It had been two days since Mike and Marie's announcement. Beth was happy for them. Cassie and the others were ecstatic. Even Juan was happy about it. They were acting like a normal, safe family. And Beth was determined to keep them that way. No matter what the cost.

The clock said one a.m. when she left the note on the kitchen counter. No one would be up for six hours. By then she would be far enough ahead to outrun them. Quietly she got Fire Star, and untied one of the extra horses they had brought. As she mounted Fire Star, she adjusted the cape that Katrina had given her thirteen years earlier, and let the other horse go, knowing he would head towards home. She herself went in the other direction.

:-:-:

Juan walked downstairs. He wasn't sure why he had woken up, but since he couldn't sleep he figured he might as well do something downstairs. Turning the light on, he noticed a white piece of paper. He picked it up and began to read.

My dearest loved ones,

By the time you read this, I'll already be gone. I know what I have to do. I know you'll try to follow me, and telling you not to is useless, but don't follow me. This is my fight. My destiny. My revenge for all the pain and hurt he has brought on me, my home, and all of you.

Juan, Cassie the visions lied. I've lied all these years. I never told you my real visions. The prophecy is true. Everything it says is what must happen. Love is the love I have for all of you, and blood. well that's my problem Please forgive me. Al, I love you with all my heart. Forgive Max. And Juan, I love you my little one. Get to know Max, you have more in common then you know. I'm sorry

Beth

Juan stared at the letter for a second, then began to yell at the top of his lungs. "Dad! Cassie! Everyone get down here! Mom's gone!"

Al came running downstairs, quickly followed by everyone else. "Juan, what's going on? It's one-thirty on the morning," Al began. "And where's your mom?"

"She's gone. Look," Juan said handing him the letter.

Al read it then looked up at everyone. "She's gone to fight Kivar. What is that prophecy, word for word."

"When evil rules Antar once more, one will rise of blood and strength. Defeating the evil through love and blood, peace will come from Inish above," Belle recited once more.

"Alright, we know that the evil is Kivar, and the first blood is her. She says that Love is the love she says for all of us, and she knows what blood is, but she won't say. What about the other two?" Al said as he paced.

"How do you spell Inish?" Juan asked

"I-N-I-S-H. Why?" Teressa asked

"Oh no! We have to get mom's journal now," Juan said running upstairs.

Everyone looked at each other then followed him to Al and Beth's room. Juan was digging in the dresser, finally pulling out a wooden box.

Juan looked at his dad and asked, "Where's the key?"

"With your mom," Al said quietly, despair beginning to enter his voice.

"We have to get it open now," Juan told them.

"Let me," Mike said walking over to Juan.

"No!" Marie cried, but too late as Mike went flying across the room.

"What the hell is that thing?" he asked standing up and rubbing his head.

"It's protected," Cassie began, suddenly the box began to glow and Juan set it down. A mist began to rise from the box forming the shape of a woman. The woman became fully visible, and the four Czechs looked at her in shock. She had long blonde hair and what could have been green eyes, except that she was transparent.

"Who dares to try and open Sashenna's chest?" the woman asked, anger evident in her voice.

"Katrina, we need to get into mom's journal," Juan said stepping in front of the others.

"You know me Sason? How is that possibly, you were but three when I became guardian of the chest."

"We see you in our visions. We always have," Cassie said stepping next to Juan.

"Of course 'Sie. That does make sense. The man who tried to open the box, your father?" Katrina asked

"Yes,"

"I see, then the Royal Four have returned. Why? Kivar still lives."

"We had to find the Chosen One," Teressa explained.

"What Chosen One Ava? And why? You were strong enough to defeat Kivar."

"No, the elders who sent us back said Kivar had gained powers by killing some of the other sorcerers. And the Chosen One was the one spoke of in the prophecy of Kanare," Max told her.

"The prophecy of Kanare?! Tell me you did not tell Sashenna the prophecy," Katrina cried.

"We did," Belle said softly.

"Oh no! Where is she?"

"We don't know, all we know is that she went to fight Kivar," Juan explained.

"No, you have to stop her. The prophecy explains the visions she has had for thirteen years. I prayed she would never learn it," Katrina said, worry evident in her voice.

"Why Katrina?" Al asked

"Only she can fight Kivar because of the blood they share. And she gains her strength from the love of her family gone before and the love she has for all of you. But there is only one way to truly destroy Kivar."

"How?" Jim asked

"Through Tanack. Death blood of twins."

"Death blood of twins, what does that mean?" Belle asked before she realized the truth and gasped in shock.

"You mean that the only way to defeat Kivar is for Beth to die?" Al asked his voice dead.

"Yes. You have to stop her. The fight will happen in Frazier Woods. Hurry!" Katrina said as they all went running out of the room. Minutes later she heard the horses as they started off for the woods. Katrina prayed they would get here in time, as she went back to the chest, anger once more filled her being, and she knew the time had come to finally tell the elders of Antar exactly how she felt about everything they had done to Sasheena and herself.