Disclaimer: If you have heard any of the ideas or characters they're probably not mine.

Chapter 8: Buried Anger

In her apartment, Lorae and Wyatt orbbed in a shimmer of bright blue and white lights.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Wyatt asked.

"This," Lorae answered as she pulled a trunk out and opened it to reveal a series of books and glass bottles full of various potions.

"Alright, so grab a bunch and let's go," Wyatt said looking around as if he suspected an attack at anytime.

"What? Is my place not enough for you?" Lorae asked hotly, "Does it not have enough magic for you? Or is it that I don't know enough magic like you? Huh? Is that it?"

"Whoa…Lor, chill," Wyatt said defensively. "I was just suggesting leaving because I know for a fact that the manor yes, has more magic because of (1) the nexus (2) the good karma from several generations of good witches and (3) the Charmed Ones. Why the sudden attack?" Lorae blinked as if something just dawned upon her.

"I'm sorry, Wyatt," Lorae whispered shaking her head. "I don't know where it came from."

"It's okay. A lot has happened today," Wyatt said softly as he pulled Lorae into a hug. "Tell me what's bothering you." Lorae sighed but said nothing. "Come on. I know something is really bugging you. Remember my aunt the empath? Well something I forgot to mention, with my whitelighter side I have a slight empathy power. And right now I feel fear mostly, which is understandable, but I also feel frustration, confusion, and anger."

"I'm sorry, Wyatt," Lorae whispered again. "Please don't leave until I have everything. I know I can transport myself, but for right now. Please don't leave. That's all I ask."

"I won't leave not without you," Wyatt responded immediately. "Now is there anything else you need?"

"There's a box of crystals in the hallway closet." Wyatt got up leaving Lorae sitting on the floor slowly gathering things together. Wyatt opened the door and saw a small quaint closet. On one side were Lorae's coats and sweaters the other side was shelves containing boxes each labeled clearly. On the top shelf were two boxes, one labeled "crystals" and the other labeled "his". Wyatt reached up to take down the box with the crystals in it when suddenly a strong force shoved Wyatt head first into the closet. The door slammed shut as Wyatt scrambled up. He turned to the door and pounded on the door.

"LOR!" he yelled, "Lor, GET OUT!"

But Lorae heard nothing. She sat wallowing in her self pity hearing neither her friend yelling nor the ragged demon creeping up behind her.

Perfect Bornin thought, Perfect, she's so emotional right now that she doesn't even realize. Now lets see what's causing her so much pain. Bornin lifted up a hand and let it hover above Lorae's head. It began to glow a white-blue. Hmmm…I sense a frustration over magic, fear over the unknowing of what's happening and…oh my, what do we have here, a buried anger. Now we'll have some fun…

"Poor, poor child, what pain you must be in," Bornin said in a hypnotic voice. Lorae looked up but saw no one.

"Wyatt?" Lorae called softly. When she heard no answer, she got up to look around. "Wyatt?"

"He's not here, sweetheart. He's gone away." Lorae shook her head against the voice inside her mind. She went to the closet where Wyatt was supposed to be and opened the door. Nothing. She saw her coats and jackets and her shelves of stuff, but no Wyatt.

"See. He's gone. He left…left you are all alone."

"No."

"Yes." Bornin said with a grin.

Lorae closed the door, leaned against it with great pain and betrayal in her eyes.

Wyatt pounded mercilessly. He yelled, threw things against the door, magically and non-magically. He had tried to orb out but remained in the small closet. Then he was pulled roughly against the back wall and was unable to move. Then the door opened.

"Lor!" Wyatt yelled at his friend. But Lorae look straight through him.

"See? He's gone. He left…left you are all alone." Wyatt heard a voice not belonging to Lorae or himself.

"No." Lorae said softly.

"Yes." Then Wyatt saw it…a demon…the ragged demon that had attacked them that early afternoon. The demon grinned looking straight at the trapped witch.

"Lor!" Wyatt yelled again, but Lorae just slowly closed the door with all the hurt in the world in her eyes. Wyatt was free from his invisible bonds and began once more to pound against the door. Outside the door Lorae leaned against the door unmoving, she just stared at the wall across from her.

Why…what did she done? Why did he leave? Thought ran through her head although she couldn't comprehend any of them.

"Ah…poor thing. The great twice-blessed witch has left you to your own defense."

"He promised…"

"and he broke it. Just like he did that long time ago." Bornin waved a hand and the surroundings slowly shimmered away and was replaced by an old forgotten memory.

In a hospital room a young woman with blonde-honey hair and bright blue eyes laid on a small bed holding a small infant. Next to her was a young man with wavy chocolate brown hair and leafy green eyes

"We did it, Terry. We did it," the woman said.

"Yes, we did, Layna. Now what about the name?"

"Lorae," Layna Swift said immediately.

"Lorae?"

"Yes. It was my grandmother's name."

"Alright. Lorae then. Hey little one," Terrence Michaels cooed. "I promise to love and spoil you forever."

"Terry!"

"What it's what I'm supposed to do. Right? I mean she is my first. But tell me, is she going to have my name or yours?"

"Swift," Layna answered. "It's sort of tradition for the women to keep the name in my family."

"As you did when we got married."

"Yes, I guess we could hyphenate it with yours."

"Alright I can settle for that," he said as he kissed the baby softly and then Layna's forehead. "And what about the older sister you've talked about from your first marriage? Even I haven't met her."

"Soon. I hope."

"Ok. When ever you're ready. Come little one. Lets let mommy have some sleep. Say bye-bye," Terrence picked up the small bundle and carried her out of the room. Layna laid back and smiled. Then suddenly she winced as she felt a sharp pain shoot through her lower abdomen and cried out. A nurse came rushing in and checked Layna's vitals and signs. Layna's breathing began to become harder and harsher. And more nurses came in and began to call for several doctors. Terrence came rushing in as well.

"Layna!"

"Mr. Michaels," a doctor started.

"What's wrong?"

"Hemorrhage. Something that happens during a birth."

"And?"

"In your wife's case, she's lost a lot of blood so far and only a medical specialist can help right now. One that is not within reach."

"But—"

"No, Mr. Michaels. I'm sorry. The best we can do is make her comfortable and for you to stay with her." The doctors and nurses left and Terrence slowly walked to wife.

"Terry?"

"I'm here."

"Lorae?"

"Sleeping. Layna, I…"

"Shhh…just take care, ok? The both of you."

"No...no. Layna, you have to stay. Don't go. Don't."

"I'm sorry. I love you so much."

"No…no,no,no,no. Layna, please!"

"Mr. Michaels."

Terrence glared at the nurse who called him. But then he moved away and walked out. Out of the room and out of the hospital, not once looking back at the baby he left behind.

Tears streamed down Lorae's face as she watched her father walk away.

"Now, isn't that just plain mean? Mean, mean, mean, mean, me—" Bornin was cut off all of the sudden by a bright white beam shooting at the illusion and leaving a scorch mark on the wall behind it. "Well then, packing in a little punch now are we?"

"Lor!" Lorae turned as well as Bornin to see Wyatt running towards them. "Lor, stop. What are you doing?" Wyatt's voice trailed as he looked at his friend. She was disheveled and tired. Her eyes were red from weeping and anger. "Lor…"

"Wyatt…" she said softly. "but you left."

"No, Lor. I didn't. I would never leave…I promised, remember?"

"Promised…"

"No, he left. Left you on your own. Just like your father." Bornin cut in.

"No, Lor. I didn't. Listen I understand now. You've been hit by a powerbroker. The power inside you is trying to turn and destroy you. Lor, listen. There's a demon behind you."

"No! there's not." Bornin looked panicked at the fact that Wyatt could see him. Lor shook her head at Wyatt then…slowly turned.

"You."

"Yes, me"

"You…used me." Lorae said heatedly.

"Yes, I did and look we were making such good progress." Lorae narrowed her eyes, held up her hand and shot a beam of light at Bornin, who shimmered out before it hit him. The beam shattered a lamp behind him.

"Lor…Lor let's go. We have a spell to take away the power. It'll be alright."

"No…not yet. But I'll make it alright, Wyatt. I'll make it." And she orbbed out in a flash of green and yellow.