Everyone went their separate ways after last night's battle. Collin and Serena supported each other as they wandered home. Stanton became shadow and crept toward his own house. Jimena drove herself home; the loud, rumbling music turned off. Catty and Tianna, whose skateboards were waiting outside, skated separately off into the night. Vanessa walked rather quickly to Michael's house, which was only a block away. They left Babylon alone in the factory holding Shadow, whose name was apparently Cassia. They all agreed to meet at Catty's house the next day to have all their question's answered.

Serena and Collin arrived at Catty's house at one o'clock. Collin, still in some form of sleep, muttered a 'hello' and promptly plopped himself on Catty's sofa. Vanessa was already there, making batches and batches of cookies and coffee.

"How'd ya sleep?" Vanessa asked, handing Serena a freshly baked cookie and a warm mug of coffee.

"Horrible" Serena said truthfully. "I kept seeing her die in my dreams. Freaky."

By one-thirty, all the Daughters had arrived.

"So…" Serena began.

"So?" Vanessa repeated confused.

"Who the hell was that chicka?" Tianna broke through the confusion.

"She was a Daughter, but then she was brought to the Atrox by Raphael. She was forced to serve him. But she went against him to help me." Serena explained.

"Why would she do something like that?" Catty wondered out loud.

"Because I saw Babylon with you." A voice from the door said. They all turned to face Shadow. She looked different, somehow. She was no longer wearing black, but white. Her long shimmering black hair was pulled into a ponytail and she had a smile on her face. Next to her was Babylon.

"He was my lover back when I was a Daughter, I didn't know what he was, we all thought he was just a helper from our Mother. We felt an immediate attraction. The night he finally told me, I was hurt that he didn't tell me earlier, and my pain left me weak. That's how Raphael was able to bring me to the Atrox. But since I didn't go under my own free will, I retained very little of my old self. When I saw Serena with Babylon the one day, I knew that this would be a way to prove to him I was not evil, that I still had some goodness left in me."

"And thank you for it." Serena added. "But why aren't you…"

"Dead?" Babylon cut in. "Well, I had a little something to do with that. When I saw her sacrifice, I knew there was some hope left for her. So I made her into an Angelic. She is a Protector Angelic, while I am a Guardian Angelic, there are all kinds.

Babylon put his arm around her and Shadow glowed; so bright was her radiance that Serena had to look away.

"That's great, Shadow." Vanessa congratulated her.

"I am Cassia now, Shadow is lost forever."

"Aw, am I late for this little love meeting?" A dark voice came from the kitchen doorway.

"No, Stanton, but you weren't invited anyway." Jimena barked at him.

"Ouch, lets play nice, children." Stanton said coolly as he walked in. "Ew, looking good Cassia." He said with a grin.

Serena couldn't stand it any longer. She grabbed Stanton by the wrist and led him outside. "What the hell do you think you are doing! Showing up like this? It's hard enough as it is."

"Serena," Stanton began, in a soothing voice, "I know we cannot be together, but I want you to know this. I will always come for you. I will always love you. I will always protect you."

He bent and kissed her on the forehead, and stalked away.
"I know" Serena mouthed and fought back her tears. "I love you too."