"Nothing," Rylie said, forcing a smile.

"Liar," Reid said quietly.

Rylie moved to step around him, but he pulled her into his arms. She knew she should have pushed him away or stepped back. Done something other than return the hug. His spicy scent surrounded her and invaded her mind, and she inhaled deeply, imprinting the scent in her memory. His lips pressed against her hair and tears pushed into her eyes for the millionth time. All she wanted to do was stand like that forever and not have to walk away. Time was lost as they stood there silently, each not wanting to release the other.

A clock somewhere in the house chimed ten times, signaling that it was ten o'clock at night. It was time.

Rylie forced herself to pull away, unable to meet his gaze. "I have to go." Before he could respond, she hurried out of the room and down the stairs. Leila was waiting for her at the door, unshed tears shimmering in her forest green eyes. Rylie embraced her friend in a brief hug and then stepped back. "Don't forget your promise."

"I won't." Leila's voice was thick, and a few tears slid down her cheeks. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Rylie opened the door and paused, taking one last look around her home. "If this doesn't work, don't let them grieve. I want them to celebrate my life, not mourn my death."

"Okay."

Rylie's eyes landed on the stairs just as Reid was descending them. Their gazes connected for a moment, and Rylie saw the concern enter the blonde's cobalt orbs. She looked at her friend. "See you." With that, she darted out into the night.

Reid stopped. "What's going on?"

Leila looked at the blonde Son. "Nothing."

"Then why are you crying?"

Leila blinked. "I stubbed my toe, and it hurt like a bastard."

"What did you two just plan?"

Leila closed the door and shrugged. "Nothing." And that was the truth. They had come up with the plan a while ago, not just now.

Reid took the remaining stairs two at a time and rushed into the living room. "Something's up."

All conversation stopped as everyone looked at the blonde Son.

"What are you talking about?" Pogue asked.

"Rylie just ran out of the house and Leila's trying not to cry," Reid stated as the blonde girl entered the room.

"Leila, what's going on?" Caleb asked, watching her.

"Nothing," Leila said, exasperated. "Damn you people are paranoid." Oh, they were going to hate her if the plan failed.

"That's bullshit," Reid said. "Where'd Rylie go?"

"She needed some fresh air."

"That's a lie."

Leila looked away from the blonde Son and cast her gaze out the window. "Are we going to watch another movie or what?"

"Not until you tell us what's going on," Caleb said.

Leila rolled her eyes. "There's nothing going on. Everything's been taken care of."

"What's that mean?" Tyler asked, standing.

Leila swallowed, unable to answer for fear of her tears spilling over.

"Oh my god," Kate whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes fixed on Leila.

"What?"

All eyes went to the dark haired girl.

"At ten thirty, right?" Kate asked, her gaze unwavering.

Leila looked away, knowing that not answering was the answer Kate was looking for, but she didn't care. She didn't trust herself to speak.

"Oh my god!" Sarah exclaimed.

"What?" the Sons asked, confused.

"Tonight at ten thirty, Rylie Ascends."

* * * * *

The night surrounded her as Rylie wove her way through the trees. The forest behind the Danvers' estate was usually alive with the sound of nature. But tonight it seemed the animals had moved, not wanting to get caught in a possible fight. She stopped near a large tree, breathing deeply, trying to calm her nerves.

She felt his presence behind her, felt his power wrap around her as he approached. But she didn't turn. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking she was afraid. Lifting her chin, she waited.

"Look who's out in the open," Devon said softly.

Taking a deep breath, Rylie turned to face the warlock.

"No witty comeback?" Devon asked, false hurt in his voice.

"Let's just get this over with," Rylie said calmly.

"Is someone in a hurry to die?"

She didn't answer.

Devon cocked his head to the side. "I knew something was up when you stopped leaving the house alone. And now you just waltz into the woods by yourself? What's your plan?"

"If I had a plan, do you really think I'd tell you?" Rylie asked casually. Her eyes scanned the area. "Where's Cassie?"

Devon smiled. "She wanted to check on Leila."

Rylie silently prayed that Leila and the Sons could handle the psycho witch. At least Leila knew to expect anything from her. "She didn't feet like joining our party in the woods?"

"There's no point. The party will be over pretty soon." A dagger materialized in his hand, the silver catching a ray of moonlight.

Rylie swallowed, forcing her expression to remain neutral. "A dagger, huh? Is that supposed to scare me?"

Devon shrugged nonchalantly. "Nah. I just like the feeling of it in my hand."

"Better than your dick, is it?" She couldn't stop the sarcastic comment from leaving her lips. It just came out.

Devon's lips twitched. "Someone's got a mouth tonight."

"Are we going to stand here all night or what?" Rylie asked.

A smiled pulled the corners of the warlock's lips up. His power grabbed her and jerked her backward into the tree. Her head smashed against the bark and pain shot through her skull. She slumped to the ground, slightly disoriented. An invisible force yanked her sideways into another tree, and she sprawled on the ground, her shoulder and head throbbing. A hand closed around her throat and pulled her roughly to her feet, only to slam her back into the tree.

"You're not even going to fight back?" Devon asked. "I thought you would at least make this interesting."

Rylie gasped as his hand tightened, but couldn't fight back. Her mind flashed back to the day Devon had raped her. He'd held her against a wall just like this, using his power to pin her so his hands could more freely roam over her body. Panicking, she tried to call her Power, but felt her fear intensify when it failed. She was going to die. She was going to die in the same position she'd lost her innocence in to the same man who'd stolen it.

"Come on, Rylie," Devon cooed, nuzzling her cheek. "Make this a little more pleasurable for me." When she didn't move, he sighed. "Perhaps I'll have a little fun with Leila before I kill her. She's much feistier than you." He trailed the tip of the dagger down her cheek, sending a fearful shiver down her spine. "Enjoy the afterlife."

Cold metal sliced into her stomach and hot pain shot through her body. A piercing scream left her lips. Devon's hand left her throat and she swayed, trying to stay upright. The moonlight caught a flash of sliver before something ice cold swept across her neck. Hot, instant pain scorched her throat as warm, sticky liquid leaked from the cut. Gasping, she fell to her hands and knees. She tried to call her Power, but nothing happened. Her watery eyes found the warlock standing over her, smiling.

"I'll tell your family you said goodbye." A gust of wind swept around him and he vanished into the night.

She tenderly touched her throat, her hand coming away with blood. Breathing was quickly becoming difficult, and she could feel her blood flow slowing in her veins, feel her heart laboring to pump blood. The wound in her stomach pulsed angrily as the blood pooling from it slowed. Each breath was shorter than the last. Her eyelids grew heavy.

A ray of moonlight shone through the trees, seeming to swirl before her eyes like mist. She watched in amazement as the swirling mist caressed her hand and rose. Her chest tingled as the mist dissolved into her body. Lightning flashed in the sky, and a bright bolt shot straight toward her. Hot invisible fire consumed her being when the lightning struck her. The mist swirled angrily around her, dissolving through her pores. She screamed as the invisible flames licked her skin, burning through to scorch her bones.

Slowly, her body cooled, leaving her gasping for air. She raised a shaking and to her throat and felt smooth skin. Her hand went to her stomach and felt the hole in her shirt, but smooth skin beneath it. Her wounds were healed. Sitting up, she scanned the trees around her. Something was different. She was different. She felt strong. Powerful. Taking a deep breath, she called the Power.

It rushed through her body, through her veins, like liquid fire. She laughed at the heated sensation, stretching her arms out. She felt her eyes darken to onyx as the Power within her built. Taking a deep breath, she focused on a tree in front of her and released the Power, feeling it leak from her body to wrap around the tree.

The tree groaned before shattering into a million pieces. A smile pulled at her lips. This was power.

* * * * *

The house shook, causing its occupants to jump to their feet.

"Is that an earchquack?" Sarah asked, moving closer to her boyfriend.

"No," Leila answered, her eyes searching the living room. "Cassandra's coming."

"Coming?" Tyler asked, trying to keep his balance.

"She likes to show off," Leila stated.

"You know I like to make an entrance." The shaking stopped.

Leila glared at the red-haired woman leaning against the doorframe. Why wasn't she in the woods with Devon and Rylie? Her eyes flitted to the clock on the mantle and her stomach clenched. Ten forty. "Where's Devon?"

The woman smiled. "Last I knew he was waiting for Rylie."

"Why aren't you with them?"

"Because I wanted to come see the boys again." Her eyes trailed the length of each Son and her smile grew.

"I guess I can't blame you. Sluts have a hard time controlling themselves around hot guys, right?"
Cassandra's face pinched in annoyance. "I think I'll kill you first."

Tyler stepped forward, but Leila put her arm out, stopping him. "Bring it on, Cassie."

The witch went to move forward, but someone behind her caught her arm, holding her in place. Devon stepped around her, his hand still around her arm. "Hello Leila."

Leila felt the shock on her face. He was supposed to be with Rylie in the woods, where she would kill him. If he was here, then that meant….

"Expecting someone else?" Devon asked.

Leila clenched her jaw and her hands formed fists.

Devon grinned. "Ah, yes. You were hoping Rylie would return. Sorry o inform you, but she's dead."

"Dead?" Reid repeated.

"Yes. Dead."

"You murderer," Leila whispered angrily.

"Leila, baby. Care to join me outside for a little fun before we send you to the afterlife?" Devon asked.

"Stay away from her," Tyler said sternly, pulling the blonde girl behind him.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Leila, you didn't tell me you had a boyfriend." His power snaked around her and yanked her away from the brunette, pinning her to the wall. "Perhaps I'll kill him first."

"Go you hell, you bastard!" Leila snapped, tears pressing into her eyes. She was dead. Her best friend was dead. The plan had failed.

Devon stepped into the room, letting his power wrap around everyone, binding them to their places. He opened his hand and a dagger materialized. "You boys can save the girls. But only of you will me your Power."

"We'll never give you our Power," Caleb snarled.

Cassandra giggled and moved to there Tyler stood frozen in place and ran her hand over his chest.

Devon walked toward him, pausing in front of Sarah. He trailed the dagger down her cheek to her neck. "Are you sure about that?" He gently pushed the edge of the dagger against the girl's skin and a few drops of blood dripped down her throat. She whimpered.

"Hey Devon, we're not done."

Everyone's eyes went to the doorway, where a girl was leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Rylie," Leila whispered, relieved. The only visible difference between the girl she had said goodbye to earlier and the girl before her now were the pitch black eyes that stared back at everyone.