Cassie, Adam, Diana, and Melissa were gathered in an empty classroom after school. They'd broken in to discuss the worst problem they'd ever had to face as a Circle. They were perched on top of the desks, facing one another.

"Faye is out of control, Diana!" Adam yelled. "She could have killed somebody last night! She nearly did!" He continued, shooting a glance at Melissa.

There was uncomfortable silence before Diana added timidly, "And this isn't the first time, either."

"If we're going by "three strikes and you're out"-" Adam started.

"Are you guys seriously considering this?" Melissa said in horror. "We can't do this to Faye! She'd kill us!"

"Unlike you, Melissa, I'm not afraid of her." Adam said disdainfully.

"She's one of us." Diana said.

"Is she? So where is she now? I haven't seen her around at all."

"Because you basically kicked her out!" Melissa told Adam pointedly. "Maybe if you hadn't been so hard on her after the dance, Faye would be in the "talking and being a cohesive member of this Circle" mood!"

"She's never been a "cohesive" member of the Circle." He said. "We're pretty much past the point of talking, Di. We've given Faye plenty of chances, but she always finds a way to make us regret it. And she's becoming more and more reckless. It's time for action. We have to make her see that what she's been doing is wrong. We need to make sure that Faye can't put people in danger ever again."

"What do you want us to do? I'm pretty sure there isn't a spell lying around for this. And what if it hurts us, too? Look what happened when Faye tried taking my magic- it affected the rest of the circle. We're connected now." Cassie said.

"There is a spell for this. In my family's book. Adam and I took a look a few days ago- it takes the magic away from a user, and places it in a magical container of some kind. But it also severs that person's link from the circle. We'd definitely have to research it more… but it seems like a safe option." Diana said hesitantly.

"We can't, you guys! We'd be taking away Faye's freewill... just like she wanted to do to me. She's your friend," Cassie pleaded, thinking of how hurt Faye had been the night of the dance, "You can't give up on her." You haven't given up on me.

"She tried to steal your magic, Cassie." Adam said. "And she used that power with no concern for anyone's safety. Innocent people could have been hurt. We can't just let her go with a smack on the wrist!"

"But, I-"

Diana interrupted, "I think Adam might be right. Faye has shown that she'll do almost anything for power. I don't want to find out what she'll do next. I won't be able to live with myself if someone really does die because of her, and we did nothing to prevent it."

Cassie could see that the conversation was sliding towards Adam's favor- so she tried the only thing she could think of to turn the tables.

"Melissa? What do you think?" Maybe if the small brunette objected strongly enough, the rest of the Circle would reconsider.

Melissa was looking very conflicted, eyebrows furrowed. "I just don't know. Faye's my best friend... but lately, I've been scared of her," She admitted, "But I don't think that I can betray her like this!"

"We may need you, Lissa."

Melissa saw each of the faces of her circle, except for Faye, all waiting on her decision. Heart beating wildly and sick to her stomach, she shook her head. "I can't."

She grabbed her book bag and fled then.

"Everything's going to the dogs." Diana said sadly, watching her go. "The Circle's falling apart."

"Melissa will come around." Adam assured them. "She knows that Faye is just a ticking time bomb. Let's just hope we can diffuse the situation before she goes off."

"I'll go talk to her." Diana said and left the room hurriedly.

Adam sighed, "I just hope Melissa won't go tip off Faye."

"She's loyal, Adam. You can't fault her for that." Cassie said.

"There's loyalty, but then there's also denial. We can't turn a blind eye until Faye screws up and does something irreversible."

"It was all so much simpler before I showed up." Cassie said, her fingers curling into fists.

"No, Cassie, no!" Adam said, taking her hands in his. He hadn't forgotten the moment they'd shared after the Fire and Ice dance, before Jake had shown up. He wondered if Cassie had forgotten, though, since she'd made no indication of remembering their kiss.

"But it's true, Adam! Before I came to Chance Harbor, everyone's magic was harmless. And it was controlled, no need for a circle. But then I had to come and make everything worse. People are dying because of me."

"People are dying because some things have been set in motion that have been in the making for hundred of years. It's not something that any of us can control." He said darkly. "And you're wrong about Faye. Her magic was never "harmless", Cassie. She's always craved power, and probably always will. Your appearance in Chance Harbor is nothing more than a coincidence. And a good one, if you ask me. I've been grateful for everyday since you moved here… because I got to meet you."

"But I even ruined things between you and Diana." She said guiltily, not raising her face.

"This thing between us... is just another thing that we can't control. Diana understands that... and I'm tired of fighting it." He stepped closer and placed a kiss on Cassie's forehead, which she closed her eyes too. Adam took it as a good sign that she hadn't removed her hands from his grip. But he didn't want to push it, so headed for the classroom door.

"Don't blame yourself, Cassie." He said lastly.

When Cassie opened her eyes again, Adam was gone. But the feeling of comfort was still there.

.

Faye Chamberlain was pissed... more than usual. She'd been in a murderous mood since the dance, since she'd been cast out by her own Circle or friends. All because that clonde bitch had everyone on her side. They'd all turned on her, even Melissa.

And now they wanted to take her magic.

They'd plotted behind her back. It had been pure luck when Faye had walked in front of the classroom where they were meeting. She'd heard them arguing, and she thought they really should learn to close the door. But then she realized that they were discussing her. And how to steal her magic once and for all. She settles by the door, out of sight, and listened to things unfold.

Strangely enough, Cassie was the first to protest. Faye couldn't help but think it was because she wanted to be the little saint, just like always.

She was outraged, how they calmly planned how to punish her, like some dog to be put down. As soon as Diana admitted to researching the spell herself, Faye left in a huff.

"How dare they!" She screamed in the parking lot. She felt power bubbling beneath her skin, amplified due to her rage.

She was glad that the Circle didn't know some residual power from the spell to steal Cassie's magic remained. If so, they'd be in more of a hurry to muzzle her.

"I'll make you all pay." She growled. She recognized Adam's car a few spots away, and calculatingly focused her pent up energy. In a loud explosion, the hood burst into flames. As she continued to stare, some gasoline trickled from it. It would soon be engulfed.

Let's see if you get there in time to save you wheels, Adam.

Laughing, Faye got in her own car and drove away.

Screw the Circle. There was no way in hell that she'd let them betray her. And they were now making it clear that they didn't trust her. Sure, they had good reason, because she was admittedly a power-hungry bitch. But it stung nonetheless.

As she neared the end of the parking lot, there was the satisfying odor of melting metal and rubber.