Last edit before we get to the new content! Are you excited? I am! I've got some (admittedly terrible, but still existing!) ideas for it :)

For those new to the story, Chester is based of Chester Bennington (lead singer of the American rock band Linkin Park) and Asher is based off of one of my old friends who left :( As much of a prick as he was, I really miss him. Thanks to these two, we now have Chester and Asher Parrington! Wonderful, don't you think?

Please enjoy this last edit, before I have a crack at actually updating and probably end up completely screwing my previous efforts.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Darkest Powers as much as I want to… I know, it's so sad; come mourn my loss with me

"Guys," I said, voice filled with dread, "this piece of paper is very important." I turned slowly to assess the group's reactions. They were completely ignoring me, staring at Lauren with mixed looks of horror and disgust. Lauren looked nervous, worried and defiant all at the same time. The only scent rolling off her was fear. Thick, intense, terrified fear.

"H-h-how c-could y-you?" stuttered Chloe. Tori looked ready to explode, magic dancing on his fingers, and Simon looked like he wanted to throw something. Only Derek noticed me, taking a glance at the single piece of paper and blanching as he read it.

"These monsters deserved to be locked away," she spat angrily. She must be working on the principle of 'all or nothing'. I glared at her, Derek barely containing his growl. Rickie looked like Simon, although he was more likely to actually throw the bleep, rather than attempt to damage her with some inanimate object. His teeth were gritted harshly and his hands were in tight fists at his side. His control was barely there, hanging on by the finest filament of thread.

"Lauren," said Kit, looking broken at the fact that the one adult he trusted could turn on him like this.

"Save it Kit, we've been discussing this… matter for far too long; I just took things into my own hands and made the best decision," she said angrily. She wanted to win this argument. An unexpected ally jumped into the conversation.

"Y-you didn-n't make th-the r-r-right dec-c-ision!" Chloe yelled, stuttering as she stood up to the only mother figure she'd ever had. That seemed to decide it for Simon. It looked as though Tori didn't care, as long as the traitor was mangled beyond recognition.

"Derek is an important part of this family; we'd still be in Lyle House, doped up on way too much meds, if it wasn't for him!" shouted Simon angrily. He was defending his brother fiercely. I'll just fade into the background…

…Or not. A very surprising champion stepped forward for me.

"And Charlie's just as human as you are!" Tori said harshly, quivering with pent up anger and the magic at her fingertips. Lauren just scoffed.

"Please; I don't turn into a filthy mutt every time I lose my temper," she argued, "I am far more human than they will ever be!"

This argument was getting nasty. Yes, that comment was expected, but it sure as hell hurt. I gave the piece of paper to Derek, who looked confused until he saw the tears glistening in my eyes. His own green orbs softened.

"Go back to the safehouse," he said gently. I nodded.

"Thanks," I murmured as I hurried past. Right now, I needed to vent. Once I was back, I curled up on the couch with my headphones in and turned the music up as loud as I could bear it. With Seether There For Tomorrow blaring in my ears, I let my worries just slide away to the upbeat, but not necessarily happy, tune of Backbone.

~CHLOE POV~

I just couldn't believe it. My Aunt Lauren wanting to get rid of Derek? One of the few things in life at the moment that made me truly happy? And Charlie? The newest family member that we barely knew. I thought that you 'never judge a book by its cover'? Or, in this case, I suppose, a supernatural by their race… Seriously; where was all this coming from?

"The mutts need to be monitored closely, and if necessary put down," my Aunt enforced. Derek and Rickie looked fit to burst with rage. I honestly couldn't tell who was angrier. Tori and Simon looked as though they were about to snap and blast her with every spell they could think of. Kit looked so surprised and hurt, as though he didn't know what to do. I looked around, trying to gauge the reaction of the only relative unknown in this situation. When I couldn't find her, one thought sprung into my head. Where's Charlie?

"Err, guys," I said quietly. No one so much as flinched. I spoke up louder.

"G-guys!" damn stutter. Simon, Tori, Aunt Lauren and Derek gave me their attention. Kit looked away with the fairies at the betrayal. I don't blame him.

"Has anyone noticed that Charlie's m-missing?" I asked. I only stuttered once, thank goodness. Derek didn't look nearly as shocked as he should have, which meant that he knew where she had gone. Rickie looked worried beyond belief, before shaking it off. The look in his eye said 'I'd know if something was wrong'. Somehow, I didn't doubt that.

"She left after Lauren said she was far more human than they are," said Derek quietly, rage visible in his posture. Kit's jaw was set in a stubborn line, his almond eyes hard with strong dislike for how my Aunt was treating his son and his son's pack.

"It's the truth!" Aunt Lauren persisted. The more she spoke, the more I hated her. The anger bubbled up so suddenly that I couldn't stop it. It was unleashed in a solid burst of pure, necromantic power.

The earth all around us vibrated as corpses were drawn up. Most were animal, but two stood out. Human males, barely decomposing, still fully clothed. One had an expression that was annoyed, but terrified and looked willing to forgive. The other, though (who looked much more muscled than his friend, who was quite scrawny), had a look of only pure hatred. He scared me.

I released them as quickly as I could, but that was not the last I would hear of them. As soon as the corpses had dropped to the ground, barely empty shells, two ghost boys stepped forward.

"Why the **** would you do that!" demanded the taller, muscly one. He had tattoos, piercings, and was dressed in a plain black Tee with straight jeans and a simple chain necklace. A black watch was wrapped around his right wrist, indicating left-handedness. I stepped back as fast as I could, intimidated by this boy. A rock flew up and hit me in the head.

"As funny as this is," drawled the other one in a slightly nasally and voice, "I don't think it's a good idea to stone the only person here who can see us." He had a slight Australian accent, but it was clear that he was American first and foremost.

The other checked his rage, but a cold malice settled in his eyes. We were not going to get along well.

"Wh-wh-who are you?" I stuttered. The mean one glared, but the short one just ignored it.

"Asher Parrington at your service," he said, a mocking bow accompanied the teasing voice. Nasty stayed silent.

"He's Chester," Asher filled in for us, "and he's not that friendly," he nodded to his companion. Chester scowled a scowl that easily rivalled one of the werewolf's.

"Are you supernatural?" I asked. The dreaded speech impediment stayed dormant for the time being.

"Volo half-demons," stated Asher proudly; he was very satisfied with his ability. His brother, the relationship between them rather obvious now, just grunted, annoyed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked them. Chester shrugged.

"Attacked, killed, buried. You raised us, we wanted to see who dragged us back into those filthy things," said Asher. I blushed a little.

"I'm sorry," I apologised, "I got mad and lost control…"

"And raised everything within a ten-mile radius? Yeah right," scoffed Chester.

"Hey, be nice," scolded Asher.

"Yeah; I'm pretty screwed up," I muttered.

"Charlie had something to show us," Derek broke the silence.

"What?" asked Kit.

"A piece of paper marked 'confidential' concerning the Edison Group," he stated, monotone.

We all rushed inside, ghosts included, Derek trailing behind.

Here. Good? I sure as hell hope so. That'd be the last of the edits. Hope you liked the changes that I made. If you didn't, well… sorry; I can't change it back.

Review for me, my readers!

~PiptheSnake~