Chapter 10



It was December twenty-ninth. Still nothing. Aidan was sitting in Thalia's living room next to Thomas, their duffel-bags at their feet.

They had all seen the news on Christmas day, watching what they referred to as "The Panther Parade." They'd all read the headlines in the paper when they announced the numerous deaths throughout the world, where bodies were turning up completely emptied of blood. Crops were dying, the weather was ever-changing, and humans were getting sick everywhere. The Night World was starting the attacks.

Thalia had received a letter from Thierry that morning from a wolf named Lupe. The group was to go with Lupe to the mansion immediately and prepare for the Battle.

As he lifted himself from the couch to follow the group to the long black limo in the street, he couldn't keep from thinking about Aurora. The sun had just set, leaving the sky a beautiful shade of purple, the same color as her eyes.



Greeting them at the door was the beautiful Lady Hannah. She ushered them in quickly, bringing them into one of the lavishly decorated living rooms. She spoke quickly as she addressed them. "Unfortunately, the mansion is crowded right now. We've got people piled in every room. You all will be sharing this room with Daybreak members from Florida and Kansas. The kitchen is fully stocked, and all of the guards are on full alert."

Thierry was in the room, waiting for them. He looked at Aden squarely. "I'd like to speak with you in private."

Aden knew what this was about. Thierry had been who he had learned the truth about Aurora from. He followed him into his office, shutting the door behind him.

Thierry sat at his desk, gesturing at a seat for Aden. "Have you heard from her?"

Aden stared at his hands. "Not a word. I didn't expect to."

Thierry nodded. "I received a call from a former Daybreak member about three weeks ago, just after I spoke with you. Her name is Soraia, a made vampire that had a personal problem with the Circle and left our establishment. Over the years she has taken in stray Night people and kept contact with me to make sure they were okay, or if they might be the fourth Wild Power. She took in a girl she had found living in a hotel just off the Strip. She told me that the girl had been hurt by Daybreak and was running from the Council. Ironically, Daybreak's lists show no record of a made vampire by the name of Lavender Cole."

Aden jerked his head up, gripping the hard leather arms of his chair. Thierry continued on. "I wouldn't suggest going to see her. I have a feeling that she'll be there when the Battle begins. I just thought I'd inform you. Give you a form of hope for the upcoming events."

Aden stood quickly, taking Thierry's hand and shaking it quickly. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Thierry only smiled. "Go get some rest. Without the final Wild Power, we're going to need our strongest fighters."

Aden stopped before he reached the door, something suddenly hitting him. "Whoever the final Power is, I have a feeling they'll be there."

Thierry nodded. "Let's hope so."



Aurora was sitting on the roof of the house watching the sunset. It was New Year's Eve. Soraia was sitting beside her quietly, not disturbing the piece. The sun had just gone down, possibly for the last time, leaving the sky a beautiful deep purple. This was Aurora's favorite time of the day. This and just before the sun came up. The brightness of the sun just being beyond the horizon, when you couldn't see the stars, but wasn't light enough to still be day.

Once the color had left the sky, something stirred inside her. She looked quickly at Soraia, seeing she had felt it, too. For some reason, she had a feeling that every Night person in the world was being filled with the same darkness, calling them, beckoning them to follow it into the night.

Aurora stood, walking into the window to the attic. Soraia was right behind her, and followed through the house to the garage. They both got into the Eclipse without saying a word, and pulled out of the driveway. Heading down the road, Aurora only had a slight idea where she was going. Otherwise, the darkness was taking them to where they needed to go.



The humans of the mansion stood together, watching as the Night people gathered in the foyer. Aden was standing between Thomas and a girl named Mary-Lynette. She was talking heatedly with a boy named Eric.

Something was going to happen. The air in the house had been thick. Just after the sun had set, every vampire, witch, and shapeshifter had gotten up without a word.

As the Night people walked out the door, the humans followed, soulmates pairing up and taking each others hands. Aden stayed next to Thomas in the midst of the crowd. Walking out to the street, he saw something familiar out of the corner of his eyes, and felt something in his soul grow tense. Turning, he saw something he hadn't expected, but deep inside, he knew she'd be there.

"Aurora!"