A/N: Hello everyone! So, this is a story that I've been working on just for fun in my free time. It's based around Halloween and I'm planning for the last chapter to actually be up on Halloween, so hopefully everything goes according to plan. I'm also trying out a slight different writing style in this story so...we'll see how that goes. :P I'm both nervous and excited about this one, and I hope you all enjoy!

October 31, 1827

"Alexander, you have been found guilty of practicing dark, evil magic. Blood magic." Isaac hissed the words, still unable to believe his brother capable of such things. He glanced around at the terrified faces of his mother, his aunt, and his two sisters. Together, the five of them stood in a circle at five points of the pentagram drawn roughly on the floor. The battered figure of Alexander knelt in the center, his hands tied behind his back with his own neckcloth.

Alexander shrugged, then turned and spat on the floor. "What are you going to do, little brother? We both know you won't kill me."

The cellar was dark and cold, and Alexander shivered. The mud-spattered breeches and tattered remains of his linen shirt obviously did little to ward off the chill. He smiled when he looked up, and Isaac's blood ran cold and the dead expression in his eyes.

No, Alexander's soul wasn't in there anymore. It was chased away by heartbreak and despair. The creature in front of him was nothing more than a shell.

That thought gave Isaac the courage for what they needed to do. He glanced at the other members of his family stood beside him, and they nodded back. They were ready.

Isaac held out his hands, strength and power flowing through him as his family did the same and they joined together.

"Alexander Graham Knight, son of John and Mary." Isaac's heart clenched at the mention of their late father's name, and he closed his eyes, not wanting to see the smug look on Alexander's face. "I call upon the land and the sea and the air, grant me the power to banish thee from this plane. Let thine-"

Alexander threw his head back and laughed. "Are you serious, Isaac? If you think this will keep me on the other side, then you are a fool."

Isaac ignored him, the squeeze of his sisters' fingers on his kept him focused. "Let thy spirit leave thy body and cross through the veil, where our beloved family will welcome thee with love and lift the evil curse that has befallen thee."

"Curse?" Alexander snarled. "My eyes have been opened to the true power we hold. It is no curse, but a gift."

"May thee be free of the evil that has consumed thee in this life, and spend eternity at peace."

"I know this spell, Isaac. The blood of a family member is all I need to return." Isaac watched his brother eye the rest of their family as though they were cattle to be slaughtered. "And there are still plenty to choose from. Alone, none of you are strong enough to resist my will." He licked his lips, black eyes narrowing as he met Isaac's gaze. "On this night a year from today, my power will be sufficient enough to set me free. Samhain, Isaac. It may be your ally today, but it will also be your undoing upon its return. You were lucky to catch me unaware, but now I will be watching. One of you will make a mistake, and on the next All Hallow's Eve, I will see you pay for it."

Without letting go of his sisters' hands, Isaac stretched his arms out high enough so his shirt sleeves rode up, revealing his wrist. His sisters and his mother did the same.

"No!" Alexander's eyes flashed as he focused on the small tattoo on each of their wrists-two joined S shapes one atop the other, dissected by a vertical straight line with arrows on either end. Two small X's sat on the line, completing the small talisman of protection each of them wore. "How did you…?"

"It matters not. By next Samhain, all Knights will bear this mark, as will each new descendant. There will be no return for you."

Isaac looked at his brother one last time and blinked away the tears blurring his vision. Two days ago, Alexander had been happy, joyful, and full of life. And Isaac loved him with all of his heart.

He still loved him, but this creature kneeling in front of him was not the brother he knew. Regardless, his heart broke as he prepared to utter the final words of the spell. With a shuddering breath, he met Alexander's gaze. "I banish thee beyond the veil, for now until the end of time."

He repeated it twice more, his sisters and mother joining in the last time.

The air sizzled with energy, and as they spoke the final word, Alexander's mouth opened on a silent scream, his back arched, his whole body froze in place for one...two...three beats of Isaac's heart, and then Alexander collapsed onto the cellar floor, just as the old grandfather clock struck midnight.

It was done.

Done! So, of course, this was just the prologue. This will actually tie into the present day, and will be expanded upon as we get further into the story! The next chapter will be the first official chapter, which I'm posting right after this. :)

-EpicallyObsessed