Amber's P.O.V.

I walked down the crowded hallway in search of my locker. When I reached it I opened it and took out the books I needed for the day. "Amber?"

I slammed my locker door shut and turned to the owner of the voice. "Morgan, what are you doing here?"

"I have something important to tell you." Morgan looked around to make sure no one was looking at us before grabbing my arm and dragging me into the supply closet. The supply closet was small and barely had room for a single person let alone two, so Morgan was pressed up against me. Chemicals and cleaning supplies lined the shelves and a mop and a broom leaned against the dusty wall. It was dark and all I could see was the outline of Morgan's body. "What was so important that you had to shove me into an extremely small closet?"

"They're having a meeting tonight at 1:00 AM. They're going to discuss the Fortuna Jewels."

"Do they know where they all are yet?"

Morgan shook his head. "No, but they're going to perform this Ancient Ceremony that locates all of them."

"But that means they're going to find out and then Jerome will come after me…" I could feel my heart racing as worry set in.

"Don't worry; I think I know how to stop it." He informed her. "The other day I was at the library and I read in this book some sort of incantation that reverses the ceremony so it can't take effect."

"Really? Where's the book?" I asked.

"At the library." Morgan answered.

My shoulders slumped and I sighed. "Meet me after school. We have to find that book."

Morgan nodded. He opened the door a crack before opening it all the way. We both stepped out and went our separate ways.

Mara's P.O.V.

"Am I hallucinating or have Nina and Mick been spending an awful lot of time together?" I asked.

Joy shook her head. "No, they have. Nina's been tutoring Mick in Literature."

"Why?"

"Umm, Mara? Mick isn't exactly the sharpest pencil in the box." Patricia informed her.

I rolled my eyes. "I meant why didn't he ask me to tutor him?"

"You're kind of bossy when you tutor people." Joy stated before grabbing a muffin from the center of the table.

I gasped. "I am not!"

Joy raised her hands up in defense. "Alright, alright."

I let out a deep breath and looked at Nina and Mick who were sitting on the sofa together with a textbook in front of them. Nina was giggling and Mick was smiling at her. "It looks like there is something else going on between the two… Joy, Patricia we're going to investigate. I need to find out if my boyfriend is a cheat."

"Sorry, but I have better things to do." Patricia left the table and headed out the door.

"Joy, please?" I begged.

She sighed. "When do we start spying?"

I grinned and stood up before draping my backpack over my shoulder. "Soon Joy," I glanced at Mick and Nina who appeared to be sitting closer together. "Soon."

Nina's P.O.V.

"Can we take a break?" Mick asked. We had been studying for over two hours.

I rolled my eyes and sat up in his bed. "Fine," I closed the textbook and set it aside. "What do you want to do?"

Mick shrugged before leaning towards me. "I'm up for anything."

"Really?" I closed the space between us by pressing our lips together. Suddenly, someone's phone began to ring. Mick pulled away and took his phone out of his pocket.

"Hello? I can't I'm busy… Fine, I'll be there in a few." Mick hung up the phone. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."

I shrugged. "It's fine."

Mick gave me a quick kiss before grabbing his jacket and exiting the room.

(***)

"Hey Nina." Mara and Joy sat beside me on the coach.

"Umm… Hey?" I closed the book I was currently reading and set it down on the coffee table. "Did you want something?"

"No, we just wanted to see how you were doing." Mara replied.

"Uh… I'm fine. What about you?"

"We didn't come to talk about ourselves. We came to talk about you." Joy smiled brightly and I chuckled nervously.

"Okay."

"So you've been tutoring Mick I hear." Mara casually brought up.

I nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Finnegan asked me to."

"Are you enjoying it?" Joy asked. I noticed that Mara shot her a look.

I shrugged. "It's okay. I have to go now."

I quickly stood up and left the living area before they could call me back.

Amber's P.O.V.

"What are we looking for?" I glanced at Morgan who was busy looking at all the shelves to see if he could locate the book.

"A big old leather book with a rusty buckle on the side. The pages look burnt and the title of the book is in Ancient Latin. Flamma animae, it means 'The Flames of the Soul.'"

"You know Latin?" I asked.

Morgan shrugged. "I know ten languages."

My mouth dropped a bit and I shook my head. "You sure do come in handy."

He smiled at me before putting his attention back on the shelves. "I remember it being on a bottom shelf somewhere."

Morgan bent down and looked at all the books until his eyes stopped on one. He pulled it out and set it down on a table. "I think this is it."

I walked over to him and looked at the book. "What page was it on?"

Morgan flipped through the book before stopping on a page near the end of the book. The page was old and looked worn out. It had the picture of a flaming tree on it with a bunch of graves around it. Some sort of chant was written in Latin on the other side. "I need to say that?"

Morgan nodded.

"But I don't know Latin." I informed him.

"I'll teach you how to say it. Now let's get out of here before someone finds us." Morgan and I walked to the door and just as we were about to exit Morgan went back to the book and ripped out the page. He shoved it in his pocket, closed the book, and followed me out the library.

"You just tore a page out of a really old book! It's probably priceless."

Morgan shrugged. "We can't risk anyone finding it. I have to go, but I'll meet you at 10:00 PM before the ceremony."

I nodded and watched as Morgan walked away.

Joy's P.O.V.

"Mara, this is ridiculous." I stated.

"Shh!" Mara brought a pair of binoculars up to her eyes as she stared at Nina and Mick who were seated on a park bench. "They're talking."

I rolled my eyes and squatted beside her. "Nothing is going on between them. They're just friends."

Mara glanced at me and then back at Mick and Nina. "You're probably right. I'm just overreacting."

I nodded and we both stood up. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this…" My eyes were no longer on Mara as she spoke, but on Mick and Nina who were now holding hands.

(***)

"Mara was right!" I stormed into my room where Patricia was lying on her bed listening to music.

She paused her music and sat up to stare at me. "Right about what?"

"Mick is secretly cheating on her with Nina." I exclaimed.

Patricia un-paused her music and put her attention back on her laptop. "Why aren't you freaking out?"

She looked at me and sighed. "I already knew."

"What?" I literally shouted. Patricia stood up and put her hand over my mouth before I could shout anything else. "Why didn't you tell Mara?"

"It's none of my business Joy. I'm not getting involved." Patricia returned to her spot on the bed.

I shook my head. "Mara's one of your best friends."

"Exactly why I'm not telling her. I don't want to be the one to make her cry. Joy, stay out of it."

I sighed. "Fine…"

Amber's P.O.V.

Rain collided with the ground hard and I fought to hear Morgan over the loud pitter patter of water hitting all our surroundings. "Do you remember it?" Morgan asked me.

I nodded. "I think."

"I have to go to the meeting. Stay behind the trees; they won't spot you there."

"Okay…" Morgan began to walk away from the small area in the forest. "Be careful."

Morgan tossed a look over his shoulder. "If I don't come back you have to stop him."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Morgan, what exactly is going to happen at this meeting?"

He looked down at the ground. "Just say the chant. Not just for you, but for me."

Before I could get another word out he walked into a wide clearing where a group of students from the school stood. Jerome seemed to be the leader since he was in the middle. I moved a bit closer and hid behind a small shrub.

"Tonight we shall locate all the jewels." Cheers erupted from the group of boys. "The Ancient ceremony will be performed and our past leaders will guide us in the destruction of the world!

"We will gain their power and use the past jewels to show us the new ones. We will finally succeed and avenge chaos! To those who are afraid go now; your fear is not welcomed. Today is the start of a new era! Sacrifice rise!"

Morgan stood and I suddenly understood why saying this chant was so important to him. It could save his life… He was the chosen one which meant he had the blood of the original chaos members. I brushed my wet hair out of my eyes and tried to get a better look.

Jerome now stood on a tree stump and Morgan was shirtless and tied up to a pole. "Do you accept the honor of being the sacrifice?"

Morgan hesitated a bit and looked at the crowd. Jerome narrowed his eyes at him and motioned for one of the boys to hand him something. Jerome striked Morgan with a whip causing him to cry out in pain. "Answer me!"

Morgan nodded. "I accept."

The boys cheered again and Jerome shouted, "Raise the shield."

Some sort of battle cry erupted from the group and a red force field began to form. Soon no rain was getting in and a fire was lit in the center.

"It is time!" Jerome raised his arms up. Someone handed him a book and he flipped through it till he landed on a certain page. "All of thee, who lie underground, rise above and cease to be bound!"

A vortex appeared out of nowhere and swirled in the sky. Thunder and lightning boomed overhead and I pulled the page out of my pocket. The rain had destroyed it, but I remembered what Morgan had taught me.

"Think Amber think…" I looked around the area before taking a deep breath and reciting it.

"Dic mihi animae damnatorum
in qui fracti sunt absque diluculo
Flammis perdidit vos sunt hic iterum
Et quiescam, donec in fine mundi illum
Conteram incantatores et nisi animas
Quae iam sequuntur a tergo…"

I paused and looked at Morgan who was being whipped by other members while the vortex came closer to him. I cringed at the sight of it and tried to remember the final lines of the chant… The only problem was that my mind was blank.

"Take him!"Jerome shouted to the black vortex.

I could feel my hands shaking and shook my head. Tears hidden by the rain streaked my face as I looked at Morgan who was on the verge of death.

"Umm… god, what was it?" I could feel myself growing frustrated. I knew I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt if Morgan died. I had to finish for him. I closed my eyes once more and tried to focus.

"…Uincere daemones ad inferos
Ignis ubi conici potest fortis!"

I looked back at Morgan and noticed that the vortex was gone and so was the force field and fire. "It is done!" Jerome grinned. I could feel my heart drop as I watched the boys leave. Once they were all gone I ran where Morgan was still tied up. "Morgan!"

I lifted his head which was now drooping forward. His body was soaked in rain and blood. "Morgan!"

I could tell I was crying even more as I untied Morgan and tried to wake him up. "Morgan, please!"

When he didn't answer I let my head fall on his chest. Suddenly, I felt him stir. I quickly shot up. "Morgan?"

His eyes flickered open and he groaned. He tried to sit up, but only ended up yelping in pain.

"Let me help you up." I draped one of his arms over my shoulders and dragged him to the nearest shelter, out of the rain.

When we entered the library it was dark and I helped Morgan down on a table. I grabbed a couple of candles and lit them with a few matches I had found.

After rummaging through everything in the library I found a blanket, rubbing alcohol, and a couple of band aids. I sat on a chair and tried to clean Morgan's wounds. "I'm sorry."

He gave me a strange look. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I forgot the chant and I thought you were dead and I don't know what I'd do without you and I almost got you-,"

"Amber, I'm alive, aren't I?"

I nodded.

"You saved my life and I'm grateful."

"How are you going to continue going to school? A bunch of people think you're dead." I stood up and began wrapping a band aid around Morgan's chest.

He shrugged. "I can't hide. They'd find me."

"But Jerome-,"

"What about Jerome? He's a monster and I'm not letting him win."

"He can't be beat. He's too-,"

Morgan took hold of my hand and forced me to look at him. "Strong? He isn't strong. He's simply cloaked under power that he doesn't deserve."

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"I'll tell you what we aren't going to do. We aren't going to let him control us anymore. We aren't going to hide in fear. I'm not going to let him hurt you, not again."

"You can't-,"

"Can't stop him?"

I shook my head. "He's going to hurt you."

Morgan scoffed. "I'd like to see him try."

Morgan let go of my hand and I stared at him. His warm breath hit my face and I couldn't help, but feel my mind go a bit fussy as he looked at me with his deep blue eyes. "What about now?" I asked.

"I don't know…" I suddenly had the strong urge to lean forward, but I knew I couldn't. He didn't know that I was basically Jerome's minion. He didn't know that he had touched me everywhere and I felt used and dirty. He didn't know that I didn't own a shred of innocence anymore.

"We can't…" I whispered.

"Why not?" Morgan questioned.

"You know why…" I replied.

"I'm not like him Amber… Trust me…" And he kissed me. It was soft and sweet and everything a kiss should've been like, everything that a kiss with Jerome wasn't like. He placed a hand behind my neck and deepened it and I couldn't help but kiss back with just as much force. When Morgan pulled me close and ran his tongue along my bottom lip, I knew we were going to do more then kiss that night.

Nina's P.O.V.

I was seated at the table talking to Patricia when Joy walked into the room. "Mara, you were right." I was able to hear a bit of their conversation.

Mara looked up at Joy who had interrupted the conversation she was having with Mick. Everyone suddenly had their eyes on Joy. "Right about what?"

"Mick, your loving boyfriend-," Mick quickly put his hand over Joy's mouth.

"Watch what you say Joy. I don't want anyone to get hurt."

I could feel my heart thumping harder in my chest.

Mara stood up and looked at Mick and then at Joy. "Let her finish. I want to hear this."

Mick removed his hand from Joy's face and stepped back. "Mick is cheating on you with Nina."

Everyone was suddenly staring at me and I looked down at the table. "Nina, tell me she's lying." Mara demanded.

I shook my head slowly. "I can't."

Mara gasped before walking over to me and slapping me across the face. "You little twat!"

She ran out the room and Mick glanced at me before chasing after Mara. Before anyone could say anything else I ran to my room.

(***)

"Nina?" My head traveled to the owner of the voice and at the doorway stood Fabian.

"Did you come to make me feel bad?" I asked.

Fabian shook his head and stepped into my bedroom. "I came to ask if you were okay."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm ecstatic Fabian. I just got slapped by Mara and I ruined a relationship."

"I just wanted to check up on you to make sure-,"

"Stop Fabian! We will never be best friends again after what happened between us, so just stop trying."

"I know… I just miss you sometimes Nina." He walked over to me and sat on the edge of my bed. I remained silent for a moment before looking at Fabian.

"What happened to us? We used to be so good together, but now we're poison to each other."

Fabian shook his head. "I don't know."

"What did I do to make you love someone that wasn't me?" I questioned.

"Nothing." Fabian sighed.

"Then why are we standing like this today? Why am I still heartbroken? And why are you trying to take advantage of that?" I could feel anger burning in me as I stared at Fabian. "Do you feel the constant need to cause me pain?"

Fabian placed his head in his hands. "It's not like that… It was never like that."

"Then why Fabian? Why?" I shouted.

"Stop!" He replied just as loudly. "Stop acting like you're the only victim when no one has even heard my side of the story! You were slipping away and as hard as I tried to hold on to you… you moved on. You broke me without even realizing it… you destroyed me. So stop yelling like I didn't have a reason, like I had a choice when in reality I had nothing."

"Is that how you felt?" I could feel tears leaving my eyes. "That's how I felt… Fabian, we were pulling away from each other, but I don't think you realize that you went farther… so far that you fell for my best friend."

"You fell for one of mine…" Fabian looked up at me. "So I guess we're even now." He walked pass me, but before he exited the room he turned back to me. "I loved you."

"Funny," I looked down at the ground and then back up at him. "Love was past tense."

Fabian closed his eyes for a second. "I guess it was."

"I want closure Fabian." I bit my lower lip. "I need closure."

"I want to give it to you…" Fabian shook his head. "But you're like a disease that never goes away. I can't find the cure no matter how hard I look. Until then… we can't talk."

"Fabian, you have the cure… You just don't want to take it." I stated.

"Maybe…" Fabian stepped out the room. "Maybe,"

He walked down the hall leaving me alone with my thoughts. I lay down on my bed and just before I drifted off to sleep I could've sworn I saw someone enter the room.

AN: Hey, I'm sorry for the long wait but I've been really busy. Also I apologize for the fact that the chapter is a bit rushed. I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter won't be up for a while, but it will be longer and more exciting. In the next chapter we have a few Jerome/ Amber moments since there weren't any in this chapter, Fabian/Nina moments, Mick/Nina moments, and a couple of Morgan/Amber. The next chapter is also kind of dark and revolves around something really serious. Hopefully, you'll keep reading. Please review, subscribe, and favorite!

-Karina

P.S. The translation to the chant is:

Speak to me souls of the lost

The ones who were broken apart at dawn

The flames that destroyed you are here again

And will cease at nothing till the world is at its end

Break the spell and save the lives

Of the ones that will soon follow close behind

Vanquish the demons to the underworld

Where the fire is strong but can be hurled