None of these characters belong to me- they belong to Brandon Mull.

Seth's POV

What just happened?!!? I thought to myself. Did I do that??!!?

"Why is the fire out? And you all really need to turn the thermostat up. Seth, get up off the floor; it's dirty you know." Mom said as she walked through the door.

I stared in shock as my dad re-kindled the fire and mom turned up the heat. Everyone looked as if nothing had happened, but as I looked at Grandpa, he gave me a look that seemed to say we'll finish this later.

All that had happened was that my powers, my dark powers, lashed out in self defense. You know that's not true I thought to myself. You did it on purpose. Maybe not knowingly, but on purpose.

No!!! I didn't! I thought. I pushed the idea that I had wanted to hurt them or harm them or do anything to hurt my family to the dark recesses of my mind. I hoped that I never would have to think that again.

I looked outside, and realized that I only had a few hours until I was due at Nero's. How was I going to get away? Then it hit me. I glared at Kendra as she followed Grandpa, Tanu and Warren into his study. Perfect timing.

Kendra's POV

As I followed Grandpa and the others into his study, I looked over and saw Seth. He was glaring at me, again. I turned away, and shut the door behind me.

I wanted answers about Seth. They wanted answers about Seth. We both wanted them now.

"What was with the whole fire-goes-out thing and temperature-drops thing?" I said, breaking the silence.

"Those are two of the many powers that Shadow Charmers possess. Though, Seth using them is way over my head. I thought he would never hurt anything or anybody unless…" Grandpa trailed off.

"Unless something has changed in him." Warren finished.

Seth's POV

I stepped up to the door to Grandpa's study and listened. I heard murmurs within. Perfect. They wouldn't even realize that I would be gone.

I stomped up the stairs to make them think that I was going to my room. I then quietly tip-toed down the stairs and out the door. I would have to hurry if I wanted to be there on time

I climbed up the logs and into Nero's room. It hadn't changed at all. The seeing stone was still where it had been the last time I had been here, and there were still bones everywhere.

"Hello? Nero?" I called as my voice echoed back to me.

"Oh, Seth, it is you. I thought it was someone else. Please, do sit down. We have much to cover tonight." Nero replied as he stood up. I hadn't seen him in the shadows.

As I sat down, I told him what had happened last night as I had gotten home.

"It is a good thing that we are beginning your training now, and not later. Your powers are ready to be released and used. They are bursting at the seams. Those two abilities, putting fire out and lowering temperature, are just the beginning of your powers." Nero said after I had finished.

"So, there are other things that I will be able to do?" I said.

"Yes, Seth. There are a great many powers that lie within you. There is Dark Magic within all Shadow Charmers, and in some, more than others. There is a great amount in you, more than I have ever seen in any one charmer. You will be very powerful once your training is complete." Nero explained.

"So," I began. "Where do we start?"