CHAPTER 23:

Lips Like Sugarcane

"... As each generation Ascends, both male and female, they acquire the knowledge of past generations. Ancestors, disputes, settlements, births, deaths, etc, but especially relationships. It's as if you're collecting their memories, reading a history book of their lives, only it happens in a matter of seconds.

Once this knowledge is acquired, Sons and Ladies alike will be able to tap into resources and Power not accessible to them prior to their Ascension.

This is when they learn to harness their Power and fully mature..."

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The week following the incident at Nicky's passed with quiet contemplation within the small group of friends. With the absence of both Caleb and Aaron from school, her academic life fell into a somewhat normal routine again, although Keira's death stares were becoming more frequent and menacing at lunch.

Sheila sighed out a deep chested breath, smoothing her hands down the front of her dress, her head heavy with curlsas Kate pinned the last tendrils into place. Kate patted her shoulders, then left her to smile goofily at herself in the mirror as she finished getting ready in the bathroom.

She had never been to a dance before. The whole prospect of finding the perfect dress, fixing the make-up (which she never wore...), and choosing the Prince Charming date always seemed a bit too overwhelming for her.

But as Sheila adjusted and readjusted the few curled tendrils of hair about her face, she figured that half a day's work getting ready for a few hours of happiness wasn't all that bad. In fact (though she hated to admit it to Kate's face, who was positively bubbling with excitement), she'd say that it was definitely worth it.

"Sheila!?"

Sheila ran the gloss wand over her lips one last time, smooching them together before blowing a kiss to herself in the mirror. She grinned, rolling her eyes at Kate's inability to be patient.

"You do know that the dance starts and ends at a certain time right?!"

Sheila nodded, knowing that Kate couldn't see her, and laughed. But the smile on her face quickly faded as the locket around her neck caught the light overhead. She raised a hand to it, feeling the dulled Power brimming within its making, and traced the scrawled 'A' across its somewhat shiny surface with her fingertip. She felt the Power as it tempted and warned her, pulling her into a turmoil of confused thoughts.

And in that small increment of time, she wished with all her being that her father could see her right now, in this very moment just to tell her how beautiful she was and that he was proud of her, no matter what happened.

She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, Kate's concerned face reflecting in the mirror.

"Hey... You all right?"

Sheila nodded with a tiny smile. "Yeah, I'm just thinking..."

"About what?"

Sheila turned her body away from the mirror with a shrug, picking up her clutch purse as she passed her bed. "Stuff."

Kate watched herwith growing worry, although she did find some solace in the fact that her roommate was sleeping better this week.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

Sheila inwardly growled. It was bad enough that the Sons could read her mind as if it were an open book, but now Kate. This was downright embarrassing. And yet... It was true... She was thinking of Caleb again. The boy had never left her head since she met him, so why start now?

Sheila nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I'm just afraid that he'll be a no show tonight..."

"He'll be here... Don't worry... I already talked to Pogue." A knock at the door made Sheila jump in surprise. Kate grinned as she poked Sheila in the direction of the door. "Maybe that's him now..." She said in a singsong voice.

Sheila shook her head with a giggle at her friend's antics and allowed herself to be pushed to the door. "It's probably just Pogue."

"That, my dear, is very doubtful..."

Sheila narrowed her eyes in curiosity. "Why?"

Kate silenced the subject with a firm shake of her head. "Just answer the door."

"Okay... But I'll need details later, missy..." Sheila nervously reached out, her body shaking with light tremors of anticipation. She did a mental eye roll and reprimanded herself for getting so worked up. 'Just relax... It's only been a week since you've seen him... No big deal...' But as her small, delicate hand closed around the doorknob, the chill of it shivering down her spine, she knew she had a reason to be scared.

This first moment since Nicky's between them could either make or break their "friendship" (or whatever else you wanted to label it...). It was not only important for her, but more so for her pride and humility.

She took a deep breath, fluffing her hair and smoothing her dress again as she did so, and, with a hopeful smile overshadowing her anxious features, she opened the door. Her eyes widened at the sight on the other side, and although the smile on her face remained, it slipped a little in its faith.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Tyler bowed his head with a shy smile, but kept his eyes locked on her face as he took one of her hands in both of his. "I was sent here." He pecked a kiss to her knuckles, releasing her hand with a blush.

"By who?"

Tyler's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Caleb..." Sheila figured that and even though it was just his name and not the actual person standing before her, the two syllable word sent a shudder of wanting through her.

"Where is he?"

That was when Tyler averted his gaze, his face growing solemn. "He's with his father at the moment, hashing out some important... matters..."

Her face wrinkled in confusion. "This late at night?"

Tyler swallowed, lifting one shoulder in an offhand shrug. "Well... Eighteenth birthdays are a big deal in our families, especially if you're a male. Besides, his dad's sick so it's not like he could go to Caleb or anything." He shrugged again, a light sweat breaking out over his forehead as he nervously shuffled from foot to foot. "He just sent me here to make sure you got to the dance safely."

Sheila nodded. "Oh..."

"He'll be there. He promised, remember?"

Deep breath. "Yeah." Tentative fingertips brushed her cheek with a smile, smoothing its way down the length of her arm where they curled around her fingers and tugged.

"Come on. Let's go have some fun. Show that boy what he's missing."

Sheila nodded, smiling, her disappointment fading a bit, and allowed Tyler to pull her along.

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"Will it hurt?"

"Yes, my Son, but the pain will subside. It's the temptation you must worry about."

Caleb sighed. "I know. It will be hard to endure."

James smiled at his son as he lifted a handkerchief to his chin, wiping away some dribble. "Embrace her love, Caleb. She will help you through it all."

Caleb nodded. "What should I expect tonight?"

"Besides the immense amount of pain? Nothing." A pause. "At least not at first. You'll probably black out for a while, but I've already informed the others about that. They should be able to carry you outside when the time comes... When you awake, Caleb, you will feel an incredible amount of pressure on your head. Almost like a migraine, but without the strain and discomfort."

"What is it?"

A shrug from the older man. "I can't describe it. It's like... Your mind is expanding."

"Expanding?"

"Yes. Many, many generations of previous Sons' knowledge will be thrust upon you. You're going to change, literally over night. You'll be smarter, more informed. Your senses will enhance and you'll feel in tune with your surroundings at all times. Your body will become stronger, harder. Your skin will stretch. Your muscles will expand. Most people don't notice. And if they do, they don't question it. Nobody ever does."

James sighed again, his eyelids threatening to close on him, his chest rising andfalling steadily as if he were already in a deep sleep. Caleb frowned, noticing for the first time just how old his father looked. He stared openly, feeling sorry for the man and feared that because they were of the same blood, he wouldn't be able to resist Using at any and all costs. He watched as his father closed his eyes, finally giving in to the lulling call of sleep.

He quickly imagined himself in his father's place, withering away over something you had little control over. Caleb sighed. He didn't ask for this. Didn't ask for this Power, the Power that, after tonight, would be his very life.

Caleb cast his mind five, maybe ten, years into the future. He saw the stereotypical white picket fence surrounding the baby blue cookie cutter house, lush green grass blowing in the unfelt wind. The pristine white front door opened and out stepped Sheila, laughing, her hair swaying in the same direction of the grass.

Grasping her hand as he playfully pulled her along was a small boy of seven, his cheeks rosy red from the chill of the autumn air, their breaths coming out in little puffs. He quickly let go of her hand to chase the falling leaves, her calling after him to button up his coat.

Caleb smiled, his imagination taking his heartfelt desires and running with it. But his happiness quickly faded away as a third figure emerged from within the beautifully perfect house. But he was not standing, barely even breathing on his own as he scooted his wheelchair across the porch, his respirator silently in tow behind him as he squeaked along.

The imaginary Sheila turned to him, smiling and placed a hand on his shoulder. Kneeling down, she lightly kissed his withered cheek, her eyes filling with sadness. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box. She handed it to him just as the little boy came running back, leaves crunching beneath his Converses.

Sheila smiled again, taking the boy into her arms. The boy let out a chirp of a laugh when he saw the present.

"Happy birthday, Daddy!" He giggled.

Sheila joined him, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, happy birthday, Caleb..."

"Caleb... Caleb... Caleb?... Caleb!"

The older man's voice made him jump and snapped him back to reality. Caleb shook his head, the last of the image fading away, making him less anxious. "I'm sorry, Dad. What did you say?" He looked at his father, realizing that he was still asleep, but upon closer inspection, he saw James' lips moving with a string of words. Caleb leaned his ear closer, listening.

"...Temptation... The temptation... So seductive... So easy... Oh, Caleb..." James let out a tiny sob, his hands twitching in an unknown dream. "I fear for you, Son... The temptation will be great... So great..."

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The banquet hall was lit up like some back alley town witnessing a small parade (complete with fireworks). Multicolored lights danced halfheartedly across his features as he made his way down the stairs and behind the food table. Picking up a cookie as he passed, he bobbed his head to the sexy wail of the saxophone, the sultry, diva voice of Christina Aguilera's jazzy tune 'Candyman' causing his fingers to involuntarily tap against his thigh.

The long, deep hall was packed. Screeches and hoots of surprise and the laughter of various dancers swinging each other around the dance floor filled his ears and as he watched male after male flip their partners into the air only to catch them again and twirl them about of the tips of their high heeled toes, he smiled. Layered skirts of silk and lace spun around him, a light, inviting tease of laughter and fun.

Caleb let out a sigh of satisfaction as he indulged in the sugary confection that was compacted into the tiny cookie, rubbing his fingertips together to rid them of the crumbs.

And that was when he spotted her...

A raven haired siren dressed in a devil of a red dress. It was cut low in the front and as Reid spun her around with graceful ease, Caleb saw it was even lower in the back. He placed a hand to his chest, his very breath leaving his body as his heart sped up. Stopping in his footsteps, he watched as she deftly escaped Reid's grasp and grabbed Tyler's hand, his face set in a silent protest, hers displaying a pink, playful tint and sheer determination, and though it wasn't his own fault, she reveled in the satisfaction that this was revenge for being on the other side of her dorm door instead of Caleb.

She laughed, reassuring him, and managed to peel his plastered body from the wall. Reid and Pogue circled the duo, pointing and laughing as Tyler awkwardly attempted to dance with the lady in red.

Swiveling his hips from side to side and holding onto one of her hands delicately, he spun her out, then back in again, flushing her against his body. She threw her head back with a giggle, her curled tendrils of hair bouncing around her face as she slithered her body up and down his in a light tease. Tyler followed the movements with his hands, Pogue and Reid's hoots and hollers as they all bounced around the dance floor as a single unit mingled easily with the rest of the dance goers.

Kate joined them, sidling up next to Sheila. The two girls faced the boys, grinning mischievously, their rhythm never faltering. Caleb saw them lip syncing the song silently, laughing. For a moment, the best friends danced with each other, their moves reminiscent of the movie Grease. When Reid went to approach them, Sheila held up a hand, wagging a finger playfully at him.

Instead of going with him, she wiggled her way to Tyler again, causing Reid to feign a faint, his hand placed to his forehead dramatically as she slipped a leg over Tyler's hip, her body bending backward as he dipped her expertly. She clasped a hand to her chest, fearing her dress would pop open and Tyler brought her back up with a suave grin. They ended the song with a twirl out, Sheila's dress billowing around her long legs like a bright red tornado.

A beat of silence passed in the great hall before the melody of a slow song filled the air. Caleb saw Sheila sigh and look around, searching for him no doubt. Tyler offered her his hand, but she gently shook her head, her black ringlets of hair bobbing as she exited the dance floor, Tyler on her heels. Silent words were spoken between them as Caleb continued to watch. Sheila nodded, Tyler stroking his knuckles warmly across her cheeks before heading for the food table.

She was alone.

Caleb drew in a deep breath, straightening out his dress shirt, and approached her, his heart hammering at a million miles a second. She didn't hear his approach over the music, her back toward him as she gently swayed to its intoxicating rhythm.

He watched her with a tiny smile, reaching out to brush a curl from her face. She jumped, surprised, and turned, her eyes widening when she saw him. Her cheeks were pink from the dancing and from embarrassment, her eyes flashing. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly shut it, her eyes averting from his. Caleb snaked a hand behind her neck, causing her head to tilt back, her ocean eyes meeting his once more. She swallowed and he smiled.

"Dance with me..."

It was not a question but she nodded anyway, following him as he led her quietly away from the wall and to the middle of the dance floor. She lifted her arms, placing them lightly around his neck, awkwardly swaying to the music, her thoughts racing, heart pounding. So many questions, so many things left unsaid and unresolved, but here, in this moment, in his arms, the warmth of his body comforting against hers, she forgot all her doubts about that night at Nicky's, all her fears about their relationship.

She looked up, into his eyes, eyes that were watching her with slight amusement and hope, and smiled. In this moment, she truly knew she trusted and loved him. Caleb wanted, with painful intensity, to bury his face into the smooth curve of her neck and press his lips to her skin. Wanted to pull her closer, mingling her body's warmth with his own and desperately, he wanted nothing more than to feel her hair brush his face, the peach scent to tickle his nose.

He sighed, knowing doing none of those things would rectify the Nicky's situation, so instead he decided to go with door number two. Stepping back, he regarded her quizzically, his eyes soft, and she stared back, anticipating what was to come. She blinked when he reached a hand out, a calloused finger tracing one of four long thin, pink scars on her chest.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered.

She pulled her arms away from his neck and scanned his features, measuring his sincerity. Caleb stood very still, feeling awkward and exposed. Her eyes roamed his face and chest, his body hardening beneath her gaze. He saw the curious need in her eyes. Finally, she smiled, seemingly satisfied with what she saw.

"Why did you do it? Do you really think Aaron is that horrible?"

Caleb ducked his head a bit, shaking it with mild shame. "No." He admitted. "It wasn't that. I know Aaron's not the most intelligent person here at Spenser, but admittedly, he's not a pervert. He doesn't need to force girls to do anything with him."

"Then what was it? You were so angry." Her fingertips explored the line of his jaw and she resisted the urge to run her tongue along it. "I was afraid..."

"I know." Caleb leaned into her touch, sighing. "It was the fact that he was there, helping you, letting you cry all over him, and not me. I should've been there. Since the day we met, I have had this overwhelming need to protect you. I can't explain it. And I'm sorry that I scared you with what I did, but I couldn't help it. I saw you lying there, bleeding and crying and my heart couldn't help but go out to you. It's the testosterone, hero thing us guys have."

Sheila smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she pulled him closer. He instinctively brushed a few strands of hair from her eyes and she giggled, burrowing her face lightly into his neck, breathing in the clean scent of his skin.

"I've been such a fool..." He touched his forehead to hers, sighing. "I just... I should've been there with you..."

"Well you're here with me now and it's going to take a lot more than a call from nature to pull me away from you..."

Caleb stopped their dancing, taking a few steps back, his eyes hopeful and questioning. "You mean, even after what I've done, you'd still want me...?"

Sheila furrowed her eyebrows. "Of course, why wouldn't I?"

Pathetic relief washed over his features as his face broke into a grin. She saw his hazel eyes grow brighter, like a rising sun, beautiful and full of wonder. She realized she could easily be lost in those eyes and didn't reprimand herself for thinking that she just might.

Slowly she lifted one of her hands from his waist and brought her fingertips to his lips, touching them lightly, a serious expression on her face, as if the whole world depended now on what her and Caleb did next. A lock of curled, black hair fell between her breasts, getting crumpled as she flushed her body against his, her heart pounding in a fleeting rhythm.

Tilting her head up, her lips followed the course of her fingers. Her kiss was soft, careful, innocent even, as she lightly explored the planes of his plump mouth. And he let her, his patience rapidly unraveling, his hands clenching at her hips, desperately wanting to run them up and down the curves of her back and butt, wondering what she was (or wasn't) wearing under her red, revealing dress.

She tasted the sugary remains of the cookie he had earlier and her mind buzzed with wicked possibilities, her mouth opening slightly to deepen the kiss. When she felt the tip of his tongue, a velvet soft rush, brush against hers she gasped silently and pulled back. Her eyes widened and she brought a hand to her mouth.

"What's the matter?"

Sheila licked her lips, still tasting him there. "I, uh..." A blush crept over her cheeks as she averted her gaze from his. "I've never kissed like that before." She let out a nervous laugh. "I'm afraid I don't know how..."

Caleb tried not to laugh, but failed, receiving a playful slap to his upper arm. "Ow!"

"It's not funny, Danvers." She shrugged. "I just wasn't expecting it, okay?"

A beat of silence.

"Sheila?"

"Yes?"

"If I promise to go slow, will you let me do that again?"

Sheila smiled, her sapphire eyes flashing. "Is that what you desire?" He nodded, hearing the teasing notes in her voice. "Now see, I thought you brought me out here to dance." She picked a piece of invisible lint lazily from his shirt, drawing circles with her hips against his. Caleb's head fell to her neck in a silent moan, his lips nuzzling her skin as he moved with her, their movements slow and deliberate.

"You really are a devil in a red dress..."

Sheila laughed as she turned her body around in his arms, her bottom sliding with electrifying ease across his erection. She would have to be a stupid female to not know what that was. Caleb choked on the inhalation of breath he was about to take as she continued the erotic assault on his privates. Pulling her back further into his body, his chest burning as it made contact with her bare skin, he ran his hands up and down the curves of her sides in long, slow sweeps.

She arched her spine with a sigh and, peeking over her shoulder, he could see the tips of her erect nipples through the thin fabric of her dress. Caleb licked his lips, wishing he could touch her there, almost forgetting that he was in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by his fellow students at a school function. He moved his hands up her rib cage and brushed the underside of her breasts with his palms. Her eyes fluttered shut and she raised an arm, snaking it behind his neck, pulling his mouth down to hers once more.

Her kisses were hot and needy, stealing the breath from his lungs as they came out in short, desperate pants. Caleb felt his throat constricting and pulled away abruptly, an odd sensation creeping up his spine. Sheila blinked, a concerned look on her face as he stepped back, holding his chest, a massive pressure building and receding in his lungs.

"Caleb?" Sheila reached for him, but he held up a hand, stopping her. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, rubbing a hand in circles on his chest, and winced when he tried to take a deep breath, feeling as if someone heavy were sitting on him. Caleb's eyes bulged, sweat shining on his forehead, his eyes wide and frantically searching out Pogue and the others.

'Shit! Shit! Shit!' He thought, wheezing. He groaned, feeling as if he were drowning, his mouth sucking air in greedily, but his lungs were still not inflating completely. Sheila filled the gap between them, her face crumbling into concern. Caleb tried to reassure her with a smile but it came out as a pained wince.

Black dots swam mockingly in front of his eyes and he sank slowly to his knees, suddenly overcome by a blinding white light of sickness. He groaned again, his vision blurring in and out, Sheila's face swimming drunkenly in front of him. She knelt down next to him, placing a hand to his cheek, whispering words of comfort to him.

But they fell of deaf ears as the most horrific pain Caleb had ever felt (and this included the time he pretended to be Superman and broke his leg jumping off the mansion roof) slowly clawed its way into his mind. He let out a cry of panic and anguish, his brain feeling as if it might explode right out of his head. He reached out blindly for Sheila, holding tight when he found her wrist.

His breath was coming out in short bursts, his voice barely above a whisper. "Get help now." He managed to squeeze through gritted teeth.

And then he blacked out.

Sheila watched in horror as Caleb's hazel eyes rolled to the back of his head, the white parts the only things visible as he fell backward, his head and body hitting the floor with a hard thud. He went limp for a second, then started flailing around like a fish out of water, his limbs and head whomping the floor uncontrollably.

Sheila gasped. "Oh my God! Caleb! Caleb!" She looked frantically around, realizing that several people had formed a small circle around them, watching them with worried eyes. "Someone get help!" She cried at them, her voice on the verge of sobs. The tears rolling down her cheeks went cold and neglected. "Help! He's having a seizure!" She clasped one of his hands in both of hers protectively to her chest.

"Someone help us please!" Her voice growing louder and more frantic. Someone came over and gently pushed her aside and through her anxiety it took her a moment to realize that it was Pogue, Reid and Tyler were kneeling on the other side of Caleb. They quickly removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, Tyler sitting on Caleb's knees to ease the flailing.

Pogue gritted his teeth, struggling with one of Caleb's arms. "Shit! What time is it?"

Reid chanced a look at his watch. "11:10."

Pogue stood, taking half of Caleb's body with him. "Come on, grab him! We only have a few minutes!"

Reid nodded, taking Caleb's other arm while Tyler lifted Caleb's legs. Their steps were unsteady beneath the weight, but thankfully, Caleb had finally stopped moving, his breaths more shallow, sweat pouring off him in rivers. He groaned in pain as they took him up the great hall's stairs and across the balcony to the exit that led outside.

Sheila followed, her dress a red flurry as she tried to keep up with their urgent paces, her mind whirring with fear. The exit door clanged open heavily, the loud noise causing all the eyes in the hall to turn toward the chaos. But no one questioned them and no one stepped forward to offer further assistance. Sheila placed a hand on the door handle, holding it open as the boys passed, Caleb's limp body in their arms.

She went to follow them outside, but Pogue stopped her with a glance. "I'm sorry, but you can't."

Sheila felt a slice of anger and disappointment pass through her. "I want to make sure he's okay."

Pogue shook his head as he set Caleb down on the concrete walk, Reid and Tyler following his example, and ran a hand across his forehead. "He'll be fine." He growled and Sheila recoiled slightly at the change in his voice, his eyes. Pogue abruptly turned away from her, stalking off.

"Pogue!"

Pogue ignored her and looked at Reid, his face tight and serious. "Watch her. Keep her safe." Reid nodded, walking away from Caleb hesitantly, and stepped into the great hall once more, shutting the doors locked behind him.

Sheila gaped at him. "Reid?"

Reid simply shook his head, taking one of her tiny arms in his hands and started off toward the other side of the hall. She struggled in his grasp, her heels digging into the tiled floor.

"Stop it." He didn't question her, but suddenly let go of her arm. The banister caught her with a thud as she stumbled. She gasped, startled, and clutched a hand to her chest, her eyes not meeting his. She gathered all her energy into breathing normal and not bursting into a fit of sobs. Thunder boomed threateningly outside, the hall's floor to ceiling windows shaking with the vibrations.

"I want answers and I want them now." Sheila surprised herself with the strength and steadiness of her voice. She straightened her stance, her gaze locking on his. "What's going on outside? I have pretty good reason to believe that Caleb's not having a seizure."

Reid blinked. "Why would you say that? Maybe he has a condition."

Sheila almost laughed. "A condition that nobody else knows about?" She pressed. "Seizures can be serious. People should be aware, shouldn't they?"

Reid shrugged. "I am not his mother or his doctor."

"No. But you are his friend. I saw the fear in your eyes as you carried him out. What's wrong with him?"

"It's complicated."

Lightning fought against the wind outside, the trees swaying on the makeshift battleground. Several pieces of debris hit the windows hard, a few people looking around in concern as the lights started to flicker.

"Try me."

For a fleeting moment, Reid almost gave in. Something in her eyes -Understanding?- made him do so, but as his watch beeped the 11:12 alarm that he had set, he shook his head, the moment of weakness fading. Sheila stared at the watch as if it had sprouted a head, her eyes wide, a hand over her mouth in surprise.

"He's Ascending, isn't he?" She said it more to herself than him, but he heard her anyway, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"What did you just say?" He growled.

She shook her head, turning away from him, and stomped fiercely toward the exit door that Caleb lay just beyond. She felt like she was in some retro '80's club, the lights overhead flickering on and off like a strobe light and only the white parts on things glowing like they were beneath a black light. Reid ran after her.

"Oh no you don't!" He grabbed her around the waist and pulled, her feet leaving the floor as she yelped in surprise and in pain. He flung her over his shoulder, caveman style.

"Reid, wait!" She banged her fists futilely against his back, hearing him grunt in frustration. "He needs me!"

Reid set her down and before she could make a move, he cradled her head roughly in his hands, staring hard into her eyes. "He'll be fine, I promise..."

Lightning slashed the sky mercilessly, the white hot energy catching a nearby tree trunk and setting it ablaze. The old, dry tree erupted into an explosion of flames, and that, mixed with Caleb's magical energy, sent a surge of upheaval in the air around the building. Sheila gasped, her own magic surfacing and pushing out, searching for Caleb's to connect with.

She could faintly hear screams in the background, chaos fluttering around her. She could feel the heat of the tree's flames as the windows imploded, raining down water and glass into the great hall. People shoved her this way and that and as the Power in the air amped, she swayed unsteadily on her feet, feeling sick to her stomach.

Sheila reached out a shaky hand to Reid, clutching his forearm. "Reid... I don't feel well..." Thunder rumbled, the rain pounding the building, people displacing the air as they rushed passed, running for safety in the dorms.

She couldn't breathe, her Power taking over her mind, casting her eyes to black. She shut them quickly, but it only added to her dizziness.

'Little peach...'

Reid helped her to the banister, rubbing her shoulders as she clutched her stomach with one arm, the other resting on the railing. The wood felt strange and rough beneath her clammy fingers. She did a few mental breathing exercises, but the pain in her chest and head only increased, just like the rain and lightning.

'Down here...'

Sheila opened her eyes slowly, the sight below making her immediately sick. Reid frowned with concern, rubbing small circles across her back, whispering ancient words of health and contentment under his breath as she threw up. Still dry heaving, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a sob.

Chase Collins stood at the bottom of the stairs, a curious look on his face. Sheila groaned, tears running down her cheeks.

"No..." She shook her head. "No... It can't be..." 'You're the one from the beach...' It was not a question, but a revelation and Chase nodded, grinning. 'And the boy in the woods...' Another nod. Sheila wiped her hands roughly across her face and stepped away from Reid, her legs shaking with sickness and anger. She hobbled slowly toward the top of the stairs, her eyes, darkening with each step she took, never left Chase's face. Chase crossed his arms smugly over his chest as if to say "Bring it on.".

'Did you kill my father?' She asked, her voice gaining confidence, although her heart was breaking with confusion and betrayal. She mentally kicked herself for not sensing his Power before.

Chase shrugged, not quite answering, his attitude teasing. It only infuriated her more. "Who are you?" She yelled. "And what do you want?" A pang of fear and pain sliced across her stomach and she stopped her descent to double over, clutching the rail and her stomach. Reid was close behind, a few stray students racing up the stairs to get away. She could hear someone else's approach and sensing it was Tyler, she turned.

He leaned close to Reid, his face grim. "It's over. He's done."

Sheila let out a sob of relief, her vision swimming, the agony of invading Power causing her to retch again. She could hear Chase's laugh in her head and her eyes flashed.

"You bastard, what do you want?"

Chase merely grinned a deceitful grin and mouthed a single word: You.

Sheila blinked in the invading outside wind and he was gone. She could hear the faint wail of a fire truck in the distance, the ending notes to his mocking laugh. She groaned, her body feeling like it was being ripped in two. Her muscles were straining and cramping beneath her skin. Her head was pounding, body shaky and sweating, the room literally spinning around her.

She clutched the locket away from her neck, the ornament suddenly feeling too hot and too heavy against her skin, the dull Power within flaring to life. Sheila drew in a long, unsteady breath, feeling Caleb's Power unwind itself from hers and from the air, the room suddenly growing eerily cold. She slowly let the breath out, her blue eyes rolling in the back of her head and let the darkness take her.

A/N: Sorry it took so long. But I've been busy. Hope it's as good as I'd like to think it was! I know there's a lot happening at the end of this chapter, so please review with questions and comments! Thanks to those that were patient.