-1Chapter 8

Jess groaned and rolled over. Jess realized that this roll should have put her on the floor in her small bed, and the memories of the night before came flooding back to her. She sat up quickly, not knowing what to expect.

The room was medium size and ornately decorated. Across from the bed sat a small vanity between two doors. Jess climbed out of bed to inspect further, and saw that the two doors led to a bathroom and a medium walk in closet. Sighing, Jess turned around and stifled a scream.

On the left hand side of the bed, Reid was sleeping in a lounge chair. Assuming that the door next to him was the only exit, Jess would have to walk right by him to escape. As she crept forward, she noticed paper on the other pillow on the bed. Picking it up and climbing back into bed, Jess opened the letter and began to read.

Jess,

I know after last night you might not ever want to speak to me again. All I ask is that you read what I have to say, and if even then you can't trust me enough to make us work, I will understand.

Chase came to Spencer Academy at the start of last year. The first night we met him he backed us up when Aaron was being an asshole to Kate. We all thought he was cool, and he started to hang around us even more. Honestly, the only one of us that was suspicious at first was Pogue, but his suspicions had more to do with the fact Chase was hitting on Kate than anything else.

Right before Caleb turned eighteen, darklings started to appear. Even Sarah, who as far as we know has no freaky abilities, began having nightmares. Then one day at practice, Caleb and Chase faced off, and Caleb saw Chase's eyes go black. At first no one believed him; we all thought he was just pissed because someone was better than him, but then Kate ended up in the hospital.

The doctors said it was like hundreds of spiders had bitten her. Pogue ran off after Chase, but Chase threw him off his bike. Chase then confronted Caleb saying that when he turned eighteen, he would have to will over his power or all of us would die.

On the night of Caleb's birthday, the two fought, and Caleb was losing until his father willed Caleb his power. Caleb thought he killed Chase that night because the spells over Kate and Sarah dissipated.

He is mad with power, but I'm sure you already know that. He obviously found you because of your gift, and he probably will not stop hunting you until he gets what he wants. As long as you stay in Caleb's house, he cannot get to you, but obviously you cannot stay here forever. All of us are prepared to fight him and kill him once and for all. All we need is you to trust enough to tell us the whole story and what exactly happened.

Please trust me when I tell you that I had no idea of your abilities before last night. The first time I met you I wanted to get to know you, and that hasn't changed. I've been kicking myself for not figuring out that your stalker was Chase all this time. I could have done so much more to protect you. Last night when you told us, it was all I could do to keep myself from wrapping my arms around you, but I didn't want to feel your rejection.

I have never told anyone about my abilities, but you deserve to know the truth. The four families moved to America to avoid persecution in Europe. The power was passed down through the male line, one son for every father. You probably know about the consequences. The more we use, the more seductive the power becomes. At eighteen we ascend, and receive much more power. All of us have ascended now, Caleb first, then Pogue, then me, and then Tyler. If we use too often, our bodies start to wear down, until we look eighty years old when we are really only thirty.

Caleb tried to warn us about Chase, but I had no reason to worry until now. I can't imagine a day in my life without you in it, and I will hunt him down until he is dead and you are safe.

Reid Garwin.

---------------------------------------------------------

Jess was crying by the time she finished the letter. Not noticing how loud she was getting, she didn't notice that Reid was no longer sleeping. Not sure if it was ok to go to her, Reid put his hands up and moved toward her cautiously.

"Hey. It's ok you're safe I promise," Reid said as he continued to move towards her.

Jess, startled, started to recoil, but relaxed when she saw his eyes were a normal color. Not sure if she was ready to be this close to him, she kept her voice neutral, "I read the letter."

"What do you think?"

"I believe your story about what happened with Chase. He was so destructive, you described him perfectly."

"So you'll help us?"

Jess nodded, "I'll try."

"Great," Reid said as he smiled down at her. He walked over to the door and held out his hand.

Hesitantly, Jess climbed off the bed and slipped her hand in his as they walked downstairs to figure out what everyone was going to do.