Authors Note: Yeah I know… Bad authoress! I have no excuse! But I did just finish reading the Otherworld Series so now I can think about bringing in some more of the ideas from that series… which I did a bit in the chapter, although it will only be explained in the next chapter… I don't own anything… unfortunately

"Just promise me you won't push yourself too hard." He locked eyes with me for only a second, but genuine worry was there this time.

That night, as I was beginning training with Chaim, I had a lot on my mind. Who could I trust? I knew Faye was probably out, but I couldn't bring myself to believe that Chaim was lying as well. I snuck a peak at him. He just couldn't be against us.

"Chloe, you're supposed to have you're eyes closed." Chaim chided as he opened one eye. "What's on your mind child?"

"It's… It's nothing. I'm just having problems focusing." Chaim raised his eyebrow.

"You know I'm not just here to be your teacher. As your mentor I can try to reassure you if you let me." I stayed quiet. Chaim turned to me, "I won't force you to tell me anything, but know that I'm here."

The silence that followed was almost too hard to bear but somehow, in those few minutes, I knew that Chaim could be trusted. Whether he would believe me was another story entirely.

"If I'm going to tell you this you have to promise me two things." I looked him in the eye as he nodded, "First, that you will not interrupt me and second… that you won't tell a soul." Chaim looked shocked for a moment but regrouped and nodded again. "Alright," I paused, not knowing how to continue. "I, we've, been having some doubts about the loyalties of certain members. Neither of us have had much contact with Cari, Neah or Brendan, but Faye has said some things to Tori in her training that has us a little worried. According to Tori, Faye called us abominations. It just set us all on edge. Those were the kinds of words that the Edison Group let slip when they thought we weren't listening. We thought that if we could contact a spirit and convince them to help, we could keep an eye on Faye and the others; see if they really are who they say. But I'll need your help."

"Chloe, I'm not so sure that that's a good idea." I tried to protest, but Chaim raised his hand to silence me, "Not that you shouldn't be worried. You're right, Faye should not have used that word, and I've been having some doubts myself about the motivations of the others, but how are you sure that whatever spirit we summon will give us an accurate account? Spirits tend to be a little less than savory; especially when dealing with necromancers. They like to be left alone."

"Well, that's why I need your help see? I could summon just any spirit and ask for its help; but what if I wanted to summon a particular spirit? One that I know will help."

Silence. I could tell that Chaim was thinking so I didn't push. "I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I'll try."

And so started the grueling process of brainstorming ways of contacting Liz. Hours passed and we still had no definite ideas.

I was still pondering Chaim's last idea, something about sending out my power gently into the world and seeing if Liz could sense it and come to me on her own, when I noticed the first rays of sunlight coming through a gap in the curtains.

I stretched out, muscles aching from sitting in one spot for so long. This was just perfect, now I would be tired all day. Chaim stood and drew the curtains wide. The sun was just creeping over the horizon, painting the sky beautiful colours.

"Well I think we should hold off for now, the others will be awake soon. Go clean up and I'll start on Breakfast." Chaim nodded towards the door as he yawned. I looked at him, slightly worried. "Don't worry about me Chloe, this isn't my first all-nighter. And it certainly won't be my last."

I smiled and stood up slowly, bones creaking in protest. Stiff legged I walk down the stairs to my room, mind lost in thought.

By the time I got to the door I had reached a decision. Although most of our ideas for summoning Liz were impossible, or at the very least improbable, Chaim's last suggestion had struck a chord with me. And it was one I could try by myself.

I crawled onto my bed and sat in the typical cross legged position of meditation and tried to focus my mind. It was harder than usual because this time, I had a lot to lose. Finally I had wiped the last worry from my mind. Now to try sending out my power. I thought about Liz, I thought about needing her help and I tried to send that through to 'the other side.' It was kind of like the reverse of what I normally did; giving energy instead of taking, and was twice as hard. After just a few minutes I was already exhausted, sweat rolled down my forehead. 'Liz, if you can hear this, come' I sent the thought out. Opening my eyes I was disappointed that Liz wasn't there. Although I guess if I was honest with myself I wasn't surprised. I had never tried this before and it would probably take so much longer to perfect.

But I didn't have the time to wait till I had perfected it. I needed Liz. I pushed harder, mentally screaming. 'I need you!'

That was the last thing I remembered.

Authors Note: So there it is… Chapter 9… sorry that it's short… I just thought this made a great point to end the chapter. Reviews would be nice. :)