32

Note: For those who have read the books, I am well aware that Crowhaven Road is in Massachusetts, or somewhere near there, but I wanted to bring it into the mix for my own purposes. It's not called an AU story for nothing. Same goes for the shade of John Blackwell, which is the form he's in within the books.

Cassie knew when Adam arrived. It was a feeling more than anything, and when she opened the door, his hand was poised to ring the bell. "Hey," he said softly.

"We have company." Cassie nodded back toward the kitchen.

She heard her grandmother's boot heels a moment later. "Adam, good to see you. Are you staying for dinner?"

Adam was thin as a rail, and though he'd probably eaten already, this was her grandmother's attempt to put some meat on him. "I...sure," he said with a shy smile.

"Great. Come help us set the table. It's chicken pot pie tonight."

Cassie smiled at Adam. "We have that every Tuesday," she said, rolling her eyes a little for dramatic effect.

He chuckled. "That beats Dinty Moore any day."

Jane overheard them. "Is that what Ethan's been feeding you? I'll have to chat with that boy."

That made them both laugh, and they followed Jane into the dining room. In short order, the table was set and fresh flowers were arranged in Jane's favorite blue vase. "There," Jane said. "Now everything is perfect."

And so it was, until the moment when Karin Balcoin arrived and interrupted their delicious dinner with news about her brother Rob.

Leave Them All Behind

Wheels turning around
Into alien grounds
Pass through different times
Leave them all Behind

Leave them all Behind, Lyrics by Ride

Adam merely sighed when Karin doused their happy camaraderie with her grim demeanor. But after she went through her suspicions, and what actions she had taken, Jane said, "We'll help you, Karin. Just tell us when and where and we'll be there."

If he got the gist of it, Rob would probably not survive. "Is that a good idea?" Adam was speaking to all of them, but the question was really for Cassie's grandmother.

"It's the only way," Jane said. "I'll contact the Elders, and see how many will join us."

Karin nodded her thanks. "I appreciate that."

Adam watched her carefully, and noticed her color was back. Her dark eyes were sparkling, and she seemed content, despite the circumstances. As she got up to leave, he touched her hand and nearly fell back at the rush of images swarming at him like angry bees. In rapid succession, Adam saw people dressed in clothes from Puritan times, but none shone more brightly than the sloe eyed witch with hair like living flame. Her companion had teal eyes like bits of agate, and it was like staring at his own reflection. Then she pulled her hand away, and the connection was lost. The moment had lasted a split second, but it seemed like an eternity before he regained his composure and followed her to the door. "Who are you?"

Her dark eyes took him in. "An original resident of Crowhaven Road."

His mouth opened slightly as she walked down the front walk. With a ragged sigh, he started to turn back but was met by Jane. "Don't let that scare you, Adam. She's here for all the right reasons."

"You actually trust her?" Adam asked, so confused by what he'd seen that he was starting to doubt himself.

Jane nodded. "She put herself on the firing line, and nearly died to save me. So yes, I trust her with my life."

Cassie listened to Adam's tale with wide eyes. "So what is she, a time traveler?"

He shrugged. "No idea. Maybe she was reborn."

Jane served up hot apple pie. "None of the above."

The ice cream melted over her crust. She dug in and finally asked, "Is it a spell?"

"Yes, she used very old magic to be with us."

"How can that be?" Adam asked. "Nobody knows magic like that."

"It's a lost art, Adam. I believe she is the last of her kind who remembers the old ways."

"What about her brother?" Cassie asked.

Jane looked at her thoughtfully. "Strictly 20th century."

"And this person called Karin Balcoin? Does she even exist?" Cassie finished up her pie and wondered if she could sneak another piece.

Adam said, "The resemblance to Cassie is more than a coincidence."

"So you've noticed that," Jane replied. "Yes, Karin is very real. She's just being ridden by someone else."

"Ridden?" Cassie and Adam echoed in unison.

"Another term for possession. Only this happened at birth, before Karin was even aware of it."

Cassie sat back in her chair, completely stunned by her grandmother's revelations. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

"Because you weren't ready."

"And you think I am now?" Her skin was crawling right now, and she wanted to distance herself from it all.

"Maybe not, but it's time you knew."

And that was all Jane offered as they finished dessert and helped her clean up. When the kitchen was finally closed, Jane said, "Well, I have the late shift tonight. Don't wait up for me."

Adam watched the moonlight play on Cassie's lovely face as she slept, dreams unburdened by anything but pure happiness. She said his name a few times and even held his hand, which touched his already smitten heart. They'd flirted and wrestled and ended up twisted in fierce passion. And then they slept for half the night before Adam's eyes fluttered open, feeling strangely comforted by the stars revolving on the ceiling. He felt like the room approved of him, and even sensed a murmur from Amelia Blake. Her gentle presence was like a mote of dust floating in the sunlight, no more than a whisper and the touch of her hand on his shoulder. "Take care of her," was all she whispered before her essence evaporated.

Cassie moved in her sleep and dug her hands into his arm. "Mom, don't go." Her plaintive cry tore at him and he wrapped her in his arms. Tears rained on his face as Cassie wept, coming to full alertness with a shudder. "What happened?"

"Your Mom was here." Adam could hardly believe what he was saying, but he knew it was true.

"Did she say anything?"

He inhaled her sweet scent. "Told me to take care of you."

"And will you?" Cassie touched his face and her gaze seemed to sear right through him.

"Always." And knowing what she needed, Adam showed Cassie exactly that with every fiber of his being.

Karin got a booty call from Ethan and smiled at his obvious ploy to get her down to the marina. She was feeling well enough to participate, and laughed when he jumped her on the dock. They fell into the boat laughing and finished with a bang. Ethan pulled a blanket over them and nuzzled her neck. "I missed you, K."

"I missed you too."

"So what's going on with your brother?"

She told him all of it, not even leaving out the part about Adam tripping over the truth. "They all know, Ethan."

"And they're all on your side."

"But I've been living under false pretenses."

"Not anymore." He brushed wayward curls away from her face and kissed her brow.

"There's no going back."

Ethan twined his fingers with hers. "And why would you want to, Karin? There's nothing left for you there."

She marveled at the way their bodies meshed. "There was someone long ago...one of the original Conants."

Even under starlight, she could see the question in his eyes. "And did he spurn you for one of the Blake women?"

"Of course."

"Then he was a fool. I won't make that mistake."

"Damn straight you won't."

His laugh streaked through her like a falling star, but she was resolute. "You can't be involved with this, Eth."

"But my son can? How does that work?"

Her sigh was swept away by the sea breeze. "Adam has the power you never had. He and Cassie are the chosen ones."

"Empty words. What do they even mean?"

She closed her eyes and recited the old legend. "It's been written, that a Blake and a Conant will unite all our clans, for all eternity."

"And after that?"

"Nobody knows."

Faye was watching late night TV when she heard a faint tapping at the front door. With a muffled curse, she flung open the door and frowned at a smirking Jake. "Can't stay away, can you?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Faye. I'm here for the crystal."

"Is this your way of being less friendly?" She put hands on hips and barely let him squeeze by.

"Hardly. I saw your Mom go out and thought I'd pay you a visit."

"Did you now? Without even calling first? Where are your manners?"

Jake sauntered up close and gave her the onceover. "Nice top." His blue eyes lingered on her chest before returning to her face.

"Pig. You don't get the prize until you give me what I want."

He gave her that cocky half smile that turned her legs to rubber. "Where do you want it?"

God, she was going to die before this was over. "Right here, right now."

He made no effort to hide his arousal. "Suit yourself," he said, sliding his belt out of its loops and letting it slither to the floor. His jacket and shirt followed before he scooped her in his arms and started kissing her hungrily. She returned his kiss with equal fervor, and levered his lips open with her hungry tongue. His hands ripped at her top, shredding it from her body as he took her on the floor, followed by the stairs and finally in her bed, which was just where he belonged.

Karin was strolling the dock when she saw Adam returning home. "Nice night," she commented idly.

His hands were deep in his pockets as he strode over to her. "Sure is."

She could feel the question burning inside him. "Your Dad know everything, Adam. He's always known."

"And you know all his secrets too."

"I believe so."

"So tell me."

Adam needed truth like a fish needs water. "It's not my secret to tell."

"He'll never tell me."

"Not now, but maybe someday."

"Like when hell freezes over?"

She appreciated his sarcasm, even in the face of his angst. "He's afraid of losing you."

"That will never happen."

Karin strolled a few more paces. "You may be right, but that story belongs to Ethan. And I will never betray him."

Adam stopped her forward motion by stepping in front of her. "You loved the original Conant, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"But he didn't love you back."

She'd shared everything with Adam. "It was always about the Blakes."

"And that's why you're here, isn't it?" Adam's guess wasn't far from the mark. "You did it for love."

Karin hung her head in memory. "For a love never shared, yes. Luck has never been mine."

Adam touched her shoulder. "Looks like your luck has changed."

She smiled. "Perhaps it has."

Faye heard her mother come home sometime after midnight. The crystal was already in her clutches, and she had no desire to give it back, either to its original owner or her thieving, murderous parent. "What's so great about this thing anyway?" she asked Jake.

"If it's active, it magnifies your power."

"Even if it doesn't belong to you?" Faye could only imagine what Cassie would do when she found out.

"Even if. These crystals are generally fine-tuned by their owners, so Cassie would get far more out of it than you."

"Good to know." She liked the way the light shone on it, and turned it over in her hand. Suddenly she saw something flash in one of its facets and almost swore she saw a face. "J-Jake, I thought I saw something."

He smirked. "Maybe it was Cassie's mother."

She sat up in bed. "What the hell are you saying?"

Jake leaned on one elbow. "That sometimes these stones are imbued with the essence of their owner."

Now Faye was totally creeped out; she tossed the crystal at him. "Here, take it. I'm done with it."

He shook his head. "Thought you wanted to taunt Cassie with it."

"Been there. Done that."

"What will your Mom say when she finds it gone?"

She watched him dress. "Don't care. She can never make up for what she's done."

"Maybe she had good reason."

Her sudden anger roared out of her and pushed him back against the wall. "Don't you ever say that again, or I swear, I'll kill you."

Jake freed himself easily. "Empty threats, Faye. Don't say it unless you mean it."

Faye pulled on her T-shirt and marched over to him. "Do I look like I'm kidding?" She cocked her head at him and glared for all it was worth.

He merely smiled and put on his coat. "No, but you do look hot." And with a final smirk, he snuck out the back door before Dawn figured out what was going on.