Chapter One

The house was dark and cold. That's it, Jess told herself. As soon as she found Tally she was going to kill her. Actually, the first thing she would do would be to get the hell out of there, but right after that killing Tally would be next on the list.

A gust of wind blew in from the open window Jess had climbed in through. A shiver ran through her body. If only she'd listened to Caleb. He had warned her not to go. Whatever Tally was getting up to it was none of her business, but being the responsible big sister she was Jess felt as though it was her duty to stop Tally getting into trouble.

No one was home, she was pretty certain of that. There were no cars in the drive way and all the lights were off, but the Warners could return any minute. Jess didn't even want to think about what they'd do if they found the Devereaux girls creeping around their house. And she definitely didn't want to think about why Tally had broken in in the first place, although she could probably guess.

Jess stood at the foot of the stairs.

'Tally!' She called out in no more than a whisper.

She heard a floorboard creek above her. Slowly Jess began to climb the stairs. Once she had reached the top she saw a dim light coming from under one of the doors. Written on the door in big elaborate letters was the name LAILA.

I might have known, Jess thought. She walked forward and pushed the door open slowly. There, rifling through the dresser drawers was Tally, just as Jess had expected. Tally turned the flashlight she was holding on to Jess.

'What the hell are you doing here?!' Tally snarled.

Jess shielded her eyes from the blinding flashlight. 'I'd ask you the same question if it weren't so obvious!'

'Get out of here!' Tally snapped

'I'm not going anywhere without you,' Jess replied.

'Well then I guess you're just going to have to wait.' Tally went back to routing through the drawers.

'Tally, you know how much trouble we'll be in if we get caught.'

'If we get caught. Which we won't.'

'Let's go Tally! I'm not kidding!'

'Relax,' Tally said with a satisfied grin. 'I've got what I came for.' Jess watched as Tally pocketed what looked like a necklace and slammed the dresser drawer shut.

'You put that back!' Jess demanded.

'Who's gonna make me?' Tally shot back. Suddenly the low rumble of a car engine broke the silence as the room was illuminated by approaching headlights.

'Come on, let's get out of here,' Tally said pushing past Jess.

'First, you need to put that necklace back where you found it. And anything else you've taken.'

'No way,' Tally said over her shoulder as she left the room. Jess followed as Tally fled down the stairs.

'Tally!'

'We don't have time to argue! Come on!' The two sisters scurried into the dining room and over to the open window. Tally handed the flashlight to Jess and clambered out of the window. Jess followed. The girls ran and ran until they were a safe distance away from the house.

'Whatever you're planning on doing Tally, forget it.'

'What's with the concern?' Tally asked smoothing down a stray lock of her red hair. 'Laila Warner hates us.'

'And I bet she'll hate us a whole lot more if she finds out you're working magic on her.'

'It's a teeny tiny little spell,' Tally chuckled. 'Designed to teach her that looking down on us the way she does, isn't a great idea.'

The two girls walked the rest of the way home in silence. Jess vowed to herself that she wouldn't let Tally do anything to harm Laila. It was true that there was no love lost between themselves and Laila, but that was besides the point. They couldn't just go around toying with humans.

For one thing they had a secret to protect. A secret that was already thinly veiled. Jess and Tally were witches. They belonged to the Night World. A secret society of witches, vampires and shapeshifters.

No human was allowed to find out about the Night World, but that didn't bother Tally and her friends. They used their powers to manipulate people an to get what they wanted. Jess and her friends on the other hand used their powers to help and to heal. Tally thought they were idiots.

That night Jess lay in bed tossing and turning, the blankets tangling around her restless body. When she finally drifted off to sleep a familiar scene began to unfold in her subconscious mind. It was a recurring dream, a dream that had become more and more persistent in the last few weeks.

Jess sat by the fire in a colonial style house, wearing colonial style clothes. In her arms was a tiny baby. Jess felt an overwhelming sense of love for the child, but at the same time she felt fearful. Cradling her baby carefully she got up from her chair and wandered over to the window.

She gazed out anxiously. She was waiting for him to return, the man she loved. But deep in her gut she feared that he wouldn't. She feared that they were going to kill him. Sighing heavily Jess turned from the window and paced back and forth. The words he had spoken to her before he had left resounded in her head.

If I don't return tonight take it as a sign that I was unable to reason with them. You must leave and take Ava with you. I'll be fine. They won't hurt me, but they may hurt you. That's why you must get as far away from this place as possible. And don't worry, wherever you go, I'll find you. We'll be together again.

Suddenly the sound of galloping horse hooves jolted Jess. They were close. Too close. Jess hurried to the window. There were three men on horseback disappearing into the night. And there on the ground was a motionless figure, laying in a heap. A body. No!

Jess ran to the door and flung it open. As she ran down the steps she began sobbing uncontrollably. She rushed to his body, which lay face down in the dirtand knelt beside him, holding their baby close to her chest, tears streaming down her face. She placed a hand gently on his back, trying to rouse him, but it was no use. There were huge bloody tears at his throat. The vampires had gotten to him. He was dead.

Jess woke up abruptly. Her fingers clung to the blankets tightly, her eyes stung and her face was wet with tears. This was getting worse. Every night the feeling of despair deepened as she lost the man she loved. Get a grip, she told herself. It's just a stupid dream.

She wiped the tears from her cheeks and began to untangle the blankets that were now tied up in knots around her legs. She took deep breaths as she settled back down, resting her head against the pillows, the feelings of raw grief beginning to subside. It's just a dream, she told herself. Just a dream.

Chapter Two

The sound of Calebs car horn pierced the air. Jess downed the glass of milk she was holding, jumped off her chair, slung her back pack over her shoulder and headed for the door.

'Caleb's here, time to go.'

Tally didn't move a muscle. Jess stopped in her tracks and looked at her little sister. 'Are you coming or not?'

'Not,' Tally replied taking a leisurely sip of her orange juice. 'I'm not coming to school this morning. I've got stuff to do.'

'Stuff?' Jess asked quizzically, raising an eyebrow.

'Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.'

'Dad wil go crazy if he finds out you're skipping school.'

Tally shrugged her shoulders. 'I'm not taking the whold ay off, I'll be in sfter lunch.'

The car horn sounded again. 'Sounds like Calebs getting restless. You'd better get going Jess.'

Jess set Tally with a suspicious stare before opening the door. 'Fine, I'll see you later.'

Seconds later Jess was climbing into the car beside her boyfriend Caleb. Caleb leant across and gave her a kiss.

'Morning,' he said with a bright smile.

'Hey,' Jess replied wearily.

'What's up?' Caleb asked.

'Tally. She's not coming to school this morning. I just know she's up to something.'

'Isn't she always?' Caleb replied. Jess sighed and fastened her seatbelt as Caleb turned the keys in the igmition and the car tore away from the curb.

'So what happened last night?' he asked.

'I found her in the Warners house. Stealing some of Laila's personal possessions.'

'Uh oh.'

'I tried to get her to put the stuff back, but it was too late, the Warners came home an we had to get out of there.'

'It's just one thing after another with her.'

'Well we have to do something to protect Laila from whatever Tally's planning. I was thinking maybe we could make her an amulet to neutralise any spells that are cast.'

'And what, we just give it to her an expect her to wear it?'

'No, we'd have to be more sneaky than that. But don't worry, I have a plan.'

irst lesson of a plan.y than that. expect her to wear it?ise any spells that are cast. we had to get out of there.ed for the doTheir first lesson of the day was science. Caleb and Jess's best friend Dora were running late so Jess settled into her seat alone. Mr Logan entered the room, closing the door behind him.

'Good morning everyone. Lets get started.'

Time passed but there was no sign of Caleb or Dora. Suddenly the door opened and Jess looked up expecting to see them walk in. But there in the doorway was a tall guy with auburn hair, a guy she didn't recognise. Or did she? Jess studied him for a few seconds then concluded that she'd never seen him before in her life.

'May I help you?' Mr Logan asked.

'This is my first day here,' the guy began. 'I was told this is where I'm supposed to be.'

'Take a seat,' Mr Logan replied. The new guy scanned the room for an empty seat. His eyes fell upon the seat next to Jess. Then they fell upon Jess. Jess looked up from the doodles she had been scribbling all over her notepad. She noticed the new guy staring at her, and shifted in her seat uncomfortably. He began to walk across the room, with all eyes on him. He settled into the seat next to Jess's. Calebs seat.

'Hi,' he whispered to her. Jess looked up at him. There was something familiar about his eyes, something comforting about the warmth of his smile.

'Hi.' Jess replied.

'I'm Luke,' he said with s friendly smile. 'Luke Maguire.'

'I'm Jess Devereaux.' The door opened again and Caleb and Dora entered. Dora was limping.

'Sorry we're late.' Caleb said apologetically. 'Dora fell down the stairs and twisted her ankle. I had to take her to see the nurse.'

'How very good of you,' Mr Logan said flatly. 'Just sit down please.'

Dora hobbled over to the table in front of Jess's and took her seat. Caleb started to walk over to his seat but stopped in his tracks when he saw Luke sat there. Jess shrugged her shoulders as if to say, there was nothing I could do. Caleb walked to the back of the class and took a seat there.

Jess tried to concentrate on what Mr Logan was saying but she had the feeling she was being watched. She glanced over at Luke and caught him looking at her. Immediately his head snapped to the front of the class. How long had he been staring at her? Jess couldn't help but think he was a little bit creepy. Cute, but creepy.

When the bell finally rang Jess slammed her book shut and leapt out of her seat. She didn't want to have to make small talk with. Luke. Dora got to her feet and Jess bounded over to her.

'So, you fell down the stairs?'

'Don't ask.' Dora replied shaking her head. Jess felt a hand rest gently on her shoulder. She looked up expecting to see Caleb. But it was Luke, trying to squeeze past her.

'Sorry,' he said awkwardly. Jess gave him a strained smile and took a step back to let him pass.

'Who's that?' Dora asked watching him leave.

'His name's Luke. He's new here,' Jess said watching him leave too. There was something intriguing about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Chapter Three

It had just turned ten thirty and Tally was walking through the centre of town. There was a spring in her step and a mischevious smile playing on her lips. Finally she stopped outside one of the stores, straightened her clothes up a little and walked in. Except for all the bars of scented soap, bottles of cleansing lotions and jars od bath salts that lined the shelves and filled the display cabinets the place was empty.

'Hey D!' Tally called out. 'It's me!'

There was no reply, only silence. Tally tapped her foot, sighed and walked over to the storeroom. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. A heady concoction of scents hit her like ten ton weight. There in the middle of the room was Diandra, her favourite aunt, adding copius amounts of oils, herbs and a number of things she couldn't identify into a big mixing bowl.

Diandra had her head phones on and was hopping from foot to foot, shaking her hips from side to side and nodding her head up and down, oblivious to Tally's presence. Tally laughed out loud, before sneaking up behind Diandra and yanking off her headphones. Diandra jumped about a mile in the air.

'Hey!' she cried as she spun around to face Tally. 'What do you think you're doing?!'

'Sorry D,' Tally laughed. 'I didn't mean to startle you.

'Tally! What are you doing here?'

Tally reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. 'I need some supplies,' she said handing the list to Diandra.

Diandra owned and ran her own cosmetics store. She made all her own products, using only natural ingredients. But that was only half of it. Back in the store room away from prying eyes, she mixed potions, made magical charms and the like.

Diandra scanned the list. 'What do you need all this for?' she asked suspiciously.

'A project.' Tally replied innocently.

'What kind of project?'

'A project that requires all those ingredients.' Tally told her.

'Okay kiddo,' Diandra said folding her arms across her chest, 'I'm not handing over any of this stuff until you tell me exactly what you're going to be using it for.'

Tally sighed. 'You want the truth?'

'Of course I want the truth,' Diandra replied narrowing her eyes.

'Okay,' Tally said with false resignation. 'One of my friends, Jared, you remember him don't you? Well he accused me of being a really bad spell caster. He bet me that I couldn't come up with a spell that would make him bend to my will for a period of twenty four hours. And I wan to prove him wrong.'

Diandra let out a little grunt. 'There is no way I'm going to let you do that. No way in the world.'

'Oh, but D!' Tally cried. 'It's an experiment! A legitimate experiment! And I have his permission!'

Diandra shook her head. 'Why can't you be more like Jess? When she comes to me she asks for stuff that will help people overcome heartbreaks and hardships. Things that will create a little bit of peace and harmony. But you? Tally, the only things you want to create are havoc and mayhem.'

'Don't tell me you didn't try anything like this when you were growing up,' Tally sulked. 'Dad's told me enough stories about you for me to know that you weren't exactly a stranger to havoc and mayhem yourself.'

'And I learned from my mistakes,' Diandra said firmly. 'I don't want you to mess up the way I did Tal.'

Before Tally had the chance to reply the bell above the store door sounded. Diandra put the list down on the table and took off her apron.

'You wait here while I serve this customer,' she said. 'And don't even think about touching anything.'

Diandra left the room and a slow smile crept across Tally's face. She snatched up the list then immediately began routing through the cupboards in search of her coveted ingredients. In less than a minute she had found everything she needed and had stashed it all away safely in her bag.

Diandra came back into the room. 'Where were we?' she asked as she put her apron back on.

'You were about to tell me you're more than happy to help and that I can take whatever I want.'

'Forget it,' Diandra said. 'Come back when you're looking for something a little less dangerous.' For now, I think you should be getting back to school.'

'Thanks for nothing D!' Tally said petulantly as she stormed out of the storeroom. Once she was out of sight a devilish grin lit up her face as she patted her bag with satisfaction.

Chapter Four

The school day was drawing to a close and Jess couldn't wait to get home. She had to start working on the protection amulet for Laila. There was no doubt in Jess's mind that the 'stuff' Tally had to do that morning was connected to the spell she was going to cast on the unsuspecting Laila.

Jess rushed down the steps, rummaging through her back pack as she went, trying to find the incantation Dora had given her at lunch. She hoped she hadn't lost it. It played a crucial part in the amulets creation. Just as she neared the bottom of the steps she slammed straight into a group of students who had congregated there.

'Hey, watch where you're going, freak!' A voice yelled angrily. Jess looked up. The voice belonged to Tyler Monroe. She froze under the angry stares Tyler and his friends were giving her.

'Whoa, no harm done,' said a familiar voice. Jess looked to the right. There stood next to Tyler was Luke.

'Sorry,' Jess mumbled as she put her head down and squeezed through the group.

At the bottom of the steps Caleb was waiting for her. He had fixed Tyler with an icy glare. Tyler was glaring right back. Just as Jess had almost gotten through the group someone stuck their foot out and tripped Jess. She stumbled forward. Caleb stepped towards Jess and caught her. A cruel giggle filled the air. Jess turned to face the person who had tripped her. It was Laila.

'Can you say co-ordination and balance, freak?' Jess and Caleb walked away ignoring them. As they left Jess heard Luke speak up.

'That was kind of harsh wasn't it? She didn't mean to walk into us.'

'Jess Devereaux and her friends are the closest thing this town has to circus freaks,' Tyler said loudly. 'You won't go siding with them if you know what's good for you.'

When Jess got home she locked herself away in her bedroom. She pulled a smallchest out from under her bed and opened it up. Inside I were pouches containing crystals and herbs, notebooks filled with spells and incantations, candles, incense and oils.

Jess picked up one of the pouches, yanked it open and poured the contents onto the floor. A dazzling array of colourful stones spilled out. Jess picked up two pieces of amethyst. One was large and kind of rough. The other one was smaller and polished. Jess studied them both for a few seconds. The larger stone would be more powerful but Jess guesses that Laila wouldn't want something that big hanging around her neck. It would draw too much attention, too many questions.

She put the large crystal down and wrapped her hand around the smaller one. Suddenly the door knob rattled. Some one was trying to get in.

'Jess? Are you in there?' she heard Tall call from the other side of the door.

'Hang on,' Jess yelled back. Jess put the stone down, got to her feet and walked over to the door. As she opened it she was greeted by Tally who had her hands on her hips and one eyebrow arched.

'Why did you lock your door?' Tally asked.

'None of your business,' Jess replied sweetly.

'You don't have Caleb in there do you?'

'No,' Jess replied. 'Of course not.'

'So what are you doing?' Tally asked trying to peer over Jess's shoulder. Jess took a step to the side, blocking Tally's view.

'Like I said, that's none of your business.'

'I'm intrigued,' teased Tally. 'Saint Jess, keeping secrets, who would've thought it?'

'What do you want?' Jess asked her little sister impatiently.

'I was just wondering if you have any mandrake root? I've ran out.'

'What do you need mandrake root for?'

'Duh! A spell of course!'

'The spell you're using on Laila?' Jess quizzed.

Tally scowled. 'Forget it. I should have known better than to ask you for help.' Tally turned on her heel and retreated to her own room.

'I'm all for helping,' Jess called after her. 'But only when it's for a good cause!' Jess closed her door, locking it again and went back to her spot on the floor. She opened up her back pack and pulled out a bottle of mineral water the piece of paper which had the incantation written on it.

Reaching into the chest she picked up a small bowl made out of clear quartz. She unscrewed the bottle top and poured some water into the bowl. She scooped up the amethyst, the paper with the incantation on, a pouch of herbs, some oil, four candles, some incense and a box of matches.

Jess carried everything over to her window seat and made herself comfortable. She placed the quartz bowl by the window and arranged the candles around it. She lit the incense and set it in a nearby holder. Then she began to light the candles starting with the one at the top.'

'I call upon the guardians of the north. I call upon the guardians of the east. I call upon the guardians of the south. I call upon the guardians of the west.'

Picking up the small amethyst she passed it through the smoke floating off the burning incense. 'With the power of air I bless you.'

Jess then held the stone over each of the candle flames for a few seconds. 'With the power of fire I charge you.'

She then placed the stone into the water. 'With the power of water I purify you.'

Jess then took some Dill out of the herb pouch and sprinkled it over the water. 'With the power of earth I strengthen and nurture you.'

She picked up the incantation, placed a hand over the bowl and began to recite, 'By the wonder of earth, sun, wind and sea, channel your power, send it through me. Protect and deflect, and bind in this stone, the strength of the maiden, the mother, the crone.'

Jess picked up a small bottle of oil and let a few drops fall into the water. 'Be a haven of safety, a bringer of peace, intercept harmful magic, force it to cease.'

Jess put the incantation aside. There, all done. She'd leave the amethyst where it was for a while just to make certain it was fully charged. If only Laila knew all the trouble Jess was going to to protect her. Maybe if she did know she wouldn't be such a bitch all the time. But then again, Laila wasn't exactly the grateful type.

Jess quickly tidied up her room, then flopped down on her bed with a sigh. Much to her discomfort her mind began to wander to Luke. Jess got the feeling that maybe he liked her. She would have been flattered if she wasn't so mortified. It wasn't that she had anything against humans. Sure, some of them were narrow minded and ignorant, but most of them were okay.

But the Devereaux family were full blooded witches, a fact that Jess and Tally were very proud of. They didn't count very many humans as friends. Acquaintances maybe, but not friends. Jess felt very lucky that she had found Caleb, who although not from a line of full blooded witches like her, was very proud of his heritage. Centuries back humans had married into his family, and there had been a couple of weddings to shapeshifters too, but primarily Caleb was all witch.

Maybe if Luke was a witch.... Jess slapped the palm of her hand against her forehead stopping the thought before it had a chance to fully form.

How could you even think that, she asked herself angrily. You love Caleb! Tally's face popped into her mind. She could just imagine what her little sister would say if she knew what Jess was thinking.

Okay, so you love Caleb, she'd say. That doesn't stop you from appreciating a cute guy, human or otherwise. A little daydreaming never hurt anyone.

Jess relaxed a little. There was no reason to get angry at herself. But at the back of her mind something was niggling away. Luke had a strange effect on her. He made her feel slightly disconcerted and more than a little intrigued. And what had he done to evoke these feelings? Say, 'Hi my name's Luke Maguire' and look in her direction for a few seconds? Hardly suspicious behaviour worthy of her attention. But there was something about him...

Jess groaned inwardly. Maybe she was just developing a little crush on the new guy. That didn't mean she didn't love Caleb. And she was pretty sure that she wouldn't be the only girl with a boyfriend at Stanford DeWitt High School that got a crush on the handsom Luke Maguire. Picking up a magazine Jess rolled onto her stomach and dismissed Luke from her mind before getting down to the important business of scanning the fashion pages.

Chapter Five

The next morning Jess leapt out of bed bright eyed and bushy tailed. For the first time in a while she'd had a good nights sleep. No dreams of vampires ripping out her colonial husbands throat, no night sweats, no tears. She jumped into the shower so full of good cheer that she began singing loud enough for her father to hear downstairs in the kitchen.

'What's buzzing your batteries?' Tally asked sticking her head around the shower curtain.

'I'm just in a good mood,' Jess replied flicking soapy lather at her sister. 'Is that a crime?'

'No, but that singing voice of yours sure is!'

Back in her room Jess slipped the amethyst, which now hung from a delicate silver chain, into a pocket in her back pack, along with a note she had written the night before. She bounded down the stairs and out of the house, bellowing a melodious goodbye to her father as she went. Tally followed closely behind. Once in the car Jess leapt over to Caleb and gave him a long, lingering kiss.

'Oh please,' Tally said dryly from the back seat. 'I've just eaten.' Jess slowly pulled away leaving a dopey grin on Calebs face.

'What was that for?' he asked.

'Just my way of saying good morning.' Jess replied. And of proving to myself that all the stuff I was thinking last night meant nothing, she added silently.

When they arrived at school Jess and Caleb walked up the steps hand in hand. Tally had abandoned them and gone in search of her friends as soon as they'd arrived.

'So did you make the amulet?' Caleb asked quietly.

'Uh huh,' Jess replied tapping the pocket on her back pack with her free hand.

'How are you going to make sure she wears it?'

'Well,' Jess began. ' I've written her a note pretending to be a secret admirer. The 'necklace' is meant to be a present. I charged the stone in a powerful infusion that has given it irresistible properties. She won't be able to overcome the urge to wear it. I'm going to excuse myself during Mr Millers' class. I'll tape it to her locker then.'

'Are you sure Laila Warners worth all this?' Caleb asked.

Jess shrugged. 'Probably not, but someone's got to save her from Tally and her evil schemes.' Caleb laughed and the two of them walked through the doors. On the other side of the lawn a group of students laughed and joked. Luke was among them but he wasn't joining in. Instead he was gazing at the retreating figures of Jess and Caleb.

'So that Jess girl,' he began. 'She has a boyfriend?' Tyler looked at him as though he'd just asked him for directions to the North Pole.

'Yeah, so?' Tyler replied, his voice tinged with disgust.

'So I was just wondering,' Luke said casually.

'You're not interested in her are you?' Tyler asked. 'Because like I said yesterday, the girl's a freak and so is that boyfriend of hers. So unless you want to get stuck in the same category you won't go any where near that weird chick, or her friends.'

Luke nodded thoughtfully.

'It's just a friendly word of advice man,' Tyler told him. 'Don't forget it.'

The rest of the week passed uneventfully, much to Tally's annoyance. She had been fully expecting Laila to have a magically induced breakdown, but the pretty blonde girl carried on as normal, seemingly unaffected. It was Friday lunch time when Tally marched over to Jess's table in the cafeteria, rage blazing in her eyes.

'You bitch!' she spat venomously.

'Hello to you to,' Jess said taking a bite of her apple.

'I know what you did!' Tally yelled as she gripped the edge of the table and leant forward. 'That's an amethyst she's got around her neck! I saw it! Since when did Laila start following new age trends?!'

'Keep your voice down,' Caleb said.

'You keep the hell out of this Caleb!' Tally spat. 'This has got nothing to do with you! This is between me and Jess!'

People were starting to stare. 'Can we talk about this later? At home?' Jess asked.

'The other day, when you had your door locked! That's what you were doing isn't it?! You were making that! For HER!'

'Calm down, Tally' Jess told her.

'You think you're so great don't you? Always one step ahead of me! Trying to prove that you're better!'

Jess shook her head. 'That's not it! That's not it at all!'

'Well I'm going to come up with something! Something that'll blow you away! Something that'll make you and her wish you'd never messed with me!' And with that she stormed out of the cafeteria.

'I think she might be mad,' Dora said. 'But hey, that's just a guess.'

'What do you think she's going to do?' Jess asked.

'Attract way too much unwanted attention to us if she carries on acting like that. I think the whole school heard her.'

Tally didn't come home that evening. Jess paced the kitchen floor. 'Where do you think she is?' she asked nervously.

'Blowing off steam somewhere,' Caleb replied. 'Don't worry about it.'

'But I am worried!' Jess exclaimed, stamping her foot like a petulant child. 'She was so mad. I think we should go find her.'

Caleb walked over to Jess, wrapped her up in a gentle hug and placed a kiss on the top of her head. 'If that's what you want.' Ten minutes later they were stood on the doorstep of Petra Lightheart, Tally's best friend. They knocked on the door. Almost instantly it opened and they were greeted by Penny, Petra's thirteen year old sister.

'Hey Penny,' Jess said with a smile. 'Is Tally here?'

'No,' Penny replied.

'Is Petra here?'

'No,' Penny shook her head again. 'They went out.'

'Well where did they go?'

'I'm not supposed to say,' Penny said with a mischievous smile. 'I'm not even supposed to know, but I overheard them talking.'

'If you tell us where they are,' Jess began, 'Caleb will give you a kiss.'

'On the lips?' Penny asked excitedly.

'On the cheek,' Jess told her.

'Okay,' Penny replied, gazing up at Caleb adoringly. 'I heard them say they were going to a place called The Onyx.'

A frown fell over Calebs face, and Jess knew the expression on hers was the same. The Onyx was a club for members of the Night World. It was always packed full of low lives. Jess and Dora had been there once when they were fifteen and the experience was not a pleasant one. Jess and Caleb turned to leave.

'Hey!' Penny yelled indignantly.' What about my kiss?'

Quickly, Caleb spun back around and gave Penny a quick peck on the cheek before racing back to the car. It took them twenty minutes to drive to The Onyx which was located on the outskirts of town. The outside didn't even look like a club. It was just an abandoned warehouse with a black flower painted on the door.

Jess knocked on it tentatively. It opened slowly. A tall gangly guy stood facing them, his hazel eyes narrowed as he scrutinized them. Jess looked him up and down. Werewolf, she concluded.

'Unity,' Jess said confidently, using the the traditional greeting of the withces and identifying herself as a nightworlder. The werewolf stepped aside and let them pass. They walked through a narrow hallway to a door at the end. Behind the door there was a steep flight of stairs leading down. Jess and Caleb descended the steps, the sound of blaring music growing louder the closer they got.

Once at the bottom they opened the door and were greeted by the sound of loud, rhythmic dance music that shook the foundations. The bar was packed. Jess strained her neck to see if she could spot Tally. Caleb put his mouth to her ear.

'Let's mingle,' he said. Jess shook her head. 'Do you want to find Tally or not?' he asked.

Jess sighed. 'Just make sure we don't lose each other okay?'

Caleb nodded. 'Okay.'

The two witches ventured further into the club. Jess scanned the crowds. In the centre of the dance floor were a group of twenty something women. Jess recognized them as witches immediately. She had seen some of them at solstice and samhein celebrations.

In one corner there was a pack of shapeshifters sat around a small table playing cards. In another corner was a couple of vampires surrounded by a group of high school girls who were totally wasted on beer and dope. Jess shook her head in disgust.

She recognized one of the vampires as Malachi Thorpe, he was a couple of years older than them and she and Caleb knew him from when he went to school with them. By chance, Malachi looked in their direction. As soon as he saw them his eyes lit up in recognition. With a drunken smile he unceremoniously pushed the girl he had his arm around to the side and began to walk over to Jess and Caleb.

'Well, well, well,' he slurred. 'If it isn't little Jess Devereaux! How the hell are you?' He stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.'

'Back off Malachi,' Caleb warned him, pushing him away.

'Whoa! Don't go starting something you can't finish,' Malachi replied baring his teeth.

Caleb squared up to him. 'I'm not afraid of you.'

Jess put a hand on Calebs arm. 'Come on, we didn't come here to fight.' Caleb stepped back, then the two of them began to walk away.

'Screw you!' Malachi called after them before returning to his worse for wear harem. Jess and Caleb were weaving through the crowds, but it was no use. Tally was no where to be seen. Jess sighed, her shoulders slumping. Briefly, she closed her eyes. She wondered if her Dad had spent his Friday nights chasing after Diandra when he was her age.

She opened her eyes and took a second to let them refocus on the object straight ahead of her. Then she froze, and her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes weren't refocusing on an object. They were refocusing on a person. And that person was Luke.

Chapter Six

Okay, Jess thought. I may have seen him, but he hasn't seen us. As soon as the thought had formed, to Jess's horror Luke looked straight at her. His eyes narrowed fro a second as if he was trying to work out if it was really her. Then a broad smile lit up his face and he started to walk over to her. Damn, Jess thought to herself. Damn! Damn! Damn!

'Hey Jess,' Luke said warmly.

'Luke,' Jess replied uncharacteristically flustered. 'Hi.'

'Who's this?' Caleb asked, instantly going into protective mode and obviously not recognising him.

'This is Luke,' Jess told him with a look that warned him to keep his guard up. 'He's new at school.'

'Nice to meet you,' Luke said extending his hand to Caleb.

'Yeah,' Caleb replied as he shook jis hand. This is all too awkward, Jess thought. She had to find out what the deal was.

'So, Luke, ' she began. 'Are you....' A member of the Night World, she asked silently. '....here with friends?'

Luke shook his head. 'Nope, it's just me.'

'Do you know anyone here?' Caleb asked.

'No,' he replied. 'I found this place kind of by accident.' He was lying, Jess knew it.

'It's kind of a hard place to just stumble across,' Jess challenged. 'I mean it's not exactly signposted.'

'Actually,' he replied looking a little embarrassed, 'I came here with a girl. I met her in a bar earlier and she asked me if I wanted to come to this cool place she knew. I don't usually pick up girls in bars, but hey, I'm new in town. You gotta make friends anyway you can.' Jess had to hand it to him. He seemed genuine.

'So,' he conitinude. 'Is this where you guys usually hang out?'

'No,' they answered in unison.

'We're just looking for my little sister. Someone told us she might be here.'

'So where's this girl you came with?' Caleb asked.

'I don't know,' Luke replied. 'She ditched me when we got here. I guess she got a better offer.'

Jess looked around nervously. She felt very uncomfortable. What was going on? Did Luke know about the night world? Did he belong to it? Did he realise Jess and Caleb were witches? Suddenly her flow of thoughts were interrupted as she noticed a familiar figure in the corner. It was Tally! Making out with what looked like a vampire.

'Excuse me,' Jess said suddenly before dashing across the dancefloor and yanking Tally out of the bloodsuckers clutches. 'Tally Elizabeth Devereaux! What the hell do ypu think you're doing!?'

Fury flashed in Tally's eyes. 'Me!?! What the hell do you think you're doing?!'

'Taking you home, that's what!'

'Get your hands off me!' Tally yelled.

'Do you want me to call Dad?' Jess threatened. 'You know how mad he'll be if he finds out you came here! And you know he'll come and drag you out of this place, kicking and screaming, without a seconds hesitation!'

Tally stared at her sister for a moment before stepping close to her and whispering with a steely conviction,' I hate you.'

Tally grabbed her coat of a nearby bar stool and fled to the exit, Petra following closely behind. Jess returned to Caleb and Luke.

'Time to go,' she said wearily, wrapping an arm around Caleb.

'I think I might leave too,' Luke said. 'I'll probably stick to high school hang outs from now on.'

'Good idea,' Caleb said.

The dream returned that night. Back in the house, with the baby, Jess stood by the window. Then she paced the floor just like she did every night. The sound of the horse hooves came and went and Jess found herself kneeling by her husbands body sobbing. It was at this point the dream usually stopped, but not this time. Instead of waking up in terror, Jess stayed by her husbands body, her skirt soaking up his blood.

Jess had to kiss him. She had to see his face one last time. Summoning all her strength she turned him over. His face was pale. His face was covered in dirt. His face...his face....His face was identical to Luke's.

'Freaky or what?' It was Monday morning and Jess and Dora were sat in the library.

'So Luke Maguire made a guest appearance in one of your dreams. I'm sure plenty of girls dream about him,' Dora said.

'But this isn't just any dream. It's a nightmare, a recurring nightmare. And it happens to be about a man who was killed by vampires.'

'It's hardly surprising,' Dora replied. 'I mean you saw him at The Onyx that night. It's probably just your subconscious mind trying to find a connection between him and the night world.'

'I guess so,' Jess sighed. 'But don't you think it's weird, him being there?

'Jess, half the kids in this school have been to The Onyx at one point or another. The difference is they don't remember because they usually end up with their blood sucked and their memory wiped, a fate you saved him from.'

The bell rang. 'Come on, lets get to class,' Dora said getting out of her chair. Their next lesson was English. A lesson Luke was in too. Jess did everything she could to avoid making contact with him. She was doing a pretty good job of it, there was only two minutes to go and they hadn't looked at each other or spoken once.

Mr Miller got out of his seat and picked up a piece of paper. 'Okay,' he began. 'As you are all aware I'm pairing you up for the essay I have just set. It's due on Friday so you guys have to get busy. The pairs are as follows.

Mr Miller rattled off the list of names. He's gone through almost every name in the class. Only two were left. 'And the final pair are Jess Devereaux and Luke Maguire. Good luck to you all.' The bell rang and chairs scraped across the floor as everyone got to their feet. Jess sighed inwardly. Oh Goddess, she thought to herself, Why me? Why me?!

Luke came over. 'Hey.'

'Hi,' Jess said forcing a smile.

'So,' he began. 'I guess we should get together and start work on this project.'

'Well I'm on my way to the library now if you want to join me,' Jess told him.

'I can't, I've got some stuff I need to do. But I can meet you there, in say, half an hour?'

'I might not be there then,' Jess replied. 'I have stuff to do too. I don't know where I'll be.'

'Don't worry,' Luke said with a smile, before almost cautiously adding, 'Where ever you go, I'll find you.'

Jess froze. She was no longer in Mr Millers classroom. Instead she was back in the colonial house from her dreams, holding her baby, pacing the floor, replaying her husbands final words, Don't worry, where ever you go, I'll find you.

Suddenly she was back in the classroom. 'We'll be together again,' she whispered to herself, without even realising she'd said it.

'Huh?' Luke said. She looked up at him. He was frowning, his eyes narrowed as he gazed down at her. Jess leapt to her feet.

'I've got to go,' she said hurrying to the door.

'But what about the essay?' Luke called after her.

'We'll talk about it another time,' Jess called over her shoulder. And with that she was gone.

Chapter Seven

Jess and Dora were sat together in the corner of the cafeteria.

'Jess, you're over reacting.'

'No, I'm not,' Jess replied. 'Something weird is going on here. First he shows up at The Onyx, then he turns up in the dream I've been having for months now, and then? Then he actually quotes the guy from my dream!'

'So what did he say exactly?' Dora inquired.

'He said, 'Don't worry, where ever you go, I'll find you.' And those are the exact words the guy in my dream uses!'

'It's a coincidence,' Dora told her, her patience tiring. Just then Caleb arrived. He sat down next to Jess, placing his arms around her shoulders.

'Hey guys.' Neither of the two girls replied. 'What's going on? Jess? You look like you've seen a ghost.'

Jess sighed. Should she tell Caleb what was going on? She decided not to, it would only worry him. 'It's nothing,' Jess said leaning her head against his shoulder. 'I'm just having a lousy day.'

'Well maybe I can make it better,' Caleb said leaning in for a soft, tender kiss. 'Better?'

'Much,' Jess replied wrapping her arm around his waist.

'Hey, mind if I sit down?'

The three witches looked up. Luke was stood at the end of their table holding his lunch tray. No one spoke for a few seconds. Finally, Caleb broke the silence, 'Sure, go for it man.'

Luke smiled and sat down next to Dora. 'So Jess,' he began. 'Are you okay? You took off in kind of a hurry before.'

Jess wasn't in the mood for small talk. 'Luke, why are you sitting with us?' She asked bluntly. Caleb almost choked on his pizza. Hurt flashed across Luke's face but he masked it quickly.

'If it's a problem, I can leave.'

'It's just that we're not exactly popular,' Jess continued. 'In fact most people at this school hate our guts. We're, how did Tyler put it? Circus freaks. Why do you want to hang out with a group of outcasts?

Luke shrugged his shoulders. 'You guys seem cool, that's all.' Jess was getting very frustrated was Luke a Nightworlder or not? Did he know the truth about them? It was too hard to tell.

'Ignore Jess,' Caleb said. 'She's not having the greatest day.' Luke gazed down at the table as he opened his carton of milk and nodded. Jess's words had obviously hurt him. Suddenly Dora lunged her hand towards him.

'We haven't been properly introduced yet,' she said brightly. 'I'm Dora.' Luke took her hand and shook it half heartedly. 'It's nice to meet you,' she concluded taking her hand away and feeling somewhat snubbed.

Later as she and Jess stood by their lockers Dora began to shake her head. 'That guy definitely has a thing for you.'

'What?' Jess asked.

'Hello?! Luke! He's totally hung up on you!'

'He is not,' Jess replied, feeling her face flush.

'He so undoubtedly is!' Dora insisted. 'He couldn't keep his eyes off you at lunch.'

'Well that's too bad,' Jess said. 'Because I'm with Caleb.'

'Too bad for who?' Dora asked. 'You or Luke?'

'What are you insinuating?' Jess said, firing a question straight back at her.

'Oh come on Jess,' Dora laughed. 'I know you. You like him too, I can tell. Not that I'm saying you're going to pursue it or anything.'

'Because there's nothing to pursue,' Jess said sternly before slamming her locker door shut and storming off.

'Jess! Don't be mad!' Dora called after her. 'I'm just stating the obvious!'

Tally and Petra were sharing a cigarette under the bleachers. Tally blew smoke up towards the sky. 'Life sucks.'

'Tell me about it,' Petra agreed. 'With our power we should be ruling this school. Instead we have to put up with everyone looking down on us.'

'They all think we're nothing more than a bunch of new age wannabes,' Tally sneered. 'If they knew the truth, boy would they be shocked.'

'There has to be something we can do,' Petra mused.

'Something that Jess can't step in and ruin,' Tally added taking another long drag of the cigarette.'

'You know, I was talking to this girl at The Onyx. She told me about this vengeance spell she once cast – the three plagues.'

'Sounds kind of dangerous to me,' Tally told her. 'The three plagues versus the law of the three fold return? I don't want to end up with an ass covered in boils.'

'You haven't heard the best bit. I know I said she cast it, but it wasn't exactly her. She worked out a way for the people she wanted vengeance against to cast it themselves.'

'Tell me more,' Tally grinned.

'Damn it!' cursed Jess.

'What?' Caleb asked.

'I left my science book behind, I have to go get it.'

'Is it really that important?' Caleb asked. 'I really have to get out of here. I promised my parents I'd take them to the airport. They're visiting the Harmans in Las Vegas, remember?'

'You go on,' Jess told him as she jumped out of the car. 'I'll walk home.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yeah, go on.'

Caleb leant over and gave her a kiss goodbye, shut the door, then drove off. Jess raced back into school. Once at her locker she stopped to catch her breath. A familiar feeling swept over her. She was being watched. Jess looked up. Sure enough, halfway down the hallway was Luke.

'Okay! I've had it!' Jess yelled, finally losing it. Luke walked towards her. Apart from them the hallway was empty. I can't take this anymore, Jess thought. I need to find out what's going on.

Luke stopped beside her. 'Jess, I'm sorry if I've upset you in anyway.'

Jess put a hand to her head and rubbed her temples. 'You've not upset me,' she said wearily. 'I just can't help wondering....' She trailed off. What exactly was she going to say?

'You can't help wondering...?' Luke prompted her.

'I can't help wondering if you're....' Jess stopped, desperately searching for a plausible lie.

'A witch?' Luke said finally. His eyes were sincere, and a reassuring smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. So he did know. Jess was speechless.

'Well I'm not,' he told her. In the absence of basic communication skills Jess tried to fake a confused smile.

'I'm a vampire.'

The fake smile disappeared from Jess's face. 'So that night at The Onyx?' Jess said suddenly finding her voice, 'The story about that girl taking you there? It was a lie?'

Luke nodded. ''Fraid so.' Jess looked at him thoughtfully. At least now she knew.

'What about you?' Luke asked.

Jess reached inside her shirt and pulled out a pendant. It was a small black dahlia.

'So I was right,' he said. 'You are a witch.'

'Yeah,' Jess replied.

'And Dora and Caleb?'

'Uh huh. And you should know, we have a rule. We don't hang out with vampires.'

'That's discrimination,' Luke said.

'It's called playing it safe,' Jess replied. 'I've got to go.' Jess shut her locker and walked away.

'Jess!' Luke called after her.

Jess stood still, and turned to face him. 'It's nothing personal, okay? See you around.'

Luke watched her leave. When he had first arrived in this town, he hadn't expected any of this. He hadn't expected to fall so quickly, to fall so hard, for a stranger. Was there more to this? Could his suspicions really be true? One way or another, he had to find out.