The rest of the day seemed to pass by quite quickly. Reid had been thrilled to discover that she was in nearly every one of his classes, along with Tyler; there were a few that she shared with Sarah and Kate. As much as she had enjoyed the distraction that school and her friends provided Lux was glad to hear the final bell ring. Between the move from New York, the reunion with Caleb and her friends last night, and the transfer to Spencer, Lux had little time to breathe. Unfortunately, she still had to revisit her professors and get any work she would need to catch her up with the rest of the class. By the time she had met with each of her professors it was a good hour after classes had ended for the day.

The halls were nearly deserted with everyone heading off to town or Nicky's to hang out with friends and relax after a long day. As Lux walked alone down the empty hall toward her dorm room she felt a wave of darkness settle over her and the hair at the back of her neck rise in awareness. Someone was watching her, she was sure of it. Whatever or whoever it was watching was filled with evil and dark intentions- so evil that it sent chills running down her spin. However, it wasn't what she found most frightening, it was that she recognized the evil. It was the same evil that she had felt weeks ago, giving her the same feeling that had brought her running back to Ipswich, worried for her friends and family.

Unable to stop herself, Lux quickened her pace down the hall, trying to block any fearful thoughts from her mind. But, no matter how far she got the invisible eyes still followed her every step. Her mind was starting to panic when she turned the corner onto the next hall. However, she collided with a solid body and strong arms quickly wrapped around her before she could fall. With her mind still lost in panic, Lux immediately started to struggle against the strong hold.

"Lux! Lux! Chill out, it's me!" she heard Reid's voice penetrate her panicked mind.

Stopping her struggles, Lux looked up to find Reid looking down at her with worried eyes. As she looked into his blue eyes she felt herself begin to relax, his presence helping to calm her nerves. Not caring what he might say she leaned against him and took a moment to get her racing mind back under control.

"Are you okay? What's the matter?" Reid asked in a demanding, yet soothing voice.

"No, I am fine," she answered, pulling herself out of his hold. "You just surprised me."

However, Reid's piercing stare told her that he didn't believe a single word of her explanation. Much to Lux's relief he didn't ask any more questions about the situation.

"Come on, I'll walk you back to your room," he told her. "What's your new dorm number?"

"107," she answered simply, letting him lead her through the halls toward her dorm room.

As they walked in silence Lux didn't miss that every few moments Reid would glance around, as if he was watching for something. He was obviously more observant that she had first thought if he had been able to pick up on the cause of her panic. When they reached the door to her room Lux started to rummage through her book bag in search of her keys until she felt a small surge of power. Looking up into Reid's eyes she saw them flash black and heard the silent click of her dorm door unlocking.

"You know you shouldn't be using for something as small as unlocking a door Reid," Lux reprimanded him.

"You sound like Caleb," Reid grumbled.

"You could get addicted."

"It's not going to kill me — yet," he laughed, only to receive a small punch to the shoulder from Lux.

"Next time you use for something so ridiculous I'll kick your ass," Lux told him, unable to stop herself from smiling.

Opening the door to her room Lux stood in the doorway blocking Reid's entrance into the room.

"What? Aren't you go to invite me in?" he drawled in an attempt to seem charming.

"That would be like the three little pigs inviting the big bad wolf inside," Lux chuckled. "I'll see you later, Reid."

Reaching out, Reid stopped the door from closing and pushed it open enough to lock eyes with Lux

"If something is wrong you know you can tell me," Reid her, his blue eyes locking with hers.

"Yes, I know," she smiled. "But, I am just- a little tired after dealing with everything."

Looking into his eyes she saw that he didn't completely believe her excuse, but he let it go, nodded, and turned to leave. Watching until he disappeared around the corner Lux closed the door. Alone in her room she started to finish her unpacking, hoping that it would help to keep herself calm. Just as she was finishing and the preoccupation of organizing wore off the vague inkling of being watched began to return, raising the hairs at the back of her neck.

A sudden know sounded at the door, sending Lux's heart into a rapid beat, as if it were ready to jump out of her chest.

"Pull yourself together," Lux cursed, still feeling the lingering unease.

Thinking that it might be Reid at the door Lux pushed aside the last of the brown boxes she had just finished unpacking. Pulling open the door she was surprised to met with the tall form of her brother. Out of their whole group she figured that he would've been the last one to come to her dorm out of sheer spite and stubbornness. In fact, she had been prepared to wait out several days, if not weeks, of Caleb ignoring her presence.

"What do you want Caleb?" she asked calmly when it became obvious that he wasn't going to be the first to speak.

"I am sorry for being an ass, Lux!"

Lux knew he meant every word. Caleb's eyes had always been a dead give away to his emotions and at that moment they were yelling 'I am sorry' just as loudly as his mouth was. Without a word Lux wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug. At first Caleb was shocked by her actions, but when he registered what was happening he returned her hug as happily as it was given.

For a few moments the two siblings enjoyed their reconciliation until Caleb pushed her away so that he could look down into her face. At seeing the seriousness of his expression Lux immediately realized that something was happening and somehow she knew that it involved her.

"We're all meeting at the colony house," Caleb informed her. "I'll drive you."

Without complaint Lux grabbed her jacket and followed him out the door.

When they arrived at the colony house, Reid, Pogue, and Tyler were already waiting for them in the basement. It had been seven years since she had last seen the room where their meetings took place, but it looked the same as ever- in other words, creepy. The room was still fairly dark with the exception of the roaring fire running along the edges atop the large circular stone at the center of the room. The light of the fire was joined by the small glimmering light of dozens of candles that littered the room. Much of the wall space was taken by tall rickety old shelves that were filled with large leather bound books that were clearly worn from use and age.

Around the circular stone five stone stools were evenly spread apart. The fifth going unused for hundreds of years since the banishment of the fifth bloodline, except for the use she had given it when she joined in on their meetings before she had left. Of course at the time her presence had been little more than the boys indulging Caleb's baby sister by allowing her to tag along. Now her involvement was much more called for then it had ever been in the past.

With the four boys sitting in their respective seats Caleb waved Lux over to take a seat in the empty space. Taking her seat, Lux caught the flash in Caleb's eyes as he called forth one of the larger leather bound books floating toward them, stopping to hover above the flames.

"Lux, the fact that you hold the power goes against everything written in the Book of Damnation. There's never been any recordings of a girl or second born inheriting the power. Considering that you're both we should talk about what this could mean for all of us," Caleb spoke.

"In case you've forgotten," Lux huffed iritably at her brother's statement of the obvious. "I grew up with the four of you, so I am well informed on matters concerning the power and the bloodlines. I know the entries in the Book of Damnation as well as any of you."

Before Caleb could go on to say anything more Lux took over the conversation, intent on getting her own answers.

"Are you going to tell me what happened last month?" she asked nonchalantly.

The question brought all eyes to her, each wide with shock. She had been sure that they might have already become aware of that detail of her return.

"I was actually somewhat surprised when none of you told me about what had happened," she pronounced, her gaze moving to linger on Reid. "I was sure that Reid would've been the one to mention it, especially after seeing me use."

When none of them made to answer her question she studied the four boys closely, taking notice of their uncomfortable demeanors. Just by looking at them she knew instantly that they were once again playing the protect the girl card, a fact that annoyed her immensely, especially when they didn't have the time for it.

"What happened?" she demanded. "You all know that I possess the power; therefore, I can also sense when someone uses, just as any of you are able to do. However, my sense, my intuition is much stronger than any of yours. About a month ago I felt a strong power, an evil power. I knew instantly that it had originated from here in Ipswich and that somehow all of your were involved. Then suddenly, the evil disappeared. Something happened- you can't tell me otherwise."

The four boys looked at Lux in amazement, shocked that she could sense so much from such a distance. Reid was the first to break down and explain, "The descendant of the fifth bloodline returned."

For a moment Lux was at a loss of words. Never would she have thought it possible for the return of the fifth descendent to be their answer, but it certainly did explain a lot.

"I see," she sighed solemnly.

"What you felt was Chase Collins, or Chase Pope to be more exact. At first we didn't know his real identity and he worked his way closer to us. He was addicted and after more Power, even though he already had his father's," Pogue explained further.

"Well, that explains the touches of insanity that I was feeling," Lux concluded, but then something in what Pogue said struck her. "You ascended last month, he was after your Power wasn't he?" she demanded, looking at Caleb.

"Yes," was the all that Caleb was able to say before he was interrupted by Reid.

"Chase played dirty, but as you can see Sweets we're all in one piece and alive. Chase is dead, you even said the evil disappeared, so there's no use in worrying about it," Reid explained.

It was obvious that Reid was attempting to make the situation seem less dire than it truly had been for her benefit. Unfortunately, there were things for them to know that she had yet to revile.

"I said it disappeared," Lux conceded, "but-I don't know if its the same evil."

Strangely, her revelation didn't shock them as much as she had thought it would. In fact, Pogue and Reid seemed to be the only ones shocked while both Tyler and Caleb seemed to have already considered the possibility of Chase's return.

"If the possibility of this Chase returning turns out to be true I want all of you to start keeping a sharp eye, especially you Reid."

Lux's special attention to Reid drew the whole group's attention to the blue eyed blond who starred back at her with confusion.

"Why me?" he asked, looking Lux straight in the eye.

"Because you're the most vulnerable, Reid. You're the next to ascend," she explained.

"I can take care of myself," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Reid," Lux snapped. "This is not something that you can just push off as if it were nothing! If it is Chase and he's after more Power you're likely going to be the one he comes after! Now is not the time to act like the tough guy!"

Calming herself Lux turned her attention back to Reid. She knew that Reid wasn't the type of person who would just listen to orders unless he was given reason. If Chase forcing him to will away his Power wasn't frightening enough then perhaps one very pissed off girl would be.

"The evil is still here in Ipswich," she revealed to them.

"What!" all four boys yelled in unison.

"I've felt it ever since I came back. I can't feel it all the time, but it's there. Usually, I sense it when I am alone. It never does anything. It only — watches."

Learning that she seemed to be being stalked by an evil presence didn't seem to sit well with the four boys that surrounded her. They sat in silence, each contemplating the situation for themselves. By the looks of them Lux could plainly see that each had become riled up about the new information she had revealed to them.

"Until we figure out what exactly is happening I think that it would be best if at least one of us was with Lux at all times," Caleb suggested to his three friends who immediately nodded in agreement.

"Don't you think I should be involved in this decision?" Lux huffed in annoyance.

Much to Lux's futher annoyance the four boys didn't react in the slightest to her question; instead, they went on to talk and plan for every eventuality among themselves. Although she would not usually allow herself be ignored in such a way Lux left them alone. No matter the decisions they made she would do what she felt needed to be done.

With them distracted for the time being Lux turned her attention to the Book of Damnation that continued to hover above the stone circle. With a quick flash of black eyes the book floated into her waiting out stretched hands. Flipping through the pages of the books she knew every page and practically every word by heart. The book was the past of her family and her closest friends, but in a way it was also their future.

Twenty full minutes had passed with the the boys still talking amongst themselves when something unusual caught her attention. Holding the final page of the book between her fingers she noticed that it was somewhat thicker than any of the other pages. Taking a closer look Lux discovered that it was actually two pages stuck together to the point where it was nearly seamless. Carefully, so that she would not damage the pages, Lux peeled the two pages apart to reveal the true final page. Reading the words scrolled across the page she gaped in complete and utter shock.

"Hey guys!" she called out, drawing the attention of the men.

"What is it?" Reid asked coming up beside her, followed by Caleb, Tyler, and Pogue.

Lux handed the book to Caleb and pointed to the newly discovered page. Stepping aside as Pogue, Tyler and Reid gathered around Caleb and the book she let them read the words scrolled on the page. Even after reading it only once, the words on the page seemed to ring clearly in her mind.

Every 200 years, a girl; daughter; sister will be born into the Covenant. She will have powers as did her ancestors before her. The power within her will draw back an evil darkness, defeated twice before. The evil will return seeking more than it had before, it will seek to cause greater pain and greater destruction. Only now, the Power will not be strong enough to defeat the evil again. It is only through the power of love, strong and true, that the evil will meet its final end, and never again return from the ashes death.

"Well, at least now there's an explanation for you," Reid joked, putting his arm around her shoulders.

Smiling at Reid's misplaced attempt at humor Lux playfully jabbed her elbow into his stomach, not hard enough to hurt him — much. The playful mood between the two was quickly cut short when Caleb spoke.

"Unfortunately, this confirms that Chase has returned."

"To think after all these years we never noticed that this page was here," Tyler commented, still looking at the page in wonderment.

Taking the book from Caleb, Pogue studied the page closely for himself. Upon closer inspection he noticed yet another detail that had gone unnoticed.

"Look at this," Pogue instructed, holding out the book and turned the final page to show them the back inside cover of the book. "Look closer, at the binding," Pogue added when none of his friends seemed to notice what he had.

Taking Pogue's cue the group gathered in closer, paying particular attention to the binding where he had indicated. An instant later It seemed as if the air was sucked out of their lungs, each of them seeming to see exactly what it was that Pogue had been referring to- hidden for centuries within the books binding. So small that it was nearly invisible there were clear signs that a page had been ripped out from the binding of the book.

"How did hell we miss two things?" Reid cursed.

Finding one thing new about a book that they've all read and studied numerous times was one thing, but to find two seemed impossible.

"The question is, what was on that page, why was it ripped and by who?" Pogue replied calmly.

As much as Lux disliked admitting it, even to herself, for now, there was nothing else any of them could do. Even after reading the new page and knowing that she herself was in danger, she couldn't help but continue to think that Reid was in just as much danger- especially considering his using habits and coming ascension. Putting all thoughts of Chase, the Book of Damnation, and everything else aside Lux concentrated on getting them all some much needed rest.

"It's late," she declared, " We all need some rest."

"You're right," Caleb agreed. "I'll take you back to the dorms."

"No, Reid can take me back, you go home. It's pointless for you to take me when it is in the complete opposite direction of home. Besides, Tyler's going to be with us so it's not like we're going to doing anything," she chuckled with a roll of her eyes at her brother, knowing that Reid was the reason he had offered to drive her back in the first place. "Maybe a little making out," she added playfully, unable to resist the opportunity to make her brother uncomfortable.

Lux's comment instantly had Caleb turning red with suppressed rage, which he quickly cooled, unwilling to start another argument and put their recent reconciliation at risk. Looking at Reid from the corner of her eye, Lux could clearly see the unmistakable grin spread across his lips. It was difficult to tell if his cheshire grin was from her comment, Caleb's suppressed anger, or both; however, knowing Reid it was likely to be a little of both.

Returning the Book of Damnation to its proper place, extinguishing the fire and candles the group all made their way up the old stone steps of the basement. Together they left the old colony house and walked into the cool night air that now seemed filled with dangerous uncertainty.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Pogue said, swinging himself onto his motorcycle and driving off down the dirt, tree lined road.

"You should come to the house sometime," Caleb told her.

"I doubt Mom wants me there," Lux replied bitterly.

"You never know unless you try," he conjuled. "It's your home too."

Lux never replied; she only shut the door and silently waited for Tyler to drive. Seeing that their conversation was effectively over Caleb turned and got into his own car. Even as they were pulling onto the road Lux was thinking about what Caleb had said, and no matter how much she wanted to deny it, she was considering visiting her home and her mother. After all, it was her mom, even if she had shipped her off, away from her family, friends, and home.