I stood in front of my body length mirror trying to decide what to wear. Jason had hurt me worst than I thought. Large purple marks circled my wrists and were tender to the touch. A long sleeve shirt would only cover them for a time until I was too careless and allowed the sleeve to slip. I knew he hadn't meant to leave the marks, but some people wouldn't see it that way. Why is it wounds always looked worse a day later?

I finally settled on black wrist bands with silver stars in order to cover the marks. A plain silver long sleeve shirt and jeans finished the simple outfit. I had heard about Nicky's from some of my classmates and it sounded like a place that you didn't really need to dress up for. I knew I shouldn't go out, Jason had indeed done his job well with the warning and a small voice inside my head was agreeing with him; I didn't know the Covenant that well. But I knew my instincts. I hadn't feared them the first time we met so why start now?

A knock at my door startled me out of my brooding mood. Reid was leaning against the door jam when I answered.

"Need a ride?" He asked as his eyes drank me in, again.

"I have my own car, so I think I'm fine." I grabbed my keys and squeezed past Reid.

XXXXX

The student parking lot only had two other cars sitting in it when I finally made my way outside. The night was cool and refreshing compared to the stuffy dorm halls. I paused just before opening my car door as light footsteps on the gravel behind me grew closer. I looked back over my shoulder and my heart fell.

"Good evening Jezabelle."

I looked at the tall man standing before me. He was thinner than I remembered and his once dark brown hair was now littered with gray. He looked at me with the same green eyes as my own. They once had so much life to them; now they sat dull and cold in his skull.

"Good evening father," I bowed my head to show respect. I was unsure how else to respond. It had been over a year since I last saw my dad.

"Jason has informed us, your coven," he placed extra emphasis on this last word, "That you have been hanging all over the Sons of Ipswich."

"I'm not hanging on them," I tried to plead my case.

"Silence. Getting cozy with the Covenant was not your job. Your job is to find out who murdered your sisters."

"And why must it be my job? I'm a seventeen year old girl chasing after a crazy rogue witch. I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel as if I'm just bait sitting in the water!"

At this last response, my father broke his eye contact with me.

Realization hit me with a sickening punch to my gut. I leaned back against my car for support, "That's exactly what I am. You wanted me to leave so I would take the trouble with me. You never expected me to find the murderer because you expected me to die."

"It was your mother's wishes. You know I can't deny her."

I clenched my fists. Power was surging through me clawing to be released, "So you're willing to pass off your last daughter, the last one to carry the Williams power."

"You're not the last one," my father whispered, "You're mother was pregnant, this time with a son. The genes will carry through with him until he starts his own family. She sent you away as soon as she found out."

Tears began to push through and I quickly wiped at them, "So I have a brother? Can I see him?"

My father's eyes looked sad, "Don't you see? You can't. You were sent after the murderer so he wouldn't die due to you."

"How dare you blame this on me! I never asked for this!"

"You still have a chance to redeem yourself. Find the killer and bring them to justice, then you will have your family back."

I could feel power straining in every pore of my body, "You might want to leave... now."

My father backed up and I could see the fear rolling off of him in a bright orange fog, "Just remember that I do still love you."

I watched him walk to one of the parked cars, a black Porsche, and drive off. The tears came easily now even without my consent. I slid down the side of my car and sat broken on the macadam. I wasn't sure if I still wanted to go to Nicky's. But maybe the distraction would help. As I gathered my nerves, a flicker of light caught my attention. It seemed as if a piece of metal had caught the moonbeams by my tires. I choked for air once I studied the silvery-blue light. Lying on top of my protection sigils were those of destruction. Someone had placed a curse on my car.

I backed up quickly and studied the shadows, taking my time to examine everyone. Something was near, something evil, I could sense it. The vibrations of my phone caused a slight squeal to escape my lips. I saw it was Tyler calling and quickly answered.

"Jezabelle, where are you?"

"Do you guys mind coming back to the dorms super quick?" I kept looking around me as I ran to the safety of the building, "Someone spelled my car."

"Awww shit. Yeah we'll be there soon. Do you want me to stay on the line with you?" Their was a pause and a murmur of voices as Tyler told the others what was going on.

"That would be nice," I could hear the noise in the background dying as they moved out of Nicky's.

"Don't worry Jezie, we'll be there soon. You just need to stay calm, I'm sure who ever did that isn't around," I could hear a slight tremble in Tyler's voice; he only believed himself slightly.

I jogged the last few feet to the dormitory steps. But as my foot reached out for that first granite stair, a thick black shadow wrapped itself around my ankle. It caused me to loose my balance and take a nasty fall. My phone smashed against the stones and the jabbing of the angled stairs knocked the breathe right out of me.

"What the fuck," I groaned and rolled over to see what had attacked me, but all I could see was a thick black shadow morphing in shape before me.

The black cloud began to gain a definite shape; a head and torso began to form as arms and legs slid forth. I built up my power and sent it crackling at the thing, but it seemed to only absorb it. Soon, color began to appear on this phantom.

I pushed myself backwards as I stared, astonished, at the image before me. A man now stood in place of the black cloud. He was dressed in a simple black robe and his head was bent which was covered in deep red hair. He lifted his head up as he took a deep breathe. His eyes shone a bright green for a split second as he opened them, then dulled down to a more simpler green.

This strange man stared down at me, "Oh dear me. I didn't mean for you to take a fall such as that," and with the wave of his hand, the cuts on my hands and knees disappeared.

Perhaps it was a sense of curiosity that caused me to grab this strangers hand he had offered, but I soon found myself starring intently into those emerald eyes. I inhaled the sweet fragrance that wove from him. I became oblivious to all my surroundings and could only focus on this gorgeous man.

"What are you?" I whispered.

A smile lifted one side of his perfect mouth, "I can be anything you desire. But for now, I am Armond, the Demon King."

"But there are no such things as demons." I stated in a some what childish voice. Why was it so difficult for me to concentrate?

"You deny such an existence, yet aren't you a witch? Aren't you friends with werewolves? Come, let me show you my kingdom," Armond took a step back and opened his arms wide.

I swaggered slightly, "Why?"

His smile faltered, "Why? I am to share it with you one day. You are my future queen, Jezabelle."

I closed my eyes. My mind felt like cotton, "Your future queen? I don't understand." Lights illuminated the building behind me. Armond looked behind him at the black Hummer that just pulled up. The Covenant jumped out and ran towards us.

"Perhaps some other time then," Armond changed back into his shadow form and darted off into the night.

The fog that had been invading my mind cleared instantly once the Demon King left. Four boys stood around me, all with concerned looks on their faces.

"Jezabelle, are you alright?" Pogue asked.

"I think..." I swayed a few times before the world went black once more.