Okay. So, first of all, I want to go down on my knees and beg your forgiveness for not updating. I've just been so busy! I've been reading and hanging out and doing homework and just haven't been in the mood to write. In case you're one of the people who don't read the A.N.'s at the beginning and end of each chapter LISTEN UP!Kalona is NOT being killed in this chapter or in this story! The kids don't even have their powers yet, and they're essential. I'm not yelling by the way. But anyway, that's all the chapter notes. Read On!

Chapter 6: Chased

Zoey

I moved instinctively in front of my children. I mentally called all of my elements to my side. This would not be the final showdown, I knew. Nyx had told me that.

"What do you want her Kalona?" I growled. All of us were huddled around the children.

"To see my son, of course, but he does not seem to be around." He shot a glare at Stevie Rae. "Did you fail to love him as I predicted? Leave him for this mortal?" He spoke to her.

"It is me, Father." Rephaim spoke up, proud and strong. He moved closer to his wife and kids.

"Rephaim? How can this be?" Kalona looked genuinely shocked.

"The Goddess gifted me with this form when I chose her, and not you." Rephaim put extra sting into the last part.

"So, you get off without punishment while I am banished for eternity? You are rewarded while I suffer?" Kalona was angry.

"He was punished, Kalona. I live without my husband every day. He is a raven during the day. He leaves his wife, his children, from sunup to sundown. Is this not punishment enough?" Stevie Rae spoke up, venom in her words. Her eyes were like dagger of ice, cold and deadly.

"So, I assume these are my grandchildren?" He pointed to Cassidy and Kalleb.

"No. They are not, Father. You disowned me. I am not your son, no more than my son and daughter are your grandchildren. Do I make myself clear? My children have been gifted by Nyx to be the ones to defeat you. Knowing you are blood makes that hard enough. Thinking you are family would make that unbearable." Rephaim replied his voice as cold as his wife's eyes. He looked at his children, and his wife and I knew he would never betray them.

"Kalona! By the power I have been gifted with I tell you, you do not belong here. You are not wanted. By the power of the Goddess, Nyx, I ask you what do you want here. Why come today?" My voice was amplified by the elements as I spoke. The power inside me filled me and I wasn't afraid anymore. Some small part of my soul wanted him but was easily crushed by the memory of Heath's neck snapping.

"I am here to recruit my son back to my forces. His children and wife would be of use to me but I came only for him. I came today because I was flying overhead and felt his presence." Kalona replied. He had shrunk away from the power in my voice. He felt Nyx's presence in my power and it scared him.

"Kalona! You are banned from this house!" I yelled beginning what I knew others would follow.

"From this family!" Rephaim shouted together.

"From this block!" the Twins yelled.

"From this group!" Aphrodite hollered.

"From these minds and hearts!" Damien shouted.

"From this town!" my husband yelled.

"From these dreams!" Stevie Rae yelled.

"Kalona! You are banished!" We all yelled. The strength of the elements surrounded us. Wind lifted him while fire surrounded him. Water soaked him and the earth trembled if he tried to pull away. Spirit made him weak so he could not fight.

"I'll be back A-ya! Rephaim! You have betrayed me. I'll tell your brothers where you are. They'll kill your wife and children while they sleep. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" He screamed and yelled. A light flashed and he was gone. Rephaim fell to the ground and began to weep.

"Rephaim?" What's wrong?" Stevie Rae kneeled beside her husband.

"My father. He hates me so. How could he hate his blood? His blood, Stevie Rae, which runs in my veins." Rephaim sobbed.

"He's blood, honey, but he ain't family. Don't worry about him. And don't worry about me either. I'll be fine. The earth will let me know if anything allied with Darkness tries to enter the tunnels. We'll be safe." Stevie Rae kissed him. His tears stopped and he went to go pick up his kids.

"Dada." Kalleb said.

"Dada." Cassidy said. Everyone looked at the two babies and began to laugh.

"Dada?" Joi said. Everyone stopped laughing and turned to look at her. Stark picked her up and hugged her.

"Told you, Z. You just had to give her time." Stark said and flashed me a cocky grin. I punched him in the arm and leaned over to kiss him. Then Darius leaned in to kiss Aphrodite. Once again, Stevie Rae kissed Rephaim and we all had our moments. But then, of course, all 4 of the kids started to cry. We all laughed and cooed at the babies until they stopped crying. Well, one thing's for sure, it's not exactly the birthday I had planned. But, it was a good one nonetheless.

"Rephaim?" Stevie Rae said.

"Yes, darling?" he replied.

"Can we go home now?" When we all started to look hurt she spoke again. "Look, I love ya'll like white bread but I'm tired. Sorry." When we all smiled and nodded understanding she looked happier.

"On that note," I began, "everyone out of my house. I love you all, but I'm tired, too. "We all laughed and shared hugs goodbye. It was another half an hour before my house was clear of everyone but me, Stark, Joi, and Layla. I climbed into my bed after putting the kids to sleep and fell asleep faster than they had.

Okay. Thanks to all who waited patiently for a new chapter. I'll post again sooner than I did this time (hopefully). Well, tomorrow's Friday, so that leaves me the whole weekend without much homework. That, of course gives me time to write and plan. Again, thanks to all reading this. Grateful, StevieRae2011, signing off.