"Come in son." Dang, how did he-oh yeah, he's a god. Should've known that I suppose. "Kronos is close. He'll be ready to join you soon."

"How is that possible? He didn't rise nearly that fast last time!"

Dad chuckled. "Well that indecisive nephew of mine never knew that if you found a god that was willing to give enough of their energy to Kronos, he wouldn't have to wait for the demi-gods to supply the energy. That takes far too long.

"Your aunts, uncle, and I spent lots of time thinking and experimenting to make sure this plan was flawless. And we found that the same concept of making demi-gods join Kronos' side was achieved much faster by a god or several gods giving the same power.

"We're all supplying an equal amount to Kronos' so one of us won't be weakened by the lack of life force. But that aside. You are doing well boy, but I asked you to come so I could show you something."

"Show me what father?"

Instead of answering me, he waved his hand in front of, as if jestering to me. Smoke emitted from his hand and surrounded me.

Pain rolled through me, my back arched and I felt my soul being ripped out of my body. My vision blurred, the world seemed to be zipping by at incredible speeds.

it wasn't even a minute when my vision cleared, the world stopped spinning, and I felt like throwing up.

I took in my surroundings, and I had no idea where I was. I was in a bedroom, who's I didn't know.

There were two people here, one was by the dresser, the other leaning against the bed. Then I took a better look.

It was Alex, but it didn't look like her bedroom. At first I thought the other person was Maija, she had followed Alex upstairs when Mrs. Jackson sent her to pack. But now I knew. It was Jake.

Why were they in his room? What was he talking about? My hearing wasn't defined enough to hear exactly what they were saying, it sounded all muffled.

Slowly their words became clearer. Jake was talking. "-but I'm going to have you. One of these days. I will."

What did that mean! Rage boiled through me as he leaned down to kiss her.

Suddenly I was being thrown back into my body with such force I was launched across the attic. Rage was quickly replaced by pain as I sat up and pulled a nail out of my leg.

"I don't know what hurts more," I told my father. "My leg, or my heart."

Dad laughed coldly "You can't tell me you actually have feelings for her!" I just stared up at the ceiling, my hand on my chest as I breathed heavily. Out of the corner of my eye I saw dad's face distort in anger. "Well stop those feelings before they get to strong. She's our first target."

Before I could stop myself, I screamed "No!"

He snarled at me, "What? You think there's a better first target?"

"I-I-" My eyes flashed all around the attic, my eyes landed on my sister's old baby doll. "Alex's mom is having a baby."

Dad's teeth turned from sharp, pointy, predator teeth back into regular teeth, his expression turned from anger to thoughtful as he considered this.

He shook a finger at me. "You're right boy. An unborn child has many possibilities. And best thing is, they're all very painful." He eyed me. "Go boy, get your leg checked out. Those nails are rusted."