Hi! I missed you guys (not in a stalkerish kind of way)! I started working on my ToD, but I am SOOOOO excited to do this chapter! I'm pretty sure you'll like it too. It's a Layla-Kalona dream chapter. I think it'll be funny. So, without further ado, I present my chapter. Read On!

Chapter 9: Seen

Layla

"Mama, I'm tired," Layla said. Her mother led her to her room, tucked her in, and turned out the light.

"Good night, baby," Zoey said.

"Night." Layla closed her eyes. She imagined a name flashing in front of the darkness beneath her eyelids. Kalona, Kalona, Kalona… As she slipped farther into sleep's darkness, other things were brought to her mind. His wings. His hair. His eyes. His face. His body. She slowly lost consciousness, seeing these things and more…

Kalona

Kalona heard a voice calling him. A voice that he knew all too well. It was Layla. She was calling him to her. To her dreams. He laid in bed and closed his eyes and allowed himself to be pulled to her.

Layla (Layla's Dream)

"Hello, Layla." That warm voice wrapped around her, trying to make her feel safe. She ignored the feeling.

"Who are you?" Her voice was sharp, immediately triggering a response.

"Y-You know me," he said, stuttering through his shock.

"No, no I don't," she said. "I know what you've told me. Tell me who you are."

"You're mother has told you things about me, I see?"

"Yes. Now tell me." She was unafraid. She knew he could not- nor would he- hurt her.

"I am Nyx's former Warrior." Layla gasped.

"Former? Why not now?" she asked. He smiled, grimly and without humor.

"I was sent away by her. Because I loved her and she did not return it. Because I could not accept the fact the she loved Erebus and could never be mine. She cast me down. I did horrible things child," he said. She shook her head.

"Then why are you kind to me?"

"Child, you are wise beyond your years. But, alas, I don't know. I cannot tell you that. Just as I can not tell you how I am still able to access you're dreams when you're mother set an enchantment to keep me away. Layla, I am not the one with the answers."

"But, Kalona, no one does have them. But I want to know." She shook her head, confused.

"I know, Layla. But I cannot tell you," he said, sounding sincerely regretful. Layla shook her head, still so confused. Then, a new face walked into her dreams.

"Hello, young one," the Goddess said. Kalona looked at her with a mix of admiration, respect, fear, and shame.

"Hello Nyx. What brings you to my head?" Layla smiled, taking pride in her own cleverness. The Goddess smiled at her.

"Nyx, I-," Kalona began. The Goddess looked at him, disapproval and something else indeterminable in her gaze.

"Be quiet, Kalona. I have no time for your foolish words." The shame in Kalona's eyes grew, and Layla felt sorry for her friend. "Can he still be my friend?" Layla wondered. She looked at him until she heard the Goddess' voice. "Layla, ignore him. Focus on me, for I have things to tell you." Layla looked at her.

"Yes, Goddess?" Nyx smiled at her.

"Child, do not ever tell your mother that you know him. If you do, this is what will happen." Nyx waved her hand and an image appeared in the air.

Layla sits on her bed, weeping. She's older, maybe sixteen. Zoey stands across the room, angry and disapproving.

"Mom, I-" she begins to say. Zoey shakes her head.

"No, Layla. I don't care what he told you. He is no friend, no ally. You lied to me for years. He's a liar, an atrocity. Why, Layla?"

"Mom, I-" she tries once more is cut of again by her mother.

Save it Layla," Zoey says. "I don't want to hear anymore." Zoey abruptly turns and walks away, tears welling up in her eyes. Layla cries, then whispers three words only she can hear.

"I…"

Nyx waved her hand and the image disappeared.

"That is what awaits you if you tell your mother when you are older. If you tell her now, then you will never see him again." Layla glanced once more in his direction.

"No, Layla! Look at me," the Goddess said, voice stern. Layla turned to face her and the Goddess said, "Remember what you saw tonight. Remember your sorrow, and your mother's anger and anguish. Don't forget…" Nyx leaned down and kissed Layla on her forehead. It stung a little where her lips touched. "Goodbye, my daughter," Nyx said. And, like that, she disappeared. Layla glanced at Kalona.

"I can hear Mom telling me to wake up. I have to go. We will talk more," she said. He nodded and gradually faded away, mixed emotions upon his face.

Zoey

"Wake up, Layla," I said. I shook her gently. Slowly her eyes opened, crusty from sleep.

"Morning, Mama," she said, smiling. She was missing one of her front teeth and it was adorable. I smiled back.

"Good morning, baby. How are you?" She yawned.

"Tired," she replied. I laughed. She then lifted her head and rubbed her eyes. I looked at her and noticed something. I gasped.

"What, Mama? What is it?" It took me a while to form a reply. I was too busy staring at the tiny black star in the middle of her forehead.

"I'll show you. Come." I led her to the bathroom and sat her on the counter. She looked in the mirror and slowly raised a hand to her forehead.

"Wow! Isn't this a sign from Nyx?" she asked, excited. I smiled and nodded.

Layla

Layla smiled, and she truly was excited, but she kept remember the Goddess' words. Remember… Remember… She shoved the troubled thoughts out of her head and smiled at everyone. Joi was the one most excited. That was how the day went. When, at sunrise, Zoey got a phone call.

"Hello?" Zoey said, not recognizing the number. Layla heard the voice through the phone and smiled. So did her mother. "What?" "Really?" "Okay…" "Sure." "Love you, too." "Bye." Zoey hung up and smiled.

"What is it?" Stark asked. He too had recognized Lillia's voice but hadn't been able to hear the other side of the conversation.

"There's been a change of plans. At sundown we're going back to Tulsa. Lillia and Alex just touched down. They'll be staying with Stevie Rae and Rephaim until we get back. There were joyous shouts all around. Layla smiled, glad that her new Mark was forgotten about.

Damien (in Tulsa)

"Mr. Maslin," the receptionist at the adoption agency began, "we have decided, that, though you are single, you would prove to be an excellent candidate. Congratulations." Damien sat back in the chair, mind reeling.

"Are you sure?" he asked, positive he must be dreaming. She smiled.

"Yes, Mr. Maslin. Would you like to adopt a male or female?"

"Female," Damien answered happily.

"What age?"

"Very young. Maybe, three to nine months?"

"And, lastly, would you like one already named or would you like to name it?"

"I would like to name her," Damien replied. The lady smiled and led him back. In one of the rooms, a bunch of children sat, all ages. The oldest looked thirteen, and the youngest looked barely old enough to be out of the hospital. He looked at young ones. Most of them were sleeping. One of them, was up and crawling around. One of the workers was trying to get her but they couldn't get a hold of her. Damien chuckled.

"Mr. Maslin? Have you made a choice?" Damien nodded and lifted up the crawling baby.

"How old is she?" he asked.

"Seven months." Damien smiled and looked at her. She was absolutely perfect. She had ear length auburn hair and the most gorgeous bright blue eyes. She smiled and he rocked her slowly until she fell asleep in his arms.

"Mr. Maslin, would you mind me asking what you wish to name her?" Damien smiled.

"Jacquelinne Elizabeth Maslin." He smiled once more at the baby in his arms.

Okay, before you review asking, JACQELINNE IS NOT JACK REBORN! THE NAME WAS JUST IN HONOR OF JACK! Now that that's settled, how did you like the chapter? I started it forever ago and just now had time to finish because- wait for it, wait for it- I'm home sick AGAIN! But, whatevs. At least the chapter's done. I'm going to post this then try to take a nap, so peace! Tired, StevieRae2011, signing off!