Thank you DragonQuill6913 and dancefreakO.O for reviewing chapter 1! Thank you Magic Writer 207 for adding this story to your Story Alerts, and Favorites! Digital hugs for you all! :) Now, onto chapter two, the Plot.

Chapter 2: The Plot

The infamous young man smiled, but it was a smile totally devoid of any warmth.

"Hello dear cousin. I thought I might find you here."

Stunned, Jonathan released Manfred and stepped back. "H-how'd you know about this place? I haven't told anybody!"

Manfred rubbed his neck where the cloak's strap had been pressed against his skin. "I have my ways. Anyways, that's not important. I need your help. You're endowed, correct?" Secretly, Manfred was worried. If Jonathan wasn't endowed, he was screwed. All his plans for revenge on Charlie Bone and his little friends would be ruined! And that would never do.

"Yeah," Jonathan replied, "I'm endowed. Why do you ask?" Manfred eyed him shrewdly. He sensed that the boy wasn't lying. Perfect. Now all he had to do was find that map…Abruptly, he stopped himself. He still didn't know what the boy's endowment was! What if it was mind-reading? "So…" he started, turning to Jonathan. "What's your endowment?"

Jonathan was on his guard. He had heard about the notorious Bloor's Academy and Charlie Bone. He knew that Manfred had nearly died. In fact, he had scars to prove it. A terrible burn decorated the right side of his pale face. His black eyes were locked on Jonathan's dark brown ones. They were so dark…so deep…so cold…

A sick smile twisted Manfred's mutilated face. Jonathan Loth was now under his control. It didn't matter what his endowment was. He wouldn't be able to use it unless Manfred told him to.

Jonathan Loth had been hypnotized.

Even with his hood up, there was no mistaking Asa Pike. His amber eyes glinted dangerously.

"He's…" Billy faltered. He'd always been afraid of the older boy, but now he was positively terrified. "He's…" he started again.

"He's invited to come to Tancred's cousin's house with the rest of us." Lysander finished. Billy smiled gratefully at him. Asa opened his mouth to speak, but a new voice entered the conversation before he could.

"So? Are you coming?" Tancred demanded. Asa frowned.

"Why in the name of all things good and dramatic would they want me to come to their house?" Tancred awkwardly adjusted his shirt sleeve, yanking it down over his knuckles.

"Um… Because they wanted to meet you?" he offered weakly. Asa raised an eyebrow.

"Sure. Because everybody wants to meet a freaking were-beast." He snarled. Tancred scowled and a strong gust of wind tore through the small room, making the other children shiver with both cold and fear. Asa and Tancred had never been the best of friends, and now they appeared ready to kill each other. Lysander and Gabriel stood up, ready to force the two boys apart if necessary.

"Why do they want a bunch of endowed kids at their house anyways?" Asa demanded. Tancred frowned. "I have no idea. They just said to come and bring you lot."

"Tancred." Emma piped up. "Are you sure that they sent this message?"

"Well… Um… No. I'm not."

Billy Raven paled. "B-but, who did then?"

"Who could have though?" Emma Tolly asked, "Who would want a bunch of endowed kids, us in particular, in one place… Oh my gosh."

"Manfred Bloor." Asa murmured grimly, "He would want just that. Then he could get his revenge."

"But he's dead!" Olivia Vertigo squeaked.

"No he's not." Asa replied quietly. He alone appeared calm. Finally, Lysander Sage joined the conversation.

"Manfred could still be alive. Admit it, we have no proof that he actually died. For all we know, he could have escaped with his father. It makes sense that they would target Loth's Academy. That's the largest school for children like us around. They probably have extremely powerful children there, like Cynthia and Luke. They're Tancred's cousins. Luke's only five, but he can whip up one heck of a hurricane when he's angry. And Cynthia… She's interesting. She's, erm, like you, Asa. She's a werebeast."

Asa was stunned. Cynthia Torsson was like him? "R-really?" he whispered, hoping that he hadn't heard incorrectly. Someone like him would be amazing. She would understand what is was like to be an outcast, surely she would!

"Yes, Asa," Tancred replied, "She's just like you."