Rylie was shocked. She stared at her mother for a minute. "How… how did you know?"

"I'm a mother. I can sense what's going on with my kids." She smiled. "And your father told me." She tipped her head to the side, studying her daughter. "Is that why you left?"

Rylie nodded. "Trying to deal with it here… with Caleb and them. I didn't want anyone to know."

"Why?" Her mother's tone wasn't harsh, just curious.

"Because dad hated me for having Power, and I thought that if you or Caleb or any of them found out, they'd hate me too. Or, more than they already did."

"Rylie, you're my daughter. I may not have been around or fully able to take care of you, but I always loved you, and I still do." Her mother descended the last few steps and walked over to her. "What makes you think your brother hated you?"

"Because of what happened when I was hit by lightning," Rylie answered. "He told me. Him and Pogue and Reid and Tyler… they thought I was breaking up the Covenant because I healed and didn't die. They were mad because they thought I had Power."

"How do you know all this?"

"They told me tonight," Rylie said, looking away.

Her mother pulled her into an embrace and hugged her. "Oh, honey."

The mother and daughter stood like that for a while, just holding each other. When they stepped back, they smiled at the other.

"You have to tell them," her mom said.

"If I tell them, they'll hate me," Rylie countered.

"Rylie. They're your family. They won't hate you."

"Dad was family too, and he hated me."

"He didn't hate you," her mother said. "He was worried."

"That's not the impression I got." She wouldn't tell her mom that her father had practically disowned her. That information should never be put out in the open to hurt others.

"He was just worried," her mother offered. "But Caleb's not like your father. He's proved that."

Rylie shook her head. Her mother just didn't understand. She hadn't heard the whole story from Caleb, or heard what her father had said. "I'm tired. See you in the morning." She walked past her mother and up the stairs to her room. Closing the door, she let in come. Let the sob she had been holding back since Nicky's rock her body. She slid down the door to the floor, pulled her knees to her chest, and silently cried.

* * * * *

The next morning, Rylie showered and changed, and then met her mother and brother down in the foyer. Guests would start arriving soon, so they divided the chores and began preparing. At eleven o'clock, the door bell chimed, signaling the arrival of the mourners.

Everyone gathered in the backyard, where a small table stood with a purple cloth draped over it. The body of William Danvers III had been cremated, and the ashes dumped into the beautiful urn that sat in the center of the table. Five white candles formed a pentagram around the urn, their flames flickering in the small breeze. The four families gathered around, talking quietly, sharing stories.

Rylie stood off to the side, watching the scene. She felt so out of place. These people had cared for her father, and she couldn't even muster up some tiny sense of sadness for his death. Her mother floated around the guests, as did her brother. Reid, Pogue and Tyler stood near the table, talking quietly.

The day dragged on. Rylie purposely avoided talking to the families, not wanting them to question why she didn't seem as upset as she probably should be.

As the day drew to a close, people slowly dispersed. When night finally invaded the area, the only people remaining were Rylie, her mother and brother, and Reid, Pogue and Tyler. Rylie helped them clean up the backyard and house, and then sat outside on the back steps.

"You're unusually quiet," Reid said, sitting down next to her.

"Well even a pain in the ass has to take a breather," Rylie said, keeping her gaze forward.

"I wasn't trying to start a fight."

Rylie sighed. "Sorry. Habit." She could feel him watching her. "What are you staring at?"

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"About?"

"About how things are going to be, you know, now that you're back."

"I'm not back for long," Rylie stated. "I'll probably be leaving again in a few days."

"Why?" Reid asked.

"Because I can't be here." She shouldn't be here. It was too dangerous for her family to be near her right now. "I have a life in Ireland." Well, if you could call running and fighting to survive a life.

"Why did you leave in the first place?"

"I told you guys. I couldn't stand being here anymore."

"But why? You keep saying that, but you don't give a real reason."

Rylie let out a frustrated sigh and stood. "I don't want to talk about it. Shit happens. Some people can handle it, and others choose to run from it." She started across the grass toward the line of trees. Reid was getting close to figuring out her secret, she knew it.

"Rylie."

She stopped, but didn't look back.

"What are you hiding?"

Silently swearing, she turned to look at him. "Nothing."

"Liar." His cobalt blue eyes bore into her own.

"Think whatever you want, Reid." She continued walking toward the tree line.

Reid watched her walk away. Ever since she had turned thirteen, something had been different about her, he could feel it. She was hiding something, and he was going to find out what. Standing, he went back into the house to find his brothers.

* * * * *

Rylie walked into the living room to find the four Sons lounging in front of the TV. "Don't you guys have homes of your own?"

"Yeah," Tyler answered. "But it's more fun here."

"Why is that?"

"Because your mom doesn't constantly question us about how we're doing after our Ascentions," Reid replied. "We've barely used since the Chase thing. I think we're fine."

Rylie's mom had filled her in on what had happened with Chase Collins. The door bell chimed, and Rylie went to answer it. She opened the door and felt her heart stop.

The girl before her looked like hell. Her face was bruised, and bloody ran dripped from her nose, as well as from a few cuts across her arms. "Ry…lie."

She fell forward, and Rylie caught her friend. Tears welled in her eyes as she dragged the girl into the living room. "Get off the couch!" she yelled

Tyler and Pogue jumped up and away as if burned. Rylie pulled her friend to the couch and heaved the body onto the cushions, carefully laying the girl's head on a pillow. A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. "Leila," Rylie said gently. "Leila, come on girl. Talk to me. What happened?"

The girl coughed and opened her eyes. "Devon. Is. Here. In. The States."