sides. His back was badly bruised, but Cassie couldn't imagine anything causing such an inflammation of his skin. She ducked to avoid a low branch, losing her grip on Kale's hand. He soon went out of sight, but she kept going. Keeping as much distance from the men that hunted them was the only thing she could do. She didn't know what they were after, what they wanted, but she wasn't going to stop and ask.

She lost her footing then, tumbling forward as a loose vine snatched at her ankle. It twisted painfully, causing her to cry out. Pushing herself to her feet, the pain which coursed through her lower leg was agonising, making her fall once again. She inhaled a deep breath moving onto her hands and knees. If she couldn't run, she would do the best that she could, even if that meant crawling to Kale.

Dirt pushed under her fingernails and splatters of mud covered her face and clothes. She could hear the men's footsteps growing near, their shouts following her like haunting ghosts. Even when she exited the trees, when the light of the sky warmed her face, Cassie didn't stop. She had hoped that Kale would have been waiting for her again, but he was missing. A jagged rock cut into her palm then, causing her to fall into the dirt. One side of her face was marred by mud and her hair absorbed the moisture quickly, lying flat against her skin.

_I have to keep going..._ She continued to crawl, paining her palm with each movement. Blood remained in each handprint left behind her, though it wasn't as noticeable until she had reached the grey stone of the High Cliffs. _No..._ She raised her gaze to see nothing but the sky meeting with the dark sea horizon.

"You have nowhere to go now girl!"

She gasped and turned, seeing that the men had reached the tree line. Their weapons shone with light now that Cassie was close enough to analyse them. Her breath was hard to catch but she forced herself to her feet, putting all of her weight on her left leg.

One of the men raised their bow, arming it with a shining black-tipped arrow. The glee which consumed his expression caused his eyes to narrow. He smiled, baring his teeth as he raised his arm. "Any final words?"

Cassie inhaled a deep breath, a single tear rolling across her cheek. "You won't hurt him, no matter how hard you try. He's gone and he's not coming back."

The men laughed, as their comrade's arrow flew through the air. Cassie could do nothing but watch it glide towards her. The air spiralled outwards from the arrowhead, allowing it no restrictions. She held her breath, curling her hands into fists.

A sudden flash of light passed by her, allowing the arrow to pierce its centre once it had formed into a body. She watched in horror as the body rolled across the floor, falling from the edge of the grey rock before she could reach him.

"No!" She ran, full of pain, and collapsed at the cliff edge. Leaning over to see nothing but darkness, Cassie's chest deflated as tears started to form in her eyes. She had been willing to protect Kale no matter what, but she'd failed. He was gone and she was alone.
One

The sun had an annoying habit of shining onto Cassie's face early in the morning. No matter the time of year or the position of her bed, the sun still managed to reach her. It usually meant that she was awake at a ridiculous time of day. Some days she'd manage to drift off afterwards; others she didn't even try, choosing to get up and dressed instead of tempting her body with more sleep. Today just happened to be one of the latter.

Rolling onto her back, she caught sight of the digital clock at her side. Its black numbers read six. She groaned, glaring at her curtains which were supposedly there to keep the light out. They were red, with bands of cream hemming the tops of the eyelet tabs. She hadn't chosen them herself, but had not wanted to upset her mother. If she had had her way, Cassie would have chosen a darker pair with extra thick lining. She knew best what curtains would keep the morning sunlight out, though it didn't matter now.

She threw her duvet back, decorated with circles of varying colours, and pushed herself begrudgingly to her feet. It took her body a moment or two to gather its balance, then she shuffled across the room, forcing her feet into a pair of furry slippers. Yawning as she opened her door, Cassie made her way down the hall. The wooden floorboards moaned under her weight, but she couldn't have cared less. She entered into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She had half expected it to have been occupied, as her mother had a strange habit of being up whenever Cassie was awake, but she guessed that she was still sleeping.

Edging over to the sink, Cassie took a hair band from her wrist and grasped hold of the thick side fringe that often covered her one eye. She tied it awkwardly on the top of her head as she often did, and then raised her gaze to the mirror. Her eyes were barely open, the skin around them dark and covered with sleep. Cassie had never been a very good 'morning person', she doubted whether she ever would be. She took hold of her face wash robotically and squirted some into her palm before returning its bottle to the sink.

It was a good thing that Cassie didn't have to concentrate too much fulfilling her morning routines. She doubted whether she would even bother if it was too complex. Massaging the face wash over her skin, she gave it a moment or two to sink in and then washed it off with a splash of cold water. It was a shock to Cassie's senses. She quickly dried her face with the white towel at her side, then systematically took hold of her toothbrush, oozing a layer of toothpaste onto its bristles before forcing it into her mouth.

A quiet knock came at the door. "Morning sweetie, do you want some breakfast?"

Cassie met her own gaze through the mirror's reflection, rolling her eyes. Surprise surprise, her mother was already up. She brushed her teeth haphazardly, taking a gulp of water to wash out her mouth once she was done. A second knock came at the door making Cassie sigh. She made her way to the door and pulled it ajar, just enough to meet her mother's smiling face.

"How'd you sleep?" she asked enthusiastically. "Do you want something to eat before College?"

"Yeah, I'll have something," Cassie replied after a brief silence. She went to close the door again, but her mother's hand leaned against the wood.

"Are you ok?"

_Here comes the endless list of questions,_ Cassie thought _._ She met her mother's gaze. "I'm fine, mum. Just not awake yet."

Her mother smiled in response. She knew exactly what Cassie was like in the morning. "I'll lay the table for breakfast. Don't be long." With that said, she turned and descended the stairs.

Cassie closed the door, wondering why on earth her mother was up so early when her shift as the local nurse didn't even start until nine. She pushed the thought aside, stretching her arms high above her head. Once she had finished in the bathroom, she went back to her room to get dressed. There was no rush—College wasn't open until eight thirty—but Cassie hoped that by getting dressed she'd feel more awake. She didn't like being so blunt and gruff in the morning, but she just couldn't get into life as soon as she was awake. She had no idea where her mother got the energy needed.

Dumping her long t-shirt and black shorts on the side of her bed, Cassie pushed her legs into a pair of pale skinny jeans. They were her favourite because she liked the shape they gave her legs. She wasn't big, neither was she skinny, but Cassie liked it when her clothes visibly fit to her body. She would never turn into the girls from College, with their sprayed on leggings and tight, low cut tops, but Cassie always tried to make an effort with how she looked.

She pulled a plain white t-shirt over her head, allowing it to fall off her one shoulder, then made her way to the chest of drawers at the far end of the room. Choosing a pair of purple socks, she tucked her jeans into them, before pushing her feet back into the slippers that she had abandoned at the door. She took a moment to tidy her bed and open her curtains, before glancing in the small mirror on her wall.

Removing the band from her hair, Cassie's fringe lay across her forehead at an angle. She pushed a brush through her short brown hair, watching how the static caused pieces of it to fluff out. She soon flattened them again with her hand, before glancing at her clock. Six forty-five. She had no idea where time went in the morning, but she shrugged the thought away and turned back into the hallway, being sure to close the door behind her.

The smell of toast filled the house, causing Cassie's stomach to growl in anticipation. She usually ate when she got to College, but today she would make an exception. As she reached the top of the stairs, she glanced left as the far door edged open. A bright surge of sunlight flooded into the space, causing Cassie to have to narrow her eyes. Her younger brother, Dillen, started to shuffle across the hallway. He, too, wasn't a morning person. They acknowledged each other with a silent nod and then he shut himself in the bathroom. It made Cassie smile.

There was five years between them, but they were so alike that people often confused them as twins. She and Dillen went to the same College; he was a first year and Cassie was currently studying for her final exams. Having supposed to leave the year beforehand, she had stayed on longer at the College, resulting in the siblings to cross paths. They were a team in everything. Cassie made her way downstairs, thinking through everything that the two of them had got up to over the years. Her father met her at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hi, Sheriff." Her whole face lifted as he saluted. He had been employed as part of the local police force since Cassie was younger. He was a Deputy Chief Constable, but she had never been able to say it all as a child, so they had made up names for each other which had definitely stuck. She called him Sheriff and he, in turn, called her his Deputy.

"Well, if it isn't my Deputy, up and wide awake!" he winked. "Up early aren't ya?" His smile consumed his whole expression.

She nudged him as she walked past, but stopped as she noticed that a bag was sat by the door. A silent moment passed before she turned to meet his gaze. "Again?"

His shoulders seemed to slouch. "You'll look after them while I'm gone, right? You're my partner, I'm counting on you."

"But, you only went last week!" The ache which started to build inside of her was all too familiar. She hated it when her father, Bryan, had to leave.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "This is the last time 'til new year. I promise."

She sighed. _Yeah, not like I've heard that before._ It was the beginning of December and Cassie doubted whether her father would return by Christmas. His job made him travel across the country for seminars and varying cases. Sometimes he was gone for weeks, standing in as a detective when he was needed.

"Don't forget Dillen's Christmas present," she huffed.

Bryan's eyes glistened. "I won't. I'll be back as quick as you know it." Kissing her on the forehead, he turned and made his way to the doorway where his wife, Sandra, was waiting for him. They shared an embrace and several comments, but then he was gone. Cassie hated the awkward moment that always lingered after he left. Once his car had disappeared from the drive, silence followed.

Sandra turned trying to hide her tears, but Cassie could see right through her even as she spoke. "Breakfast is ready."

"I'm not hungry." Cassie made her way to the coat-stand pushing her arms into her hooded jacket, before picking her bag up from the floor. She hoisted her bag onto her shoulder, before opening the door. "Tell Dillen I'll meet him there." As the words left her lips, the door closed. Sandra didn't try and stop her. She was upset; she always was when Bryan left, they all were.

As she turned to look back into the house, Sandra met her son's gaze. He didn't need to ask what was wrong. He could see that Cassie's coat and bag were missing, and that Bryan's suitcase was gone. Moving from the last step he made his way into the kitchen, grabbing a piece of toast that he bit into. He may not have liked it when his father left, but he wasn't going to make a scene. Not until he was at College anyway.
Two

Cassie kicked the dirt with the toe of her boot, as she made her way through the wooded area by her house. She had walked out in such a hurry that she had left the house in her slippers, luckily she had had a pair of boots in her rucksack. Having the girls at College point out that she was wearing her slippers was not something that Cassie would want, not today. She would most likely chase them with her fist.

Stepping over the various branches that had weaved across the woodland floor, Cassie knew where she was going without paying much attention. She took the same route every day. The pathway through the trees led directly from her house to the road, which then led towards the College. Some days Cassie walked with Dillen, others she met him there if his friends offered him a lift into town. Cassie walked whenever she could.

Now that it was winter, she loved the way her breath gathered in white clouds in front of her face. Her ears were always ice cold. She had to wear several layers, but winter was her favourite. The way the snow built up across the dirt floor, layering everything in white. She had to pull the collar of her coat around her neck to stop the chilling breeze from getting to her skin, but her hands didn't mind. They were wrapped up warmly in a pair of grey gloves, matching the inside colour of her fleecy hood. She was thankful that she had grabbed her coat before leaving.

Zipping it up to her neck, she leapt over the small frozen stream which slithered through the uneven dirt. She and Dillen had often played at its banks when they had been younger, but it had shrunk in size now that it was cold. Cassie would have thought it would've grown due to the frequent melting of the snow, but then again she thought, it was too cold for anything to melt yet. That would be spring time.

She ducked under a large branch, straightening up to see that she had reached the road. The ground evened out before reaching the tarmac, but the snow, or rather what was left of it, had built up in small piles of blackened sludge. Following the road to the left, Cassie started her two mile journey. The road was quiet, allowing her to avoid areas of dirty snow by veering onto the tarmac. If her dad hadn't left, he would have given her a lift into town.

Stuffing her hands into her pockets, Cassie counted that her father had left on average two to three times a month in the past year. It had gotten worse the older she and Dillen had grown. She struggled to see how so many cases needed an extra policeman to stand in as a detective. Ok, her father had experience in being a detective—he had been a part of the CIA once—but there had to be others like him. Why did he have to leave so often?

Cassie could hear a car approaching from behind, pushing her thoughts to disappear. She moved to the left, stopping in her place to let the driver pass, but she found that the car was slowing down. As the passenger window stopped opposite her, it was wound down and Cassie met a pair of pale, green eyes. She suddenly felt better, staring into Gabe's eyes.

Gabe Halloway had been Cassie's best friend for as long as she could remember. They had met as young children and stayed close ever since, spending time together whenever they could. Her parents thought the world of him, but had never invited him to their home. Cassie found it odd that they had never been to each other's houses in the ten years that had passed, but she shrugged the thought away. They were only friends; they didn't share everything.

"Need a lift?" He was oozing confidence as he leaned his right elbow against his window ledge, but something changed when Cassie didn't reply. "Cass?" his brow lowered with worry.

She sighed, opening the door wide before jumping into the jeep's passenger seat. "He left again," she worded clearly, banging the door shut.

Gabe had guessed as much. She was only ever like this when Bryan had left for another case. He watched as she stuffed her rucksack onto the backseat. "He's doing what he can, Cass. Maybe they need him."

"We need him!" she snapped, glaring at him. Gabe held her gaze, causing her to sigh. She looked to her lap. "...It just gets to me, you know?"

"Least you have him."

She raised her gaze to meet his, regret bubbling inside of her. Gabe had lost both of his parents in an accident the year before Cassie had met him. He had stayed with his Guardian, Leon, ever since. "I'm sorry."

He smiled caringly. "I'm sure he'll miss you all. He'll be back."

Cassie nodded in agreement as she leaned back in her seat. Gabe was right. He always was. She breathed in, noticing that he was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt, making her shiver. Scanning her gaze across the various food wrappers and pieces of clothing which littered the floor of his jeep, she was shocked to see so much mess. The dashboard was much tidier however, with only his iPod protruding from its docking station.

"You can help if you want?" She looked up, a confused look across her face. "It needs a female touch." He winked at her playfully.

"I'm not tidying it for you."

He shrugged. "It was worth a try." They burst into laughter, immediately making Cassie feel better.

She loved Gabe's company. He was a year older than her, but it wasn't obvious. His hair was short and blonde, spiking out over his green eyes, though remnants of light brown were scattered across his crown, reminding Cassie of how he had asked for her honest opinion about the colour. She had laughed and, he in turn, had vowed to never dye his hair again until he was old and grey. Hair colouring would never be a skill for him, Cassie thought, music and cars were more his thing. They saw each other nearly every day.

As Cassie pushed her seatbelt into place, Gabe pulled away from the curb. The air in the jeep was considerably warmer. She hadn't understood at the time why Gabe had found it warm enough to sit in just his t-shirt, but now she did. She wanted to take her coat off, but she didn't see the point, she'd have to put it back on when she got out anyway. Undoing the zip, she loosened her multi-coloured scarf and heaped it on her lap, allowing her neck to breath.

"What are you doing out here so early?" she asked, seeing that the digital clock on the dashboard read seven twenty-five.

"Was up early," he replied truthfully.

She sighed. "You and me both. Everyone was up this morning." She looked over at Gabe as he signalled to turn off. "Is Leon always up when you are?"

"He was gone as soon as I was up. You know what he's like!"

Cassie looked ahead as they entered the new road. She had heard many things about Leon over the years, but she'd never met him. As far as she knew, Leon had been a friend of the family from years before Gabe's parents' accident. On their death, it had come to light that in his parents' will, sole custody of Gabe had fallen onto Leon's shoulders. He had stepped up well to look after him, Cassie thought, but she didn't understand why his parents had chosen someone that Gabe had never known to be his Guardian. He had grown up to respect Leon as family though, as well as Cassie and her brother. She wondered if they'd always be in each other's lives. She hoped so. She loved him like a brother, and she knew he felt the same about her.

A bump in the road caused the jeep to rock back and forth, making Cassie realise she hadn't answered. Gabe was looking at her, awaiting her reply. "Yeah," she nodded, "He's a mechanic, right?"

He narrowed his eyes, fully aware of how Cassie's mind could often drift off into deep thoughts and topics. "Yeah, he is," he replied, with a smirk. He focused on the road, but his smile remained.

"What?"

"Nothing." He laughed aloud as Cassie started to fidget.

"Gabe!"

Glancing at her to see that her gaze was fixed firmly onto his face, he inhaled a breath. "Do you remember the beach?" Before he had even finished his sentence, Cassie had started to smile. She had expected for a brief moment for Gabe to criticise her on the way she was often distracted, but that wasn't him. He wasn't the criticising type, not against her anyway.

Cassie thought about the beach.

When they had been teenagers, the two of them had travelled across the country to Dover, on a school trip to study geography and the varying types of cliffs and shorelines. Cassie had loved the feel of the wind in her hair. The sea breeze had curled its icy fingers around her, but she hadn't minded. From that day on, she had loved the cold and its ability to wipe her mind clean of distracting thoughts and events.

Gabe had never left her side on their trip, even when the other kids had chosen to go inside. They had taunted them both, laughing and pointing at them through the windows, but they never realised that as long as Gabe and Cassie had been together, it hadn't mattered to them whether it had been cold or not. The sun had only come out once on their trip and on that day, they had gone abseiling.

The teachers had helped the children get adequately harnessed and wrapped up, whilst the qualified rock climbers had explained what they were going to do. Most of the children, as well as the teaching staff, had been excited and willing to try, but Cassie had had other ideas. She had left the group, fearing that she wouldn't be able to do the abseiling correctly, and had followed the cliff-top further around. Gabe had followed her; she hadn't been surprised when he moved to her side.

As they stood side by side that day, they noticed a movement in the sea below. A small head had been bobbing in the water. They had come to the conclusion that it was a seal, naming it Vean. The seal had started to swim through the water after a few moments, which caused splashes of white to ripple outwards from its body. Cassie watched the creature until it had moved out of sight. Gabe on the other hand watched only Cassie, and the light which danced across her eyes.

"One day, we'll come back here," he had said to her quietly.

She looked at him in reply, meeting his gaze with such longing that his offer was sealed inside her heart. "Yes, let's come back, together." Their faces had been consumed by large grins.

Not long had passed by before they were found. They were scolded by the teachers for leaving their group and they were both prevented from joining in with the rest of the activities that day, but they had been too pleased with what they had seen to care. Something about Vean had given the two of them the spirit to do what they wanted, to be who they wanted to be, and since then they had grown up to be respectful and honest with each other's dreams and wishes.

Cassie sighed as she let the memory fade. She looked out of the window, glancing briefly at the houses that they were passing. "Why were you thinking of the beach?" she asked, turning to look at Gabe.

He shrugged. "I think about it every day. We haven't been apart since then. We've been family ever since."

Feeling unnerved by his tone, Cassie straightened her back and watched him closely. "We'll go back one day, just as we said."

Inhaling a deep breath, he turned to look at her then, as if he wasn't driving. "I'll hold you to that," he worded clearly. They held each other's gazes until Cassie looked ahead, seeing that they were heading towards a parked car.

"Gabe!"

He burst out laughing and pulled up against the curb, turning off the engine before stuffing the key into his pocket. "Come on," he mused. Opening the door, he jumped out.

"Gabe, wait!" Cassie went to jump out after him, but a high pitched note escaped from her pocket. She had received a text. As Gabe opened the boot and pulled on his thick black coat, Cassie removed the phone from her pocket and opened up her message.

She had two, one was from her mother and the second was from Dillen. For a brief moment she simply stared at the two unopened messages in her inbox. She had a feeling what both of them would say, but she wouldn't know for definite until she had read them. Touching the screen with the tip of her finger, Cassie opened her brother's text first.

_You ok, Cass?_ _Can't believe dad's gone again :@ Meet you outside?_

Cassie realised that Gabe had opened the passenger door when the cool breeze enveloped her. She sighed, meeting his gaze. "Dillen?" he asked.

She nodded. "Checking up on me as always..."

"Can you blame him?" he asked playfully.

_I guess not._ Although Dillen was the youngest, he often checked up on Cassie. She had a bad habit of letting things bring her down, whereas he solved all of his problems with anger. They were both determined though. If it ever came down to them having to fight for something, they'd keep going no matter what, but they were tired of watching their father constantly leave and their mother trying to hide her tears for days afterwards.

"Cass?" She closed her phone and looked up to meet Gabe's gaze again. "Do you want to go straight there?" He didn't need to explain; she knew exactly what he meant without questioning him. They usually went to the nearby café before College, but today would be different. Cassie would just worry about Dillen obsessively until she had spoken to him.

Glancing at the dashboard, she saw that the time was close to eight fifteen. They had driven around the town for almost an hour, she realised, though she didn't understand why Gabe had wasted so much time. Maybe he had felt that that was what she had needed. Dillen would be at College for half past, as he often met with his friends before his first class, but she was worried that his anger would boil over again. Last time two students had suffered when Bryan Fayewood had left, being met with Dillen's fists.

Cassie sighed. Before she could even tell Gabe her decision, he had closed the passenger door again and started to make his way around to the driver's seat. He jumped in and turned the engine on, glancing at Cassie as she pushed her phone deep into her pocket. Her mother's text could wait.

Gabe pulled off from the curb once a nearby car had passed, then followed the road until the first signpost for the College came into view. It didn't take them long to pull into the College car park. Gabe parked in the same space he always did, littered with dead leaves varying in size and colour, then removed the key as he looked ahead. Dillen was walking towards the jeep.

"Right on time." Gabe smiled.

"Thank you." She smiled in response and then made her way out, closing the passenger door once she had grabbed her bag.

Gabe followed suit, locking his jeep once he was out, though he was in no rush- giving them a moment or two by themselves was the least he could do.

"You ok?" Cassie asked, seeing that her brother's face was tensed with frustration.

He nodded. "I had to get out. Mum just wouldn't drop it."

"You know what she's like."

Every time their father left, Sandra Fayewood would overcompensate by trying to spend more time with her children. They were usually more reluctant to spend any time with her however, when she was obviously just as upset and angry herself. At least together, Cassie and Dillen would always understand each other's feelings.

He glanced over her shoulder, seeing that Gabe was waiting by his jeep. He smiled, pushing the thoughts of his parents aside, then looked at Cassie. He didn't want to upset her by going on. "See you later?" he asked.

"Be good," she mused, as he turned and walked towards a small group of casually dressed students. They were his usual company.

A high pitched bell started to ring out, resulting in a shuffling affect to take over the students. Many of them seemed reluctant to move, but the bell signalled the start of their early class. They had little choice. The parking lot soon emptied, leaving Cassie to look over the large paved space that remained. She sighed as Gabe moved to her side.

"I better go. Mrs Hudson hates me already."

It was true, her English teacher had little patience for tardy students. Cassie had loved her classes once, but recently her charisma had definitely taken a back seat. The daunting thought of her final exams was overwhelming. She was trying as hard as she could to delay the inevitable.

"Time won't wait, Cass."

She looked up to meet Gabe's gaze. It was as if he had known what she was thinking. "You're telling me." She would have much preferred to stay with him, rather than three whole hours of Mrs. Hudson's monotonous lectures.

The bell grew silent. Now she really was late.

Turning to share a quick glance with Gabe, she then started to run, securing the strap of her bag with one hand, energetically trying to propel herself forward with the other. She burst through the main entrance doors then continued on until the road forked in either direction. Taking the left path, she pushed through another set of doors, turning right before abruptly coming to a stop.

Two students were ahead of her, seeming to be too busy focusing on each other than attending whichever class was theirs. Cassie rolled her eyes. It was a regular sight. The dark haired guy was leaning over the girl pushed against her locker. Her hands were on his hips, but soon their lips would be touching.

_Get a room._ That's all she could think.

It was then that the male student looked in her direction for the first time that she could think of. His features were darker than Cassie had realised and his eyes were almost inviting. Tattoos escaped the neckline and sleeves of his t-shirt, and his jeans were complimentary to his physique. Cassie recognised him from her regular showings of the couple's intimacy, as well as the English class that they shared, but she didn't remember ever speaking to him. She didn't remember ever meeting his gaze for so long.

"Do you mind?" the female student coughed. Cassie definitely knew her. Lucy Wiggen. A wicked taste formed in her throat, as often happened whenever the 'witch of the college' was nearby.

The young man's gaze was still directed at Cassie, seeming to lose focus on the girl in his arms, but Lucy quickly grabbed it with both hands, throwing a narrowed glare at Cassie before pushing her lips onto his. He accepted without argument of course.

Cassie brushed the image from her mind, along with the cool chill which washed over her, and then pushed into the small room to her left. Mrs. Hudson, obviously mid-sentence, turned with a scowl. The room was silent, with most of the students giving Cassie the 'you should have stayed away' look.

"Ah, Miss Fayewood. How nice of you to join us."

"Sorry I'm late," Cassie muttered, filing through the seated students to reach her empty desk. She quickly dumped her bag to the side, meeting Freya's sorrowed gaze briefly, and then focused ahead. Mrs. Hudson, obviously irritated that she had forgotten her point, turned to the diagram behind her and continued anew.

Freya, a petite girl whom Cassie usually studied with whenever she could, passed over a sheet full of notes, entitled after the Shakespeare story they were studying. They weren't exactly friends, but they hung out between classes sometimes. Freya smiled as Cassie mouthed her thanks, and then started scribbling again.

Thankful for her help, Cassie read through the notes quickly, writing what she needed to know in the book she pulled from her bag. Once done, she handed the paper back to Freya and leaned forward in her chair. They had no time to chat, the next three hours was going to be long and gruelling.

*

Filling her third sheet of paper with hurried notes of what Mrs. Hudson was saying, Cassie stretched her hand, flexing her fingers slowly. She had glanced over for Freya's help several times on occasions when she had lost track of Mrs. Hudson's point, but overall she had followed quite well. She wasn't looking forward to the Shakespeare essay they had to write in response to today's class.

The door opened without warning and everyone's heads looked up.

The male student from the corridor, having obviously removed himself from Lucy's toxic presence, strode in casually. He paused at Mrs. Hudson's side, seeming to whisper something in her ear, and then made his way to the back of the class. Sitting casually in the back row, two seats to the left of Cassie, he folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair. Mrs. Hudson stayed silent for a moment more and then continued on with what she was saying.

Cassie narrowed her eyes. She didn't understand why their teacher had seemingly just allowed her missing student to come and go as he pleased. Nor did she understand why he would bother coming to class anyway with only ten minutes remaining. His name was Matthew, Cassie remembered, having only just realised that Mrs. Hudson's English class was the subject that she shared with him. She hadn't even noticed him missing, not after witnessing his nauseating display with Lucy in the corridor.

Why he would skip class in the exact same corridor of the lesson, Cassie didn't know, but she assumed by his casual attitude that he didn't care. He didn't even start to take notes as their teacher continued with what she was saying. Cassie must have shared the class with him for over four years, but she didn't remember seeing him all that much. Maybe he had skipped more classes than she could count.

The bell rang as the hour hand of the clock struck twelve. In response, the shuffling affect spread across the students, as they hurriedly pushed their books and papers into their bags before dashing for the door. Most of them were gone before Cassie had even lowered her pen. She just had one more sentence to write and then she was done.

Movement out of the corner of her eye destroyed the focus she was desperately trying to keep. Matthew had stood from his seat in one easing movement, making his t-shirt pull tort across his chest. The tattoo on his collar bone was more visible as he bent down to grab his bag. Cassie thought it looked like a feather with some writing beneath it, but she didn't have the time needed to identify it exactly. He looked at her dismissively and started his walk to the door, but Cassie was mesmerised by the way his body moved. She watched how his thighs contracted with each movement, the way his arms swung ever so slightly from side to side.

Someone shook her violently.

"Hey!"

Turning to her side, she could see that Freya's hand was on her shoulder.

"Since when does Matthew Kale tick your boxes?" she winked playfully.

Cassie, horrified by the fact that she had watched him leave so intently, started to stuff her books into her bag. "As if!" she mused, trying to hide the colour of her cheeks. She pushed herself to her feet, watching as Freya did the same.

"Your secret's safe with me." She started to head for the door then, winking again playfully before disappearing into the corridor.

Wanting to run after her, to try and explain, Cassie moved towards the door quickly. Mrs. Hudson's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Detention tomorrow. Be here at 12."

Cassie swallowed the lump in her throat. Great. Detention again. And now Freya thought that she had a crush on a guy that she had never really spoken to. Though she would never have admitted it out loud, Cassie wished she and Matthew had spoken. Something about him, something she had never noticed before seemed to call to her, attracting her gaze to him.

"Can you do that?" Her teacher asked coyly.

With a silent nod, Cassie left the room. She always had detention when being late for class, but no one else ever seemed to. It irritated her. She pushed the thought aside and searched for Freya among the ferrying students. No luck. She'd have to catch up with her when she could, feeling as if she needed to explain about her sudden interest in Matthew, if that's what you could call it. It was funny, Cassie saw him at least every day and yet there had been something different about him today. She had no idea what.

The corridor emptied quickly, and Cassie was able to move at her own pace. Often she was pulled along with a group of students in the tightly squeezed corridors, ending up somewhere she didn't need to be, but today was definitely the opposite. Her next class was religious studies, but having lost interest in Mr. Walker's strict views on religion many terms ago, Cassie often studied in the library. That way if she was ever caught not being in his class, she could still say that she was studying.

She made her way back to the main forked path and then continued straight over, passing the main entrance on her right. The library was a large area on the second floor, with several sets of stairs leading up to it at different angles, but Cassie always went the same way. It was the longest, but the view from the main glass window that she always passed, was definitely worth the extra steps.

Every time she reached the large ornate window, she would lean against the window ledge and stare out over the college grounds. It was a beautiful sight even in the worst of weather. The large paved car park always seemed excessively full, even at odd times of the day. She recognised Mr. Walker's silver Estate closest to the building, with Mrs Hudson's beat up beetle next to that. There was always a gap then, before the rest of the teacher's vehicles began. A small slice of grass—if that's what you could call the thin wisps of green struggling against the constant rain—separated them from the students' parking area. Cassie could spot Gabe's jeep and Freya's small Peugeot from the rest, looking forward to the day when she could add her own car to the mix. If she ever passed.

Beyond the car park, closed off by a metal iron gate, was the sports field and the varying courts that followed. Some guys were playing football across the space, with a group of girls huddled in the corner, drawing the attention of any male that passed. Cassie rolled her eyes. Every day it was the same routine for the same girls, with Lucy Wiggen being one of them.

Cassie hated her more than ever, especially after her attitude in the corridor. _Just because he wasn't looking at you,_ she thought. She stopped, realising what she was thinking.

What had gotten into her? It wasn't as if Cassie had any claim on Matthew after a brief glance. She pushed the thought aside, spotting her brother nearby with his friends, strolling across the tennis courts towards the canteen. Dillen never was one to miss his lunch.

The canteen was a long narrow building, connected to the main college by a winding worm-like structure. Outside it looked like a bricked tunnel, perhaps one that a train would stream through quickly, but inside was different. Modern and sleek. Multi-coloured chairs against white tables. Bright and airy. Not that that was why she was staring out over the college grounds to begin with. There was just something about being able to see the entire grounds and the town beyond it from one single point.

She stepped back from the window and looked up to the library doors to her right. The clock above them was frozen in time, obviously having run out of power from its batteries, but Cassie guessed it was almost the end of lunch. Twelve thirty-ish maybe...

Pushing herself up the small set of stairs, Cassie prepared herself for the two and a half hours of studying that was to follow. She didn't know what was worse—studying by herself for the entire afternoon before trudging home, or the fact that when she got home it would be silent, and full of stale frustration and hurt. She sighed, making her way inside. She passed the plain entranceway and made her way across the small open space ahead.

The room itself was large, but small areas were closed off for certain types of studying. In one corner, a couple of students were chatting over an open book of some sort. They were hastily making notes, copying as much as they could whilst adding their own comment here and there. Every now and again, a student would get caught for plagiarism but that didn't stop them. Cassie wondered if they would ever learn.

Straight ahead, another area was boxed in with tall bookcases full of old scriptures and texts. A male student who Cassie recognised from one of her classes was sat with his iPod, leaning against the tallest bookcase for comfort. She doubted whether he had even noticed the beauty of the books around him. Brushing the thought aside, she made her way to the final area.

It was smaller than the rest, sitting directly beneath the last window of that wall. A square wooden table, big enough for two, was pushed against the wall with a chair underneath. This was Cassie's favourite spot when she needed to think. She placed her bag on the table before reaching for the chair, startled when another bag landed next to hers.

"I thought you'd be here."

It was Gabe.

Cassie smiled. "Am I that predictable?" she mused.

"Always."

They laughed, as Cassie pulled out her chair. Gabe grabbed one from the next table along, and turned it around so that he could lean against its back. It made her smile, reminding her of Dillen.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" she pointed out playfully.

"You're not the only one who's grown bored of Mr. Walker's religious speeches."

She was surprised by his response. "You always loved that class!" Her eyes narrowed.

"Okay, okay!"

Cassie always had the ability to get the truth out of Gabe.

"I just wanted to check on you," he worded quietly, lowering his gaze to his feet.

Gabe was always thinking of her. She was lucky to have him. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"But I do, Cass, I worry about you always."

Their gazes met as a brief silence filled the air. Something about his eyes was familiar. She'd known him for over ten years. That wasn't it. Something about the shapes of his eyelids, the distinct colour of his speckled irises... they reminded her of someone... of Matthew.

"Cass?"

She was pulled from her thoughts, causing her to blush. She'd been thinking of him. Again. What was wrong with her? Matthew really wasn't her type, but why had he made an impression on her so suddenly...?

"Hey!"

Her gaze met with Gabe's. "Sorry," she replied quietly. "I was thinking about something."

"He'll be back. Don't worry."

She gasped, thinking that Gabe had known what she was thinking. How could he know! "He?"

"Your dad. He'll be back as quick as you know it."

"Oh." She let out a quiet sigh. "I know. We just miss him that's all."

"Well, as long as you're okay..."

Holding his gaze, she smiled. "I'm fine. I might go home soon."

"Need a lift?"

Her smile widened, as Gabe moved to his feet. He grabbed his bag, pushing it over his shoulder, then returned his chair to the table behind. That's what he had been waiting for—to see if Cassie had needed a lift. He really did think of her always.

Their small walk to the car park was filled with laughs and stories from the day. She didn't know what would happen if Gabe wasn't around. He kept her upbeat and always smiling.

It didn't take them long to reach the outskirts of town. That was one advantage about living so close to the College. Cassie thanked Gabe for the lift and then watched him go, before turning to face her house.

It was a small cottage, with several large windows taking up most of its face. The Fayewood family had lived there around ten years so far, apparently the longest that they had stayed in one spot. Bryan's job had meant they had moved around lot, which thank fully Cassie couldn't really remember.

She walked in casually, knowing no one would be home yet, and dumped her shoes at the base of the stairs. Her coat was discarded on the wooden banister before making her way into the kitchen. She needed something to eat. It had been all day since she had eaten last—had she even had breakfast?

Her phone went off. Pulling it out of her pocket, she had a text from Gabe. _Make it back okay?_

A smile crept across her face. He always checked on her. _I'm home_ **,** she wrote back. _See you tomorrow?_

Making herself a sandwich which she ate quickly, Cassie then made her way to her room. It wasn't very often that she would sit downstairs, regardless of whether the house was empty or not. Her phone went off again.

See you tomorrow.

Gabe had always made Cassie message him when she was home. It was as if the journey from college was full of murdering strangers and weird creatures hiding amongst the trees, rather than the simple uphill trek that it was. She didn't ever complain though; it was nice that someone checked on her. Her parents were obviously too busy living their lives, and Dillen... well, Cassie tried everything she could to let him live his.

She reached her room, suddenly feeling tired.

The front door closed a moment later, followed by loud footsteps.

Cassie registered the movement, knowing all too well how 'quiet' Dillen could be, but she wrapped herself in her warm duvet and closed her eyes. Sleep took her quickly. She hadn't even planned to lie down, let alone sleep. But she obviously needed it.

She dreamt of something other than shadows that night.

She dreamt of Matthew.
Three

The morning went by in a haze.

Cassie acknowledged Dillen, or rather the walking zombie that he was, with a simple nod before descending the stairs. Her mother had tried to speak to them both, but neither had really taken in what she had said. Something about going into work early or something... at least she was taking them to college.

Whilst Dillen showered and made himself presentable, Cassie made some toast, slathering it with so much butter it went soggy. It went down with a drink of fruit juice, and then a gulp of left over coke from the day before. Cassie took a seat at the kitchen table, feeling more awake now. She soon noticed the absence that always consumed their house. Even when their father was home, it was still there, lingering like a fury who had claims over their souls.

She stayed only a moment in the empty kitchen, choosing rather to lean against the hallway sideboard whilst she waited for her brother. He always took the longest to get ready, especially if he knew he didn't have to walk. Sandra hurried down the stairs, her arms overfilled with washing.

Speak of the devil...

Their mother bent down in front of the washing machine, then forced the large mass of dark clothes into the spinner. There was too much to fit in all at once, but Cassie could see that it was all going in regardless. Her mother had one of those 'everything WILL go right today' looks and Cassie was not going to provoke her.

"Pass me the conditioner, will you?" Her mother didn't even look up as she spoke, keeping her hand pressed against the washing that wanted to spill out over the floor.

Cassie grabbed the tall bottle from the top and handed it over, watching as it was poured into the washer's drawer. With a swift movement, Mrs. Fayewood removed her hand and closed the door shut. She smiled, satisfied that she had done well. Straightening herself out, she glanced towards her daughter.

"What classes do you have today?"

Here goes the idle chit-chat that Cassie hated in the mornings. "Media, then English." Her reply was as blunt as she could make it.

"Will Gabe be bringing you home?"

She shrugged. "Probably, not sure what classes he has."

"Okay, well let me know if not, and I'll come and fetch you on my break."

Cassie tried not to stare at her. She was shocked at how nice her mother was being. Something was going on. She knew it.

"Dillen, we're leaving!" Sandra shouted, grabbing her nurse's bag from the table.

Cassie, still surprised by the unfamiliar attitude oozing from her mother, also grabbed her stuff on the way to the door. Dillen came running down the stairs a brief moment later, wearing a pair of combats and a navy t-shirt. His hair wasn't done, but at least he was showered. The thought made Cassie smile.

He quickly pushed on his black jacket and then rushed to his sister's side who was now waiting outside. Trying to catch his breath, it was obvious that little time of his morning had actually been used to get ready, but rather to just wake up. They were definitely a family that hated mornings.

They filed out silently, then jumped into the family car once it had been unlocked. Cassie immediately put the radio on, knowing that the same thing was on her brother's mind. The music from the radio was the only way they could stop their mother from interrogating them the whole journey. And it worked. Mostly.

Once they pulled up on the college car park, Dillen jumped out straight away, but Cassie wasn't so lucky. Her mother grabbed her hand before she had a chance to move. "I'm sorry he had to leave again, honey."

"It's fine," Cassie muttered, just wanting to be out of the car. "We're used to it."

"I know it's hard, but it'll stop soon. Once he's back, he's staying."

Cassie tutted. "We've heard that before." She pulled her hand free and pushed the door open, meeting Dillen's gaze. He was waiting for her, but he seemed irritated.

"We'll see you later," Cassie called, pushing the door shut. She wasn't sure if her mother had gone on to say something else, but Cassie hated serious topics too early. They aggravated her for the rest of the day.

The car pulled away and then left the car park. Dillen and Cassie didn't even look back as they reached the main stairway. It was getting harder to handle each time their father left. It was becoming more and more personal to them, as if it was their fault that he was constantly going. Well, that's how Dillen felt. Cassie wasn't too sure.

Once they had pushed through the set of double doors at the main entrance, a group of lads huddled at the far side called for Dillen to join them. He lifted his chin to acknowledge their invite, but stayed still.

"Computers first, right?" Cassie asked, nudging her brother playfully.

He nodded. "Then Sports." The lack of enthusiasm in his voice was clear.

"Try not to fight today," she mused.

He winked playfully, a spark of light in each iris. "Just one or two."

"Dill!"

Moving over to join the group of guys, they started to file left, towards the large student area which separated the main library staircase to the computer room. Cassie watched them go. She knew without a doubt that if any student challenged her brother today, they would be met with his fists. It was his way of venting his frustration.

A girl pushed past her, running in from the cold. She skidded around the corner up ahead and then was out of sight. Cassie glared into her back, but when the bell started to ring, she realised the time. She was going to be late, again!

She started to run, going straight over at the crossroads before turning left. Several long narrow corridors followed and then two more left turns before she reached the media block. She leaned against her knees for a second, catching her breath. _Not far to go._

Straightening her back, she started to run again, only to barge straight into another student. Her bag fell from her shoulder, landing at her feet. "I'm so sorry!" she shouted, looking up.

Her heart stopped briefly.

His dark eyes drew her in like they were small black holes. Speckles of colour danced around their edges like stars lost in the night. Cassie had found it hard to pull her gaze from him at a distance, but up close... it was impossible.

He cleared his throat, with a smirk.

Realising that she was still pushed against his chest, she jumped back quickly before diving to the floor to retrieve her bag. Her cheeks started to flare and her heart was beating so loudly that she could feel it drumming in her ears. Her hand reached for her bag, only to land on his knuckles.

Repelling her arm, she stood up straight, not knowing what to do. Her cheeks were still hot, and her palms started to sweat. She didn't know what it was about him, but she couldn't pull her gaze from his face.

"Here." He extended his hand, the strap of her bag hanging from his palm. "It was my fault."

"T-thanks," she stuttered, taking the bag from him. Pulling it over her shoulder, she kicked her boot into the floor, trying not to fidget.

She took in the laced detail of his brown boots, the way his skinny jeans mapped out his calves and thighs beautifully. He had something in his right pocket—perhaps a phone—that caused his jeans to look tighter than they actually were. She imagined having his number, being able to talk to him whenever she wanted.

"You have Media, right?"

Pulled from her thoughts by his somewhat gentle voice, Cassie nodded. It was as if she had lost the ability to speak. Something about him, something she had never noticed before, not once, was filling her with heat. And he knew what classes she had... why?

"You're late."

She loved the way his hair spiked out over his ears. The black chain around his neck. The tip of his tattoo which covered half of his collar bone. Was it a feather? She leaned to the side to try and see more of its shape.

"Cass." His hand shook her gently.

"Yes?" Pulled again from her thoughts.

He looked up, signalling at something on the wall. She didn't want to look, but she did, following the shape of his muscular arm. There was another tattoo across his wrist. He was pointing at the clock.

"You're late."

She gasped. "Oh no, I'm gonna get detention again!"

Pushing herself to run, she brushed past him and headed for the end of the corridor. The door to her class came into sight and she tumbled in, tripping over her feet as she tried to glance back at Matthew. He'd gone. And now she was falling. Her feet twisted beneath her, leaving her as a muddled heap on the floor.

Mr. McCarthy glared at her. "Late Miss Fayewood. Get to your seat!"

Embarrassed was not the word.

She quickly picked herself up and rushed to her seat, blushing as all of the students watched her. Once she was seated at her desk, logging onto the computer at her side, she slouched in her chair to try and catch her breath. Matthew had stolen it.

*

She did get detention.

It was her second in two days.

Luckily Mrs. Hudson's detention, scheduled for twelve that day, was just like an extension of her English class that afternoon. It was an hour for her to catch up on missed notes and topic points before her actual class, and thankfully Freya had volunteered to help her. It went by quickly, and soon half of her afternoon was over.

Mrs. Hudson was explaining the acquisition of the English language and how children developed the ability to speak from their early interactions. Every now and again, Cassie would write a phrase or word that had caught her attention, but she wasn't at all focused.

She glanced over to Freya, seeing that she was scribbling frantically to try and keep up with Mrs. Hudson's points. There was no way that she'd be able to get them all, but she was willing to try. Cassie's English lessons would be so boring without Freya.

"Pst."

Turning to see who had wanted her, Cassie lifted her lip as she saw that it was Lucy Wiggen. She was waving a piece of folded up paper just out of Cassie's reach. Instinctively she took it, and turned with it in hand, to unfold it across her desk. She didn't know what she expected.

It was a square piece of paper, Lucy's messy handwriting taking up over half of it. Knowing all too well that Lucy never had anything nice to say to her, Cassie wasn't surprised when the note started with an angry statement.

Kale is mine. Not yours.

Keep your dirty hands off him. Unless you want my fist in your face.

Don't think I'm stupid. Stay away from him.

Cassie didn't know what to think in response. The truth was she wasn't surprised by Lucy's insecurities, but how did she know about Cassie bumping into Kale in the first place? Did he mention it? Or did Lucy just happen to see?

The butterfly feeling in her stomach made her wish it was because he had mentioned it. She loved the energetic buzz that warmed her chest when she thought of calling him Kale. Matthew didn't quite have the same ring to it, but Kale... Cassie wanted to say his name over and over.

"What's that about?" Freya was leaning over at an angle, already having read through Lucy's 'threatening' note. "What have you been doing with your hands?" she winked.

Cassie tried to stop her cheeks from blushing, but failed. "Nothing, honest." She glanced around to see that Matthew's seat was empty. He had obviously skipped class again.

The bell rang then, English was finally over. All of the students made their way out, with Lucy trailing behind with her 'groupies' just long enough to push past where Cassie was sitting. Freya shot her a glowering look, and then returned her focus onto her books. The two girls packed their things away and then made their way outside, Freya looping her arm through Cassie's.

"Sooooo, what did I miss?"

"Nothing," Cassie responded quickly.

"Come on! Obviously you've got Lucy in a spin over something!"

She had a point. Maybe Matthew... Maybe Kale had mentioned bumping into her after all.

"I ran into him before class."

"Literally?" Freya had to make sure that she had every detail.

Cassie smiled. "Literally. Somehow I ended up in his arms, and then a crumpled heap on the floor."

"He must have some touch, huh?" She squeezed Cassie's arm.

"But that was it... honest."

"Hmm. Lucy's just jealous he had his arms around you and not her!!"

Glancing around quickly, Cassie scowled. "Shut up Freya!"

She started to laugh out loud, but she could tell Cassie felt uneasy. "Hey, don't you have detention?"

"It's first thing tomorrow, before class." The thought made Cassie cringe. She had to be up, dressed and at college for detention at eight. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.

"But hey, least I get to drive you home today."

The prospect of a small drive with Freya would be interesting, they would probably talk about nothing else except Kale, but Cassie usually got a lift with Gabe on Tuesdays. "Gabe's giving me a lift, but thanks."

"He's not here, silly. Didn't he tell you?"

Cassie stopped in her tracks, letting Freya's arm fall to her side. She hadn't seen Gabe all day, but she hadn't realised he'd skipped the day altogether. He hadn't mentioned anything. Perhaps he'd texted her and she'd missed it? Pulling her phone from her pocket, she opened her screen. No messages. That was unusual.

"Maybe he's not well," Freya suggested.

"I guess... but he usually texts me."

"He'll be fine. Come on!" She grabbed Cassie's arm and started to pull her across the car park. At least she wouldn't have to wait for her mother.

Cassie sent a quick text to Gabe checking if he was okay and then jumped into Freya's Peugeot. The journey that followed was filled with Freya's constant chatter and stories, which Cassie acknowledged regularly with a nod or slight murmur. The truth was she was worried about Gabe. It wasn't like him not to text her.

They turned a sharp corner, signalling the end of the town road. Freya messed with the heating once they had straightened out, slamming her fist against the grilled dashboard to get her fan working. Cassie would have smiled, but her mind was too occupied. Freya knew it without needing to ask, but she would've never said. She was just happy that she could get Cassie home. She dropped her right at the door.

Once they had said their goodbyes, Cassie watched Freya go, before reaching her locked front door. Her mother wasn't home. She huffed, having to root around for her keys. She unlocked the door, kicking her boots off straight away. A note was pinned on the fridge, but she didn't bother reading it. She guessed it said something about her mother being late from work, and that Cassie would have to find her own tea.

Grabbing a drink and a bag of crisps from the nearest cupboard, she inhaled a deep breath. It wasn't long before she was settled in her room for another empty evening. She lay on her bed, cupping her cheeks in both hands clasped under her chin. Her phone was in front of her. Silent.

It vibrated as a message came through. Cassie had never grabbed her phone so quickly. She hurriedly opened the main screen and moved to her inbox. It was Dillen. She sighed, deflated.

Not coming home tonight. I've told mum.

She wasn't surprised by his message. Dillen would stay with his friends whenever he could, especially when their father was absent. Cassie just hoped that this time it wasn't because of fighting, like the last time. She hesitated before replying, guessing she would find out tomorrow.

_Be good. See you at college_ 

Nooooo problem. Night Sis!!

Closing her phone, she returned it to the same spot on her quilt, propping herself up with her elbows. She wanted to wait for Gabe's reply, but boredom soon kicked in. It was quiet in her room, she loved it, but Cassie wouldn't have turned down an offer of company. Gabe. Freya. Dillen. Even her mother would have spent time with her if she had asked, but she found that only one person crept into her thoughts.

Matthew Kale.

She couldn't understand how he was taking up so much of her thoughts, when before yesterday they had never really spoken. Sometimes they had shared glances in their classes, or seen each other in the corridors, but they had never spoken—not until today. Something in the back of Cassie's mind even told her that he had been to the same secondary school as her, but whether she was imagining it or not, she didn't know.

It was just the fact that he was constantly on her mind now. His speckled irises were there when she closed her eyes. His soothing voice was there when she was surrounded by silence. His arms... she imagined them holding her, feeling the heat of his skin. She rolled over, staring at her ceiling.

What was she thinking?

They had bumped into each other in the corridor, not declared an emotional binding oath. But Cassie wished that they had spent longer together, perhaps even talked properly. She could have gotten his number. They could have spent hours texting and...

She gasped, covering her face with her hands. What was happening to her? What was so special about this one guy? Her stomach fluttered around him. Her heart beat faster just thinking of him.

But he was with Lucy. There was no getting around that.

What if Lucy wasn't with him though?

What then?
Four

Mr. McCarthy made Cassie clean his classroom for a whole hour.

She barely opened her eyes during the first twenty or so minutes, let alone cleaned anything. The morning had crept on her so suddenly. The last thing she remembered was sitting with her phone, waiting for Gabe's reply, and then her alarm was ringing in her ears. She hadn't even had time to jump in the shower, brushing her hair haphazardly to one side instead. Dressed in some light jeans and her favourite hoodie, she'd had to dash for the early bus, reaching her detention just in time.

Her media teacher had simply been sitting at his desk, waiting for her arrival. Once she had pushed through the door, he stood, handing her a set of keys before leaving the room. She assumed he wanted her to lock up after her hour and then return his keys...? It would have been nice for him to say so.

Cassie started with the desks. An old rag had been left for her which she used as a duster. She started at the front, wiping down each table top from left to right. Most of them were littered with pieces of graffiti and scratched-in shapes. She wasn't at all surprised by the amount of swear words and names that marked the wood. A smirk crept across her face.

Once the tops of the desks had been done, Cassie then moved onto the floor. Her hope was to use the broom to gather the noticeable pieces of dirt which she could then pick up and throw in the bin. She didn't want to mop. The smell of bleach. The horrible, clinical smell that pinched against her nostrils. Just the thought of it made her uneasy. She didn't know what it was that made her unsettled about it, but it did.

The mop wasn't needed after twenty strict minutes of sweeping. Cassie was satisfied that there was no dirt or dust now occupying the floor. She propped the mop and broom in the small closest at the side, then looked back just to inspect her handiwork. It was clean. She smiled and turned towards the door.

A face appeared at the glass.

"Gabe!" She smiled, pulling the door open before he had chance. "Are you okay?"

He smiled, surprised by her sudden excitement. "If only you were that enthusiastic about your punctuality," he winked. "And your cleaning duties too."

She scowled, but after a moment her smile soon crept back. "You could have texted me!"

"I know, I'm sorry. Leon needed my help with something."

"Everything okay?"

He responded with a nod, his gaze seeming to glaze over briefly. "We best get to class. Can't have you being late again."

Glancing at the clock above Mr. McCarthy's desk, there were around ten minutes before her Religious Studies started. Just enough time to head for the library and take in the beauty from its high window. She grabbed her bag that was propped against one of the desks and followed Gabe into the corridor. Being sure she had locked the door, checking the handle twice, she smiled and the two of them started to walk.

Cassie thought the corridor was strangely empty considering the time. There were no groups of students hanging around lockers. No sign of Dillen and his friends. Even the canteen looked empty as they passed its large open entrance. She made her way inside, Gabe following closely, and headed for the counter which took up most of the far wall.

Various sandwiches and baguettes were laid out, with the remnants of toast and cooked breakfast at the far end. Some students had obviously been there at some point, nearly all of the cooked food had gone. Cassie chose a small baguette and a bottle of water. She paid the lady who stood silently at the till register, then started to eat. Gabe hadn't chosen anything, but Cassie wasn't surprised.

In all the years that she had known Gabe, she had never known him to eat much. And when he did eat, it seemed to be only little and often, rather than big meals. She guessed that he had eaten some kind of fruit and some cereal before setting off this morning. What he did eat was always healthy. Cassie on the other hand didn't care what she ate as long as it filled the nausea which sometimes bubbled inside her.

They left the canteen after a moment, giving her a chance to open her bottle of water. It was fresh, clean water—apparently from the high mountains in the alps according to the product label. She took several sips, before pushing the water bottle and the wrapper from her baguette into her bag. Considering she had had to be up early, today was becoming a productive day.

First, a whole hour of cleaning, without being late for her detention.

And now secondly, she had eaten breakfast at a reasonable hour and was headed for the library, her favourite place.

She wondered what else could go right today.

Her high spirits faltered as Gabe didn't stop at the library stairway. He continued on a few paces, turning to look at Cassie as she stopped.

"Where are you going?" she asked, confusion spreading across her face. "We're going to the library..."

His expression seemed to say otherwise.

"Aren't we?"

His gaze looked away briefly, but then it returned to focus on hers. Tension spread across his face. His whole stance changed. "No. Today we're going to class."

"But... we never go to Religious Studies! You even said the other day you were bored of Mr. Walker's speeches." She felt like a pouting child, but she didn't want to go to class. The library was her favourite place.

"Cass!"

The sudden rise in his voice grabbed her entire attention.

"We're going."

So much for her day going right.

"Fine." She stomped past the stairs, following Gabe as he continued onwards. She glared into his back, lifting her lip in disgust. Gabe didn't look at her until they were only several strides away from the assembly hall.

Cassie had only just realised they had passed their normal class several doors back. Then she remembered. Today their Religious class was in the Hall. Today it was a seven-hour seminar on the Fall of the Angels and how society today believed in their existence.

She groaned. "Great." _Why couldn't we just go to the library...?_

"It'll teach you something I'm sure."

Keeping her head at the rigid angle it was, she simply moved her eyes and looked at Gabe glaringly. "Why do I have to know about Angels?" She slouched her shoulders. "It's all day, Gabe... do we have to go?"

"At least it'll get you out of Art this afternoon," he mused. Nudging her playfully, he opened the doors to go in, holding them open for her to follow. His whole face was glowing.

_I hate you._ She couldn't help it, but a seven-hour seminar about religion was not what Cassie had hoped for today. Begrudgingly, she followed Gabe in without a word.

The Hall was warm for such a large space. Usually a chill would constantly hang in the air of places like it, but Cassie was pleasantly surprised. At least she wouldn't be cold. The wooden floor matched the small stage at the front perfectly, with a wall sized projection of a white figure hanging above it. A great way of making even the non-enthusiastic students pay attention at some point. Because hey, who didn't like a TV bigger than an entire wall.

Cassie glanced over the students' faces. She recognised most of them, noticing Lucy and her friends sitting at the far side. Great. Even better. Inhaling a breath, Cassie guessed she would have to move. She doubted whether anyone would appreciate her standing stubbornly between the stage and the rows of seats for the next seven hours. A sudden movement from Lucy caught her attention.

She was waving over her head enthusiastically.

Is she waving... at me?

Why would Lucy Wiggen want to sit by her? Out of all of the people in the room...

"Don't worry, she's not waving at you. You don't have to sit by her."

His warm breath made her neck tingle. She turned, her cheeks blushing. "Kale..."

He seemed surprised that she called him by his surname, but his face soon lifted into a smile. "Didn't think you'd be up for anything about angels...?"

She frowned. He didn't know what she liked. "Maybe I like angels..." What was she saying? She didn't even know.

A spark of light ignited in his eyes. "Let's hope so Cass." He winked and then made his way to Lucy's side.

Cassie tried to catch her breath. It took more effort than she thought it would. Her heart was drumming in her ears again. However, she came crashing back to reality as she turned to look at Gabe. He was standing, his gaze fixed directly on her, seriousness etched across his face. What was with him? Cassie wasn't going to ask.

She tried to ignore Lucy's evil glare as she moved, then took a seat next to Gabe. Neither of them said anything, but the silence was broken by the start of Mr. Walker's long-winded speech. Cassie's cheeks stayed warm as she glanced over at Kale. He was seated next to Lucy, but looking at her.

Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all.

*

Their seats were about half way up the ascending rows. Gabe had settled down almost straight away, pulling the little table from the side across his lap. Each seat had one so that students had something to lean on whilst writing their notes. Cassie had doubted whether she would need one, and she'd been right.

Over half the seminar had passed. She had barely written down a word. It was something about Mr. Walker's monotone voice. There was no variance in the pitch or tone. It was just like listening to one continuous note, playing aloud over and over and over again.

Everyone else, including Freya who was several rows ahead of where Cassie was sitting, had written over a page of notes. Some had even filled several pages. Cassie slouched in her chair, and hoped that they wouldn't have to write anything in regards to what they had learned. She would struggle if they did.

Their half an hour break had flown by so quickly, that she barely remembered it. Some of the students had left briefly to get some lunch, but most of them had stayed within the Hall, just talking amongst themselves. Gabe had barely said one word since earlier. Cassie wondered what was wrong with him. She doubted whether it was because she had spoken to Kale... it couldn't be, could it?

She glanced over, seeing that Kale had leaned back in his chair and put his feet against the seat in front. His gaze was fixed perfectly on the various pictures that appeared on the projector screen. Cassie had barely noticed any of them if she was honest, but she marvelled in the way Kale's whole concentration was taken up by the tales of angels. It was obviously an interest of his. Maybe she could bring it up one day... see what he said in reply.

Lucy turned her head to glare at her, pushing her to avert her gaze. If she wasn't in such a confined space, Cassie would have laughed. But here she remained silent, glancing at the clock again. Around two hours left. She leaned her head back, sighing loudly.

Mr. Walker started to discuss the modern concept of angels and the various pieces of 'evidence' that had come to light to prove their existence. He went on to describe several stories where people had been saved from certain death by a strange light, or others that had seen foreign shapes in the sky like angels in flight. Whatever he said was backed up by photographs and images that were projected behind him. Cassie, for the first time since the start, found her interest piqued.

"Some say angels exist, others say they do not," he stated matter-of-factly. "There are pieces of evidence that prove that either theory is correct."

Freya's hand shot up. "What evidence is there? It's not like an angel has ever been seen."

In response, their teacher pressed a button on the controller in his hand and turned to look at the next projected image. It depicted a glass window, formed to show several angels bathing in the light.

"That doesn't count," Freya murmured.

"And why not, Miss Williams?"

Lucy was the first to comment. "Because that's just a window. Not a real person, Sir." She shot Freya a cheeky smirk, as if trying to win points over her.

Freya just brushed her off and scribbled in her notebook.

"Yes, it is a window, Miss Wiggen, but why does that prove that angels do not exist?"

She didn't know what to say in reply, shuffling in her seat.

Cassie hardly noticed though, as she was fixated on the image ahead. The colours of the glass were so vibrant—she would have loved to have seen it in person—shining like pure sunlight. Angelic figures surrounded the entire pane of glass, with the light emanating directly from the centre. She knew that the light represented God in the glass, but she found that it was formless to her, just energy. The artist must have sat many hours to recapture the vibrant glow.

"Artists use their own personal experiences in their work." The words had left her lips before she could stop them.

Everyone turned to look at her, surprised that she had spoken, surprised that she had had something to say.

Mr. Walker looked at her directly, a smile spread across his face. "Well done, Miss Fayewood. Artists use personal experiences and traumas to build their work layer by layer. Therefore, this artist must have seen a similar light or figure in life, to be able to capture it so beautifully within their work."

Cassie felt pleased with herself, but she was surprised by her own sudden interest. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Kale met her gaze briefly before looking ahead. Every time their gazes met, Cassie felt warm. Her heart beat started to drum.

An older girl from the front nodded her head. "But surely the light could represent anything? The sun. A mirror. Even God. How can we know it is an angel?"

Something in Cassie bubbled in irritation. She glared at the girl, frustrated by her 'stuck up' point of view. Couldn't she feel the energy escaping the image? Cassie started to think it had to represent an angel, or something filled with a similar energised power.

"Some will agree with that point," Mr. Walker began. "This image is known as 'The View of God' and many have discussed how the light represents God himself, with the angelic figures acting as his disciples. Everyone is entitled to their point of view." He pressed a button on his controller and the image changed again.

The next image was so crisp and clear that it caused the breath in Cassie's throat to stall. She glanced between the projection and Kale, believing that she was seeing the same person twice. And the other so tall and fair-haired. She could have sworn that it was Gabe.

There were two male figures stood side by side in the image. On the left, a dark haired young man, perhaps in his early twenties, had his face lowered. His hair was flicking out across his cheeks, escaping the hood which threatened to engulf his entire face. He wore simple clothes, but the wings shadowing his shoulders were detailed in so many ways. Like crafted porcelain, each black feather was perfectly in line.

Cassie looked at Kale and then back. The shape of his face was so similar. His hair mirrored the image so perfectly. Even the energy which beamed through Cassie every time she was close to him was exactly the same.

"Hey, it's Kale!" Freya shouted, pointing excitedly.

Cassie gasped, taking in a deep breath to shout her agreement. But something stopped her. The other students laughed. Some were pointing out the similarities like children would between cartoon characters. She looked at Kale. He was smiling too.

"It does indeed bare a resemblance to you Matthew," Mr. Walker confirmed, having to take a second glance himself. "But unfortunately everyone, this image is over fifty years old. And I don't believe Mr. Kale is immortal."

"If only," Kale mused, laughing louder than the rest.

Gabe shot him a stern look.

Something in Cassie seemed to deflate as he answered. Was she expecting a different response? Hoping for something else?

"But the other kinda looks like Gabe too," Freya added, glancing back to remind herself of Gabe's features.

Everyone took turns in looking at him, but he didn't seem to mind. Cassie on the other hand felt uncomfortable. She had averted her gaze to the side, trying to avoid everyone's stares. Kale was looking at her again, easing her stomach somewhat.

His lips were mouthing something.

She sat up straight and watched as he mouthed the same word. Look. And then motioned for her to face ahead. She did, taking in the details of the young winged man on the right.

The image was old, but the similarities were so clear. His fair hair was shorter than Gabe's, but the shape of his partially covered face was the same. Even the style of his old clothes reminded her of what Gabe would wear. She still couldn't believe how much Kale and Gabe looked like the two men in the image. The only clear difference was their wings. The fair man's wings were white, but again perfectly formed.

"You should be paying attention."

Turning her head, she looked at Gabe. He was focusing entirely on the projection, but after a moment he turned to meet her gaze.

He pointed towards Mr. Walker, and Cassie realised that he had continued on with what he had been saying. "This is important," Gabe stated matter-of-factly.

She huffed, disappointed that she had missed it. A new image now covered the wall. "I guess... it's not like angels are real though."

"How do you know?"

"What?"

He was holding her gaze with such focus that it made Cassie uncomfortable. Something about his irises was strange, intense almost.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly. "You've been off all day."

Gabe focused again on the projection, taking in the beauty of the painting that was now stretched across the wall. It was painted by an unknown artist but their interpretation of the heavens caused his breath to falter. He glanced at Kale then, and Cassie was surprised when she followed his gaze that he, too, was looking back at them.

"Is it Kale? Is it because I spoke to him?" She made Gabe meet her gaze.

"You need to be careful, Cass." His words were clear, but his gaze was still fixed directly on to Kale's.

It only lasted a moment however.

Lucy grabbed hold of Kale's arm, shaking him furiously. He had pulled his gaze back, turning to speak with her, but Cassie could tell he wasn't happy. Something had taken the spark out of his irises. Gabe started to fidget, and then the bell rang out.

It scared Cassie, making her jump. But it was early. She glanced towards the clock, knowing they had at least an hour and a half left. But they didn't. It was exactly four.

What...?

She had only checked the clock moments ago to realise they had had two whole hours left. How had the time gone by so quickly? It couldn't be four already? It couldn't be two hours since she had looked at the clock.

Her thoughts were broken by Lucy's shrill voice. Kale had walked off, descending the steps two at a time. She was trailing after him, shouting his name, but he showed no signs of stopping. He didn't even look back. Cassie hoped that he was okay.

"Come on, I'll take you home." Gabe grabbed his bag as he moved to his feet. He always waited for Cassie. He never left any room they shared before she was ready to follow.

Four o'clock...? It can't be four already.

"Cass?"

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. He seemed worried, letting the tense shadow from his face fade away.

"You okay?" he asked.

Simply nodding, she looked back for Kale one more time, but he was gone. She sighed, wishing she could have spoken to him, then followed Gabe out. She didn't know what had changed, but Kale was always on her mind now. They had shared classes for years, but in the last two days it felt as if they should have been so much more.

She kept her thoughts to herself as they headed for Gabe's jeep. It was cold outside, proving that they were now well into December. Dillen had briefly run by once they had left the building, but he had soon dashed into the canteen. Cassie guessed that he would be meeting his friends.

It had been almost three days since their father had left.

They'd heard nothing.

No surprise there.

Pushing all thought of their messed up family out of mind, she zipped her jacket up and then jumped into Gabe's jeep once it had been unlocked. She waited for him to do the same, but he was stood still staring out over the car park.

"Gabe?"

Cassie looked over to find what she was looking for, surprised when she saw two people shouting at one another above the main stairway. Kale and Lucy seemed to be having a heated argument. She was waving her arms above her head like a crazy person, Cassie thought. She wished she could hear what it was they were saying, even if it was to relish in Lucy's frustration. Though it was Kale that she was concentrating on.

His back was straight. His stance firm. Whatever point he was trying to get across to Lucy was important, and he wasn't backing down. He turned towards the jeep then, almost aware that someone was watching him, and Cassie slouched in her seat to avoid being seen.

During the next long moment that passed, she looked at Gabe whose gaze was still fixed ahead, and then back at Kale. He lowered his face in response, ignoring everything else that came spilling out of Lucy's mouth. He then turned and headed for the college entrance, Lucy trailing after him.

Once they were out of sight, Gabe climbed into the driver's seat without a word. Cassie tried not to stare at him, noticing how his whole body language had changed. Did Gabe know Kale? He had never mentioned him before, but Gabe obviously knew something about the heated exchange between their fellow students. This was the second time today that he and Kale had registered each other's presence, with a long moment of eye contact.

He started the engine, waiting for Cassie to put on her belt, and then pulled out of the car park in silence. The look of thought across his face was one that Cassie had never seen before. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but another question tumbled from her lips instead.

"Do you know him?"

As the silence was broken, Gabe inhaled a deep breath, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. "Not really."

Cassie waited for more, but another moment of silence followed. "I don't believe you," she whispered. Something in her core was screaming for answers.

He turned to meet her gaze directly. "It's been a long day, Cass."

She scowled, hating the fact he had totally ignored her question. He did know him, she was sure of it, but she had never known Gabe to keep something from her. Perhaps pushing for answers wasn't going to work. She turned to look out of the window, leaning against her elbow.

The fields that separated her home from the rest of the town were dead, ready for the harsh winter that they were expecting. Apparently this year's snow was to be the worst storm for over twenty years. Cassie loved the snow, she loved the winter.

The jeep came to a stop, and she realised they had already reached the end of her driveway. It was a small bank and she could just about see the roof of her house through the trees. She hoped her mother was out so that she wouldn't get questioned about being home so early, but the small sliver of smoke that was escaping from her chimney proved otherwise.

She sighed. "Thanks for the lift."

Pulling on the handle, she pushed the door open and jumped out, throwing her backpack over her shoulder. She looked at Gabe and waited for his response.

"Anytime."

His reply was almost emotionless, empty. It was as if his whole personality had been sucked out of him. His face had grown pale and his eyes were glazed over, as if deep in thought. She wanted to know if he was okay, but she was irritated that he didn't trust her enough to say what was on his mind. Whether it was about Matthew Kale or not, she didn't know, but she was going to find out.

She pushed the door closed and crossed the road quickly. Gabe's window was wound down and his voice stopped her. "Cass, stay away from him."

"Who?" she asked, glancing back briefly, though she already knew who Gabe was going to say.

"Kale. Stay away from him." And then he was gone, the faint sound of his jeep disappearing with the wind.

Kale?

No explanation. No details. Nothing.

Cassie couldn't understand what was happening. If Gabe did know Kale—obvious by the casual use of his surname—why had it only come to light now? Surely they must have shared some classes, must have seen each other nearly every day at college. Maybe they'd had a fight in the past, a disagreement over a girl or something.

Pulling her jacket around her neck, Cassie turned and started the small ascent to her hill-top house. Dillen would be home soon, but she had some thinking to do before then. For now, there was only one thing on her mind. When Kale had looked over towards the jeep, assumingly meeting Gabe's gaze before leaving, Cassie had seen something in his eyes she couldn't explain.

Pain.

He was in pain.
Five

Most of the night had been taken up by Cassie's spiralling thoughts. She had tried to make sense of Gabe's sudden coldness, but had come up empty. At first she wondered if it was Lucy that Gabe was worried about, perhaps she had been the girl he and Matthew had fought over, but that line of thought had quickly faded. Surely if there had been a girl involved at some point, Gabe would have said.

Cassie had known him nearly ten years, through the last years of school and then into College. Unfortunately, Lucy Wiggen had done the same, but Gabe had never liked her. As a friend, or anything else. He had always called her spoilt and immature. It wasn't Lucy that had changed Gabe, it was Kale.

She couldn't remember them ever being together at any point through College. Every time she had shared a class with Kale or seen him in the corridor, Cassie had been alone or with Freya. The fact that Gabe had changed so much from only one or two encounters with him however, proved that there was much more between them than he had ever mentioned.

Maybe a catch up with Freya would help her sort out her thoughts.

Choosing a pair of old jeans and tight fitting t-shirt, she left her hair down, with a spare bobble on her wrist for later. She laced up her boots which she had kicked off lazily at the base of her bed, and then headed for the door. College didn't start for well over an hour, but Cassie hoped she could meet Freya for a little while before Mrs Hudson's class. Pushing some books into her bag, Cassie crept from her room as quiet as she could. She hated to wake Dillen before his alarm so she avoided several loose floorboards as she descended the stairs.

She hesitated on the last step, hearing her mother shuffling in the kitchen.

Here goes.

Moving from the steps, she grabbed her coat quickly. "Hi mum, meeting Freya, see you later!" And then she was outside, shutting the door before her mother could shout a response.

She hurriedly made her way across the main driveway, jumping over the cracked empty stream before reaching the road. It didn't take her long to reach the nearby bus stop, showing her College card to the well-aged driver before choosing a seat by the window. She would have waited for her brother, but today was the start of her research about Kale and Gabe. Dillen would understand.

The journey didn't take long. Pressing the bell as the bus pulled up towards the College, Cassie waited at the doors, jumping out whilst the bus was edging to a stop. The driver grumbled in response, then continued on his journey once several other students had departed from the vehicle.

"Cass!"

Glancing towards the car park, Cassie could see Freya, leaning against her small Peugeot. She was waving frantically over her head, as if Cassie wouldn't see her through the sparsely filled parking area. This wasn't the first time that she and Freya had met up before College, but by her comrade's excitable mannerisms, Cassie guessed that she would have met up with her every day if she could. Maybe they _were_ friends, Cassie thought.

"Hey, I didn't know you were catching the bus, I could have picked you up!" The exaggerated look of disapproval across Freya's face made Cassie smile.

"Sorry."

She was sorry, but she had needed the time to think. Her mind was a spiralling mess of thoughts and theories. But maybe now, she could work through them, with Freya's help.

They walked side by side as they ascended the main stairway, passing two students blaring music from their shared iPod. Cassie knew the sisters from her art class, but had never really spoken to them. To tell the truth, Cassie was a bit of a loner.

"So, I got your text."

Freya was always good at filling the silence that sometimes formed when Cassie was deep in thought.

"It said you needed to talk. What's up?"

Straight to the point as always.

Freya pointed towards the canteen as they reached the top step, and Cassie nodded in response. She was trying to word a reply that didn't make her sound like a stalker. It was proving difficult.

"Come onnnn!"

Cassie watched as Freya stopped still and narrowed her eyes. The tension was killing her. "Do you know anything about Matthew...?"

Her friend's eyes lit up. "I knew it! The way you were watching him yesterday, I knew you liked him!"

"Shhh!" Cassie glanced around hurriedly, checking that no one could hear. "It's just a question."

Her serious tone ebbed out some of Freya's hyper enthusiasm. "Well, okay."

As they reached the canteen, stepping in from the cold outside into the bright warmed space ahead of them, they chose a table by the window. Cassie's bench was white with green edges and Freya's was pink. They dumped their bags in the corner and their mobile phones on the window sill.

"I know everyone calls him by his surname. Like a nickname I guess."

That's why Gabe had called him Kale. That's why everybody, except Cassie, seemed to call him Kale.

"What else?" Cassie asked, trying not to seem too interested. She was just glad that Freya was willing to help. After all, Freya was the one that everyone went to if they needed some 'private' information. She had once worked in the secretarial office, and had managed to memorize a lot of the student information she had seen.

"He's a year older than us, but behind with his exams. He missed a whole year at the start of his studying here. He's been playing catch up ever since."

"Why?"

"Nobody knows." Freya shrugged. "There were rumours that spread about him going crazy for a while, but nothing ever stuck."

Cassie hadn't realised that Kale—it felt strange to call him by his surname, but if everyone else did, why not her—was older than them. She pictured the tattoo on his collar bone, still trying to decide if it was a feather. She would need to see it up closer. The thought made her stomach dance.

"Why the sudden interest anyway?"

Surprised that Freya hadn't asked earlier, Cassie fidgeted in her place. "There was just something about him yesterday..." Uh-Oh she was sounding like a stalker! "Then he was arguing with Lucy..."

"So you thought you'd try and jump in next?" Freya's shock was obvious.

"No!" Cassie raised her hands up to quieten her when some students nearby glanced over. She turned her head to the side to try and hide the colour of her cheeks. "If you let me finish..."

"Sorry."

Cassie inhaled a breath. "I was going to say that something strange happened. When they were arguing, Gabe just stared at them, at Kale. It was like they knew each other, that he wanted to get involved and... I don't know, but it was as if Gabe was pissed off, like he needed to say something to Kale, right there and then."

Freya was so intrigued, that she leaned on her elbow to listen.

"Sounds crazy, right?" Cassie mused, looking for reassurance.

"Well... they did used to spend a lot of time together."

"They did?" Her eyes widened. "When?"

Moving back in her chair, Freya leaned against the wall casually, propping her feet on top of the same bench she was sitting on. She seemed to take a moment before answering Cassie's question. "They started college at the same time. They both started the January, but you didn't start until the following year."

That made sense, Cassie thought. She wouldn't have seen Kale and Gabe together if she hadn't even started college then. But then Gabe had never mentioned anything about Kale during that time or after...

"I don't know the details, but they had a bust up just before you started. Bang. Crash. Wallop. Friendship over." Her dramatisation would have made Cassie smile under different circumstances.

"They had a fight?" Cassie was leaning forward so much, that her elbow could no longer support the angle at which she was sitting. She dropped her arms to her lap. "About what?"

Freya eyed her suspiciously. "I just said, I don't know the details. But what's with all the questions? What's going on?"

Cassie stared out over the canteen, deep in thought.

"Cass...?"

She sighed, needing to get everything out loud. "I feel like I know him... Kale. Both times I've spoken to him recently... I get butterflies."

"Ooooooh, sounds like you have a crush!!" Freya's eyes widened and she sat up straight, a grin spreading across her face. But something in the way Cassie didn't respond made her rethink her approach. "Maybe you've spoken to him before, but can't remember? I never see Kale around Gabe anymore... maybe they keep to themselves. Kale has Lucy, and you have Gabe...?" She shrugged her shoulders, but she was trying.

Lifting her elbows onto the table again, Cassie sighed. "But I wonder what they fought over... Gabe's never mentioned it..."

The canteen bell started to ring, cutting Freya off.

"I'll see what I can find. Okay?"

Cassie met Freya's gaze directly. "Thanks," she smiled. "But for now, I guess its English for me."

"Not for me. I'm ahead of class! I have a free period until lunch, you owe me." Freya grabbed her things, pushing herself to her feet, before turning with a wink. "See you later alligator." And with a quick wave over her head, she was gone.

The few students that had occupied the room filed out, leaving only Cassie remaining. She hoisted her bag onto her right shoulder and then started her slow walk to English. There was no rush. She'd probably get detention regardless of what time she arrived at class.

She didn't know how fast the next two hours would go, but with Freya missing and Lucy undoubtedly glaring into her back for the entire class, Cassie didn't have much to look forward to. A couple of students followed her in and then a heart-sinking silence filled the room.

Cassie dumped her stuff messily at her feet and slouched in her chair. She already wished the lesson was over. But all she could think of was Kale, and how he and Gabe had known each other without her even realising. She turned, wanting to question him, but was met with an empty seat. Her heart sank.

"Sorry, he isn't here for you to stare at today," Lucy spat.

Glancing over her shoulder briefly, Cassie just ignored her and looked ahead. Lucy laughed quietly, whispering to another girl in the class. She obviously found herself amusing.

This was going to be a long two-hour lesson.

Two whole hours of Shakespeare and nobody to talk to.

*

Although her first thoughts of negativity, the class went by quickly. Cassie caught up on all of the notes that she had fallen behind with and had even answered some of Mrs. Hudson's questions, though not by choice. She had had to pair up with several of the other students—they seemed nice, she thought—but Kale had still remained on her mind.

Once the bell had rung, signalling the start of Cassie's next free period, the class emptied quickly. Cassie was among the first to leave, being sure to avoid Lucy at all costs. A brawl during class wasn't what either of them were looking for.

She hadn't really planned what to do with her free period. Dillen was off with his friends, socialising in their usual way of playing with computers or kicking a football around the pitch. And Freya was off doing what Freya did best—digging up gossip about other students, Cassie hoped. That left Gabe and Kale. Both of whom Cassie hadn't seen since the day before.

Their discussion of angels and religion had seemed to strike a different chord in each of them, but Cassie couldn't explain how it had made her feel. She had seen a change in Kale and Gabe over the last couple of days, but couldn't explain that either. There wasn't much that she could explain at the moment. Her life had seemed to take an unexpected turn from the minute her father had left.

The corridor she was following lead to the complete opposite side of the college, but Cassie was too busy trying to unravel her thoughts to even notice where she was going. It wasn't until the sorrowing silence engulfed her that she realised that she had reached the exit door. She couldn't remember ever being this side of the college before.

An eerie atmosphere hung in the air.

A cool breeze seeped in through the thin window panes of the doors, which made the hairs along her arms stand up. Wherever she was, she didn't like it. She turned to go back, gasping as a shadow-like shape stretched across the corridor. It seemed to spread, as if the lights above had gone out.

Cassie stepped back.

She blinked, hoping it would disappear. It didn't.

Her hand reached for the wall as she started to feel dizzy. The shadow was moving towards her. It was stretching outwards. A nauseous bile rose in her throat and she backed away slowly. She was dreaming, or hallucinating. It couldn't be real. Footsteps suddenly echoed behind her, making her turn.

Two figures were coming into focus. She gasped, feeling surrounded on all sides. A cool breeze swirled around her, and she realised that the shadow had now disappeared without a trace, but the footsteps were getting louder. Her heart drummed in her ears as voices started to speak out.

Catching sight of an abandoned stack of lockers, she dashed towards it and ducked out of sight. She held her breath and hugged her knees to her chest. What else could she do? She was seeing things she couldn't explain.

She concentrated on the voices, hoping they would calm her. They didn't. They filled her with confusion and intrigue instead.

The voices were male.

Kale and Gabe arguing.

"It's easy for you!" Kale shouted. "You've had it exactly how you wanted it!"

Gabe seemed to huff in response. "You had a choice! You said you could continue saving the charges, and yet you've buckled!"

They were less than several strides from Cassie. She could hear every word, every breath. But what were they talking about? What had Kale chosen?

"I can't keep meeting her in these corridors and passing her by, Gabe!"

"You'll do as you were instructed. Cassie is my responsibility, Lucy is yours."

Cassie didn't understand. They weren't just arguing. They were arguing over her. But why? Why was Kale speaking as if they all knew each other so much more than they actually did? She exhaled quietly, being careful not to draw attention to herself. What was going on?

"But Lucy is safe. It's been months since any creature came for her. Why do you make me stay with her? Why can't Cassie know the truth?"

"She's not ready." Gabe's answer was so honest, it felt like a dagger to Cassie's heart. He really was keeping something from her, though Kale obviously wanted to tell her everything. But tell her what?

She wanted to stand up and shout at them to be quiet. She wanted to demand them to explain what they were talking about, what was going on, but she stayed still, fearing that her whole world would turn upside if she was to intervene.

"It could happen any day now." Kale's tone had suddenly lost all anger, as if he had realised that his argument wouldn't make any difference. "You're weaker than ever, and now Cass is on the verge..."

On the verge? The verge of what? What was going to happen to her?

Gabe approached Kale then, sighing almost reluctantly. "We must do what we can. Act as natural as is needed."

"And if she comes to me?"

A silent moment passed between them. Cassie could feel a strange energy in the air. It caressed her skin and warmed her cheeks, but it soon faded. Something had weakened. Where was it coming from? Was it coming from Gabe? Or Kale?

"If she comes to you," Gabe began, "this façade is over, and the new one begins. If she comes to you, darkness is sure to follow." Saying no more Gabe turned and walked away. He didn't look back. Not once.

Cassie didn't understand. What was Gabe talking about... the darkness would find them? Her thoughts were so muddled that she had to lean against the wall. She didn't know what to do, what to think. Why were Kale and Gabe keeping things from her? Why were they trying to keep her safe, and from what?

Footsteps followed the short burst of silence and then Kale was gone. She wished that she could have spoken to him, but what would she have said? Hey, I heard you talking about the darkness finding us, wanna fill me in? She laughed under her breath, more out of fear than anything else.

She stood a little while later, glancing down the long, empty corridor towards the exit door. It was closed, but a steady shower of rain was now caressing the glass. The shadowed shape from before returned, like an insect seeking out the light, but Cassie didn't stay around to let it reach her. She turned her back to the door and headed for the part of college that was familiar to her, pushing as much as she could out of mind. The walls all blurred into one another and the hours of the day seemed to fade away.

It was growing dark before she knew it, then her trek home began. She didn't question the unexplained movement of time, but the truth was she couldn't explain it. The hours of the day disappeared so quickly, like something had stolen them. As soon as she was home, she pushed herself under her bedding and closed her eyes tightly shut.

Her whole body felt weak. A throb was banging against her temples violently, and all she could think of was the shadow from before. Had it just been a hallucination? Was she unwell? She didn't know what was happening to her. How the hours of the day had faded so quickly. She just let sleep take her as soon as it was able.

Tomorrow was a new day, but she expected things were going to change.

Maybe she would have to carry on as if nothing was out of the ordinary. If only for a little while longer.
Six

The next morning was cool but bright. Sunlight was shining through the trees. A slice of the light had slipped through Cassie's haphazardly-drawn curtains and painted her face. It would have irritated her but she'd been awake for several hours, staring up at her ceiling. She had tried to go back to sleep. She really had. But the task had proved impossible in the end.

After thinking over and over through what she had heard, and how Gabe had seemed to change in reaction to Cassie's interest in Kale, she had labelled her thoughts as irrational. She had it heard it all out of context. There was no conspiracy around her. There couldn't be.

A text message caused her phone to vibrate. She smiled. It was from Gabe. _Up for Hot Chocolate?_

_Yes please_ 

I'll be 15 mins.

She closed her phone, as a smile spread over her face. Today was just another normal day. She wasn't going to ruin it by asking crazy questions of shadows and the 'darkness' that Gabe had mentioned.

Jumping in the shower quickly, she washed her hair—of a fashion—and then pulled on some skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and a blue zip-up hoodie. She decided against her usual boots today and instead pushed her feet into a blue pair of converse trainers. Boots were her preferred choice of shoes, but every now and again she would randomly pick something different from her collection. At least her shoes matched her clothes, she thought.

The house was quiet as she made her way down the small stairway. She guessed her mother had already left, and Dillen—well, he was never awake before his alarm. Their family were as predictable as ever, but the thought made her smile.

A car pulled up outside the kitchen window, drawing her gaze, and she saw that Gabe's jeep was waiting for her. Her smile remained. She grabbed her bag from the hallway floor and then pushed her arms into her coat, buttoning the front up awkwardly. She could hear Gabe manoeuvring outside whilst she gathered her things.

Moving her hair from the inside of her collar, she closed the front door behind her and then trudged through the moist soil of her driveway. Bryan Fayewood's plan was to have it entirely gravelled, but they hadn't had the chance to start the project yet. Surprise, surprise. Cassie jumped out of the cool morning breeze, pushing her back against the passenger seat as Gabe met her gaze.

"Morning."

She smiled. "Hi."

"All set?"

Glancing briefly to her small and isolated house, Cassie's doubt started to stir. She hadn't heard from her father for a few days, and now she was feeling unsure about the behaviour of those closest to her, but she couldn't sense anything different about Gabe today. She couldn't ruin it, pushing everything out of mind.

"Sure."

He waited for her to move her seat belt into place and then pulled away slowly. As they descended the bank, a deep puddle splashed over the one corner of the bonnet. It made Cassie jump.

"Someone's jumpy this morning."

She glowered at him playfully. "It's not my fault!"

Gabe laughed in response, lighting up his face. He moved his hand towards the drink's holder between the two seats, taking hold of a red cup which he handed to Cassie. She took it from him, feeling the heat from its contents warm her fingertips. The smell was delicious- hot chocolate.

She frowned. "You went without me?"

Twice a week, the two of them would sit in the nearby café for a while before college, talking about each other's memories and stories. They always had a hot chocolate each and shared several gooey marshmallows. But today, Gabe had already been. He'd gone without her.

"Didn't want you to be late again," he winked.

She sighed. "I guess you're right..." At least, he hadn't left her out on purpose. She had nothing to worry about.

"How is it?" he asked, signalling at the warm drink cupped in her hands.

She tightened her grip on the cup, taking a sip. "Great! It's my favourite." Her smile took over her whole face.

"Good. I made sure to ask for marshmallows."

Cassie had noticed, and she was thankful for the needed sugary pick-me-up. She looked out of the window, seeing grey clouds forming in the distance. Thankfully the weather was dry, but she doubted whether it would last. Hopefully her Friday would go by quickly without the rain making an appearance.

When the jeep reached the outskirts of the college car park, Cassie expected Gabe to take the same route to his usual spot, but he pulled up randomly instead. He didn't even stop within the lines, several rows back from where he would usually leave his jeep.

"Gabe?" She looked at him quizzically.

"I have to go away for a bit."

She just watched him, taking in his words slowly. They swirled around her mind over and over, but nothing dulled the ache which seemed to grab at her chest. "What?"

He pulled on the hand brake and turned to face her directly. "I don't think it will be for long. I'll be back."

"But..." A lump started to build in her throat. She'd been right all along, something was wrong. "Where are you going?"

"Just to the coast, with Leon. I'll be fine."

At least he was only going to the coast. That was only a few hours away. And if he was travelling with Leon, Gabe would be even more likely to be back for a deadline.

"How long for?" she asked quietly.

"A few days. A week maybe."

Maybe something had been on his mind lately and he needed a break. That was the only reason she could think of as to why he would want to leave so suddenly mid-term. She'd miss him, but Gabe had done this before. She shouldn't have been surprised that the time had come round for him to do it again.

She pushed her uncertainty to the back of her mind and forced a smile to move her lips. Nothing was wrong. Nothing was going to happen. She just had to keep repeating it over and over in her head, if that was the only way to keep her from worrying.

"Hey, Dill's here."

Looking out over the car park, she could see her brother waiting at the base of the college steps. She was confused. "I left him in bed..."

"Are you sure about that?" Gabe questioned.

She glanced at him in response. He had a point. Dillen had a regular habit of staying with friends whilst his mother worked her varying shifts. Sometimes Cassie didn't see him for a few days.

"I could have sworn he was home..."

"Well he's here now." Gabe started to edge across the car park, until his jeep was settled in its regular position. He turned off the engine and removed his seatbelt, checking to see that Cassie had grabbed all of her things before following her out.

She made her way straight towards Dillen, eyeing him suspiciously. "I thought you were home...?"

"Nope, stayed with the guys. We had sports practise pretty late. I text you, didn't you get it?"

Cassie immediately checked her phone, seeing that she had two unread messages from her brother. She really had lost track of time recently. She sighed, pushing her phone back into her jeans pocket.

"Didn't know if Gabe would be around today."

She looked up, meeting his gaze directly. "Why?" Cassie questioned.

Her brother held her gaze. "It's his birthday tomorrow... remember?"

Cassie gasped quietly. Tomorrow was the fourteenth of December. Gabe's twenty-second birthday.

"You forgot?" Dillen's shock was obvious.

"I know his birthday," she replied quickly. "I just didn't realise the date..." She turned and looked at Gabe, seeing that he had started to approach them.

In the last few days, she had thought of nothing but her father leaving and Kale's sudden introduction. Now she understood why Gabe had been thinking of the beach over the last few days. Every year, every birthday, he always spoke about their time at the Dover cliffs. Usually Leon and Gabe went away for a few days, but this year they obviously hadn't. Not yet.

"Hi, Gabe." Dillen tried not to laugh as the panic across Cassie's face grew.

"Not fighting this time?" Gabe queried. He winked as Dillen pushed his red knuckles into his pocket awkwardly. He had been hitting something, but Cassie didn't notice.

Dillen smiled. "Not my style!" He quickly moved his focus onto Cassie, who seemed deep in thought. "What's wrong, Cass?" He contained his laughter well as she glared at him.

"Nothing," she replied bluntly.

Gabe glanced between the two siblings and then started to walk, heading for the College canteen. "Come on Dill, I owe you a hot chocolate." Dillen went to follow, but Cassie grabbed him by the arm.

"What am I supposed to get him?" The panic in her voice was clear. "When am I supposed to get it?!" Tomorrow was Saturday—there were no buses and Cassie doubted whether she'd be able to get into town without pestering her mother for a lift.

Dillen nudged her playfully. "We'll work something out in town later."

"But he'll be with us!"

"It'll be fine," he worded clearly. Holding her gaze, he smiled. "Trust me." He turned then and followed Gabe to the top of the stairway ahead. When he had reached his side, the two of them turned to wait for Cassie.

She looked in their direction but her mind was working frantically to try and work out what to buy. Gabe waved for her to follow, but all she could think of was that over the last ten years, this was the first time that she had forgotten his birthday.

If she couldn't find something to buy whilst walking through town, like the three of them did every Friday after College, she would never forgive herself. A long day was ahead of her.

*

Luckily, Cassie's first two classes went by quickly. Media and Art usually went the slowest, due to the annoying habit of the teachers talking like robots. She had never been a fan of her Media teacher, Mr McCarthy, but Mrs Whitticker was the worst.

She was a short and well rounded woman, with sharp features like a witch. Her hair was cut into a bob which rounded her face, not at all helping with the shape of her figure. Cassie had come to realise that she had no dress sense during the first Art lesson of her College studies, when Mrs Whitticker had thought that wearing bright purple cords, a pink blouse and a multicoloured cardigan—so thick it made her look like a mammoth—was a perfect well-matched outfit. Thankfully, only several weeks was left of College. Cassie didn't have long to wait to be rid of Mrs Whitticker's lectures.

As she left her class, avoiding the piercing gaze of her Art teacher, Cassie breathed a heavy sigh of relief, before making her way towards the canteen. Desperately needing a drink, she pushed a pound into the vending machine outside of the student area, and waited for her water to fall from the spiralling arms. She couldn't be bothered to queue. Not today. She leaned down to retrieve the bottle once it had fallen and then took a long gulp. Her mouth was always so dry when she had been sat in Art studies for two hours- maybe it was something to do with the fact that no one ever spoke except Mrs Whitticker. That was her conclusion anyway.

Cassie pushed the bottle of water into her bag and then looked up briefly to glance over the canteen. The usual sights were there. At the far left of the room, two tables were occupied by the 'geeks'. Nearly every student there had a gadget of some sort in their hand, with some of the girls having books and Kindles within reach. Cassie had spoken to some of them over the three years of studying at the College, but that hadn't been often.

To the far right of the canteen, there was a second large gathering of students. They were all dressed in black. Some of them were dressed so uniquely that Cassie doubted whether she would ever see anything like it again. One girl had bright purple hair, shaven on the one side, long on the other. She was wearing multi-coloured leggings with a short black dress. Her boots which strapped up her thighs had such thick soles that they reminded Cassie of moon boots. The thought made her smile, though it soon faded as she looked over the final table.

In all schools and colleges, there were the 'lions' among the 'lambs'. The final table was surrounded by 'lions'. Most of the boy's rugby team were perched on the benches with the girls and their tight revealing tops, leaning over them like vultures. Cassie did everything she could to stay away from them, no matter how long the detour. She rolled her eyes as she watched Lucy Wiggen adjust her top, though Kale didn't seem focused, meeting Cassie's gaze directly.

She shuffled in her place, glancing around to check that he was looking at her. It made him smile in response, but it didn't alter Cassie's uneasiness. He moved to his feet after a moment or two, causing her heart to race. The throb from before, banged against her temple.

"Kale!" Lucy wrapped her arms around him, forcing him back to the table. He reluctantly followed, glancing back at Cassie.

Lucy grabbed his entire focus by moving her skirt at an angle, and then narrowed her eyes as she glared at Cassie. Knowing when it was time to leave, Cassie turned and made her way back down the corridor, feeling less clammy the more space she put between her and the canteen. She had Art again for the final two hours. Dillen and Gabe would meet her in the car park at three.

Following the main corridor to the end, she turned right and then left before entering into the small art class. Only two easels were spare when she arrived, and all of the other students watched her as she moved to the far left of the room. She didn't understand why the class was so full- had some of the students from their previous class stayed behind?

"Nice of you to join us again, Cassie." Mrs Whitticker greeted her with a raise of her eyebrow.

Cassie smiled awkwardly, glancing at the clock behind Mrs Whitticker's desk. Her breath caught in her throat. The time was one forty-five. Her Art class had started forty-five minutes ago. She couldn't believe it. It seemed as if she had left her last Art class only minutes beforehand, but according to the clock, it had ended an hour and fifteen minutes ago.

That can't be right...

There was no way it had taken her that amount of time to walk to the canteen and buy her drink. It was impossible.

"Take a seat please." Mrs Whitticker was obviously flustered that her class had been interrupted. Cassie quickly took a seat, pulling her phone out of her pocket to check the time. The clock was right. It was one forty-five.

_But I only went to the canteen... that wasn't an hour ago..._ It didn't make sense, where had the hour gone? This was the second time in two days where the hours had seemed to fly by seamlessly. Both times Cassie had met Kale's gaze, but surely that didn't mean anything. It was just a coincidence, it had to be.

"Pst."

Cassie was pulled from her thoughts as the girl next to her attracted her attention. She extended her hand, a white folded piece of paper in her grasp. "It's from Dillen."

Not really understanding why Dillen had chosen to write a note than text her, Cassie took the piece of paper stealthily, hiding it as Mrs Whitticker turned. She pretended to listen to what their teacher was explaining, but as soon as she had turned again to focus onto her easel, Cassie slouched in her chair and read the note.

Got no battery.

Surprise surprise, Dillen had let his phone run out of battery again. It happened regularly.

Gabe's gone home. We'll walk into town later. Meet you at 3.

_Gone home?_ Only once had Gabe ever gone home early without meeting them after college, and that had been because Leon had fetched him home before Gabe had passed his test. She hoped he was ok. Usually he battled through everything to spend time with Cassie and her brother... her thoughts started to spiral with doubt again. What if he was away from class to hide something? To keep Cassie away?

Rummaging through her pocket, Cassie text Gabe asking if he was ok. She looked at the girl next to her then, remembering her name was Sally. "Thanks."

Sally smiled in response.

"Ahem!"

The two girls reluctantly looked ahead, being met with Mrs Whitticker's stern gaze. "Am I boring you girls?" College was turning more and more into school, Cassie thought.

"Of course not!" Sally responded quickly.

Mrs Whitticker looked at Cassie, obviously awaiting her reply. "Well, Cassie?"

She shuffled in her seat opening her mouth to speak, but a high pitched tone escaped from her pocket instead. Scrambling to stop the message tone, Cassie covered her phone with both hands trying to muffle the sound. It failed miserably however, causing Mrs Whitticker to sigh in response.

"Maybe, you should call it a day." The Art tutor held Cassie's gaze. "I want your project on my desk first thing Monday morning." Mrs Whitticker was usually much more relaxed but not today. Cassie glanced at Sally, before standing to her feet like a scolded child. She picked her bag from the floor and weaved through the students before leaving the class. She wasn't going to argue. If Mrs Whitticker wanted her to leave, then Cassie was going.

She opened up her phone expecting a text from Gabe, but she was disappointed to the see that the only message she had was still from her mother. The high pitched tone had been a report to say that her message to Gabe hadn't delivered. What if something had happened? What if Gabe had left to the coast already?

Cassie sighed, choosing to open her mother's text, just in case it was important.

We all miss him, honey. Don't think about it too much. I'm making lasagne for tea, don't be late x

It wasn't.

Stuffing her phone into her pocket, Cassie lifted her lip in disgust. Lasagne was her favourite. Her mother was obviously still trying to win her over, but Cassie wasn't willing to let go of her frustration that easily. Both her parents must have known that her father was to leave again so soon, but neither of them had mentioned it. Her anger started to slowly bubble. She couldn't do this. She couldn't share herself over so many unknown and unsettling things.

Her father leaving. Kale's sudden interest in her. His hidden past with Gabe. And now Gabe's sudden disappearance. It was all unsettling her.

She slouched in one of the canteen chairs, glancing at the clock to see that it was just before two. The day was passing by so quickly. It was quiet though. The room was empty and Cassie felt strange, as if someone was watching her. She looked around to make sure that she was alone, seeing that no one shared the canteen with her. Thankfully Lucy and her friends had left.

Cassie remembered the way Kale had looked at her—the warm glow of his irises—he had focused wholly and completely on her. Not even Lucy had seemed to interest him- though she was always with him, as he had said to Gabe. Who wouldn't be tired of carting her around?

Lucy Wiggen had been 'chief lioness' of the College since Cassie had started. They had both enrolled the same year, but Cassie was a year older than her, and they had both had to continue their studies for a further year after their exams She was twenty-one in six days, whereas Lucy had only just turned twenty. Most of the students were around the same age, but it still felt like school sometimes. They either fitted in or they didn't, and it was usually Lucy who decided which.

The thought made Cassie cringe. One day she would challenge Lucy, there was no doubt about it. Her head started to ache then, reminding her she needed to eat, but when she heard footsteps echoing through the corridor, she stayed put and waited. A figure appeared in the open doorway then, but it quickly dove out of sight.

"Dillen?" She would recognise his coat and bag anywhere.

He moved back into the doorway and smiled awkwardly. "Hey... thought you had Art now?"

"I have the afternoon off." She narrowed her eyes. "I thought you were supposed to be in Geography?"

"Oh, well, the teacher said we could go." Dillen adjusted his bag and then glanced down the corridor, avoiding his sister's gaze.

"Dillen, what have you done?"

He huffed. "It's nothing, I just—"

Cassie moved to her feet, making Dillen meet her gaze. As the light of the room adjusted, she caught sight of Dillen's knuckles, grasping the strap of his bag tightly. They were red raw, scabbed with blood. "Tell me you didn't...?"

Dillen scuffed his feet. "It was his own fault, I—"

"How many times do I have to tell you? If you keep fighting, you'll get kicked off your course!"

"He deserved what he got!" The sharpness of his tone caused his face to tense, but his eyes gave his real emotions away.

Cassie sighed and made her way towards him. "I know it's hard..."

"Why does dad have to go all the time? Why couldn't he have said no, just this once?"

She knew how he was feeling. They both missed him more and more. "It's like Gabe said, at least we have him."

"Rarely." Dillen seemed to sadden then as his shoulders slouched. He sighed, adjusting his bag again. "Is Gabe ok?"

Cassie smiled. Dillen wasn't one to stretch out hard conversations. Once he had said what he needed to, he often moved onto something else quickly. "I don't know. I text him but it didn't deliver."

"Neither did mine."

"I thought you had no battery," she queried, nudging him playfully.

He looked up to meet her gaze, a smile spreading across his face. "I don't." He laughed aloud as Cassie eyed him suspiciously. "Anyway, I know where we can go for his present."

"Where?"

"There's that new mystic shop on the corner."

Cassie was intrigued immediately. "Where about's?"

"I'll show you. Come on." He started to jog down the corridor then, pausing at the entrance door for Cassie to catch up. She grabbed her bag and quickly followed him. As long as they were together, she doubted whether anything could bring them down.

Anything except snow.

The air was freezing, crashing into their faces like waves of ice. Cassie immediately pulled her scarf right up to her face, tucking it into her coat for security. She followed Dillen, though his pace had slowed down since departing from the College. Originally they had both planned to walk into town, but neither of them could stand the freezing temperature. It had definitely dropped since Cassie had left home. They waited at the nearby bus stop for five minutes, before jumping onto the bus's semi-warmed structure.

Choosing to sit half way up, Cassie sat by the window- Dillen sat next to her, glancing over the two other faces that occupied the bus. He didn't know them so he looked out of the window, seeing that they were passing through the empty fields which separated the College from the town. Most of the land between their house and the town was similar as well, empty farmland and dense areas of woodland. They'd be home in time for tea.

They were obviously setting off earlier than originally planned; due to the fact that both of them had been 'removed' from their classes and the absence of Gabe, but Cassie didn't mind too much. As long as she was spending time with Dillen, nothing else mattered to her, though she was worried about Gabe. She took her phone from her pocket and opened up the screen. No new messages. No missed calls. She sighed.

Dillen nudged her playfully, signalling for her to press the bell once they had reached the outskirt of the main town. It was only ten minutes from the College. The bus stopped, the breaks creaking like old hinges, and then the doors opened stiffly. Once they were off, trudging through the mounds of dirty snow which had built up on the outside of each pathway, Dillen made his way towards the city centre.

A large sculpture of a soldier, lifting his sword high into the air, symbolised the end of the world wars. This was what Dillen headed to turning left once they had passed it. Cassie knew whereabouts they were going, but she hadn't noticed the new shop Dillen had mentioned. She followed him down a long alleyway, turning right and then left, before returning to the main street. A large gust of air spiralled past her then, causing her to pause in her place. She turned to look back, seeing a figure at the far end. They moved out of sight a moment later, but Cassie kept her gaze firm.

Was it a shadow, like before?

"Look, Cass!"

Her focus was broken and she blinked. The alleyway was now empty. Shivering she turned to see the café, though Dillen had his back to it. He was looking at the building right behind them. Cassie turned to see the shop he had spoken of. It was only small but it took up the entire corner of the alleyway. The name of it, 'A Mystical Place,' was glistening above the doorway, immediately drawing in Cassie's gaze. She wondered how she hadn't seen it when she and Gabe had pulled up across the street earlier on in the week.

Feeling drawn to approach the closed door, Cassie extended her hand and stepped inside, pushing the shadowy figure out of her thoughts. Dillen followed her, closing the door quickly behind them. The small space was much warmer than outside. Crystals of varying sizes and colours were hanging from the ceiling. There were cabinets and shelves filled with books, as well as baskets which were placed randomly across the floor, filled with crystals and stones. Cassie loved it already. The feeling in the air was strange, thrumming with energy.

Dillen motioned for her to follow him as he made his way to the back corner of the shop. They meandered around two angled bookshelves before approaching a sparsely decorated shelf. Cassie didn't need to ask what they were looking at as she shuffled forwards. Dillen watched her closely, a smile spreading across his face.

"It's perfect," she whispered.

Among the varying items on the shelf, Cassie could see three angelic pendants. Each one depicted a different coloured feather. The carving of each was incredible, showing every vein and shape in the metal. Cassie picked them up, feeling the cool metal fall against her skin. She was drawn to the white feather immediately, but she didn't know why.

"It proves we'll never be apart."

Cassie pulled her gaze from the feathers in her palm and looked at her brother. His face was full of emotion, tense almost. "We'll never be apart, Dillen."

He smiled, averting his gaze awkwardly. "At least this way, we can all share something." He pointed to the black feather. "This can be Gabe's." Smiling in response, Cassie looked again at the metal feathers. She agreed whole-heartedly. The black feather would definitely suit Gabe the best. "Then I'll have the grey," Dillen continued, "And you can have the white. What do you think?"

She looked up, a widening smile spread across her face. "They're perfect!"

"Great!" He moved from her side then, rushing over to the table in the window. Rummaging through the baskets, he picked up some items before returning to Cassie's side, extending his hand. Three pieces of leather were in his grasp. "How about these?"

The warmth in her heart was indescribable. She didn't know what she'd do without Dillen. He had obviously spent a lot of time working out what to buy Gabe for his birthday, something that they could all share. Cassie held her brother's gaze, taking the pieces of slender leather from his grasp. "What would I do without you?"

He laughed aloud. "Miss Gabe's birthday, that's what!"

They both laughed. Each of their cheeks started to flush due to the change in temperature. Cassie approached the till once they had gathered their breath, but she couldn't see anyone around to serve them. Leaning over the desk, she hit the bell gently and waited for someone to come. She laid the feathers and pieces of leather against the counter, looking around the shop again whilst she waited. She was so glad that Dillen had encouraged her to visit.

"I'll go get us a drink," Dillen worded clearly, pulling the door open before jumping into the cold. Cassie watched him run across the road, before joining the small queue at the café counter.

They had always been close, but recently she and Dillen had grown closer. She wondered if it was due to the fact that their father had to constantly leave, or whether it was something that would have happened anyway. Dillen was always Cassie's first point of call if ever she needed help or advice, and she was there for Dillen no matter what. She knew that together they could conquer anything. They were family. They were a team.

"Hi."

Pulled from her thoughts, Cassie turned to meet the gaze of the till operator. Her breath caught in her throat. Matthew Kale was stood in front of her. This was the second time in one day that she'd met his warming gaze. This time however, there was only a counter of glass between them.

"Are you following me?" he asked playfully.

"No!" She shook her head frantically, swallowing the dry breath that had caught in her throat. Why was Kale in a place like this? Why was his gaze so attractive, being able to draw her in instantly?

"Wondering why I work here, huh?"

Her heart fluttered and she started to panic. She held his gaze, watching as he winked. "I guess..." she stuttered.

He smirked, making Cassie's cheeks flush scarlet. "It's a family business."

There was something about him that made her heart beat faster. She didn't know whether it was his dark, mysterious eyes, or rather the fact that in the several times that he had held her gaze, it had felt as if he had truly been looking at her, not past her like many others did. He was tall and well built, several tattoos marking his collar bone and one arm. Cassie couldn't deny he was attractive.

"Cassie?"

She returned to reality quickly. "What?"

He tried not to laugh. "Are you buying these, or are you just here to stare?"

"Of course I'm buying them!" She lost the grip of her purse then, having to lean down to retrieve it. Why was she acting such an idiot?

"I like your style."

"What?" She straightened up as she spoke.

"The feathers..." He glanced at the metal pendants before meeting her gaze again.

"Oh! Yeah... thanks." She passed over a ten pound note when the till had added up all of the items.

He took it almost reluctantly, and then keyed it into the till. "They for Gabe?"

Cassie swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat. Maybe this was her opportunity to find out about what had happened between them? Why Kale and Gabe had argued between classes? She shook the thought away and stayed calm. "Why do you ask that?"

"His birthday's tomorrow, right?"

She nodded, analysing him quizzically. "How did you know—?"

"We've got the same birthday." He smirked as Cassie released the breath she was holding. "Twenty-two tomorrow." A large grin spread across his face as he handed Cassie her change. He then grabbed a small paper bag from the side and started to place her items inside.

"Happy Birthday for tomorrow then..." She smiled briefly. It was as if her heart was being pulled towards him.

Handing her the paper bag, he held her gaze. "I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?" Again, Cassie's heart started to beat faster. "There's a party at mine. You can come if you like? Gabe can come too, if you want. He's your boyfriend, right?"

"No!" Cassie's reply escaped her lips before she could word it clearly. "He's like family," she added, trying to recover from her embarrassment.

"Oh, well you're always with him, so..."

She didn't understand. He must have known that she and Gabe weren't dating, everyone knew, but why would he bring it up anyway? Was he baiting her for information...? She stuffed the small bag into her rucksack and then looked up to meet his gaze. There was definitely something about him. He wasn't at all what she had expected him to be like.

Without warning the door burst open and Dillen jumped in. "Cass!" She turned to meet his frightened gaze. "It's Gabe! Come on!" He turned and ran back to the café, as Cassie realised that a small crowd had built up outside of its window. She glanced back at Kale, surprised when his hand grabbed her arm.

"Cass, wait... I—" It was as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

She waited for a brief second, feeling a strong warmth spread from his fingertips, but she had to go. Pulling free, she rushed into the cold. He followed her closely, but Cassie didn't notice until he was at her side.

Dillen pushed through the crowd, allowing his sister to follow. Her breath stabbed against her lungs as she saw what everyone was looking at. Gabe was lying on his side, pale and unconscious. "Gabe!" She ran to his side, leaning down to see if he was injured. A small amount of blood was escaping his temple.

Sirens started to echo through the air, drawing closer after several moments. The ambulance arrived quickly, causing the crowd of people to disperse. Gabe was moved onto a stretcher without delay, as the ambulance staff questioned people about what had happened. Cassie had no answers, she was just scared. They wheeled his bed into the ambulance and she was quick to jump in after them.

"I'll meet you there!" Dillen shouted, just as the doors closed.

Cassie held Gabe's hand tightly, glancing back to meet Kale's unwavering gaze. She could have sworn that speckles of light had danced across his irises.
Seven

Cassie didn't know what to with herself. It had felt like hours since Gabe had been admitted into hospital, but in reality only an hour had passed. Most of that time had been the journey in the ambulance and the process of getting fluids into his system. Cassie had never seen him look so weak.

There was a needle in the back of each of his hands, allowing the fluids and antibiotics that were needed to get into his blood stream. The nurses had explained that Gabe had a high fever, but they were unsure as to what had caused it. Cassie only wished that she had the information needed. Gabe had split his brow open and fractured his collar bone. Again the nurses had had to guess what had caused the injuries. They suggested he had been in a fight, but Cassie had protested against it. Gabe wasn't the type to fight.

She was sat at his bedside, listening to the monitors continuously beep. His heartbeat was normal the nurses had said, but Cassie watched the monitor without falter. She had tried to wake Gabe by calling out to him, but it had made no difference. He had lost consciousness due to the force that had impacted against his brow.

Cassie's thoughts were frantically trying to fit something together, but nothing came. Why had he left College early? Where had he been going?

If he had left College, it would have been because of one of two reasons- either he had felt unwell and had wanted to go straight home, or Leon had called on him for something; though if it _had_ been because of one of them options, Gabe wouldn't have been outside of the café. He would have been home. Cassie didn't understand why he had left College early, opting out of their usual Friday meet up, without letting her know. He had never done it before. What had caused him to do it now?

"Cass!"

Raising her gaze, she saw Dillen running towards Gabe's bed. He quickly moved to his bedside, glancing over Cassie before looking at Gabe. "Are you ok?" She was his first priority. "What happened? What did they say?"

"He's fractured his collar bone... his head is split too..."

In all the years that they had known each other, Cassie and Gabe had only ever been unwell or seriously injured once each. Cassie had fallen ill sometime during her teens, affected by a high fever and hallucinations. It had sapped all of her strength for weeks afterwards, but Gabe had visited her every day. Compared to that, Gabe had only injured his arm during sports practise, fracturing his wrist in several places. He hadn't let it stop him though. His will was never broken easily.

Cassie inhaled a deep breath as she let the thought fade. "What happened, Dillen?" It took her several seconds to meet his gaze.

He analysed her tense expression, seeing the way her eyes targeted him accusingly. "You think I know?"

"You were the one that found him, right? He was just there, lying unconscious...?"

Dillen leaned back. "Come on, Cass. I ran straight into the café. He wasn't there. You saw yourself how empty the street was before we went in the shop!"

She narrowed her eyes. "The nurses think he's been fighting..."

"Fighting? But—" he shook his head. "Gabe's not a fighter!"

"No, but you are." Her voice had a slight edge to it. "Do you know what happened?" She was so desperate for answers. She was worried.

Dillen slouched his shoulders. "I don't know, Cass, I'm sorry. He collapsed outside of the café... that's all I know."

She sighed quietly, watching how Dillen's body language changed. He was worried as well, but he understood Cassie's reaction. "I'm sorry..." she whispered. She looked over Gabe's pale face. "Why was he there, do you think? I thought he'd gone home."

"I don't know," Dillen replied honestly. "I thought he had as well. Maybe he had something to do... maybe he was looking for someone."

"Looking for someone?" Cassie straightened her back, holding her brother's gaze. "What do you mean?" Dillen's face seemed to go blank for a moment then and his brow arched in confusion. "Who would he have been looking for, Dillen?"

He shook his head slowly. "I don't know... I don't know where that came from." The look across his face proved his own confusion.

Cassie sighed and leaned back in her chair. The beeps of the monitors were all that filled the room for a moment. Dillen took a seat on the opposite side of Gabe and then looked at his sister. She pushed herself to smile, seeing that he was worried about her. It was understandable that she was worried about Gabe, but she had no right to talk to Dillen like she had been.

"Did you get the bus, ok?" she asked.

He shuffled in his seat. "Kale brought me."

On hearing Kale's name, Cassie seemed to straighten her back and meet Dillen's gaze directly. She was surprised, but there was something about Kale that made Cassie think he would do anything to help her. "Did you ask him to?"

Shaking his head, Dillen answered truthfully. "I was waiting at the bus stop. He pulled up and offered me a lift. I didn't think you talked to him..."

"I don't," she replied noncommittally. "We've bumped into each other a couple times this week, but that's it." The truth was however, that Kale was constantly on her mind. Ever since she had seen him and Lucy in the corridor, Cassie couldn't think of anything else except his glowing irises.

She started thinking about the shop, the way Kale had seemed at ease. He had always been so close to Lucy over the College years, but the way he was seemed so different to her that Cassie didn't understand why they spent so much time together. They weren't a couple, and even if they were Cassie doubted whether Kale would ever be happy with someone like Lucy. Maybe Kale really didn't have a choice, just as he and Gabe had argued about the day before...

Leaning forwards in her chair she looked down the corridor, hoping that Kale had followed Dillen in. Her brother spoke out in response. "He left already. He didn't stay."

"Oh..." Cassie would have liked to thank him for bringing her brother. She would have to keep it in mind and remember the next time she saw him. Tomorrow was his party, maybe she could thank him then.

"Do you think we should ring mum?"

The siblings held each other's gazes for a moment. Sighing with reluctance, Cassie then removed her mobile phone from her jeans pocket and handed it to Dillen. "Here."

"You know, she'll come and get us as soon as I tell her..."

_That's mum for you._ Cassie nodded. "Visiting hours end at four anyway."

Dillen watched Cassie carefully as she spoke. It was strange. She sounded defeated, as if she had lost a part of herself. "Everything'll be fine, Cass."

She smiled. "Let me know what mum says."

He nodded in response and then made his way to the nearby exit door. Mobile phones weren't allowed to be used in the hospital building. Cassie stood from her seat and walked over to the window, stretching her legs. The lights of the room seemed bright, straining her eyes, but she was glad that she had been nearby when they had found Gabe. Leon hadn't come to see what had happened. She wondered if he was even aware that something had happened. She and Dillen were the only ones there for Gabe. Some Guardian Leon was.

She paced across the end of the room for a while, glancing back at the exit door regularly. She wondered what was taking so long- Dillen usually had very little to say to their parents. Cassie seated herself on the small sofa at the far end of the room, seeing that Gabe's clothes had been folded neatly and left in a pile. His black jacket was on the top. He never went anywhere without it.

Lifting it from the pile, she stroked her thumbs against its soft underside, hoping that Gabe would be ok. She was a very negative person, and without Gabe or Dillen, she doubted whether she'd be able to hold her head high. Gabe was family to them, sometimes more so than her real relatives.

Cassie realised then that there was a white piece of paper sticking out of Gabe's inside pocket. She laid the jacket across the sofa and then removed the paper, seeing that there were several words scribbled across it. She didn't know what she expected to see hand-written on the paper in her hand, but her heart started to beat faster. When the words circled through her thoughts, she felt more confused than ever.

The note read: _Lucy Wiggen, 55 Ashward Way, Old Court._

Cassie read it over and over. She couldn't believe that Dillen had been right about Gabe wanting to meet someone, but least of all the fact that it was Lucy Wiggen. Gabe had always stayed away from her, just as Dillen and Cassie had always done. Why would he want to meet her? Cassie thought.

A sudden high pitched tone echoed out from the monitor, drawing Cassie's entire focus. Gabe's heart rate had suddenly increased and his body seemed tense. "Gabe?" She pushed herself to stand and then rushed to his side. His eyelids were open but his eyes were rolling from side to side. "Gabe!"

Several nurses came rushing in then. One of them quickly ushered Cassie outside and then shut the doors to his room. She tried to push back in but the nurse was reluctant to let her near Gabe's bed. The rest surrounded him, pressing buttons and injecting him with more needles. Cassie started to shake as she watched through the translucent panels in the doors. Gabe's body convulsed several times as the nurses tried to stabilise him. It was only when two of them restrained his arms that he fell still. Tears started to form in Cassie's eyes but she stayed put, hearing that his heart monitor had slowed.

"Gabe..." She stepped back from the door as one of the nurses came out. Her expression seemed sombre, making Cassie fear what she was going to say. "Will he be ok...?"

"He needs to go into surgery."

"Surgery? Why!"

The nurse, knowing all too well how relatives could respond in regards to their loved ones, smiled caringly and took hold of Cassie's hand. "He has a bleed on the brain that we missed. Is there anyone we can call for him, for you?"

"My brothers outside, my mum's on her way..." The words were leaving Cassie's lips but all she could think of was the word 'surgery.'

"Come on, I'll help you to the canteen. Visiting hours are over now. Maybe you should go home and get some rest." The nurse tried to encourage her to follow her lead, but Cassie couldn't do it. She couldn't leave him.

Someone else approached her but she was too busy looking at the doors into Gabe's room to notice. They placed their hand on her shoulder, making her turn. "Mum!" She wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and cried into her chest. Sandra Fayewood embraced her daughter back, thanking the nurse for her help.

Dillen moved to their side, watching Cassie's cheeks glisten with tears. He wished he could help, but there was nothing that they could do. Gabe's recovery now rested in the surgeon's hands. Cassie pulled away from her mother after a moment, not wanting to stretch out their embrace. She turned with Dillen to watch as Gabe's bed was moved from his room. The nurses led him down the corridor and then out of sight.

"He'll be ok," Dillen worded encouragingly, drawing Cassie's gaze. She swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat, nodding to say that she believed him. "Maybe we should go, come back tomorrow."

"I don't mind bringing you tomorrow." Dillen and Cassie turned to meet their mother's gaze. "I'm not at work until midday. I can bring you. Come on." She motioned for her children to follow her lead. They did so, but neither seemed in a hurry.

Cassie wiped her face dry, surprised at the fact that she had embraced her mother. They usually had a very 'empty' relationship, but just this once Cassie had needed her. She looked over at Dillen as they reached the exit doors. "I wish dad was here."

"Me too. We'll come back tomorrow, ok?" He forced a smile.

She nodded in agreement as the two of them were met with the cold, icy breeze. They rushed over to their mother's blue Vauxhall and jumped in, glad to feel the heat of the car as they closed the doors. Cassie breathed out as she pushed her seatbelt into place, and then her mother pulled away.

"Here."

Dillen leaned forwards and passed Cassie's phone through the gap between the front two seats. She had a habit of sitting in the front, but he didn't mind. Taking it from him, she pushed the phone into her pocket and then watched the other cars that they passed. She was thankful it wouldn't take them long to get home.

The three of them didn't speak much. Even when they started to ascend the small bank which led to their house, the car was silent. The engine stopped and Sandra Fayewood pulled the handbrake on. Cassie and Dillen jumped out, but their mother spoke aloud before they could close the doors.

"College rang today."

Cassie looked over the car's roof, meeting Dillen's gaze. They both grimaced, awaiting the lecture that was undoubtedly going to follow. Closing the doors before their mother could speak, the two of them shuffled towards the door. No matter how hard they tried, they could never get away. At least this time, their mother had waited until getting home.

"Cassie, you need to get ready for your finals."

She stopped in her place, unlocking the front door with her key. "I know mum."

"And yet, you keep missing classes?"

Cassie dumped her bag on the floor and headed for the stairs. "It was an accident," she replied, without turning.

"Wait a minute, young lady!"

"Mum, she said—" Dillen tried to cut in, but he wasn't given a chance.

"And you!" She pointed at him vigorously. "How many times do I have to get a call about you fighting?" Dillen groaned and headed for the stairs, catching up with Cassie just before the landing. "Excuse me!" their mother shouted. "I don't expect both of my children to ignore me when I'm speaking to them!"

This was exactly why Dillen and Cassie hated it when their father left. Sandra Fayewood was a different person, stressed and angry all the time. Once they reached the landing, they parted ways and each headed for their room. Usually they watched TV or a film, but tonight would be different. It had been a long day. Cassie collapsed onto her bed with no intention of getting up. She moved onto her side clasping her phone, and then opened a new message to Gabe.

_Get well soon,_ she typed. _It's not the same without you x_

She had no idea if his phone would receive it, but she felt better knowing that it had been sent. It would deliver when Gabe turned his phone back on, she guessed. Closing her eyes, all she could do was wait.

Her phone beeped.

She quickly grabbed hold of her mobile and opened the screen, seeing a message from Dillen. It made her smile but she had hoped that Gabe had replied to her. He was in surgery however; there was no way he would be on his phone. Cassie read her brother's text.

We can give Gabe his feather tomorrow :)

Dillen always had a habit of cheering Cassie up. One day she would have to thank him for it. _Do you think he'll like it?_

Of course!! He'll be glad to see us tomorrow. He lurvess us XD

She giggled and then started to type. _He'll be ok, right?_

Yes, he will be fine! We can show him that shop when he's up and about, can't wait! Plus, we can question him about what he was doing *high 5*

Cassie leaned her head against her arm for a moment. She started to think about the piece of paper which she had found in Gabe's pocket. What if he had been going to see Lucy? There had never been anything more than friendship between Cassie and Gabe before, but they had told each other everything. Why had he not said to her?

Maybe, he thought I'd be mad...

Cass...?

She concentrated on her phone. _I found a note in Gabe's pocket with Lucy's address on it... did you know he was going to meet her?_

_No way!_ His reply was the quickest he had ever sent. _I didn't know anything! I don't know why I said he was meeting someone. The thought just came into my head, it was weird. Sorry :/_

Don't mention anything, ok?

I won't, promise.

Cassie smiled. She could always depend on her brother. _See you tomorrow x_

Night Sis.

Closing her phone, Cassie suddenly felt exhausted. There were two unread messages in her inbox but she would read them tomorrow. She pushed her body under her bed covers and let sleep take her. The dreams that infiltrated her mind though made her regret her decision of sleep.

*

Her mind was filled with darkness. No shapes, no noises, nothing. She felt empty as if part of her had been taken away. It was odd, but Cassie knew the feeling well. Each time her father left, the same ache returned inside of her heart. It proved how much she hated him for going. She just wanted him to stay with them, be a family again. Cassie couldn't remember a time when they had truly been together as a family, even when they were younger. It was sad.

They had missed out on family holidays, birthday parties, even meal times where they would just sit around the table and talk about their days. It had improved somewhat from the way things had used to be, as Bryan made more of an effort when he was home, but the fact that he left for longer periods of time which were also more frequent, defeated any effort he could make. Dillen had missed out the most.

Instead of growing up playing football with his father, going hunting in the nearby woods, Dillen had fallen into the wrong crowd at College. Cassie didn't really know what he got up to when he was with them, but he was constantly fighting. She guessed that it was his way of letting his anger show. His friends were the 'drinking and partying' type, but thankfully Dillen hadn't followed too much in their footsteps. Well she didn't think so... Cassie knew she couldn't look after him his entire life, but she had made it her place to be there for him no matter what. She'd done everything she could to compensate for their lack of family.

Both sets of their grandparents had died. Bryan's parents had passed away years before Cassie and Dillen were born, but their other granddad had still been alive for a little while when Cassie had been young. Cassie remembered the way her granddad had used to sit her on his knee and tell her stories about how he had fought in the wars that had passed. He had also spoken often about an angel that he had encountered during one of the battles, but Cassie had never believed him. She had just loved the way his eyes had glistened when he had described their elegant features, and the white pearlescent wings that had shielded him from the varying blasts of the war.

Without realising it until recently, Cassie often thought of the stories he had told her. He had explained that his wife had been killed by one of the soldiers that had confronted them. He had believed until his last breath that the angel that had saved him was his wife, having earned her wings by protecting him with her life. The images that Cassie had formed in her mind as a result had stayed with her always, though she hated the fact that her parents were the only family that she and Dillen now had left.

She had been given an Art project at College titled 'my family and I' but she had refused to do it. After a long chat with the head teacher and her Art tutor, Cassie had chosen to focus more on her granddad's stories than the family members themselves. It had eased the ache inside of her heart only just, but she had enjoyed sketching varying wings and falling feathers. The project had soon doubled in size and Cassie had focused more on the contrast between white and black, Light and Darkness. If she had attended her last art class fully, Cassie would have finished her final piece and received her overall grade.

A flash of colour drew her focus then, as a set of images began to play in her mind. She wished that she could open her eyes and forget everything that was forming, but she had fallen into her memories and emotions. She wasn't getting out easily.

Gabe soon appeared, standing on the cliff top that the two of them had promised to revisit in the future. The sky was grey, the clouds so thick that barely any light was visible. A chill breeze was spiralling through the air. Cassie could see the way Gabe's clothes were dancing wildly. She looked over her own to see the same thing, moving her gaze onto the dirt at her feet. The ground was sodden with rain, but no precipitation was falling from the sky. Cassie edge forwards, seeing that the remnants of grass had turned black, as if a fire had washed over them.

"You came."

She looked up to see that Gabe was now facing her directly. Wrapping her arms around her body, Cassie noticed that his eyes were darker than normal. "Gabe...?"

"You don't know me anymore, Cass."

Her brow arched inwards. "What are you talking about?"

He inhaled a deep breath, seeming to sigh with reluctance. "You need to go."

She lifted her lip in disgust at his suggestion. "What's wrong?"

"Things are changing and so must we." Dropping his gaze briefly, he then straightened his back. All emotion wiped clean from his expression. "We go our separate ways from here."

A lump started to build in the back of Cassie's throat as she edged forwards. "What are you saying?" Several moments passed by but Gabe refused to answer. "You're not Gabe... what's happened? Who are you?"

He met her gaze directly. "Ten years is long enough. You need to forget me."

"Ten years is long enough...?" She didn't understand. Maybe it really was Gabe, but why would he leave her side so suddenly? "So that's it, you're going to forget everything just like that?"

"I'm sorry," he replied quietly, turning to look out over the water.

"Hey!" She ran at him then and grabbed his wrist tightly, pulling him to look at her. This was her chance. She needed to find out what was going on, she needed to know. But as she met his gaze however, she stepped back in shock. Blood had stained his right cheek and collar bone. An arrow was protruding from his side. "Gabe..."

"Things have to be this way." He stepped back. "Blood isn't everything... and your heart proves it."

"Blood? What are you saying?" Cassie held back her tears well. "Why would you do this...?" she whispered. "What about Dillen? He looks up to you, Gabe! You're our family!"

He shook his head. "Both of you are strong enough now to make the most of what you want. How are the two of you ever going to learn to trust someone you need to, when all you see is me? It's my fault that things have turned out this way... I have to change it."

"But, you're a part of our family! Why are you leaving us?" Her anger started to build now. This situation was all too familiar.

"Let's hope it'll be different this time." Gabe seemed to look past her then. "You know what you have to do, don't stray again."

Cassie turned quickly to see that another figure had started to form. She watched as they nodded in response. She didn't recognise them, but that was probably due to the hazy aura of their skin.

"You're family to me, Cass." Turning again, Cassie met Gabe's unwavering gaze. "Never forget it." He stepped from the cliff's edge then as a loud echo of thunder consumed the sky.

"Gabe!" She ran as fast as she was able to, but he fell before she could reach him. He was engulfed by the sea as a blanket of rain started to hammer against the ground. "Gabe!"

An arm wrapped around her tightly and she was pulled away from the slippery edge. She tried to resist but they were too strong. She gave up after a moment or two, tears running across her cheeks, and a second arm wrapped around her body. The stranger's hands clasped together across her chest but Cassie barely noticed. It wasn't until their lips met with her ear that she could feel their warm breath.

"Everything will be fine, trust me."

That voice. The way his hands held her attentively. She turned slowly to meet his dark, intriguing eyes.

"Kale?"

He smiled and then everything went black.
Eight

Opening her eyes slowly, Cassie looked at the ceiling. The silence around her was overwhelming, causing a tear to roll across her cheek. Her heart had slowed down somewhat but it was still beating faster than normal. She tried to ignore the throbbing ache inside her heart, not understanding where it had come from. Trying to think back, all she found was a hazy darkness inside of her head. Moving onto her side, she looked at the clock: eight exactly.

She had half expected to wake up sometime during the night, but in reality she felt as if she had slept the longest she ever had. Remaining on her side, she caught sight of something that seemed out of place. A green first aid box was standing next to her clock, as well as a white bowl and cloth. Cassie's confusion built as she sat up straight. One of the dining table chairs was at her bedside.

What's going on?

She tried to think back to the night before, but all she could remember was pushing her head under her bedding before falling asleep. Had she been to college? What day was it? She couldn't remember.

The door opened then and Dillen moved inside, turning almost immediately to focus on closing it behind him. He used his one hand to steady the wood, causing it to make no sound when the clasp fell into place. A glass of water was in his other. Cassie had never seen him be so quiet. Come to think of it, she had never known of Dillen entering into her room without knocking.

"Dillen...?"

He turned to meet her gaze. "Cass!" Without delay he was at her bedside, perched on the end of the dining room chair. "Are you ok?" The urgency in his voice made Cassie question everything so much more. She didn't understand what was wrong with him.

"What's going on?" she asked quietly. For the first time she realised that her throat felt dry, as if she hadn't spoken for days.

"Here." Dillen handed her the glass of water in his hand and then watched as she guzzled it down. She had never been so thirsty. Inhaling a deep breath once she had finished, Cassie placed the empty glass on her bedside table. Dillen kept his gaze on her at all times, but she was still as confused as ever. "You don't know... do you?" he asked her.

She held her brother's gaze, trying to piece her own thoughts together. Her mind felt strange, empty almost, but she couldn't explain it. It was as if she couldn't remember everything. There were holes in her memory. She began to realise that perhaps she had slept longer than she'd thought, due to Dillen's worried gaze.

"How long...?" He looked down briefly as she shuffled in her place. "How long have I slept?"

Dillen met her gaze reluctantly. "Three days... it's Monday."

"Monday?" She leaned against the wall with all of her weight and stared out over the room. _Monday...?_ That meant that she had slept since Friday evening. She would have been to College that day, met with Dillen afterwards, but she couldn't remember any of it.

Her temples started to ache as she pushed her mind to process her memories quicker, though it made no difference. She found it strange that she could remember their daily routines but not the actual events of those days. If she had slept for three days, something must have happened.

She sat up, inhaling a shallow breath. "What happened?"

Dillen dropped his gaze again. It must have been bad.

"Dill, what happened?"

"I don't really remember, but I was sick over the weekend, and then so were you..." he replied quietly.

She swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat. Dillen had never seemed so troubled before. Cassie couldn't remember the recent days that had gone past, but she could remember everything of their childhood. If Dillen was keeping something from her, it was big.

Raising his gaze almost reluctantly, he looked at Cassie. "You don't remember... do you?"

She held her breath. It was obvious Dillen knew something about the strange emptiness inside of her head. "Don't remember what?"

"Dad left again. Last week."

Her breath stalled in her throat. She vaguely remembered seeing her dad leave again, but it was the awkward silence that had followed that she remembered the most. He had left the start of the week and yet neither of them had heard anything from him. She started to feel irritated again, but her thoughts were still hazy. She didn't know what was going on, but she knew that her memories weren't right.

Maybe Dillen believed that she had forgotten him- after all they were a team. Losing Cassie would be the only thing strong enough to trouble him so deeply.

"I haven't forgotten you."

Dillen's eyes seemed to widen, searching for the truth deep inside Cassie's irises. When she didn't avert her gaze, he seemed to sigh in relief. There was no doubt now- Dillen had believed that Cassie had forgotten him, though she didn't understand why. Why had Cassie lost her memory in the first place? What had happened to make her forget?

She pushed her bed covers back and forced herself to her feet, though she soon lost her balance, having to use her furniture as support. Dillen quickly moved to her side.

"You have to stay still!" He tried to help her but she pushed him away, swaying as she started to feel sick. Her vision blurred like she was having a migraine, but she pushed herself across the room. She felt so weak that her legs gave way and she slouched to the floor. Dillen moved to his knees quickly and Cassie realised that he, too, seemed out of breath.

The door opened quickly and Sandra Fayewood moved inside. She was surprised to see that Cassie was awake, but it was the fact that she was across the other side of the room that shocked her. She rushed to her daughter's side but didn't speak. Dillen and Cassie held each other's gazes in the silence. They didn't need to speak as they both knew how the other felt. The times that they had spent together meant everything to both of them. If ever one of them lost their memories, they would lose each other.

She looked at her mother. "What's wrong with me...?"

Sandra looked at her son, mentally scolding him for telling Cassie too much too quickly, and then met her daughter's gaze. "You have selected amnesia."

"What...? Why...?" The lump in Cassie's throat seemed to double in size as the words spiralled through her head. It would explain the strange emptiness inside of her mind. She had lost parts of her memory and they had been replaced by a blackened haze. "Is it permanent?" she asked after several moments.

"We will have to wait and see." It was strange, but Cassie felt that her mother's reply was too quick and simple. She wanted to know every detail about her lack of memory and what had caused the amnesia, but Sandra Fayewood seemed reluctant to continue.

Dillen took hold of Cassie's hand then. "Come on." He hated to see her upset.

Taking her weight, he helped her to stand. She inhaled a ragged breath and then moved to the edge of her bed. Her heart was beating frantically, causing her lungs to work twice as hard. Each breath she inhaled seemed inadequate, though she no longer felt sick. Sandra Fayewood seated herself next to Cassie's bedside as Dillen left quietly. The truth was he couldn't stand to see Cassie hurt. But it was also the fact that the two of them couldn't be themselves when their mother was around.

A strange image pushed its way into Cassie's mind then. She remembered feeling someone's arms wrap around her. The sky around her was dark, feathers falling from the sky like burning snowflakes. The throb against her temples strengthened. Maybe it was a warning, a warning that fate had decided that something needed to change. The image soon faded, but the familiarity of it lingered.

"Cassie."

Pulled from her thoughts she raised her gaze slowly. This was her chance to find out why she had lost her memory. "What happened?"

Her mother smiled caringly, expecting her question. "You had a high fever, that's all."

"A fever...? That's it?"

Again Cassie believed that her mother's response was too simple. She had expected worse. She would never have imagined that a fever would have been strong enough to push her to sleep for three days, let alone steal her memories. Her mother was a nurse however; she must have known what she was talking about.

"Dillen hasn't been well either."

Cassie's brow arched inwards. "He has the same thing? He has amnesia?" It was all too surreal for her to believe. Not only had she been affected by a high fever that had the strange ability of stealing her memories, but her brother had as well. She didn't know how that was possible.

Sandra nodded. "It's just a bug that's going around."

_A bug...?_ Not once had Cassie ever known of a 'bug' strong enough to affect someone's memories.

Her mother, thinking that Cassie was feeling guilty about not realising her brother was also unwell, took hold of her hand. "He'll understand."

Cassie moved out of her reach, removing the hair from the inside of her collar, realising that she was still dressed. Her mother stood from her seat then, understanding that she had overstayed her welcome, and made her way to the door. She paused in her place before entering into the hallway.

"I'll make you some breakfast. Come down when you're ready." And with nothing more to say, she left Cassie in silence. Usually she encouraged her to go down as soon as possible, but it was obvious that she was trying to give her some space... it was strange. Cassie felt as if something was off.

A fever...?

She had had fevers in the past but nothing as strong as present day. She couldn't believe that she had slept so long. For now, all she could do was get her strength back. College, her studies- everything would have to wait. First of all, she needed a shower.

She moved to her feet, being careful not to over balance. Her breathing seemed shallow and she felt light-headed, but she shuffled across her room slowly. Reaching her chest of drawers, she took out the first layer of clothes she came to- a pair of jogging bottoms and a plain white t-shirt. She only ever wore her 'scruffs' at home as no one, other than family, was there to judge her. Today was the perfect chance to wear them.

Tucking them under her arm, she took a moment to steady herself. A slight breeze was spiralling through her room. She could feel it whispering on the back of her neck. Glancing at the window she realised that it was slightly ajar.

No wonder it's cold!

She made her way towards it, closing the window tightly shut. Even the slightest movement of her muscles caused them to ache. She wasn't the most active person, but nevertheless she liked to keep moving. Her thighs ached the most, as well as a slight twinge in the side of her neck. She rolled her eyes and made her way into the hallway, steadying herself by following the smooth wall with her free hand. The smell of breakfast hovered in the air, making her feel nauseous again. She pushed into the bathroom quickly and closed the door.

Leaning her back against it once she had dumped her clothes on the floor, Cassie inhaled a deep breath, filling her lungs to capacity. No matter how much she thought through what her mother had told her, Cassie believed that it had been all too simple for her to blame a fever for her daughter's amnesia. Something inside of her, somewhere within the dark hazy spaces in her head, Cassie knew there was something else other than a fever. The fact that Dillen, too, had also been affected, proved her suspicions even more.

Making her way across the room, she let the thoughts fade as she undressed herself. She only glanced in the mirror briefly, but the reflection that she was met with was frightening. Her skin was pale, the dark circles around her eyes standing out dominantly. Seeing herself looking so rough made her feel worse. She stepped into her large shower and immediately turned the water on.

She gasped, jumping backwards without delay. Only a small amount of water had caught her skin but each droplet had felt like a dagger. Cassie leaned against the glass door, trying to catch her breath. The settings of her shower hadn't been changed. It was the same as always. But she found it strange that she could remember such tiny, insignificant details, but couldn't remember what had happened the entire week before.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she edged under the water for a second time. It was warm, not too hot. She blamed her fever for the apparent change in the water's temperature and then dove into its constant flow. The way it washed over her made the hairs along her arms stand up. She closed her eyes, raising her face upwards. Each droplet of water seemed to ease her aches ever so slightly. She hoped that it had the power to uncover her lost memories, but it made no difference.

Flashes of colour erupted in her head then and she was met with the image of burning feathers. She quickly opened her eyes to stare at the gloss white tiles of her shower. The ache inside of her heart throbbed in response. She didn't know what the image meant, but something inside of her cried out in pain each time it appeared. Since waking up, Cassie had not felt herself. Something had changed and it wasn't just her memories.

She was out of the shower within several moments, not bothering to wash her hair to the high standards she usually preferred. Today she had chosen only a quick rinse with her fragranced shampoo, rather than adding its corresponding conditioner as well. Wrapping the nearest towel around her head, Cassie coiled her hair into it and then pulled her clothes on, having to balance against the sink basin to stop herself from going dizzy.

Pushing her slippers on once she was dressed, she threw her dirty clothes into the wash basket next to the door and then discarded her towel on the radiator, never bothering to fold it neatly like her mother always did. She quickly tied the top half of her hair into a loose ponytail, hating how the wet strands stroked against her neck, and then made her way into the hallway.

The smell of eggs and bacon hit her head on. She had to gasp a shallow breath to steady the nauseous feeling that was building in her stomach again. A cooked breakfast was always her father's speciality. Cassie would always try a bit of everything when he cooked their breakfast- it was like a tradition. She missed him even more now...

An image of a small corner shop appeared in her head as she moved. She didn't recognise it but it was familiar to her. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine where it would be in their small town. Nothing. Wherever it was, she knew that she'd been there, but just couldn't remember when or where. If Cassie could remember the smallest details of her shower settings, surely she should have been able to picture the small shop and when she had been there.

It would take some time, she knew that, but she needed to search for the answers. She had lost her memory for a reason, regardless of what her mother told her. Something had happened, something so terrible, that both she and Dillen had pushed it from their thoughts. Cassie was not giving up until she knew what it was- even if it was all in her imagination.

Hearing the clanking of pots and pans, she made her way down their two-tiered staircase, keeping her hand on the stair rail at all times. She still felt weak and slightly dizzy. She hoped that Dillen felt better than she did, but if they had both suffered from the same thing and been asleep for three days, it was unlikely. It caused her to sadden briefly, but it was the curiosity within her that took over. She needed to talk to Dillen, find out what he knew.

"Look who's up and about."

Pulled from her thoughts, Cassie stopped on the final step. She increased her grip on the stair rail as she met her father's gaze. "Dad!" Leaping towards him, she embraced him tightly, squeezing her eyes shut. He wrapped his arms around her in response.

"Glad to see you're ok, Kiddo."

She moved back to meet his gaze. "But I thought you left, you had another case...?" It was true. She remembered him leaving with his bag, bursting with clothes and documents for the new cases he had been assigned to. She had stormed out once he had left and... and... she vaguely remembered arriving at college, but not the journey there. It felt strange to her, not being able to recover her own memories. Pushing the puzzling thoughts aside, she focused onto reality.

Bryan seemed to hesitate in replying, but a smile soon spread across his face. "Well, I'm back now."

She smiled as well, glad to have him back. Dillen came down the stairs then, acknowledging them both with a smile, and then made his way into the kitchen. Cassie guessed that Dillen had already known of their father's return. He was the first to grab a plate when they had all moved into the kitchen—his appetite was clearly intact. Their parents sat down after several moments, each of them with an empty plate in front of them.

"You're not eating?" Cassie asked, glancing briefly at her mother before meeting her father's gaze. They were both looking at her without falter.

He smiled. "It's all for you."

She tried not to grimace as she glanced over the pile of eggs and bacon on her plate. Her stomach started to stir with nausea. Glancing over at Dillen, she could see that he had nearly finished his egg and bacon sandwich. He looked at her, grinning childishly-bits of bacon stuck in his teeth.

"How can you eat that?" she asked, swallowing the bile in her throat.

"I'm hungry!" His eyes dropped to her plate as the last chunk of his sandwich disappeared into his mouth. "You gonna eat that?"

Cassie moved her plate robotically towards him, not understanding how he could eat such fattening food so early. She leaned her elbows against the table, inhaling several steady breaths. "You obviously don't feel like I do..."

"Dillen's been awake longer than you."

Straightening her back so that she could look at her parents, Cassie could see that their expressions had turned almost serious. Sandra Fayewood stood before she could question her, turning her back to focus on the small amount of dirty plates by the sink. Cassie had never known her mother to do the washing up before the end of the meal before; if was as if she felt uneasy, choosing rather to focus on unimportant tasks than whatever else was bothering her. Cassie looked at her father for answers.

"Your brother was only asleep for two days. He awoke yesterday morning."

Her thoughts started to multiply. She wondered if Dillen's fever had been milder than her own. There couldn't be any other reason why his fever had faded earlier. Glancing to her side, she could see that he was leaning back in his chair. He had paused from eating and Cassie could tell that he felt quite sick. "How did you feel when you woke up?" she asked quietly.

"He only had the sickness," their mother replied, without turning.

Cassie glared into her back before looking again at her brother. She wanted to hear it from him. "Dill...?"

"Tired," he answered truthfully. "Don't remember anything from last week."

"What about from years ago?" Cassie questioned. Whenever she thought back to when she was younger, she could see everything perfectly. She needed to know if it was the same for him.

Seeming to fidget in his place, Dillen changed topic quickly. "Isn't it great that Dad's back?"

She tried not to narrow her eyes in annoyance. It was only when Dillen shook his head briefly whilst his parents were talking, that Cassie believed he had something to say, just not in their parent's company. She inhaled a breath and then moved to her feet.

Her mother turned quickly. "You've got to eat something."

Cassie moved from her chair and pushed it under the table. "I'm not hungry."

"But three days is a long time—"

"I'm fine!" Cassie challenged. A sudden anger boiled inside of her. She sighed reluctantly, leaving the kitchen before her parents could lecture her. It didn't take long for her father to follow in her footsteps however.

"How 'bout a drive, Kiddo?"

She met her father's gaze, shaking her head. "Maybe later."

They had often gone for short drives when she was younger. It had always put a smile on her face, watching the cars speed past them. She doubted whether it would work today. She grabbed her coat from the stand, feeling hot under the collar. The bubbling irritation inside of her seemed to be growing more through each passing moment, but Cassie didn't know what it was about. Why did she feel so angry, hurt?

Pushing her arms into her coat, Cassie glanced back into the kitchen. Dillen held her gaze for a moment, seeming to sadden, but when their mother turned and glanced between them both, Cassie had to get out of there. Every time Sandra Fayewood seemed to look at her, Cassie could feel this anger surfacing inside of her. It felt like years of pain had suddenly reappeared, but she didn't know its origins. Her fists clenched but she pushed the thoughts aside quickly and made her way outside. She paused only briefly on the doorstep, before pushing into the cold.

Her breath was hard to grasp as she started to feel dizzy, but she kept going. She wasn't stopping. She couldn't, out of fear that she would break down into tears, fuelled by an unknown anger. Reaching the small stream that was still frozen, Cassie jumped over it, having to grab a tree tightly before over-balancing. Her vision started to blur, forcing her to have to stop in her place if only for a moment. She remembered walking through the same trees on the day she had fallen unwell- the same stream, the same cold chill in the air. She remembered reaching the road, cars passing by, but then nothing.

Something was missing. The emptiness inside of her was overwhelming but the fact that she knew nothing of what it was, made her feel that one bit worse. How was she supposed to regain her memories if she couldn't remember who they were about? She forced her mind to picture the road, the car that had approached her, the jeep...

Her head started to throb painfully, pushing her to her knees. She grasped her temples, feeling the frozen ground remain firm under her weight. Burning feathers formed in her head. She watched as a white silhouette fell from the sky- a bird, burning. Dozens of them started to form, falling to their deaths. The pain which stabbed in her heart caused Cassie to cry out.

"Cass!"

She looked up to see Dillen running towards her. His face was overcome with worry as he leapt over the small stream. He knelt by her as she moved her back against the tree at her side.

"The feathers... the fire..." she stuttered. "It hurts so much..."

"You see them too?"

Cassie leaned forwards, meeting his widened gaze. "What do you keep seeing?"

"Feathers," he replied. "Birds falling. Is that what you see?" She nodded in reply. "How can we both be seeing the same thing?"

She shook her head. "I don't know, but the pain..." She raised her hand to clutch at her chest.

"It fades after a while."

"Have you told mum and dad?"

This time he shook his head in response. "I tried to tell them, but they won't talk about it. Mum said it's just a hallucination because of the fever..."

"Hallucinations...?" Cassie knew the difference between imagining something and a memory. The burning feathers were not a hallucination. They were inside of her mind and Dillen's. That couldn't just be a coincidence. "What else do you see, Dill?"

His brow arched inwards as his face was taken by thought. "Not much... I saw a shop. A little one on the corner, but—"

"But you don't know where it is, right?" Cassie questioned.

Dillen nodded. "How can we both see the same things? Is that because we had the same fever?"

Cassie inhaled a shallow breath, as the pain inside of her chest started to dull. "It has to be about the cause of the fever... that has to be the same for both of us."

"But if it is a bug... how do we find what caused it? Shall we ask mum?"

"I don't know... No... this is something I have to do... ok?" Cassie already believed that their mother was hiding something from them. If they started asking questions about what had happened, she doubted whether anything would be answered.

"Ok."

He extended his hand as she started to move, helping her to her feet. In his other hand was a pair of her boots. She then realised that she had left the house in her slippers, and required a change of footwear. Dillen helped her change her shoes, watching as she shoved the slippers into her bag. They definitely were a good team.

"Where did you say you were going?" she asked, finally free of the throbbing against her temples. It was like a migraine, but it had dispersed as quickly as it had formed. Cassie didn't know what was happening.

He looked to the floor, kicking his foot into the dirt. "I just walked out."

She and Dillen were so alike, it made her smile. "Mum again?"

"Always is."

She agreed whole-heartedly. Their mother was always the one that was on their backs. It was strange as their father was almost the opposite, relaxed and laid back- though Cassie believed that he knew something about what was going on, he wouldn't have returned home otherwise. He wouldn't have returned just because they had fallen unwell. His cases always came first.

"What do you want to do?" Dillen asked. He was worried about her, but he knew all too well how she could be when searching for something- her determination couldn't be beaten.

"I need you to go back..." His gaze dropped, pushing Cassie to explain. "I need to look for answers. I feel as if... I need to look for something, for someone I should know."

He breathed in. "You sure you're gonna be ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Ok." He made sure Cassie was steady on her feet before stepping away. She started to walk slowly, but she made sure that she smiled before leaving his side. "Cass...?" Pausing in her place, she looked back briefly to meet his gaze. "What if we find something that we don't like?"

Her brow arched in confusion. "How do you mean?"

He held his sister's gaze almost reluctantly. "What if we were forced to lose our memories? Do you think someone could do that?"

Cassie didn't understand. "What do you know, Dillen?" Again, he scuffed his feet into the dirt. "Dill...?"

He was never very good at keeping secrets from her. "I saw mum give you something."

Inhaling a shallow breath, Cassie straightened up as best as she could. "What do you mean...?"

Dillen refused to meet her gaze as he replied. "I thought it was for your fever, something to help, but I don't think it was. When I asked her what it was, she took it away."

"What was it?"

"I tried to look for it but I don't know where it is... what it was..."

She steadied herself on her feet, being sure to keep her concentration on Dillen's face. "What makes you think it was something else? What aren't you saying?"

"I..."

"Dill...?"

He raised his gaze and looked at her directly. "It made you glow."

Cassie repeated the words in her head, being sure that she had heard them right before speaking in reply. "Made me glow? Are you sure?"

He simply held her gaze.

She didn't know if what Dillen had seen was true, but he wouldn't lie to her. They had a rule of sharing everything, never lying to one another. Cassie couldn't imagine someone glowing, let her alone herself, but she was more intrigued by the fact that her mother hadn't told her. The more and more information she gathered, the more Cassie believed that her fever, and perhaps Dillen's as well, had not been caused naturally by a virus.

"Do you know anything else?" she asked.

Shaking his head, Dillen stood up straight. He was ready to go now that Cassie knew about what he had seen. "Where are you gonna start?"

Cassie, thinking the same, just looked at him in thought.

How can someone glow?

It wasn't possible- maybe in the stories that Sandra Fayewood had told her children over the years, but not in reality. No wonder Dillen had kept what he had seen from her, Cassie thought, she would have thought that she had gone crazy if she had seen someone glowing. She was thankful for his honesty, even though it added to her confusion. Every thought that now appeared in her head was a question with several unknown answers. She sighed.

"I'll start in town."

Starting to walk, Cassie felt strange leaving her brother behind. They were always side by side through everything, but this was something that she had to do. If she found something, she would fill him in the next time they saw each other, but for now she needed to find some answers. She needed to find the corner shop she kept seeing.

"Be careful."

Dillen waited until she was out of sight, before making his way back home. He expected to be confronted by one or both of his parents, but he didn't mind. All he thought about was Cassie, hoping that she could find something to help them both- after all, they had both lost their memory, having shared an unknown fever. Dillen was just as confused as his sister.

*

It didn't help Cassie's balance that the floor was so uneven, covered with woodland debris, but she soon got used to it. She zipped her coat up to counter the cold. A slight layer of frost covered some of the dirt floor, but most of it had started to melt away. The sun wasn't bright but the sky was clear. Even when she reached the road, she could see some remains of frost on the mounds of dirt either side of the country lane.

Cassie stopped in her place as she glanced right. She had a strange sense of déjà vu but no car approached her, no jeep slowed down to pick her up. Envisioning the window being wound down on the jeep she remembered, Cassie only saw her reflection in its surface before her mind gave up in recovering the memory. She sighed, wondering if Dillen could remember the same vehicle. Making a mental note to ask him later, Cassie headed for the bus stop.

She would have preferred walking into town, but her legs had started to ache. The truth was she couldn't remember a time when she had felt so weak. This one fever had sapped all of her strength, though her determination remained intact. Thankfully the bus stop wasn't far up the road, and once she was there, she seated herself against the cold, metal bench. She looked out over the vast stretch of fields ahead of her. In spring and summer, they blossomed with yellow rapeseed and barley, but today they were just empty squares of soil.

Pushing the memories of their recent summer out of mind, Cassie shivered as she thought back to the burning feathers she had seen. They were falling so fluently in her thoughts that she doubted herself for a moment, wondering if they were actually feathers, or rather something else like snow or sleet—but the shape, the way the plume danced in the strong breeze which spiralled around their burning forms—Cassie was certain that they were feathers. She concentrated on one particular as the rest seemed to blur out of the image, though she started to feel sick.

The fire which continued to engulf them started to spread its heat through Cassie's mind, causing her skin to flare scarlet as if she was there, watching them burn. No matter how much she tried, her mind couldn't process what she was seeing. She had no idea where the memory was from, what was happening within it, even whether it was a memory at all.

Maybe her parents were right, maybe it was just part of the fever, but then why had it affected her memories? No fever, no matter how strong or weak, had the strength to erase your memories. Cassie was certain of it.

When the bus arrived several moments later she was glad to step out of the cold, but her thoughts still circled frantically. She inhaled a deep breath as she chose her seat, pushing her mind to focus. A statue formed in her thoughts and she remembered walking past it. The long alley at her side had been empty, but the figure at the end... She remembered feeling drawn to it, but something had distracted her. Dillen had spoken.

She wished that her brother was with her. She wished that they could question her parents openly. They knew something, she was certain of it, but the question was- what was it and why did they feel the need to lie to her, Dillen as well?

In such a short amount of time, Cassie's life had been turned upside down. She felt lost in her own mind, seeing unknown scenes of a foreign land that she didn't recognise. The feathers were the key, burning like bright stars against the blackness of night, but Cassie couldn't understand the possible significance of them. She would have closed her eyes tightly then, to try and conjure the image into her thoughts, but the bus soon reached the centre of town, pushing her to ring the bell to get off. Her thoughts could wait; she had work to do.

The statue, which stood proudly in the centre of the main square of Newton, was as tall as the surrounding buildings and made from moulded iron. It depicted a soldier and was a symbol for the many lives that had been lost in the varying world wars. Cassie had walked past it many times, but one time in particular called her to avert her gaze to the side. She remembered feeling as if someone had watched her when making her way down the long alley. Her feet started to move, pushing her to follow its slender pathway.

A cool breeze stroked her cheeks, causing the hairs along her arms to stand on end. Her coat wasn't enough to keep the cold at bay- she needed another layer at least. Pieces of rubbish and dead leaves danced wildly at her feet but she paid them little attention, feeling as if she was being watched. She started to walk faster as her breath became shallow. The wind seemed to follow her movements hastily, laying its hand against Cassie's shoulder.

She turned, almost certain that she had felt the warmth of someone's hand against her, but no one was there. For a brief moment she held her breath and waited, hoping that someone would come, but the wind was all that was there. She sighed, turning again to scan her gaze across the alleyway. The cool air stroked against the back of her neck, pushing her to move. She had to get out of there. She was starting to feel claustrophobic. Thankfully, the sun warmed her face once she had reached the other side.

Her gaze immediately focused onto the café across the street, causing her heart to beat faster. She pictured Dillen waiting inside for her on several different occasions. They had met there many times over the years—Cassie could never forget the time that she often spent with her brother—but she felt as if something was missing. The memories that she was seeing inside of her mind were real, there was no doubt about it, but why did she still feel as if something or someone was missing? Had she and Dillen never had company?

A movement at her side severed her concentration and she turned to see what it was. That was the first time she noticed the small shop on the corner, though she was too busy watching the shop owner, who was hand washing the large but simple sign that hung above the door, to really notice anything about it. The way his body moved, the way the muscles along his arms adjusted to reach the far end of the sign, Cassie felt drawn to him. She edged forwards, scanning her gaze briefly over the step ladders that he was using, taking in the muscles of his thighs.

She remembered seeing him various times throughout her college studies, though she couldn't picture his face. The way her heart drummed inside of her chest proved that she had met him, she was certain of it. She stopped, angling her body to try and see his face, not at all noticing that her foot was close to the water bucket. Her toes edged across the pathway, knocking the bucket from its perch as he turned and their gazes met.

The sound of the bucket tipping over startled Cassie to the point of frightening her. She gasped for a breath quickly, jumping back as the water splashed against her feet. Her socks absorbed the moisture without delay, sending a cool shiver through her body, but she was so drawn in by his gaze that nothing else seemed to matter.

"Cass...?" He immediately abandoned his cleaning duties and descended the steps, discarding his sponge and cloth before approaching her.

As the sun warmed his face, she took in the dark details of his irises. She scanned her gaze across his face and collar bone, seeing the edges of tattoos along the top of his chest. Her mind filled with memories of seeing him, talking to him, laughing alongside him. She remembered visiting the small shop he owned. She was almost certain that she had bought something, that Dillen had been with them, but the unanswered questions seemed to fade away as she remembered his name.

"Kale..."

Genuine worry seemed to wash over his face. "You should be resting, Cass."

A lump started to build in the back of her throat. It was as if she had been reunited with a long lost friend after years apart. She could have sworn that they had only met at a glance several times before, but the way her heart beat as she glanced over his skin proved otherwise. She didn't know what to think. She just felt glad that she remembered him. It made her believe that coming to town to search for her memories was the best thing she could have done, though she started to feel light-headed.

Kale's hand took her by the shoulder gently and he helped her take a seat on the wooden bench at their side. The entire colour from her face had drained. "When did you wake?" he asked.

"This morning..."

"You're not strong enough to be here. You should still be resting."

She inhaled a shallow breath, feeling clammy. "You know... about the fever?"

Taking a seat by her side, he kept his gaze on her face. "Everyone was told that you'd be absent for the rest of the term."

"The rest of the term..." She couldn't even remember what she had been studying without pushing her mind further. It didn't matter though, because all she could think of was Kale.

"Come on, I'll take you home." He pushed himself to stand and extended his hand for her to take.

She looked at his hand to acknowledge the support, but didn't move. "I can't remember anything..."

He sighed with reluctance and moved to his knees so that he could meet her gaze head on. "It was just a fever, Cass."

"Exactly," she replied bluntly, holding his determined gaze. "How can a fever take my memories...? I don't remember things, people that I know I should."

"Give it time."

It was strange, but she felt so full of raw emotion that she didn't know what to say, what to think. She inhaled a breath slowly and looked away. "I remember being here, seeing you but... were we friends...?"

"I guess we were. We've known each other a long time." He placed his hand on her knee reassuringly.

She felt warmth from his fingertips and something inside of her confirmed that she knew him, but they couldn't have been close, she couldn't have known him that long—surely she would remember him if they had known each other for some time—though all she knew for certain was that something about him was drawing her in.

She could remember the several times that their gazes had met whilst walking through the college corridors. She could remember bumping into him, sharing a long religious seminar with him and the other students. She even remembered the time that they had spoken in the shop next to them. The way Cassie's heart beat around him proved that they must have been friends.

Raising her gaze to the sign above the door, she took in the curled shaping of each letter before looking at Kale. He hadn't removed his gaze from her face. "You know when you get that feeling that someone isn't telling you something... my parents—they're acting as if nothing happened. I had to get out."

It wasn't just the fact that she thought that they were hiding something from her- it was the false charade that her mother always played. When Bryan Fayewood was away, his wife would do everything in her power to hide the pain that she was truly feeling, and then when he was home she did everything she could to push that constant irritation out of mind and be happy. Cassie hated it. One day she hoped that things would be back to normal, like before her father had had to constantly leave.

"Cass...?"

She pushed the thoughts out of mind and looked at Kale. The sunlight highlighted his shoulders beautifully, as if something angelic was beaming from his skin. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I didn't know where else to go..." It was true, but something inside of her had brought her directly to Kale.

"Come on." He helped her to stand gently, being sure that she had gained her balance before moving away, though he didn't create too much distance between them.

Cassie was glad to see that he motioned for them to go into the shop, rather than to his car which she guessed was parked somewhere around the corner. She followed him closely into the shop, taking the details of the small space into account as he moved towards the back corner.

Her mind beamed with colour and she felt exactly the same as she had done the first time that she had stepped into the space. The small baskets of crystals at her side reminded her of stars that had fallen to the ground. She remembered the feathers that were hanging in the window, the layers of voile which bordered the long glass pane. It was so strange- she couldn't remember certain times from her childhood, the recent weeks that had passed with her studies and the people around her, but she could remember everything about the small shop she was standing in.

"You came with Dillen." Pulled in by his soothing voice, Cassie turned to see that Kale had propped himself against the glass counter. He briefly looked over her, but it was her gaze that he held. "Do you remember?" he asked.

She nodded. It felt good to her to be able to answer with such certainty when her thoughts were a spiralling mess. She glanced towards the small bookcases which decorated the centre of the space, feeling drawn towards them. Her feet started to shuffle forwards, almost as if something was pushing her to move. A basket of crystals briefly caught her view once she had passed the bookcase, but her gaze fixed onto something else.

Before moving across the shop, Cassie had been certain that there had been shelving across the far wall. She remembered looking at something there whilst Dillen had been distracted by the items in the window... but there was no shelving, nothing. The wall was decorated with a single large print of the moon in its varying forms. Maybe she had imagined it?

"Did I buy something?" she asked, turning to check that Kale was still there.

He adjusted his stance. "No, you were too distracted." A slight playful tone formed in his voice.

Curious about his answer, Cassie closed her eyes to try and think back. She remembered arriving at the shop before her fever. Dillen had been just as excited as she was, but he had left her for a few minutes... to get a coffee from across the street. She remembered approaching the counter in the shop, though there hadn't been anyone there to serve her.

Her memory started to blur then as she watched Kale come into view. The smile across his face was something that Cassie could never imagine forgetting. She opened her eyes and returned to reality, seeing that Kale wasn't stood against the till. He had moved, but she couldn't see him.

"Kale...?"

No response followed.

"Kale?"

Moving towards the counter, she leaned over it to search for him. She listened for movement, but heard nothing. Her hands grasped the glass counter tightly as she started to feel light-headed again. It was then that she noticed a second large print that decorated one of the walls of the shop- a dark night sky penetrated by glowing white feathers.

The poster was so similar to her vision of falling feathers that she started to hyperventilate, as a cool breeze seemed to spiral around her. Her temples throbbed as the image of burning feathers pierced through her thoughts. The uneasiness was so overwhelming that she had to bow her head to steady her breath. It felt like several knives were stabbing into her back.

"Cass?" A hand lay on her shoulder and the pain vanished.

She gasped for a breath and looked up, seeing that Kale was by her side, worry marring his face. "Where did you go?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

"To get you this," he replied, raising his other hand. A glass of water was in his grasp.

A quiet sigh left her lips. She couldn't understand how the pain and the images had returned so quickly and then disappeared just as fast. It was almost as if Kale kept them at bay somehow. She took hold of the glass tightly, scolding herself for thinking that that was even possible.

"You need to rest."

She took several gulps of water and then placed her empty glass on the counter, before returning her gaze to the poster ahead. No pain affected her this time, and she realised that the image was a simple night sky with shining stars. She could have sworn that the stars had been feathers, like the vision she kept seeing. Maybe she was losing it, maybe she was still sick and her mind was struggling to recover?

Straightening her back, she raised her gaze to Kale's. He was worried about her, it was obvious in the way his irises caressed her skin, but his lips curved into a smile when Cassie apologised. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm glad you're here."

The way his words formed so fluently without pause or falter, made a smile spread across her face. She swallowed the lump in her throat and leaned against the counter, facing out over the shop. "How long have you been here?"

"We've studied together for over 3 years Cass; don't tell me you can't remember!"

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, seeing that he winked playfully. "How can I forget the one and only Matthew Kale?"

"No one calls me Matthew," he replied dryly, as a look of disgust covered his face.

Cassie laughed out loud as she met his gaze. She had expected his reply. "Mrs Hudson does." She remembered her various English classes with the short but well-rounded teacher. It was strange. Why could she remember such small, almost insignificant details, but not people that she had known?

Kale and Cassie had shared that class for several terms, but she couldn't remember seeing him in the actual class, but rather the corridors outside or in the canteen... with Lucy. No matter what fever attacked her memories, Cassie doubted whether she would ever forget Lucy Wiggen, even thinking of her made Cassie wish that she was still asleep.

"Of course, she's my favourite tutor," Kale replied sarcastically, though when Cassie didn't reply, he nudged her playfully and repeated his statement.

Cassie pushed the thoughts of Lucy Wiggen aside, knowing all too well that she would still be at college when Cassie went back. She couldn't contain her excitement. Acknowledging Kale's reply with a smile, Cassie realised that a shower of rain was now spattering against the windows. "So much for the sun," she sighed.

Kale moved from the counter then and seemed to concentrate on something through the window. It was as if he had suddenly transformed into a cat, wary of the rain. His whole body seemed to tense. "I better get you back." He didn't even turn to meet her gaze as he spoke.

Angling her body to search for what had caught his full attention, Cassie couldn't see anything. There was no one waiting in the café queue. There was nothing in the street but parked cars. The rain was the only thing that was new.

Taking his lack of attention as her signal to go, Cassie glanced briefly over Kale's stern expression and then made her way towards the door, pulling her coat tightly around her body. She was surprised however, when Kale's hand grasped the metal door handle before her.

"That eager to go huh...?"

Cassie looked at him, confused. "You were the one that said for me to go..."

He laughed. "I changed my mind."

Her heart fluttered in response. She was glad for Kale's company and she didn't want to leave.

"Come on." Catching sight of a dark shape across the street before turning, Kale placed his hand on the arch of Cassie's lower back. Her body shivered in response, though the warmth from his skin soon spread.

"Where are we going?" she asked quietly, her cheeks flushed.

"You'll see." He led her across the shop and then behind the glass counter, guiding her into the room in the back.

Her heart was racing, sending warm vibes across her entire body. She imagined where Kale was taking her. Maybe it was somewhere more private, where they could talk more, and... She didn't finish her thought, realising her hopes of Kale wanting more than to talk. She quickly banished the thought as he removed his hand from her back, signalling her to take a seat. They barely knew each other, and yet suddenly she wanted him to sweep her off her feet.

"Cass?"

"Yes?" she asked nervously, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"You can sit down," he winked, signalling towards the sofa behind her.

She did as she was told, hoping that the heat from her cheeks would quickly subside. The room was bigger than she had anticipated- a square space full of various pieces of furniture. A kitchenette was in the far right corner, opposite the beat up sofa where Cassie was sitting. Several small units were in the left corner, where various plates and pieces of cutlery were stored, mirroring a single bed where Kale had perched.

Cassie immediately averted her gaze, realising that she was in Kale's room. This was where he lived, this was where he slept. Her cheeks burned with colour. She scratched her neck awkwardly, trying to hide her face. His clothes were abandoned over an old chair next to his bed- some boots neatly displayed in the corner.

"Welcome to my home, A Mysterious Place."

She met his gaze, not knowing what to say. "You live here...?"

"Sure." He leaned against the wall, propping himself against the headrest of his bed. Cassie had to look away, as her heart dropped into her stomach. There was just something about him, about the way he moved, the way he sat...

"Like what you see?"

She gasped. "What?"

He tried not to laugh, seeing the panic smother her face. "The shop... what do you think?"

"Oh..." She smiled, trying to hide her embarrassment. She had no idea what Kale was thinking, but every one of her thoughts was about him. How could he affect her so much? They barely knew each other... and yet all she wanted was to be close to him.

A loud rumbling sound suddenly shook the room. It made Cassie shriek. Some of the cutlery fell onto the floor as a result, but Kale didn't seem surprised. He moved to his feet as the rumbling stopped.

"What was that??" Cassie asked, panic rising in her throat.

"Just my alarm." Kale was acting so natural. Had Cassie imagined the shaking of the room? "I best get you back."

She saddened, but followed Kale back into the shop. She couldn't stay there. Her parents would be worried, so would her brother. She wrapped her arms around her body, seeing that it was still raining.

"When will I see you next?" The words had left her lips before she could contain them.

"You're welcome any time, Cass." Something about his eyes changed then. He had seemed to sadden. "Come on, I'll take you home."

A quizzical look covered her face.

"Can't have you walking in the rain now, can we?"

His gaze had recovered its playful glisten and he seemed determined in holding Cassie's gaze. She didn't understand his sudden changes in behaviour, but she didn't care. Truthfully, she was glad that she didn't have to walk in the rain; after all, she had only brought enough money for the bus into town rather than the return journey as well.

"Wait here." He smiled as Cassie stepped back from the door, and then jumped into the rain before dashing around the corner. She watched him until he was out of sight.

It was strange but the shop felt eerily quiet without him. Cassie glanced over its small space, taking in the details of the furniture. Everything seemed crooked and bent without Kale there. She looked at the hanging print behind the counter as her heart started to drum. Whatever it was that was making the image of burning feathers constantly push its way into her thoughts, was connected to that print of the night sky. She wanted to know why she kept seeing burning feathers. What significance did it hold?

A car horn broke through her thoughts and she turned to see that Kale had pulled up onto the curb. She didn't know what she had expected him to drive, but when she saw the green jeep that she remembered, her thoughts seemed to spiral around one another frantically. That day when she had been walking alongside the road, Kale must have been the driver of the jeep which had picked her up. But why would she forget about it, when she remembered everything about him so clearly?

She closed her eyes to visualise that day when his jeep had pulled up. The passenger window had wound down and Cassie had met Kale's gaze. Not knowing who she had expected to be the driver of the jeep, Cassie just accepted it. Her memories were broken after all- she wasn't going to remember everything in order. Maybe she didn't remember everything that involved Kale. Maybe there was other times that she and Kale had met up.

Pushing on the door, she dashed into the rain and then quickly jumped into the passenger seat, before she was completely soaked. She doubted whether she would have made it home in one piece if she had had to walk. Her coat would not have shielded her well from the elements, she realised, seeing that most of its surface had absorbed the moisture.

"You ok?"

Turning to see that Kale was looking directly at her, Cassie met his gaze, knowing without a doubt that he had been there before her fever. No matter how long her memories took to recover themselves, she could feel it inside of her, that she and Kale had been friends before and she was glad of it.

"I'm fine," she replied, smiling.

Watching as she pulled her seat belt into place, Kale then started the engine and pulled away from the curb. His one elbow was leaning against the window sill as his opposite hand grasped the steering wheel loosely. Cassie guessed that he had been driving for a long time.

She gasped loudly. "Your shop! We didn't lock it!"

He laughed under his breath. "It'll be fine. If anyone can get in there, they deserve what they can get."

Cassie didn't understand how laid back he could be about something so important. She guessed that the shop had CCTV or something. "Do the doors lock automatically?" It sounded stupid when the words formed, but Cassie had had to ask.

"As soon as I leave," he replied.

"Really?" Her eyes widened with excitement.

Failing to contain his laughter, Kale glanced at her briefly. "That was a joke."

She scowled at him before nudging his arm playfully, as her cheeks flared scarlet. "I knew that!"

They both laughed out loud, causing white clouds to escape from their lips. Kale turned on the heating, checking that the temperature was right by placing his hand in front of the nearest fan. He seemed satisfied, concentrating on the road. Cassie scanned her gaze over his wrist as he moved, seeing another of his tattoos. He had an angel, she guessed, evident by the tips of white wings which escaped his sleeve. She had a strange urge to trace her finger across his skin, but a bump in the road made her look up.

They soon came to the turning which led directly to her house. The jeep slowed down and Kale pulled up at the side of the road. Cassie found it strange that he hadn't ascended the bank. Maybe he had always dropped her off at the bottom of the hill. Maybe he hadn't been to her house before, she thought, but then why would he?

"Thank you for the lift."

He lifted his handbrake and looked at her directly. "Anytime."

She smiled in response and then looked through the trees. She could just see the roof of her house. Inhaling a deep breath, she checked the road before opening her door and then stepped out. Thankfully, the rain had died down but she didn't want to go. She knew what awaited her as soon as she stepped inside of her house.

"Chin up, ok?"

Looking back, she met his gaze. For the first time since waking up, Cassie was glad to know that she had remembered something important. She couldn't imagine what she would have felt like if she hadn't found Kale and remembered the times that they had had. She smiled.

"You know where I am if you need me. I'm never far away."

Nodding in response, Cassie closed the door and made her way to the other side of the road. Part of her had wanted to stay in the jeep. It was so strange for her to feel like she did. What if Kale had meant more to her than she remembered- surely he would tell her if there had been more to their friendship?

As he pulled away, she waved goodbye and watched until his jeep was out of sight. She felt deflated as soon as he was gone, making her way up the small bank of trees.

All she could picture in her head was Kale's dark eyes. Part of her felt much more at ease since seeing him, resulting in the return of most of her college memories, but Cassie couldn't remember much else from the recent weeks that had passed. She made a mental note to question Kale the next time she saw him.

Her message tone went off twice when her house came into sight. She stopped in her place, guessing that they were from her mother. She would be angry that her daughter had just left. Pulling her phone from her pocket, Cassie opened the screen to see that she had four unread messages. She had only heard two.

Using the tip of her finger, she opened her inbox to see that three messages were from her mother and one was from Dillen. Cassie inhaled a deep breath and read her brother's text.

Mum's freaking out. Where are you??

Hesitating only briefly, Cassie wrote her reply. _Wish me luck._

She needed more than luck. She needed a set of earplugs and a soundproof room.
Nine

The house was quiet when Cassie stepped inside. There was no movement from the kitchen, no one sitting at the table waiting for her. She couldn't even hear Dillen's music through the floor, which occurred on a regular basis. She removed her coat, hanging it on the first available hook, and then made her way through the hall. Registering that her father's bag was still by the door, proving that he hadn't left again in Cassie's absence, she peered into the kitchen.

A small pile of plates and cutlery were at the side of the sink. They had been washed but not put away. Sandra Fayewood rarely left the dishes to gather dust once they had been washed. Cassie scanned her gaze across the work surface, checking to see if a note had been left, but nothing was there, no paper of any kind. She was more perplexed than ever.

If her parents had had to leave to do something then there would have been note, but Cassie knew that they wouldn't have gone very far. She left the kitchen, kicking off her boots and glanced into the front room. The TV was off and the sofa was unoccupied. It was eerily quiet, considering it was mid-afternoon. Cassie hated the silence; she would have preferred to be met with her mother's nagging. At least that way, she wouldn't have felt alone.

The stairs creaked, making her turn swiftly. No one was there.

"Dill...?"

Cassie shuffled towards the first step, angling her neck so that she could see the landing. No one was there. Footsteps echoed through the floor, pushing her to ascend the stairs slowly.

"Dill...?"

A cool shiver rushed along her spine and her breath became shallow. She kept moving, pausing in her place once she had reached the halfway point of the staircase. There was no sound or movement now.

Swallowing the lump that had built in her throat, Cassie ignored the throb which began to beat against her temples, pushing herself to ascend the last set of stairs. A shallow glow was emanating from the far end of the hallway. Her door was slightly ajar.

She had never left her door open.

Using the wall for support, Cassie's vision started to blur but she pushed herself to keep going. She moved slowly towards the light, extending her hand once she had inhaled a deep breath. Pushing only gently, she stayed put and watched as her room came into view, though it was the shape by her window which drew her full attention. Its aura was black, causing a long shadow to cast across her floor.

Her heart started to drum, echoing in her ears. She wanted to speak but it was as if the words wouldn't form. Shuffling inwards, taking in the details of the torn black cloak of the figure, Cassie used her chest of drawers as support. She did the best she could to stand up straight. "Who are you?" she stuttered.

In response, the figure turned to meet her gaze directly. Cassie gasped, seeing that his irises were glowing. She didn't recognise his face but she could feel his aura, the evil from within it. A wicked smile spread across his face and he extended his hand. A silent moment passed by before Cassie started to glow. She gasped, trying to wipe away the light which began to spread across her body. It sapped her strength almost immediately.

She shuffled backwards, trying to get away. "What do you want?" Her knees would have buckled then but she remained upright, leaning against her furniture.

A look of disgust covered his face as the figure lowered his hand. As a result, the light from Cassie's skin faded and she gasped for a deep breath. His lip lifted to bare his teeth.

"He has done well to hide you, but not well enough. Once your memories have returned, his light will no longer shine." He turned then as his body started to blur.

"Wait!" Cassie rushed towards him, failing to reach half way before falling to her knees.

He glanced back only briefly, seeing a slither of light shine from Cassie's irises. "I suggest you embrace your light. When we return, I will leave with your heart." A flash of light burst outwards then and the figure faded from sight.

Cassie sat up in her bed quickly, glancing towards the window. She immediately gasped for a deep breath seeing that the figure had gone, but his words stole what little encouragement she could grasp.

Her room was empty. The early morning sun was filling the sky. She moved into a sitting position as her duvet fell to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. Had it all been a dream? She couldn't believe it. It had felt so real.

A set of footsteps echoed through the hallway then and Dillen appeared in Cassie's doorway. He peered in, staying quiet for only a moment. "Didn't think you'd be up," he mused.

She leaned back against the wall, deep in thought. The figure, his voice, everything had seemed so real. Cassie felt discouraged. She didn't want the nightmare to have been real, or the evil threat from the hooded figure, but if it had been she could have called it progress. She could have been that one step closer to finding herself again. Fever or no fever, Cassie's mind was falling apart.

"Are you ok?" Dillen asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

She looked at him as she pushed her thoughts aside. "Just tired."

He scuffed his shoe into the carpet. "I'm going with dad today."

His statement filled Cassie with confusion. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"

"He says he wants to show me his job." Dillen rolled his eyes stubbornly.

Cassie would have done the same thing, but part of her agreed that getting Dillen out was the best thing for him. "You'll have fun," she smirked.

"Doubt it," he replied bluntly. "Least you get to stay in bed."

She tried not to laugh as his expression darkened childishly. Pushing herself out of bed, realising that she had slept in her clothes again, Cassie smiled. "It'll be good for you. You can't sit in your room all the time!" Considering the fact that her mind was a mixed up mess, Cassie felt quite positive, stronger than the day before. Kale had given her a boost.

A voice came from the kitchen then. "Cassie, breakfast!"

She and Dillen locked eyes. He stuck his tongue out and winked playfully. "Least I have dad today!"

Cassie tried to think of something to say in response, but she couldn't. In that instance, Dillen was the one that had come out on top. She would give anything to trade her mother's company for her father's.

"Better go," he grinned and then disappeared into the hallway. Cassie listened to him descend the stairs, thankful that he seemed upbeat. The front door shut a moment later and then the family car started up. Dillen jumped in and it then pulled away, following the curve of the bank slowly. Cassie guessed that the radio was already turned on; it was one of her father's bad habits. The thought made her smile.

"Cassie!" Her mother's shouts echoed through the walls, causing Cassie to roll her eyes. A long day was ahead of her, she realised. Knowing her mother, she had planned an eventful day for them both. For once Cassie wished that she was at College. She wanted to study, talk to Kale. Maybe she could sneak out later on.

Grabbing some clean clothes, Cassie made her way to the bathroom, shutting the door before the smell of her mother's cooking reached her nose. Her nausea was still there, but at least Cassie could say she felt better. For just a moment, she could enjoy the silence. Perhaps today was the first day that she could regain some normality... but then again, why did she feel as if that wasn't what the day was going to bring her?

She jumped into the shower before her thoughts overwhelmed her, and then dumped her dirty clothes in the basket next to the door once she was out. Her hair had gotten longer, causing her fringe to fall over her one eye. It was as if she had lost track of time, but the truth was she couldn't remember the last time she had looked at herself in a mirror. She brushed her teeth haphazardly before pushing a brush through her hair, though it didn't really make much of a difference; her hair had a habit of splaying out in all directions when it had been washed.

A third shout echoed through the hallway, pushing Cassie to roll her eyes. How many times did her mother have to shout? She'd heard her the first time.

Making her way out, Cassie hesitated on the top step as the figure from her dream appeared in her head, but she pushed it aside and descended the stairway. The smell of eggs and bacon filled the entire house, and the kitchen was steamed up. Why her mother was cooking, Cassie didn't know- she was not the cook of the house.

"Glad to see you're up." Sandra glanced briefly at her daughter before focusing again on the eggs she was frying.

Cassie was glad that her mother's gaze hadn't lingered too long. It made the air tense, awkward almost. Her mother had a habit of trying too hard, and Cassie was the complete opposite. She'd never really spent time with her mother, as she always struggled to make conversation.

Sighing quietly Cassie made her way to the table, grabbing a drink from the fridge as she passed. She took a long gulp and then poured the rest of the apple-flavoured water into an empty glass. If Dillen had been there, she would have thrown the empty bottle towards the recycling bin to see if she could score, but not this time. She dropped the bottle into the bin and returned to the table, seeing that her mother had plated up her breakfast.

Coming to the conclusion that it was going to be a long day if neither of them spoke, Cassie sat down. "Where's dad gone?"

Not at all expecting the question, Sandra abandoned the dirty frying pan into the sink and faced her daughter directly. "There's a case in town your father has been called to." Surprise surprise, Cassie thought, though she didn't understand why he had taken Dillen with him. "He has missed out on a lot... your father wants to spend time with him."

Cassie took a mouthful of egg and bacon, hearing her stomach growl in appreciation. She didn't feel nauseous anymore, but that would soon change now that her mother had made it obvious what kind of tone she would have for the morning.

"How come you're not working?" Cassie asked, trying to steer away from a deep and meaningful conversation.

Her mother sighed and focused onto her pans. "I'm not needed today."

Her reply wasn't what Cassie had expected. Sandra Fayewood had worked every day for the last several weeks. How could the hospital just not need her?

Wait... the last several weeks? Cassie had remembered something. It was only small, but the fact made her smile.

Her temples started to ache once she had finished her breakfast, though she tried to ignore it. She stood from the table and made her way to into the hallway, pushing her boots on with little delay. For the first time she could hear the rain hammering against the door. Just what she needed. Reaching for her coat, Cassie made sure to pick the right one- there would be no point in wearing her favourite, as the rain would filter through it quickly.

"What are you doing?"

Turning, Cassie could see that her mother had moved into the kitchen doorway. Her gaze was focused so intently on her daughter that her brow had dipped into a frown. "I'm going into town," Cassie replied, not bothering to explain any further.

The truth was she hated the way that everything changed when she was alone with her mother. They had gotten on well at one point, but ever since Cassie's fever something had felt off. She couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"You can't."

Cassie held her mother's stern gaze, shocked by the raise in her voice. "Why...? I won't be long." She fastened the buttons of her coat securely and then faced the door, surprised to see that her mother was now standing in front of it.

"I said you can't!"

A moment of silence followed.

Cassie didn't know what to say. She stepped back, not remembering a time when her mother had been so fierce. Mrs. Fayewood exhaled loudly. "You're not strong enough," she worded. "The rain will only make you worse."

Her daughter eyed her suspiciously. "It's got nothing to do with the rain," she muttered. "You just want control!" Removing her coat angrily, Cassie threw it to the floor before rushing into the front room. She sensed her mother follow her movement almost immediately.

"Cassie!"

She didn't turn, choosing rather to storm towards the window. Regretting the decision to enter into the lounge rather than running to her room, Cassie clenched her teeth in irritation. Her mother's hand grasped her wrist tightly, making her turn. She looked at her with such anger that Sandra Fayewood released her grip and edged back slightly. Her stern expression remained but her eyes seemed to soften.

"Whilst your memories are still missing, you need to stay home."

The anger was so potent within Cassie's body that she found it difficult not to glare at her mother. Her body was shaking and the heat which began to spread across her skin was like wild fire. "Why are my memories missing in the first place?"

"Your fever was—"

"It has nothing to do with my fever!"

Cassie swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat. She didn't know what it was that was fuelling her anger, but her temples were throbbing. A burning feather flashed across her irises but she ignored it, focused entirely on getting answers. As her mother remained silent, mostly out of shock rather than anything else, Cassie straightened her back.

"You don't deny it then...?"

Her mother held her gaze but seemed wary of speaking. "It was a virus. Dillen is just the same—"

"Exactly!" Cassie spat. "No virus can take your memories, let alone someone else's!" She didn't give her chance to reply before continuing with her heated words. "What did you do to us?"

Sandra Fayewood, seeming shocked by her daughter's accusation, edged back, though it was not shock that spread across her face, but rather anxiety. "I don't know what you think—"

"I think you did something to us, and I want to know what it is!"

"You think your father and I would do something like that?" Her mother seemed to slouch her shoulders.

"Why else would he come home?" Cassie challenged. Her anger was slowly fading, being replaced by a strange sense of loss. No reply came. "His job means everything to him. Why would he put us first? He never has before!"

"Cassie..." She edged forwards. "Your father loves you."

"No! Tell me!" Edging back, Cassie turned to look out of the window after several long moments passed by with no answer. Burning feathers pierced through her thoughts. She pictured the figure from her dream. She was scared and her breath was hard to keep. "Is it true... that I was glowing?" Part of her wanted to turn, to meet her mother's gaze, but she stayed put and waited.

"Cassie, let it go."

She grasped the window ledge tightly, closing her eyes. "Is it true?" All she wanted was answers- not only for her, but for Dillen as well.

A loud sigh pierced the empty silence that followed. "Yes."

Cassie looked out into the rain, a single tear rolling across her cheek. She watched the precipitation hammer against the glass as she tried to piece her thoughts together. Her hands felt so warm, like a fire was burning brightly in front of her, though all her mind could grasp was the constant repetition of the falling feathers, alight with multi-coloured flame. It made her gasp when a black shape collided into the window.

She jumped back as the raven fell to the floor. It didn't remain there however- it attacked the glass again with red piercing eyes. Cassie watched as another appeared, a black figure standing several strides from the tree line.

"It's him..." she whispered.

The figure's eyes, glowing vibrantly, seemed to lock onto her. She felt as if the floor started to give way, swallowing her whole. A hand grasped her arm tightly and her mother turned her, forcing her to make eye contact.

"You're safe inside."

Cassie couldn't decipher what it was that her mother was saying, watching her lips move as she spoke. She was trying to piece her thoughts together, though her temples started to throb violently. She was afraid, glancing back at the window to see that it was now consumed by black.

"Cassie!"

Pulled to look at her mother by the tight grip which grasped her arms, Cassie gasped for a breath. "What are they?"

"They're hunters."

"Hunters?" Cassie swallowed. "Hunters of what?"

"Light."

She rubbed her eye dry, as a tear rolled across her cheek. "Light...?" She didn't understand. She felt so lost as her thoughts multiplied.

As a second raven crashed into the window it made Cassie flinch, but she remained still, not daring to look back at the glass. She tried to imagine what would have happened if she had left the house when she had wanted to. Would she have made it to town alive? Would she have found Kale before the figure had reached her?

She started to hyperventilate, shaking with fear. She tried to think of Kale, she tried to imagine his arms wrapped around her tightly, but the burning feathers in her mind consumed everything.

Her mother shook her vigorously, pulling her thoughts back as another raven crashed into the window. "You're safe inside."

"But..." Cassie couldn't understand how she could remain so calm. Did she know the figure? Had she been attacked like this before?

"They can't enter whilst the glass is intact. You need to calm down. You need to control yourself!"

Cassie lowered her gaze to her hands to see that a slight glow was warming her skin. She closed her eyes tightly shut, hoping that she would wake up, but she wasn't asleep. The figure, the glow, it was all real. The nausea returned all at once and she started to sway.

A loud musical tune started to play then, echoing in Cassie's ears like loud drums. It took her several moments to realise that it was the house phone, ringing over and over. Her mother raced towards it. Within seconds Cassie knew that it was her father on the other line.

"Are you ok?" Sandra asked as she grasped the phone securely. "And Dillen?" She gasped. "Is it deep?"

The floor started to tremor, causing Cassie to have to lean against the back of the sofa, grasping it tightly to steady herself. She tried to push the figure from her thoughts, keeping her back to the window, though she couldn't hide from the cool chill in the air and the evil presence that seemed to consume the entire room.

"Is Dillen ok?" she asked aloud.

Panic started to rise within her as another raven crashed into the glass, causing a slight crack to shoot through the window. Cassie spun around to watch its stretching fingertips spread across the glass pane. She edged back, focusing solely on the black shapes of the birds.

"Mum...?"

"But what if her thoughts don't focus?" Sandra's statement was direct, but a slight anxiety was obvious in her voice.

Bryan's reply echoed through the room, filling Cassie's ears like he was stood at her side. "We've got no choice!" She glanced across the room briefly, perplexed at how she had heard her father's reply so loudly. There was no way his words could be so clear through the constant hammering of the rain. Was it all in her head? Had she imagined his voice?

The ravens seemed to withdraw all at once, gathering into a black cloud.

"Mum!"

Abandoning the phone, Cassie's mother ran to her side, turning to face her directly. She persuaded Cassie to do the same by grabbing her lower arm. It took a moment for her gaze to move from the black birds to her mother's face.

"You need to focus."

"But the glass—" She glanced at the black figure as they raised their hand. They had done the same thing in her dream, but she had weakened then, this time Cassie felt no drain in her energy.

"Focus!"

Cassie inhaled a breath, realising that all of the ravens squawked as the figure stepped from the tree line. By stretching their palm tort, the black birds angled their bodies sleekly and crashed into the window. A high-pitched whistle rang outwards as the glass shattered, though all grew still.

Closing her eyes tightly, Cassie thought of Dillen. She pictured the two of them together, a smile across both of their faces. Kale's brown eyes appeared briefly as her body was suddenly overwhelmed with heat. She burst into light as a hand grasped her shoulder tightly.

The light caused energy, so fuelled with static power to fill her, that Cassie had to hold her breath to be certain that she could grasp the oxygen needed. Her thoughts silenced as she pictured the high cliff-top; a small shape was bobbing in the ocean below. The memory filled her with relief as Kale was stood at her side. The sky was clear and the breeze was pleasant. She felt safe turning to look into Kale's eyes, but she realised that they weren't alone.

A second male was stood by her, but she didn't recognise him. It was soon apparent that she did know him however, as her heart stopped beating for a brief moment. The way his blonde hair moved ever so slightly. The way his green eyes seemed to sadden. Did she know him?

She willed herself to question him but no words formed, and the clear boundary between the memory and reality began to blur. The skyline started to fall inwards and the ground started to smudge, falling into black slowly. Kale never removed his gaze from Cassie's face upon the cliff-top, but she could sense he knew that the other figure was there. Wanting to raise her hand to point to the stranger as her words seemed unable to form, Cassie closed her eyes tightly as Kale enveloped her with his muscular arms.

Her body surged with heat and Cassie felt the floor leave her. A second high-pitched screech pierced her ears then, forcing her eyes to open. She raised her arms, ready to fend off the oncoming surge of ravens, but what she saw was not what she expected.

"Cassie!"

Dillen wrapped his arms around her tightly. She instinctively reciprocated the action, but she didn't understand what was happening. Her parents were ahead of them, both thankful to see each other, though her father seemed on edge. Cassie increased her grip on Dillen's embrace, being sure that it was real before closing her eyes. She was glowing but that didn't matter. They were safe.

A sudden pain stabbed in her side then, pushing her eyes to open for a second time. Her knees buckled as Dillen stepped back. A steady flow of blood started to ooze from her skin, making her realise that part of the window had cut her side. The glow from her skin faded as she met Dillen's gaze. Neither of them knew what to say, though he, too, was injured; a small cut marked his shoulder. He moved to Cassie's side as she fell.

"I kept seeing the feathers..." Dillen whispered.

Cassie swallowed the lump in the back of her throat. "Me too. We'll be ok."

"We have to keep moving." Bryan Fayewood's statement was a surprise, but neither Cassie nor Dillen seemed intent on moving.

They looked at their parents, overwhelmed with everything that had happened- the creatures that had attacked them; the glow that had spread across Cassie's skin; even the constant image of burning feathers was all foreign to them.

Their mother placed her hand gently on her husband's arm. "Let them rest."

"We haven't got time!" Cassie was surprised by her father's bluntness. She pushed herself to her feet, with Dillen following her movement closely.

"That's it?" Cassie blurted. Her side started to sting in protest.

He glared at her. "Not now!" Holding her gaze for a long intense moment, he then glanced at Dillen briefly before looking back at his daughter.

She started to hyperventilate. "What the hell just happened?" In response to her question, her parents shared a quick glance. They obviously were unwilling to explain their situation, though that wasn't going to stop Cassie in trying to dig for answers. "What the hell just attacked us?"

"They got you as well?" Dillen's question was clear as he met his sister's gaze.

"We're leaving." Bryan glanced at the window before making his way towards the door. Cassie realised that they must have been inside of his office. She had never been to his workplace before, though something inside of her confirmed where they were.

The floor started to tremor, causing Cassie's breath to catch in her throat. Her parents, filled with urgency, pushed their children into the hallway. Cassie would have fought against them to find the answers she needed, but as the windows started to darken, she forgot about fighting back. Her father led the way, whilst Sandra followed her children closely from behind. Dillen's skin was now glowing brightly, but Cassie's aura seemed to fluctuate. She had no idea what was happening.

A sudden explosion shook the building. Several of the windows smashed, throwing glass shards through the air. Cassie covered Dillen protectively, feeling her shoulder and thigh sting in protest. He pushed against the wall as his father signalled for them all to stop. Cassie pulled the glass from her thigh, dropping it to the ground before glancing across the width of the floor.

Because most of the main walls were made from glass, Cassie had a clear view of her near surroundings. She could see black shapes dancing through the air like strange jellyfish. They had many eyes—counting them was impossible—and a grey aura was left in their place. Whatever they were, Cassie's father was wary of them, proven by the fact he had pushed himself against the wall, stopping them all from proceeding onwards.

Bright surges of energy warmed the floor as Dillen moved to his knees. The light was so warming that Cassie's skin reacted, glowing in response. She ducked to the floor before the creatures could see her, paining her thigh harshly. Her mother moved to the head of the group, sharing several words with her husband before peering around the corner. Something in her aura changed then and Cassie could have sworn that her hair colour had grown brighter.

"Ready?" Pulled from her thoughts, Cassie met her father's gaze. "Don't stop, either of you." Dillen seemed scared, but he nodded in response, pushing Cassie to do the same. What else could she do?

Without warning, they started running. Cassie's leg stung painfully but she pushed herself to keep moving. She had to jump over a fallen desk as a second explosion caused the entire floor to shake. Her skin glowed like a star as more glass rained downwards. She ignored the throbbing sensation which filled her, seeing that her father had reached the doorway they had intended to leave by. Dillen arrived secondly, followed closely by his mother, though he didn't move until he was certain Cassie was at his side.

They entered into a long thin corridor. Black shapes had started to spread across the walls and floor. Cassie brushed one away as it stretched to prick at her skin, raising her gaze to see that the floor was starting to collapse. The family had to jump over several cracked areas before pushing into a third corridor. She had no idea where they were going, but when they burst from the building the sunlight outside was overwhelming. Her vision blurred, making her nausea return, but she followed the others closely as they raced to the building across the street. Thankfully it had been untouched, and the four of them entered the small alley to the right of the office's back entrance.

Cassie and Dillen followed their parents well; considering they knew nothing of what was going on, they kept their pace consistent. Dillen had to jump over a raven which darted towards him before raising his gaze ahead. His sister on the other hand, had to knock her nearest opponent into the brick wall at her side. It was as if the ravens were only hungry for their blood rather than their parents, but she pushed the thought aside, thinking it best to focus on the situation at hand rather than a small detail of who the creatures wanted. They were all in danger regardless.

Bryan stopped in his tracks. His children followed suit, leaning against a nearby rubbish bin to catch their breath, but they shared a worried glance as they saw why their parents had stopped.

The black figure had followed their movements closely and was now stood several metres in front of them. Cassie's temples started to throb as she thought back to the dream where the same figure had haunted her. She didn't know if Dillen had seen them before, but the same suffocating mist seemed to envelop the air and her heart struggled to keep any particular rhythm. Her chest started to ache as burning feathers flashed across her vision.

Ravens started to circle her family like hunting vultures, causing panic to rise in her throat. She could feel her parents' fear grow as she looked at them for reassurance—though it could have quite easily been her own. The shadowy figure was obviously powerful, but who were they? Why was he chasing after her family?

"Your efforts are futile." The figure's voice was strangely clear. "Your children will both be thrown into Darkness, with or without your permission."

It was as if he was at Cassie's side as he spoke, his words like quiet whispers against her ear. She tried to push the chill from her body, focusing onto Dillen, though she was soon drawn to look up again as the figure raised his arm. Cassie peered into the darkness of his hood, a shallow glow forming across his skin. She tried not to let the memories of her dream take over her, but she hadn't forgotten his words of returning.

Sandra Fayewood was the first to speak in response. "They're given seven days! They have five left!"

The stranger laughed aloud, allowing a slice of light to stretch across his face. He soon regained his posture however, raising his finger aggressively. "Not all of us were given that luxury, and neither will they! Fallen or not, you _will_ give them to me!"

Cassie and Dillen shared a brief glance, noticing that they were both glowing in response to their situation. They moved closer, hoping to reassure one another, not knowing what to say or think. Why did they have seven days? Seven days until what? Their parents raised their arms protectively as the figure stepped from his place.

Without warning, a flash of silver light rained downwards and crashed into the figure forcefully. Its aura pulsed outwards killing several ravens, before focusing only on the hooded stranger. He tried to retaliate by making small bursts of darkened energy, but the power was repelled causing it to crash into the building at their side. The light of the silhouette brightened as it wrapped its arms around the male figure tightly.

"Bryan!" Sandra shouted her husband's name, signalling that it was their time to move.

Pushing themselves to run, Cassie and Dillen followed their parents as they veered off into a second alley. The dark figure reached out for her as she went by, but thankfully the strong force which was challenging him interfered, before his aura could come into contact with Cassie's skin. Dillen ran as fast as he could, turning the corner without hesitation, but Cassie felt strange.

Something inside of her—perhaps the bright glow across her skin—wanted her to go back and see the light. She didn't, choosing rather to glance back briefly before turning the corner. She couldn't possibly imagine what would have happened if the dark figure had called upon the full extent of his power.

A raven crashed into her then but she didn't stop, hearing the creature squawk in anger. She kept running, turning two other corners before her family came into sight. Their surroundings were unfamiliar to her, which muddled her thoughts even further. She had lived in the same town for over ten years—she knew every street and building—but her mind had no recollection of where she was. It didn't make sense to her.

The ache inside of her heart eased somewhat as she tried to unravel her thoughts, but she was convinced that panic was close to overwhelming her instead. She could see that the sky had darkened; rain had now started to fall. So many ravens were spiralling the town that Cassie found it difficult to keep her gaze focused ahead. She gasped for a deep breath, jumping into an open doorway before her father closed the door, throwing them all into darkness.

She closed her eyes tightly and focused onto one thing.

The silhouette of light which had appeared in the alleyway had been the brightest that Cassie could ever remember. Its aura had been fuelled by heat and she wished that she had run towards it rather than passing it by. She followed its shape with her consciousness, noticing for the first time that it had formed into a human-like figure as she had passed it by, with slender slices of light hovering above their shoulders. They had been wings. An angel had saved her family.

"What was that??" Dillen's outburst destroyed the silence.

Cassie opened her eyes, seeing that the light from her skin had now faded. Dillen, too, had lost his glow but panic had started to overwhelm him. He was glaring at his parents for answers, but they seemed deep in conversation in the far corner of the room. It angered Cassie to have them ignore his question so obviously.

"Don't you think you need to tell us something?" she worded clearly, watching her parents as they both grew silent. "How can we just stop? They're right outside!"

Her father seemed to sigh with reluctance. "They can't enter this building, its unclaimed land." His reply was so matter-of-fact that Cassie had to remind herself of the situation they were in.

"What were those things??" Dillen's voice filled the room.

"Please, calm down." Sandra Fayewood approached her children slowly, placing her hand on each of their shoulders. Dillen pulled away, followed closely by Cassie. She was annoyed that her parents weren't telling them anything.

"What's happening?" Cassie asked. She held her mother's gaze intently, before meeting her father's stern look. "Dad?"

His expression softened for the first time since Cassie had appeared in his office. "Times have changed, Deputy..."

A cool breeze followed the shape of Cassie's neck and something inside of her knew that he was right. "What do you mean...?" Her anger subsided as worry started to grow. Cassie looked at her mother as she moved to her husband's side. "Mum...?"

"Why are we being chased?" Dillen was more frightened than angry now.

Bryan Fayewood wrapped his arm around his wife as she exhaled quietly. "You're half-angel," she replied softly.

"What?" Cassie held her mother's gaze. "Half... angel?" Dillen pushed himself against the wall, letting his body slide until he was sitting down. He didn't say anything in response; neither did their parents which pushed Cassie to question them. "You can't be serious..."

"I'm a fallen angel."

Dillen fell silent as his father's words filled the room. Even Cassie didn't know what to say. She did the best she could to form a response. "A... fallen angel...?" She, too, pushed herself against the wall, but she remained standing.

Their mother started to explain. "In simple terms, I met your father twenty-three years ago. I was walking along the road at night. A flash of light had filled the sky and something had fallen ahead of me. A car pulled up and several men surrounded me before I could find it, but your father protected me. He came from the light and told me that I was his charge."

"Like... a guardian angel?" Dillen asked. He was calm now, though he still had many questions he wanted to ask. "But..."

"You're lying," Cassie replied bluntly. "You can't expect me to believe you... you told me that you'd met in a bar!"

Her mother's expression softened. She understood whole-heartedly. "Cassie—"

"And now you're telling us that dad is an angel and he's here to protect you!? You're lying!" She pushed herself from the wall and headed for the exit. All she could think about was getting outside.

"Cassie, don't!" Her father's shout was too late.

She opened the door.

The sky was black, filled with ravens that seemed to steal any light which the sun could generate. A surge of dark energy spiralled through the air and crashed into Cassie's chest forcefully. It knocked her to the ground and a black mist started to spread across her skin. She started to convulse, feeling the air from her lungs seep out involuntarily. Her eyes rolled backwards and her whole body went cold. It was as if she had lost all strength, all control of her body.

She closed her eyes as Dillen moved to her side, feeling bile rise in her throat. She thought of the light, that's all she could imagine as pain stabbed through her chest.

*

Even when she closed her eyes, Cassie couldn't forget the angelic figure which had saved her family—the light, the essence of power that had rained down in front of them—she could never have imagined seeing something so beautiful in such a chaotic moment. Part of her wished that the light had followed them, warming her face with its heated glow, but that was unrealistic.

Many of the recent events were unrealistic, tugging at Cassie's heart. She couldn't grasp what was happening. Even when the burning feathers started to fall through her thoughts again, she didn't know what to do, what to think.

She chose to focus on the foreign landscape in her mind, littered with burning feathers and heated debris, rather than waking to her present predicament. The dream seemed much clearer than before, like a memory, like Cassie was stood upon its grey soil and the feathers were falling around her. But she wasn't so certain if they were feathers anymore.

When she raised her gaze, briefly looking for any evidence of sunlight through the darkened sky, Cassie could see that the shapes were actually pieces of light that were falling. Some were brighter—others were surrounded by coloured hues—but all of them were dropping from the same shelf-like structure, which had pierced through the dark cloud. Cassie couldn't tell how high it was or see the main body of the building, but it was there. She couldn't understand how pieces of light were falling from the structure. How they had formed in the first place.

Narrowing her eyes, she tried to look closer to the ledge, though it didn't make much difference. All she saw was another piece of light move closer to the edge, before plummeting to the ground below. The shape was surrounded by fire as it cut through the mist, and Cassie's senses absorbed the heat like it was her own skin that was burning. She turned away, as the light crashed into the ground violently. The tremor surged through Cassie like an electric current, and a quiet gasp escaped through her lips.

Silence followed.

When the force of the collision had faded, Cassie saw something that she didn't expect. There wasn't a gathering of shattered light in the small crater left by the impact, there was a man. He was badly wounded with two large tears covering the entire span of his back. A tear rolled across her cheek as she could feel his pain as he moved. His gaze so piercing stole her breath. She backed away, choosing reality over the stabbing pain in her heart.

The gasp she inhaled brought her crashing back to the small, abandoned room that her family were hiding in. As she lay, staring up at the ceiling, she noticed small cracks that had spread across its space. She followed one specifically, trying to unravel the perplexed thoughts that were continuously running through her head, but she failed miserably.

"Cass."

Moving her head to the side, she met her brother's worried gaze. He helped her into a sitting position, as she glanced back at her parents. They were leaning against a dilapidated table across the far side of the room, but all of their focus was on her. Within that moment, she knew that everything they had said was true.

"If you're a fallen angel..." she whispered, looking at her father, "where are your wings?"

Both she and Dillen silently waited for his response. He shook his head, closing his eyes briefly. "I gave my wings up when given the choice."

"Why?" Dillen asked.

Bryan squeezed his wife's shoulder before returning to his children's questions. "My charge was safe. She no longer needed my protection."

"But..." Cassie's thoughts were spiralling frantically. "If you did fall... wouldn't you have earned your wings back by saving her? I thought that was the way it worked..." She remembered the many stories that she had read growing up, being pulled into tales of angels and demons and the constant fight between light and darkness.

Her mother shuffled in her place before forming a reply. "Once my enemy had been destroyed, and the constant threat of harm had gone, Bryan was given the choice of keeping his wings or giving them up."

"And you gave them up?" Dillen's tone showed his surprise. He doubted whether he would ever give up the chance of having wings.

His father laughed under his breath, expecting his son's reaction. "If an angel chooses their wings over mortality, they return to whence they came... and they can never return. I may not have known the state of the heavens, but I made my choice."

"You chose mum..." Cassie's voice was just above a whisper.

"I chose my family."

Her brow arched inwards. "But—"

Sandra answered her daughter's question before it could form, knowing exactly what was coming. "There is a brief moment when an angel earns back their wings—when they are given the choice of keeping them or losing their grace forever—that they can see a quick glimpse of the future."

"What did you see?" Dillen asked.

"Us." Cassie looked at her brother, holding his gaze, both imagining what they would see when given the same chance. A burning feather—no, an injured man flashed across Cassie's gaze, pushing her to look back at her parents. "We're half-angel..."

A moment of silence filled the air, but it seemed brief. Dillen's thoughts came tumbling out. "That's why Cassie was glowing, why I was glowing... when those birds attacked us... and that man... who was he? Was he after us? Do we have something they want... do we have powers?"

Cassie didn't interrupt, but she would have rolled her eyes if the circumstances had been different. She fully understood her brother's questions though, as many of the same ones fuelled her own thoughts. There was only one question that seemed to perplex her the most, however. Facing both of her parents she moved to her feet, surprised when Dillen didn't follow her movement.

She inhaled a shallow breath. "Why do I keep seeing things? Burning feathers... angels falling..."

Bryan seemed to sadden but he replied honestly. "They are memories of those that have lost their lives. Angels that are killed are set alight as they take their last breath. You have dreamt of falling angels since you were a child, but your memory is not what it was. Things have changed, and so must you."

Cassie was confused. In the vision she kept seeing, the man was always alive, moaning in pain when he looked at her. If he had burnt because death had taken him, then surely he would have been exactly that, dead? But then perhaps her father meant 'dead' as in mortal, an angel losing their wings. She had to know more. What had her father meant about her memory and that things had changed...?

Without warning, a loud crash shook the floor as a blinding light shone outwards. Cassie's skin started to glow in response and she started to panic. A shallow light started to seep under the door, making her edge backwards. Dillen had already moved, being dragged back by his mother. The floor shook again and a small crack started to stretch across the far wall.

"We have to keep moving," Bryan worded clearly, drawing everyone's gaze towards him.

"I thought you said they couldn't enter?" Cassie challenged. She was glowing brightly now, radiating with colour.

"They can't enter," her mother replied, "but they can knock it down."

Dillen looked at his parents for reassurance. "What are we going to do if they're right outside?"

A lump started to build in the back of Cassie's throat as her thoughts spiralled frantically. She had a strange feeling that something she knew was outside of the door, it was calling to her, but she refused to move towards it. The mist which crept under the door suddenly burst into light, and she lifted her hand to protect her eyes.

"He's here, we have to move!" Sandra grabbed her children and pushed them towards the back before they could question her. They didn't stop at the exit however, diving into the darkness outside.

It was twilight now- small stars were shining through the misty sky. Cassie barely recognised her surroundings. She shared a confused glance with her brother as they turned a corner, throwing them into a second unknown alleyway. Their parents led the way without pausing. It was strange to learn that they both had so much strength and stamina. No child ever thinks that of their parents, Cassie and Dillen sure hadn't.

Elongated shapes protruded from the building at their side as they raced by. Dillen had to duck awkwardly to avoid one, followed closely by Cassie who simply sidestepped to miss its sharpened edge. A second stabbed through her thigh though, making her falter. She glanced back as the pain coursed through her, seeing that a thick black cloud was chasing after them, engulfing the entire width of the alley. She started to think that there would be no way to outrun it.

"Move!"

Startled by the sudden outburst, Cassie pushed herself to keep running. When she turned, she realised that the voice hadn't belonged to any of her family, as they were all so far away. Dillen had been the only one to pause to check on her, but the voice had definitely not belonged to him.

Who else could it have been, when there was no one else there?

Rain started to spatter the ground, soaking through her thin t-shirt in little time. The sun had been shining all day, and yet when she had needed the light the most it had seemed to fall out of her grasp, replaced by grey clouds. A pain hammered against her temples but she tried not to think about it, batting a raven away that seemed to arch in her direction. Several others did the same but she ducked and dived to avoid their sharpened beaks, stealing her energy slowly.

Cassie's pace slowed as her thigh began to throb. She noticed how her skin started to glow brighter than before, as if the light was using its energy to heal her. The thought would have been foreign to her hours ago, but things had certainly changed. Maybe things had changed forever. She didn't dwell on the possibility however, turning several corners in pursuit of her brother. Her parents still led the way, though Cassie could only see Dillen.

A shockwave of chilled air washed over her then and she fell to her knees. The air was so cold, as if its warmth had been suffocated until it no longer existed. What little breath she could inhale, escaped as white clouds of mist which were immediately engulfed by the dark. She looked up to see that Dillen had also been affected, collapsing ahead of her. The light that was oozing out from his body was coloured now, creating lines of energy to spread across his skin. Cassie was the same, but she didn't give herself a second glance.

"Dill..." She pushed herself to her knees, crawling towards his still body. Her parents had gone out of sight but she kept moving anyway, reaching Dillen's side a moment later. His eyes were closed but he was shaking. "Dill?"

The dark cloud stretched towards them like hands of mist. Ravens were swooping through it, causing stray wisps of air to spiral outwards. Cassie would have been intrigued by its strange beauty, if not for the fear that was bubbling inside of her. She looked for her parents but they were nowhere in sight. They couldn't have left them, they wouldn't... would they?

"Why do you run?"

Cassie raised her gaze to see that the hooded stranger now stood between her and the dark cloud of energy. His hood was still in place but his eyes were piercing through its shadow, locking onto Cassie's gaze intently. She tried to look away but it was as if she had no control. Her hands couldn't move; her whole body was frozen still.

"What do you want?" she whispered through pursed lips.

"I should think it's obvious." His reply was almost emotionless.

She moved her fingers ever so slightly, curling around Dillen's wrist. Her hope was to teleport them to safety, as she had done once before, but she had no idea how to trigger her powers if that's what they were. All she could do was try to work out how to call upon them, whilst her enemy was distracted in answering her questions.

"It's not obvious to me..."

He huffed in response. "I said I would return for your heart, and I have."

"My parents said we have seven days..."

"I will admit I am earlier than originally planned, but your heart calls to me. It calls to my soul like ocean to the sand." As his words formed, he lifted his hand outwards. His hood adjusted slightly revealing his black hair. "Come to me, fill the space in my body."

She shook her head as best as she could, checking on Dillen out of the corner of her eye. He was still but she could feel that his skin was warming. Maybe her distraction technique was working. "Why do you want my heart?" she asked, drawing the stranger's focus again.

He lowered his hand with a sigh. "Every being deserves to feel the touch of another; the sweet fragrance of cherry blossom on the cool spring breeze; the sound of wolves calling out through the dark; the satisfying taste of food against their tongue; even the sight of a beautiful Nephilim daughter upon their lap—and yet these simple treasures are denied to me."

_He has no senses...?_ She didn't understand how that was possible when he seemed so intent on chasing her. How could he chase someone that he couldn't see or hear? She repeated her question to try and answer her own thoughts. "What difference would my heart make?"

A shallow laugh echoed from his throat. "Your heart is different. It shines as brightly as the moon through dusk. Your heart can restore the senses I have lost. It can undo everything that has been taken from us!" As his anger became apparent, a dull mist started to spread out from his skin and Cassie's body restricted. She could feel his anger, the pure hatred against her.

"How...?" Tightening her grasp on Dillen's wrist, she tried to call upon her powers, but nothing happened. She tried to think back to the house. How had her powers formed before? "How will my heart change anything?"

"Nephilim are born stronger than most. Even some angels do not have strength superior to that of a Nephilim. I need your heart." He moved forwards then, stretching his crooked fingers outwards. "You must fill me with your strength!"

Cassie started to panic. She couldn't move. She couldn't call upon her powers. What was she supposed to do? All she could think of was Dillen. Pushing her eyes closed, she inhaled a deep breath.

Without warning, the restrictions on her body faded and she was engulfed by light. It spread like warm liquid, consuming her and Dillen quickly. Her thigh absorbed it as she lifted from the ground, filling her with calm, and she materialised a moment later. She dropped to the ground harshly, Dillen landing at her side. Her powers had formed. She'd done it.

An aggressive shout consumed the sky and she looked up to see where she was. Her powers had formed, but they had not teleported her far. She could still see the black cloud of mist, but a building now stood between her and its darkened grasp. She didn't have long before the hooded figure found her again.

"Dillen!" She shook him fiercely, but he didn't wake. "Dillen, wake up!" The floor started to shake, making Cassie raise her gaze. Even the building ahead of her had now been consumed by darkness. The figure was moving towards her again. She sighed in defeat. There was nothing else she could do. She wasn't strong enough.

A bright surge of light flashed in front of her then, leaving three people in its wake. Two were Cassie's parents, but she couldn't identify the third—mostly because of the bright aura which was surging out from his skin. Two shapes of light protruded from his back.

"Cassie."

Her gaze was forced from the light to focus onto her parents. They hadn't moved from their positions, but they were both looking in her direction. "Dad..."

Bryan smiled. "Everything will be fine in time, Deputy."

"What?"

Her mother smiled. "We'll find you, both of you."

"Mum?" Cassie forced herself to her feet, struggling to catch her breath. Tears built in the corners of her eyes as the lump in her throat started to build. She felt weak, but she couldn't leave them. "What are you doing?" Her parents then looked at the figure of light, before starting to approach the hooded stranger. They were both carrying knives, Cassie realised. She started to run then, feeling as if her heart was going to collapse into her stomach. "No!"

Within that single moment, everything blurred through Cassie's eyes. Her vision was overcome with light as the third figure wrapped his arms around her tightly. She felt her feet leave the ground and the air surged through her aggressively. Her nails pierced into her palms as bile rose through her throat. She tried to calm her breath, but it wasn't until she collapsed to the floor that the strange sensation faded. Dirt pushed into her ripped jeans as she scrambled to her feet. Her surroundings were unknown to her. She raised her fist as she ran at the figure that had now turned his back.

"Take me back!" Not even registering Dillen's still body at her side, Cassie pushed herself with all of her strength. "Take me back now!"

The figure turned slowly as his bright aura faded. He raised his arms just in time to catch Cassie's body before she fell. She was overcome with fatigue all at once, as if her anger had suddenly subsided. Her hands grasped the figure's wrists tightly, as she fell to her knees. As he followed her movement, a strange feeling of familiarity filled her.

"Take me back..." she whispered, trying to hold back her tears.

He raised his hand to her face, as she released her tight grip on his skin. "Cass."

She didn't want to look up, but that voice, the way her heart had warmed. She knew who was in front of her, and she couldn't resist meeting his dark and inviting gaze. "Kale... it's you..."

He stroked her cheek caringly. "I'm here."

"Take me back... please..." A tear rolled across her cheek silently. "Why didn't you tell me...? Why didn't you tell me that you're an angel...?"

"I wanted to..." Pulling her into his chest, he embraced her tightly. "I'm your angel, Cass."

She tried to stay awake, she tried to keep her eyes open, but sleep took her almost straight away. She didn't know where they were or what was happening, but at least with Kale she felt safe. If only for a while.
Ten

Cassie knew that she was asleep, but her surroundings were so real that they stole her breath away. The air was warm for once, not cold to the touch. Sun was shining brightly from the white clouds above. Even the birds' silhouettes which pierced through the white sky canvas seemed brighter than Cassie remembered, from the last time she was stood at the cliff. She looked out over the sea and felt at home more than she had done for several days. There was something about the cliff-top, something which called to her.

Moving to the edge of the rock, Cassie watched as the waves below rocked back and forth. She wished that they were lapping at her feet, but she was too high up to reach the water. The waves crashed higher with each movement, as if its heartbeat was growing quicker, like Cassie's did when she noticed something in the sea. A small head was bobbing in the water, but she wasn't surprised. She had expected it, but didn't understand how.

"Vean..."

Cassie's head started to throb and she remembered seeing Vean once before. The fact that she knew the creature's name stole the breath that she had inhaled. She remembered her school trip clearly, when she had visited the cliff-top for the first time. The seal had been there then, and someone had been in Cassie's company.

"You shouldn't be here."

She turned quickly, suddenly feeling upset. Part of her had expected Kale to be there so that she could smile as their eyes met, but this time it wasn't Kale's gaze that was there to meet her own. Once before she had seen a blonde-haired stranger on the cliff-top, he had stood next to Kale as if they had known each other. Something strange had happened though.

Back then Kale had moved between Cassie and the other figure until her entire focus had channelled onto him—she had then woken up—this time however, Kale wasn't there, but the lump in her throat proved that she knew the young man in front of her.

"How do I know you?" she asked quietly, swallowing the sadness in her throat.

He smiled, approaching the cliff-top slowly. "I wish you could remember... I wish I could tell you everything."

As he spoke, Cassie's heart started to drum inside of her chest. Her temples started to throb but she ignored it, and focused entirely on the young man's aqua green eyes. She blinked, remembering when they had been together once. They had laughed over something she had said. There was no doubt that she knew him, but her mind wouldn't let her remember.

"Why can't I remember you?" She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, trying so hard to picture where they had been together. What had happened to make her forget him? "Why can't I remember your name... the way my heart aches... I know you."

He lowered his gaze then, scuffing his feet into the dirt. "You don't know who we are." It didn't take him long to return his focus onto Cassie however. "I..." He opened his mouth to speak, but it was as if the words were stolen before he could speak them. Stepping back from the cliff-top almost in fear, he edged further and further away. Cassie could see that his face was changing, his skin darkening around each of his eyes.

"What's happening to you?" She raised her hand out to him, but he quickly turned his back. A shallow glow surrounded him then and he clenched his fists ready to teleport. "Wait!

His light seemed to stall for a brief moment as Cassie ran up to him, but he didn't turn. Even when she raised her hand hesitantly and extended it towards his arm, he stayed put. "It's safer this way, Cass. Kale will keep you safe."

"Kale?"

Before Cassie could reach him, the light across the figure's body brightened and he burst into light, fading from view a second later. She gasped for a breath then, feeling as if the heavy burden upon her heart had hidden itself once more. Reality came crashing back to her.

Her eyes opened but she didn't register her surroundings until several moments had passed. The room was well lit and she noticed that the light was coming from an open fire at her side. Its warmth seemed to sooth her skin somewhat. She pulled her legs close to her chest, causing a stinging sensation to pass through her thigh.

Her muscles tensed but she did the best she could to sit up straight. She moved the blanket which was covering her skin and moved to the edge of the small sofa that she was sitting on. That was when she noticed the bed against the far side of the room. Dillen was lying on it silently.

"Dill!"

Pushing herself to her feet in a rush to reach her brother's side, her leg gave way as a horrific pain surged through her. She collapsed to the wooden floor awkwardly, having to grab her thigh with both hands to try and minimise the pain. The bandage which had been tied over her jeans was blood-stained, but the area of skin it covered wasn't substantial. She raised her gaze to her brother and pushed all else from mind.

It took her a moment or two to reach his bedside, and when she did she used all of her strength to move onto the empty wooden chair propped against the wall. Her thigh stung in protest, but Cassie shuffled the chair as close to the bed as she could, taking hold of Dillen's hand. It was cold, but Cassie could tell he was only sleeping. A small tear had cut through his cheek.

"Sis."

She leaned forwards, a smile of relief spreading across her face as he turned his head. "Hey... are you ok?" Not once had she ever seen her brother so fragile and weak. She had to stop a tear escaping from her eye by using the back of her hand.

"I'm ok."

Squeezing his hand in response, Cassie realised how pale he looked, but he seemed ok. "You should get some sleep."

He didn't protest, closing his eyes soon after. The events that had passed had obviously stolen his strength. After all, it's not every day that you learn that you're half angel.

"Cass..." His quiet voice broke through her thoughts, and she focused onto him as he leaned his head to one side. "Kale says he wants to see you."

She nodded in acknowledgement as Dillen closed his eyes again. This time they stayed closed and his breathing soon took on a much slower rhythm. Leaning back in her chair, she moved her hands onto her lap and watched Dillen sleep. If her parents really had gone... she was all that he had. She couldn't let him down.

A movement came from the doorway across the room then, causing her to move her focus from Dillen's face. Kale was stood in the hallway outside. He remained still for a brief moment, meeting her darkened gaze before continuing down through the cabin—well that's what Cassie guessed it was due to the wooden floors, ceilings and open fire.

She thought back to her dream, remembering the figure that had spoken to her. Kale hadn't been there, but she had sensed him nonetheless. If Kale was the only person with them, then Cassie had to use every opportunity that she could to grasp to gain the information they desperately needed.

Pushing herself to her feet, she realised how much of a task it would be to follow Kale. She hoped the cabin wasn't too big, fearing that the dark would find her again. She edged towards the door, grasping its frame as she passed through.

Her thigh was protesting against each of her movements. It was almost unbearable but she kept going. She glanced right briefly as she entered into the hallway, realising to her relief that the cabin wasn't too big after all. There were two other doors to her right, perhaps leading to other bedrooms, and then another door to her left. A set of crutches were leaning against the wall at Cassie's side, but she paid them little attention. She could hear Kale moving from the large room to her left and so she started to limp towards it.

Using the wall for support, Cassie only paused twice before reaching the front room of the cabin. She pulled herself into the open doorway and glanced inside. It was a well furnished room, another open fire warming its entire space. Various pictures and sketches decorated the far wall, with a small simple kitchen area to her left. On the opposite side, the fire was the main focus. Nothing hung from the wall and only a simple woven rug carpeted the floor. A small two-seater sofa and an armchair were positioned either side of a round coffee-table.

The glass doors straight ahead of where Cassie was standing opened then, and a cool chill of air wrapped its icy fingers around her collar. Kale moved inside quickly and closed the door behind him, leaning the firewood in his arms so that his hand had the movement needed. He glanced at Cassie briefly, noting the fact that she was barely putting any weight on her leg, and then made his way to the fire which he started to stoke with wood.

"Glad to see you're awake." He didn't even turn as he spoke, sending a second cool shiver across Cassie's skin. She had never known him to be cold with her. The glow from his skin had faded, disappointing her as she remembered its vibrant light. Flecks of red and orange from the fire danced across his skin however, pushing Cassie to edge in from the doorway.

She gasped as she tried to move too quickly. Pain stabbed through her thigh pushing her to lean against the wall. Her breath started to speed up and her skin shivered. When Kale straightened up, he looked at her. It seemed to ease her pain somewhat, but it didn't fill her with the warmth that it had used to.

"What use is a crutch if you don't use it?" His tone was flat, stern almost.

"Where are we?"

He sighed, allowing the heat of the fire to warm him. "Stubborn until the end..."

"Where are we?" She emphasised each word clearly, pushing all thought of her thigh out of mind.

Feeling her sharpened glare pierce into his back, he breathed in. "We're safe."

"That didn't answer my question."

Turning to face her directly, his face seemed to darken. "We're in the only place that they can't reach you. At least, not yet..."

"And my parents...?"

Kale had to look away as he shook his head. "I don't know. They told me to keep you safe, and that's what I've done."

"You left them, just like that?" Cassie's emotions started to build.

For the first time since she had woken up, the pain she felt was not from her thigh. She imagined not seeing her parents again. She imagined the darkness destroying them and then coming for her next.

"You couldn't fall into The Keeper's hands, they knew that."

She didn't know who The Keeper's were, but she didn't care. Tears started to flow across her skin but she held Kale's gaze with determination, wiping her cheek dry aggressively. "What about Dillen?"

"He'll be fine. He just needs to rest. His Nephilim strength has formed years earlier than it should. He's had a few days. He only needs a few more."

Cassie's brow arched inwards. "A few days? We've been here... a few days?" She had had no idea how much time had gone by, but learning that days had passed upset her. If she had lost her parents, if she would never see them again, all she had done since losing them was sleep.

"You needed your strength."

She felt so lost, she couldn't unravel all of the thoughts spiralling through her mind. Slouching against the wall, her thigh stung painfully which caused her to lose balance. She tried to stop herself from falling, but her attempt failed and her injured leg twisted beneath her. The pain pushed tears to roll across her cheeks.

Kale rushed to her side and she was glad to see that his gaze had recovered its caring aura. He helped her move so that her legs were straight out in front of her, and then sat, leaning against the kitchen unit opposite. A silent moment followed in which he just watched her.

"The man in the cloak told me he needs my heart... that I'm different...Why?" Her question was clear, but her voice was quiet. It was as if she didn't have the strength needed to speak.

"I don't know for certain, but your blood is stronger than most. The strength of your parents' love must have influenced your development somehow. You will be the strongest Nephilim that has ever been." He watched her caringly, holding her gaze when she looked at him.

She wiped her cheek dry again. "But why now? Why keep everything from me, and Dillen? They could have told us..."

"I think they were trying to keep you safe for as long as they could. But The Keepers found you, and we did all we could to keep them from you as long as we did."

A cool shiver followed the curve of her neck as she listened to him speak. It was strange for her to hear him sound so defeated, as if he had lost something. "We?" He looked away as she questioned him, pushing her to say something else. "Have you been an angel... all this time? All the years that you've been at college?"

Cassie hadn't known him for long, only in the last few days had they got to know each other better, but Kale had always been there in truth. She thought back to the several times that she had spoken to him at college and when she had visited his shop.

"Things were different once. We were a team, all of us." He pushed himself to stand then, making his way towards the fire without another word. Cassie could feel his pain. She could feel his heart aching.

"Kale...?"

He didn't turn but his shoulders relaxed. "We have long enough before they find us." Breathing in, he turned and pushed himself to smile. "Now let's see to that leg, shall we?"

She hated how he was hurting, but she didn't feel as if she knew him well enough to question him, though her heart disagreed. Her heart felt as if she had known Kale her entire life... what if she had? What if her memory hadn't just been affected because of the fever? What if it had been altered over and over throughout the years? She pushed the thoughts aside and met his gaze, smiling in return. No matter how well she did or didn't know him, he had saved her and her heart was telling her that she could trust him.

"I think that's a good idea..." She glanced across her bandaged thigh, seeing that various stains had marked the fabric. It definitely needed changing.

Moving to her side, he took hold of her hands and helped her to her feet. She only grimaced slightly, but she put no weight on her leg. Kale made sure that she was steady before letting go. "The bathroom's at the end of the hall. I'll get what I need, just stay here."

She held his gaze and smiled in response. She was just glad that she didn't have to make her way through the hall again. It had been hard enough the first time. Shuffling over to the sink as Kale went to gather what was needed for her leg, Cassie grabbed a glass from the side and filled it with water. It was the clearest water she had ever seen, pushing her to wonder where they really were.

With her glass in hand, she shuffled towards the window next, seeing that a thin layer of ice was covering the glass. There was snow outside, blanketing the entire ground. They really had been there a few days, Cassie thought. She wondered what had happened in her absence. What had happened to the town and her home? Was the school still open? Was anybody aware of what had happened? What about Freya and the other students?

"I don't know the state of the town... but mortals can't see magic."

Cassie gasped. She turned and realised that Kale had come back into the room. He had placed the gathered items on the kitchen top and was now focusing all of his attention onto her. She tried not fidget under his gaze, but she wondered if Kale could read her thoughts.

He smirked. "Don't worry, Cass. I can't hear your thoughts."

She realised that she had been holding her breath, causing her cheeks to redden once she had inhaled another. "I didn't say you were!"

They both knew that she _had_ been wondering whether he could read her thoughts, but neither of them mentioned it. Kale motioned for her to take a seat as he moved the items- consisting of some water, a needle and thread, a towel and several various bandages- onto the coffee table in the centre of the room. She followed as quickly as she could, having to accept his hand as support when she had run out of the kitchen unit she had been using to keep herself steady.

Taking a seat on the warm armchair, Cassie perched on the edge of the seat as Kale knelt in front of her. They both seemed to hesitate then, glancing between her leg and each other. She tried not to think about the pain which was going to follow, but that wasn't what worried her the most. If it turned out that Kale couldn't tend to her wound with her jeans on, they would have to come off. She mentally hoped that the tear in the fabric was big enough to let Kale do what was needed. The thought irritated her. What was wrong with her?

As he lifted his hands onto her thigh, her skin shivered in response. That strange familiarity that she kept feeling around him returned all of a sudden. She had known him before her fever, before college, she was certain of it. Watching as he loosened the knot of the bandage slowly, Cassie's heart started to beat faster. She was nervous now, but she wasn't usually the nervous type.

He unravelled the bandage and then moved it from beneath her leg, sitting it in a pile on the coffee table. It was then that Cassie realised how much she had bled. Her thigh was worse than she had expected, with the fire highlighting its gruesome details. The wound itself was only the width and length of her index finger, but the skin on both sides had started to peel back. Purple bruising had spread outwards from the damaged skin, marking much more of Cassie's leg than she could see. Nausea started to rise in her stomach.

Kale moved his hand and lay his fingertips against her skin, pressing lightly in several areas to see how her leg reacted. She clenched her teeth in discomfort, but there was something else which drew her attention. As Kale's skin met with her own, an image flashed across her gaze. She saw him, panting and out of breath. He was fighting a dark figure, trying to consume them with his light. Cassie could feel his pain, as well as that of the stranger he was fighting.

"Cass." The image faded and she looked down to meet his gaze. "It's not too deep. A bandage will be enough."

"Is it bad?"

"It will heal slowly, but if it's left alone it might become infected." Her face lost all colour, as she imagined what her leg could look like if an infection was to take hold of it. Kale took her hand reassuringly. "It'll be fine. I might just have to tear your jeans a little..."

His words seemed to drift off as he finished his sentence, almost as if his heart had skipped a beat. He felt drawn to her as it was, without removing parts of her clothing. He had never felt so nervous around a girl before, let alone Cassie, it was strange. The truth was he wouldn't trade her company for anyone else's, even if he didn't know everything that was going on. There was something about her that he knew, something he had watched grow over the years.

"Kale?" Cassie waved in front of his face and then an awkward silence followed. She tried not to smile but after a moment, they both laughed aloud. Getting lost in their thoughts was obviously a trait that they both shared.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small hunter's knife, extending the blade in one quick movement. Meeting Cassie's gaze, he made sure she was ok before moving towards her jeans. He made an incision at the top of her trouser leg and then curved it around her muscle so that the denim material fell to one side easily. Once it had moved, they could both see how far the bruising had spread.

Cassie felt sick. "If it's been a few days... Why hasn't it started to heal?"

Kale examined it closer before replying to her question. "Nephilim have to accept their power in order for them to work. Those whose self-belief is weakened struggle the most in calling upon their powers."

Although Cassie hadn't been referring to her 'powers' but rather the natural healing process of skin, she found his reply strangely honest, not at all swaying her. "Self-belief?" Cassie had always thought that she was strong willed and full of confidence, but the events that had passed had only proved her wrong. What would she be like with powers...?

"Your powers will still form, just at a slower pace. This wound may take weeks to heal if you don't believe your powers can heal it."

"Powers..." It was still strange for her to hear. She doubted whether she would ever get used to it.

He continued to examine the wound, using some warm water and a sponge to bathe her skin gently. "What caused this?" Bruising had covered the entire length of her right thigh. It shocked even him to see how the colouring had spread.

She tried to think back to the creatures that had attacked her. A cool shiver washed over her skin as she remembered their vile movements. "A creature from the wall... it was like a shadow..."

Kale sighed quietly. "No one knows what they're called. I call them Leaches."

She nodded to acknowledge his answer and then inhaled a deep breath. The truth was she had so many questions on her mind that she found it difficult to word any other reply. Kale told her to relax whilst he unravelled the piece of bandage he needed, glancing back at her after a silent moment had passed. She smiled but under the surface, her stomach was twisting.

She thought back to the figure which had attacked her family, and then the blonde-haired stranger that she kept seeing in her head. She wanted to ask Kale about them, to see what answers she could get, but something inside told her it wasn't the right time. Instead, her thoughts returned to the poor state of her memory.

"What happens now?" Her question was the first to form coherently.

He faced her with the bandage in hand and then edged it beneath her thigh until it was in place, before bathing her leg with warm water for a second time. "We had seven days, now we have three." Cassie remembered that the dark figure had said something similar.

Still finding it hard to believe that four days had passed since her fever, she started to remember the various times that Kale had checked on her and Dillen through that time. He had brought them small pieces of food and water since arriving at the cabin, but she had barely opened her eyes during the days that had gone by. She wondered what would have happened if Kale hadn't have helped them. Would she have been taken by the hooded stranger, thrown into darkness?

She sighed. "My parents said I had seven days... seven days for what?"

Kale replied whilst he continued to see to her leg. Her gaze focused entirely onto his face, disregarding any discomfort that oozed out from her thigh. "Once a Nephilim falls into fever, they have seven days from when they wake until their powers form fully."

"But, surely if they attacked us then, I'd be stronger...?" She didn't understand why their enemy would wait for the day when she would be at her strongest.

He had expected her reply. "Once your powers have formed, your body is strong enough to become a host for the Keepers. They have no choice but to let your powers form naturally, before they can take you."

"A host?" The words caused a stream of cool air to wash over her.

"Yes, a host for the Keepers' souls."

She swallowed the bile which had risen in her throat. "Who are the Keepers? What do they want?"

Kale tied her bandage tightly, checking that it stayed in place, and then moved onto the two-seater opposite. He didn't relax, choosing to perch on the edge of the seat, but he was glad to see that Cassie shuffled back to get comfortable. "From what I can tell, the Keepers are fallen angels that were denied a chance to earn back their wings. They believe the Light turned its back from them and they embraced the Darkness. On the eve of the Fall, when all angels were forced to choose a side, those who had accepted the Darkness challenged all those that opposed them, and as punishment their hearts were removed."

"They have no hearts?"

She pictured the falling feathers that she had seen in her thoughts, and how she had come to realise that they were angels falling from grace. The pain that she had felt, the anguish which had hovered in the air, she couldn't imagine what that day had been like. She met Kale's gaze then and she could see a similar pain from the centre of each of his irises, but she couldn't question him. She could feel that he had lost someone and that was enough.

The truth was, he seemed uncertain in his replies as it was, as if he didn't know fully what had happened anyway. Cassie believed it must have been because of his age, he couldn't have existed when the Fall had happened after all. She listened to Kale's reply before he noticed her lack of focus.

"Yes they have no hearts." He turned to look into the fire as he spoke. "The only way they can feel is if they take a Nephilim body as a host. Some are too weak and perish during the process, but if the Keeper's will is strong enough and the host's power has reached its peak, the Keeper can move out of the shadows and remain in their body for decades."

"What happens to the Nephilim?" Cassie asked quietly.

Kale didn't remove his gaze from the fire. "Their heart is destroyed."

She gasped. "You said... if the host's powers reach their peak..."

Meeting her gaze after a moment of silence, Kale inhaled a deep breath. "You will be the strongest Nephilim that there has ever been, Cass. The Keeper's have waited since the Fall. They have waited for you. Not only will you have the power to be a successful host for one Keeper, but I fear that all of them will be free once they have fed on your aura."

His words made her kin tingle. "Why now though? Why... after all these years..."

"Since now you have been just a mortal, a human living out your daily life, but now... now you are Nephilim and every Keeper who passes through the shadows can sense you. The Keepers have used uncountable hosts in the centuries that have passed, but eventually they have all perished. Human bodies are susceptible to damage and illness, but we angels are not. You, Cass, are different."

"Different how?"

He sighed quietly, but took several moments to form a reply. "No one really knows, but everyone can sense your hidden strength. Even being this close, I can feel the strength flowing through you..." For a brief time, Kale seemed to be lost in his thoughts. It was only when he realised what he had said that he shuffled in his place.

Cassie didn't know what to say. She felt lost. "What about Dillen...?"

"Now that his powers are forming, the Keepers can sense him too- even more so when the two of you are together. That's why your parents split you up before the attack, but it made no difference. His close relationship with you has caused his powers to form, before his eighteenth birthday."

It was true, she realised. Bryan Fayewood had taken Dillen to work with him. Cassie had not understood at the time. She had assumed that her father had been trying to make an effort with Dillen after all the years that he had missed, but the truth was that he had tried to save him. A tear rolled across Cassie's cheek. She hated the fact that everything they had known had been turned upside down. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to keep her brother safe, as well as stay on the run from the Keepers?

"So what are we going to do?"

Kale and Cassie both turned to look at the doorway, seeing that Dillen was leaning against the wood. He was still pale but other than that, Cassie could feel that he had improved. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Are we going to fight, like you said?" Dillen's question was directed at Kale.

Cassie's brow arched inwards. She glanced between them both, choosing to focus onto Kale last. "Fight?"

By the way he seemed to shuffle in his place before standing to his feet, Cassie realised that he must have spoken to Dillen sometime when she was sleeping. He moved from the two-seater and approached the kitchen side without a word. Dillen watched him intently, waiting for him to say yes, that they could fight and avenge their parents' assault, maybe even their death. Cassie waited too, but her heart had dropped. She didn't want her brother to fight. She wanted him to stay safe.

"Fight?" Her irritation was obvious when she repeated her response. Kale leaned against the kitchen side, refusing to meet either of their gazes.

"I'll train you as best as I can, but it won't be easy. Your skill-set is different to mine."

By the way he replied without looking up, Cassie could see that he, too, didn't want to fight. She had jumped to the conclusion that he had been trying to win Dillen over during her absence, but it wasn't that way at all. Perhaps in the end, they would have to fight to survive.

"So what's first?" Dillen seemed eager to get started. Cassie could understand why, but she could feel uncertainty surging out from Kale's aura. "Are you going to show us what you can do?"

Kale remained still, pushing Dillen to question him, but Cassie intervened first. "Dill..."

He looked at her, a confused expression covering his face. Stop it—she mouthed the words clearly. He shrugged his shoulders, glancing between Kale's arched back and his sister's stern glare. She motioned for him to go back to his room by pointing her finger aggressively. Dillen rolled his eyes and left the room, shutting the door to once he had reached the bedroom. Cassie moved to her feet and shuffled across the room.

She didn't really know what to say, but Kale was hurting. She could feel the pain running through him. "You've fought before, haven't you?" The image of him fighting returned to her thoughts then. "You lost someone..."

"I wasn't the only one to lose something," he replied bluntly, turning to look at her. "I'm just the only one who can remember."

Her temples started to throb. "What can't I remember, Kale?"

He straightened his back, holding her gaze. "What can you?" Sighing loudly, he moved towards the glass doors and opened them, throwing the room into a temporary chill.

"Kale!"

"We need to rest..." Hesitating only briefly, he looked back. "If only I could forget..." He closed the doors without another word and disappeared into the snow which had started to fall again.

Cassie's heart was drumming inside of her chest. She wanted to follow him, be there for him, but what good was she when she didn't even know what was happening. She didn't even know who he was, who she was.

*

"What did he tell you?"

Dillen was perched on the side of his bed when Cassie walked into the room. He had his head lowered like a scolded child, but he inhaled a breath and looked up a moment later. They shared a silent moment where they simply held each other's gazes; it was if they were both trying to sense the differences that had altered them.

Cassie didn't feel any different. She limped towards the sofa in the window and seated herself far to the one side, leaning against the arm with her back- her legs pulled up to her chest as tightly as she could hold them.

"He told me about the Keepers," Dill replied honestly.

"What else?"

"About mum and dad trying to keep us safe..."

Cassie moved her gaze to the fire as her brother replied. She wished things had turned out differently. Perhaps if she had given her parents more of a chance she would have learnt everything in time. Maybe she could have made a difference. If her powers had formed early because she had given them chance to, her parents could have still been by their sides.

"Cass..."

Pulled from her thoughts, she waited for Dillen to continue as she looked at him.

"When we're strong enough, do you think we can find them, both of them?"

"I don't know, Dill..."

"But what if they're alive? What if they were just taken and they're being held somewhere...?"

She didn't understand where he had gotten the inclination of such a thing, but she understood. If there was any way to bring their parents back, Dillen would do it. Although he would never say it out loud, Cassie knew that he felt just as guilty as she did. All the work trips that Bryan had left on, all the times that their parents had been apart, what if it had all been because of the Keepers?

Cassie held her brother's gaze. "We'll find them, ok?"

"Promise?"

With a silent nod, Cassie could feel something in her heart adjust slightly. She didn't know if it was a promise that she should have made, but Dillen was everything to her now, and she would do all she could to keep him safe. "I promise."
Eleven

Snow was still falling when Cassie woke the next day. She had spent many hours of the evening before watching the small flakes fall from the sky. They danced like skating figures when the wind blew aggressively, but the shower of snow continued its gradual fall without them once the air had settled. Cassie wanted to go outside and feel the cold against her skin. She knew it would remind her of home, not that it didn't already.

Sitting up, moving the bed covers to one side, she noticed that Dillen was already up. He had been adamant that he would sleep on the sofa because of Cassie's leg, though she knew he would have slept there even if her leg had been fine. They were both as stubborn as each other. She shuffled to the edge of the bed and then pushed herself to her feet. The stinging sensation that she had expected didn't form, pushing her to lower her gaze to her thigh.

She was still wearing the same clothes from the days before, but it was her leg that drew her focus. Bruising still covered her skin, evident through the gaps between the denim and the bandage, but little pain affected the muscle. A smile crept across her face. Maybe having powers wouldn't be bad for her after all. She grabbed the top blanket from her bed and wrapped it around her shoulders before making her way across the room.

The wooden floor was as cold as ice. Cassie wished that the fire was lit. She guessed that it would be in the front room- though she wondered whether Kale had come back in order to light it in the first place. He had only returned briefly sometime in the night, but he hadn't stayed. Cassie had worried about him, but she understood that he needed time to adjust. They all did.

A much warmer stream of air coursed through the hallway as she stepped out. Her cheeks welcomed its warm touch as she made her way towards the front room of the cabin. She could hear movement, bowls and plates being shuffled on the top of the kitchen unit, and she needed no second guess to know that it was Dillen getting his breakfast. He wasn't one to be quiet in the morning.

When she reached the open doorway, noticing that there wasn't actually a door to open or close, but rather just a wooden frame, Cassie could see Dillen at the kitchen unit. He must have had at least two bowls and plates out on the surface. She wondered what he was having, to need so many different pieces of dinnerware. A smile crept across her face.

"What are you doing?" she asked light-heartedly.

He turned to look in her direction, a widening grin across his face. He laughed out loud then, focusing entirely on his sister.

"What?" she asked.

"Nice hair," he mused.

She gasped, realising that she hadn't looked at herself in the mirror since she had woken. Bed hair was an often occurrence in her life. She immediately started to pat and smooth it down as best as she could, whilst Dillen returned his focus onto the hard boiled eggs in the saucepan. It was about the only thing he could 'cook', other than toast. Cassie almost felt at home.

"Hey, where's Kale?" she asked, glancing around the room to notice that he was missing. The fire was lit as she had predicted, but she couldn't see any evidence that he had been there during the night.

"Dunno," Dill replied, shrugging his shoulders," but he left you this." He pointed to a plastic bag leaning against the kitchen unit. Cassie hadn't noticed it before. She leaned down to grab it, peering in to see some clean clothes—just what she needed. Now the next thing on her list was a shower.

"How long until breakfast, Chef?"

Dillen laughed. "Ten minutes ma'am."

Nodding to acknowledge the time she had, Cassie held her brother's gaze for a moment more. The smile across his face slowly faded but she was glad that they were together. They had to stay upbeat and she was glad that they could still laugh. It would take a hell of a lot to split them apart. Though for now she needed a shower.

With the bag in hand she made her way back up the hallway. She had never been further than the room where she had slept, but she remembered that Kale had said that the bathroom was at the far end of the hall. The floor creaked as she reached the far end of the hall, but she had a problem choosing between the two closed doors. She glanced between the two, realising that one of them must have led into Kale's room.

Hearing movement from the door straight ahead of her, she dove into the room at her side, closing the door quickly. Her heart started to drum as she leaned against the door for a moment. She didn't know what it was about Kale that made her lose her breath so easily, it was as if she had known him all her life. She wished she could remember for certain, she wished that Kale would tell her everything... but what if she couldn't cope with the truth? Or what if there wasn't anything for him to say and she was just hoping that there was?

She sighed, moving across the small cabin bathroom. It had wooden floor like the rest of the rooms, a small window opposite the door. Cassie hadn't expected much, but she was pleasantly surprised. She noticed that a small pile of towels had been placed on the toilet seat, guessing that Kale had put them there. Her heart warmed, but her temples started to throb. Dumping her bag on to the windowsill, she tipped it upside down to see what was inside.

Grabbing the purple toothbrush first, Cassie wasted no time in brushing her teeth. Her mouth was dry and unpleasant. She was glad to taste some freshness as she used the toothpaste which was lying on the sink basin. Abandoning her toothbrush once she had finished, Cassie then grabbed a bar of soap which had been wrapped in some clean clothes.

She had expected Kale to have just brought some random clothes and items for her to wear and use if she had the time, but she found that he had thought more about what she would specifically need for the days that were to come; a toothbrush, a hairbrush, clean clothes, soap, shampoo, clean bandages, even a small manicure set was at the bottom of the bag—though she guessed that was more for medical uses than for her nails.

She left everything in the windowsill, dumping her dirty clothes and bandage on the floor before stepping into the shower. It took little time for her to bathe every piece of her skin. Her thigh stung for only a second, but even that seemed to welcome the warmth of the water. Bruising still covered her main muscle but she could see that it was slowly fading, now staining her skin a slight purple and green colour. She noticed other bruising as she massaged some shampoo into her scalp. Both of her wrists had been cut by something slender and her stomach was bruised.

Her mind didn't want to think about it however, evident by the way it started to pound. Cassie found that every time she tried to think about what had happened or what she expected to happen in the future, her mind refused to let anything form. Though she kept seeing a white feather—no, an angel—falling from the high platform of grace.

It was different to the others by the way its aura seemed to merge with the wind. Cassie had seen it only twice but she wanted to brush her skin against the coloured aura, escaping the angel's body. A surge of pain erupted inside Cassie's stomach as the angel collided with the floor, forcing her back to reality.

Her balance was stolen almost immediately and she had lean against the glass to catch her breath. She didn't know what it was, but every time she now saw the angels falling, something inside of her was reacting to everything she was seeing. It was as if her mind was trying to remember, but Cassie doubted whether her thoughts would ever be right again. She knew that something had happened, whether it was the fever or not, but something had changed and it had affected her mind as a result.

It had split apart her memories and thoughts, making it incredibly difficult for her to picture anything specific. Only two places seemed crystal clear in her mind—the platform of grace, where the angels were being forced from its height, and the cliff-top where Cassie had seen Kale and the stranger that she knew, though didn't remember.

"Breakfast is ready!"

Dillen's shout broke through Cassie's thoughts forcefully. She never seemed to have a moment to gather her thoughts, but maybe that was a good thing. She didn't know what she'd find in the end. Kale knew something, it was obvious by the way he had left hastily the night before, but whether it included Cassie or not, she didn't know.

Drying herself haphazardly, Cassie dressed herself in the new clothes that Kale had brought for her—a plain white t-shirt and a pair of tight blue jeans that fit her perfectly. What were the chances of Kale being able to guess her sizes that easily? But then again Cassie reminded herself, Kale was an angel after all. He could probably do a lot more than work out her size.

She pushed the thought aside, as well as the fringe from off her forehead, and then draped the wet towel in her grasp over the glass of the shower door. Leaving everything in a neat pile by the side of the sink, Cassie made a mental note to tidy it up later on as she left the room. She closed the bathroom door quietly, smelling charred toast, but she was distracted briefly by something to her right.

Kale's door was ajar slightly and she felt compelled to raise her hand towards it. Cassie pushed it open and leaned her head to see what was inside. Kale came into sight, grabbing a dark t-shirt which had been abandoned on the edge of his bed. From the angle that he was standing, Cassie could only see his back but his skin intrigued her.

Several scars marked his back, some forming right angled shapes and lines. Each one had healed raggedly, with two looking more disfigured than the rest; each of his shoulder blades had been brutally cut in the past. It caused a shiver of cool air to travel along Cassie's neck. She tried to work out whether it had anything to do with his wings- why they weren't always visible; whether he was a fallen angel like the others she kept seeing.

She moved her gaze downwards, following the arch of his lower back. Another scar stood out from the rest, but not for the same reason as the previous two. This scar was a single straight line. It was silver and had healed perfectly. She would never have seen the scar altogether if not for the angle that the light was catching his skin. She wanted to run her fingertips along its surface. There was something about it, something that was drawing her in.

"Did you need something, or were you here just to stare?"

She was pulled from her thoughts by his voice, realising that he was now facing her directly. He pulled his t-shirt over his head, causing the muscles in his arms to contract. Cassie swallowed the nervousness that had begun to bubble in her throat, remembering that he had said the exact same thing as when they had met in his shop.

"Sorry," she worded quietly. Her heart was beating like a drum and she had to lean against the door to catch her breath. Whatever it was about Kale that called to her senses, Cassie was finding it harder and harder to resist.

He remained still for a moment, holding her gaze. She felt hot under the collar. There was definitely something about him. She wished that he would glow again, like he had done when he had saved her. Her fingertips wanted its warmth.

"Sorry about leaving yesterday."

She realised then that his body language had changed. His back was slouched and his face had seemed to sadden. "That's ok," she replied light-heartedly. "Everyone has secrets."

Something changed in his expression then- it was as if he was surprised by Cassie's response. "It's not what you think, Cass. I'm not keeping things from you because I want to, but because I have to."

"You lost someone, didn't you?"

He sighed, making his way towards where she was standing. As he reached her, keeping less than a stride separating their bodies, Cassie could feel his warmth. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She wanted to feel his skin. It was then, when a strong surge of discomfort oozed through her head, that she realised her fingertips were following the shape of his lower arm. She gasped quietly, raising her gaze to meet his.

"Death isn't the only way you can lose someone, Cass."

"What do you mean?" Her heart started to race uncontrollably then as her body started to heat. Pain stabbed at her temples and she found it increasingly difficult to stay focused on Kale's face. She pictured him with wings. She saw him cowering on the floor, surrounded by his own blood, a knife protruding from his side.

Kale stepped back, breaking their contact, and Cassie came souring back. She tried to catch her breath as a tear rolled across her cheek. "I don't understand..." she whispered, leaning against the wooden door frame so that her legs didn't give way.

"This is the way it has to be." He sounded defeated as he spoke, brushing past her before making his way towards the kitchen. Cassie's gaze followed him, watching as Dillen dove out of the doorway. Kale didn't look back, moving out of sight as he entered the room.

Cassie didn't know what she was feeling, but the pain was indescribable. It seemed to pierce her heart directly. Why was it that she felt such pain whenever Kale was close, when before they had touched she had felt such at ease with him? How could his touch change everything? She didn't know, but time wasn't something she had. For now she had to concentrate on keeping Dillen safe, and if she had to fight to do that, then that was what she was going to have to do.

She gathered her breath before making her way towards the kitchen. A smile soon spread across her face as Dillen looked up from his plate. He had a mouthful of toast and his plate was an explosion of egg. At least he had cooked something, Cassie thought. She doubted whether she would be able to smile without him.

"I made you some too!" He seemed proud of his first cooking attempt without his parents, pointing to the plate across from him excitedly. It reminded Cassie of when he was younger; he had used to be an excitable child, but since reaching his teens, anger had seemed to be the only thing that had shown itself.

Taking a seat opposite him, glancing briefly at Kale who was standing by the fire, Cassie then started to eat. She wasn't usually a breakfast type, but she was strangely hungry and she couldn't let Dillen think she was ungrateful for his attempt. Her stomach appreciated the food, though Cassie didn't finish her plate as quickly as Dillen. She couldn't be certain, but she would have guessed that he had had two plates of breakfast, by the state of his face and dinnerware.

He eyed her suspiciously and Cassie knew that he wanted to ask what she had spoken to Kale about, but he didn't. They both knew that Dillen had been trying to eavesdrop and that was enough. Taking the last mouthful of his toast, Dillen chewed it frantically to try and free his mouth to speak.

"What's the plan then?" he asked, as Kale made his way towards the sink. Dillen seemed strangely at ease considering he had lost his parents and Darkness was hunting for them, but Cassie was glad that it wasn't constantly on her brother's mind.

Kale grabbed three mugs from the cupboard and then switched the kettle on. He seemed reluctant to answer Dillen's question, pushing Cassie to ask again. "What's next, Kale?"

He turned, whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, and looked over both of their faces. "We have to start moving soon."

"Already?" Dillen asked.

"But I thought you were going to train us?" Cassie questioned.

Kale held her gaze. "I will, but we can't stay here long."

"Where are we going to go?"

He turned his back once the kettle had boiled and started to pour the water, returning it to its perch once the mugs were full. Stirring them briefly, he turned and handed one to Cassie and then another to Dillen. He held his own mug in his hand, leaning against the kitchen unit. He understood Cassie's questions, but keeping on the move was the best thing to do.

"The Keepers can't track you as well if you're on the move."

"But, if we only have a few days until our powers form completely," Cassie challenged, "isn't it best to stay here until then?"

Kale sighed, holding her stubborn gaze. "Cass..."

"Where are we going to go?" Dillen asked.

"For now we'll have to make do here, but one day, one day soon, we will have to go to Rome."

"Rome?" Dillen almost choked on his drink as he swallowed. "We're going to Rome?"

Cassie's brow arched inwards. She wasn't happy that Kale had kept their destination from her. "Why there?"

Seeming to hesitate in reply, Kale's jaw tensed. "That's where I was told to take you... but it doesn't matter now, for now we have no choice but to stay here. Rome is only open when your powers have formed fully."

Cassie thought his answer was evasive. She wanted to question him further but he seemed to sadden. "We need training before we go anywhere." Her words were clear. She had made up her mind. If they were going to have to travel that far to reach wherever it was that they were going, she and Dillen needed to learn how to protect themselves.

Kale sighed. He would have argued against her, but he knew it wouldn't make a difference. They had several days. He had to use them well. Putting the mug in his hand in the sink, Kale looked over their blank faces. They were both waiting for his answer.

"Get your coats."

Dillen was up and down the hallway before Kale could say anything else. Cassie on the other hand didn't move. She held Kale's gaze, understanding so little. He had grown cold all of a sudden and she didn't like it. Inhaling a breath, she moved their empty plates to the sink before following in Dillen's footsteps. She had only reached the doorway before Kale spoke however.

"This is all about you, Cass. Nothing else matters to me."

She glanced back, suddenly feeling as if Dillen was unwelcome. She couldn't explain it, but it was as if Kale was acting like she was all that was important. Whether she had the power the Darkness needed or not, she wasn't leaving Dillen unprepared. She guessed that Kale was just unsettled; it couldn't have been anything else.

Dillen came back then, pushing his arms into his coat and zipping it up. He was obviously eager to learn something new, but Cassie knew her brother. It wasn't the fact that they were going to learn about magic and everything connected, it was the fact that just for a little while, he could think about something else other than his parents. Cassie, too, collected her coat, before following Dillen and Kale outside. However, what came into view was not what she had imagined. Dillen, too, was surprised. Obviously Kale was not.

A thin gathering of trees was directly ahead of them, as well as either side of the cabin. Other than that there was nothing. No water, no buildings, nothing in the near distance. The ground was flat and empty, like a simple carpet of snow laid out in front of them. Cassie would have been glad to be in such a winter's haven, if not for the moving black aura which hovered in the distance.

Without a doubt, she knew that that had been the true purpose of Kale taking them outside. He was showing them that the Darkness was always there, even when they thought that they were safe. She glanced over her brother's face, before focusing onto Kale.

Meeting her gaze, he could see in her facial expression that she understood. Even when the air was still and everything seemed as if it could fade into normality again, the Darkness was always waiting. If they needed to go to Rome like Kale had said then perhaps sooner was better than later, even if she didn't know how to fight; she and Dillen would have no choice but to learn along the way. She looked to the floor for a brief moment as Dillen turned to glance over the cabin, taking in the details of its old structure.

She wished that things were different. She would have loved to be lost in the winter—the cabin being her home for however long she wanted—but her life would never be the same again. Everywhere she went she would have to look over her shoulder, Dillen too. She hated the idea, she hated that so much had been taken from them in such a short amount of time, but what else could she do except keep going? Her parents had given everything for their children to survive, they couldn't waste their sacrifice.

"This is the fifth day," Kale worded clearly, looking out towards the dark hue of the horizon. "The Keepers will be here soon."

Cassie swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat, following Kale's gaze. "So if we're not going to Rome until our powers are complete, what are we going to do until then...?" She waited for his reply, but it wasn't until she glanced to his face that she realised he had saddened. _He doesn't want to go at all..._

"Kale...?"

He straightened his back then, seeming to hold his breath before replying. "You will need a lot of training, but in the end, it is up to me to get us to where we need to be. Whether it is my power or yours, they are our only options."

She held his gaze, realising Kale's intentions. He hoped that he could use his powers to teleport them to where they needed to be, but if he wasn't able for some reason, it would be up to Cassie. Her brow arched as confusion spread through her thoughts. If Kale was an angel she didn't understand why he couldn't use his powers, his wings even, to take them where they needed to be, but she didn't question it. Kale knew what he was doing, she was sure of it.

"Where do we start?" she asked.

Dillen turned eagerly, glancing between them both as Kale replied to Cassie's question. "Defence."

She smiled briefly, glad to know that developing their defensive skills was first on Kale's list. It would allow her mind to ease somewhat, knowing that Dillen could take care of himself if ever it came down to it.

"Come on." Kale led them to the side, past the glass doors of the front room to the back end of the cabin. A smaller building came into view then and Cassie realised that it was a second cabin, though it seemed much older than the first. They went inside, hoping that the space would have been warmer, but it wasn't.

Kale flicked on the lights as soon as the door was closed, causing Cassie to gasp quietly. She edged back as a Leach came into view and she started to panic. Dillen, too, seemed reluctant to move but it soon passed, as he realised that the creature was chained to a central post of wood. He moved towards it slowly, taking in its gruesome features.

They didn't have faces, just two eyes which seemed too close together. Spiked pieces of skin, similar to darkened scales, protruded out from the centre of their foreheads and cheek bones, following the curve of their spine until they faded into the creature's tail. The main body was smaller than most humans, but its limbs were similar; two crooked hands and feet were visible, as well as two stumps of spiked muscle which pierced through each of their shoulder blades. Cassie guessed that they were wings once.

She couldn't remove her gaze from its face, but it didn't seem to faze Dillen now that he had gotten used to its presence. He had stopped only a stride away from the creature, watching as it squirmed and struggled to get free. The chains which bound its arms and legs were made from thick, tainted metal. Cassie guessed that the Leach couldn't break through them, but she didn't know why.

"Can you sense it?" Kale asked. Dillen didn't understand, obvious by the way he turned with a quizzical expression, pushing Kale to explain further. "Leaches have certain ways of transforming their auras. It's how they communicate. Their auras spread and retract when they convey messages to other types of their kind."

"I can see it," Dillen replied honestly, "but it's not moving." He leaned in further, allowing only a hand span to separate the creature's face from his own.

"Dillen, be careful," Cassie urged. She approached her brother slowly, being sure to keep a good amount of distance from the Leach. A slight surge of energy was dancing across the creature's skin. "Its aura is... like a shadow, moving like it's following you."

He turned and looked at his sister directly. "What are you talking about?" He glanced back at the creature, seeing nothing moving across its skin.

"Can't you see it?" she asked.

He shrugged his shoulders, proving again that he didn't understand what she was talking about. They both looked towards Kale for an explanation. Several quiet moments passed by before he gave them the information needed. "You both have different sets of skills. Dillen, you can see what's in front of you but not necessarily feel it, whereas Cass can do the opposite."

"What?" Dillen didn't understand.

"So... if we were behind something, I could sense that a Leach was coming, but Dillen couldn't?" Cassie was trying to make sense of what Kale had said.

Kale nodded. "Exactly. Your powers are in the mind so you can sense things that others can't. You can sense the auras of all living things. You can feel their emotions. You can seek out their weaknesses by reading their auras."

She didn't need to ask him what he meant as she already knew. Several times she had seen Kale's aura change since they had been together, and each time she had felt his emotions as strongly as if they had been her own.

"What about me?" Dillen asked.

"Well," Kale began, "your powers are all physical. Your senses will heighten. You will be able to jump higher, fight longer, run without stopping. In time Cass will do the same, but you will never be able to read auras like she can."

"Is... that what makes me different?" she asked quietly.

Kale nodded. "There has only been one before you that had the power of reading and controlling Aura, and that was a long time ago."

"What about magic?" Dillen asked. "Can we control the elements?" A spark of light shone in his irises then, proving that he was excited about learning something new.

Both Cassie and Kale couldn't resist laughing in response, though for different reasons. Cassie could tell by the way Kale's aura didn't change that his answer would be no.

"In time you will grow stronger, and you will be able to call upon the light." Kale's answer was good enough for Dillen and he smiled in response.

"But not yet," Cassie reminded him. She smiled as her brother met her gaze. For the first time in a few days, Cassie felt as if their lives were moving again.

A sudden screech broke through her thoughts. The Leach started to thrash against its chains, trying to break itself free. Its eyes had grown red in the time that had passed and its fingernails had seemed to elongate immensely. Dillen edged back from the creature but Cassie stayed still. She could see that the blackness of the creature's aura had spread, consuming twice as much space as before. Its eyes targeted her like she was its prey. She could feel its desire to be free, to rip at her skin.

Kale moved fluently, covering the space between him and the creature within a single blink. He pulled his knife from his jeans pocket and stabbed it forcefully into the Leach's head. Its body fell silent as Cassie collapsed to her knees, clutching her head with both hands.

"Cass!" Dillen ran to her side, looking back at Kale once he had removed his knife.

She could feel the creature's pain, and pure hatred against her. Even now that it was dead, its aura still lingered like charred smoke. Kale moved to her side, helping her stand up against her wishes. He pulled her hands to her sides and forced her to meet his gaze.

"The hatred... the pain..." she murmured.

"It's dead. It doesn't matter now. Let it go."

A tear formed in the corner of her eye. "But, its eyes..."

"Cassie!" Kale shook her, making sure she kept her gaze on him. "Let it go."

She held his gaze, even though she could have easily crawled into a corner and vanished into the darkness of the creature's mind. The longer he looked at her, the more she felt at ease, until her breath had recovered. She could feel Kale's aura, so different to that of the Leach, soothing her skin.

"You ok?" Dillen asked worriedly.

Cassie swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat before nodding in response. She kept her gaze on Kale however, not wanting to look away. She could feel energy thrumming from his fingertips against her skin, but the familiar unsettled feeling soon returned. Her heart started to drum, as if it wanted to beat against Kale's chest, but her mind started to reel in discomfort. Kale broke contact and moved back, watching as Cassie's pain faded instantaneously.

"I'm sorry," he worded. "I should have warned you."

She inhaled a slow breath. "What was that?"

"You linked with the Leach's mind. If an aura is weakened by fear or pain, you are able to enter into the creature's head. A Leach's mind is only darkness."

"But the pain... it was afraid. It wanted to kill me because it was afraid."

Kale shook his head. "It wasn't fear Cass, it was desire. If a Leach kills a Nephilim, they absorb their powers and feed off their strength. That's how they live, absorbing the lives of many."

She understood. There was something that she wanted to ask though, as she looked at Kale directly. She wanted to know why it was she felt so unsettled when Kale touched her, but remained at ease when they were in close proximity. Surely if being with Kale relaxed her, then it would be the same for when his skin touched against hers, not the opposite.

"So how are you going to train us?" Dillen asked, awkwardly breaking the silence.

Kale looked at him. "You can study the Leach for now, learn the way its body is fused together, how it moves."

"But, how can I do that when—"

A second screech echoed through the room then, pushing Cassie and Dillen to turn. The Leach was alive, pushing against its chains with all of its strength. Dillen glanced at Kale. "But..."

"This building has a charm set upon it. Any dark creature that dies within its space is allowed to be reborn."

Dillen nodded in understanding and then approached the creature slowly. He kept more of a distance than before, but he started to study the Leach and how its muscles moved. Cassie felt unsettled immediately. She turned her back and exited the cabin as quickly as she could. The cold collided into her skin and she lost her breath, but she kept going. Her mind started to think of the creature's pain, it's hatred against her. She imagined its anger, its sorrow, having to be reborn over and over. No wonder it hated them, she thought.

"Cassie!"

She started to run awkwardly, trying to get away as best as she could. She didn't look back, focusing only on the snow ahead of her. A flash of light sparked up ahead and Kale formed in its place. She veered off to the side before reaching him and rushed into the warmth of the cabin, closing the door hastily behind her. Kale was stood by the fire, all of his focus on her.

"You can't run away from this, Cass."

She sighed. "I can try."

"And where would you go? They'd find you instantly."

"Then why are you making it sound like we can make a difference?" Her real emotions were starting to show. "If I'm the one they want, why don't they just come and take me?"

Within a flash Kale was in front of her, grabbing her by the arms fiercely. "You have no right to give yourself up! It wasn't just your parents that gave everything up for you, Cassie! You're forgetting everything and everyone else, except yourself!"

Kale's tight grip only angered her further. "I can't fight for people I don't remember Kale! How does that work?" She pushed out of his grip and paced across the room. "Tell me, how am I supposed to stop the dark if I don't know what they want from me?" She turned and glared at him. "You speak of such loss, and yet I know nothing about it. Tell me! Tell me what it is that is so important for me to remember?"

He seemed to hesitate then, as if what he wanted to say was inappropriate as an answer. "The people that you lost... the ones that fought for you until their last breath. You should remember them." His answer was so filled with grief that it caused Cassie to cry, seeing the way his aura faded into grey.

"I don't remember anything important, Kale... the last few years are just a haze in my memory. I feel lost..." She was afraid.

Inhaling a breath, he met her gaze directly. "Gabe believed in you."

She didn't give herself chance to absorb his reply fully. "What difference does that make? I don't know who that is!" Her fear was growing more and more after each breath she took.

Realising what he had said, Kale quickly continued. "I said I would stand by you and I will. If you want to give up and run, then it's your choice, but I will follow you wherever you go." As his words formed, Kale's eyes seemed to glisten ever so slightly. He moved towards the kitchen unit and looked into the snowy distance.

"Why waste your life when the Dark will just destroy everything?" She had calmed now, but her questions were still forming, just as her fear was.

"A guardian angel cannot leave his charge."

She held her breath. "A guardian angel...?" Lowering her gaze for a moment, she remembered when Kale had caught her in his arms when she had just lost her parents. He had always been there for her. Even before she had even been aware of the Darkness. "I'm sorry... you couldn't even leave if you wanted to, could you?"

"I will stand by you." He clenched his fist and looked at her with such determination that she had nothing to say in reply. "I believe in you."

Silence filled the room, as she remembered the short story that her father had told her, about finding and protecting her mother in order to get his wings back. She still couldn't believe that her father was a fallen angel. Weren't they creatures of the Dark? If Kale was a fallen angel too, did that mean he was from the Dark?

She pushed the thought aside. "Keeping us safe... is that how you can earn back your wings? Like my dad?"

Kale bowed his head as he leaned against the kitchen top with all of his weight. "If you survive this, if I can keep you safe away from the Keepers, I hope that I will get my wings back. I hope that I will get everything back the way it was. If not, if things don't happen how they're supposed to, Rome will be my only answer."

"Everything the way it was? What do you mean?" Cassie sighed loudly, slouching onto the armchair by the fire. "Have I really forgotten that much from the last few years?" She felt hollow, empty almost.

What sort of life would she be able to live if she couldn't remember anything that had happened in the recent weeks that had passed? All she remembered was Kale.

"You're not the only one who fears forgetting who you are, Cass. You are everything to me now. I have no one else. Getting your memories back... that's all I want."

She raised her gaze to see that Kale was now kneeling in front of her; his brown eyes taking in every detail of her face. Her breath started to falter as she wanted his arms wrapped around her. "What happened to us, Kale?" Tears started to flow across her cheeks, as she lifted her hand to his face, pausing before their skin touched. "Why does it pain me to be so close to you? We didn't know each other that well... we'd barely spoken... what is it I can't remember?"

"Some things can't be undone. Some pains can't be forgotten." Pushing his face against her palm, he was sure to meet her gaze. "We were happy once and we will be again." His response was vague, as his skin started to heat after a moment. Cassie felt unsettled, her stomach churning. She wanted to know more, but if Kale thought that telling her now wasn't best then she had to believe him, like he believed in her.

A quiet sigh left her lips. "Will Dillen be ok... on his own?" She couldn't afford to dwell on things that she didn't understand when there were other points to focus on.

Kale nodded, allowing her hand to fall back to her side. "I told him to keep watching the Leach. He'll be fine." As soon as their contact was severed, the heat across his skin faded and she started to relax. She would get the answers she needed but when it mattered, and not when they didn't have the time to waste. "Dillen's skills will come naturally to him. They'll develop quickly. Tomorrow he will be able to do things that he hasn't been able to do before."

"That quickly...? Rome here we come..." she smiled.

"Not quite."

Cassie's smile faded. "It's not Dill that you need to train... is it? It's me." She immediately felt tense.

"For now, I can only train you how to teleport and how to focus your thoughts. Reading auras and using them to your advantage is something I know nothing about."

"Great."

She watched as Kale's aura seemed to shrink slightly, coloured a teal blue closer to his skin. He hated the fact he couldn't train her in everything she needed. Only time would tell how many skills she would learn and use in the battles that were to come. She pushed the thought aside and remembered something about when she had teleported the first time. Her mother had told her to calm down, to clear her thoughts.

"You've teleported once before, right?" Kale asked, remaining knelt in front of her.

Cassie nodded, trying not to let the thoughts of her mother take over her. "I was worried about Dillen... the house was surrounded. I had to get out of there, and I did. I found Dillen... and my dad."

"He was a good man."

She was surprised by his statement, holding his gaze without falter. "How did you know my parents?" Her words weren't vicious in anyway, but she was intrigued. She remembered when her parents had appeared ahead of her with Kale, or rather the silhouette of light that he had been at the time, separating her and Dillen from the Keeper.

Kale moved to his feet. "That can wait for another day."

"You said I needed to clear my thoughts to teleport..." He paused in his place, glancing back to see that a slight glisten shone in Cassie's eyes. "If that's the case, I need to get my questions out of my head then, don't you think?"

He smirked before making his way towards the two-seater opposite. Taking a seat, he couldn't help but meet her gaze. The way her irises glistened, reminded him of when she had found out that the shop on the corner belonged to him.

Pushing the thought aside quickly, he leaned back. "I'll give you three." A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.

"Three?" She shuffled to the edge of her seat. "I can ask three questions, and you'll answer them? Honestly?"

He nodded in response, seeing the way her gaze darted to the floor, as her brain started to work frantically to try and think of the three questions she wanted answering the most. "Well?" he probed.

"I asked you one already," she replied quickly, hoping that she could think of the other two in the time that Kale gave his answer. "How did you know my parents?"

Inhaling a deep breath, Kale was sure that his response was thought of thoroughly before actually speaking the words. Saying the wrong thing now could ruin everything. "I met your father in the streets of London one day. He was hunting the Keepers and the Leaches under their command."

Cassie wasn't surprised. "So he really did leave all those times because of the Keepers? Me and Dill never knew what he did... we just thought he was working all of the time..."

"Your father _was_ working, but not as a former detective as you'd thought. Because Bryan was a fallen angel, he had the ability to sense the Keepers and the creatures of the Dark. He used his skills as an advantage, killing as many as he could find, so that you could live as normal a life as you could." As if reliving the memory Kale paused a moment, thinking back to when he had fought a Leach that day. "I was injured by a Leach, your father found me. He helped me find shelter in exchange for my services if ever they were needed."

"But it's all a coincidence that you're my Guardian Angel? Nothing to do with the fact you met my dad that day...? What are the chances...?"

"Is that a question...?" Kale seemed unsure.

She smiled. "I'm not wasting them that easily." Cassie didn't notice the sigh of relief that escaped Kale's lips as she glanced to the fire. If she had done, she would have realised that things were not as a coincidental as she thought. "What about my mother? How did you meet her?"

Kale didn't reply.

"Kale?"

Pulled from his thoughts, he looked at her directly. "Well, I was introduced to her through your father. She helped heal me with herbs and potions. She practised white magic as often as she could."

"White magic...? I wish I'd known everything..." Cassie did well not to let her thoughts pull her down too far. "My next question is..."

"Don't you mean your last?" he mused.

She laughed out loud. "No way, that was classed as one!"

"Ok, ok." He held his hands up as if to surrender. "Next question."

"What's in Rome? Why do we have to go there?" Her question had formed easily. She had expected to have problems pushing all of her thoughts into three simple questions, but she was doing rather well. She criss-crossed her legs into a sitting position as Kale started to speak.

He inhaled a breath almost straight away, but it took him a moment or two to muster the words. Cassie couldn't tell whether it was anxiety over what he was going to say, or rather his way of minimising what she was told. After all, she doubted whether he would tell her everything. She would have to test the theory with her last question.

"Rome is the mid-point between here and the wasteland- the barren land where angels were forced to plummet to the earth." Kale's aura dulled as he mentioned the cursed punishment of angels. Cassie didn't know the details, why angels were forced from grace to begin with, but she didn't want to know, not yet. "There is a Sanctuary there, the last place of pure Light on earth. It needs your power to fight against the Dark. That's all I know. I was told that I needed to take you there, and so I will."

Although Kale had seemed to sadden, Cassie found that his answer was honest. She wanted to comfort him, but she didn't know how she could when she didn't even know what was troubling him. "I'm sorry..."

He faced her directly, pushing himself to focus on the present and not the past. "You have one question left."

Cassie could still see the sadness in Kale's irises, but she could see that he was trying to not let it faze him. She held his gaze and opened her mouth to ask her final question, but she stopped and realised that she didn't know what question to use as her final one.

She wanted to know what had caused the angels to fall in the first place; what made her different from every other angel and Nephilim in the world; how many others there were and whether she would meet any of them, fight alongside them. She wanted to know what had happened between her and Kale; why things were so complicated between them; why did he have so much belief in her; why was he her guardian angel when there must have been so many other Nephilim.

Two specific questions circled one another frantically though. Who was Gabe—she remembered Kale using his name once and it had stuck in her mind—and why had Kale fallen from grace?

"Gabe..." The name escaped her lips as a quiet whisper.

Kale's face lost all colour as he locked eyes with her.

Before either of them could speak, the glass doors opened loudly and the cold came rushing in. Dillen dove in without delay and slammed them shut. He wrapped his arms around his torso tightly, glancing between Kale and Cassie. She was the first to look at him, noticing that he seemed pale. All else faded from her thoughts.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"I don't feel so good," he answered honestly. "I'm gonna sleep."

Cassie moved to her feet as he headed for the hallway. "Dill, was it the Leach?"

He paused briefly, glancing back at his sister. "No, I'll be fine."

"The sleep will do him good." Kale also stood as he spoke. "Tomorrow, we work on your physical skills. For both of you."

Dillen nodded in acknowledgement before making his way down the hall. He obviously didn't have any comment he wanted to add to Kale's statement. Before everything had turned upside down for their family, Cassie knew that he would have grinned childishly and tried to hide his excitement about learning something knew. He had already changed from the person he had been, and Cassie started to worry what would happen in the future—surely she couldn't lose any more of the person Dillen was. Dillen's bedroom door closed and silence followed.

An awkward tension started to build as Kale and Cassie remained close. They both seemed to be deep in thought. She could tell by the glazed expression which had spread across Kale's face, as well as the stagnant colour and movement of his aura. The more time that went by, the more potent Cassie could see it. She wondered why she had never seen Dillen with an aura—perhaps it was something about his powers having not yet formed fully. She was the first to speak, breaking the steady silence.

"Will he be ok, do you think?" She looked back at Kale for his answer, though he seemed hesitant in replying.

"He will just have to adjust. Tomorrow he has to learn how to fight. Tomorrow the leaches will have reached the cabin."

"What? But—"

"We'll be fine," he interjected. "We can handle the leaches—it'll give us some good practise—but once the Keepers arrive, we can't be here. Whether you can teleport then or not, we can't stay here once the Keepers have locked onto our position."

She wanted to ask what was preventing the Keepers from finding them now, but there were other things that worried her the most. "But what if I can't teleport then? What will we do?" Her gaze remained fixed onto his face, but he seemed to keep most of his attention onto the fire. "Will you have to use your powers?"

"What?" He looked at her directly.

"To get away from here... to get to Rome...? Will you have to use your powers to get us there?"

He breathed out slowly. It would take some time for him to get used to someone knowing who he really was. "I don't use my powers unless I have to, but if you can't teleport, I will have no other choice."

Her brow arched slightly, not understanding his reference. "But, you used them to save me...? And again, when I left the leach..." Did he mean that he hadn't had a choice about saving her? But then if that was true, why had he used his powers to follow her into the main cabin not long ago? "Why don't you use your powers?"

Starting to make his way across the wooden floor, Kale turned the kettle on once he had reached it. It was as if he was trying to distract himself from her question as he reached for two clean mugs, before leaning against the kitchen unit to look at her directly.

"It hurts my body..." His gaze lowered and Cassie noticed how his aura flecked with colour. She could sense his honesty, the pain that he felt when conjuring his magic, the memory of using it... against a being of some sort, a man—no, an angel. The hazy memory which formed in her thoughts faded as he spoke. "Magic should only be used by angels..."

"But you are an angel," Cassie urged. "You have wings. I saw them when you saved me. They were shapes of light, glowing through the dark."

He sighed, raising his gaze slowly. "They're just illusions. My aura reacts with the air and it makes it appear as if my wings are real... I had my real wings taken from me." The way his whole body seemed to slouch made Cassie's heart ache. He looked so defeated.

"Kale...?" As he looked up, he realised how close she had moved, with only a stride or two separating their bodies. "What happened? Why did you fall?"

"I don't know... but..."

_He doesn't know...?_ She didn't understand. He had spoken as if he had been there during the Fall, but could he not remember it?

For a single moment he held her gaze, but something changed in him as he glanced outside. Snow had started to fall again. He exhaled loudly, leaving the empty mugs where he had placed them, and made his way across the room.

"You should sleep for now. I have to go into town."

She was surprised to hear Kale's response, as she had assumed that there were no towns or villages nearby due to the vast amount of empty land around them, but it had also not been the response that she had hoped for. Kale reached for a winter's coat that was leaning over the arm of the sofa. Cassie had never noticed it before but she found that it suited him well. He pushed his arms into the sleeves and sorted the collar out before heading for the door.

"What about my question? I had one left."

He stopped in his place, but didn't look back. "You hadn't decided what it was, had you?"

She thought back to her remaining questions- who was Gabe and why had Kale fallen from grace? "I had two... I couldn't decide which to ask, but I know now..." If Kale didn't know or couldn't remember why he had fallen then only one question remained.

"I can't answer either, but I will tell you that he was a proud soldier, and I hope someday in the future I will be at his side once more."

"Gabe..." Her brow arched inwards as Kale raised his hand to the glass door. "How do you know what my questions are? I thought you said you couldn't read my thoughts?"

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile as he glanced back at her. "I know you better than you think, Cass. Keep that in mind." His eyes shone as he disappeared into a spark of light.

It didn't surprise Cassie to see him disappear in such a vibrant way, but she still didn't understand why they couldn't use his powers to get them where they needed to be. Was it just the fact that it pained his body? But if that was true, then why would he use them for the simple task of going into town? What was so important for him to leave for anyway?

She sighed. "Why did you fall, Kale? Was it because of the man you fought? Who is he? Who is Gabe?"

Her questions were unanswered for now, but somewhere in her memory she recognised the name of Gabe. Every time she thought it her heart ached just a little, but nowhere near as much as Kale's did. She hoped sleep would give her the answers she needed, choosing to curl up on the sofa so that the warmth of the fire could wash over her body.
Twelve

Cassie wasn't sure how long she had been asleep before finding herself on the cliff-top again, with the darkened clouds above her like a heavy weight. It was as if something kept pushing her to form at its rocky edge, though this time she was further away from the cliff itself. She was several metres back, at the tree-line where the white and grey stone of the rocky edge was replaced with the irregular tuft of stubborn greenery, which symbolised the start of the lost forest ahead of her. Turning to glance into the shadowy woodland, the trees felt like they were watching her with piercing eyes, pushing her to edge further and further onto the white cliff.

A stone skidded past her then without warning, pushing her to turn. Her heart started to drum in her ears even when she saw that no one was there. It was as if she could feel something glaring into the back of her head, stealing her breath. She scanned her gaze across the cliff-edge once she was certain nothing was going to launch from the tree-line, turning regularly just in case her senses had tricked her.

Several tree branches snapped.

A lump started to build in her throat.

She wanted to turn but she hesitated for a moment, hoping to work out who it was that had approached her first, desperately trying to recognise the feeling of energy that caressed against her skin. The cool aura which surrounded her was one that she didn't recognise, pushing her to turn with narrowing eyes. A shape was hiding amongst the trees, a figure which was moving towards her slowly. She tried not to panic, but she was more focused on keeping her eyes from blinking, fearing that within that brief second something could grab her. Moisture gathered beneath her eyelids to try and compensate.

"Who's there?" Her voice crackled at first. "Gabe?"

As the figure approached the tree-line, another appeared to the left, and then another behind that. Cassie immediately felt cold as the cloaked figures moved into the light. Panic bubbled in her throat and she started to shuffle back. She couldn't see any of their faces, but their eyes explained all that she needed to know. They were Keepers, hunters of Nephilim.

"I can feel her power." The figure to the right of the group was the first to speak. She had a coarse voice, husky almost. "I can feel the blood in her veins, filtering the magic into its flow ever so slowly."

"Indeed." This time the figure to the left spoke out. He was male, obvious by his build and height. His voice was deep but clear. "In two days, she will finally be in our grasp." He was the Keeper which had chased after her family in Newtown.

"No!" Cassie's reply escaped her lips before she could stop herself. The two figures locked their gazes onto her fiercely. She was afraid, but she hated the way that they were speaking about her. "I won't help you."

The middle figure laughed at her bravery. "And so she matures into the adult we need. We have waited a long time for you."

She curled her one hand into a fist, but was careful not to make any sudden movements. She may have been angry, but starting a fight that she couldn't win wouldn't help her situation. There was something different about the middle Keeper, but she didn't focus too much onto it. "What do you want?"

"Her power is evident, but her intelligence is clearly lacking." The female figure fidgeted in her place, glancing to her comrades. "Can two days really make that much of a difference, Azul?"

Cassie looked around, desperately trying to think of something to do whilst they were distracted. She was only strides away from the cliff-top. There was no one there to help her.

Removing his hood, Azul, the well built figure to the far side, lifted his lip to bare his teeth. His hair was as black as a raven's plume, following the curve of his neck with spiked length. A stray strand of hair hovered above his one eye, matching the darkness of his blackened irises perfectly. He glanced at Cassie and then back to the others. "It is a pity that her mentality is not more defined, Fayna, but alas her magical potential will be all we have ever needed." He locked eyes with Cassie then, sensing her stomach drop.

Fayna laughed aloud as Cassie started to shake with cold. She, too, removed her hood, allowing her long, purple plait to fall across her shoulder. Her appearance was almost academically influenced, due to the square glasses that sat loosely on her small nose. Her eyes were pale in comparison to that of Azul's, but nevertheless Cassie could feel her strength. The aura which surrounded her skin was undeniable; it was oozing with tainted energy, proving the strong magical skill that she had under her control.

"Why can't we take her now? She is so close." Fayna stepped ahead of the others, wanting nothing more than to feel Cassie's blood across her pale skin. She could feel the thrum of Cassie's hidden potential. "It would be easy to throw her into despair."

"No." The central figure raised his hand high, causing Fayna and Azul to tense slightly. His gaze fixed directly onto Cassie as he spoke. "We will wait. Once her powers are fully developed, she will be ours in due time. Fayna, you know what you have to do."

Fayna bowed her head in reluctance. She would have preferred to be in charge, but Cassie could tell that the middle figure, apparently their leader, was stronger than all of them put together. His aura was stronger than any she had ever sensed. It was silver, with a black tainted edge. Though he seemed younger than the others, around Cassie's age she guessed. A moment passed by before Fayna faded from sight. Azul followed almost immediately, but their leader remained.

He stepped from the tree-line, pushing Cassie to step back in response. The light warmed the lower arch of his neck and chin, but no other skin was unveiled. "What are you afraid of? There is nothing to fear." His words seemed almost soothing.

She scolded herself for thinking that he was trying to help calm her. "If you have two days to wait... what do you want?" Cassie held her posture steady. She was afraid, but she could feel something growing inside of her—anger maybe.

"Gabe cannot help you, and Kale will only make you suffer. Time has certainly changed and so must we."

Cassie inhaled a breath. "What are you talking about? I don't know you, and Gabe...I... don't know him either."

"And yet, aren't you here searching for him?"

She held her breath, not really understanding how he could have known that when they were inside of her dream. "Why are you here?"

"You are not the only one searching for the remains of Gabe's soul." His reply was clear.

"Remains of his soul? Who is he? What happened to him?"

Something inside of her was frantically trying to search for the answers she needed. She was certain that she knew Gabe, or had done in the past. He must have been the figure that had appeared to her twice on the white cliff-top. He must have been the person that she had laughed with once, though she couldn't remember when or where.

"What have you done to him?" she asked quietly.

The hooded figure seemed to narrow his eyes. "What difference does it make if you don't know him?"

"I know his name..."

"And yet you know nothing of the person he was, do you? Even after all of the years that you shared with him."

"Years...? Was he my friend...?" She inhaled a shallow breath, feeling as if she wanted to cry. "Do you know him? Do you know where he is?"

He seemed to sigh, almost in defeat when he looked in Cassie's direction. "I wouldn't have chosen this path for Gabe, but time has given me no favours."

Cassie's heart started to race uncontrollably. An ache had consumed her entire chest, making her legs feel heavy. Images started to pour into her head like a tap had been twisted, allowing her mind's liquid treasure to flow without restrictions. She remembered walking through the trees near her house, feeling the cold caress at her skin. She had walked on the road and a car—no, the green jeep that she remembered—had stopped to pick her up. It had been Kale's face that she had seen behind the wheel once, but it wasn't now. His brown eyes had been replaced with green.

"Gabe." She gasped for a breath, feeling as if she had recovered a piece of her that had been missing. The figure watched as she fell to her knees. He moved with her, lifting her face with his hand, though there was no tension or aggression in his fingertips. She would have moved out of his reach, but she was struggling to catch her breath. "I do know him... I remember his face, his eyes... Where is he?"

"I doubt he will ever return to your side... It is something that I cannot change."

She absorbed his words painfully and then pulled out of his grasp, having gathered her breath. Pushing herself to her feet, she focused on nothing but the darkness of his hood. "Get away from me."

He huffed loudly, straightening his stance a moment later. "You have two days, Cassie. Please use them well. I fear the others will not give you the time you need, but I cannot interfere. Focus and learn quickly." Within a flash of light, he faded from sight and Cassie released the breath that had caught in her throat.

Please? Who was that...?

Silence filled the air as she staggered backwards. She didn't know what to do. What to think. She had known Gabe after all, but something had happened. Something had taken him from her side. She needed answers, and Kale was the only one who could give them. She needed to remember more, she needed to remember what Gabe had meant to her, and she needed to know now.

Though whether the Keeper had meant to play with her mind further by mentioning Gabe, or whether he had seemingly meant to give her the information she was looking for out of kindness, she didn't know.

Time would certainly tell.
Thirteen

"Farrow, you've been summoned."

Turning as he stepped from the blackened doorway which had taken him from Cassie's company, Farrow caught sight of one of the soldiers' backs as she left through a door to the right. He didn't know her personally but she was one of his loyal followers. Azul had entered into the same doorway only several seconds before, but he had given Farrow no acknowledgement. Farrow doubted whether Azul would be willing to give him such a camaraderie response anyway. It wasn't by choice Azul followed his command.

A throb banged against his temple then, making him raise his fingertips to the surface of his skin. Farrow massaged his forehead and then the side of his face, before allowing his arm to return to his side. It helped for a split moment, but the throb remained prominent. He sighed, deciding to focus on something else, and raised his gaze to the large ornate doorway ahead of him. It was there that he saw a second soldier—similarly shaped to that of a leach but with more human qualities, armoured with pieces of dull metal—waiting for Farrow to approach the doorway.

You don't wait for anyone, do you?

He inhaled slowly, allowing his irritation to escape with his following exhale, before approaching the small staircase in front of him. There weren't many steps, but each of Farrow's movements seemed to make the stone bow slightly, as if it registered his presence in some way- though he certainly didn't cause the stone to adjust due to his weight. His build was toned and slender, not enough to move anything sturdy. The leach acknowledged his approach, growling aggressively as Farrow seemed to hesitate before the door. He ignored the creature and made his way inside, choosing to leave the door ajar.

The air was dense in the room, weighing heavily upon his shoulders. It was almost as if the dark colour of the walls was tainting the atmosphere. He glanced over the grey floor for a moment, but didn't take in much more detail of his surroundings. Most of his memories were of the dark, hollow space of this room. So, too, were they of the figure which waited for him at the far end of the hall. He didn't need to show any more interest in either.

"You have made me wait yet again."

Farrow stopped in his place, looking over the figure that was standing with his back to the room. He was wearing a well tailored robe, blood red in colour. With his hands clasped at his back, the shape of his muscular body was clearly pronounced. In comparison, he was almost twice the size of Farrow himself.

"My words were spoken aloud," the figure stated, glancing in Farrow's direction. "Were they not?" His eyes glistened with red as his jaw tensed.

Averting his gaze in response, Farrow clenched his teeth.

A heavy sigh escaped the stranger's lips as he moved from the large window he was looking out of. He seated himself upon a carved throne-like chair directly ahead of where Farrow was standing, and then waited, his eyes fixed fiercely on his soldier.

"How is the prize progressing?" An aggressive edge now tainted his voice.

Farrow met his gaze reluctantly. "She's getting stronger."

"And her powers?"

"I'm not sure," he mumbled in response.

"Do you know nothing?!" the figure shouted, crashing his fist into the arm of his chair.

A shiver of cool air washed over Farrow's skin, as a lump started to build in his throat. "Her mental presence is progressing well. I have yet to see her magic."

"Then get out of my sight, and return when you have something I wish to hear! You must push her to grow beyond all limits! We need her soul to complete us both!"

Adjusting his stance, Farrow looked to the floor. "I will do my best, father."

"Hmph. You have not yet earned the right to call me father." A look of disgust consumed his face. "No son of mine would return without results."

Not at all surprised by his father's statement, Farrow sighed aloud, though he remained in his place. He would have liked to have shouted in response to his father's remark, but he didn't have the energy. The throb inside his temples was growing more and more each day. It felt as if something was stealing his energy. He didn't have many days left of full strength, and he knew it.

Whether his father had noticed or not Farrow didn't know, but he doubted whether he would have cared even if he had seen it. Cassie wasn't only important for Farrow to survive, but she was also needed to keep his father's power at full strength.

_I wonder which is more important to you._ He would have loved to ask the question directly, but he didn't dare for fear of his father's response.

"Do you have something you wish to share?" His father was obviously unsettled by the look of thought across Farrow's face.

Movement came from the doorway then, pushing Farrow to look back. Azul entered the room, seeming to analyse him judgingly, but Farrow paid him no attention. Shuffling in the awkward silence that followed, he raised his head to be met with the empty gaze of his father.

"Forgive me, Lord Razielle. I will return when I have the results you desire."

"I'm sure your presence would be welcomed if that was so." Azul's voice filled the room like an airborne virus, spreading silently until reaching its target with a shivering response.

Farrow glanced over his shoulder again, meeting Azul's gaze with clenched fists. The bile in the back of his throat was the constant reminder that Azul was, and always had been, his father's successor. He looked forward to knocking Azul off his perch, and sitting in his rightful place beside his father, like he had once before.

"Do you think you are up to the task?" Azul grinned maliciously.

"One day, Azul," Farrow worded through clenched teeth, "you may not be where you stand now."

"Enough!" Razielle rose to his feet and projected his voice across the room. Even the large pendulum clock hung at the far end of the hall seemed to grow silent. Azul immediately bowed to the floor, but Farrow did not reciprocate the action. He enjoyed the brief moment of having Azul bow, even if it was not to him. "Farrow!" His father's call forced him to turn. "Leave us, before you forget your place."

Turning with nothing more to say, Farrow made his way across the room, passing Azul who remained knelt at the side. He would have loved to call upon his magic at that time, but his hatred against Azul wasn't close to disappearing any time soon. The future was unknown to them all, but Farrow looked forward to the day where things would be as they were, the day where he could make Azul feel all the pain he wanted.

The last thing he saw as he pulled the door closed was Azul's glowing red eyes, proving his own desire for the heated battle they both wanted. Undoubtedly, Farrow knew that Azul would be conspiring against him now, wanting nothing more than to pick his choices and commands to pieces before his father, but Farrow had things to do, energy to reserve.

Time won't always be on your side, Azul, nor will my father.

He sighed quietly, making his way through the hall as he pushed the bitter thought from his mind. Focusing more on his surroundings, he watched as the rain clouds hovered above the glass dome at the precipice of the roof. The older he got, the more he seemed to appreciate the great detail which had been added into the depth of the room. Wooden plinths bordered each doorway and squares of marble decorated the narrowing pathway that he followed.

Leaving the main chamber, Farrow raised his gaze to look ahead for the first time since leaving his father's company. He rarely felt brave enough to look upon his face, when he knew his father thought so little of him. It hadn't always been like that.

Razielle had once been a caring father—he had wanted nothing more than to see Farrow follow in his footsteps in becoming an Archangel—but since the Fall, since their curse had inflicted its wrath against them, their father and son relationship had been destroyed. Razielle thought only of himself now and his need, his obsessive desire, to find and claim the heavens as his own. The thoughts started to overwhelm Farrow, causing his skin to sting.

The throb against his temples beat aggressively as he passed several mirrors at his side. He made sure not to pay his reflection any attention. He knew from past experience the pain that would surge through him if he was to meet his own gaze. It was so difficult to challenge the urge to look at his reflection, but Farrow did well and turned into the new corridor as quickly as he could. As soon as he had turned the corner, his whole body seemed to sigh with relief. No more mirrors lay ahead of him.

He continued onwards, knowing the various intertwining corridors all too well. Many years of his childhood had been spent inside the lonely kingdom his father had created. He wasn't too sure how long had passed since its structure was built—Farrow's judgement of time had severely diminished in the recent years, and so he had no real idea of how long ago the Fall had taken place. Being born after the Fall, and then remaining in slumber until recently, he should have been free from the ravaging curse of the Keeper's, but he wasn't. He was slowly losing his sense of touch, knowing that his other senses would follow in the same way.

Farrow still continued to age through the years—although at a much slower rate, gaining only months of time within each year that passed. As well as falling into slumber unlike the others, that was another difference between him and the rest of the Keepers. He appeared to be the only one that physically aged. Several of the stronger Keepers had aged mentally, affecting their soul and the flow of life within them, but even they had faded into nothing a short while after the Fall.

Razielle was the only one to remain, as the other stronger members of the Keeper's Court had faded into purgatory without a choice; their bodies had been destroyed by the constant curse set upon them. The same curse that now affected Farrow's every action, every thought. Regardless however, he was just glad that there was a clear difference between him and the others that remained. They were bitter and full of malice, including his father; though ironically, it was almost certain that Farrow would die a mortal before their souls were ever pulled into the Darkness.

The thought played on his mind every day.

Pushing into the one space he could call his own, Farrow shut the door as soon as he was inside and leaned against the wood. He couldn't describe it, but even the air seemed different in this one part of the castle. It was probably his senses playing tricks on him, he knew that, but here he could feel at ease. He could shut the chaos of the Fall, and the resulting curses and battles that followed, out of sight and out of mind. As soon as his door was closed, he felt at peace, at home. The room itself however, wasn't very homely.

The walls were grey and the floor was made from dark pieces of stone. Drapes were hung at the window, permanently pulled at an angle which allowed a sliver of sunlight to shine through at certain times; at other times, the gap only allowed the cool chill of twilight to seep in, and then sometimes the strong, silver moonlight that Farrow looked forward to. Similar pieces of material also covered his bed and one large picture that hung on the far wall. No one would know, but it wasn't a picture, it was a mirror. It had been given to him from his father long before the curse had taken its toll on them, but he never looked into its mirrored surface. He didn't dare.

His chest suddenly felt tight as he pushed his eyes closed, inhaling a deep breath. It was like something was inside of his head, banging fiercely against the back of his eyes and temples. Some days it was much easier for Farrow to handle, but ever since he had encountered Cassie at her home, something had changed, and so had his attitude as a result. He didn't see the point in fighting and he wished that he didn't have to hunt Cassie down, but what other options did he have? Razielle was his only family and his leader- he couldn't go against him.

Farrow...

He grasped at his temples, squeezing his eyes tight.

Help me...

Farrow started to hyperventilate then. _Please, stop... I can't do this._

Farrow... Farrow...

_Just stop... please!_ The voice was growing clearer through each passing day and Farrow was finding it harder and harder to block out the sound. _Get out of my head!_ He banged his head back against the door then silence followed.

Cautiously Farrow opened his eyes. The voice had disappeared from his thoughts, though he could feel its presence in his mind like a mist shrouding some of his memories. Farrow had first felt the uneasiness when he had entered Newtown to search for Cassie.

On the mission several weeks beforehand, he had only known his target as 'The Prize', though after discovering that Cassie was their target, something in Farrow had shifted. Originally he had believed it was due to his desire to finally be free of his prolonged curse, curable only with Cassie's power, but now he wasn't so sure and the voice in his head only strengthened his suspicions. He didn't know what to do, what to think.

He turned slowly and opened his door, moving into the empty corridor outside. Hours could have easily passed if he didn't leave the quiet space of his small room whilst he could. Following the tunnel-like pathways until he had reached a turning to his right, Farrow found himself in front of a small wooden door, barred with magic. It was a familiar sight to him, and so too was the calmness that called to him from beyond the door.

A shining light came from his hand which then absorbed his entire body, transporting him into the room. The warmth that welcomed him was his favourite, he took in the beauty of the large room ahead. It was a library, overflowing with the various texts of the angelic hierarchy that had passed. Farrow always came here when he needed to think, due to the locking system which prevented Keepers from entering without the library owner's permission.

She was leaning over the table several metres ahead of where he was standing, but she stood up straight as soon as Farrow looked in her direction. Her face was covered by the dark hood of her cloak, but she was meeting his gaze head on, he could tell.

"You came."

Her voice was so gentle, it always seemed to ease Farrow's concerns. He wanted to meet her gaze but her hood prevented him from seeing her face. The all familiar tight knot in his stomach returned all at once.

"Why do you wear that cloak, Leena? You don't need it."

She giggled. "I would ask you the same question, but I already know the answer. That's the positive side of having premonitions whilst being locked inside a room of books. You know everything."

Leena was trying to lighten the mood, but a sombre moment passed over them both. The truth was, Leena couldn't leave the library even if she had wanted to. Razielle had imprisoned her within its large space on finding out the true extent of her power. She was weaker than most of the Keeper's but she could see the future.

"I wish my father would let you go."

Farrow hated that Leena was closed off from everyone else—she was imprisoned like an animal—but her powers meant too much to Razielle to allow her freedom. Even though Leena was born after the Fall, just as Farrow was, her powers were strong. Razielle couldn't risk them falling into someone else's hands.

"At least I can let you visit," she replied brightly.

She always managed to stay upbeat- another reason why Farrow was glad he could see her. The truth was, Leena may have been imprisoned within the library, but Razielle had made it that only she could allow people to enter the space. Farrow was glad of it, knowing that he needed only approach the door for her to sense him.

"Are you staying longer today?" The hope in her voice was clear.

Farrow wished he could have, but there was too much on his mind.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly. "Is it the voice again? Why don't you let me see? I could find out who it is."

He shook his head and stepped back. "I have to go Leena. I'll see you soon, okay?" Turning to face the door, he raised his hand towards the wood.

"Farrow."

Hesitating briefly, he looked over his shoulder.

"I'm always here if you need me. Don't forget me, okay?"

"Never, Leena."

A shallow glow consumed him and then he was gone.

Leena missed him already. She wished he had stayed.
Fourteen

The next morning went by quickly.

Cassie and Dillen were training as soon as the sun was up. They both seemed as eager as one another to learn, but she assumed not for the same reasons. She was still fuelled by the unsettled feelings of the night before. Anger was bubbling within her. She was upset; frightened that she had lost someone close to her without even realising it.

She still didn't know who Gabe was to her or what had happened, but she'd question Kale when the right opportunity arose. Training came first. It was their last day after all. Tomorrow they would have to leave.

"Watching the leach's movement is priority." Kale had taken the role of teacher on well, Cassie thought. "If you lose sight of it, it won't take them long to kill you." Blunt, but clear.

There were two leaches chained in the old cabin now. Kale had explained how he had caught one heading for their position the night before. Dillen was stood in front of one and Cassie in front of the other. Kale was stood slightly back, but centred between the two. He had explained the importance of being able to defend themselves from the leaches, regardless of the variations of powers that either of them would learn. Just because Cassie could see auras rather than having more physical abilities, didn't mean she wouldn't have to fight the leaches at one point or another.

"Other than the leaches having the ability of breaking their bodies down so that they can move through solid objects, they are one of the easiest creatures to kill," Kale explained. "They will lock onto you and follow you wherever you go. If you move, they will move alongside you. If they taste your blood, they will follow you until they no longer can."

Dillen leaned to the side to prove Kale's theory. The leach's eyes remained fixed on Dillen even when he moved. He was careful to keep a safe distance between him and the creature, but he was more ready than ever to learn how to kill them. It was because of the leaches that their home was almost certainly destroyed, and their parents had been taken from them.

"To kill a leach, you need to pierce the heart or the head. They are the weakest points."

"Is that because they were people once?" Dillen asked, turning to glance at Kale.

Cassie spoke before he could reply. "They weren't people Dill; they were lost souls that were consumed by Darkness." Kale and Dillen both looked at her directly. Once she had finished speaking, she realised how intently they were looking at her. "What?"

"How do you know that?" Dillen's surprise was obvious.

"She can read their auras, remember?" Kale explained. "She can see where they have been, what they have done, and feel the emotions that once and still do consume them."

Dillen shrugged. He understood but wasn't really interested in learning about his sister's powers, until he had his own under full control. He looked at the leach in front of him, seeing the way its eyes widened ever so slightly. His hearing could pick up the slight sound of its heartbeat. He could hear the raspy breath that escaped its tort and cracked lips.

"I want each of you to take it in turns and kill the leach in front of you. Each time you have to use a different method of killing it, ok?" He received a nod of acknowledgement from Dillen, but nothing from his sister. "Cass?"

She remained fixed on the leach in front of her, but she nodded to say that she understood. She was worried that all of her unsettled emotions would come tumbling out if she was to meet Kale's gaze directly. There was something about him since she had awoken; something about his aura seemed to penetrate her emotions directly. She doubted whether she could hide her mix of confusion and anger from him if he was to ask, so her best option was to not meet his gaze at all.

Kale narrowed his eyes, sensing that something was wrong with her, but they all had a busy day. They couldn't waste time. "Dill, you're up first."

Without much hesitation, he started to approach the creature. Cassie assumed that it was only because it was chained up that Dillen seemed eager to move towards it, but something within her told her that that wasn't the case. Dillen was eager to learn how to kill the leaches so he could finish them off once and for all- more out of grief and frustration than simply wanting them dead, she guessed.

He pulled a small dagger from his back pocket—a weapon that Kale had given him first thing that day—and raised it fluently to the creature's chest. The blade pierced the leach's body as easily as a piece of fruit, and the creature shrieked in pain. It took little time for the life to drain from its eyes. Dillen then pulled the dagger free.

Cassie watched in horror as he then turned and looked at her. For a brief moment she could see nothing but hatred in his irises, rather than the soft gaze that she was usually met with. The darkness of his gaze faded almost instantly however, and then he looked at his sister for reassurance.

Well, that's what she had thought, until he kindly reminded her that it was now her turn.

"Go on, Cass."

She looked at the creature before Kale could focus his attention onto her movement. Her heart started to beat as she stepped towards the leach. Its eyes were hollow and its aura was black. She could see the energy thrumming from its body; it oozed through its aura like ripples in a pond. In time, she would learn how to control other's auras—Kale had explained briefly about the possible variations of her power that morning—but for now, she had only her fists and the dagger in her hand.

Tightening the grip on her dagger, causing a strange tension to contract through her arm, Cassie continued to move forwards. She pushed all fear aside and focused only on the fact that she needed to kill the creature. It tried to swipe at her once she had grown close, but she was out of its reach. Raising her dagger, she waited for it to swipe again before plunging the blade into its temple.

As the metal sliced through its delicate skin, she closed her eyes briefly. A tear was pushed from her eyelid, as the creature's pain caused its aura to flare to such a size that it embraced Cassie's body whole, consuming her with cold. She was quick to push the pain aside though, pulling her dagger free before moving back to her original position. A steady flow of blood started to leak from the creature's temple and a moment later, its body fell limp.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Cassie could feel the other's gazes fixed onto her but she didn't turn. She felt strange, having killed a creature so easily. She had thought that she wouldn't have been able to do it, but she had; her unsettled emotions had filled her with the determination needed. She wanted answers and if killing leaches would pass the time quicker, then she would do what she had to.

Kale broke the silence before Dillen could speak. "This time you can't use your dagger."

He glanced at his sister and then back to Kale. "Ok..." Not once had he ever seen Cassie act as she was. It was unsettling him.

The leach revived a moment later, just to be killed again. Dillen had grabbed at its neck forcefully, twisting it until it had snapped. He found that his past experience with fighting was a great help, not that he would have ever broken someone's neck in the past. Leaches were different. Blood spattered across his arm as the creature moaned, though he wiped it away quickly, not allowing it to faze him.

Again, he looked at Kale who nodded in acknowledgement, and then the two of them looked towards Cass. She had already moved towards her victim, now that its life had been restored because of the curse of the cabin. Without much hesitation, she, too, grabbed its neck. She dug her nails into its skin and then pulled its head down in one quick motion. The bones in its neck broke, protruding outwards as the creature fell still.

Cassie felt no remorse. She felt angry, heated beyond compare as if the sun was shining directly onto her. It wasn't until she stepped back, glancing at the others, that she noticed that the entire cabin was glowing vibrantly. No, not the cabin, it was her skin. She looked over her arms and body, and saw that her aura had spread to such a size that its colour had splashed across the entire room. It sapped her strength immediately and the Keepers' figures flashed across her gaze.

"Cass...?" She looked up to meet Dillen's worried gaze. His brown irises softened. "Are you ok?"

Swallowing the lump that had built in her throat, she inhaled a deep breath. "I'm fine, just need some air." She forced a smile across her face, though it quickly faded when Kale drew her gaze.

"You can't let your emotions show in battle."

She laughed out loud. "Don't talk to me about emotions." The bitterness in her voice was clear, but she didn't understand where the sudden anger had come from. She was tired of being kept in the dark, but Kale was training them just as he had said he would, so what reason did she have to feel so angry.

Again the awkward silence consumed the space.

Cassie's skin dulled gradually until no light existed. She had guessed that the colour had represented her own aura but wasn't sure, as Kale had explained previously that seeing your own aura was incredibly difficult. She tore her scorned gaze from Kale's and waited for him to speak, not really expecting what was to come. It was a surprise to her when Kale continued the lesson, with no warning or tension following.

"This time, I want you to kill the creature however you please."

Dillen's brow arched inwards. He didn't see the point in just killing the leaches over and over. What difference would it make?

"But, I'm going to free them," Kale added.

Both Cassie and her brother inhaled a quick breath. They looked over Kale's face as if to confirm what he had said. He didn't say anything else as he knew that they understood. Dillen glanced at Cassie, being met with her determined gaze. If Kale wanted them to fight whilst the leaches were free, then that was what they were going to do.

Kale moved between the two leaches and then turned to look over his students, as he raised each of his arms towards the creatures' chains. A spark of light ignited in each of his palms, but his magic remained dormant as he watched Dillen prepare himself. Cassie, too, raised her fists in preparation but she was afraid. Not of the fact that she wouldn't be able to kill the creature before it could get to her, but rather because of the fact that she didn't know how she was going to kill it.

Her skin was heated; it felt like something was trying to burst out from beneath it. Could it be her powers?

"Dill, you ready?"

He inhaled a deep breath and raised his fists in front of his face. "Ready."

Moving his gaze onto Cassie then, Kale received only a nod of acknowledgement as reply. He could see the fear within her irises, but Cassie was too stubborn to say that she wasn't ready. She was being overrun with her emotions, Kale knew that. Holding her gaze, he severed the creatures' chains simultaneously and simply watched.

The first leach ran at Dillen like it had locked him as its target. Its tongue slashed at his arm, but he avoided it well. His instincts had developed overnight, and so he found it much easier to move. He was confident that he could fight, with or without his powers. The creature's breath swirled through his ears like a strong gale wind. He could see the perspiration on the creature's neck as it ran at him.

Without much thought, he grabbed both of its arms and kicked the leach forcefully in the chest. Several bones gave way and the creature stumbled back as Dillen released his grip.

Cassie was too busy to notice the way Dillen's physical skills were evolving. Her enemy was circling her. Its gaze seemed to wash over her body, as if it was inhaling the sweet fragrance of her skin. She grew impatient and ran at the creature, as a black hooded figure once again flashed across her gaze. The leach slashed at her side, missing by only an inch as Cassie tried to grab at its neck.

She stumbled back unsuccessfully, pushing the leach to retaliate by cutting through her shoulder with its sharpened tongue- though she didn't let the pain slow her. Pulling the dagger from her pocket quickly, she severed the limb from the creature's body before it could injure her again. It screeched in agony.

The other leach had knocked Dillen from his feet, but the teenager had recovered well, arching his back as he flipped to his feet. Grabbing the creature's neck, he twisted its head fiercely, feeling the ligaments and bones dislodge. Its claws pierced into his arm as its body spasmed then it was dead, falling to the floor silently. Dillen tried to catch his breath, glancing over to Cassie.

She was struggling. The creature had cornered her against the wall and she seemed hesitant in trying to challenge it further. For a brief moment the leach analysed her, like a bird of prey taking in the details of its next meal, and then leapt towards her. She could feel its pain and fear, but the desire to feast on her skin was overwhelming.

How could one creature feel so much hatred towards her? It angered her that something so vile could hate her as much as she hated it. The dagger fell from her grasp and she clenched her fists tightly. Kale, seeing her struggle, raised his glowing hand. He was too late however, as a large blast of air surged through the room.

He covered his eyes quickly, allowing his arm to return to his side once the light from the room had faded. Dillen did the same, inhaling a quiet gasp as he looked at his sister. Kale, too, was surprised. She was still leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, but there was no leach in sight, only charred remains at her feet. Her skin was glowing only slightly now, but even that soon faded once she had picked the dagger from the floor, placing it on the wooden shelf at her side.

"W-what was that?" Dillen asked.

Cassie held her breath for moment as she raised her gaze. Her brother allowed a large grin to spread across his face, but Kale didn't seem as pleased. "That was her magic," he stated bluntly.

"That was cool!"

"It's dangerous to put your emotions into an attack like that." Kale's tone was stern. "How many times do I have to tell you? Do not let your emotions show in battle. That could have killed you!"

She huffed, narrowing her eyes to glare at him. "You can't tell me what to do, they're my powers and I'll use them how I want!"

Without warning Kale was at her side, grabbing her by the arm forcefully. He dragged her across the cabin, before pushing her through the door. The cold collided into them like a wave of water.

Even in the cold, her body felt as if it was on fire. "Get off me!" She glared at him fiercely.

"What's wrong with you?"

She huffed. "What do you care?"

He tightened his grip on her arm, causing her skin to redden. "I care more than you will ever understand!"

Her lip lifted in disgust. "I'd understand if you told me, but you don't!" She pulled out of his grip, losing her balance. Her feet gave way and she fell into the dirt.

"Cass." Kale went to help her up, but she refused to accept his support.

Moving her head slowly, she looked at him. Dirt had splashed across her face. "You tell me that I'm half-angel; that the Keepers want my power so that they can destroy the Light, but what else have you told me, Kale? Nothing. You've forced this life onto us, and yet we know nothing about it!"

"What's gotten into you, Cass? I'm trying to help you, to keep you safe."

She held his gaze. "Tell me who he is."

His eyes narrowed in confusion. "Who?"

"Gabe..." They both looked back at the cabin, seeing that Dillen had followed them. He waited for Kale's answer.

Kale stood up straight, glancing between the siblings. He shuffled back as Cassie moved to her feet, wiping her face with the back of her arm. His skin seemed to lose its colour as he looked to the side.

"Some things can't be forgotten," Cassie worded, drawing his gaze reluctantly. "That's what you said. Gabe... I don't know who he is, but my heart is telling me that I should."

"I woke up with his name in my head," Dillen added. "Did we know him?"

Kale held Cassie's gaze, but it seemed he had nothing to say in reply, which only pushed her to question him further. "What are you hiding, Kale? If we knew him, where is he now? What happened to him, to us?" It was obvious that she was struggling to cope with the loss of her memories. She needed them back.

Without saying anything in reply, Kale simply walked towards her. He raised his arm, allowing his aura to shine brightly, then stroked Cassie's cheek. The contact caused a surge of energy to pulse through her body, and her mind was consumed with memories and events that she should never have forgotten.

She remembered everything within that single touch. Gabe had been by her side for ten years. Every time Bryan had left on another assignment for work, Cassie and Dillen had relied on Gabe to keep them going. He had studied with them but they had often met outside of college, regardless of the weather. Gabe and his jeep had always seemed to be where they had been needed.

Cassie remembered when they had visited the cliff-top, when they had been inseparable as teenagers. The fact that Gabe had lost all of his family proved that he had needed Cassie and Dillen as much as they had needed him. She kept returning to the cliff-top in her dreams because of Gabe, because of the memory of them visiting there. She could picture the seal that they had seen—they had named it Vean—and they had promised to go back there one day in the future.

A flash of colour filled her head and she pictured the hospital where Gabe had been taken. Cassie remembered that they had found him unconscious on the street, a cut above his right eye. She had been distraught, choosing to ride in the ambulance with him. The ache which had consumed her heart back then returned all at once. She could hear the machines beeping and monitoring his heart, as if she was by his side now.

Her memories spiralled frantically, trying to stitch themselves back together. She pictured the hospital room where he had slept, the small sofa at the far side of the room where she had waited. His black jacket had been there... she remembered finding a note in his pocket, showing Lucy Wiggen's home address. Cassie could never forget her, she knew exactly what type of person she was, but why had Gabe had her address back then? Gabe had had nothing to do with Lucy Wiggen. That was Kale.

Matthew Kale... he had always been at Lucy Wiggen's side. She had always strategically placed her skirt so that Kale's entire focus had settled on to her and her legs. It had always made Cassie roll her eyes and move on down the corridor, but she had met Kale's gaze for several moments once. Her heart started to drum, pushing its ache across her entire chest.

She remembered seeing him at college several times, bumping into him, sharing classes with him, and then... the shop she had visited on the day that she had found Gabe outside. Kale had been nothing like she had expected. He had been kind, funny, and sweet in his own way; they had spoken as if they had known each other for years. But then Gabe had gone into hospital...

Everything in her head silenced and she found herself on the white cliff-top once more. She remembered Gabe's final words. She remembered everything in so much detail. A flash of colour drew her focus then, as a set of images began to play in her mind. She watched the memory play, as if she was standing at the side of her own reflection.

Gabe soon appeared, standing on the cliff top that the two of them had promised to revisit in the future. The sky was grey. A chill breeze was spiralling through the air. Cassie could see the way Gabe's clothes were dancing wildly. She had looked over her own to see the same thing, then moving her gaze onto the dirt at her feet. She had edged forwards, seeing that the remnants of grass at her feet had turned black, as if a fire had washed over them.

"You came." Gabe's voice caused Cassie's whole body to shake. She remembered everything so clearly.

She had looked up then to see that Gabe had turned to face her directly. Wrapping her arms around her body tightly, Cassie had noticed that his eyes were darker than normal. "Gabe...?"

"You don't know me anymore, Cass." A tear rolled across her cheek as she knew what was coming. She knew that this would lead onto Gabe's goodbye. If only she had known at the time what her dream would bring.

"What are you talking about?" It was strange hearing her own voice.

He had inhaled a deep breath in response, seeming to sigh with reluctance. "You need to go."

Cassie watched as her past self had lifted her lip in disgust. She really had been stubborn all along. "What's wrong?"

"Things are changing and so must we." Dropping his gaze briefly, he had then straightened his back. All emotion wiped clean from his expression. "We go our separate ways from here."

A lump started to build in the back of Cassie's throat as she edged forwards. Her past silhouette did the same. "What are you saying?" Several moments passed by but Gabe had refused to answer. "Who are you! What have you done to Gabe?"

"Ten years is long enough. You need to forget me."

Cassie wished that things had happened differently. She wished that she had questioned him more. Maybe then she would never have lost him.

"Ten years is long enough...?" She hadn't understood, and she still didn't now, but she continued to watch. "So that's it, you're going to forget everything just like that?"

"I'm sorry," he had replied quietly, turning to look out over the water.

"Hey!" Her past self run at him then and grabbed his wrist tightly, pulling him to look at her. Blood stained his right cheek and collar bone, an arrow protruding from his side. "Gabe...?"

"Things have to be this way." He stepped back.

Cassie's past self had held back her tears well. She was struggling to do the same. "Why would you do this...? Why would you leave?" she whispered. "What about Dillen? He looks up to you! You're our family!"

Gabe shook his head. "Both of you are strong enough now to make the most of what you want. How are the two of you ever going to learn to trust someone you need to, when all you see is me?"

"But, you're a part of our family! Why are you leaving us?" Her anger had started to build then. The situation had been all too familiar to her. Maybe if she had controlled her anger better and pleaded with him instead, Gabe might have stayed.

"Let's hope it'll be different this time." Gabe seemed to focus on something behind her past image then, and looked directly at Cassie. If only he had been looking at her, she thought, but she sensed someone else nearby and her memory was all too kind in allowing her to remember. "You know what you have to do, don't stray again."

Cassie turned slower than her past self, to see that another figure had started to form. She watched as the silhouette had nodded in response. She hadn't recognised them at the time, but that had probably been due to the hazy aura of their skin.

"You're family to me, Cass." Turning again, both Cassie and her past self met Gabe's unwavering gaze. "Never forget it." He stepped from the cliff's edge then as a loud echo of thunder had consumed the sky.

"Gabe!" Cassie stopped herself from running to him, but her past form was determined in reaching his side before he fell. He was engulfed by the sea as a blanket of rain started to hammer against the ground. A single tear rolled across Cassie's cheek as she watched herself shout with grief.

The silhouette had approached then, pulling her away from the slippery edge. She had tried to resist but they had been too strong, wrapping both of their arms tightly around her. Only now did Cassie realise that the stranger's hands had clasped together across her chest. She wished that she had known him better back then.

"Everything will be fine, trust me."

That voice. The way his hands had held her attentively. Cassie wished that she could meet his dark, intriguing eyes herself, but her mirage was the only one that could see them.

"Kale..."

As Cassie blinked, everything went blank. She could feel Kale's aura, and the way that he had caringly held her that day. They really had known each other. Gabe, Kale and Cassie had been a trio all along. She needed to know what had happened to separate them, what had taken Gabe away and in turn her memories?

When she opened her eyes, having relived through the recent events that had been forced from her memory, Cassie looked down at Kale's hand which had now moved to hold her wrist. A tear had fallen from her one eye which had trickled down her cheek. It dropped onto her collar bone when she met his gaze.

"He was our friend; he was our family." The words formed slowly, but her point was put across as plainly as she could muster.

"I remember him too," Dillen added, drawing his sister's gaze. Neither of them were shocked however, as Kale had told them once before that their minds were connected. It was no surprise that their memories were too. "Where did he go? He just left..."

Cassie held Kale's gaze then, seeing that he expected the questions that were to come. "If you knew him, if we were all friends, how could you let him go? I don't understand why he would just leave. Did he find out about your powers, about mine?"

He breathed in slowly. "Gabe is... he was an Archangel."

Dillen blurted out," What?"

His sister was surprised but not at all shocked. When she thought about it, it only made sense that Gabe had been an angel, due to the fact that he and Kale wouldn't have known each other any other way. When they had all studied at college—even though neither Kale nor Gabe had needed to learn anything surplus to that which they already knew—they had been different in every way.

Kale had always been surrounded by girls and large groups of company, wanting nothing more than his time and attention; he was dark and mysterious, even cold sometimes. Gabe on the other hand had only ever had time for Cassie and Dillen. He had thought of everyone else except himself.

At least now, she finally understood how Kale and Gabe's appearance had barely changed. How had she not noticed before? How had anyone not noticed over the years?

"If he's an angel—"

"He was an Archangel," Kale interrupted. "You don't understand. I'm your guardian because this is what he wanted. He appointed me to protect you at all costs and that is what I've done. He was above me. He was a leader... a proud soldier." When Kale grew quiet, his gaze focused only on the ground. He removed his hand from Cassie's wrist, feeling the usual heat start to flare at his fingertips whenever they were close, and shuffled back.

Dillen absorbed everything he said well, but he couldn't stay quiet. "Gabe was your boss? Was he stronger than you? What powers did he have?"

His sister could see the change in Kale's face and his aura had almost faded. She could feel his grief, his pain. It erased any anger within her. "Dill..."

"Where is he now? Why did he leave us?" It was obvious that his emotions were beginning to show. After all, Gabe had been another person for Dillen to have lost.

"Dillen!"

Startled by Cassie's raise of voice, he sighed loudly, noting the way her gaze had sharpened. He slouched his shoulders, seeing the way Kale had moved away from them.

"Kale?" Cassie hated to see him hurting like he was, but if Gabe had somehow hurt him, as well as leaving her and Dillen's side without warning, it was important that she knew why. She made her way to his side, wishing that Gabe had never left any of them. "Where is Gabe now?"

He looked up. "He gave himself up for you, he took my place."

"What do you mean? Tell me, please."

Kale inhaled a quiet breath. "Not here." Turning towards the warmer cabin of the two, he started to walk. The other two followed him silently, not really knowing what to say. They shared a confused expression briefly, but even that soon passed. Now they knew what was missing from their lives, other than the absence of both of their parents, they had to find out as much as they could.

It didn't take them all long to settle—if you could call hovering in different places throughout the room settled. Cassie didn't move from the small empty space between the kitchen unit and coffee table, whereas her brother had taken more of a casual position on the two-seater, though he remained focused, intrigued. Neither of them was surprised by the way Kale remained tense, leaning over the open fire place so that his forearms were pushed against the wooden mantel. His back always faced into the room from when he started to speak.

"When the angels were forced from Grace, when we had no choice but to fall through the clouds, some of us fell into slumber. It was rumoured that those that turned to Darkness were cursed to remain awake... but while we slept, our memories—all except those of the Fall—were wiped clean. When we awoke, we knew only basics about ourselves: our names, what was left of our powers, and our position within the angel hierarchy."

"When did you wake?" Dillen asked quietly.

Kale replied without turning. "About a hundred years ago."

Dillen hadn't expected the answer, but it made sense that angels didn't age like humans. He looked at Cassie, seeing that her gaze was fixed directly onto Kale. She didn't even move to sit down, choosing to remain standing.

"I woke not far from here," Kale continued. "No one else appeared over the first years that I waited. I only had one memory of the Fall, other than the daunting presence of Darkness which had consumed the sky...When I was forced upon the edge of the stone to look down onto earth, another angel had moved to stand next to me. He was my friend, and the white plume of his feathers was breathtaking, shining brighter than mine ever had. I glanced over to meet his gaze and his words formed in my head. He told me that we would forget who we were, but our hearts would find those that we had lost. He said we would meet again, that he would make sure that we would be brothers in arms once more."

"Gabe...?" Cassie didn't know what else to say.

Kale nodded. He dipped his head slightly as he continued. "Over the first years that I was on this land, I studied the people here. I watched them live out their daily lives, knowing that their customs would soon be mine. Without feathered wings, I was just a human with heightened abilities."

As he paused for a breath, Cassie's brow arched inwards. She didn't understand- if Kale now aged the same as a human without his wings, how was it that he looked so young? If he had awoken a hundred years ago, surely he would be a hundred years old, he'd be gone.

Maybe he had lost part of his wings, or a part of himself, at the Fall and then another piece more recently...? She made a mental note to question him about it later, but for now she wanted to hear the rest of the story.

"The truth was, I often visited their towns and cities in a hope that I could find Gabe, or someone else like us."

"When did you find him?" she asked quietly.

"Ten years passed before I found him, but I wasn't at all surprised where he was."

Dillen fidgeted in his seat. "Where did you find him?"

"Protecting an innocent of course," Kale replied clearly. He inhaled a steady breath, turning to look over Dillen and Cassie's faces as he continued. "It was in York; the night had fallen early. I hadn't seen any evidence of the Darkness since the Fall, but that night changed everything. I saw Gabe in one of the dark alleys of the city; he was fighting these black creatures... leaches he called them. I jumped in and we killed them all."

"Did he know you?" Cassie asked quietly, moving to perch on the arm of the two-seater. Dillen glanced at her briefly and then focused again onto Kale as he continued.

He nodded. "He'd changed, but he knew me. I asked him where he'd been, what he'd been doing over the ten years that had passed. He couldn't remember anything except the Fall, but he went on to tell me that he had spent most of the time since then saving innocents. All his time in the heavens, he had watched over guardian angels and their charges, but in the end he had chosen to become one of them."

"Did he still have powers?" Dillen asked. "Did he have wings?"

Kale hesitated briefly. "His feathered wings were gone, but silhouettes of their shapes remained permanently. We lost our true wings at the Fall, but our powers remained, and so, too, did our slow ageing process."

Perhaps that was the answer that Cassie had needed- maybe they had lost their feathered plumes when they had been forced from grace, but had still been protected by a lighted form of them. That would explain why Kale had only started to age more recently. Maybe Kale's aura had only created the illusion of wings when his powers were heightened, but they didn't remain with him permanently.

The question was- what had happened to make Kale and Gabe lose the last remnant of their permanent wings to begin with?

"Most of his angelic senses and abilities remained as well," Kale explained. "He told me how he had searched for the site of the Fall in a hope that he could challenge the Dark, but all he had found was a slice of Light that remained. He had made a promise to it that he would protect the light in people if nothing else. He said he would save the lives of many if it meant earning the return of his wings. The light faded but his words became a binding oath. Gabe gave up his Archangel status, or rather what was left of it, and became a guardian angel. That's what he was doing that night in York; he was searching for his next charge."

Cassie tried to imagine how Gabe would have looked with wings, but it was much easier for her to picture what she thought the site of the Fall looked like. That was partly because she had seen it in her dreams, but also the fact that only somewhere barren and empty would be home to the Keepers. She pictured Gabe and the light, feeling its aura as if she had seen it with her own eyes. One day she hoped she would find the light, if only to be able to say that she had wanted to follow in Gabe's footsteps.

"How does a guardian angel know the name of their charge?" Dillen asked. "How did you know we were the ones you had to protect?"

Seeming to hesitate before replying, Kale turned again to look into the fire. He was glad that Cassie had calmed, but it was hard for him, knowing what he had to tell them. "The name of your charge appears on your wrist when it's time to protect them, but only the guardian can see it. On average they have only several days to protect their charge. After that, once they're safe, we feel closer to the light. We feel stronger. But if we fail..." He bowed his head, sighing reluctantly. "We lose another piece of ourselves to the Dark. Fail too many times, or break the rules of guardianship, and we fall into purgatory."

Cassie would have asked to look at his wrist, but she knew from memory that there were no names on Kale's wrist. Tattoos were on his lower arm, but no names. It was as he said- only the guardians themselves could see them, but the rules...? "What do you mean 'rules'?" She found it hard to imagine angels having rules.

He wasn't surprised by her question. Choosing to sit now, he made himself comfortable as the others focused intently on his answer. They were eager to learn everything they could. "There are five rules of being a guardian angel. First- you are not allowed to prevent an innocent's death with your magic, other than your charge." He paused, sensing Cassie wanted to speak.

"That's horrible! What if they need your help?"

"Shhhh." Dillen glared at her and waited for Kale to continue.

He hid his smile well. "The second rule is that you can't tell anyone except those with the blood of your charge that you are an angel. That's the easiest." He was trying to lighten the mood, but the others were too focused to notice. "Thirdly- you must protect your charge even from themselves, even if it is against their wishes." Growing quiet then, he looked over Dillen's face. It was obvious he was deep in thought.

"And the last two?" Cassie questioned.

Kale's eyes saddened but he held her gaze. "One of them is that you can't allow any emotion to grow for your charge, relationships are forbidden between a guardian and their charge."

Dillen glanced between his sister and Kale. "And the last one?"

"If your charge dies and their light is taken by the Dark, your life is forfeit. If our charge dies, so do we."

Cassie was still reeling through them all, but the fourth rule stuck with her the most. That's why they couldn't touch, she thought, without feeling the heat and pain through their skin. They weren't allowed to be close... but then again, the way Cassie's heart ached for Kale surely proved that they had been close once before? Though it was obviously in her imagination, as now her memories had been restored there was none of her and Kale being physically close. She pushed the thought aside and focused back onto what he was saying before.

"So... because of Gabe saying that he would save the light in people, other angels became guardians too? Is that why you're a guardian?"

"I have yet to meet another, but I believe so... my calling was different though, Gabe chose my path."

Dillen repeated his previous question. "So how did you know we were the ones you needed to protect? Because you knew us, knew where we were?"

"Carry on Kale." Cassie smiled reassuringly as Kale glanced her way, but he soon focused again on the fire.

He inhaled a deep breath, forming the words clearly in his head before continuing. "I helped Gabe save more than fifty innocents over the years. You'd be surprised how seventy to eighty years can pass so quickly. Gabe said he felt stronger after each life he saved, but his feathered wings didn't return. His powers didn't grow. Nothing changed... but he kept going. We met uncountable leaches along the way but they didn't stop us."

"What about the Keepers?" Cassie asked. "Did you meet any of them?"

"We had the pleasure of meeting them several times," he replied smugly. "We learnt that they, too, were angels that had fallen to earth, but they had chosen the Darkness over the Light. Sometime during their fall, a curse was set upon them for choosing the Dark, which prevented them from falling into slumber like the rest of us. Over the years that curse has progressed, and now many of the Keepers that remain are cursed with the inability to sleep or use their senses. It has only been in the last ten to fifteen years that they have stepped up their attacks. They are attacking any Nephilim that they can find, and I'm guessing it's because they're weakening." He paused briefly, seeing that Cassie's face had been taken over by a confused expression.

She didn't understand something. "But, I thought the angels of the Light were forced from Grace by the angels of the Dark...?"

"Yeah," Dillen added. "Why would the angels who followed the Dark fall as well? Don't the heavens belong to them now?"

Kale made sure that they had finished speaking before giving his reply. "I often thought the same thing, but I never got any closer to the answer. All I can think is that if the angels of Light and Dark were both forced from the heavens, that means that it now stands as unclaimed land."

Cassie remembered hearing her father say something similar. He had explained that leaches and Keepers could not pass into unclaimed land. She pushed the thought aside and went back to what Kale had previously said. "So, you think the Keepers are growing weak?"

"Yes, and they will try anything to get as many new hosts as they can find, especially you. If you ever see them or sense their darkened auras, you have to tell me. Understand?"

She felt hot under his heavy gaze then, causing a lump to build in her throat. Her dream formed in her head and she remembered seeing the hooded figures that had spoken to her. Kale obviously didn't know that they could do such things, but how was she supposed to tell him that her dreams had come to life? She would sound crazy.

"Cass."

Returning to the cabin, she met Kale's gaze. "Ok, I'll remember..."

He seemed to analyse her briefly and then moved onto Dillen. "You too, Dill."

Dillen nodded in understanding. He seemed a little too eager to Cassie, but she didn't question him. She could hardly talk to him about keeping his dreams quiet when she was doing exactly the same.

"So..." She broke the silence awkwardly. "I'm guessing you and Gabe arrived at Newtown then...? You said the Keepers have been attacking more in the last ten years or so... that's when I met Gabe."

Kale's gaze seemed to drop then. It was as if he was disappointed by the fact that Cassie only ever thought of Gabe. They had both entered the town at the same time, they had both started at Cassie's college the same term.

"Why Newtown?" Dillen asked. He missed his hometown and wondered if they would ever go back.

"I received my first charge," Kale replied quietly. He didn't meet Cassie's gaze then, though guilt was etched across his face. Something had happened. "Gabe was glad to know that the Light had deemed me worthy of having the chance of earning back my wings..."

Sighing quietly, Cassie kept her thoughts to herself. She could hear the emotion in Kale's tone. He sounded defeated, and she could see that his aura was barely shining, though it was tinted with red. Whatever had happened to Kale's charge had changed everything, maybe even been the reason why Gabe had disappeared.

"What happened, Kale?"

He leaned forwards, placing his head in his hands as he spoke. "It was a surprise when I was given my first charge because Gabe had no name upon his wrist. For the first time in fifty years, he had no charge. I did. Her name was Molly Hastings."

Both Cassie and Dillen both looked at each other. "Molly Hastings?" She repeated the name over and over.

"Lucy's sidekick?" Dillen, too, seemed surprised.

Molly Hastings had been one of the girls that had always been at Lucy Wiggen's side. She had always worn tight clothes and short skirts, following Lucy wherever she went. Cassie had had the mammoth task of pairing with her for their first ever science project almost six years ago. In the end, Cassie had done all of the work and Molly had simply added her name to the bottom. Not long after that however, Molly had disappeared and Cassie guessed that it had not been because she had moved away.

"Gabe spent all of his spare time with you when my charge was named," Kale worded clearly. "He said to me that he had wanted to make up for the people that he had lost over the years. We had sensed something different about you, but I had had to protect Molly at all costs." The way he spoke, made it sound as if Kale would have chosen to be with Cassie above everyone else, but rules were rules.

Though, it still didn't make sense why Kale had always been with Lucy and her group, when Molly had gone missing six years beforehand. Cassie wondered what it would have been like if Kale had been with her instead of Gabe.

"Did she die?" Dillen asked quietly. Cassie glared at him, not believing that he had asked so bluntly.

Kale didn't seem to be fazed by Dillen's comment; he was too consumed by his memories. "She was surrounded by leaches one day. I killed them all, but more kept coming. There was something about Molly's power that they could sense. She had elemental properties but was unable to use them..." He raised his gaze slowly. "A Keeper came and taunted me with threats and lies. I should have stayed... I shouldn't have left her, but I did. When the Keeper faded and I realised what I'd done, I ran back... to find her body. Gabe was stood over her. The look he gave me... I will never forget it."

Cassie watched as Kale's aura was tainted with a pale blue colour as his breathing hastened. He held her gaze for a moment, but the pain within his irises was too unbearable for her to cope with. She moved to her feet, wanting to be at Kale's side. He spoke before she could move however, pushing her to remain standing where she was.

"I lost everything that day. I lost the glow to my skin. It was as if gravity had pulled at my chest... I remember buckling to my knees... but Gabe saved me. He split his powers into two and forced them into my body. I'm alive because of him..."

Dillen didn't know what to say. He looked at Cassie, pushing her to comment in his place. The breath she inhaled stung her lungs. "What happened then? What happened to Gabe?"

"The silhouette of light from his back faded. He lost the chance of ever earning back his wings, for me. He explained to me how he had lost his first charge but in different circumstances. That it was a mistake that he had learned from and knew that I could too..." Kale inhaled a deep breath and then straightened his back, meeting Cassie's gaze again. "And then your name appeared on his wrist the next day. He said it was different, that your name was in black, but that we would keep you safe together."

"But..." She swallowed the lump in her throat before wording her reply. "Why did you stay with Lucy... why didn't you and Gabe stay together? You could have been with us whenever you had wanted..."

"To an angel, their wings are everything. Angels don't want to exist without them. Gabe would never have said it, but he'd always resented me for being careless."

"But it was his choice to give up his power!" Dillen shouted. He hated that Gabe was gone, but still... "He saved you because he wanted to!" Dillen had a point, but Cassie didn't comment. She let Kale continue on, sensing that only a small part of the story remained. Her heart told her what was coming, but she held her emotions in well.

Kale sighed heavily. "... I let Gabe stay with you, whilst I watched from a distance. I met your parents in one of the many months that passed. Time moved so slowly then..."

Standing to his feet, Kale moved across the room a moment later. He headed for the far kitchen cupboard, reaching inside to pull out a wrapped parcel. His fingers curled around it tightly as he turned to face the others. "Four years went by and your powers still didn't form... it was as if they were waiting for something, waiting for a trigger, but that didn't stop the Keepers. They hunted for you every day. Gabe kept them at bay, until he was no longer strong enough. That was when you found him on the street... do you remember?"

Cassie nodded. "That was the day he went into hospital... I sat by his bedside..." She lowered her gaze briefly, feeling a cool shiver stretch across her skin.

"What happened?" Dillen asked. "If Gabe had had to go into hospital because of the Keepers, what happened after that? That's when we had our fever... isn't it?"

Trying to keep his thoughts together, Kale continued on without replying directly to Dillen's question. "Gabe left the hospital as soon as he could. I could sense his strength waning. We met face to face on the outskirts of Newtown, and it was then that I could see how weak he really was."

"But why?" Cassie interrupted. "So what if he split his powers? If you both had the same strength, why didn't you both weaken?" She hated the way it sounded, but it was true. She didn't understand why Gabe had weakened so much more than Kale.

He sighed, raising his gaze. "Gabe told me that he kept seeing the Keepers in his dreams, they haunted him, and somehow their essence had started to seep through his body..."

Dillen gasped. "He turned into a Keeper?"

Kale continued without falter. "He was poisoned somehow and the connection between his mind and body started to degrade. He said he was going to challenge the Keepers directly to buy you more time before your powers formed."

"And you didn't stop him?" Cassie's eyes started to water as she imagined Gabe giving himself up.

"I tried!" It was then that she met Kale's gaze and saw the pain which pierced through his irises. "I tried to stop him with everything I had, Cass! But all I was met with was the edge of his blade!"

The two men that Cassie had pictured fighting in her thoughts- it had been Kale and Gabe. Kale had tried everything to stop Gabe leaving; he had even fought him, resulting in the silver scar which now dominated his side.

A heavy silence filled the room. No one knew what to say. There was so much pain and grief flowing through the air that it made it hard for Cassie to catch her breath. Dillen was the first to speak. "Did the Keepers take him?" he asked quietly.

Kale placed the object in his hand on the kitchen unit silently. He unravelled it and raised his gaze to wait for the others. It didn't take them long to move to their feet to see what it was that Kale was showing them. As they moved across the room, he finished his tale.

"The Keepers left with all of his energy. He fell to his knees and I lay him in my arms. He made me promise something- that I would protect you above all else, that I wouldn't stray from your side regardless of the pain or battles that were to follow. He made me swear that I would take you to Rome, when you were strong enough, to find the Light inside you."

Cassie reached the kitchen side, holding Kale's heavy gaze.

"I have cared about you from the first day that I looked over your gentle face..." He elongated his blink. "And Gabe made me swear that I would fill the hole in your heart. He used the last of his magic to bestow your name upon me... and then he faded."

A single tear rolled across Cassie's cheek, as Kale moved the small parcel across the unit towards her. She didn't want to look down but she did, seeing that three engraved feathers which were bound on pieces of leather were lay together. Her throat tightened as she started to cry, raising her fingertips to take in the details of the metal feathers.

"Gabe's birthday present," Dillen whispered.

Cassie's tears tumbled out fluently from then, blurring her vision until she could only make out the simple shape of each feather. She looked past the grey one and the white one, focusing entirely onto the black feather which she had meant to have given to Gabe.

"I'm sorry," Kale worded quietly. "I tried to keep him by your side. I failed you both..." He lowered his head to sever their eye contact.

She didn't know what to do, what to say. Even when she glanced at Dillen, seeing that he was trying to keep his emotions contained, Cassie didn't know what, if anything, could make a difference. At least they knew what had happened to Gabe, that he had given his life for them, to give them the extra chance they needed to stop the Keepers. She wiped her cheeks as best as she could, before grabbing the feathers which were lay on a piece of torn material.

No words left her lips as she moved to Kale's side, but she had a choice. Make Kale go on believing that he had let them all down because he hadn't been able stop Gabe from giving his life, or help them all the get the chance to move on, to make the difference that Gabe had wanted.

"Kale."

He was reluctant to raise his gaze, but as he did he saw that Cassie's hand was extended towards him. She curled her fingers outwards to reveal the black metal feather in her grasp. "It's yours."

Seeming surprised by her offer, he glanced at Dillen to see that the grey feather was now around his neck. He was numbed by the story that had been told to them, but he smiled as Kale held his gaze. "Gabe gave us the chance to stop the Dark. We have to do this." He sounded mature all of a sudden. It suited him well, Kale thought.

"Yes." Cassie nodded. "Gabe believed in all of us, in you Kale." She extended her hand a little further and waited. "Trust in us, trust in yourself. We can do this." The determination that spread across Cassie's face was undeniable. She was ready for whatever was to come.

Extending his hand, Kale took the feather from her palm gently, stroking his fingertips against the inside of her finger. She smiled in response and watched as he wrapped the leather strap around his wrist, allowing the feather to hang from his skin.

"We're a team," Dillen added.

Cassie added her response quickly. "We're a team that has a lot of training to do." A smile spread across her face as Kale looked at her. The glisten that sparkled in each of her eyes filled him with hope, and somewhere inside of him, he knew Gabe had believed in him to look after her.

Regardless of the niggling feeling in the back of her mind—the unknown reason why she and Kale felt so close when they apparently had never been closer than they were now—Cassie was ready to step up. Now she had to prove it.

Without warning however, the room started to shake and a burst of fire crashed through the glass door. The heat was unbearable, blurring Cassie's vision into nothing but an array of colours. She gasped for a breath being surrounded by the thick plumes of smoke, and felt Kale's hand grasp her wrist tightly.

This was it. The Keeper's had found her.
Fifteen

When the first explosion shook the cabin, Cassie pushed herself to the wooden floor, covering her face as shards of wood and glass blew outwards. The force of the quake caused the kitchen cupboards to shake, and the ceramic dinnerware smashed against the floor like glass crystal. Shards of glass joined the skidding pieces of debris, when a second explosion caused the panelled windows to shatter loudly. Cassie was frozen with fear.

Dillen was huddled in the corner of the kitchen, covering his ears with both hands. His face had grown pale and the corners of his eyes had seemed to sadden, but he started to glow as he met his sister's gaze. Neither of them moved—mostly out of fear but they were also intrigued about what creatures had come for them, after all this life was still very new to them. Leaches had come without a doubt, but Cassie could sense a stronger presence nearby, maybe a Keeper, but she didn't know for certain.

"There's more than I expected." Kale skidded to his knee's, dodging a shard of glass intent on harming him, before making sure that his friends were safe. He had to shout over the explosive magic that was constantly crashing into the building, but he knew that Dillen and Cassie were focused entirely on what he had to say, more out of fear than anything else. "We'll have to fight our way through." In response, Dillen moved to his knees. He seemed determined in challenging the leaches, as did Kale, but Cassie on the other hand seemed reluctant to move.

She took advantage of the brief silence which fell over the area. "There are not only leaches here. There's something else."

Kale sighed, knowing all too well that Cassie had sensed that a member of the Keepers had come as well. They were early, but Kale wasn't surprised. They were followers of the Darkness, and as a result doubted if they cared about the seven days that Cassie was supposed to have. He grabbed her attention. "We only need to fight the leaches that approach us. Once they spread out, we'll have the chance we need."

"A chance for what Kale?" Cassie's fear started to course through her rapidly. "I'm not a fighter!"

"But look what you did to that leach, Cass!" Dillen moved to her side quickly. "We can do this."

The explosions had stopped for now—probably warning shots to lure them out, Cassie guessed—and Dillen seemed to channel his manifested glow when she met his gaze. He was ready. She swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat, not breaking eye contact with him. He might have been younger than her, but he was definitely her strength. She doubted whether she would have reached this far without him, or Kale.

"Ready?" Kale's voice was clearer than ever before, even as a strange black mist started to seep through the air towards them. It latched onto the kitchen units like a parasite. "Use the things I've taught you, but run every chance you get. This isn't a fight that we can win, not yet. Understand?" He tensed his jaw, looking at Dillen first. "Keep running, and kill only the creatures that approach you."

Dillen simply nodded in response, clenching his hands into fists. He was used to fighting; the adrenaline was no stranger to his body. Kale was glad that the teenager was progressing at a faster pace than he had expected. He looked at Cassie, holding his breath a moment before continuing.

"Follow me no matter what. We have to reach the outer areas of this land before we can use our powers at full strength. It'll be difficult to teleport before we reach the outskirts. You can do this."

She opened her mouth to reply, but her response was stolen as a black shape wrapped around her throat. A second formed on the kitchen unit which jumped through the air, but it had no chance of landing as Dillen stabbed through its chest, with the small knife that he had 'borrowed' from his training. He went to help his sister then, but noticed something in her face had changed. She wriggled free from the creature and then killed it, twisting its neck with one fluent movement. A flicker of light sparked in her irises.

Her veins seemed to fill with pulsing energy then, pushing her senses to their limit. She could hear the movement of leaches outside the cabin. The chill breeze of the cold winter air bathed her skin in ice-cold temperature. Her hands started to tingle, feeling foreign to her body, but the truth was they were burning with heat. The magic inside of her was ready. She was ready.

They stood without delay, aware that Kale had already darted into the hallway, and followed him with a dash of needed speed. Leaches flocked towards them like insects to a light, slashing at the air with their vile tongues, in a hope that they could taste fresh blood. Cassie killed one which formed through the floor, breaking its neck with an aggressive kick of her foot, before jumping over another that barred her way. Her fear seemed to subside ever so slightly after each kill. She gasped as a claw cut through her shoulder, but she pushed the creature back, knowing that Dillen would finish it off before entering the far room after her.

He was surprised at how well his senses adjusted to the environment of battle, but they gave him a great advantage. The dagger in his grasp moved like it was its own being, piercing the weakened areas of his enemies without need for any thought. However easy he found the movements though, Dillen kept to Kale's commands and only killed the leaches which approached him directly. He pushed another creature back before slamming the door shut behind him, and then turned to be met with Kale's narrowed gaze.

"Don't stop!" he shouted, swiftly moving to avoid a strange surge of energy which pulsed through the floor. The glass window collapsed, giving them a way out, but several shards cut through Kale's clothes. He landed to his feet, glancing back briefly to check the others had followed in his footsteps. Both Cassie and Dillen were glowing now, but Kale was not. The truth was he felt unsettled, something wasn't right.

Running straight past him, Cassie killed a leach that had seemed intent on biting at Kale's skin. She would have questioned his unexpected pause for thought then, but the resulting shockwave which followed caused her to lose her breath. A bright light emitted from her skin, soaring outwards without warning. Her energy seemed to die all of a sudden, and her mind was consumed by the falling angels she had kept seeing in the recent days that had passed.

Only one of the angelic beings seemed to be her main focus however—a male angel that had already collided with the earth. She watched him move slowly, lifting his weak and injured self from the dirt. The blood across his body was flowing so rapidly that she doubted he would have survived it. His back had been ripped open in two places—the feathered wings that had once guided him were no more. He was grounded and the grace from within him had faded as a result.

The moans which escaped his lips filled Cassie with such pain that she found it difficult to keep her breath steady. She edged to the side, hoping to meet his gaze as he looked up. Several other bodies crashed around her which caused the ground to shake, but that wasn't what made her gasp. Meeting the fallen angel's gaze, she saw something that she didn't expect—Darkness had consumed his irises and the black had started to stretch across his skin. He soon morphed into a leach and leapt at Cassie with his teeth.

"No!" She sat up quickly, feeling a strange heat start to burn at her skin. Whips of fire leapt towards her body, thrashing with red and gold.

"Move!" Kale pulled her to her feet and pushed her to run, as the fire pricked at his skin. She picked up speed quickly, seeing that Dillen was racing onwards only several strides ahead, but she felt strange. As if anger had possessed her, she felt no pain or fear.

Jumping over a partly formed leach, Cassie killed another by twisting its neck with both hands. She pushed its body into another as she raced past, sensing Kale kill it a moment later. A surge of red light sparked out from her skin as another leach approached her, and as a result the creatures around her morphed into figures of light. Their auras called to her like sunlight, spreading like a disease through the country air. Cassie hated them with everything she was.

She crashed her foot into the nearest creature, watching as its aura flashed before fading entirely. It was like the timer of a bomb, giving warning before the oncoming explosion. The auras she could see were showing the leaches' individual strengths and weaknesses, like they were separate entities, like they were creatures with their own emotions and physical ability, like people.

"Cass!"

Pulled from her thoughts, Cassie allowed her vision to return to normal so that she could focus onto Dillen. He was approaching a line of leaches, all whose claws were extended towards him. He didn't seem to slow his speed but Cassie could feel his anxiety. Kale could too, pushing him to jump into the centre of the small gathering, before Dillen had chance to reach them.

Several bright surges of light emitted out from Kale's skin as he fought majestically, but Cassie had little time to draw in his beauty as Dillen was pushed to the floor. She inhaled a deep breath, filled with fear, and a flash of light consumed her. Its light burned fiercely, transporting her to Dillen's side within a blink. She killed the two leaches which had bitten at his leg and then helped him to his feet.

He smiled. "You teleported!"

A shout of agony pierced the air and they turned to see that Kale had been surrounded by leaches which were tearing at his skin. He had been distracted by Cassie's teleportation, as he knew that it shouldn't have been possible for her to do so under the magical veil which protected the area.

Within an energetic flash of light, Cassie had left Dillen's side to defend Kale, moving him several metres to the side. She collapsed to the floor then, as the glow to her skin dulled, pushing Kale to stand in front of her protectively. All she could hear was her heartbeat drumming in her ears, but even that seemed to fade as her magical glow disappeared entirely.

It had fallen deathly quiet.

She raised her gaze in response, sensing the strongest presence directly ahead of them.

Azul was standing far to the one side, with the burning carcass of the cabin behind him. He raised his hands silently and started to clap, glancing briefly at Dillen. He focused onto Cassie a moment later, an evil smirk across his face.

"Your power truly is undeniable."

Cassie raised her lip in disgust. "I'm glad you're enjoying this..." Her body started to ache. It was as if the anger or whatever emotion it was that had consumed her in battle had faded. Her fear started to rise again.

Lowering his hands, Azul altered his stance as he watched Dillen move to his sister's side. He didn't intervene, seeming to revel in the looks of fear he and Cassie shared once they were side by side. She tried to stand but her attempt failed, causing the stinging ache within her muscles to lash out in response.

Both Kale and Dillen were stood ready to defend her, but Kale was bleeding from his side; his aura had dulled somewhat and he was losing strength. Cassie tried to stand again, succeeding this time, only to watch as Kale fell to one knee in her place.

"Kale!"

"It seems your guardian has fallen," Azul stated bluntly, "though not quite as far as the rest of us." His tone was sharp, bitter almost.

Cassie moved to Kale's side to meet his gaze. He didn't speak but the worry in his eyes was clear. She was still afraid, but she was getting tired of the Keeper's constant chase and riddles. "What do you want?" she shouted, glaring at Azul. "My parents said we had seven days... we have one day left!"

"You stupid girl," Azul laughed aloud. "What difference will one day make? You are naïve." He raised his hand and offered it to Cassie. "If you come with me now, your comrades will not endure another painful day. Your magic can only progress to its approaching maximum, when the Dark lends you its power."

"Get real!" Dillen shouted. "She's staying here!"

Azul narrowed his eyes. "Very well, if it is your desire to feel my wrath for more hours to come, then it shall be my pleasure." He glared at Dillen which resulted in the youngster falling to his knees. The pain which started to course through his body was unbearable. Cassie could sense it, pulling at her subconscious.

"Stop it!" she shouted, stepping in front of her brother protectively. "Leave him alone!"

In response, Azul only increased his magical essence, causing Dillen to gasp aloud. Azul spoke a moment later, his voice stabbing at Cassie's temples like a pounding headache. "Your power belongs to me. You are the prize that we have searched for. Decades have passed and now we have finally found you."

"There are plenty of Nephilim left..." Kale stuttered, pushing himself to his feet. He straightened his back a moment later, feeling satisfied that he could fight if it was needed. "Feed on them if you have to, but give Cassie her last day." She hated the way Kale had spoken, but she knew that he was only trying to buy them more time.

In response, Dillen's pain increased only further as Azul started to glow brightly. "Your power belongs to me Cassandra, and you will obey me!" The ground began to shake as his skin pulsed with energy. Kale knew something had to be done, as Cassie also started to suffer the effects of Azul's powerful hold.

_Cassandra...?_ Cassie didn't understand his reference, but she had little time to, as rays of light beamed from Azul's body and focused onto her with unbearable heat. She could feel his strength, even before his red aura exploded outwards.

"Give me your powers girl!" he demanded. "Or I will take them from your lifeless corpse!"

Cassie buckled to her knees, covering her face with her hands. She absorbed most of the magic which beamed outwards, splitting her collar bone due to the force. Dillen fell to the floor completely, unable to remain knelt any longer. Tears started to stream across his face, as areas of skin on his arms and chest started to split.

Kale had to do something.

He ran past his friends and threw his fist at Azul. He swiftly moved aside to avoid his approach however, jolting his ribs with a flash of red energy. Kale staggered only briefly, moving to the side to avoid a second ray of magic, before conjuring his own. The silver air crashed into Azul fiercely, but the caster himself felt more pain than his enemy, as that was the consequence of calling upon his powers under the woodlands' magical barrier. It should have been the same for them all, but it seemed it only affected him.

Azul raised his fist and crashed it into Kale's body, pushing him to the ground. He skidded to a halt near Cassie, though kept his gaze lowered as he tried to catch his breath. All three of them were now on the dirt floor. Kale and Dillen were badly injured and Cassie was struggling to fight against Azul's energy.

"Kale..." Cassie met his gaze as he fell onto his side, seeming to have lost all energy. A lighted aura was mapping out his body—she didn't know if it was his own magic or Azul's, but it was paralysing him regardless. "What do we do...?" she stuttered.

"I don't understand..." he whispered, through clenched teeth. "He shouldn't be able to use his powers... there is a veil over this area that prevents it..." His words disappeared into a shallow breath.

Azul huffed loudly. "Did you really believe that your attempt at such a weakened veil could keep _my_ powers at bay? You are more of a fool than ever. Perhaps our sleepless curse would have served you better, ripping those useless senses from your grasp."

Cassie hated the way that Azul spoke. It was like he spat every word as an angry dagger, hoping to corrupt whomever he could. She wondered how they were ever going to challenge him and succeed. Several times he had crossed paths with her and every time had resulted in someone's death. Her parents had gone. Gabe was no more. Even Freya... Cassie doubted whether any of Newtown had survived.

"You are just as weak as your parents."

On mention of her family, Cassie was pulled from her thoughts. Azul's magic was clearly still building, pulsing through their veins, but she held his gaze nonetheless. "You don't know what you're talking about..."

She didn't know what to say. What could she?

"Ha!" Azul's laugh made her jump. "I know that your parents are growing weaker through each passing moment, whilst the Darkness feeds on what's left of their strength. Your name is all that passes from their lips."

Her heart dropped.

"W-what... what do you mean?" Dillen stammered.

"They're alive?" Cassie questioned, clawing at the dirt as her body spasmed.

Azul, seeming pleased that he had pained them further with the information, raised his chin triumphantly. "For now, they are feeding the Darkness." Again he extended his hand. "But you can free them."

Cassie's heart felt squeezed. Her parents were alive, being held by the Darkness. It made sense when she thought about it. Azul was using them as bait. She looked at Kale briefly, watching as he shook his head in response. He would have spoken but the words were stolen from him due to the pain.

"Cass..."

She turned to meet her brother's gaze then, seeing such potent guilt marring his face that she didn't know what to say. They both felt guilty for hating their parents' seemingly selfish lifestyles for so long, but ironically they had always been there. It had been because of them that Dillen and Cassie had lived as normal a life as they could have. Until now. Now that they were alone.

A sudden jolt of energy passed through the group, making them writhe in pain. Kale's aura shrunk dramatically in response, but it was Cassie's scream that pained him the most. He glared at Azul.

"You need us..."

"And yet you believe that you can make me wait. Be glad that I am offering you the choice, and not tearing what we need from your pained corpses!" A spark of light ignited in the corner of Azul's eyes as he spoke.

Cassie was confused by his words. What if Azul couldn't take their powers? What if he had no other option than to give them the choice of falling into Darkness, because he didn't have the ability to take what was needed from them? Her heart throbbed and her mind felt heavy, but something had to be done. She had to try something.

Her body pulsed with energy as her magic tried to form, but Azul's powers had consumed her whole. It was spreading through her like electricity, just as Kale and Dillen. She inhaled a deep breath and raised her gaze, feeling as if something was calling to her through the pain. Far behind Azul she noticed then that a second figure was watching them.

Kale's aura was unique, and yet the stranger she could see had one so similar that she would have confused them as the same person, if not for her heightened senses. They were dressed in black, a Keeper, but she sensed something strange about them—they wished her no harm. It was the figure from her dream.

"Have you made your decision?" Azul asked clearly, smiling as Cassie glared at him.

She would have shouted in reply but she wasn't strong enough to catch her breath. Dillen had passed out and Kale was paralysed by the strong magical presence over his body. Cassie didn't want to give up, or give in to Azul, but even Kale had fallen against his powers- what could she do other than accept his offer?

"Leave them," she stuttered. "Take me."

"No..." Kale murmured in reply.

"Take me," Cassie repeated clearly.

Azul removed his magic from the group, smiling as an evil glow consumed his irises. "You may think you have saved them, but you have not."

In response, Kale immediately started to move. "She'll never follow you, Azul..." He tried to stand as he spoke, but was met with a sharpened bolt of energy that the Keeper had called upon.

"Kale, don't!" Cassie glared at Azul, wanting her hands around his throat, but she had no chance against him alone. It wasn't fair for her to prolong Kale and Dillen's suffering, when Azul only wanted her.

Don't give up.

Kale's voice was so clear as it entered her thoughts that she had to hold her breath, realising for the first clear time that Kale really could enter her thoughts.

He met her gaze. _You can use your magic here. Teleport, whilst you still can._

Her mind filled with light as his voice spoke out. It filled her with the courage that she needed and she pushed her fear aside. She couldn't give up. It wasn't like her. She raised her gaze bravely. "If you want my power Azul... try and find it." Grabbing Dillen's hand tightly, Cassie closed her eyes as she imagined her body fading into light.

_Not all of us Cass, you're not strong enough!_ Kale's warning fell upon deaf ears.

A flash of energy burst outwards and she disappeared, with Kale and Dillen at her side. Using her magic squeezed the air out of her lungs like something had collided into her chest. It was like a magical force had tried to prevent her powers from forming, even as she disappeared. She could feel Azul's magic fight against her teleportation, grabbing fiercely at her body, but he was too late as she faded from sight.

As she moved through the air as coloured light, sensing that Dillen and Kale started to improve almost immediately, Cassie hoped that someday she would be strong enough to challenge the Keepers head on- for now she was just relieved to be out of their presence.

Her relief was short-lived however, as she realised that they had only moved to the far edge of the tree line. She was still close enough to see the burning cabin. Leaches had stained the grass black and the Keepers had destroyed everything except the trees. She hated them all so much, but she felt weak. Azul's magic had clearly stolen her energy, and Kale had also suffered. She glanced at Dillen, seeing that he was still unconscious.

At least he was safe, she thought. At least they were all safe.

"Get down!" Kale grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the floor quickly. She glared at him and opened her mouth to respond, but he lay his finger against his lips.

Once she was crouched, she realised how tired she suddenly felt. It was as if the air in her lungs wasn't strong enough to reenergise her body and a pounding headache banged against her temples. "Kale... what now?" She knew they had to leave but he didn't have chance to reply, as both of them were drawn to look ahead.

Peering over the thick bushes that surrounded them, she could see that the stranger from the trees had now approached Azul. They seemed to be having a heated conversation, but she couldn't hear what they were saying. She wondered if Kale could hear them. There was definitely something about the stranger that reminded her of Kale, but she needed to see their face before confirming whether she knew them or not.

He was definitely a Keeper, by the dark clothes he wore and the strange black essence of his aura, but there was clearly some other element within him. The light closest to his skin was green, fading into black as it reached further away from his body. Cassie could see it clearly, and its warmth called to her senses.

Kale thought it best to leave then, before they were discovered, but he remained still having caught sight of the Keeper's hooded face. His breath stalled in his throat and memories of a fight he once took part in poured into his thoughts.

"Who is that?" Cassie asked quietly, suddenly feeling nauseous.

Kale sighed. "He's a Keeper from Newtown. His name is Farrow."

She looked at Kale with a quizzical expression. "Farrow... Do you know him? He spoke to me once..." Being careful not to admit that it was within her dreams that he had spoken to her, Cassie waited for Kale's reply.

Seeming irritated that she hadn't shared the information sooner, he narrowed his eyes. "What did he say?"

"Something about using the time we had left as well as we could..."

"He's still a Keeper. Remember that." As he finished speaking, he looked at Farrow and Azul in turn. He wished he was strong enough to challenge them, but he wasn't. He had lost a lot of energy since the Fall. He was more human now than ever.

Cassie kept her gaze firmly on Kale's face. "He may be a Keeper... but I don't think he follows the other... I don't think he follows Azul by choice." She didn't want to go into detail of the way that Farrow had previously spoken to her, but she had said what was on her mind. Now she was just intrigued to hear what the Keepers were saying between themselves.

Not understanding how Cassie could know any details about Farrow to begin with, Kale looked over her analytically. She quickly broke eye contact with him though, focusing on the Keepers. Now that her breath had recovered, she found that her hearing had heightened enough to hear what they were saying. Kale knew that she could by her sudden increase in concentration, but he left her be. The more information they could gather, the better chance they had of outrunning the Keepers for one more day.

"This was never our orders!" Farrow's words were clear. "Now she's gone, wounded and unwilling to co-operate!"

Azul's face darkened as he turned to look at Farrow directly. The way the sun was positioned caused his shadow to stretch over Farrow's face. "The prize will never 'co-operate'. She will die when the time comes. That has been our goal for centuries, and I will not allow your sudden growth of conscience, to prevent her from falling into my hands!"

"I am a Keeper just as you are. Without her power, I will die."

Something about Farrow's words wriggled into Kale's thoughts. The Keepers needed Cassie's power to break the curse that had stolen their senses, but something about Farrow's words made it seem as if more was at stake for him.

"Perhaps death will be your reward." Azul's reply was bitter, cruel almost.

"You forget your place..."

"No, you forget yours!" Grasping hold of Farrow's shoulder tightly, Azul started to glow again. "When the Prize's powers are within my grasp, you will fade into the dusk."

Cassie could feel Farrow's strength wane.

"You are nothing but a pawn in this life," Azul spat. "You are foolishly blinded by thinking you have any control!" A piercing light cut through Farrow's shoulder then, making him gasp.

Cassie could feel Farrow's pain.

"I suggest you do as I wish, until the time comes when I absorb what's left of your soul!" And within a flash of energy, Azul had faded into an open portal, causing Farrow to stumble back by the shockwave which followed.

Grasping his shoulder tightly, Farrow seemed to shuffle in his place as Kale and Cassie watched. _My father won't allow everything you do Azul; one day I will put you in your place._

Kale, shocked to hear his thoughts, closed his mind off quickly. The truth was he was intrigued by Farrow's differences; he didn't seem to be the same man as he had once fought against, but Kale couldn't forget that he was still a Keeper. Farrow would kill Cassie—he would kill all of them—if he was ever given the chance. For now, Kale was all the protection Cassie had, and he had to make sure that she was safe.

He touched her on the arm, drawing her gaze. "Ready?"

"But what about Farrow? There's something about him... something different..."

"We've lost too much energy to approach him now, but we will when the time comes. Okay? For now, we have to go." His skin started to glow as a result, making his irises shine brightly.

"Are you sure you're strong enough?" Cassie hated to think that Kale was using his powers because she wasn't able to use hers fully.

He smiled. "I know somewhere we can go." A gentle glow warmed the air as he prepared his powers.

"Dill?" Cassie gasped, realising that her brother had moved. "Dillen?" She couldn't see him anywhere. She tried to scramble to her feet, but Kale prevented her from standing.

"Over there," he whispered, signalling towards the burning cabin.

Cassie looked over, starting to hyperventilate. She caught sight of her brother dashing over the flat terrain that separated the trees from the cabin's carcass. His skin was glowing and his fists were clenched, pushing him to run faster than Cassie had ever seen. She blinked, causing a tear to roll across her cheek, as Dillen dove into Azul's portal just as it faded.

"Dillen!"

Her body was consumed by light, but she didn't have time to act, as Kale covered her mouth with his hand and surrounded them both with his power. It lifted them from the ground as they faded into a flash of colour.

Farrow moved through the thicket of bushes to watch as the remnants of Kale's magic dispersed. He smirked. "One day Kale, we will finish that fight we started." As the words escaped his lips, the throbbing sensation spread throughout his head yet again. He noticed that a flicker of light hovered in Cassie's place.

Once Cassie is safe.

He wasn't at all surprised when the voice filled his thoughts. _What guarantee do you have that she will help me? My mission still stands._ He had given up fighting the voice inside of him. Talking to it, accepting its presence, was the easiest way to stop his body suffering further.

I gave you my word.

What good is the word of a traitor...? I will keep them from her until I no longer can, but I didn't choose this life...

Then that is something we both share, but Cassie must not be harmed.

Farrow's fists clenched. _My father's orders are to kill the prize. We need her powers!_

As his anger built, so too did the throb which threatened to engulf his entire forehead. _Please... she will help you. You don't have to be like them..._

I will not leave my father to die.

Would he do the same in return? Razielle has lost his way.

My father is ruler now! This discussion is over.

No... Farrow...

Inhaling a deep breath, Farrow focused onto the small flow of blood which was oozing from his shoulder. He needed to tend to his wound. Blocking out the voice as best as he could, he allowed his powers to take him where he was needed.

He would have stayed to take in the beauty of the land, but the wind no longer touched him. His senses were failing more and more each day. His sense of touch was dying.

He was running out of time.
Sixteen

A stream of cool air spiralled across Kale's body as he formed, with the glow of his magic fading. He was able to stand now, having recovered some of his lost energy.

Cassie forced herself from his grip, pushing his arms away from her forcefully. "What are you doing? We have to go back! Now!"

This moment was all too familiar to her. The first time that Kale had taken her by his powers, she had just lost her parents to the Darkness. And now she had lost her brother.

"He's gone after your parents."

"Don't you think I know that!? He's gone into the Dark, after the leaches, after Azul!" She was using her hands to strengthen every word, flailing them in front of her face wildly. "Take me back!"

Kale hated to see her this way, but they weren't ready. They needed to rest before their final day. "I can't, Cass. You know it won't help."

Tears started to stream down her face, as the glow across her body tried to spread. She clenched her fists, picturing Dillen, but nothing happened. Her fingernails pierced into her palms as she willed her magic to take her, but no light formed. Even her aura had now faded.

"Don't you care?!" she snapped. "If he dies, so do you! He's your charge Kale... he's my brother... take me back!" By the end of her sentence, her sadness washed over her entirely. She fell to her knees, not caring where she landed. "Why won't you take me...?" she sobbed. "I have no one left, Kale... everyone's gone..." She tried to call upon her teleportation again, but nothing happened. Something was preventing her magic from working.

His heart ached to see her in such a way. He wished he could do as she wanted, but they were both wounded, they both needed rest. Moving to her side, he took hold of her hands and pulled her gently to her feet. She didn't resist, but she was unsteady. He wrapped his arm around her, feeling her push her face into his chest. Sobs escaped her lips.

"I'm sorry Cass, but you mean too much to me."

"Why couldn't you... just take me back?" she whispered through the tears.

He tightened his embrace. "Dillen made his choice. He's a smart kid, he'll be fine." Moving Cassie from his chest so that he could lift her gaze, he looked at her directly, moving a damp piece of hair from her face. "Give me one night, then we'll go."

She sniffed, welcoming the subtle warmth that oozed from his skin. It didn't make her feel uncomfortable now, as if the pain it had once caused was lessening the longer they were together. Wiping her face on the back of her hand, she held his gaze as best as she could.

"What are we going to do, Kale?" She pictured Azul, his magic was well beyond their strength. "His powers... how are we ever going to challenge him? I thought Farrow was strong, but Azul..."

Seeming to hesitate for a moment, Kale inhaled an unsteady breath. "You've been seeing him in your dreams, haven't you?"

Cassie held her breath. She tried to force a lie from her lips, to stop him from worrying, but it didn't work. Kale could read her thoughts. Lying now would only make things harder.

"I've seen them a few times," she admitted quietly.

"So not just Farrow, Azul as well." Kale sighed, disappointed that she hadn't told him. "Now that you've let them in, I don't know if you will be able to close your thoughts from them."

She tried to hold Kale's gaze, but the heaviness in each of his irises caused his face to lower. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I... I didn't know—"

"You didn't know if you could trust me."

Those weren't the words that Cassie had wanted to say, but she found some truth in them. Guilt started to bubble in her throat. Kale had done everything to keep her safe. He had taken wounds for her. He turned slowly and started to walk away.

"Kale, wait!"

He stopped in his place but didn't turn.

"I didn't want to tell you about Farrow, about seeing them every time I close my eyes. I knew you'd worry and try to change something. He never tried to hurt me. Not once."

"And that makes it okay?" His back slouched in response.

"I didn't know what to do!"

"So you let the Keepers of the Dark enter your head?" He turned slowly, his eyes narrowed. "You let the enemy into her mind, and you didn't want to tell me? They could have killed you!"

She edged back, watching Kale's fists clench. Something was wrong with him. "But... but I—"

"Fayna has the ability to control any living creature, Cass. If she'd wanted to, she could have walked you right up to the nearest cliff and have you leapt from its edge!"

Cassie had never seen Kale so angry before. She remembered him arguing with Gabe about keeping her safe, but even then he hadn't been full of burning rage as he was now. His fists were clenched. His aura flaring scarlet from his skin. She was frightened, but she now understood why Kale had warned her about letting the Keepers into her mind. If it was true, if Fayna really could control her, then she was in danger every minute of every day.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "There was just something about Farrow... about my dreams. In my head... that was the only place I could see Gabe."

Kale sighed loudly, releasing the tension in his hands. "You're not the only one who regrets not having Gabe at your side. We stood side by side long before you had even existed." He turned again, sadness seeping out from his skin.

A moment of silence followed.

"But he's gone because of you," Cassie whispered. "And now Dillen has gone too."

Kale's eyes narrowed. "No, Gabe's gone because of you, because you were too weak to stand and fight with him! At least I tried to save him..."

She was shocked by his hurtful remark. "If I had known what was happening, I would have done everything to stop him! You know that! But you didn't, you both kept everything from me until it was too late, so that's your fault, not mine!" The energy inside her was bubbling furiously. She was angry, upset, hurt. The emotions within was making her body pulse with heat.

"I'm sorry that you couldn't trust me." He started to walk again, pain oozing from his shoulder like venom in his blood. "I'm sorry I'm not who you need me to be." A tingling spread from his fingertips then, coursing through his lower arms.

"Kale...?"

Cassie watched him move, leaning slightly to one side. There was something wrong with him. He looked like a drunkard from behind, but that wasn't the case. A subtle glow warmed his skin, and his right arm grasped his opposite shoulder tightly.

"Kale!" She started to follow him quickly, fearing that he was going to lose his footing. "Kale, stop!"

The glow which now consumed his aura was spreading like small shockwaves across his body, and Cassie could see his skin flaring scarlet in response. She could feel his pain, the uncertainty pulsing through his mind. She was now running, reaching out to grab his arm just as he fell to the dirt floor.

His face had grown awfully pale and there was no warmth in his body. Kale's eyes were rolling but the rest of him was still. "What's wrong?" She grabbed him by the arm, shaking him. "Kale!"

Blood stained her hands, making her gasp. She held her breath, moving his shirt so that she uncovered his neckline. A deep gash had sliced through his shoulder and collar bone. It was surrounded by small lines of purple, and the main muscle was torn in two. She didn't know what had caused it, but why wasn't Kale healing? Why were his powers not repairing his skin?

"We have to move him."

She looked up quickly to see a well-dressed middle aged man approaching them. Cassie narrowed her eyes, pushing herself to her feet, when she caught sight of the armed crossbow in his grasp. She had to protect Kale as well as she could. Her fists clenched as she raised them level with her face.

The stranger's lip lifted into a smug smile. "We don't need to waste any more time." As he spoke, several other figures emerged from the tree line and ran towards her. Their auras were plain white but they seemed determined in reaching her.

Were they Keepers? Had they found her already?

Cassie didn't have the strength to fight them all, but she was going to try. She tried to clear her mind, closing her eyes briefly, but when she looked up again ready to fight as best as she could, she realised that the figures had moved past her. She turned quickly to see them grabbing at Kale's skin.

"Get away from him!" she shouted.

One of the women met her gaze briefly but then concentrated again onto Kale, helping the others peel back his clothes. Cassie went to grab them, but a hand wrapped around her wrist tightly, making her turn.

The stranger held her gaze. "We are not from the Dark. You can see our auras are as white as the plume feathers of a dove."

She tried to calm her breathing as he spoke. He was telling the truth. They were mortals.

"Who are you? What do you want?" she stammered her questions.

A silent moment passed, as Cassie watched the gathering of figures surround Kale entirely. She could see their auras as clearly as the sun. There was no magic in their veins. She slowly moved her gaze to look at the hand wrapped around her wrist.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked quietly.

"I have seen this before. We need to move him, now." The man, obviously the gatherings leader, motioned for his men to lift Kale from the floor carefully. Cassie didn't want to leave his side, but the stranger's grip on her arm was strict. Even as Kale was moved out of sight, his grip remained.

Cassie didn't know what to do. She was tired. She was alone. "What's wrong with him?" she asked worriedly, feeling her wrist be released.

"When a life has existed only in shadow, it can be hard to follow the light, to accept it. Time will tell what fate has in store for him, for you all. Come, you need to rest whilst you can."

She held his gaze only briefly, before rushing after Kale. A camouflaged set of ruins came into sight but she paid its exterior little attention. Pushing through the main doors after the figures who were carrying him, she followed them through several corridors, which seemed so bright they reminded her of the sun. Segments of colour sliced across the floor but she dashed through them, seeing that Kale was rushed into a large room to the left.

Two nurses, both female, made the others leave the room once Kale had been placed on the bed at the far side. Cassie was encouraged to do the same but she refused to leave. She rushed to his bedside, seeing that his eyes were still rolling. It brought a tear to her eye, but she held it in even when someone pulled her away from him.

Once she had moved, a male assistant hurried over with some water and clean towels—from the sink at the far end of the room, not that Cassie really noticed—and then started to tend to Kale's skin. Cassie had thought that it was healing on their arrival, but his skin looked ghastly. It had healed messily at the sides and not at all in the centre.

"Why hasn't it healed?" she asked, horrified that she hadn't noticed how badly his shoulder had been. She could have sworn that his wound had been glowing earlier. Why had it not healed?

One of the female nurses removed Kale's shirt to give her better access to his wound, but by doing so she revealed much more than just his shoulder. Cassie covered her mouth as tears started to race across her cheeks. Kale had more than a handful of bleeding injuries, some so deep that Cassie could see fluctuates in areas of his aura- not that much of it remained. It was barely visible now. The light from it had extinguished almost entirely and the colour which had once danced from his skin had dulled, becoming a matt grey.

With the male assistant holding him down, the nurses did the best they could, but they were struggling. Kale started to shake, writhing in a fit-like state. His eyes were open, but rolling and unable to focus.

"Help him!" Cassie shouted, running to his side.

One of the men grabbed her before she could reach him though, stopping her in her tracks. He grabbed her by the arms and made her focus on his face. She realised it was the older man from before. Cassie hadn't even noticed him enter the room.

"Are you sure he is who he says he is?" he asked her.

She was too busy trying to break free from his grip to hear the words. She just wanted to be by Kale's side. Not once could she remember him ever being in so much pain.

"Cassie!"

His voice startled her, drawing her gaze.

"Are you sure he is who he says he is?" He pronounced each word as clearly as he could.

"Of course," she replied, fighting against her tears. "Why aren't they helping him?"

"They're trying, but his skin is refusing any of the treatment. He's dying!"

Cassie's tears fell so rapidly now that she found it hard to keep her breath steady. "But he's an angel..."

"Exactly!"

She leaned to the side slightly, angling herself so that she was able to see Kale's face. It pained her to see, but she was only able to sense him now when she could see him. He was weakening more and more. What could she do? What could she do to help him? Angels were supposed to be immortal. How could she help one that was dying?

Just wanting to be by his side, she pulled herself free, twisting her wrist as she moved. The pain was sudden but she didn't care. She dashed to Kale's side, pushing past one of the nurses that were trying to dress his wounds. Grabbing his hand, she pushed her head into his chest. She couldn't explain it, but now more than ever she realised how much Kale actually meant to her. She couldn't survive without him.

Kale, please don't leave me.

The older man tried to pull her out of the way, but she refused to budge. She squeezed Kale's hand so tightly, it pained her wrist.

Please...

Something happened then.

A small flicker of light ignited between their hands and Kale's fit stopped. The heat emitting from the light soothed Cassie's hand as it spread, and she looked up to watch as it continued to wash over Kale's skin. He didn't wake, but his skin absorbed the warm glow of Cassie's magic well. It continued to shine even when she released his hand.

It was like an eruption of heat had ignited deep in her chest. Her skin was tingling, feeling even the slightest breeze like a harsh wind. All of her senses felt tuned now. She could hear Kale's heartbeat as if his chest was pushed against her face.

"What happened?" she asked quietly, seeing that the nurses had all stepped back. Not receiving any answer, she looked at their leader. "I don't understand..."

He smiled, handing her a small mirror from the windowsill.

She took it silently and raised it to her face. Her brow arched in confusion, as her whole face was glowing. Even the remnants of tears across her cheeks were shining.

Their leader signalled for the others to leave the room, before taking the mirror from Cassie's grasp. "You really are the light that everyone has been searching for."

"But..." She wiped her face dry, sensing her powers fade, and suddenly felt exhausted. "Is he okay?" she asked.

"His skin will heal quickly, but it may take more time for his body to be at full strength."

She sighed in relief. He was sleeping, but his skin still glowed. It was brightest where he was wounded so Cassie hoped that he would be okay.

"You must be tired."

She was.

"I will come back in the morning. We have a lot to prepare for."

Cassie watched as he made his way to the door, feeling as if she knew him somehow. There was something about the way he held himself, the way he was dressed, even the way he had never removed the crossbow from his back. It reminded her of Gabe and of Kale, but there was no angelic magic running through his veins.

Images of past battles and recent times of chaos filled her head, and she realised that she was seeing this stranger's memories as if they were her own. She watched him fight, turning and twisting like he was used to the scenes of battle. He must have been in his late forties, though his clothes complimented his age well. The way he looked reminded Cassie of the many tales of Mr Darcy from the years of English Literature that she had studied.

"Get some rest," he worded clearly, turning to the door.

As he moved, the light of the room revealed a strange symbol which had been carved into the handle of the weapon. Cassie recognised it from somewhere but she couldn't place it in her memory. It wasn't until Gabe's face warmed her mind that she realised that they had known each other.

"Did you know Gabe?" she asked quietly.

He smiled, having expected the question. "I fight for him every day."

Another image of Gabe filled Cassie's thoughts. She pictured him with a group of people, their leader shown as the Mr Darcy look-a-like. Her stomach dropped. She knew who he was. Gabe wouldn't have trusted anyone else to be their leader.

"I know you..."

As he opened the door, he looked back briefly. "Call me Leon."

She didn't know what to say. She had so many questions. So much she didn't know.

"Once you're rested, we can discuss what is needed. Come and find me when you're ready."

And with nothing more to say, he left the room, pulling the door closed quietly. Silence filled the room, but Cassie didn't notice as she approached Kale's bedside. She couldn't say what it was that was drawing her towards him, but she lay by his side, placing her head against his warming chest. Right then, she didn't want to be anywhere else.

She had tried to stay strong for everyone, but now she needed to rest. She needed to get her thoughts in line and ready to take the new challenges that were to come. There would be many fights ahead and she would need all the strength that she could get to save her family.

They had one day left until the Darkness would come for them.

Tomorrow Cassie would be at her strongest.
Seventeen

Something had changed when Farrow returned to the castle. He had expected to have been summoned into his father's audience chamber, but he hadn't been called or approached in anyway. Azul was nowhere to be seen and the rest of the Keepers were training in the small courtyard, but they had not paused or acknowledged Farrow's return. There was sadness in the air that he couldn't place. Something was wrong.

He returned to his room to change his clothes and then followed the mirrored corridor back to the central space of the building. Several leaches had nested to the wall at the far side, sleeping in pod-like shapes that allowed them to reserve their energy. Farrow paid them no attention however, feeling a strange coldness prick at his skin. He couldn't tell what was different, whether it was his surroundings or something inside himself, but he started to shake as he neared the large ornate door of his father's chambers.

The guard still remained in its place, but it was not alone. Two more had been placed on guard at the gate—they seemed more human than the other, stronger and more agile. There had only ever been one time where more guards had been needed, and that had been when Razielle had been fatally wounded. Could his father had fallen ill again?

Farrow pushed into the chambers, ignoring the leaches' attempt at interfering, and marched through the room. He had expected to see his father waiting, Azul at his side with his corrupt presence, but there was no one- the room was empty. Continuing onwards, Farrow rushed past the throne and headed towards the partially hidden doorway at the far end. He pushed into the next narrowing corridor, passing yet another group of leaches. Farrow didn't understand why there were so many, but it did make sense, they were on the eve of battle after all.

A wall of magic suddenly washed over his body, stopping him in his place. It immediately made his temples throb and he had to grasp his forehead to steady himself. The voice in his head started to whisper, but he pushed it aside, thinking only of his father and what was happening. He knew that the barrier was created by Fayna, due to the way the 'poisoned' magic seeped over him. Pushing through it stole his breath, but Farrow didn't care.

Silence followed as he entered the next room.

He saw Azul first, stood at the foot of Razielle's bed. The glow in his irises was full of darkness. Fayna was behind him, leaning over the body that was sat up beyond the drapes of cloth that hung from the ceiling. Several other guards lined the divider to the room—a thin curtain of red which prevented Farrow from seeing what was happening.

"Lord Razielle is unfit for guests," Azul worded clearly.

Farrow glared at him, lifting his lip in disgust. "He is my father, and I am his son. You will let me pass."

Azul did not move. "I am under strict instruction to not let any soldier lesser than myself in these chambers." He grinned in response.

Clenching his fists, Farrow's anger erupted. "Move out of my way!" He ran at him, causing the line of soldiers to move from their posts. Knocking one to the floor, he jumped over it and reached for the curtain. Two of the soldiers grabbed him fiercely however, piercing his skin with their sharpened claws. Farrow killed one with a surge of energy and then targeted his rage at Azul as he started to laugh.

"Enough."

Farrow was pushed to the ground, his breath stolen so quickly it knocked the strength out of him. The light, so powerful that he couldn't even raise his gaze against it, consumed the room within a single moment. It pulled the soldiers to their knees, as well as Farrow, shrouding them with its electrical energy. Fayna moved through the curtain like a ghost, forming solidly once she had passed through its crimson form.

"How dare you bring violence before Lord Razielle." There was an edge to her voice that Farrow had never heard before.

He tried to raise his gaze, struggling to resist her magic. "He is... my father..."

She straightened her back. "And yet you bring only tarnish to his name. You would serve him well by allowing him to consume what's left of your wasted soul, but alas that is not what he desires." Moving to Farrow's level, Fayna grabbed him by the face. "Do well to remember that you will not survive under _our_ reign."

He clenched his teeth in irritation, but he didn't understand. Farrow was next in line to rule... but what about his father? What had happened to Lord Razielle?

With nothing more to say, Fayna returned to her feet, leaving a moment later. Her powers remained, keeping Farrow on his knees, but the soldiers were able to move. They left the room in a single line, followed by Azul who smiled yet again as Farrow caught his evil gaze. He looked forward to the day that he could challenge Azul, but for that he needed his strength back. He needed the prize.

"Farrow."

The voice was so frail that Farrow had trouble identifying who it belonged to. He approached the curtain slowly once Fayna's magic had faded, pulling it aside so that he could see. His breath stalled in his throat. The weakened body, covered with varying bed sheets and blankets, looked like a corpse ready for burial, if not for the fact that their eyes were still open and looking at Farrow.

He rushed to their bedside. "Father!"

Farrow couldn't believe how far his father had fallen. He had been the strongest angel in the tales of heaven and earth, and yet he was dying. They all were, but Razielle was stronger than them all and was therefore losing more energy quicker.

"Father...?"

Razielle blinked slowly, as if trying to register who it was that was before him. It only took him a moment. "I see... you have no results... yet again..." Even when on the brink of death, he had no wise words to pass onto his son, no emotion of any kind except disappointment. "The time... has come..."

Not knowing what to say, Farrow just watched as his father's lips struggled to form each word. He missed the man his father once was, but he couldn't let him die. He had no other family, no friends, no allies. If Razielle was to die, Azul and Fayna would make sure their realm and what was left of the shadow was under their control and not Farrow's.

"Father... what do I do? How do I help you?"

Having gained a shallow breath, Razielle pronounced his words carefully. "Bring the prize to me... allow her power to fuel my veins..."

Farrow wasn't surprised by his father's words. It had always been his duty to find and kill the Prize. The Keepers needed her power to restore the energy and the magic that they had lost over the years since the Fall. He didn't know the details, his father had never told him, but Cassie's powers were the only ones capable of breaking the Keeper's curse. Her blood was the key to giving them back their wings and their senses.

"I saved you......"

He was pulled from his thoughts as his father started to speak.

"I saved you... from the dark abyss... of this curse. You must do this for us... for me... I need more than an Archangel... I need the Prize to save us..."

He knew what his father spoke of. The Keepers had hunted down the strongest angels that they could find when their curse had started to steal their life force. Something in the Keepers' bodies had thrived when an Archangels blood was absorbed, allowing them to live longer. Archangel blood was like nectar to them, as if they were Gods of Olympos. Gabe had been the final Archangel, other than Razielle himself. The curse had not only stolen Razielle's senses and wings, but also his immortality. He had aged over the recent years, similarly to that of Farrow and Leena—except it had been sleep which had prevented their age from racing onwards, and not the sleepless curse that had ravaged his father. The other Keepers had not aged at all. Farrow remembered cutting Gabe down, he remembered feeding on his energy.

Without Gabe's energy, Farrow would have died. His body would have destroyed itself. But Razielle had given Farrow the last Archangel to feed on. He had put his son first, and Farrow couldn't let him down. He had to hunt Cassie down to save his father. Regardless of how lost Farrow thought his father was, he was his only family.

"I will do all I can father. I will go to the ruins." Standing to his feet, Farrow looked over his father silently before leaving the room. His focus was set.

He paid no attention to the many leaches he passed whilst making his way through the castle. Even when he reached the corridor, leading to his own room, Farrow barely raised his gaze from the floor. The window at his side had a clear view of the courtyard where he sensed the Keepers were training, but he continued on. He entered his room and made his way to a shelved unit at his one side. A knife was on the first shelf, with some gloves and smaller daggers on the second. He picked them up, before tucking them into his belt and then turned to face the door.

A subtle glow suddenly appeared across his skin and the throb at his temples returned. It had been over a day since he had heard the voice clearly in his thoughts. He had thought that it had been because of his own strength fighting against it, but realising how untrue that was, he turned to face the covered mirror across from him. The same light was warming its surface, shining through the dark cloth draped over it.

_I can't help you._ Farrow was clear with his thoughts, though he waited for a response.

You're giving him what he wants. You don't see what he's doing!

I can't help you.

Cassie has to live! I won't let you hurt her!

Backing away slowly, Farrow found it impossible to remove his gaze from the shining mirror, but he was worried that the drape would come loose from its perch. It had been so long since he had seen his own reflection. He had no idea how the curse had affected him.

As the glow brightened, so too did the light over Farrow's skin. He tried to fight it with his own energy but it didn't work. His back met with the wall only briefly before he started to step forwards. Step after step he started to approach the mirror.

No, please...

I need to show you. You need to understand!

Farrow tried to fight the light which was controlling him, but it was too strong. The voice, whoever it belonged to, had obviously been saving their strength. He reached down to his belt as the mirror grew closer, fumbling to find his dagger.

Don't be blinded Farrow. Cassie will help you.

No!

As a large gust of cool air spiralled through the room, Farrow inhaled a deep breath. The material fell from the mirror, revealing its shining surface, but Farrow's dagger shattered the glass before he could meet his reflection's gaze. The light faded instantly and the voice fell silent.

Farrow, out of breath, had to lean against his thighs.

Whoever it was that was fighting to gain control of his body was powerful. They had magic of their own, as well as a strong mental presence. He tried to think back to when the voice had first appeared, remembering how he had felt different once the Keepers had entered Newtown to find Cassie. Something had changed him. Someone had entered his thoughts and hadn't left since.

"Farrow?"

Pulled from his thoughts, he looked to the door and smiled, standing up straight. The girl that was standing awkwardly in the open space was slim, petite in every way. She didn't look much older than Farrow himself, and she wasn't. Both of them had slept until recently, never having awoken since their birth after the Fall. They didn't share their ancestors' immortality as they had slept for so long in incubation, but didn't understand the details. They had been awake twenty years, and so they had aged twenty.

They had still suffered however, having started to lose their senses almost immediately from their wake. Farrow often thought about how the Keepers would be now if they had all slept since the Fall. He didn't understand why he had been asleep since the Fall, but the others had remained awake. He and Leena hadn't. They shared in the loss of their senses, but not in the sleepless side of the curse.

"Farrow...?"

He pushed his thoughts aside. "It's okay, Leena. I'm here."

The young girl stepped into the doorway, holding onto the frame tightly. Her other hand was extended outwards, searching for Farrow. He moved towards her, allowing her hand to find his arm. She smiled in response.

Farrow looked over her gentle face, noting how the skin around her eyes was dry and cracked. The scarring stood out even from beneath her thick fringe, and her irises were white. It bothered him that she had lost her sight because of being born into the Keepers. She hadn't been a part of the angel war before the Fall, neither of them had, and yet they had both suffered.

"You're doing it again," she worded playfully.

He smiled, knowing all too well that he was giving her 'that look' again.

"That's better." She squeezed her hand against his arm, starting to move across his room. He guided her slowly, growing unsettled when he looked over the mirror fragments shattered across the floor. One cracked under Leena's foot. She stopped and faced Farrow directly. "Again...? How long are you going to wait to see your reflection? You might not have even changed."

She knew him too well.

A quiet sigh left his lips. "My face won't be the same. I will be a stranger. I can feel it."

"Your face may have changed." Raising her free hand, she placed it against his chest. "But your heart is the same."

He grew tense, feeling her hand against his body. Moving out of reach, he looked over her, regret bubbling inside of him. Leena wouldn't fight in the battle that was to come; she couldn't, so Farrow had to make sure that she was safe.

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly, looking directly at him.

He dropped his gaze to the floor. "My father is dying. I have to save him."

"But how? If his time has come, then—"

"I have to go." Farrow made his way to the door, feeling overwhelmed with uncertainty and doubt. He didn't want to fight, that was the honest truth. He wanted to help Leena get away from the Darkness, but his father needed him.

"Farrow!"

He stopped in the doorway, not wanting to look back.

"The Prize has suffered just as we have. Remember- all life has suffered since the Fall. Don't hurt people you don't have to." She was searching with both arms outstretched, but Farrow was out of her reach. "Please!"

He turned briefly to look over her. "I will miss you Leena."

"Farrow!"

Pushing himself to move, he entered the corridor and didn't look back. It was the hardest thing leaving Leena behind, but she would be safer away from him. She would be safer staying where she was, whether in Darkness or not. Having been isolated in the castle library since she had lost her sight completely, Leena barely ventured from its warm embrace. The castle would keep her safe if Farrow didn't return. He didn't know why she had chosen to see him, but he had to push all emotion aside and that was what he was going to do.

He adjusted the positioning of the daggers at his waist and then pulled his hood up. Once he was outside, feeling the cool breeze against his skin, he watched as the soldiers stopped their training and looked at him. Some of them were more leach than men, others more human than creature. Azul and Fayna started to command them, giving them their orders, whilst Farrow simply waited.

This was the biggest horde of leaches that the Keepers had ever summoned. They would be needed to breach the ruins. Many people were going to die.

"We're leaving," he commanded.

Each being was taken by a dark cloud of magic then, leaving a misty residue in their place. Within a single blink, the courtyard was almost empty. Only Farrow, Azul and Fayna remained. Farrow didn't have anything to say to them so he allowed his magic to take him, being absorbed by a shallow glow, fading from sight.

Fayna and Azul faced each other directly.

"I will check on our guests now that our lapdog has gone."

Azul lifted his lip to reveal a crooked smile. "We will not have long before the battle is brought to us. The Prize will suffer for making us wait."

"There is nothing to stop us now, Azul. Once the Prize falls into our grasp, she will choose her family above all else, but in the end, death will meet them all."

*

Leena could feel Farrow's magic in the air as he faded, slouching to her knees. She would have followed him if she could have, but without her sight she was useless. Her powers were strong, but she couldn't fight. She could sense Azul and Fayna's Darkness growing. She could feel the Darkness in the air she breathed. Something was wrong. They should have followed Farrow to the ruins. Why had they stayed?

Her hands dropped to the floor, falling on one of the mirrored shards. It was glowing brightly, but she didn't need her eyesight to see it. She could feel it- feel the bright aura within the glass.

Cupping the shard in both hands, she could feel its energy warming her skin. Images formed in her head, showing her the battle that had led to the Fall. It made her gasp as she saw the brutality and violence of the angel war. She didn't understand why angels were fighting against angels. Why would they fight against each other, when men were their enemy? She continued to watch, recognising one of the angelic faces as her leader, Razielle.

Please...

She wasn't surprised when the voice entered her thoughts. She could feel their presence in everything around her. Farrow's entire room, even his body, shared the same aura as the voice in her head.

Somebody has to know the truth...

Who are you? Why are you showing me such images?

_Farrow refused to see...The war was angels against angels._ The voice was losing energy quickly.

Leena didn't understand. _But I thought angels fought against men, and in doing so the heavens were destroyed? That's why angels were forced to earth...?_ She tried to piece everything together as best as she could in little time.

Many stories had been passed through the Keeper ranks since Leena and Farrow awoke, but she didn't know any details. She had been told that men had tried to take the heavens as their own and angels had defended their home, but because of the battle that followed, the heavens were destroyed, forcing all angels to plummet to the earth.

The heavens exist...

How can you say that...? That goes against everything I've been told. Why would Razielle and his followers fall if the heavens still remained?

_He is the Dark._ The voice started to fade slowly. _One day, the heavens will open for us again, but for now, they are locked. Cassie is the key... she has to live..._

Locked? Then why are we cursed? What did Razielle do?

Please... she will help you.

Leena was confused. She didn't know what to believe now. But there was something about the voice, something angelic. _What do you want me to do?_

The Prize...she will fall into their grasp very soon... She must live... or everyone will die... Keepers and Angels alike.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing but she could sense no deceit. The voice was telling the truth. _What do I do?_

A long pause followed and the glow from the shattered mirror faded.

_Please, tell me, what do I do?_ Leena didn't know what to do. What to believe. She had to keep Farrow safe.

Wait for Kale.

All presence of the voice faded then and Leena's mind fell silent. She realised how fast her heart was beating and she had lost her breath. She didn't know what the truth was anymore, what would happen if she was to intervene, but Farrow had gone to kill the Prize for his father. Leena had to stop him. She had to listen to the voice.

She didn't know who Kale was, but everyone that needed to be at the final battle would surely be at the ruins. Though for some reason, she believed that both Kale and the Prize would come to her. They would come to Razielle's castle. An image sparked in her memory of a large room, with a powerful magic keeping it closed. Something was there; something was pulling those with magic towards it, the Prize towards it.

There was no time to waste. If it was true, if Cassie would find her way into the castle, Leena had to help. She had to keep Farrow safe, and if that meant keeping the remnants of light alive, that would be what she would have to do. She pushed herself to her feet and wasted no more time, raising both hands in front of her. As a result, the shattered mirror started to shake and its glass shards began to circle where she stood. They blurred into small orbs of light as they spun faster and faster, until they merged together and Leena was absorbed by light.

The room was now empty.

Silent and empty.
Eighteen

The sun was bright as it stretched its warmth over the horizon. It reminded Cassie of back home. She missed the way things used to be. She'd lost her family. She'd lost her friends. She'd lost the unforgettable meetings that she and Kale had shared, before her innocence had been forced from her.

Her senses were still heightened and she imagined that they always would be now that she had reached their final fight. It scared her to think that the Keepers and the leaches were coming for them right then and there, but she found herself not wanting to leave Kale's side. She propped herself onto her elbow, admiring his skin.

Some colour had returned to his face now, and most of the small scratches across his brow and chin had healed. His hair was matted in some areas—he needed a good wash, Cassie thought—but she doubted whether their enemies would even notice the state of his cleanliness.

She lowered her gaze to his chest, watching it rise and fall in a steady rhythm. The ugly wound across his shoulder was still dominant but the swelling had gone down. Both sides of his skin and muscle had started to fuse together well, layering several scabs of clotted blood across its length. Cassie raised her fingertips towards it, still sensing the glow of her magic from inside.

The light which had escaped from her skin had filled her with such strength that she couldn't compare it anything else. She felt ready in every way. Even the fear which was constantly in the pit of her stomach had shrunken in size, being rounded up and repelled by her inner-self. She knew that every skill, magical or otherwise, would now be available to her. She would be able to fight against the Dark, without having to constantly run and hide behind Kale. He was still weak.

Kale's aura was barely visible. The energy which often warmed his entire body had faded. Magic still coursed through his blood, evident by the way his small wounds had simply vanished, but Cassie could feel even that was waning. Something was wrong with him. Something irreparable.

She swallowed the doubt that threatened to bubble inside her throat and followed the curve of Kale's collar with her fingertip. The tattoo, now clearly visible as a raven in mid-flight, had been unaffected by his injury. Cassie had tried to see its entirety over several occasions of meeting him, but it was only now that his shirt had been forcefully removed, that she could see it. As well as the smooth lines of his physique.

He had another tattoo on his side that she had never had the chance to notice before. Four lines of text clearly written in black ink. Cassie traced the first capital letter of the paragraph, before following the next line.

The words read:

Through the Pain, the Sorrow, the Burning Heat of Yesterday,

The Pure Choices that have been made, and the Shadows that Linger on,

There is no Doubt that the Truth Remains Upheld.

Through Today into Forever, You will be my Peace.

Her fingertip caressed the final five words. It sparked something inside of her. She couldn't explain what it was even if she tried, but it was as if the words were meant for her to read. The thought made her smile.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Withdrawn from her thoughts, she lost the balance of her weight, falling awkwardly into Kale's side face-first. She pulled back quickly, her cheeks flaring red, but she stopped still as his hand stroked the side of her face. Meeting his gaze, she smiled again.

"Did I wake you?" she asked quietly.

He smiled, making his eyes glisten. "I was already awake."

Cassie gasped and quickly averted her gaze. She would have slapped her forehead and called herself an idiot, but she thought that would only add to her embarrassment.

"Hey."

She turned to meet his gaze again, as his thumb stroked the side of her face. Instinctively, she raised her own and entwined her fingers with his.

"My skin is yours to look at, okay?"

The way his words formed so soothingly, made Cassie's entire core warm. She had wanted to be this close with Kale for so long, but she couldn't explain why. It was just her luck that their first real chance of getting to know each other was on the eve of battle.

He lowered his hand, still entwined with hers, and closed his eyes. She guessed he just wanted to make the most of this moment. She felt guilty to interrupt it, but she had something to ask.

"Kale?"

Moving his head to the side, he opened his eyes in response. "I'm fine, Cass."

She narrowed her eyes, mentally scolding him for reading her thoughts. "That's not fair."

"Sorry... old habits die hard." He sat up carefully, leaning against the wall with his back, but he held Cassie's gaze through the movement. "Ask away."

"Erm..." Now she felt on the spot.

There were so many questions she wanted to ask. Why had he taken them to the ruins? Who were the people that were helping them? Was Leon their leader? Where had he been all this time? Were they going to help them fight? Had the Keepers found them already? But only one question stood out from the rest.

"What's wrong with you?"

Kale lowered his gaze for the first time. _You won't understand..._

His voice spiralled through her mind. "I can hear your thoughts."

He wasn't surprised. "You're at full strength now." He took advantage of the change in topic. "You have magic now. You should finish your training."

A moment of silence passed before Kale moved from the bed. He pushed himself to his feet, and staggered to the small sink at the far end of the room. His muscles had relaxed for too long, and now they were struggling to regain their composure.

Cassie watched him wash, seeing the light of the sun warm his back and all its scars. She wanted to trace her fingertips along them—she knew she could have; Kale wouldn't have minded—but he hadn't answered her question.

"Kale."

Both of his hands grasped the sink basin tightly. "I'm losing my powers."

"Why?"

"The Dark is growing in strength," he answered honestly. "That means the Light is failing."

She didn't understand. "But, I thought once I was at full strength, I would give my powers to the Light...?"

"You will, but those of us caught between the two, the fallen angels that remain, we won't survive the elements when they clash unless we choose a side."

Moving from the bed quickly, Cassie approached him, turning him to face her with both hands. "What do you mean? You chose the Light, didn't you?"

An image of Gabe lying in Kale's arms filled Cassie's head then. She understood. Kale was afraid. Gabe had chosen the Light but in the end Darkness had come for him. Kale was weaker than Gabe ever was, and doubted whether he could challenge the Dark. He doubted whether Light would accept him even if he could challenge it. So as a consequence, he was turning mortal.

"You can die...?" she whispered.

Kale kept his gaze lowered.

"Hey!"

He lifted his head slowly. It pained him to see a tear roll across her cheek.

"You have to stay here," she stated clearly.

His brow arched inwards. "I'm not standing down from this fight, Cass. I'm not mortal yet."

"But if you fight, if you turn mortal, you'll die!"

He moved from his position, reaching for his shirt. Cassie didn't know what to do, what to say. She just watched as he dressed himself carefully, and then he approached the door.

"You chose the Light, Kale...you should be an angel in the Light."

Before reaching for the door, he turned briefly to meet her gaze. "I've chosen the Light, but the Light has yet to choose me."

"What?"

A knock at the door interrupted them.

"You have to focus now. Push this all aside. Got it?"

She held his gaze, a tear rolling across her cheek. "But..."

"Do this for me, Cass."

She nodded, wiping her face dry with the back of her hand, as Kale opened the door. Leon was stood waiting. A sudden tremor coursed through the floor, making the two men meet each other's gazes.

"The Keepers have formed across the meadow. We've run out of time."

Kale sighed loudly. "We stick to the plan."

Leon nodded in response and then started to walk along the corridor, Kale following him closely. Cassie remained still for just a moment before running after them. A second tremor followed, lasting a little longer than the last.

"Plan? What plan?" she asked, keeping up with their steady pace.

"The Keeper's army have been drawn to you, leaving their castle with little defence." Leon's reply was clear. "Now is our best chance to strike at their heart. Our source has confirmed that all leaches have merged here, leaving only two or three Keepers with Razielle himself. Farrow is here on his behalf."

Cassie didn't understand. "Razielle? Who's that? How do you know all of this?"

"Razielle is the Keeper's Leader. Farrow is his son."

It made sense that Farrow was their leader's son. Cassie had sensed his strength on several occasions, but she still didn't understand what was happening. She had thought that they were fighting an element that had raised an army to steal her powers, but their enemy was actually a person. He was an angel.

"So... if Farrow is here to fight..."

Leon glanced over his shoulder. "Most of my men will stay behind. They can be the diversion we need. Once the battle has started, we plan to enter the Dark Domain and challenge Razielle whilst he is at his weakest. Our second source confirms that he has fallen ill, as we expected." He continued walking, not noticing that Cassie had stopped.

There was something inside her that was screaming out. Something was wrong. Leon wasn't telling her everything. Narrowing her eyes, she concentrated on his body and washed through his thoughts. She saw many battles and conversations that he had shared with various people. She saw Leon and Gabe talking, and then Kale training.

A hand grasped her shoulder, making her withdraw from his mind. She met Kale's widening gaze. "You won't like what you find in there."

She held her breath. "What aren't you saying? I don't want to go into the Dark."

"You would leave your family to die?" Leon had stopped. A ghostly colour had consumed his face.

"My family?"

She looked at Kale, creating one of his memories to form in her head. He and Dillen were talking amongst the trees. They were glancing around suspiciously, and then the memory jumped to when Dillen had dove into the portal. Her parents flashed across her gaze then. They were alive. She saw them tied up, suffering. A tear rolled across her cheek and she pulled back from Kale's grasp.

"Tell me, he didn't do it for you."

"Cass." Kale tried to reach for her.

"Tell me it wasn't your plan to send him in there! That's why he went, isn't it? That's why he asked me about our parents and if we would save them. You knew he would want to go... you used him as a spy!"

"He volunteered." Leon's words were clear.

"I don't care!" she shouted. "He's not a soldier!"

Without warning, Leon stormed towards her and took her by the shoulder. His grip pinched her skin as he started to drag her forcefully.

"Leon!" Kale shouted his name, but didn't intervene.

Cassie tried to pull free as they turned a corner. "What are you doing?"

Leon marched her towards a set of double doors and pushed his way inside, dragging her along. She grasped at his hand to try and weaken his grip, but it didn't work. She even called upon her powers, burning his skin with heated energy, but he didn't let her go. He thrust her through another set of doors and then released his grip, watching as she stumbled forwards.

She fell to the floor, knocking her head on a metal frame of some sort. A blinding light coursed across her skin and she darted to her feet, glaring at Leon in seething anger. Kale rushed in then, but he stayed still, drawn to something behind her.

"Look around you!" Leon shouted. "Everyone has lost family, friends, allies that have stepped up to fight when needed! This is what remains of the town that you left behind!"

Cassie turned. What she saw, stole her breath.

The large room ahead of her was filled with lines and lines of beds, occupied by people she no longer recognised as human. Dark veins had spread across their skin, oozing from the various wounds that threatened their lives.

"Cass..."

The quiet voice made the hairs along her skin stand on end. She turned, calling her powers to fade, to see a bed tucked in the corner. It was a simple metal frame with a folded up duvet acting as the mattress, but that wasn't what she focused on. The dull eyes that she met as she approached the small bed, cut through her like glass.

She started to sob, tears falling fluently across her face, as she reached out for the female hand that was waiting for her. Her knees felt weak and she had to lean against the metal frame to stop herself from falling. The person's body was covered in black tissue, stretching out from a horrific wound across her stomach. Cassie leaned over towards her forehead, resting against it to stop herself from crying out.

"Oh, Freya, I'm so sorry."

"Where have you been?" she whispered. Her voice was unable to form clearly.

Cassie moved back and sat on the edge of her bed. "You know me," she sobbed. "Always busy in my head." She forced a smile, but it didn't last long.

Freya coughed, paining her body. She gasped, clutching at her stomach. "Dill said you'd come and see me."

That meant that Dillen had already been to the ruins once. He had seen the state of Newtown, and had chosen to fight.

Cassie couldn't bare seeing the people in pain. She missed the sparkle in Freya's eyes. "Of course, I wouldn't let you down."

"That's good..." She coughed again, a trickle of blood falling from her nose. "I'm glad I saw you again..." Her lip started to quiver, making Cassie clutch at her hand. "I don't know what's going on, but I'm glad you're here..."

"You're going to be fine, Freya!"

She giggled quietly. "You were never very good at lying to me..."

"No!" Cassie moved to her feet and leaned over so that Freya could clearly meet her gaze. "I will save you, okay?"

Freya held her gaze. "Dill... he said your parent's need your help... don't forget about us though, okay...?"

Cassie had to hold back her tears. "I will save you, Freya. I promise, I will save you."

"Then you best get going..."

Not wanting to let go of her hand, Cassie squeezed her grip. She felt so guilty that the people of Newtown had suffered, that Freya had suffered, because of her. She hadn't thought about them once.

"Cass...?"

"Yes?"

"I know you didn't think we were proper friends..." Freya coughed, gasping in pain again. "But you were my best friend. Don't be angry with Dill, or Kale." Her eyes closed.

Pulling away from Freya as sleep took her, Cassie turned to look at Leon and then Kale. "Why didn't you tell me about the town, about the people here, about my parents? Was that the plan all along?"

"I'm sorry," Kale replied. "I thought it would only distract you."

"With everything that happened with Gabe," Leon pitched in. "We needed your powers to reach their peak with as little distractions as possible."

She held Leon's gaze. "I thought that you'd left Gabe, left him to the Dark, but you've been fighting all along." Glancing again at Freya before moving towards the door, she inhaled a steady breath. "If Dillen's in the Dark Domain now, and my parents too, don't you think that they'll know that's where we're headed...?"

"It is almost certain that the Keepers that have remained with Razielle will have set a trap, but we're hoping with our numbers and your powers, we can finally end his reign."

She nodded to say that she understood, but her mind was struggling to keep up.

"You'll need to be seen on the meadow battlefield so that they think you're here. If you leave without showing yourself, Farrow will not take the diversion."

"Okay, then let's go." She inhaled a deep breath, a subtle glow warming her entire figure. She'd made her decision. She'd had enough sitting on the sidelines.

*

Arming themselves with daggers and crossbows, a small group of Leon's men scouted the corridors before Cassie and the others followed. Leon was at the head of them, armed with his own crossbow, with Kale next and Cassie at the back. It was more the fact that the three of them had such different paces as to why Cassie was trailing behind. She wasn't holding back on purpose.

Her body was still glowing brightly and her arms were warm with blue energy. She had tied her hair as best as she could, pinning her fringe back with the remnant clips from her pocket. She was glad to see that some of them had remained safe.

A female soldier from Leon's ranks had offered her a change of clothing—a clean t-shirt, a red fitted hoodie and a small belt. A dagger and some gloves were suspended from her waist but she doubted whether she would need them. She was just thankful that they were there if she did.

Kale, too, had changed his clothes Cassie noticed. He was now wearing a set of loose jeans and an armoured top of some kind, reinforced with areas of metal chaining. A small dagger was in each of his hands, and a subtle glow warmed his fingertips. It would have covered his whole body if he was at full strength—Cassie hoped it would survive for the duration of the battle. If it didn't, Kale would be in more danger than she was.

Raising his clenched fist, Leon stopped and crouched to the floor, signalling for the others to do the same. Cassie guessed they had reached the outer areas of the ruins already. The rebels, if that's what you could call them, were guarding the entranceway with several lines of armed men and women, but most of them had been absorbed into the battlefield, fighting the leaches head on. In the nearby distance, Farrow was stood waiting.

"As soon as we start to fight, Farrow will come to us," Leon explained briefly, glancing back to see that Cassie understood.

She nodded. "Then we have to hide, and meet up at the tree line."

"That's right." Facing the battle again, Leon inhaled a deep breath. "Once we are all there, you can take us to the Dark Domain."

Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't realised that it would be her powers that would get them to where they were needed, but it didn't really make much difference in the end. Her questions of how she would do that, and why hadn't they told her, were pushed from her thoughts.

"Okay, got it." She moved to her feet, causing the glow across her arms to spread across her torso. She was ready. Dillen and her parents were waiting.

Kale looked at Cassie directly once Leon had moved into the battlefield. "Whatever happens, don't fight Farrow. If anything, injure him and then run."

She wanted to question him, but she nodded in response. Kale was worried about her, that was obvious, but she also understood that Farrow's strength was powerful.

"Stay safe," she whispered. "I'll meet you at the tree line." A lump had formed in her throat and she could have cried out, but this wasn't goodbye. She was sure of it. They were meeting again just the other side of the battle.

Not looking back, she ran into the chaos.

Dodging an attack from the first creature she came across, Cassie's reflex was to kick it back. She shoved its body again once it had regained its posture, turning to avoid a second swipe of its extended claws.

So much for my training...

The creature ran at her in the brief second she was distracted, but without much thought, the dagger from her belt was now tightly in her grasp, being thrust through its skull. The blade sliced through its skin easily, as Cassie withdrew the weapon and watched as the creature's body fell to the floor. Its subtle aura faded into nothing as she stepped over its body.

Someone bumped into her making her lift her weapon again, but the rebel quickly ran on to challenge a small group of leaches. Cassie could see that their aura was purple, dancing as an array of lights. She could see every aura of the battlefield, shining brightly from the rebels; spreading like an evil gas from the leaches.

A set of claws pierced through Cassie's arm, making her falter. She quickly kicked the creature back as a second focused onto her. Lifting her gaze, she twisted the ones arm cleanly off, and then kicked the other to the dirt floor. They both growled with frustration, but she killed the one with a blast of heated energy before it could return to its feet. The leach, whose arm was now wriggling by its feet, ran at her, knocking her to the ground forcefully.

The air from her lungs was pushed outwards, but her eyes narrowed, moving the creature's aura like a rope around its neck. She didn't know what she was doing, but it was as if her body had always had magical skill and needed no instruction. The leach started to squirm and then its neck broke, breaking its body into dust.

She scrambled to her feet, ducking to avoid an oncoming attack, and then pushed through the next layering of the battle. Two rebels were challenging a larger leach—two grotesque looking wings were draped over its shoulders, which it was using as scythe of some sort. Cassie intervened, jumping over its wing as it sliced through the air, cutting the side of its neck with her dagger. Kale had been right; she really could jump, run and fight easier than ever before.

Her body pulsed with energy as she landed, the leach turning to follow her movement. It tried to stomp on her, wanting to crush her body before she could stand, but she had already moved. The rebels started to shoot arrows into its back whilst it was turned, making it roar in pain. A steady flow of blood oozed from its skin, but it knocked the rebels over with one swift turn of its wings.

Cassie, worried for their safety, jumped higher than she thought she could and grabbed hold of the creature's wings. The bright glow from her hands spread across the darkened feathers, and in one quick movement she ripped them from its back. As the pain coursed through its body, it flailed its arm violently, knocking Cassie back. She twisted her left wrist as she fell, dirt spattering across her face.

The leach stamped towards her, pain and revenge burning from its irises. Its lip lifted, baring its sharpened fangs. Cassie tried to stand, but she slipped, bending her injured wrist. She gasped, keeping her shriek contained. The creature's large foot raised above her, as she tried to control its aura. Her attempt failed, as the leach's aura completely faded.

Without warning, an arrow dug deep into its forehead. It burrowed into its skin like an animal searching for something, causing a steady flow of blood to wash across its face. Cassie held her breath, fearing the body would fall on her, but it didn't. The leach fell back, causing a tremor to spread across the ground. It even killed another leach as its weight fell.

As the dust settled, Cassie saw that one of the injured rebels lowered their crossbow. They'd saved her. There wasn't much time for a thank you though, as another leach targeted Cassie as she moved to her feet. She killed it instantly, flicking her hand like she was swatting a fly, causing a wave of energy to cut through the creature's small body.

She really didn't know what she was doing. Her body was simply following the magical presence inside of her and doing what was needed. Cassie felt strong, she felt like she could make a difference.

A stray arrow killed the next creature to set its eyes on her, giving her the chance to run a little further. She pushed through a small group of leaches and then teleported through another set, as several arrows launched through the air. Her powers suddenly brightened, making her skin shine like the sun. It made her stop, as the nearest creatures to her were burned into ash.

What had caused her powers to grow?

The answer was, that Farrow was stood only several metres ahead of her. No creature or man was between them, and his gaze was fixed directly onto her.

Cassie started to panic. Kale had told her not to fight Farrow head on, and yet here they were targeting one another directly. Her powers had sensed him even before she had; his aura so powerful in comparison to everyone around her. It was greener than she remembered, but the dark edges still remained. She stepped back as Farrow started to walk.

She wasn't afraid but she didn't have the time to waste. She tried to remember what Kale had said. Injure him and then run. Could she do that against such a strong opponent? Maybe she could try and talk him down? After all, there was still something about him that made her think he didn't want her harmed.

"How does it feel to know that all the lives that have been taken here, have been because of you?" Farrow's voice sounded strange, as if two were overlapping each other simultaneously.

Cassie inhaled a breath, remaining in her place. She wasn't going to fight him unless she had to, but she had to try something else first. "You make it sound like this is what you wanted, but your aura says differently."

He huffed, as if wiping her response away. "My father is dying; without you his soul will fade into nothingness."

"Razielle...? He's the Leader of the Keepers, right?"

Farrow seemed surprised. "It seems you know more than I credit you for. But it makes no difference."

"You said to Azul that you would die without my power. Are you sure you're not here for yourself?"

His aura flared scarlet as his fist clenched. "You speak as if you understand the constant threat of losing your soul into Darkness, but you know knowing!"

Cassie was shocked by Farrow's response. He was afraid. He was afraid of dying. "I'm sorry," she worded quietly. "It must be awful to know you're falling into Darkness against your wish..."

He remained silent for a moment.

"Now I understand why your aura is so bright, and yet fading into the Dark."

Farrow's brow arched, but no words left his lips.

Cassie didn't understand his reaction. It was as if he didn't know what she was talking about. "You can't sense it? The light inside you...?"

In response, Farrow shuffled back. His head started to throb.

This was Cassie's opportunity. "There's good in you, Farrow. I can see it as clearly as the moon in the dark. There's something different about you. You're not like the others, so why are you fighting?"

"I fight for my father."

"But even you must sense the Dark. I can feel it in the air that we're breathing. There's Darkness here that wasn't before. What is Razielle trying to do, if not throw all of life into the Dark?"

Farrow straightened his stance. "You know nothing. My father needs your power to save us. To give us back our lives so that we can escape the shadow that the Light chose for us."

"Are you sure?" Cassie's mind felt strange. She could feel uncertainty oozing from Farrow's body, but the Dark presence around him was strong. It must have been because of Razielle.

"I will not have you question my father." Raising his hand fluently, Farrow's magic wrapped tightly around Cassie's throat.

She tried to fight against his invisible grip, but she couldn't breathe. Her legs gave way and she fell into the dirt. She expanded her mind to try and find something that she could use against him, and found something that she didn't expect. Her consciousness fell into his mind, spinning furiously out of control, but a light shone out from within it.

When you enter the Dark, Farrow will follow his father until the end, unless he realises he is using him.

Cassie recognised the voice. She couldn't believe it. _I don't understand, I thought you were—_

There is no time.

It was true, they all had little time. _What do you mean, Razielle's using him? What should I do?_

Follow him into the Dark Domain. Give yourself up.

But what about the people? What about my family? Kale told me to run!

_Your family can take care of themselves. Let Farrow take you to his father, and then hope he will see the truth, Cass._ The voice started to weaken and fade.

Something inside of her quivered as she heard her name. _I thought you were gone..._

_Have faith._ And with nothing more said, the voice faded and the light within her mind along with it.

She returned to reality, struggling to breathe, meeting Farrow's angry gaze. "I will... come with you."

Making sure he had heard her right, he weakened his grip. "Just like that?" He didn't understand why she was giving up.

"I will come with you," she stuttered. "Just leave... the people here be."

"Fine." Farrow called his magic to fade and then started to approach where Cassie was kneeling.

She gasped for several deep breaths and then looked up, watching his approach. She was frightened of what would happen now, but the voice had filled her with determination. Farrow reached her just as she pushed herself to her feet.

"I thought you would fight," Farrow questioned.

"Let's just say a voice told me not to."

He narrowed his eyes. "Come, my father awaits." Extending his hand, Farrow touched Cassie's shoulder and they both faded from sight.

"Cassie!!" Kale was too late, skidding to a halt as the two of them faded. "Dammit!" He was so angry. What was she thinking?? What hope did she have against the rest of the Keepers by herself?

Meet her in the Dark, brother.

Kale raised his gaze to see a silhouette of light left in Farrow's place. It had no features, but the green light of its aura was shining brightly. "Gabe?"

The silhouette brightened and then it was gone.
Nineteen

Dillen peered around the corner cautiously, hearing movement ahead. A group of leaches passed him by, making him hold his breath, but then they were gone. He sighed in relief and then edged from his position, crossing a small connecting hallway before stopping again. So far, he hadn't had to fight anything in the Dark Domain, but he had to be ready at all times.

Before leaving, Kale had warned him of the Keepers that would have stayed behind to protect Razielle, and the many ranks of leaches which would exist within the Dark. He had explained about his plan of entering the Dark Domain with Cassie and some of the rebels to challenge Razielle head on, being sure to warn Dillen of the approaching trap they could all be entering. But Dillen hadn't been met by soldiers. On his arrival into the Dark, Dillen had simply been met with a mirrored reflection of himself.

Moving on, he turned a corner before following the small corridor further on. He didn't know where he was going, but there was something in the back of his head which was calling for him. It must have been his parents. On finding out that they were still alive and being held by Razielle for reserve energy, Dillen had vowed to set them free. He had been so stubborn over the years, never realising that his parents had done everything to keep him and his sister safe.

A sudden screech echoed around him, making him turn. A leach was stood several metres back, its head cocked to the side as if trying to work out the identity of the body it could see. Dillen didn't give it chance to, running hastily towards it. As soon as he was in distance, he launched from the ground and wrapped his legs around the creature's neck, twisting its body until it was flat under his knees. The creature released a shallow breath before dying, but Dillen was too busy looking around to notice.

No other creatures were approaching him, but now he had a dilemma. If he left the body and continued, there was the chance of another leach finding it and raising the alarm. He didn't know what to do. Where could he hide the body?

"It doesn't matter."

Dillen gasped, turning to see that a female Keeper was walking towards him.

He'd run out of time.

Moving from his knees, he turned and ran without looking back. He clenched his fists, pumping his body to run faster and faster. The corridor soon came to an end, but Dillen continued on into the next large space, realising that it must have been the heart of the Dark Domain, due to the crystal roof and large ornate doorways, leading out from its centre.

It was so quiet, that Dillen could hear his own heartbeat. He inhaled a shallow breath, pushing himself against the stairway wall as two leaches came into sight. Dillen allowed his magic to warm his hand, expecting the creatures to run at him, but moments passed and they didn't. He peered through the metal railings of the stairway, seeing that in fact four leaches were stood at the large ornate door that he could see. He sighed in relief, but anxiety soon rushed through him.

He had never fought four leaches by himself before, especially ones that looked so human. He could even sense the power that each of their bodies held. They were definitely creatures of the Dark, but Dillen could see their wings, or rather the stumps that were left of them. Could they have really been angels at one point?

Regardless of what they were, Dillen was being called towards the door and what was beyond it. The power source he could feel was definitely ahead. It had to be his parents. There was no other power source that would call to him so warmly, was there?

"It is not that way you wish to go."

The same voice as before called to him.

His mind was made up as the female Keeper moved towards his position. Moving from the stairway, he ran towards the leaches that instinctively moved to approach him, weapons held ready. He had better chances against four leaches than a Keeper. He had no choice but to fight them, before the Keeper could reach him.

He jumped into the air, twisting his foot into one of the leaches faces before landing. The leach stumbled and fell back, as Dillen kicked the next in line to the floor. A set of claws scratched through his upper arm, but he killed the next leach with a shockwave of energy. As he scrambled to his feet, seeing that the other two leaches had recovered their composure, he raised his fists.

Blocking an attack, he punched a torso and then a face, knocking the creature from its feet as it stumbled. He stamped his foot into its face, letting out a hastened breath as a dark wisp of energy wrapped around his leg. It pulled him into the floor as if it was water, solidifying again around his waist. He started to panic, twisting and writhing to try and free himself.

The two final leaches, both holding swords towards him, seemed to merge into one larger creature as he blinked. Its tongue elongated, smothering its swollen lips with steaming saliva. Its body mass doubled in size, and its grotesque stumped wings thinned into smaller versions of what they once were.

Dillen let his magic warm the solid floor around him, hoping that it would somehow release his body. It started to loosen its grip as the energy from his skin spread outwards, but he didn't have enough time. The leach was already moving towards him. He reached for a discarded sword, thinking that it had belonged to one of the fallen creatures, but it was too far away. He stretched, tearing the skin on his side as it rubbed painfully against the stone, but the sword was still out of reach.

Without warning, a slice of light darted through the air, digging deep into the leaches forehead. The creature stood no chance against the oncoming attack, screeching aloud before falling to the floor. Dillen, wary of turning, started to rise up until his knees were against the stone. He steadied his breath, seeing that the Keeper from before had approached him. Grasping the weapon that was now in his reach, he moved to his feet and struck through the air.

"Please."

He stopped, the sword only a small margin from the Keeper's throat.

"I am not your enemy."

Dillen narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie to me, you're a Keeper!"

"I am the daughter of a Keeper, but do not follow their ways." Her words sounded truthful. Dillen could sense no threat from her, but he had to be careful. She was still covering her face with the darkened hood of her cloak. "Please, we must move from this space. Before their bodies are discovered. We must go."

He huffed loudly. "I am not leaving."

"The room you seek is not the one ahead. Please. I will take you another way."

Again, Dillen sensed no lie from her, but it had to be a trap. Why would a Keeper help him? A sudden movement came from across the space. The corridor was filling with moving shadows. Someone was coming.

"You may keep the sword at my throat, but we must move."

It was as if she was pleading with him, like her own life depended on it, but it was Dillen that was in danger. He had no other choice but to follow her.

"Show me."

Without hesitation, she turned and started to run towards another ornate door at their side. Dillen followed her closely, glancing back to see several bodies enter into the hallway as they ducked out of sight. The door remained closed however, a subtle light warming its keyhole.

"You tricked me?"

Ignoring him, the young girl raised her hand towards the door. A shallow light beamed from her fingertip, coursing through the keyhole, and then without warning the same light enveloped their bodies. Dillen tried to fight it, but they were absorbed by it quickly.

As they materialised again, Dillen raised the sword in his grasp, holding it towards the Keeper's throat. The cool breeze which had spiralled around them had faded, but there were no leaches or Keepers surrounding them like Dillen had expected. They were in a room, filled with shelves bursting with scrolls and books. A library.

"I mean you no harm."

Dillen scowled at her. "I don't believe you."

"This room is opened to only those with light within. You can sense it, can you not?"

It was true. Dillen's entire body was warmed by a light he couldn't see. He could sense it though, in every object, every book, every breath he took. Was she telling the truth after all?

"This is my home. The Keepers can only enter here with my permission."

He kept his sword raised, but he sensed she was telling the truth. There was no darkness inside the library. None. "You live here? But you're a Keeper...?"

Raising both of her hands slowly, being sure not to startle him with her movement, she removed her hood, allowing the light of the room to bathe her face. Dillen couldn't help but gasp quietly. Her face was taken over by such scabbing and scarring that her eyes were white.

"As I said, I am the daughter of a Keeper, but do not follow their ways."

He lowered his sword. She was blind.

"My name is Leena. I have waited for allies of the Light for so long. I'm glad to meet you, Dillen."

He didn't understand how she could know him. "You know my name...?"

"I know more than your name," she giggled. "I know that you are Nephilim. That your powers have been with you for only a few days. That you are brother to Cassie."

On mention of his sister's name, he couldn't help but tense a little. "What do you know about my sister?"

"Cassie is the Vessel of Light. She is filled with such strength because of the love that her parents once shared. The Keepers hope that by taking her powers, the curse that has plagued them since the Fall, will end. It is not until very recently however... that I have come to realise that it is not just her powers they desire. They wish to take her life, and the lives of her loved ones, so that they can once again walk as angels. They believe there is something unique about her powers that will free them from their curse."

Dillen absorbed the information well, but Kale had already told him most of it. There was something he needed to ask though. "You act as if you're not one of them... but you are, aren't you?"

She looked down briefly. "The Keepers have been cursed to remain awake since the Fall. They have not aged, unless their powers have deemed it necessary, but they have lost many of their senses. I was conceived here many years after the Fall, but I remained asleep until twenty years ago. I was the child of two fallen angels, who had wanted to test how their offspring would be affected by the curse. They destroyed themselves when it came to light that I was cursed the same."

"Is that why you helped me escape?"

"I choose the Light, Dillen, it is just the case that I am already claimed by Darkness." She lifted her face as if to look at him and smiled. "You are here to free your parents before Cassie's arrival, is that right?"

He was surprised at how blunt she was being, as if knowing everything was normal. Though it probably was normal to her. Dillen guessed it was part of her powers to know everything.

"I don't know everything," she giggled. "But I do know that I was given these powers to help. I choose to help you, and Cassie. I can't watch people suffer needlessly. Farrow has lost his way, and I will do everything I can to bring him back."

"Farrow!?" Dillen stepped back, raising his sword again. "You know him??"

Leena raised both of her hands to try and calm him. "Please, listen to what I have to say."

"But he tried to kill us!"

"Farrow is the son of our leader, but like me has only been asleep until recently. Twenty-three years he has been awake, but is cursed like the rest of them. His father has never loved him like he should have, but Farrow still follows his orders, in a hope that he can earn his father's respect."

"You don't earn respect by killing people!"

"Farrow has had many opportunities to take Cassie away from you, but he hasn't! There is good in him, but his father has darkened his mind."

Dillen stepped back again, lowering his sword slightly. He understood what it was like to lose your parents. He himself, was in the Dark Domain to free his father, to apologise, to earn his respect.

"Farrow is my friend, Dillen. I just want him to be safe. For now, whilst he is following his father's orders, we have a chance to free your family."

"But then what? What if he gets in our way? I won't let him take my sister."

Leena hesitated before replying. "Leave Farrow to me. When the time comes, I will show him the light."

Lowering his sword completely, Dillen nodded. "I guess... I leave Farrow to you then."

"Thank you." Turning her head quickly, Leena looked back at the door. Her eyes seemed to widen momentarily, intriguing Dillen to watch her. She was blind, but it was as if she could see everything.

"What's wrong?"

Grabbing his hand tightly, Leena started to pull him across the large room. "They are coming!"

Dillen didn't fight against her movement, but he was confused. "I thought they couldn't enter without your permission?"

"They can if there is no door to bar their way," she replied hastily, not looking back.

Loud bangs and shouts came from behind them. It made the room shake, and Dillen could only guess that it was magic that was being used to break through the door. He could sense a Keeper's presence, but couldn't see their face. If Cassie had been there, she would have been able to identify them immediately and prepare them for battle, but she wasn't. Dillen felt alone.

Leena stopped him suddenly. "There is no need to worry. Your sister is being brought here as we speak."

Panic coursed through Dillen's stomach. If it was true, if Cassie really was on her way here, how was it that the Keeper's knew? The plan was for Kale, Cassie and Leon to sneak into the Dark Domain, but Leena hadn't mentioned them. That meant that Cassie was being brought there another way.

"Farrow won't harm her."

He held his breath. "She's being brought here by Farrow? But he'll take her right to Razielle!" He started to edge back, deciding whether or not he could challenge the Keeper that was drastically trying to break through the door.

"We have time before he takes her to him. We need to gather as many people that can fight as we can."

"But what if we haven't got time? I have to help her. If Kale isn't with her—"

"Kale?" Leena faced Dillen directly, looking up as if she was searching for something in his eyes. "He is an angel, fighting to protect Cassie...?" Now she understood why the voice from before had wanted her to find Kale. He would help them. He would help keep Cassie safe.

A loud explosion shook the room, making several shelves of books plummet to the floor. They had no more time to talk. Leena grabbed Dillen's free hand and started to glow as she inhaled a deep breath.

"What are you doing??"

Before Dillen had chance to use his own powers, they were both gone from the room, forming a moment later in an empty corridor. The glow from their skin faded and Dillen checked their surroundings. He didn't know where he was, but at least they were away from the Keepers. The sense of power that was calling towards him, was just beyond the door in front of them.

"Come on."

He started to walk, but there was no movement behind him.

"Leena?"

Turning to see what was wrong, Dillen realised that Leena had collapsed to the floor. Her skin, already pale from her curse, seemed to lose all colour completely. He ran to her side without delay, helping her onto her knees.

"Are you okay?" he asked nervously.

She smiled. "I'm okay."

"What happened?"

"I haven't used my powers for a long time. They drain me of too much energy..."

Dillen saddened. She was in pain because she was helping him. Maybe leaving her somewhere safe was a better solution. "You should stay here, Leena."

She pushed herself to her feet, raising her head slowly. "I don't think so," she replied stubbornly.

"But you're weak..."

"I have seen in my head, the final battle... but not the outcome. I am standing there, watching you all fight for what you believe."

Realising then that Leena must have had visions of the future, Dillen finally understood why she had always known what he was going to say. "If you're not going to fight, you should stay here. You'll be safer here."

She shook her head. "My visions are like shimmers on a pond. They don't always happen how I see them. I am going to fight, for Farrow. He's my family, and I won't leave him."

Dillen understood her feelings. He wasn't going to try and talk her out of it. He helped her to her feet gently and then gave her a short moment to catch her breath, before looking at the door. Its design was that similar to the others that he had seen on his arrival into the Dark Domain, but there was a strong energy flowing through the wood. He wondered if it was some kind of lock, like the one that Leena had seemed to open to enter into the library.

He doubted whether the library had survived the Keeper's attack, glancing at Leena briefly, but freeing his parents was their only chance in surviving. Neither of them were strong enough to challenge a Keeper, let alone their leader- even if he was sick, Dillen knew that he stood no chance against Razielle.

Reaching the door, Dillen raised his hand towards it.

Leena made him stop. "Are you ready?" she asked.

He moved to meet her gaze. "Once they're free, we can help Cassie."

"But..." Her face seemed to sadden. "This chamber slowly absorbs any life that it is connected to. Your parents, if they have survived, will not be as you remember them."

Dillen inhaled a breath. He understood, but he had one question he needed to ask before entering. "If you knew they were here, why didn't you help them? Azul took them from Newtown. You knew they were here, but didn't help...?"

"The library was my prison," she answered honestly. "I have not been able to leave for years. It is only now that Razielle is weakening that I was strong enough to help."

He accepted her answer. Whether it was true or not, he could feel her fear. The upcoming battle was going to be the hardest yet, for them all, and he had to do all he could to help.

Slowly pushing on the door in front of him, feeling the rough wood beneath his fingertips, Dillen watched as the room ahead came into sight. The air hit him like a punch to the face, and then a second to the inside of his chest. It was as if the oxygen from the air had vanished, being replaced with a thick, musty replacement. Leena moved next to him and they shared a long glance before moving into the shadowed space.

The walls were covered with thick vines of some kind, seeming to beat with a steady rhythm which coursed from the ceiling. That seemed to be the heart of the plant-like structure. Its red skin reminded Dillen of the blood that had often coloured his knuckles after his many college fights. They stretched across the walls, smothering the corners and parts of the floor. A window that had once existed had been swallowed whole—the glass having broken many years beforehand—allowing the plant to build a stubborn net of intertwining vines to fill the space.

"Watch your step," Leena whispered. "This plant is what separates energy from the victims within."

Dillen glanced back. "Then can't we just kill it?"

She shook her head, but didn't answer. Choosing rather to point ahead, she reminded Dillen that they had to keep moving. He didn't stop but he was disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm. The thought of killing the creature before it could harm his parents had seemed a perfect plan to him- apparently it wasn't the right direction for them to take.

They moved over a thick vine, moving cautiously by lifting each leg slowly over its shape. Dillen was over it first, not pausing for very long before continuing on. He would have waited, but Leena was a Keeper and could definitely take care of herself. It wasn't like he needed to worry about her.

She followed quickly afterwards, but had more difficulties in passing. Her strides weren't as big as Dillen's. She managed to move over the vine and make it to the other side, but her leg brushed against its red skin, burning her own like fire. The shock made her stumble and she fell to her knee. She held in her pain, peering at the plant nervously.

Dillen also looked at the plant, fearing it would somehow wake from its sleep-like state. It didn't stir. It didn't move in anyway. He sighed in relief, meeting Leena's sorry gaze before moving on. She dashed after him, a slight fleck of colour in each of her cheeks. She understood his reason for not checking on her, there was no need to ask.

The light began to grow brighter as they continued moving across the room. It wasn't artificial light, nor was it daylight, but Dillen had trouble identifying its source. He narrowed his eyes to search for it, but it made no difference. He sensed no Keeper ahead, rather several other beings with magic. Maybe they were the cause of the light, he wondered. Maybe it was his parents.

A sudden tremor surged through the floor.

Dillen and Leena stopped.

A second tremor followed, causing a stray piece of brick to fall from above. It crashed into a stray vine which was searching for its next perch, causing it to rear up and sense for intruders. Dillen edged back slowly, pulling Leena along by the sleeve of her cloak. She didn't resist, being careful where she placed her feet. They continued to move until their backs met with the wall, where they pushed themselves flat, holding their breaths.

The plant's heartbeat deepened, swelling the small tendrils of its body. Some of them burst in response, causing several other of its fingers to rear up and search for foreign species. Its main body seemed to absorb more energy all of a sudden and the tremors started to shake the floor. A surge of light came from the door then—a dark figure standing in its mouth—and everything changed.

Blasts of magic surged from the Keeper figure, colliding into the plant and the surrounding walls. One barely missed Dillen and Leena, crashing into the bare brick wall at their side. They chose to run, seeing Azul awaken the plant with forceful magic. It screeched and then detached itself from the ceiling, peeling its blood-red skin away a strip at a time. Its body crashed into the floor, cracking the tiles into pieces, lunging from its place.

Dillen ducked to avoid a vine lashing towards him and then defended himself against another, as he raced towards the light at the end of the long room. He had no idea where he was going but the light had to be his parents. If he was able to sense others like his sister, he hoped that he would have already sensed their presence, but he would have to wait to see what was ahead, and if he would reach it.

He passed a second door, hanging barely from its broken hinges, side-stepping to avoid another vine that launched towards him. Leena destroyed it with some type of magic before following in his direction. She was blocking as many advances of the creature as she could, using a thin barrier of magical essence, but she was growing weaker and was struggling to keep the pace.

They burst through a netted web of plants with a flash of energy, a blast of magic surging past them to crash into the wall at their side. Dillen tripped, rolling to counter the impact, but several plant tendons wrapped around him. He glanced back to see the mother plant racing towards him, like a parasite lurching across the room. Azul was still in the doorway, but his magic was consuming what was left of the air.

Leena had gone out of sight, leaving Dillen alone.

He tried to pull his fists free, but the plant only tightened its grip when he resisted. The light from his skin burned it, making the creature screech, but it refused to let him go. A gas started to ooze from its body and Dillen's chest tightened. The air was being stolen even as he breathed it in. How was he going to get free? How was he going to reach his parents now?

"Hold still!"

He was surprised when Leena appeared, raising her hand towards his body, a flash of energy burning the plant tissue into charred remains. The grip on his body released and he kicked away another vine, pushing himself to his feet. He met Leena's gaze briefly, feeling guilty that he hadn't waited for her when she had struggled. She had come back for him.

"Run!" he shouted.

They both pushed themselves to keep going, several cuts marking their bodies. Leena was bleeding from her neck, a steady flow of blood flowing across her collar bone. Her whole body was glowing, and so too was Dillen, feeling his magic flow through every section of his skin.

A sudden crack darted through the floor, making them have to jump. They landed successfully and carried on, feeling the floor grow unsteady beneath their feet. The light they were running towards was now brighter than ever and Dillen could see his parents. They were chained to the wall, the vines wrapped tightly around their bodies. Several others hung next to them, glowing faintly.

Dillen had found them. "Mum! Dad!"

His father seemed unconscious but his mother stirred in response, and looked up to meet her son's gaze. The look of horror across her face proved that Dillen's enemies were close. "Dillen, run!" she shouted, pushing herself to her feet.

His hope shattered as the floor ahead suddenly crumbled away. He jumped over the first crack and then the second, but had to stop as the floor ahead disappeared into the darkness below. A shriek echoed outwards and Dillen glanced back to see that Leena had fallen between the first two areas of broken ground. She had twisted her leg and was scrambling onwards, clearly struggling.

He looked at his parents, and then at Leena.

Dillen... I can't...

Her voice was clear in his thoughts and he understood. She was weaker than ever and now her leg was injured. He had found his parents, but was unable to free them whilst they were still being chased. He had to trust his new comrade.

Leena?

She held his gaze.

Get them out. Take them somewhere safe.

Her face saddened. _But..._

Please.

She nodded, disappearing from sight. A subtle glow beamed outwards as she formed again, placing her hands firmly on Sandra and Bryan's shoulders. The other prisoners at their side were dead.

"Leena, help him!"

It was obvious that Dillen's parents knew of Leena, but from where he didn't know. Her whole body surged with light and the three of them disappeared.

Dillen being able to focus entirely now, sighed in relief, and turned towards his enemies. The plant was shrieking, having lost its prisoners, but Azul was still. He was waiting. This was Dillen's chance.

The plant lunged at him with several of its limbs, but Dillen avoided them all easily. He jumped over the cracks in the ground, stopping as a large piece of rock fell from above. It crashed into pieces as Dillen carried on, killing part of the plant's extended arm with a surge of energy. The creature screeched, knocking him from his feet with force. A shard of rock cut through his side, but he moved quickly, jumping over a new crack that began to form in the floor.

A bright glow was building in his right hand, spreading over his wrist and elbow within a few moments. Shockwaves started to beam out from his fingertips, but he wasn't ready to use them yet. His leg was pulled from beneath him, causing his head to crash against a stray piece of stone. Blood spilled from his brow and his vision started to blur, but he kept going. Azul was his true opponent. Dillen just had to get to the creature's heart to dispatch it first.

Jumping onto one of the thicker, slower-moving limbs of the plant, Dillen stumbled along its length. Repelling smaller tendrils from slashing at his skin, he used the light which began to spread across his entire chest. He wasn't commanding his magic to build but he was glad of its protection. An idea came to him then, at how he was going to kill the crazed creature.

Its head, like an overgrown gathering of roots and leaves, had no clear mouth, nor eyes. Dillen guessed that it used its vines to help it gather the senses of its surroundings. A small glow was evident however, deep inside the soil-encrusted heart that Dillen could see. It was the same glow that had once emanated from the wall of the large space, one that had now faded because of the remaining prisoners dying. Dillen could have saved them, but he didn't have the time to regret it now.

A sudden pressure wrapped around his wrists and he was lifted from his foothold with ease. He struck the plant with shockwaves of light but it did little damage. Its skin was denser now that he was close to its core, but Dillen's idea still remained. Struggling to wriggle free, he twisted his right arm, sending pain to shoot through his shoulder. The solid branches that had now formed around his wrist broke though, making him hang at an angle. One more remained.

Trying to twist the same on his opposite side, Dillen was frustrated when the plant tightened its grip. The glow from his body was now shining so brightly that he had trouble identifying the creature's heart from his own light. He used his free hand to try and rip at the tendril feeding from his skin, but it remained unfazed from his struggle.

Dillen's head started to pound and he could see that the blood from his brow had stained most of his cheek. Nausea was rising from the pit of his stomach and he had trouble imagining himself getting free. The plant was now absorbing his energy, evident by the steady flow of light which was transferring from the blood of his wrist into the plant's core.

His breath was becoming shallow. He didn't have long left.

A sudden burst of light beamed outwards and Dillen tumbled to the floor. The plant screeched in pain, rearing back from the figures that now separated it from its prey. He couldn't make out their faces, but Dillen was glad that Kale and Leon had finally arrived.

"You okay, kid?" Leon helped him to his feet.

"Sure," he replied. "Never better."

The plant-like creature lunged towards them, pushing them all from their feet. Kale had rolled out of the way, but the others were thrown into the wall. He analysed their target briefly, seeing the glow from its core, but as he raised his armed crossbow something else happened.

Having moved from the creature's hold, Dillen now ran directly towards it, whilst Leon was dealing with the smaller, more ferocious tendrils. His body was glowing completely now, like a shooting star falling through the dark. He jumped high into the air and then crashed into the plant's core with all of his strength. The following shockwave filled the entire space, making the group have to cover their eyes.

A pain-filled howl pierced the air, and then silence followed.

Dillen's ears were ringing, his back flat against the floor. It took him a moment to gather his breath, but even then he felt drained of all available energy. He shuffled in his place, dizzy from over-exerting himself, and moved to sit up straight.

The creature, or rather what was left of it, was dead. Most of its body had been disintegrated into ash. Its core had been destroyed, an empty shell left in its place. Dillen would have shouted some type of teenage response about winning, but he was fatigued. He didn't even have the energy to stand.

"Good job we arrived when we did," Leon stated cheerfully, kicking the plant with his boot.

"Yeah... good job," Dillen replied sarcastically, having gathered enough energy to move to his feet. "How did I do that?"

Kale turned. "Your powers react to fear and pain. The more you feel threatened, the more your powers will gather. In the end, they fulfilled the task that you couldn't because you allowed them complete control. They are a living part of you after all." As he finished speaking, he seemed to sadden briefly. The glow from his body had faded. He was losing energy through each passing moment.

"Are you okay?" Dillen asked, wiping the blood from his cheek.

"Always." Kale hated lying, but he didn't need anyone else to worry about him. If he turned mortal in the end, then there was no way to stop it, other than saving Cassie.

"Dillen!"

The three of then turned to see Leena running towards them. Leon and Kale instinctively raised their crossbows, but Dillen stopped them, waving his arms in the air. "Wait!"

Kale lowered his weapon, sensing no evil from Leena, but Leon did not.

"Who are you?" he asked sternly.

Leena stopped in her place, her gaze fixed directly onto Kale. "Your name is Kale, is that right?"

He nodded, but a confused expression took over his face. "How do you—"

Maybe it was because of her powers that she knew him, or perhaps because they were both fallen in their own way.

"The voice told me to find you, to take you to the final battle... to tell you about Razielle."

"The voice?" Leon questioned.

"Gabe."

Dillen inhaled a quick breath and looked at Kale. "Gabe? He's... here?"

A sudden tremor shook the room. The creature's carcass started to fall into dust and the floor began to crack.

"We have to go!" Leena shouted.

"What about Gabe? Is he here? Is he alive?" Dillen wasn't going to let it go. "And my parents, they—"

"They are safe!" Leena replied hastily.

"What about my sister?"

"We have to go!"

Kale and Leon exchanged a brief glance before moving towards the doorway. "You can fill us in on the way. I want to know as much as you can tell me."

Leena nodded, knowing that Kale was looking directly at her. Dillen noticed for the first time that Azul had gone. He would have to wait a little longer to challenge him, though he doubted whether he should attempt it now that his parents were safe. He was angry, but not stupid. The final battle was almost upon them and he didn't believe they had the strength needed- outbursts of emotion and anger wouldn't help.

The group left the empty room quickly. Leon scouted ahead with Dillen at the back. Kale and Leena were in the middle; she was explaining as much as she could within the small amount of time that they had.

"Razielle is a fallen angel who commands the Keepers," Leena explained. "He is powerful, even when his strength is depleted."

Kale nodded in acknowledgement. "And he wants Cassie's powers to prevent the curse of the fallen from taking his life completely...?"

"Yes, exactly, but since he has weakened, his desire has grown. I fear that he wants more than her power now. I fear he will take her life the first chance he gets." The sadness in her eyes proved her fear.

"What's changed? I have always known that he has waited for Cassie's magical potential to undo their curse, but... wait." He stopped and took Leena's arm in his grip. "She's the only one who can challenge him. I've been blind. Now that Razielle is weaker than ever, he needs more than Cassie's power... he needs..."

Leena removed his hand from her skin, ignoring the images that flashed across her vision. "He needs her life to make a difference now." She breathed in, but held his gaze. "I have to come realise that Razielle absorbs the lives of his victims, as well as their power. That is how he has lived so long."

"It would make sense." Leon added his opinion quickly. "From what Gabe has told me over the years, Razielle was the cause of the heavens throwing the angels down. The more Gabe remembered, the more he saw Razielle's face."

A moment of silence fell between them. Kale looked over Leon, not understanding why he hadn't been told about Gabe's returning memories as well. Gabe had clearly told his adoptive father everything he could. Kale's mind was overcome with potent images and sounds. Why didn't Gabe ever tell him? Why had he kept such information from him, when they had shared so much? If Gabe had remembered the Fall and the events that had led to it, why had he never shared them? Perhaps if he had, Kale's memories would have been triggered to return as well.

His mind was filled with images, moving so fluently he had trouble identifying any specific details about them, until he had calmed his breath. He saw angels' bodies falling to the ground. He saw their wings being broken, their skin burning. The pain was so severe that it stole his breath. He saw Gabe amongst the soldiers. He saw himself fighting alongside him, and then a light filled the sky. A flash of energy crashed into Kale's body and then a single dark silhouette pushed him towards the edge of Grace. A face he recognised as Razielle.

A tear fell from his eye as he gasped for a breath. Razielle had been a strong rank within the angel hierarchy, but not their leader. Kale remembered that he had betrayed them, but not how. He remembered falling. He remembered the hot air ripping the wings from his back.

"Are you okay?" Dillen asked nervously.

"Your memories are coming back to you," Leena explained. "It is the same for me. Since Razielle's weakening, my powers have expanded far beyond seeing premonitions of the near future."

Kale stuttered a response. "If Razielle was the cause, why curse us all? What was the light doing?"

"Curse you all?" Dillen questioned. He looked over the group, eventually meeting Leena's gaze. "I thought just the Keepers were cursed."

"We all thought that was the case, Kid." Leon turned his back, checking that no one was approaching them. Kale seemed to have no comment. Leena opened her mouth to speak.

Dillen sighed. "We have to save Cassie."

Straightening his stance, Kale pushed his uncertainty aside. "How does Razielle absorb his victims?" He didn't remember ever seeing the angel absorbing another from their days upon the heavens.

Leena shook her head.

Anger surged through him, making him lunge at her. He grasped her arms tightly and started to shake her. "How does he absorb his victims??"

She shrieked, but didn't fight back.

"Kale, stop it!" Dillen tried to stop him quickly.

He stopped shaking her body, seeing that fear had built across her face. "How does Razielle plan on absorbing her?"

She inhaled a staggered breath. "I don't know, but I fear that Farrow is in danger as well."

Kale's brow arched. "Why?"

"I have seen a future where Farrow is walking amongst the living, but his aura is dead, and his eyes are not his own." A tear built in her eye.

"Gabe's using him as a vessel," Leon started. "Farrow absorbed his life from Newtown."

Removing his hands from Leena's arms, it was then that Kale understood everything. Something in Leena's gaze also clicked. She stepped back, holding her breath. "Farrow started to hear voices, his body started to change... when he fought Gabe. He was injured... and we believed that Razielle had let his son absorb the last Archangel to live... but..."

"Razielle wants to use him as a vessel." Kale's words were clear.

Finally Kale understood. Farrow was different from other Keepers he had encountered. His power, his presence, even the look in his eye—they were different even before he had absorbed Gabe's soul—and the reason was that he was like his father. He had the same ability to absorb power, absorb souls. Razielle hadn't let his son absorb the last Archangel to keep him alive, he had allowed it so that Farrow could be a suitable host. A host for Razielle's soul when his body had finally died. And Cassie's power must have been the glue needed to fuse the two together.

"If he lives forever," Leena whispered. "The heavens will never flourish again. The darkness he emits will plunge all the land into dusk."

Kale looked at Leena, seeing that a tear had rolled across her cheek. She was frightened.

"I don't get it!" Dillen interrupted.

"We have to go, now!" Kale and Leena started to run. Leon and Dillen soon followed, but they didn't know what was going to happen. They didn't know that Razielle was going to destroy both Keepers and angels, both Farrow and Cassie. They didn't know that Razielle wanted to live forever. And would do anything to make it happen.
Twenty

The cool air that enveloped Cassie, as her body was absorbed by Farrow's magic, was like an icicle piercing her throat. Her skin was shivering. Her hands were losing their heat. Even her breath was forming as white clouds, as she materialised in the Dark Domain. She wrapped her arms around her body, as Farrow removed his hand from her shoulder.

"Welcome to the Dark," he stated, moving back from her. "I'm sorry. It's not the warmest of places for those that can use their senses." Turning his back, he started to walk and Cassie had no choice but to follow him.

She thought about his words. At first she had believed that it was because of Farrow that the warmth from her body had been stolen, but it wasn't. It was because of her new surroundings. Farrow just couldn't feel it because he had lost his sense of touch. She could tell, now that her entire focus could channel onto him without distraction. Her powers could feel his lack of senses, explaining why his aura was so dull. Though she didn't know why she had seen Gabe in his head.

"Do you remember the Fall?" she asked quietly.

He shook his head. "I was never there to see it," he replied truthfully. "I am just here to share in the punishment."

Cassie could hear the regret in his voice, but she was confused. "You're not a fallen angel?" His aura was so like that of Kale's and Gabe's that she didn't believe it.

"Are you surprised?" he asked, glancing back to meet her gaze.

Her mind tried to frantically search for some kind of order. Why was Farrow cursed if he wasn't a fallen angel? Why was he helping the Keepers, when he wasn't one of them? Was it truly just because of his father, Razielle, being their leader? But... how could Razielle be his father to begin with...?

She could have easily entered his thoughts to get the answers she needed—they both knew it—but she wanted to know who Farrow was with her own ears.

"Was your mother fallen?"

Farrow sighed. "Yes, but she didn't withstand the curse's hold." He seemed to pause a moment before continuing, feeling as if he could finally be honest.

"I'm sorry," Cassie whispered.

"Once the fallen had settled, adjusting as well as they could, some of them believed that they could live out just as normal a life as they could have in the heavens. My mother had never been able to bare children, but on earth she changed. She fell pregnant with me, but the more I grew, the weaker she became. She died giving birth to me, and then my father withdrew from the world. I remained asleep from birth, waking only twenty-three years ago."

Cassie made sure to take in every detail as she could. "But you still had two fallen parents...? So technically, you are an angel... right?"

"My mother was mortal in the end so I don't know, but maybe that's why the heavens cursed me as well," he mused, trying to laugh it off.

"You shouldn't have been cursed. I'm sorry."

His posture suddenly tensed. "It doesn't matter now. Once my father has your power, the curse will be gone."

She remembered what was happening then. Farrow was leading her to Razielle, and she was blindly just following him. Stopping in her place, she inhaled a shallow breath. "I would have helped you, if you had come to me and asked."

Farrow, too, stopped in his place. He turned to meet Cassie's gaze directly, seeming shocked by her statement. "You're lying."

"No, I'm not. I didn't want this power, but now I have it, I want to help you." Edging forwards, Cassie noticed that Farrow seemed to relax slightly. His shoulders lowered and his aura started to glow. She reached out for him, seeing Gabe's face in her thoughts. He was part of Farrow, she was sure of it now, but didn't understand why. "I'll help you, both of you."

Something changed then and he pushed her hand away forcefully. Grabbing her by the shoulder, he started to pull her along, pinching her skin. She screamed in response and tried to pull away from him, but his aura, now dark and uninviting, was choking the air from her lungs.

"I said I'd help you," she sobbed.

"And I almost fell for it." He pulled her along, turning several corners. He didn't look back, not once.

"I'm not lying!" Her body was filling with heat and it felt as if something was pushing against her temples. "Please, Farrow!"

Stopping without warning, he faced her and grabbed her by the arms fiercely. She tried to pull away, but kept her powers subdued. He dug his fingernails into her skin, but watched as she held in her sobs.

"You have the power to free yourself in any way you choose, and yet you choose pain and blood. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Cassie gasped for a breath. She didn't know what was going on. Was someone getting into his head? "What's wrong with you? I don't... understand..."

He released her one arm and then removed the dark hood covering his face, with one quick movement.

She stopped struggling in response and looked into Farrow's eyes, but they didn't belong to him anymore—the shape of his face, the curve of his nose, the emerald green glow of his eyes—Cassie wasn't looking at a dark, haired stranger anymore. She was looking at someone she knew.

"Gabe...?" A new tear rolled across her cheek.

His eyes narrowed then and a shadow cast across his face.

Every emotion she could grasp started to spiral within her. "Are you okay? What's happening?"

Almost in disgust, Cassie was pushed to the floor and Farrow pulled his hood back into place. "I have the face of a traitor, but a traitor you wish to save. You won't harm me as long as I hold this face."

Cassie forgot her pain and struggled to her feet. The voice she was hearing wasn't Gabe's. It was Farrow, but his face and his aura... she didn't understand how two people could fuse inside one body.

"I don't understand! I could sense him in you, but your face... I didn't know! Gabe fought a Keeper before fading... it was you, wasn't it? But why is he part of you...? I—"

"Gabe is nothing to me! And it's time this curse was gone for good! I want nothing to do with the traitor that caused the heavens to fall."

"You think Gabe is part of the curse?? You think he's a traitor! No!"

Once again, Farrow grabbed her by the arm fiercely and started to drag her across the room. It was then that Cassie noticed that they were approaching a large hall-like structure, several figures waiting in the Shadows. She could feel their strength, they were Keepers. One of them was Razielle and she could sense his wish to harm her, even through his quickly fading aura.

Gabe's voice entered her thoughts quickly. _Farrow thinks you will be unharmed. Prove him otherwise!_

For the first time, she used her powers to escape Farrow's grip. She didn't harm him, but teleported several metres back. Her whole body started to glow and she raised her fists. "Something's wrong Farrow. It doesn't make sense why Razielle needs my powers. The curse can only be broken if you choose the light, surely?? Razielle won't just take my powers; he'll kill me if I'm the only one strong enough to challenge him!"

Farrow huffed. "He only needs your powers to free us from this curse. Once they are ours, you can go wherever you want."

She finally understood that Farrow really did believe that his father was going to free them all once he had her powers. She sensed otherwise. But how was she going to make him see?

"Gabe, talk to me."

Farrow's lip lifted in disgust. "Enough, you will come with me, now!"

Cassie edged backwards as Farrow approached. "Gabe, show me what to do! Show me what I need to see!"

For a split second, his green aura shone brightly across Cassie and his voice spoke out. _Look deep and Razielle's memories will hold the key. I am not the traitor. The heavens fell because of Razielle._

And then he was gone.

"Argh, get out of my head!" Farrow shouted, allowing a red burst of energy to spiral through the air.

"Gabe!"

His magic crashed into Cassie's body, but she moved at the right time so the impact didn't knock her from her feet. She tried to sense Gabe in Farrow but couldn't. Only the green of his eyes remained, shining through the darkness of his hood. What was she going to do? She couldn't fight the Keeper's by herself. Where was Dillen, where was Kale? She glanced towards the figures in the distance.

"I wish you no harm, but we're all running out of time."

Cassie looked at Farrow. "Don't do this. I don't want to fight you. You're not like Razielle. I can sense his evil even from here. Don't help him!"

He started to approach her slowly, ignoring her words. His body started to glow. "Then you give me no choice. If knowing your parents are up ahead isn't enough, then I must take you by force."

"No..." She wanted to see her parents. She wanted to help them. But approaching Razielle was the last thing that would help any of them. Fighting Farrow was the only option left. "Farrow, I'm sorry you don't believe me, but I would have helped you..."

Raising his glowing hand, Farrow narrowed his eyes.

Cassie steadied her breath and pushed all uncertainty from her thoughts. She hoped that she could injure him before the other Keepers approached her. They were already shuffling across the room. She had no time left. She had to fight Farrow now.

He ran towards her, wanting to grab at her throat, but she had already moved out of his path and turned to make her attack. She let the glow from her hands spread across both arms and caused a shockwave of energy to launch at his body. It collided into his side as he turned, trying to avoid it, but he retaliated quickly. A dark cloud of energy surrounded him and several bird-like shapes darted from its centre. Cassie destroyed the first, having just enough time to avoid the next two by teleporting out of the way. A fourth dug deep into her shoulder and she destroyed the final two with a wave of her glowing hand.

Blood started to trickle from her shoulder as she inhaled a deep breath. She didn't have time to summon her next surge of magic, as the black cloud had now seeped across the space separating them. It grabbed at her skin like a parasite, but she forced it away with a shallow glow, sending a second much brighter surge after it. The opposing forces struck, causing small abrasions on both of their lowers arms and torsos. It was as if glass had been created by the fusion, which had then exploded due to the force. Cassie couldn't explain it.

Without warning, she was pushed to the floor forcefully. Farrow stood on her right wrist, making her unable to move. She twisted her arm, trying to free herself, but struck Farrow's body with light before he could use her position to his advantage. He stumbled back as she scrambled to her feet, both of them seeming to take a moment to gather their breath.

Cassie had thought at first that Farrow would have been unable to feel pain, due to his body losing its sense of touch, but it was clearly apparent that that wasn't the case. He was in just as much pain as she was, evident by the way his aura was flickering. She straightened her back, grabbing her shoulder as it surged with pain, and then he ran at her again.

He punched through the air, watching as she avoided his movement easily, and then grabbed for her throat with both hands. She pushed the one away with her own and then created a blast of energy to crash into his skin. The force pushed him back, as well as the hood from his face. A line of blood trickled from his brow as he stumbled, raising his gaze with an unsteady breath.

The greenness of his eyes seemed duller now than ever. Cassie could see the colour of his aura had also shrunk in size. She wondered if Farrow and Gabe's strength was connected. If one was weak, so too was the other. Maybe that had been the original reason for Gabe taking host in Farrow's body. They were both weak in their own way.

She had to use this opportunity to stop him from proceeding. Raising her glowing hand, she created an orb of light within her grasp. The sparking energy danced in her irises as she commanded it through the air.

A sudden explosion consumed the space between them both, and Cassie was thrown from her feet. She crashed into the wall forcefully, twisting her left leg. Tears ran across her face as she cried aloud. She didn't understand how she had lost control of her own power, falling to her knees. Lifting her gaze to peer through the thick layer of smoke which followed, she could make out the shape of Farrow's body. He, too, was on his knees.

"That is enough."

Once the smoke had faded completely, Cassie could see that Fayna had approached them. She had her hand raised and it was now apparent that she was holding Farrow in his place. Cassie didn't understand why she would hold Farrow against his own will, but not her. Surely if Farrow was their ally, Razielle would want Cassie held under magical suspension and not his son.

She glanced back, looking past where Fayna was standing, making out two figures that remained. They, too, had moved from their original position, but only far enough so that Cassie could see who they were. Azul and Razielle were waiting for them. She could tell their identities immediately, due to the overwhelming presence of their dark auras, though Razielle was clearly growing weaker.

"You have wasted enough time," Fayna stated clearly, her shadow casting over Farrow's face.

Cassie pushed herself to her feet, deciding whether or not to challenge her whilst she was distracted.

"And you!" Fayna's evil glare targeted her directly. "You have tainted Lord Razielle's kingdom with your light!" She raised her other hand, causing a dark silhouette to map out Cassie's skin. Both she and Farrow were forced to stand up straight, before following Fayna into the hall. Cassie tried to fight it, but Farrow didn't.

She called upon her powers to try and challenge the dark light, but it made no difference. It was slowly sapping the energy out of her body. After a moment or two, Cassie found it difficult to even out her breath. She gave up, deciding to reserve her energy instead, being thrown to the floor once they had reached the raised platform at the end of the hall.

Now that she was close enough, she could see that Razielle was seated. He looked deathly pale and the energy within his body was going to extinguish very soon. She didn't understand how her power could make him healthy again, but she had to find out as much as she could.

"Why is my power so important to you?"

In response, Fayna struck Cassie's body with her magic. "How dare you address our leader like a worthless peasant!"

Razielle raised his hand which made Fayna step back and bow her head. Cassie could definitely feel his magical strength, even if his body was dying. The hold from Cassie's body faded, giving her free movement.

"I am Razielle, Leader of the Fallen. Welcome to my domain, Cassandra." His voice was not at all what Cassie had expected. It was deep but also gentle in some way. She imagined it was because of his weakened state.

She tried to steady her breath, not understanding why this was the second time a Keeper had called her by another name. "My name is Cassie."

He smiled in response. "I admire your courage, but it is not needed." Again, he lifted his right hand, which caused the entire room to change.

Several pod-like shapes appeared across the back wall, the veil of light from their surface's fading. Wooden structures also formed, holding each pod in place. Lines of glowing wires and machinery made a metal patchwork across the marble floor. There were three of them, all empty, but the far right pod seemed unlit. Cassie could see the wires coming from that pod were dull and lifeless. Perhaps only two were working, she guessed.

Something else formed in response to Razielle's movement, and Cassie turned to see what it was. She held in her breath as a tear rolled across her cheek. She saw her parents, chained to the stone wall. They were both unconscious, weak, but still alive.

Cassie glared at Razielle. "Why are you holding them?"

"Your presence in this hall was needed. One will always come to the aid of their own kin."

He was using them as bait. He didn't need them. He needed Cassie.

"Well I'm here now." For once, she wasn't thinking of herself. She was thinking of her family. "You don't need them." She was so angry, filled with hate, but something came to mind. Something that filled her with worry and fear.

Where was Dillen? He had come to save their parents, but they were still imprisoned... where had her brother gone?

"We have wasted enough time."

This was the first time Azul had spoken since Cassie's arrival, and hearing his voice filled her with revengeful desire. It was because of him that her parents had been taken. It was because of him that Newtown, and Freya, had suffered.

"Fayna, you know what to do."

In response, Fayna called her powers across Farrow's body to fade slightly and concentrated onto Cassie. She forced her to her feet and then pushed her towards the nearest pod. Cassie tried to fight her but she was too strong. She didn't know what to do. How was she going to challenge so many by herself?

"What are you going to do?" she asked, through clenched teeth.

"You shall soon see," Fayna replied. "In the end, you will be only power. A body that will need disposing of."

Cassie pulled free from her grip and scrambled backwards. She glanced between Farrow, still kneeling in front of his father, and Razielle, who had now moved unsteadily to his feet. She tried to think of something to do, some way to help set her parents free, whilst stalling Razielle and his intentions. She wished that Farrow would help her, but his mind was still torn between both sides.

She could see the uncertainty oozing through Farrow's aura. Purple flecks danced across his skin. He didn't know what to do. He didn't understand how things had crumbled from under his feet. So many things had changed. All the people around him had removed their masks and were now acting out their true desires. The realisation of his father's true nature was coming to light and Farrow didn't know what to do.

Cassie's shoulders slouched as she struggled to breath. Fayna squeezed her grip, watching the pain dart across Cassie's skin. She revelled in the fact that Cassie's magic wasn't strong enough to challenge her. The hold over Farrow weakened further, allowing him to stand, but Fayna was still strong enough to hold both in suspension. Cassie couldn't challenge her. Maybe letting them do whatever it was they wanted was the only thing she could do.

"Stop it!" Farrow shouted. Something in him was screaming out to help.

He was ignored and Fayna's magic continued to choke Cassie fiercely.

Farrow looked at Azul, smiling wickedly, and then his father. He barely recognised his face now. His skin had started to droop. His eyes, losing the last of their colour. Maybe Cassie was right, he thought. Maybe Razielle was going to harm her.

"You said you only needed her power!"

Razielle looked to his son, his lip lifting in disgust. "You are a fool. As blind as the light you wish to follow."

Farrow glanced at Cassie briefly, and then looked back at Razielle. "Father, what have you done?"

Razielle's aura was thrumming with magical potential. "I have grown old, boy! I refuse death and the darkness it brings!"

"But you're still dying," Cassie worded clearly. "I can see it. Your aura is fading, whether it is bursting with magic or not."

He huffed in response. "Do you think I cannot see? There is a reason I have let you live so long."

A moment of silence followed. Cassie was the first to speak. "Even if you absorb my powers, you'll still die!"

"Age can always be undone."

"I won't let you." Her fists clenched as she held Razielle's gaze intently. The glow from her hands started to spread. "I won't let you take my powers."

In response Azul stepped forwards. Razielle stopped him by raising his hand, allowing him to speak instead. "Our Lord Razielle is the true leader of this land, but he is being stripped of his glory, day by day."

"But..." Farrow tried to piece his thoughts together quickly. "But all of the Keepers are turning mortal. That is the price that we paid!" He didn't understand. Why was Azul making it sound as if more than the curse affected them?

"You have paid nothing!" Azul shouted aggressively. "You are but a shadow of our former selves. You are a child! An insect beneath our boot! You understand nothing of the battle that was fought to uphold our reign. We fought for your freedom, your power, and your very existence! All Keepers exist now because of Razielle, and us soldiers that followed him into battle! The Light forced us to live like rats, but we will rise again!"

Cassie struggled to inhale a breath, a tear rolling across her cheek. Fayna's grip was still as tight as ever. She tried to call upon her powers to fight back but something was wrong. Her powers were unable to form coherently. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she fight against Fayna? She had the strength needed, but perhaps Fayna's experience altered the scales.

"Farrow... Gabe..." Cassie stuttered. Her vision started to blur and she thought of Kale. She had left him, hoping to keep him and the others safe, but the reality was they were all going to die if Razielle continued to challenge them. She hoped that he was safe. "Kale..."

Glancing her way, Farrow felt guilty. His father didn't only want her power. He wanted everything from her. But why? He thought through Azul's words, glancing between him and Razielle. What battle was Azul speaking of? Soldiers... against the Light... There had only been one battle. Had the Fall taken place because of the Keepers? Because of Razielle?

"Tell me... was it you?" he mustered the words slowly.

Razielle did not reply, but instead allowed his lip to lift into a smile.

Farrow held his father's gaze, as everything in his head fell into place. "You are the traitor... you are the one that challenged the Light..."

Razielle inhaled a deep breath. "The Light imprisoned us."

"No... the Light embraced everything. It warmed everyone with its glow, but that wasn't enough for you, was it?" Farrow's emotion started to overflow. His skin started to tingle. "We live in the shadows because of you! And all this time... I thought it was the Light that pushed us aside... I thought it had turned its back on life, but it locked us out because of you, because you tried to overtake everything, didn't you!!" He sighed. "What did you do?"

No reply came.

A glow started to build across his body, leaking out from the corners of his eyes. His breath hastened and his heart drummed in his ears. A throb banged against his temples, making him grasp his forehead. He could sense Gabe fighting to be free. He could feel his power. It wasn't only Farrow that was letting his emotion grow, it was Gabe.

_Let me save her._ Gabe's voice warmed his ears.

Farrow was so angry. His mother had died because of Razielle. Everything had gone wrong because of him. Gabe's memories started to play inside of his head. He saw the Fall. He saw the battle. He saw his father cutting angels down with his sword.

"I tried everything to follow in your footsteps," Farrow stuttered. "I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted you to see me as your son, not just another soldier in your ranks... and yet you never cared, not once!" He shuffled forwards, allowing the glow from his body to concentrate.

_You can't challenge him directly!_ Gabe could sense Farrow's intentions.

Azul narrowed his eyes. He was ready to defend his master.

Farrow, don't let your emotion cloud your judgement!

He elongated his blink and shuffled back to his original position. He looked over to Cassie who had now fallen to the floor. She was barely conscious. But he wasn't strong enough to make a difference. There was no way he could fight both Azul and Fayna by himself.

Can you save her?

There was a slight pause before Gabe's reply followed. _I can save her._

Then do it.

Curling both hands into tight fists, Farrow's entire body was overcome with light. His aura beamed outwards like rays of sunlight, and the magic that flickered in the air around him started some kind of chain reaction. Small explosions followed and Fayna was thrown across the room. A second flash of light spread outwards and then a haze hovered silently in its place.

Cassie was curled on the floor, gasping for oxygen, but a male figure was now standing in front of her protectively. Dressed in Farrow's clothes, Gabe was ready. He was glowing like a fallen star, with silhouettes of light beaming from his shoulders. Fayna, now recovered, had moved to Azul's side and both of them had raised their fists in preparation.

"We defeated you once, we will do it again," Fayna snarled.

Gabe smirked. "Farrow defeated me. You will not."

Cassie opened her eyes as Gabe started to glow. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she could see that her parents were gone. No chains existed. It had been an illusion.

"Dillen...?" She wondered where he was.

"He's safe. Kale has him."

She raised her gaze to meet Gabe's green eyes. They weren't as emerald as she remembered them, but there was no doubt that it was him.

"Kale is here?" Her worst fears had come true. Kale had followed her.

"We will need his help. Now get up."

She held his gaze to calm her breath. Her magic was bouncing against her chest, wanting to be set free. She felt the strongest she ever had.

"Get up!" Gabe shouted, raising his fists as Fayna ran at him.

She twisted through the air acrobatically, kicking Gabe in the chest. He stepped back in response before creating a blast of light which erupted across her skin. It burned her like acid, making her scream, but she quickly retaliated with her own source of light. A black shadow stretched from her feet, wrapping its fingers around Gabe's body. It sapped his strength momentarily, but he destroyed it and forced her backwards.

Irritated by his lack of movement, Fayna ran at him again, kicking along the floor. She had hoped to knock him from his feet, but he had easily moved out of her path before calling a surge of energy to spiral after her. Fayna jumped through the air to avoid it, landing safely as it collided into the wall ahead of her. The room shook from the force, but she rather focused onto Cassie.

Gabe went to run at her, but a strong surge of electrical current beamed through his body. It surged across his chest, stealing the air from his lungs. He stumbled to the floor, clearly aware that Azul had now joined the fight. His elemental skills couldn't be matched. Raising both hands, Gabe deflected the electricity with one quick movement, glancing around to see it burn into the wall behind Fayna, who was now running at Cassie.

Her teeth were showing like a rabid dog, an angry glow causing vibrating energy to beam out from her skin. Cassie steadied her breath before moving quickly to avoid it. She, too, was glowing, but not at all prepared. She had never finished her training with Kale. On her arrival into the remains of Newtown, she had been so distracted by Freya, her family, and Kale, that her training had been the last thing on her mind. The strongest magic she had used was to heal Kale, but that wouldn't help against Fayna.

Creating small orbs of light from her palms, Cassie commanded them through the air. She watched as they collided into Fayna's side and thigh, but she continued to move at a heightened pace. Once in range, she lunged at Cassie with her fists. A shockwave of energy spread across Cassie's body, as Fayna's knuckles impacted against her. Her battle instincts then kicked in.

She grabbed Fayna's extended wrist and twisted it violently, before forcing her back with a flash of light. Cassie's body was now glowing so brightly that anyone who looked at her had to narrow their eyes. Her aura, dancing as a golden shimmer, warmed the entire length of her skin. She deflected an oncoming magical attack and then created her own, which crashed into Fayna's body fiercely. The Keeper's attacks were becoming random, messy and fuelled with anger.

Fayna shouted aggressively and ran at Cassie again. Her voice created a shockwave of dark energy to surge outwards, which obliterated any shield that Cassie had tried to create. The skin on her collar split due to the force and several dark shapes grabbed at her thighs. She stumbled, falling to her knees. It was as if the floor was opening to swallow her whole. She started to panic, not able to get free, and looked for Gabe.

He was busy defending against several consecutive attacks that Azul had created. Fire had surged from his skin first, which had then become blue electric currents. Gabe didn't have chance to attack with his own magic, before Azul had surrounded his entire body with surging waves of energy. Without his wings, or full amount of power, Gabe was weak. A silent moment passed as he and Cassie's gaze's met.

A dagger sliced through Cassie's side, making her cry out. Fayna had knelt in front of her, knowing that her victim couldn't move now that the floor had absorbed her lower body. Tears rolled across Cassie's cheek due to the pain. Gabe shouted in response, trying to challenge Azul's magic, but he was distracted. He didn't have the strength, or mind-set, to defeat Azul now.

Cassie inhaled a staggered breath as Fayna stood up straight. She had left the dagger in Cassie's skin to subdue the bleeding, and was now moving towards Gabe. Azul had intensified the magic surrounding Gabe's body, lifting him from his feet, and as soon as Fayna had reached them, Azul was able to move Gabe against his will. He was pushed towards one of the empty pods, whilst Fayna aided Razielle in moving towards the other. Whatever it was that they wanted, they were able to do it now.

Struggling to set herself free, Cassie tried to concentrate. She inhaled a deep breath and allowed her magic to warm the stone around her. It started to adjust slowly, but not quick enough. She watched as Gabe's body was forced into the pod on the left. It began to glow vibrantly as Azul's magic started to feed it. Gabe was able to move now, banging his fists against the pod-like structure, but he was unable to break through. He was trapped.

Cassie narrowed her eyes and focused onto Fayna. She could see that her aura was purple, moving in waves with the air around her body. Her magic sparked with light every few seconds, proving that it was just waiting to be called upon. Inhaling a breath, trying desperately to ignore the pain spreading through her side, Cassie expanded her concentration. She could feel Fayna's own pain, but her determination to win far outweighed any other emotion. Not only that, but the pain was too much for Cassie to ignore. She had hoped to control Fayna through her aura, but her opponent was too strong.

Fayna, moving slowly with Razielle clinging to her arm, was now approaching the empty pod. Cassie guessed that the pods were some kind of feeding technology, which had allowed Razielle to live so long. Maybe they needed Gabe's magic to save Razielle, she thought. But then she was apparently stronger, so wouldn't they have put her inside the pod instead? Fayna raised her hand towards a lock of some kind, creating a small glow to spread across the wires.

A scream echoed from her lips however, startling everyone in the room. An arrow had cut through her palm, digging deep into the electrical circuits below. Her body was consumed with electric, making her convulse and she fell to the floor silently. Razielle turned to see where the arrow had come from, having to lean against the wall for support.

"You!"

Cassie did the same. Leon, Dillen and a girl were standing in the hallway entrance. Kale was running towards her. "Kale..." She started to cry, grimacing as the dagger from her side scraped against the stone. "You came..."

"Just in time, it looks." He smiled, allowing a glow to warm his skin.

"I'm sorry I left... I'm sorry I didn't listen. I tried to make a difference... I found Gabe and—your skin..." Kale was pale. She remembered that he was weakening and started to worry. "You need to save your energy..."

"Kale, look out!" Gabe's shout drew his attention.

Quickly raising his gaze, Kale saw that Azul was moving towards him. The anger across his face was evident, and so too was his magical strength.

"Kale, go!" Cassie pushed him back.

"No, I have to get you out!" He quickly moved to his knees, and placed his palms flat against the marble stone. The floor adjusted almost immediately and Cassie started to rise. Once she was out, and her knees were firmly against the stone, Kale moved away from her. Azul was rushing towards him, intent on destroying his existence.

Cassie tried to stand, but the dagger moved against one of her ribs, making her cry out. She grabbed her side in pain, stumbling to remain standing. Her extended hand came to rest on someone's arm, and she was met with her brother's worried gaze.

"Dill! You're okay!" She wrapped her arms around him tightly, causing another surge of pain to shoot through her side. This one she ignored. "Where's mum and dad? Did you find them? Are they okay?"

"They're fine," Leena replied calmly. "They are waiting for you in the outskirts of this realm."

Moving back from her brother, Cassie looked at Leena. She went to ask who she was, but her mind filled with the answers she needed. She saw how Leena had saved Dillen, how the two of them had conquered the large, plant-like monster to free their parents. She saw the library, and the many years that Leena had had to live within its walls. The times that Farrow had gone to visit her. The premonition skills she had under her control. Cassie saw everything that involved Leena within that single moment.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Leena nodded. "You are here to help us. I had to do my part, for Farrow." On mention of his name, Leena looked around to try and find him. Her eyes came to rest on Gabe and the confusion across her face was clear.

"I think he let Gabe have his body... so that he could save us..." Cassie didn't yet quite understand herself, but that was her conclusion.

Leena saddened, but she straightened her stance a moment later. "We have to stop Razielle, not only for Farrow, but for all of life. Gabe spoke to me, he showed me the Fall. Razielle was the traitor. His memories... he shared them with me."

It was then that Cassie remembered what Gabe had said to her before being allowed control of Farrow's body. Razielle's memories were the key. She had to find out what he did, and why. Removing the dagger from her side carefully, her magic filled the wound with a shallow light. It wouldn't heal quite yet, but now it could hopefully start its recovery. Just in time for the next battle.
Twenty-One

Azul's strength was far beyond that which Cassie had expected. She had witnessed his various magical skills and the anger which was always marred across his face, but seeing it all first-hand was overwhelming. He seemed to have control over every element- water, earth, wind, fire, even electricity and darkness seemed to follow his commands like a second skin.

He had called leaches to appear as soon as Cassie and Kale had looked at him directly. Most of them had surrounded Razielle without pause, keeping Leon from approaching him, whereas several others headed for Leena and Dillen. Cassie knew they could all take care of themselves, but Azul had to be stopped. She didn't know whether he could be defeated at all, but she couldn't risk leaving him his freedom across the battlefield- especially now that Gabe was unable to assist.

The orb around him was glowing vibrantly, seeming to react to his magical presence. He was banging his fists against the inside of it, hoping to break free, but not even his magic was able to break through the crystal-like glass. It brightened more and more, as if in response to Gabe's persistence. He gave up after a short while, having to catch his breath, but he didn't stay still long as Kale was thrown from his feet. Cassie and Gabe shared a worried glance, and then she joined in the fight.

She had to move quickly to avoid a surge of potent energy. Azul's entire body was glowing with static electricity, which he kept commanding outwards in short, fluid bursts. Mostly at Kale, as he dipped and dived between defending and attacking, but Azul did not underestimate Cassie. He kept a narrowed look on her at all times, even when Kale was trying to keep him busy.

It was as if he could see inside of her, see the magical potential that she had, and was waiting for her to set it free. Maybe that was true, but Cassie had no idea how to use it. For now, she had to do what she could.

Several orbs of light shot from her palms, which collided into Azul's side. It cut his skin but he didn't falter. He retaliated with a surge of purple light which she had to teleport to avoid. Kale lunged at his body as she materialised, crashing a glowing fist into his torso. A shockwave of energy burst outwards in response, and both Cassie and Kale were thrown through the air. She rolled to absorb the landing, pushing herself to her feet straight away. Kale, on the other hand, seemed to hesitate before moving. Cassie rushed towards him as Azul seemed to target his vulnerable skin.

A shield of energy warmed the air which reflected Azul's magic, and Cassie moved in front of Kale without hesitation. The Keeper, narrowing his eyes further, straightened his stance and raised both of his fiery fists. Azul warmed the space around his body with heat and then darted it at her chest. She immediately teleported, having to roll to avoid another once she had formed again, before destroying a third with her own magic.

She retaliated with a surge of light, as her fingertips began to tingle. The energy cut through the air and crashed into Azul's face. His cheek was cut open, causing blood to splatter across his neck, but he kept his stance firm. Cassie was clearly out of breath, shuffling back slightly as Kale moved to his feet. She didn't know what to do.

"Look around you," Azul spat. "This battle will never be over. Darkness has grown from the fiery ember it once was, to shroud this entire world with its shadow. How do you have the courage to oppose it, knowing only death is waiting for you?"

Cassie didn't know how to reply. She looked around the room. Leena and Dillen were struggling against the never-ending numbers of leaches that were forming from the darkened wall at their side. Leon was trying to help, killing stray creatures whenever he could, but he was fighting his own horde which limited the amount of assistance he could give. His crossbow was never lowered, but Cassie knew his arrows wouldn't last forever.

Razielle was still holding onto the wall for support, protected by a large group of dark creatures, but he was edging closer and closer to the empty pod next to Gabe. As he looked over, meeting her gaze directly, it was then that she realised that everything happening was a distraction.

She looked at Azul. "If death is what awaits me, then so be it."

"But you will fall into its grasp long before us," Kale added.

Glancing to the side, he moved next to her, sharing his aura. He was so pale, but glowing with energy. Cassie looked at Azul. She let her tension fade away as she released her breath. A glow, starting at her hands, spread like fluid across the length of her body, and then when it had reached its peak, soared through the air like a winged phoenix. Azul tried to counter it by surrounding himself with electricity, but his shield was destroyed and he was thrown from his feet. He moaned in pain and then silence followed.

The air of the room warmed with Cassie's powers and all of the leaches disappeared. She fell to one knee, drained of her powers, and so too did Kale. The others started to run towards them, she guessed, hearing their footsteps grow louder. Her hearing had heightened, but her eyesight had blurred. She could feel her heart drumming inside of her chest, like a creature wanting to be free.

"You are all fools."

Cassie raised her gaze to see that Azul was nowhere to be seen, his body had disintegrated on impact. Razielle was still standing. He was in front of Gabe's prison now, with only a stride and a thin piece of glass separating them. Gabe was being held still by some kind of energy, unable to move or speak. Cassie glanced around for Leon, realising that he had collapsed due to an injury. None of them would be able to reach him before Razielle could step back.

He smiled, seeing the panic in Cassie's face. "That is a look that I have not seen for many, many years."

She scowled. "You're crazy."

"And yet, the unsettled nausea in the pit of your stomach is telling you differently. Is it not?"

It was true. She couldn't explain it, but there was something inside of her screaming out to run at Razielle. To tear out what was left of his heart. Images flashed across her vision of fighting and battles that had passed. She saw Razielle extending a sword towards another male angel- her father.

"The battle before the fall..." Kale's words were barely audible, but Cassie knew that he could see the same things in his head. He looked at Razielle, searching for the fragments of memory he was missing. "What did you do? Why were we forced from grace...?"

Razielle huffed. "Love was the toxin that diseased us. We are cursed because of it."

"Love?" Cassie questioned.

"You're lying!" Kale shouted. "We're cursed because of you! You betrayed us all!"

Razielle's fists clenched. "Silence, boy! You understand nothing!"

Another image formed in Cassie's mind, now that Razielle's aura was shaking. She could feel every one of his emotions. She saw Razielle, glowing vibrantly, full of angelic life. He seemed happy, thankful. And when a female angel approached him, glowing like a fallen star, he seemed to rush to his feet. The smile across his face was clear for all to see. She was by far the most beautiful angel Cassie had ever seen, but there was something about her gaze. The colour of her irises. She felt as if she should know her.

Razielle leaned forwards to take her hand, but she had simply smiled and moved out of reach. He seemed disappointed, but content that she was in his company. A flash of colour changed everything then, and another male angel appeared. He wrapped his arm around the female's shoulders and guided her away. Cassie could see the shadow which began to stretch across Razielle's face, again and again, each time the same male angel took her away. But she was too occupied in the fact that she recognised their face. It was her father.

Years must have gone by in the memory, due to the change in surroundings and Razielle's appearance. He had grown older, bitter. But Bryan had only continued to glow, alongside the female he had chosen. A young boy was holding her hand with such green eyes that Cassie's breath caught in her throat.

A flash of red disrupted everything then. She saw Razielle, cutting down angels with his sword. She saw her father, cradling the body of the female angel who had been fatally wounded. His wings burned and he was pushed from grace. The boy with green eyes disappeared, fading into the clouds.

Cassie gasped for a breath, returning to reality. Her father had loved another angel, when the heavens had still been inhabited, but Cassie wasn't surprised. Something inside of her felt connected to her, but she couldn't explain it.

"Cassandra was to be mine." Razielle's statement was clear, still full of bitterness after so long. "But she was stolen...Your father stole her!"

Not being able to calm her heartbeat, Cassie ignored it and stood to her feet. Kale tried to ask her what was wrong, what she had seen, but she focused entirely on Razielle's face, feeling as if he knew something about her, something he was hiding.

"I don't understand," Cassie questioned. "Who was she? Her eyes... they were like..." Before finishing her sentence, Cassie looked up to meet Gabe's gaze. Without a doubt she knew he had seen the same memories before, due to the tear which had rolled across his cheek. He had been the boy in the memory, and the female angel his mother...?

"Cassandra was a Seraph," Kale worded quietly.

"A strong warrior, a beautiful angel." Leon had limped towards them.

Cassie glanced over all of the faces of her friends, but she felt drawn to look only at Razielle. "I...I..."

"She was to be mine!" Razielle shouted, spit foaming in the corner of his mouth. "And so too, the throne she sat upon! But she discarded it to a mere child!" Turning fiercely, Razielle glared at Gabe. "Your mother was weak, tainted by a lower angel that deserved nothing!"

Remembering what her father had said about his angelic status and when he had fallen from grace, Cassie knew that he had been a lower angel. She guessed that only higher angels were allowed to be with other higher angels... but she still felt as if something was missing. Why had Razielle called her Cassandra in the past? If Gabe was her child, Cassandra had no connection to Cassie...?

She held Gabe's gaze for a moment but then spoke to Razielle. "You destroyed them because you were jealous that she had chosen someone else over you... think of how many have suffered because of you..."

Razielle kept his back to her but glared over his shoulder. "I have waited an eternity of cursed years on this mortal land, for her powers to set me free from this domain. And now that her two children are finally in my grasp, I will not let this opportunity be wasted!"

"Two?"

He smiled then and faced her directly. "And now that her son is strong enough to give me a vessel able to absorb the powers of her daughter, I can finally challenge the Light. You cannot stop me."

Absorb the powers of her daughter...?

Razielle wanted Cassie's powers, but that would mean that Cassie was Cassandra's child, and Gabe wasn't... She didn't understand. Gabe had the same eyes as Cassandra. Could Gabe be her brother? Could Cassie have had two angel parents? But what about her mother, Sandra... they had never seen eye to eye before, but Cassie had never understood why. Why had her parents never mentioned anything? She had a brother. She was an angel.

A moment of silence filled the room.

She didn't know what to think. Was it true?

She stepped back, not knowing what to do. Her mind started to unravel, and she looked up to meet Gabe's gaze. Something inside of her heart finally felt whole. All these years she had felt closer to Gabe than friends ever should, and now she understood why. She was the daughter of two angel parents, and so too was Gabe. All the years that they had been together, but apart in so many ways.

Cassie...

She held his gaze, feeling him fight against Razielle's hold.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you... your memories were changed, but I don't know why. Kale... wanted to set you free... he wanted to tell you... but I had to protect you. We're family.

Without warning, Gabe moaned in pain as Razielle crushed his body. He tried to fight against it, but was unable to. Cassie didn't know what to do; she didn't have all the pieces yet. Everyone looked at her, awaiting her instructions, but she didn't know what to say.

She turned to look at Dillen, to see that he had saddened. He tried to hide it, she could tell. "Dill...?"

He shuffled in his place. "Does that mean... we're not family?"

"No!" Her chest tightened. "We'll always be family!" It was like everything she knew was being scrambled.

"Cass?"

She turned to meet Kale's gaze, feeling the last remnants of warmth from him call to her senses. "We have to stop him. If he absorbs your powers, he will challenge the Light and succeed."

Doubt was oozing through her. What difference could she make, if she didn't know who she was?

Kale took hold of her hand tightly. "I believe in you."

She held his gaze for a moment and then looked at Dillen. He gave her a simple nod, not knowing what to say. Kale squeezed her hand.

"Regardless of where this path takes us, I will always be with you. Don't think of me, don't think of them, think of yourself and the battles you will overcome."

A tear rolled across her cheek as she moved away from him. She looked at Razielle and stepped ahead of the others. This was something she had to do. Stopping Razielle would help everyone in the end. The Light had chosen her and she had to do what she could to save it, regardless of what truths she learned along the way.

"I wish you luck," Razielle whispered, shuffling backwards.

"No!" Leena shouted.

Cassie's fists clenched.

A dark mist shrouded the pod then, containing Gabe's body. It spread quickly as Razielle merged with the glowing energy, attaching to the glass like a parasite. Warmth emanated from the centre of the pod, removing Gabe's body from view. Cassie ran forwards to try and save him, but a shockwave shot through the floor, causing the entire room to shake. The stone nearest the pod started to crack and the glass shattered.

The group covered their eyes quickly, due to the flash of energy which followed. Cassie was the first to raise her gaze, fearing what she would see. "Gabe...?"

It only took a moment for the mist to fade. Gabe was stood straight, his gaze fixed on his feet. A mixture of coloured energy was constantly moving over his skin. All of his injuries were now glowing with light, but a dark edge tainted all of them, as well as his aura.

"Be careful," Leena whispered.

Kale nodded in agreement. "Don't trust anything you see."

Cassie narrowed her eyes, entering into his thoughts. His aura was emanating with strong magic, but she couldn't decipher who it belonged to. The warmth that she had always felt when close to Gabe was still there, but there was also a dark essence that had started to leak into his light. She formed in his subconscious, guarding her own at the same time.

Memories of the fall flashed through the darkness. She saw Gabe and the highlights of growing up as an angel. His wings were beautiful, causing a bubble of regret and jealousy to grow within her. The images disappeared with a flash, being replaced with memories of Farrow. His childhood had been so very different to Gabe's. Having slept for so many years since being born, he had lived under a constant shadow, never feeling at full health.

They were so different—Gabe and Farrow—and yet their auras were so alike, it made Cassie have hope. Their lives had been separated by so many decades, and yet they were both fighting for the same thing, against the same opponent. Razielle was different to both of them. He had lived so much longer, and endured so much more pain, and yet Cassie felt angry. He had had no right to disrupt the balance of Light and Darkness because of his selfish needs...

"But you would do the same, would you not?"

She turned around quickly, seeing that Razielle had formed as well.

"Would you not have done the same thing if your heart had been stolen from you?"

Keeping her heartbeat steady, she replied. "People you love come and go, but they always stay with you if that is what you want. You destroyed the harmony, the balance."

"She abandoned me as soon as the chance was given!"

The air suddenly became heavy, making Cassie feel hot under the collar. She had to remember she was inside of his head. She had to stay calm. She had to make sure he stayed calm.

"You loved her, didn't you? I'm sorry."

He narrowed his eyes. "She was to be my wife, the mother of my children..."

"But you moved on." Farrow appeared then, holding his gaze firmly on his father. "You could have made a different life for yourself, for us."

Razielle's lip lifted in disgust. "You were never meant to exist. You are nothing but a wasted attempt of life."

"He is your son," Cassie protested. "Why do you hate your own family so much?"

"Because when he looks at you, he sees the children he always wanted." Farrow's words were filled with sadness and regret. "He killed so many. He can't be surprised that he was cursed because of it."

Making himself glow that much brighter, Razielle inhaled a breath. "You know nothing of curses. None of you know the endurance I have suffered!"

"So you thought it was okay to absorb the lives of others?" Cassie had to be careful with her words.

"Your life should have ended at the fall." Gabe's words were the clearest. Every one turned towards him as his face appeared.

"Gabe!"

Cassie couldn't help but feel relieved that he was okay. But what was going to happen now? The three of them were sharing the same body, the same mind. How were they going to repel Razielle's subconscious?

"Your words are rich, boy." The look across Razielle's face sharpened. A glow built in each of his irises. "You were cursed to suffer as well, and you fought for the Light that should have protected you. There is no difference between Light and Darkness. Both allow suffering that should not exist. When I sit upon the throne of Light, I will destroy all elements of this world and begin anew. I will wipe the slate clean and destroy all those weakened with mortality."

Farrow shouted in protest. "You think the heavens will let you? You're dying old man!"

"Hahaha." Razielle's head tilted back briefly.

Whilst he was distracted, Cassie looked at Gabe for reassurance. She didn't know what to do. How was she supposed to help them?

Razielle glared at Farrow. "The heavens may not follow my wishes, but I am certain to believe that they will embrace the children of their brightest star. Once Cassandra has unlocked the heavens, I will destroy all that remains of the Light, as I tried to do many years ago."

Shuffling back, Cassie swallowed the lump that started to build in her throat. "The heavens are locked...? And I'm the key...?" She tried to think back to when her parents had first revealed her identity. Her father had told her that the heavens now stood as unclaimed land. If Razielle was to step upon the lands of Light, Darkness would rule them.

"When Darkness has claimed both the heavens and the depths of hell, I will be ruler of all elements then. Only those I deem worthy with live." He glanced between Gabe and Farrow, before focusing on to Cassie. "And those who are left, will suffer in the depths of hell. Maybe then you will understand the real curse that has plagued us true angels since the beginning." His whole body started to glow then as he moved towards Cassie.

Without warning, Farrow jumped in to stop him. He used his powers against his father, whilst Gabe ran towards Cassie. She was so overwhelmed; she couldn't focus on his face until he took her by the shoulders.

"Cassie!"

Her eyes focused on his green irises.

"Now we know his plan, you have to go!"

"What? Know his plan? I don't understand." She started to panic, glancing back to witness Farrow sustaining an injury.

He shook her gently. "You can only reach the heavens by travelling through the depths of fire. That is his intention. He will be sent to purgatory if he is destroyed, which sets him one step closer to hell. We will have to contain him within our body, there is no other choice!"

"But, how will I set you free?"

"You won't."

Her body started to shake. She couldn't lose him again. She couldn't lose everything she had gained. And Farrow. He didn't deserve to be trapped forever. "But, Gabe, I—"

"Listen to me."

"No! Listen to me!" Tears started to flow across her face as she realised Farrow was struggling. She didn't have much time. "He needs me to open the heavens. If we destroy him and he goes to purgatory, there will be realms between us."

"But he will send creatures to retrieve you, it is fact that that will happen!"

"Then be my side and make sure it doesn't."

She held his gaze.

He glanced between Cassie and the battle behind them. For the first time, he didn't know what to do. He was sacrificing himself again, but it wasn't his place to make Farrow's decision for him. He deserved a normal life just as the rest of them. Could they protect Cassie against the creatures of hell?

"Go."

She shook her head. "I'm not letting you—"

"Go, and use your powers when we tell you to."

Her brow arched inwards.

"For once, I will stand by your decision. All your life I have altered your path, now we will stand on it together."

Cassie wiped her face dry and nodded, closing her eyes as she felt her body come back to her. The others asked if she was okay and what had happened, but she ignored them and kept her focus on Gabe's body.

It was glowing so brightly that blasts of colour were constantly being ejected from its core. Some of his features had faded, being blended into all three of their appearances. Cassie raised her hands ready.

The body of light started to shuffle forwards, its arm stretched out towards Cassie. A red energy built across the extended palm and fingertips, as the rest of the torso convulsed.

"Cassie!" Kale pushed in front of her, but she quickly shoved him aside and told him to stay out of the way. He tried to argue but she had already focused again onto the body of light.

Razielle's voice spiralled around the room. "You will give me what I want, through pain and blood. You will meet me at the altar of hell."

Summoning all of his power, Razielle caused an explosion of energy to thrust across the space. The shockwaves which followed charred the walls and floors, and even parts of the ceiling started to cave in. Some of the group tried to move out of the way, but Cassie didn't, instead creating a barrier of energy to shield them.

Now!

Do it!

Gabe and Farrow's voices were clear.

Inhaling a deep breath, Cassie called upon her powers quickly. A bright glow built in front of her chest which heightened all of her senses. It sparked with energy once it had reached a certain size and then she commanded it through the air. The speed it moved was hastened further by the groups combined powers, and it cut through Razielle's energy fluently.

The body of light was pierced and the entire room was filled with dust.

Silence followed and Cassie fell to her knees.

She didn't even let the dust settle before moving to her feet and ran towards Gabe's body. It was still standing, but no longer shining with light. "Gabe...?" Moving her head to the side, she tried to see if his eyes were open.

His head lifted, causing Cassie's breath to stall in her throat.

"Gabe...?"

He opened his eyes slowly, revealing one emerald green iris, and one dark brown, but Cassie could smile now, sensing Farrow there as well.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "Both of you?"

He smiled in response. "Always." His voice was layered now, as if Farrow and Gabe were talking at the same time.

"And Razielle?"

"Gone."

Cassie's face was taken by a large grin. "You're back!"

Maybe things would get better from here, she thought. Maybe now she could be the person she had always felt that she should have been.

"Dillen!"

Pulled from her excitement, Cassie turned in response to Leena's cry. She looked for her younger brother, seeing that he was lying on the floor. "Dill?" Cassie started to panic, running towards him.

As she drew near, she saw a pool of blood seeping out from his side. A large gash had cut through his chest. She looked at Leena who was kneeling by his side. "What happened?"

"The energy was too fast; I couldn't stop it..." Leena's eyes were brimming with tears.

Guessing that part of Razielle's attack had somehow been deflected in Dillen's direction, Cassie held her breath. She thought that she had protected them all, but the truth was she hadn't. Razielle's magic had fought against her own until the very end, and Dillen had been injured because of it. She moved to his side, lifting him into her arms. His eyes were open, but he was barely breathing. Glancing over her friends' faces, she didn't know what to do. She immediately called upon her powers, warming his entire body with her light, but something was wrong.

She tried again and again, but Dillen's wound wasn't healing.

"Dill...?" She looked at Gabe and then Kale. "Why isn't it working? Why can't I heal him?"

She couldn't lose him. They had been through so much together, that without him she doubted that she could keep going. Regardless of who had the same blood as her, Dillen was her family.

Leena moved out of the way, regret coursing through her, as Gabe knelt opposite Cassie. Kale moved to her side, placing his hand on her shoulder. They examined the wound briefly before sharing a silent glance.

"What's wrong?"

They didn't answer.

"Tell me!" she shouted.

"This wound is inflicted by tainted magic," Leena whispered. "I don't know how to heal it..."

Cassie started to cry, squeezing her grip on Dillen's body. "No!"

A sudden crash echoed through the room and parts of the ceiling started to cave in. Black shadows oozed from the stone edges, filling the space with remnant leaches. Leon immediately started to dispatch them but they didn't have the time to wait. Soon the entire room would cave in on itself, due to a hazy portal that seemed to be absorbing the stone and its surroundings.

"We have to go," Gabe instructed.

"I'm not leaving him!" Cassie shouted, clutching her brother.

Kale placed his hand on her arm. "Cass... we have to go."

"I'm not leaving him!" she sobbed. Her whole body shone with energy as her emotions flared.

Gabe and Kale looked at each other, talking telepathically Cassie guessed, but she didn't care. The only thing that mattered was Dillen. She could sense a change in Gabe's aura as his one fist clenched, but it seemed to subside as he breathed out. Whatever it was they were saying, wasn't necessarily what Gabe thought they should do. Something clicked in her thoughts then.

Kale was their guardian angel. Dillen was his charge. Why wasn't he using his powers to save him? If Dillen died, so too did Kale. She glared at him, more out of fear than anything else. "Why are you not using your powers to save him?"

Shuffling in his place, Gabe was going to speak, but Kale interrupted before he had the chance. "We'll be right behind you," he worded.

Gabe seemed unconvinced, not liking Kale's plan at all. Something in Kale's eyes seemed off, the colour of his skin was dull. He wanted to help somehow, change Kale's mind on what he had decided.

"Come on!" Leon shouted, running towards the exit. Leena had followed him some of the way, but she was waiting.

"Farrow, we have to go!" she shouted. She wasn't leaving without him.

Over half of the room had been absorbed into the black mist now. All of the leaches had been destroyed, or sucked into the darkness. Most of the west wall was crumbling in and the entranceway was starting to bow.

Farrow wanted to follow Leena, pushing Gabe to move on, but it was difficult for him to do so. It wasn't fair for him to keep Farrow from Leena, but he couldn't leave Cassie, Dillen or Kale without regretting it.

Looking back at Kale, Gabe narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry I never had faith in you, but... you have five minutes."

And then they were gone. The room was empty, except for Kale and Cassie, who was still clutching Dillen's body.

She buried her head into Dillen's shoulder. "Why aren't you saving him?" she sobbed.

Kale's stomach twisted, hearing the pain in Cassie's voice. "It's not as simple as you think... there is a choice you have to make."

Anger surged through her, making her move to glare at him. "No. It's simple. You are his guardian. Save him!"

"Cass, I need to tell you something..."

"I don't care!" Her voice crackled with emotion. She didn't want to hear about Kale's feelings, and things he regretted. Not now. She just wanted her brother to be safe. She wanted Kale to be safe. She held his gaze, tears falling rapidly across her face. "I know it'll use the last of your power, and you'll be mortal... but please, Kale. Please, save him. I can't lose you both."

He moved his hand to stroke against her cheek.

"Please..." she sobbed.

Nodding in acknowledgement, Kale's body started to glow. The energy vibrated with the air like sound waves. It caused pieces of falling stone to repel and dart in various angles. Cassie edged back, her skin warming from Kale's aura. The light from his body targeted Dillen, pulsing with energy like a heartbeat. It immediately started to work on his wound, closing it slowly.

Silhouettes of Kale's wings formed as he pushed his magic a little harder. They flexed over his shoulders, as if they were real, but Cassie could see through them entirely. She wanted to reach and touch the light, but Dillen stirred in her arms, grabbing her entire focus.

"Dill?"

His eyes opened slowly and he smiled, meeting Cassie's gaze.

"You're okay now."

As he grew accustomed to his surroundings, remembering what had happened, he moved to sit up straight, as the last of Kale's power faded. He glanced between them both, panic washing over him.

Cassie didn't understand. "You're okay, Dill. Kale saved you."

"He... what?! No!" Scrambling to his knees, Dillen met Kale's gaze. "What did you do? You weren't supposed to!"

"Dill?" Cassie didn't receive an answer. Her brother's gaze was fixed firmly on Kale, who seemed even paler now this his powers had gone. "What's going on? We have to go."

Without warning, Kale fell backwards. He didn't try and stop himself, resulting in his head to meet with the stone harshly. A ringing started to echo in his ears and a tingling sensation spread throughout his body.

"Kale!" Cassie rushed to him, starting to hyperventilate. She didn't understand what was happening.

"Why didn't you tell her?" Dillen asked, rushing to his other side.

A shallow breath escaped from Kale's lips. "It wouldn't have made a difference..."

Cassie's heart felt as if it was being squeezed. She could see Kale's aura fading into the air, being sucked towards the dark portal. But it was the fact that his whole body was disintegrating. His feet and lower legs were fading away. She started to panic.

"What's happening?" she asked quickly. She knew that his powers were growing weaker, and had guessed that he would turn to mortality once the last of his power was used, but this wasn't mortality. He was dying, fading into nothing. "Dill?" She met his sombre gaze.

"He's not my guardian..." he replied quietly.

Her brow arched inwards, not understanding his response.

Instead of repeating the words, Dillen moved Kale's arm so that they could see his wrist, and for the first time they could see black writing upon his skin. The breath in Cassie's throat stung her lungs as she stayed still. There weren't two names like she had expected to see. Only one. Hers.

And then she realised what she had done. She had forced Kale to break one of the rules of being a Guardian. He was forbidden to use his powers to save someone other than his charge.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she shouted, shaking Kale's chest.

He tried to laugh in response, but the action caused him too much pain. "It wouldn't have made a difference..."

"But, we could have tried something else... anything..."

She was trying to think of something else they could have done to save her brother, but they all knew that she wouldn't find any other answer. Only Kale and Gabe would have had the true powers needed, and then she realised that that must have been what they had discussed before Gabe leaving. They had all known what was going to happen. They had all known what decision Cassie was going to make.

"I'm so sorry..." she whispered. Her tears rolled across her cheeks and collar bone, splashing onto the floor violently. "I...I..." She didn't know what to say.

Over half of Kale's body had now faded, and most of the room had been absorbed into the darkness. Even if Cassie tried to summon every ounce of power under her control, she doubted whether she could make a difference.

"Cass..."

On hearing her name escape his lips, she grabbed hold of his hand tightly.

"Promise me something."

"Anything," she replied, through her sobs.

He coughed, causing a blood drop to land on his lip. "Don't... follow me. That is what Razielle wants."

She couldn't hear what he was saying, due to the loud destructive portal behind them. She leaned in so that he could repeat it, but he didn't have the strength. He entered her thoughts instead, being sure that she would hear his final words.

Don't follow me into purgatory.

I'm not leaving you to suffer!

Promise me... you won't... say the words...

She shook her head, squeezing his hand tightly. Several tears dropped from her jaw line.

But it's because of me... that you're... I can't leave you, Kale.

This was always my fate. I lost my wings a long time ago... but finding you made me fly again. I will not pull you into purgatory.

She squeezed his hand tighter still. _I will save you._

Cass... let me fight my demons.

Almost his entire body had now faded, only the hand tightly in her grasp was visible. A shallow glow was warming the touching skin.

"Cass, we gotta go." Dillen didn't want to move, neither did he want to make his sister's decision for her, but the ceiling above was growing more and more unstable. Soon it would fall on top of them completely.

She ignored him and continued to squeeze Kale's hand. Even his face had now faded. She didn't want to let him go. There was something about him that filled her with light. She couldn't explain it, but every memory that she had since meeting him felt brighter, regardless of what had been happening at the time.

Promise me, Cass... promise to let me go.

I... I promise...

With a quiet sigh, she released her grip and watched as the last of Kale's body faded. The mist left in his place was quickly absorbed by the portal, causing it to close without warning. She wiped her face dry, staring at the place where Kale's aura had faded. She glanced at her brother briefly, before looking at where the portal once stood.

"What do I do now, Dill? Everything's turned out so wrong." She wanted to break down. She wanted to scream and cry until there were no tears left.

Dillen took her by the hand and dragged her to her feet. Her knees were weak but she stayed standing, looking up to meet his matured gaze. That was the first time that she noticed how grown up he had become, but she didn't know what to say. Was everything in her life a lie? Was Kale always going to leave her?

"Cass?"

She refused to leave her spiralling thoughts, even as Dillen shook her by the arm. Her heartbeat was drumming so loudly that she could hear nothing else. Dryness had consumed her mouth and her throat felt like it was closing. Nausea started to stir in her stomach, as another piece of the ceiling plummeted to the floor. It was as if her body was forcing itself to shut down, to protect the mind as much as it could.

And then her knees gave way, throwing her into darkness.
Twenty-Two

No dream formed in her head. No colour, no images, no faces of any kind. Her heart had wanted nothing more than to return to the white cliff top, to feel the wind across her face, to feel the sun shine onto her skin, but darkness was all that she could see when her eyes were closed. The absence of Kale's face was like a dagger to her heart.

He had always been there. Even in the days that she had barely noticed him pass her by, the days where the sun was shining brightly and he was hidden from view. Kale had been the gaze she would meet across the college canteen, before finding Freya. Kale had been the reason she had taken her classes to begin with. He had called to her senses, even before she had spoken to him, and when she had—hearing his voice like a soft whisper—she had felt warmed to the core. Now she was cold.

She had entered the Dark Domain to save her parents; to find her brother and shout at him for being reckless; to avenge her town being destroyed; to avenge Freya and the other people who had suffered. Cassie had wanted to make a difference, but now all she could see was darkness. Nothing but an empty shell.

She didn't know who she was.

She didn't know who the people around her were anymore.

Was it too much for her to be happy? Why couldn't have things gone another way. Just for once, why couldn't she have been the one to come out happy in the end? Farrow and Leena were together and safe. Gabe was alive. Her parents, even Dillen, they were all safe, but she wanted more.

She needed more.

A voice was calling to her from the world outside her thoughts, but she ignored it. There was something she had to do. She willed the cliff top to form in her thoughts. She forced its white rock to appear through the darkness. The sky was clear, but no detail was needed for it to make a difference. Cassie wanted only to see the sea. To stand upon the edge and think only of Kale.

The waves crashed beneath her, as if it was all real, as if she was really standing there, as if time didn't exist. The air was cool, moving her hair and clothes. Even Vean was bobbing in the water below. She waited for someone to come, but neither Gabe nor Kale appeared.

How was she supposed to work out what to do now?

She had no idea where the days ahead would take her, whether she would be able to carry on her life as normal when she woke. How was she going to keep going, knowing everything about her life so far had been tweaked and twisted?

Her parents had lied to her about who she really was. She wasn't the daughter of a fallen angel and a mortal, but two angels before the fall. So, that must have meant that she, too, had been sleeping up until her 'birth'. That was the only thing that made sense. Kale and Gabe had been awake a hundred years. For her it had only been twenty-one. She wondered if she had any memories of the fall. Would she be able to recall the details of heaven?

She tried.

She pushed her mind to go deeper and deeper, but nothing formed. To get the information she needed, she would have to question her parents, and then Gabe. It would be hard, but it was something she had to do. Dillen already looked at her like a stranger, but Cassie hoped that nothing would change between them once she had gotten the answers needed.

"Will forcing this place to appear really make that much of a difference?"

Cassie turned, surprised. She saw a tall, slender woman, standing in front of the dark tree line. She was wearing simple clothes, adorned with various daggers and blades. Cassie could count at least five. Glancing through the trees quickly, she couldn't see anyone else.

"Cassie!"

She was forced to meet the stranger's gaze. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

The young woman rolled her eyes, irritated that that was the first question that Cassie had asked. "That's hardly important. Do you know why you are here?"

Stepping back cautiously, Cassie inhaled a shallow breath. "I don't know you."

Again, the stranger seemed to avert her gaze in irritation. "You are here to see the remnants of Kale's aura, right?"

She had to be careful, but they were right. She was there for Kale. "You're right..." Cassie didn't know what to say. Could Kale really be at the cliff top?

"Well, you're in the wrong place for a start."

Raising her hand, the stranger clicked her fingers, which resulted in their surroundings to alter. Trees surrounded them on all sides now, but Cassie knew the cliff-top wasn't too far away. She had been here once before, in a dream where fallen angels had run at her with crossbows. Kale had saved her.

"This is the last time you will see him in the light. Don't waste it."

Cassie watched as the stranger raised her hand again, as a loud rustling started to rush through the trees. "Wait! I dreamt of this place... there were angels... they came through those trees."

"You best get running then, if you know what's to come."

She gasped. "Who are you?"

"Remember, don't waste it!" And with one quick movement, the stranger was gone.

Cassie was more confused than ever, but fear started to bubble in her throat when she caught sight of several figures running through the trees. She turned and started to run, knowing what was to come.

"Run, Cassie!"

Kale's shout echoed through the trees like a fast approaching whirlwind. Cassie didn't dare look back for chance of fear overwhelming her. She pushed herself to move faster and faster, her feet plunging in the muddy ground without thought or delay. Remnants of rain deposited themselves on her head and shoulders, as she lunged through the last branches of trees in order to reach the clearing where Kale would be waiting. He was there but visibly out of breath. His shoulder and his thigh were badly wounded.

"Kale!"

Relief rushed through her, but she didn't stop as he grabbed her by the hand tightly. Warmth spread from his skin, but it was a feeling that Cassie would never trade. She found it difficult to keep up with him. Each of his strides covered two of hers, but it was not only that- the way he moved even with injury made it seem as if the air itself was pushing him to move faster. He dove into the trees on the opposite side of the clearing, droplets of his blood staining the leaves as they passed.

Cassie knew where they were headed, but she pushed it from mind as she glanced back. What she saw caused the breath she was holding to sting her lungs. There were so many shadowed shapes chasing them, armed with swords and crossbows. Some of them had such darkened auras that the air of the clearing shadowed, tainted with their essence. It was no wonder they fell from grace, Cassie thought, focusing on the remains of the dark plumes of black feathers escaping each of their backs.

A branch cut through her cheek, pulling her back quickly. She focused onto Kale seeing that his aura no longer shone. She ducked to avoid a low branch, losing her grip on Kale's hand. He soon went out of sight, but she kept going. Keeping as much distance from the angels that hunted them was the only thing she could do. She knew what they were after, what they wanted, but she wasn't going to stop and fight. Kale was all that mattered.

She could hear the fallen growing near, their shouts following her like haunting ghosts. Even when she exited the trees, when the light of the sky warmed her face, Cassie didn't stop. She had hoped that Kale would have been waiting for her, but he was missing. It shouldn't have been a surprise to her, as that was what she had seen the first time on having this dream. A jagged rock cut into her leg then, causing her to fall into the dirt. One side of her face was marred by mud and her hair absorbed the moisture quickly, lying flat against her skin.

_I have to keep going..._ She raised her gaze to see nothing but the sky meeting with the dark sea horizon.

"You have nowhere to go now girl!"

She gasped and turned, seeing that the men had reached the tree line. Their weapons shone with light now that Cassie was close enough to analyse them. Her breath was hard to catch but she forced herself to her feet, putting all of her weight on her left leg.

Even though she had been a part of this dream once before, it felt so real—it was real.

One of the men raised their bow, arming it with a shining black-tipped arrow. The glee which consumed his expression caused his eyes to narrow. Raising his arm he smiled, baring his teeth. "Any final words?"

Cassie inhaled a deep breath, a single tear rolling across her cheek. "You won't hurt him, no matter how hard you try. He's gone and he's not coming back."

The group of men laughed aloud. "It is you we are after; the fate of traitor's no longer matters to us."

Some things had changed since the first time Cassie had been there, but she knew what was to come. She watched as an arrow flew through the air. The wind spiralled outwards from the arrowhead, allowing it no restrictions. She held her breath, curling her hands into fists.

A sudden flash of light passed by her, allowing the arrow to pierce its centre once it had formed into a body. Time seemed to stop briefly and Cassie was met with Kale's darkened gaze.

"Kale..."

"Promise me."

She had wanted him to say something else, anything else, but there was no time for her to argue. "Kale, I'm so sorry..."

He squeezed her hand. "Promise me, Cass! Promise you won't follow!"

"I...I promise..."

And then his body faded and she watched as he was pulled towards the edge of the white rock before she could reach him.

"No!" She ran, full of pain, and collapsed at the cliff edge. Leaning over to see nothing but darkness, Cassie's chest deflated as tears started to form in her eyes. She had been willing to protect Kale no matter what, but she'd failed. He was gone.

Her surroundings blurred. The figures disappeared. But Cassie could still feel the white rock beneath her palms. She lifted her head, having made her decision.

"I promise... to fight your demons with you."

There was no way that she was leaving Kale behind to suffer because of her. He had been pulled into purgatory because of her, and her inability to understand even the simplest of things.

Days. Months. Years. It didn't matter.

She was not going to leave him.

Even through the darkest of times.
Regardless of where this path takes us, I will always be with you. Don't think of me. Don't think of them. Think of yourself and the battles you will overcome. Shine brightly Even In The Darkest Of Times.

Book Two will follow in your footsteps.

