It was ready. Everything was ready. Orvil allowed a giant smile to emerge onto his face, but quickly concealed it before he walked up the stairs. His son – curse him for being so clever – would instantly know something was wrong. Orvil never smiled unless he was bringing pain and destruction to others. He went up to the kitchen, and in that instant, Alex appeared right in front of him.

"Hello father." Alex's voice was feigning causality, because he knew something was wrong. His father had never gone out at three in the morning before.

Orvil just nodded in acknowledgment, not wanting his voice, which probably dripped with happiness, to betray him. He paused for a moment, debating whether or not to tell his son about the Black Ruin that Orvil had found at last. Alex was, in fact, a Cordova, but he wasn't like the rest. Alex used his manipulative, cunning character for good, and he knew that the Black Ruin could never be persuaded to follow the light. But, Orvil knew Alex would try. Orvil decided not to tell Alex, but another idea came into his mind to solve his previous dilemma, and it was so simple, that Orvil cursed himself for not thinking of it before.

The Black Ruin always needed two Cordovas… but Orvil knew that his son would never conjure it with him… willingly. He smiled wider, and turned to face away from Alex. Yes, his plan was perfect. Orvil turned on his heels and left the house. He never was much of a transporter, not like his son, who was exceptionally gifted in that area. Plus, Orvil was highly well liked and popular in Orange County, so he couldn't be popping in and out wherever he went. If he did, then it would be very obvious that he wasn't normal. Orvil looked up at the sky suddenly, happy that he was far enough away from the house so that his son couldn't spy on him anymore. He smiled, the moonlight glinting off his white, sharp teeth. The moon was straight overhead and there wasn't a cloud in sight. Yes, tonight would be a perfect night to summon the Black Ruin. The swirling, blackness and inexhaustible flames was just the tip of the iceberg. The real danger was inside.

Mott, the Horned One's second in command, lived inside the Black Ruin, and carried out requests given to him by the Cordovas. All Orvil had to do was ask a tiny favor… and all the Ruths that lived and carried magical blood would be erased… forever. Orvil let out a laugh, feeling on top of the world. It wasn't far from the cliff that overlooked Laguna Beach, and there… the Black Ruin would come alive.

Alex waited for a few minutes, watching his father disappear into the night. He had a good guess as to where exactly his father was going, and what he was going to do…

Alex raced up two staircases, and hung a left, going down the hallway and into James's room. He threw open the door and shook James awake.

"What?" James asked, rubbing his eyes. His black hair looked very disheveled, like he had just spent hours and hours outside in the wind.

"We have to go!" Alex was surprised by the urgency in his voice, the bossiness. James gave him a strange look, but decided not to argue. He slid out of bed, and walked off into to the bedroom's build-in bathroom.

"Go downstairs when you're ready!" Alex said, and raced off to Taylor's room. Her room was at the end of the hallway, and Alex ran for it, and stopped at the door. It was cracked open. Alex gently peeled the door back, and stepped inside. Taylor had a very bright night-light hooked in, and it illuminated the whole room. In the middle, on the queen-sized canopy bed, lay Taylor. She was sleeping on top of the black and white satin comforter, and was obviously in very deep sleep. Alex walked on cat's feet over to the bed, and touched her, afraid to shake her like he had with James. She looked so beautiful and delicate, like a handmade porcelain statue. He touched her arm again, this time with a little more force. Taylor's eyes fluttered open, and she looked at Alex with confusion, but sat up quickly.

"We're leaving soon," he said gently. "Get ready."

Taylor's eyes were still clouded over with sleep, but she drifted off her bed, and went to her wardrobe. Alex left the room after that, and as he stepped into the hallway, he saw James go downstairs. This was actually going extremely well. He knew that James and Taylor could be a handful when they weren't cooperating. Alex stopped at the top of the stairs, and pulled out his cell phone. He wasn't sure why he picked this particular person to call, but he knew he needed someone to help him with his father, and Alex was never the one to argue with instinct. Alex was surprised as he dialed, that he still knew this number by heart. He hoped that Jared would be up at this hour.

A loud and vaguely familiar ring blared throughout the house, causing Jared to wake up out of his thoughts. He was pretty sure that that was his ring tone for his cell phone. He got up from the couch, and went looking for it, listening for signs that he was getting closer or farther away. He passed several of his coven member's rooms, and they were all poking their heads out of their doors, all looking alarmed or annoyed. Jared told them to stay awake. Obviously, this was a very important phone call. Jared went into the room that he could completely morph around. Currently, it was set up as a kitchen, and personally, Jared liked it best like this. The insistent ringing filled the kitchen, and seconds later, Jared found his cell phone and flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Jared?" the voice on the other end was familiar…

"Alex?"

"Thank God you answered! You need to set your volume louder or something. It took you awhile." Alex sounded rushed, but despite that, Jared smiled, imagining how loud his ring tone would be if he set his volume up any higher.

"Do you need something Alex?"

"Yes actually." Alex's voice sounded pleased, probably because he didn't have to admit he needed help. "My father's conjuring the Black Ruin tonight… er… this morning. At the cliff by the beach."

Jared froze, but this wasn't at all surprising. He knew it was a matter of time before Orvil actually used the Black Ruin. But why was he conjuring it at the beach? Seconds later, Jared answered his own question. That would be the only place secluded enough, so the Innocents didn't see anything.

"And… you want my coven to come?" Jared was playing stupid, but he wanted to make sure he heard Alex right. Why would he want the Ninth Coven to help?

"Well… obviously," Alex snorted into the phone. "Just meet us down there as soon as possible."

"But—." The line clicked off. Jared stood still, but, regaining the control of his muscles, threw his phone down on the tiled floor. He cursed Alex for bringing his coven into this. Strangely, though, Jared found himself waking everyone up, and steering them all outside…

A little while later, the Ninth Coven was outside, all in various degrees of alertness. Jared stepped back and opened his mouth, all eyes following him. He closed his mouth. What should he say? Everyone looked at him closely, probably trying to figure out if he was going to have another emotional breakdown or not. At least, he knew Emmett was thinking that. Jared decided to skip the speech, his coven members already knew most of what was happening, and held up two fingers instead.

"On the count of two, we will Transport to the cliff that overlooks Laguna Beach. Okay?"

All his coven members nodded, and some were trying to stifle their yawns. Jared saw Justin and Lee exchange glances, but tried to ignore their scared expressions.

"One." Jared's voice was loud and clear, and slightly echoed off the trees. He rose up his hands, along with everyone else, getting ready to snap. "Two."

Jared had barely put down his second finger when he snapped in harmony with the rest of his coven. Instantly, they were all on the giant, flat cliff that looked down on Laguna Beach. Jared could feel the rock beneath his feet, even though he could not see perfectly just yet. It was dark, and Jared would have to wait for his eyes to adjust. Jared could feel his coven members all around him… but also, there was someone else.

"James! Look who it is!" a female voice whispered loudly. Jared knew that voice, but he hadn't heard it in a very long time because she had not spoken when she was a prisoner… Taylor. Jared stepped back, away from Taylor, trying to feel Alex's presence, but also trying to figure out why Taylor and James were here. Why had Alex brought them along? Jared did not know the story of Spendrella and Toren that well, but he knew enough. Cordovas and Ruths were supposed to loathe each other, and were forced to cross paths and kill each other through the centuries. Wasn't Orvil trying to kill every last remaining Ruth? Jared was temporarily distracted, but a bolt of pure white light. It had come from the far end of the cliff, and Jared raced over to it, relieved that he could see again. As Jared approached, he saw that Alex and his father were fighting, verbally and magically. Brilliant lights of every color were coming from both sides. Jared stepped closer now, seeing Orvil and Alex's faces.

Orvil look annoyed, and was casually flicking spells at Alex like he was no more than a small pest. Alex, on the other hand, seemed to be battling fiercely, like he actually wanted to hurt his father. Jared had to help him.

"Enough, Alex," Orvil said. He sounded like he was scolding a small child. Alex was hurled backwards, hitting the hard rock with a thud. Jared jumped forward, throwing a spell at Orvil. It missed by inches. Orvil spun though, and glared at Jared. He pummeled Jared to the ground, and placed a Binding spell on him. Jared's whole body relaxed, but his mind was frantic. He had to help. There was a rush of running feet; his coven had – finally – sprung to life. From where Jared was laying, he could turn his eyes and see the whole thing happening. Eight different sparks of color raced towards Orvil. Maybe one or two spells hit him, and he was temporarily thrown to the ground. Jared felt happiness come in, but only a little bit. Mostly, despair seeped in. Orvil got up, and started muttering in an ancient language, then grew rapidly in volume. It sounded suspiciously like Latin. Still chanting in Latin, Orvil strode over to Alex's body, and grabbed his hand. Jared instantly knew what Orvil had done. For the Black Ruin to work to be summoned, two Cordovas had to be there to summon it. Orvil had known that, and lured Alex here, knowing that he would try and save the day. It all made perfect sense. Why hadn't Alex thought about that?

Suddenly, the air felt as if all the electricity had been sucked from it, and Jared's happiness, and every other emotion except for despair, vanished. The Black Ruin was alive. Black flames sprang to life against the rock, easy to see, because they were blacker than the night sky. They were licking the cliff, eager to devouring anything in its path. Orvil let go of his son's hand, and stepped back, out of the way, admiring his work. Jared's heart sank. It was happening again…

He looked up at the sky. No stars. No moon. The cliff was officially in the total blackness. Farther along, Alex had gotten up into a sitting position, and slowly dragged himself to his feet. He suddenly was frantic.

"James? Taylor!" Jared could hear the dread in his voice.

There was a reply that was muffled by the blackness and Jared heard running. How long could this possibly last before they were extinguished, just like all the light and the stars? Jared had another thought, where was his coven? He knew they didn't run off. No, they were too loyal to do that. Then where were they? Jared felt a horrible feeling suddenly, like his soul was slowly being ripped away from his body. The darkness must had fallen upon him, and he didn't even see it coming. Farther along to the cliff, Jared could still see the lights. The darkness, or the fire, had not reached that part yet. Alex stood in front of the rapidly moving black flames, and instantly, someone flipped on the light switch. The blackness and flames had gone away, and in its place, was James and Taylor's screams. Orvil looked horrified in the direction of James and Taylor. He snapped his fingers, and left, immediately freeing Jared. Jared stood up very quickly, and began to walk over. Taylor and James were kneeling over Alex's body, while the Ninth Coven surrounded them, all looking solemn. Alex laid on the ground, badly burned and still. Jared rushed the rest of the way over, fear taking hold of his previously immobile body. James and Taylor backed away when Jared squatted down next to Alex, but reluctantly. He placed a couple of fingers right above Alex's Adam's apple. There was no pulse. Jared sat back, and then stood up, not believing what he was seeing. Alex Cordova, his best friend turned enemy, was dead.