Lillia felt alone as she stood before the council, stripped of her dignity she nodded and stepped back into the safety of the sons and feeling oddly numb, not even noticing when Reid took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

The council members had begun a guarded conversation; the atmosphere had shifting hanging heavily in the air numbing her. It was odd, like the smell of fear that clung to the air sticking in her mouth and nose making her gag slightly only it wasn't fear yet it was, a vile scent that was mixed with tension and something else, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Lillia, you may leave." Reena was looking at her, her eyes showing a sudden detachment, it took her a moment to register what had been said,

"Pardon?" Lillia blinked,

"You heard." Sora sneered, "We're done with you."

Reena frowned at the witch, "For now Lillia you may leave." She countered with kindness in her voice.

"Oh." Lillia nodded suddenly realising that Reid had hold of her hand and gripped it tightly, anxiousness welling up in her chest, this wasn't right the Son's of Ipswich shouldn't be left with the council. At the best of times the council was not to be completely trusted, they were known to manipulate people and situations to their advantage. She bit her lip unsure of what to do. When Chace had arrived several years ago, dripping wet and frightened of his own destructive ability, she had been instructed to stay with him during his meeting with the council and Lillia had believed that she was to stay with them this time.

Luka nudged her leg staring up at her he nodded subtly; yes he would stay he would guard and protect while she could not.

"As the council wishes." Lillia bowed her head respectfully giving Reid's hand one last squeeze and a quick meaningful look she left the room, alone, clicking the door shut behind her she faced the empty corridor her thoughts roaming freely as she returned to the games room.

-

"You back early." Novella knitted her brow together in a frown shuffling the tarot cards absentmindedly. Nefer refused too look at her though a frown was visible on his face.

"They didn't want me there, when they spoke to the Son's." she glanced at Nefer, their differences apparent. Nefer's features were darker than hers, more seductive and secretive like his mothers. Lillia took after her own mother in some ways, though it was mainly Judas' blood that flowed through her veins.

His eyes were cold as he chose to look at her, blank and hard his sudden shift in mood had affected her deeply. Even as young children the two had been inseparable practically best friends until now.

"Excuse me." Nefer pushed past her coldly knocking her back leaving her standing with her arms hanging limply by her sides,

"He's been like that all day." Novella sighed with a shrug, "Moody and sullen. Moping about the place." She resumed shuffling her cards, "Want a reading?" she asked placing a smile on her face hoping to cheer her friend up.

Lillia shrugged, not that bothered either way she sat opposite the witch a depressive mood sweeping over her gloomily.

"C'mon, cheer up chick." Novella set down three cards, grimacing at the reading,

"Great," Lillia rolled her eyes as she studied the reading, Reversed chariot showing that there was high chance of a quarrel, reversed strength showing an abuse of power and the death card; corruption and destruction were taking place, new beginnings were on their way. "Just what we need." She shook her head glancing at Kate and Sarah as they walked into the room.

"Oh, hey." Sarah smiled, blissfully unawares of the atmospheric shift, "Are the guys still in the meeting?" she asked sitting down on the sofa.

"Yup." Lillia replied with a large sigh turning away from the impending doom the tarot cards foretold.

-

After what seemed like several hours the boys returned each with a grim expression on their faces,

Caleb shook his head and slid into the seat next to Sarah, "Hey baby." She kissed him gently on the lips before flicking over the channels, settling on living TV where charmed was on.

Reid stood behind Lillia, his hands resting gently on her shoulders, a similar grim expression in his face, "You ok?" Lillia asked forgetting her own bleak mood.

"Oh not much." Pouge snapped seeming to be in the worst of moods "Only intensive training for as long as they deem 'necessary'." He scoffed making use of air quotation marks.

"Oh." Lillia raised an eyebrow and looked at Novella who shrugged slightly. "I see."

"Yeah well." Tyler huffed finding the councils decision unfair and began to pace angrily around the room.

"Anyway." Reid squeezed her shoulders slightly making her sigh and reach up catching his hand gently.

"Well," Novella stood with a smile Novella packed away her tarot cards and stood with a stretch, "I think we should all go do something, you know." She looked at them in turn, "As it is your last night of freedom." She was resolved in her decision and folded her arms.

Lillia could see Tyler relax a small amount as he stopped pacing and stood next to the witch, "Like what?" he asked, inciting a wicked grin on her face.

"Follow me," she answered, an air of mystery swirling itself around her.

A few puzzled looks passed between the group but non the less they followed her, Lillia had a niggling feeling that she knew where they were heading but followed silently, grasping Reid's hand tightly.

Lillia smiled as they reached a lake, the rising sun glittering on the placid surface and the fresh air had a chilling bite to it, "Anyone fancy a swim?" Novella grinned.

"Huh? But we…ohhh," Realisation hit Kate halfway through and a grin spread across his face, "Why not?" she raised an eyebrow and her and Novella stripped down to their underwear. Lillia's grin widened as she too stripped off and jumped in not bothering to wait. The water hit her like an icy fist shocking her breathless. It was only a few seconds before the others jumped in, disturbing the surface making it ripple energetically across the surface as laughter filled the air.

Sorry that was a bit naff, the next chapter going to cut to the next day, was coming up a bit dry on this one. Sorry if it sucks.

Don't worry though, things will be explained gradually if you're a bit confused.

Hope you enjoyed xxx