The sounds died away suddenly, and Skyler opened her eyes to look around the same yard in the darkening atmosphere that was night time.

Nought threw his arm over her shoulder and turned towards the house. Through the cracked glass of the door, Skyler watched as Clove stormed back and forth across the living room. She was waving her arms as she paced, her voice raised, though indistinct from this distance, and occasionally picking up a small knickknack here and there and throwing it.

Skyler was curled up on the same sofa that she'd been sitting on earlier, knees held tightly to her chest, her face hidden against her knees as Clove raged.

"I do not believe that we need to go in there," Nought said softly.

"No," Skyler said, suddenly feeling so tired that she just wanted to find something comfortable to lay on and sleep for a week. "She was angry that Bear was hurt and in her eyes, it was my fault. If I had the ability so stop it and couldn't, it was because I chose not to do anything. I was a liar. I was useless. A few hours later, she dropped me off at a police station and told them to hold me until my case worker could come and get me."

Skyler rubbed a hand across her forehead, trying to relieve the tension there. "Please tell me that we're done."

"Yes," Nought said, turning Skyler to face the door that would take them back to Nought's home.

"Did you get what you needed?" Skyler asked.

"I believe so," Nought said softly. "I am truly sorry, Skyler. I would never have subjected you to all of this if there had been any other way."

"What was this supposed to accomplish?" Skyler cried out. "I think I've been a good sport through this, Nought, but…"

Nought sighed, reaching out to grasp one of Skyler's shoulders and turning her back down the hallway. "Your mother approached me a few days ago, concerned that she was feeling your powers flare erratically." He turned once more at the end of the hallway, leading the both of them into a large sitting area.

More black here, Skyler observed, but along one wall was a massive fireplace glowing with a green Faerie Fire and casting dancing shadows on the walls from the black chairs and couch the room also held. The floor held a large fur rug, but it was from a creature that Skyler couldn't identify.

"Sit," Nought said shortly before taking a seat in one of the chairs with a long sigh. "While she wanted you to be able to realize your potential, to find the block and make it easier for you to tap into the power that you hold, it is still imperative that you remain hidden from Oberon."

"Why?" Skyler asked, sitting gingerly on the large sofa facing him.

"You are full blooded Fae," He stated. "Until such a time that you should choose to join the others on Avalon, if you insist on remaining with the humans, it is best to keep your existence a secret. Oberon would 'insist' that you live on Avalon and you wouldn't be able to leave. Well," he huffed out, "you do share my ability to Dream Walk, so you would be able to do as we have here, but physically…" He raised his hands in a helpless gesture. "The more your power fluctuates, the more of a chance that Oberon will realize his mistake. I was there the day he thought he took your powers, and both your mother and I were relieved that Oberon failed to notice that you were not simply a half human."

"Alright," Skyler said, nodding slowly. "So, my training…"

"Such as it is," He snarled. "Damn Puck and his infantile training methods. He has become too comfortable training Titania's grandchildren. For ones so young, short powers bursts is the most you can hope for and he has been training you the same way."

"So, if I can't train with the kids, how am I supposed to…"

"That is why I wanted to show you all of this," Nought waved a hand as if to encompass all that had happened that night. "You have not had proper training, that is true, but you should be able to have more control by now. You should be able to dig deep and reach that part of you where your powers lie with very little effort. What we have seen tonight has shown me what a strong young woman you are, to have survived all you have without becoming angry, bitter and turning your powers against others goes to prove just how strong you are."

"It doesn't feel like it," Skyler said, swipinig at the tears that had fallen unchecked down her face.

Nought nodded. "If I may, I would like to meet with you like this. I would like to assess just how much power you have remaining and where your abilities lie. We know you are a dream walker, like myself, and you have been controlling that on your own. We also know that most of your powers lie in the protection of those you care about. There is something else there…" He trailed off, then shook his head. "There is something else there," he repeated, "But it lies just out of my reach. I am unable to discern what it is."

"Would it have something to do with being around other magic users?" Skyler asked, cautiously.

Nought's head snapped up and his eyes bore into hers. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know how it works," Skyler admitted, running her hand through her hair, "but when I'm around other magic users, things go a little haywire."

Nought's eyes narrowed thoughtfully for a moment before he got to his feet. He lifted his right hand and called forth a small globe of green fire in the air inches above his hand. "If I may," he held out his other hand to Skyler. "I would like to try something."

Skyler got to her feet and hesitantly put her hand in his. Almost instantly, the green globe grew to double the size, its brightness overtaking the steady light from the fireplace.

"Interesting," Nought said, dismissing the ball of flame. "That explains it."

"Explains what?"

"You are a focus," Nought said, taking his seat once more. "It is a rare talent, and one that Oberon would greatly enjoy having at hand."

"Okay," Skyler said slowly, taking her own seat. "What is a focus?"

"You are able to amplify the powers of those using magic near you," Nought said. "For good or evil, it wouldn't matter. You simply need to touch the magic user, and their powers would double in intensity. It is a wondrous, yet terrifying ability. I have only known one other who had the ability."

"And what happened to them?" Skyler asked quietly.

"Wars were fought over the possession of such a one that holds the power of a focus," Nought said gravely. "I see now, why your mother has been so insistent that you have help. Should Oberon discover this ability, he would call you to his side and never let you go. That day may yet come," He sighed heavily, "But for now, I will join with you mother and we will do our best to conceal you from the others."

"So what can I do?" Skyler asked, her head whirling a bit from all the information.

"Stop training with the trickster," He said firmly. "Training with young ones will do you no good. From now on, you will train here, with me. You have been through much, daughter, and have been surrounded by those who either didn't understand your abilities, those who demanded that you keep them hidden or by those who belittled your abilities so much that you built up walls to protect yourself. It is time to bring those walls down, Skyler, and we shall attempt to open your mind to the possibilities again."

"I don't know…" Skyler said, hesitantly. "It sounds like it could be dangerous for me to train anymore at all. Maybe I should just go back to not using them.."

"No," Nought snapped. "If you do not use the powers, the magic will build up and work on their own. Such a burst as that would definitely draw the attention of Oberon, and all this will have been for nothing. For now, if at all possible, avoid other magic users. This place, my home, is in a realm that is neither your physical realm, nor is it a true dream space. Any magic done here will not reach Oberon nor his queen. It is safe here. I would like to invite you here anytime you would like, and you may practice your magics here with me."

Skyler eyed him wearily. "Can I think about it?"

Nought sighed, then shrugged. "Of course, but I would encourage you to stop your training with the Puck. He may be good dealing with the children, but he would have no idea of what to do with someone of your talents."

Skyler nodded. "I'll think about it."

"You have only to think of this place," Nought said, gesturing to his home, "And you will be able to enter."

Skyler nodded. "Alright."

Nought frowned, looking around as if he were seeing something she wasn't able to see.

"I believe it best that you return now," He said. "It seems that you are missed."

"The kids?" Skyler asked, worried. How long had she been there? Had something happened while she'd been 'asleep'?

"Go," Nought said, materializing a final door. "And remember all I have said."

"Okay," Skyler said, reaching for the door and hesitated. "Would you be able to deliver a message for me?"

Nought nodded.

"Tell mom," Skyler began, then cleared her throat as tears threatened. "Tell mom that I miss her."

"I will," Nought said.

With a nod, Skyler turned the knob and hurried into the darkness beyond.