(placed in my House of Night fanfic too) I might not be able to update for a while, at least weekly, because of major tests and a vacation. I'll do my best, though, as long as I know people are reading.

I own none of the original.

I do not know how or why, but something compels me to Brady's room when every other person at the Academy is asleep. Somehow I know he is awake, thinking guiltily about not visiting me when he had the chance. Technically I am not supposed to be out of bed yet, but does that stop me?

Not really, I scoff mentally, answering my own question.

Opening his door as quickly and quietly as possible, I slip inside and swiftly close it just as softly. Even in the near-black darkness, I notice a pigeon's-blood-hued gem on the floor – pure red but with a hint of blue. If I never see another crystal again, it'll be too soon, I think, already knowing it belongs with Brady. It catches on some light, and a six-point star appears, gleaming, on its surface. Star Ruby, I name, catching onto yet another birthstone at that.

Brady's scent hits my nose, laced with blood. Disgustingly, my mouth starts to water from bloodlust, but I push the haze away. I fold my hand around the ruby and hold it close to me, trying my best to ignore the stench of blood that gets stronger as I walk closer. "Brady?" I whisper, my voice weighed with concern.

"I'm alright." He fakes strength in his tone, but I can still pick up on the true weakness in it. "Are you okay, though?"

"Can't sleep," I admit, which is a good excuse in the sense that I've been stressed – bad in the sense that I haven't gotten any sleep in about a day. "You didn't visit."

Guilt makes his voice shake this time. "I was practicing with Nick. Let's just say he beat me." Even the humor is weighed down by something I cannot place, other than his worried apology lying underneath.

"Did he hurt you badly?" My eyes have adjusted to the gloom, but I still do not try to look for/at him. The ruby burns against my palm.

"Not really. Just a few cuts," he lies. "What's wrong?"

I look down at my hand. Pale light glitters from between my fingers. Nothing, I want to say but can't. Then Brady is next to me, the blood smell tinged with pain and fear. In one motion, I have a thin chain bearing the gemstone around his neck, clasped. (How things just appear like this, I still don't know!) My odd sense of foreboding fades into a feeling of protection. The aqua hidden safely under my shirt, the garnet safely guarded by Ren, the ruby now safely with Brady. And why these are all important, why mine seem to bring the other two… only more of my unanswered questions.

"If you can't sleep, which I find hard to believe, do you–" He trails off, standing so tantalizingly close. "Forget it. It was a stupid thought."

"Stay here with you?" I assume, taking satisfaction when it seems that his confident, easygoing manner is back. "If not you, I'd be with Ren. And he's all the way downstairs." Lazily I complain, honestly not wanting to go down although the thought appeals to me.

The familiarity of Brady's embrace engulfs me. "I'm really sorry I didn't come," he breathes. "Nick wouldn't let me."

In an instant, I remember Ren's words – or, rather, Nick's warning. I break free of his grip, horrified that his brother would even think of such a thing. "I know you love me, Brady, and I'm starting to really like you," I confess. Before he can say anything, I rush on: "We can't do this until" – I search for the right excuse – "until the Elemental Cross thing is sorted out. I don't want either of us getting in trouble, and with Ren standing in as the other alpha right now…"

"What?" he exclaims, knowingly interrupting me.

I wince inwardly. "He's not my mate," I assure him quickly. "But I can't deal with this unless other things are sorted out first. I like him, too, and… I just can't make that choice." I'm sorry, I add silently, my throat suddenly dry as I head back to my own room, leaving him stranded with raging thoughts.

Found your three, have you? I recognize the voice from that night during the storm.

"What do you want now?" I groan, lying on the bed and throwing my arms over my face.

Beware modesty, grace, and elegance, it warns. Beware the innocence of power!

Two warnings – two people – but… who? I nod off thinking about that, the words echoing again and again in my mind.