Part 2:



The members of the Cinciti stood in a circle, discussing what must now be done.

"Can she be trusted?" One asked, skeptical.

"I'm not sure." Said another, nodding.

"Silence!" The leader yelled, and no one moved.

"She is an immortal now, bore with the sign of the phoenix, she is one of us. She will not stray." There was a couple of hushed whispers, but no one objected.

"Bring her in." The leader snapped and a Follower opened the chamber doors, revieling two shadows. Serena smiled deviously, taking Stanton's hand, and stepping into her new life as an inner circle.

Meanwhile. . . .



On the beach near his house, Collin sat on the warm sand, staring blankly at the sunrise. She's been gone for three days now, he thought bitterly, but none of her stuff is gone. . Even that stupid moon amulet that she never takes off is at home on her dresser. He hated this, not knowing where Serena was. Fear had taken a deathgrip on his heart, making it impossible to think of anything else. He couldn't even bring himself to surf!

"Couldn't sleep either?" A soft voice said behind him. He jumped slightly, a glimmer of hope that it might be Serena, and he turned quickly. And for a split fraction of a second, it was Serena's smiling face that he saw. And then-----she was gone, and Catty Turner's worried eyes took her place.

"Collin? Hey Collin, it's me, Catty. Hello? Anyone there?" His face fell, hope faded, and he shook his head, fighting back the tears he hadn't been able to cry since his mom had left.

"I'm sorry I startled you. And I'm sorry that I'm not. . .I'm not Serena. . ." Catty added, seeing his depressed expression.

"I thought you might want to talk about it."

"Well, I don't, so just leave!" Collin snapped angriely.

"We miss her too, but at least we're doing something about it!" She shouted back. it took alot to get Catty to yell, especially at her best friend's brother, but she was past the point of caring anymore. She just wanted Serena home, that's all, and for things to be back to normal, before all of this. . . Before the Atrox had appeared and the girl's so- called-destinies had taken over and ripped their lives to shreds.

"Look," Catty started, calmed down enough to talk without yelling.

"I lost both my mother and father to the Atrox, I know how you feel. . . I can understa-----." She clamped her hand over her mouth, jewel-blue eyes wide at what she had said. How could she slip like that? Serena had asked none of them to tell her brother, not that he would believe it, but she didn't want to take a chance of the Atrox hurting him. . . Or worse.

"Did you say Atrox?" He eyed Catty suspiciously, taking to his feet.

"Some kids at school were talking about that. Goths, and Morgan to be exact. What is it some kind of cult or something? Is that where Serena is? Tell me Catty!" He had ahold of her shoulders now, gripping hard, shaking her. It hurt, and even frightened her. Collin had never been violent before. No Fear. His motto, and even on an off-normal day he lived up to it. But now, as his grip on her shoulders got tighter, more angry, and the shakes grew more violent, she feared for her life.

"Collin, stop it. Please Collin stop it. . Collin you're hurting me, let go!" Catty yelled, pleading, trying to push him away from her. He was breating hard, his eyes dialated into small discs. It was a sight tht she hoped she'd never see ever again. Catty had never been scared by anything Collin had ever done-----------until now. Slowly, very slowly, his grip loosened, his hands falling to his sides. He stared blankly at her, not believing what he had just done. And then suddenly, like a wall crumbling down, his resistence fell, and tears he had not let come before streamed down his face. Catty found herself holding him while his body racked with each uncontrollable sob. After a little while, he sat up, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, and stared at Catty questioningly.

"Why do you care so much?" Collin asked.

"Because," Catty smiled.

"You're family."