It was two days before Will was released from the hospital. The doctor's conclusions were that she had been tortured, and that her amnesia was a defense mechanism, deliberately suppressing the memory of horrific trauma. In her gut, Will knew that that wasn't the case, but not wanting more batteries of tests or questions, didn't object. The police were now searching for unknown kidnappers and assailants, and much of Will's time was spent evading the questions of reporters-she had become global news. Wondering about motive, countless investigations had been run. Will wasn't known by any gangs. She didn't have a criminal record, and according to doctors, her blood showed no sign of ever having been in contact with illegal drugs-though police assured her that she wouldn't have been in trouble, given the circumstances.

She felt all of this was a waste of time. It had nothing to do with Earth, but the police couldn't know that, so she didn't complain. It wasn't until a day later that she could finally be alone with the other Guardians and those who knew their secret. They met in one of their secret places, a large shed in Irma's yard as the Silver Dragon's basement was still full of "Find Will Vandom" paraphernalia. When Will got there, escorted by Hay Lin-Will's mother was still paranoid about letting her out of anyone's sight-the whole room fell silent, all eyes on her. She was surprised to see Caleb there.

Will nodded and closed her eyes. "Phobos is back."

Cornelia snorted derisively and said, "We know. I knew that's what had happened to you. I just knew it."

Will wasn't surprised. "Tell me."

Caleb said, "Phobos attacked the castle with a new lackey."

"Davira."

"He had a Heart of the Cosmos and took the power of the Crown of Light. He froze all of the guards and captured me. He said he had something special planned. Vathek rescued me and the Oracle brought me here. We've tried searching Meridian for you, but Phobos is in charge again, and it hasn't been easy. We weren't even sure if Phobos had you until you confirmed it just now."

Will said, "I went to the bathroom, and I thought I heard Elyon calling for help. Then the rift opened and dragged me in. I decided to come back and get the girls, but I couldn't rift back to Earth. So I investigated. I found the castle, with the guards frozen, and they had Elyon suspended in a steel cage. While I was trying to free Elyon, Davira hit me in the back of the head with a spell. Doctors say I was scalped to the bone. Phobos knows that the Heart of Kandrakar has to be given and when I refused, he said he would take pleasure in breaking me."

"And did he?" asked Matt.

Will held out her hand and the Heart of Kandrakar dangled beneath it. "Does it look like it?"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Caleb said, "Thank the gods. I wasn't looking forward to facing Phobos with three Hearts without the Guardians. How did you escape?"

"I don't remember. I literally remember nothing after Phobos promised to break me, until I woke up on Shell Beach. I am missing two whole months."

"During which time, Phobos obviously tortured you."

Hay Lin, tears in her eyes, said, "Oh, no! So, you really do have amnesia and you're traumatized for life!"

Will forcefully said, "No, it's not amnesia." Speaking more calmly, she said, "I don't know how I know, but I just know that if this were amnesia, it would feel different. First, I have absolutely no perception of time having passed. It was like I literally went to sleep and instantly woke up in Heatherfield. It's a weird feeling. It's like it's just a hole. It's like...it's this feeling...it's...it feels like every night when I go to bed, somebody takes me completely apart and puts me away, then when I wake up, he puts me back together again, and then one day, he forgot to put this memory in, and he hasn't done it since. If this were amnesia, there'd be something there, out of reach, I know it. This is just a void."

Caleb said, "Alright then, we need a plan of attack. Kandrakar must be trying to move against Phobos. We're going to have to dislodge him again, and he's stronger than ever before."

Hay Lin shook her head. "It feels strange. We haven't heard from Phobos in so many years, not since he tried to take over Kandrakar."

"He moved fast, and he had so much more power than before."

Will said, "Well, we'll have to move faster."

Cornelia said, "Will, he has two Hearts in addition to his own considerable power. We can't just attack."

Will rubbed her chin. "Caleb, are you up to some reconnoitering?"

Caleb said, "I read you."

Irma approached Will and put a hand on her shoulder. "Will, are you okay?"

Will shook her head. "No, but I will be."

An unknown figure watched them through eyes of mystic sight, unseen by the Guardians. They had no idea how their world was to be turned upside down. Now, Phobos had two hearts, but so did this mysterious figure. They had made a deal. They would help each other, and the first to break the contract would take possession of all of the hearts in their mutual possession. This figure knew something about such contracts. If Phobos did not keep the deal, they would.

Will's Apartment

"Wilhelmina Vandom!" shouted Susan Vandom as Will walked through the door. Will cringed at the sound of her full name. It was either Will or Wilma. Her mother never used her full name. "Why are you walking home alone?" Susan ran up to her daughter and looked her over, apparently seeking some sign that more injury had befallen Will. Susan was obviously surprised to see her daughter healed so much, but she nodded in satisfaction. "After what happened, you'd think you'd be a bit more careful."

Will said, "Mom, Matt walked me home. He left me at the door downstairs."

"Next time, have him bring you to this door!" She pointed at the front door. "You and the girls were in the same building when you disappeared from under their noses. It could happen here. What's the point of sending you out with Hay Lin if you're going to come home alone?"

"Somehow, I doubt lightening is going to strike twice, especially now that I'm famous for disappearing. I could have done without that." Her mother was simply worried and Will felt bad about snapping at her. "But I know it was the best way to find me. I'm sorry. I'll make sure I'm accompanied all the way from now on."

Susan smiled. "No, I'm sorry. You're right. I guess I'm all keyed up after what happened." There was a knock at the door. "Did you see anyone?" Will shook her head. Susan went to the door and opened it. "May I help you?"

A woman on the other side of the door said, "Are you Susan Vandom?"

"Yes."

"I'm Karen Alcott with the Division of Children and Family Services. May I come in?"

Susan seemed taken aback as she said, "Of course, come right in. Would you like something to drink?"

A middle-aged woman, somewhat rotund, with black hair stepped into the room. "Oh, no thank you. I would like to meet your daughter, though."

Mrs. Alcott's eyes swept across the room and focused on Will and smiled. There was something in that smile that Will didn't like. She resisted the urge to take out the Heart and try to reveal this woman's true form. "Are you Wilhelmina Vandom?"

Will cringed again. "It's Will. You haven't told us why you're here." She felt a great deal of hostility towards this woman.

"Oh, in cases like this, it's standard procedure to do a home study, to see if there are any contributing factors in your home life that might have led to your disappearance."

Will said, "The apartment's clean. My grades are up. I'm well-adjusted. My mother's gainfully employed."

Mrs. Alcott nodded. She walked around the room, stopped at a book shelf and looked at the titles. "Oh, that looks interesting. I've never read much on alchemy."

Will was on her toes. "I have an interest in science. I like animals. Historical forms of science had a great influence on modern science. I'm interested in roots." She certainly couldn't tell her that she was learning about the magical nature of the elements since the age of twelve.

Mrs. Alcott walked around to the kitchen and without asking, opened the refrigerator. Closing it, she then went through all of the cabinets. "An awful lot of junk food."

Susan must have been on edge too, because she said, "An awful lot of good, healthy food, too."

Mrs. Alcott said, "Still, Will seems healthy and well fed. What do you do for a living?"

"I'm an Executive Officer for a computer software company downtown. It's called Simulcorp."

"Give me the contact information when I leave. Right now, Will, I want to see your room." Silently, Will led Mrs. Alcott to her room. "Oh, my. You have a thing for frogs." She laughed. "You even have a frog backpack. Oh, and of course, Kermit had to be lurking in here somewhere." She found the Muppet and picked him up, examining him. "Did you ever watch the Muppet Show?"

Will said, "My mom has seasons one through three."

"It was before your time of course. I was a teenager when it came out. It was one of my favorite shows." Will smiled. Anyone who liked the Muppet Show couldn't be all bad, but she still didn't trust her.

"Do you have a favorite episode?"

"I like the one with Elton John."

Mrs. Alcott laughed. "Oh! The crocodiles singing back up on the Crocodile Rock! Yes, that episode was a lot of fun."

Going back out into the living room, Mrs. Alcott said, "I have just a few questions for you, Mrs. Vandom. How long have you lived in Heatherfield?"

"Four years," said Susan. "Since Will was thirteen."

"In this apartment?"

Susan nodded.

"How often have you changed jobs?"

"I haven't. I've worked for the same firm for eight or nine years. Here's their card with my extension." Susan handed the card over. Alcott briefly looked it over and put it in her briefcase.

"Will's grades seem to fluctuate more than one would normally expect from a seventeen-year-old girl."

Susan said, "She didn't take it well when her father and I split up. We moved to Heatherfield to get her away from the bad memories. She's really had a boost in confidence here. She has friends, and her grades are getting better."

"Are you currently dating?"

"I'm engaged, actually."

"Good! It'll be good for her to have a consistent father figure in her life. Well, I've seen what I need to see. I doubt she ran away. She's very protective of you."

"Oh?" Susan seemed puzzled. "How can you tell?"

"Her hackles have been up since I came in."

Will suddenly felt very sheepish. "Oh! Sorry."

"Oh, no. Don't be. It's a perfectly normal reaction to a perceived threat in the home." Mrs. Alcott turned back to Susan. "The police are going to come back tomorrow to ask Will some in depth questions about what she can remember. I know it seems soon, but they've given her as much time as they can. They can't let the trail get cold. I'll be there too. I suggest you and your fiance be here for support in case she needs it. Police interviews can get emotionally trying." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. "Here's my number if you have any questions." She handed Susan the card and walked to the door. "We'll be here tomorrow at about three o'clock. Will, you need to be home from school by then."

Once Mrs. Alcott left, Susan said, "I'll have a lawyer here, too."

Will said, "Why? Didn't she say everything was fine?"

"Will, DCFS workers have a tremendous amount of power. They were established to protect children, and laws were placed that used 'for the children's sake' as an excuse. They do not need a warrant. They do not even need to have a reason to remove a child. When asked why they remove children, they can say anything they want and do not even have to provide proof. The only thing that can stop them is a court order, and even then, a judge's signature is no guarantee of a reversal in a DCFS decision. Tomorrow, just answer the police questions, say nothing about your home life, and if any of them ask you what you think of me, your father, or Dean, just smile and say that we are all the most wonderful people in your life. DCFS workers have power that's above the system."

Will wasted no time going to her room and telling her fellow Guardians about this turn of events. Rather than using her phone, she simply thought for Taranee's mind. *What's up?* came the response.

Will transmitted everything that happened and heard Cornelia's voice. *A social worker? That is _so_ not good news.*

*What did she want?* asked Hay Lin.

*She said it was standard procedure in kidnapping cases were there was no suspect. It was a home study. She's coming back with the police tomorrow for my full interview. I want you guys there.*

Irma said, *I'm there.*

Hay Lin said, *Count me in.*

Cornelia said, *Any time.*

Taranee said, *You bet. If you want, I can talk to my mom. You know she's a judge. She might have some advice.*

*Any little bit helps. See you at school tomorrow.*

After breaking their psychic link, Will jumped into bed and turned on her Playstation 3. The next day was the first day back to school. It was an uneventful day, except for the excessively concerned teachers who worried about Will's mental state. Still, all she could think of was the interview, an interview she associated with impending doom. Her feeling of dizziness throughout the day seemed to confirm it. Something dark and magical was watching her. She could feel it.

Before even the final bell at school, Mrs. Alcott and the police were waiting for Will, but something else was too. When Will walked in the door, she took an inventory of her visitors. In addition to her mother there was Mrs. Alcott, two police detectives dressed in pants and sweaters, Professor Collins and a woman that Will didn't know, clearly the lawyer. There was something sinister about her. Mrs. Alcott was positively angelic by comparison. Her feelings of evil about Alcott were simple dislike. This woman, on the other hand, was inhumanly evil. She was beautiful, but that was the only good thing about her. Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin came in behind Will. Mrs. Alcott greeted them and introduced the detectives as Stevens and Alvarez.

Susan said, "Will, Caroline Davira, from our legal department." Will could feel her pupils dilate when she heard the name.

"Davira?" she asked.

Cornelia said, "Hey, isn't that-"

Will stomped her foot. "Shut up." Davira didn't miss it.

Neither did the detectives. "Is something wrong?" asked Stevens.

Will said, "Oh, Cornelia just reminded me that...umm...there's a new girl in school with the exact last name!"

"Oh, that must be my daughter," said Davira in the same simpering voice that Will remembered from Meridian.

Will broadcast to the others, *It's definitely her.*

Davira's presence sorely tempted Will to tell everyone in the room, but she kept her story straight. She assured everyone that her memory was a complete blank. Unfortunately, Will had a sick sense Davira intended to go after her family. Will could sense the adults in the room becoming irritated as the police went through the same set of questions for the third time. Davira appeared to be losing her patience. She wasn't going to wait much longer, and Will wanted to get her away from her parents. *Oh, no, foolish girl.* It was Davira's simpering voice in her head. *Little rebellious brats who challenge the laws of entire worlds deserve no secrets.*

"Alright," said officer Stevens, "Let's go back to the top. Nobody was following you that you know of when you were at Sheffield Institute?"

Will growled and said, "No."

"And you received no threats in the preceding week?"

"No."

Professor Collins said, "Officer, we've been through this over and over. When do you acknowledge that you're beating a dead horse?"

Detective Stevens said, "Mr. Collins, we are at a complete loss. There are no leads at the Freezer Queen ice cream parlor. Anyone who was there that day had no involvement. They all checked out. There are no leads at Shell Beach, where Miss Vandom claims to have woken up."

"'Claims'," said Will, indignant.

"I don't mean to imply anything, Miss Vandom, it's just that until we can confirm what little you've been able to tell us, we can't take anything at face value. Whoever did this to you is definitely not the kind of person any reasonable person wants in the community. We want to catch this guy. With so little to go on, we have to get as much out of you as we can no matter how insignificant. It's a very frustrating situation. Now, are you sure you aren't forgetting anything?"

Irma said, "Cornelia dope slapped Hay Lin that day. Does that help?"

Stevens rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Unfortunately not. Girls, are you sure that none of you can remember anything at all of interest?"

Everyone shook thei

r heads. "No," said Taranee, "the ice cream parlor wasn't real busy when we went there, and Will was the only one we saw go into the bathroom, and nobody came out."

Stevens nodded. "We're done with our questions. Mrs. Alcott wants to talk to you. We're going to stick around until you're done."

Will nodded, though she wanted to scream. This had gone on for an hour, and she knew they'd never find anything, but she appreciated they were only trying to help her. Mrs. Alcott said, "Right, I want to talk about arranging for a neurologist to see if any kind of brain damage could be contributing to your memory loss."

"I doubt that," said Stevens. "In my experience memory loss like this is based more on emotional trauma. She's in a very vulnerable position right now and probably doesn't want to remember what happened. The real indicator is the fact that the amnesia is specific to the two months that she went missing."

"All the same, we should rule everything out before just dismissing it."

Will felt indignation again and said, "'Vulnerable'? Detective, I'm one of the hardest people you'll ever meet. You wouldn't believe some of the things I could tell you."

A few chuckles went around the room, except Stevens, who balked when he saw that Will wasn't laughing. "So, Mrs. Alcott," he said, "what are some options that the Vandoms have open to them?"

Davira was ready to crack, and Will knew time was up. Davira said, "I've had just about enough of this."

Will decided to take a chance. "I thought I recognized your voice. Officers, Davira was there when I blacked out. I heard her and then I was hit from behind."

The detectives looked around uncertain. Alvarez said, "Will, I'm sure you've been through a terrible ordeal, and I doubt that Mrs. Davira had anything to do with it."

Davira said, "Oh no. She's quite right. That's why I wanted to be here today. I didn't get what I wanted from her. She's the most elusive prey I've ever hunted."

Absolutely everyone in the room looked at Davira as if she had suddenly fallen from space. Davira stretched out her hand and Alvarez froze, as if removed from time. Will's family surrounded her and she was bound and determined not to use the heart unless she absolutely had to. Stevens moved to shield Will, but Will was moving to shield her mother and Professor Collins. Fireballs struck Davira in the back and the arms. Taranee's hands were on fire. Davira stretched out a hand to Will's friends, but they scattered, and whatever invisible force Davira threw at them struck a picture mural of Will, her family, and her friends, shattering the glass. When Officer Stevens reached Will, an energy field erupted from her hand, shielding her family and Officer Stevens. Mrs. Alcott was trying her best to shield the other girls. As it happened, they had to protect her. Davira launched a fireball at her and Irma doused it with a spray of water.

Davira realized that she was at a disadvantage. "Blast it all!"

Will said, "You just did," and stepped out from behind her magical barrier.

Will had never felt so angry. Davira shot various missiles at Will, but Will just knocked them away with her hand. In the back of her mind, Will could tell that every conscious person in the room, including her fellow guardians, were looking at her in stunned shock. In her waking time here and now, she had eyes only for Davira, who had collapsed her entire world. Her mother and her teacher and future stepfather; they knew her secret now. Will didn't care that she had been kidnapped, tortured and lost two months of her life. What made her angry was losing her secret.

Will fired quintessential bolts of lightning at Davira. Will could smell her skin frying; see her skeleton flash beneath her flesh. She ran and jump kicked Davira in the chest, hurling her through a wall into a neighbor's apartment. Will shouted, "Nobody takes me by surprise and gets away with it!" The neighbor's weren't home, thankfully. Davira didn't seem to be stirring. Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin ran to Will's side. Everyone else stood in stunned shock. Her father didn't emerge from her room. Will lowered the protective shield around Officer Stevens and her family. She then went to Alvarez and placed a palm on his forehead.

Alvarez unfroze, staggered backward and looked around. "What just happened?"

Will closed her eyes, trying to blink back tears that had suddenly threatened to spill. She looked at her mother, who wore an expression of quiet horror mingled with awe. Professor Collins' expression was unfathomable. Will said, "My world just fell apart. That's what."

Rubble from the neighbor's apartment exploded into the room. Davira rose, wreathed in a halo of malevolent energy. "You'll pay dearly for that."

This time, Stevens and Alvarez were ready, their guns instantly in hand. "Surrender now, or we will be forced to open fire."

Davira fired a bolt of energy between them. Their reflexes did them credit. Diving out of the way, they opened fire, their bullets ricocheting off of Davira's halo. Bullets whizzed through the room, one striking Cornelia in the shoulder. Everyone dove for cover. Mrs. Alcott, Professor Collins, and Susan hid behind the kitchen counter. "Hey!" Cornelia shouted. "Stop shooting before you hurt one of us."

Taranee and Irma doused Davira with boiling water. Angry red weals formed on her face and hands. Her suit and shirt were torn from having been thrown through the rubble. More red weals from the boiling water could be seen on exposed skin. Cornelia made plates fly from the kitchen cabinet and strike Davira. Hay Lin was maintaining a steady blast of ice cold air. Davira was overpowered, and she knew it.

Mrs. Alcott shouted, "Guardians! You have to get her out of here!"

Will shouted, "I knew you weren't human!" She tried to open the rift.

Davira lunged for the Heart of Kandrakar. Cornelia tried to pull Will out of the way, but Davira plowed into both of them, all three hurtling into the kitchen. Then the fold opened.