Grasping Kearney's hips tightly, Aidrian pulled her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling up at him.

Next to them, Serena and Marquette danced together, doing some wild moves.

It had been Marquette's idea; the party was held on Celeste's private beach behind the house. She had wanted all of them together, and that's how it worked out for her. She wanted Kearney to forget the blackouts and to also keep a close eye on her. Jimena must have told the girls about all the things she saw dealing with Kearney. It would explain their pleading.

Or maybe Marq had received some spiritual help.

"Hey, hun, stop looking so mopey." Aidrian kissed her cheek.

"I'm not. That's just my thoughtful face," she replied, a soft laugh in her voice.

He kissed her, mumbling, "Then you've been thinking hard lately."

"Mm." She kissed him back.

Evan stood between Marquette and Serena now, dancing with them. Vanessa and Michael danced closer together than Kearney and Aidrian. Jimena and Collin seemed content to watch the waves. And Catty seemed lonely, standing by herself next to the entertainment system.

Kearney pulled back from Aidrian. She glanced over at Catty. "I'll be right back."

Catty looked up at her. "No worries about me, Kearney. Just because I'm the only one boyfriendless doesn't mean a thing."

Kearney smirked. "You have to be the worst liar in history."

Catty busied herself with smoothing down her short, pleated skirt. "Well, that's a lie. I happen to be a very good liar. Just not when it comes to my being jealous."

Kearney hugged her. "Hey, jealousy is nothing but a green-eyed monster. Come dance with me. Maybe Aidrian will join us."

"No. I can—"

Catty was pulled further into the sand, and, despite her protests, she began to dance. If Kearney was going to attempt a good time, so would Catty. Especially with the knowledge they had.

Kearney tensed. Her moon amulet thrummed and glowed iridescently. Stanton showing up was not what she wanted. Catty touched her shoulder slightly, but Kearney's eyes remained on Marquette.

Marquette stared coldly at Stanton, and his eyes were just as icy. She tilted her head up slightly, as if in challenge. Everyone stilled and remained quiet. He stepped forward, his hand brushing her bare stomach as he moved over to Serena.

And then things became normal.

Marq smiled, but remained still. Evan grabbed her hand. She pulled away, saying something, and walked further down the beach. Away from the music. Away from the light.

"I wonder what that was about," Catty whispered. Kearney shrugged as she watched her friend disappear into the darkness.

She walked over to Evan and Aidrian. "What happened?"

"Stanton told Marquette something. She must not have liked the answer, I guess," Evan muttered.

"Should I go after her?" Kearney asked.

Aidrian shook his head. "I'll do it. You stay here." He kissed her cheek before running off into the darkness, too.

Something inside of Kearney made her want to scream out and say, "Stay away from the dark, that's where it lurks." She remained quiet.

Evan took her by the elbow and spun her around. He smiled. "Come on."

She smiled and danced with him. After awhile, the scene was forgotten as they partied on, Aidrian and Marquette still missing. Stanton remained, and it seemed to confuse Serena as much as it did the other Daughters. He didn't seem to care though.

A sneaky thought scurried across Kearney's mind. Had Stanton just sent her best friend and boyfriend to their dooms?

Serena stared off into the direction Marq went off in. She moved her green eyes over to Stanton. "What did you say to her?"

"Marquette will be fine. If she is in danger, I'll get her," Stanton reassured Serena.

She pursed her lips. "What did you say?"

"I told her exactly what she wanted, what she asked me for. This was her idea."

Serena knew he wouldn't come right out and tell her, so she went into his mind. Her eyes narrowed. She was angry. Stanton smiled, unphased.

"How could you do that to her!"

xXxXxXxXx

Kearney's face was pinched tight with rage. Rage at Stanton, at Marquette, at her father. But her body tingled with worry. It was better for Marquette to have gone to meet with her father, but she shouldn't have gone alone! Her foot tapped absent-mindedly.

Celeste paced back and forth. "Goddamned mindless idiot of a Prince!"

Catty and Vanessa watched the Shadow Goddess with interest. She melded with Akhet, and her appearance seemed to be a mixture of both personas. The corners of her mouth twitched unhappily.

"It's not like Stanton owes Marq a favor," Serena muttered. She was pretty pissed herself, though.

Celeste snorted, but quit pacing. "He did say that it was Ketti's idea. Does this have anything to do with the planes being blocked?" She turned to look at Kearney. "Or does it have something to do with you?"

"She did go to see my father. Akhet, I haven't seen my father in nearly two years," Kearney said, but something nagged at her. The blackouts, Jimena's premonitions, the blocked planes, and her father's letter--which she had yet to receive.

"Stanton doesn't know what happened to her, or Aidrian. He went after her, but she was just…gone," Serena said.

"Is it possible she's back in Tartarus?" Vanessa asked.

"No. Even if she was, she could find her own way out now," Celeste informed the girls.

Catty sighed. "Maybe he took her to the Atrox. He once had a lot of power. He might have wanted that back."

"How did her lose his power and still live?" Jimena voiced. They all turned to her. "If he left with Kearney's mother, Maris, I'm not sure it was exactly mutual agreement."

Kearney looked down at her shoes. She, too, often wondered about that. Her father had some purely evil deed to have become Prince of the Night. So, had he done something to get out of it unharmed? If only she knew.

"Serena, why did Marquette want to meet my father?"

All the girls shifted uncomfortably. Celeste cocked an eyebrow.

"Well, Daughters, what are you hiding?" The Shadow Goddess demanded, hands on hips. Celeste could be the sweetest woman, but she had an intimidating demeanor.

"I had a vision, the same night of Marquette's birthday," Jimena said with a sigh. "I saw Kearney, surrounded by the members of the Inner Circle. They were chanting. Only…They were helping her, not hurting her. It upset Marquette when I told her."

Kearney shivered. The Atrox wanted her, the Inner Circle was chanting for her…

"Is she a lecta?" Celeste, despite her being Egyptian, knew all about Selene and her enemy.

"No! I am not a lecta! Lecta's don't have strange blackouts!" Kearney shouted.

Serena bit her lip. The silver nose pierce glinted in the light as she tilted her head. No, the Atrox had made her the chosen one since she was the key. Tianna had been its bride. What was Kearney then?

Kearney bit her thumb. Stanton said that it was Marquette's idea to meet her father. Maybe she did know! Or, maybe she knew he would know. Oh Selene, where is she? Don't let me lose my best friend, my sister, she pleaded silently.

Serena lifted her eyes to Kearney's.