Katelyn's POV

The wind was calm. The sun was setting, staining the waters of the sea red. It had been a few days since I had joined Aphmau's small town. What was it called? Right..."Phoenix Drop". I felt a sense of pride about being part of group of people who believed that Zane was wrong...but something was missing...

You can't act like you just forgot him. I closed my eyes to stop tears from flowing. You have to be strong, I chided myself. Remember, you're a member of the Jury of Nine...or at least used to be...

"If only I could go back..." I mused.

A new voice came behind me. "Go back when?

I quickly turned around, unconsciously taking out my fire fists. She stopped as she realized who it was.

"Lord Aphmau!" my face tightened with rage "DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT!"

Aphmau's eyes glimmered with laughter. "Oh c'mon, Katelyn!" Her eyes lost the glimmer. "And really...what did you mean by "going back"?

The rage vanished from my face, replaced with sadness. She couldn't let Aphmau know this, ever. She quickly turned away to hide the look on her face, and looked out at the sea.

"Katelyn..." Aphmau started.

"Don't." I let out a soft growl. Silent tears rolled down my face. I quickly closed my eyes.

"Alright..." I didn't have to turn around to see the worried expression on Aphmau's face. I heard footsteps walking away. Only when I was certain Aphmau was gone, did I let my face rest on my hands and cried.

The sun had set.

There was only darkness now.

I wandered around the small town. I wasn't prepared to see Aphmau, not just yet... After all, she might ask more questions.

Fool! I told myself. Showing your emotions like that. That's exactly the thing... I left my thoughts trail off. I was right. It was exactly the thing Jeffory would do.

I clenched my fists tighter, then let them loosen. There wasn't any point, after all. Maybe I should go apologize.

I entered Aphmau's house. No one was home, not even her pet dogs.

"Hello?' I called out. Nobody answered.

I walked upstairs. I knocked on the door the Levin's bedroom. No one answered. I opened the door with a creak.

"Levin? Have you seen Aphmau? God, where is she?" I scowled. How could I apologize when no one was there to apologize to?

A glow at the corner of my eye surprised me. I turned in that direction, looking up to see what was causing that glow. It was one of the books on the bookshelf. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, but finally curiosity got the better of me. I reached up and grabbed the book from the shelf. It was covered in dust. I brushed it off. I squinted as I tried to look at the title, but a bright flash blinded me. I quickly looked away.

Finally...a worthy victim. A voice wavered through the room.

I took out her fire fists. They flared to life. "Who are you? What do you want?" I growled.

What do I want? The voice continued smoothly. No no, it's what do you want.

I felt a presence against me. I stiffened, then slashed at it with my fists, leaving trails of bright red fire. You want to go back. You want to change the past. The voice sounded bored. I can get that for you...for a price.

I felt dizzy. Going back?! I can change the past...We could have a future! My heart quickened, and I felt that feeling that I felt whenever Jeffory had looked at me in the eye. "What's the catch?" I asked warily, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.

Power. I felt hands on my shoulders.

"Power? Whose power?" I asked.

The hands on my shoulder squeezed tighter. You'll either accept, or I'll have to cancel the offer. The voice hissed. I've been trapped for a while...I can wait longer.

I hesitated. I wanted to see Jeffory, but at what cost? Despite these doubts, my voice was certain as I said, "Alright. I accept your offer."

I had barely said those words when the world twisted into a whirl of colors. Alright... The voice was all around me now, loud and clear. Alright indeed...

The colors faded into shadows, and I was plunged into darkness.