"When are you going to tell me what's going on?" Julian sat down at the counter beside the Professor. "All you've said so far as that you know what she is, and that we had to protect the other students—including Saoirse—from her. And now you're acting like she's in danger. I thought that the Faolan girl's mother was dead."

"That's what we were supposed to think." The Professor's attention remained on the computer screen. "And I wasn't wrong before. It's true that she's a dreamweaver, but I didn't understand the pain she caused. I think, now, that she's also what you might consider a conduit. Because her mutant ability is in the subconscious, someone else can use that subconscious to amplify their own abilities, to make themselves more powerful, even though the conduit will absorb some of their ability, as well. I think Rionach has realized that, and she's been fighting back, using her natural ability to control the person who has linked themselves with her, forcing them to sleep. It's difficult to explain, but do you remember the legend of the Twin Soul?"

He remembered something about a shared spirit from one of the Professor's lectures on the significance of mythology, but the details escaped him. "Remember Professor, I work here, not study here. I wasn't exactly raised with a background in mutant history."

The Professor glanced at him, but thankfully didn't comment on that. "Rionach's ability is very powerful. Someone can absorb that power and use it themselves, to amplify whatever ability they have. However, by doing that, they are slowly killing her. What Rionach has obviously realized, is that she can also use that bonding to use their power as well, and in a way, to control them. But—"

He had gone to his own computer now, scrolling back through the recordings of Rionach's brain waves. He could see the shared pattern now. "But she's getting too tired."

There was no reply. He looked over at the Professor. The older man was sitting upright, staring into the distance, unmoving and unfocused.

"Professor?" He got up, turned the chair to face him. The Professor didn't move. "Xavier!"

Everything was white. It was with the electric shock of surprise that the Professor realized his feet were cold. He was standing in snow, and he could feel himself sinking.

Professor Xavier…

The voice was in his mind, yet he heard it clearly. It was rich, soft, Irish.

Rionach?

Yes, I'm here.

He peered, but the white was complete, impenetrable. I can't see you.

I don't think there's enough of me left to see, Professor. He could hear the exhaustion in her voice, exhaustion with an edge to it. Determination. I had to warn you. My mother's awake. She's coming there, for Saoirse. My mother's a pain bringer. Be careful, but don't let her take my sister. I'm going to try to stop her from here, but if I'm too late…

The horror took his breath away. There's only one way you can stop her—

I know.

Wait! Tell me where you are. He reached out in his mind, and this time he felt something. She was cold too, and the shadows shifted. He saw a cabin, her figure slumped over a table, the knife gleaming dully in her hand. "Rionach, no!"

Take care of my sister.

The connection broke, and the infirmary returned to focus. Julian was leaned over, looking at him, and the brown eyes were pulled together in concern.

"Professor? Was it her?"

"Yes." He began typing frantically into the computer. Property searches, cell phone records, satellite maps. "Call the X-Men and tell them to be ready. Her mother's coming here, for Saoirse."

The doctor slid off the counter, and headed for the door. "I'll get suited up."

"No." He had found what he was looking for, and put out a hand to stop the other man. "I have another assignment for you. There's a cabin, about fifty miles north of here. Rionach's there, and she needs you. I'll print you a map. You'll need to take Scott's car. If you hurry, it may not be too late."