Authors Note: So I'm back again with another chapter, and as I promised, this one is a little longer. I'd like to give a heartfelt thank-you to the people who reviewed or messaged me about chapter one. I'd also like to thank my new Beta, Vampiress014, for being awesome! Hopefully you all enjoy chapter two!

Disclaimer: If I owned anything I would not be writing this on a silly computer that keeps crashing down around my ears.

"Madhouse Mach II" Derek muttered as he slipped by me and joined Simon at the table.

For the second time in as many minutes, I found myself blushing and trying to duck the attention I just naturally attract. Why me? I questioned, as I flopped down into the chair beside Tori and shot a glare at Derek, who was still smirking.

"So this morning I figured we could make a few introductions, keep things light," Andrew started. "These," he said, again gesturing to the people sitting around the table, "are your new house-mates! Our newest additions, as you are all aware, come to us from Lyle House, one of the Edison Group's main projects. They are Victoria, or Tori, who's a Witch, Chloe is a Necromancer, across from Chloe is Simon who's a Sorcerer, and Derek is a shape shifter- a Werewolf, actually." A few people gasped quietly and turned to stare at Derek. I noticed the older woman next to Andrew turn to her right and whisper something about 'not letting the dangerous ones in.' I turned my attention back to Derek and saw a dark look come across his face. Of course he had heard. The look was only there for a second, however, before his front was back in place.

Andrew carried on as if nothing had happened. "To my right," he gestured to the woman who had whispered, "is Faye, she is also a Witch. Next to Faye we have Cari, who is a Hygra, or water, half-demon. Next is Rowan, an Agro, or earth, half-demon," Rowan smiled and nodded, "Then there's Austin, a Sorcerer, Chaim, a Necromancer…" I looked up from the empty plate in front of me and caught Chaim looking at me. He wasn't what I had expected. He was probably somewhere in his late fifties and had quiet, searching eyes. Uncomfortable, I turned away to watch Andrew as he finished off the introductions, "…Neah, who's an Agito, and finally Brendan, an Exustio."

The four of us mumbled 'hello's', and I, for one, looked nervously around the table. When no one offered any topic of conversation Andrew cleared his throat, "I guess now's as good a time as any for breakfast, so dig in everyone!"

After a few minutes of plates and cutlery clinking, overly-polite could-you-please-pass-these, and thank you's, Rowan, who seemed to be the youngest outside of our group, turned to Derek, "So Derek, whatcha bench pressing these days? 200, 250?" Derek choked on a large bite of toast and turned a bright shade of crimson. Coughing to clear his throat, he answered nervously, "Well, *cough* I've never actually tested it." I laughed; I couldn't help it! The idea of gym-buff Derek was too funny. Or, at least it was until he shot me a look that would have made even André the Giant back down.

Rowan chuckled, "I'm just shittin' you, man! It's nice to meet y'all. I was getting pretty sick of all the old fogies in this place. It's about damn time I have some company that won't complain about their bum hip." He smiled and I could practically feel Tori swooning beside me. He was pretty good-looking I had to admit, a little old for me, but good-looking all the same. He was about Derek's size with long, curly red-brown hair and clear blue eyes.

Already more at ease, I turned to Rowan, "So, if you don't mind me asking, as an Agro, what kind of powers do you have?" I asked, curious.

"Well mostly I control the earth element, meaning I can cause earth-quakes, make tress grow, change terrain. Not well mind you. My quakes are more like glorified tremors and I couldn't raise a mountain to save my life. The plant thing I'm pretty good at though… that's where the produce we use here comes from," he stated as he shined an apple on his sleeve and took a bite. "Oh, I also get a little bit of a physical power boost, although nothing, I'm sure, compared to Fido over here." He paused and cocked an eyebrow inquisitively, "What's with her?"

I nudged Tori, whose head was resting on her palms, elbows on the table; the resulting jump was proof that she had, in fact, been staring. A blush crept up her cheeks as she laughed nervously and quickly changed the subject.

Outside of our conversation, I could hear the adults chatting about this and that and took yet another look around the table, not really seeing. All I could think of was how normal and comfortable this felt, almost like a family. I smiled and turned back to the conversation between Rowan and Tori.

"Not that this mindless chit-chat isn't fascinating and all, but I'm just wondering when we're actually going to get down to business. You know, finding my dad, taking down the Edison Group?" Simon, who had been unusually quiet all morning, spoke above the rest of us. The sudden comment snapped all attention on to him. I hadn't noticed, but looking at him now I couldn't help but see the scowl on his face. What was going on? Normally Derek was the belligerent one.

"Simon," Derek hissed, as he shot his brother a warning glance.

"Don't you 'Simon' me!" plates clattered as Simon stood suddenly, "We've been waiting for this chance for so long, and I know this isn't what you wanted to hear either. You want answers just like me. So what's the great plan Andrew? When do we start?"

All that answered him was silence. Obviously angry, Simon muttered something about not being very hungry and stormed out of the kitchen. We all heard, and winced, as he slammed the door to his room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the drama king of New York State," Derek sighed as he stood, took one last longing look at the food on the table, and grudgingly followed his brother up the stairs.

Authors Note: So, there's chapter two up and posted… Sorry if Simon seems a little OOC… He won't always act that way… I'm just trying to think of how frustrated he'd be and put that together with what we know of Simon's character. I also thought I'd put a bit of an explanation in about the character names and the 'class' names.

Faye/Austin – Magic

Cari – Flows like Water

Rowan – A type of tree that is quite strong

Chaim – Life

Neah – Cautious movement

Brendan - Flame

As for the classes, the ones that are not explained in the novels are the Greek words for their respective elements. (Hygra – Water, Agro – Earth) I'm not sure if they actually exist in Kelley's world. If they do and they have a different name, let me know and I'll change them.

Thanks for reading, review if you want… they are always appreciated!