They Had Lights in Their Eyes

Three

'Where Butterflies Never Die'

The bell rang to signal the end of first period, and Cassie held her breath. She had no desire to go to second period, or any other class for that matter. Chemistry was torture enough, being her own lab partner. She sighed; she had no choice but to move on with the other prisoners to second period. Placing the textbook Mrs. Wesley had given her into her very light backpack, she zipped it quickly, pulling the now weighty material over her shoulder. Clutching the strap that hung down from the black bag, she tried desperately not to make eye contact with Adam as she headed for the door. Cassie could feel the tension between him and his lab partner, and wanted nothing to do with the situation. There was something about the way that the two interacted that made Cassie sick to her stomach. It couldn't be jealousy—she honestly had no right to feel possessive of Adam. But then again, she felt a connection with the mysterious diner boy, and felt compelled to solve his puzzling inscrutability.

When she got dangerously close to Adam and his partner, the striking brunette gave her a brilliant smile, and Cassie was forced to meet her gaze. Holding in a sad sigh, she stopped and smiled back at the girl. She didn't seem to be Adam's type. There was nothing that Cassie could pinpoint directly, but she just felt it. Adam was a quiet spirit it seemed, and the chocolaty princess that stood next to him, seemed to be the polar opposite. Although the saying is opposites attract, Cassie wouldn't have put Adam in the 'mainstream' category. Yes, he was stunningly gorgeous, but popularity didn't seem to be up his alley.

"Hey, you must be Cassie Blake," the girl said sweetly. Cassie gave her a suspicious and shy look. "Oh, we rarely ever get a new student here, so when we do, it's kind of a huge deal. Don't worry though; I'm not a stalker or anything." She leaned in closer to Adam who was leaning against the black work table, and he took a silent slide to the right to put space between them once more. "I'm Diana Meade, by the way. If you ever need anything, I'd be more than happy to help."

"Oh, well, thank you, Diana. That's really nice of you." Cassie crossed her right arm over her stomach, grabbing hold of her left forearm. For some reason, Diana made her feel small; obscure, even. Maybe it was the way her eyes were such a defined caramel, Cassie could almost taste the sweet and sticky treat on her tongue. Or possibly it was Diana's flawless silk hair that fell elegantly to the lower part of her ribs. Whatever the reason, Cassie felt utterly useless in the situation. Giving a quick gaze in Adam's direction, he stared back at her, in a sort of silent promise; telling her that she was the perfect one, not Diana. Cassie held back her smile, though. She could tell that there was some relationship or history between Adam and Diana, and she didn't want to strain that any further. Cassie hated being a catalyst for drama.

"Yeah, sure, it's no problem." Diana paused with another one of her signature smiles. "Hey, um, after school today, me and some friends are going to the Boat House Grill. Maybe want to come?"" Diana widened her already flashy grin, to the exaggerated point where one might see it in a promotion for toothpaste. She pulled it off flawlessly all the same, but it was obvious that over half of her perkiness was faked to keep up a façade. Cassie, being her pondering self, wondered what Diana was trying so desperately to hide.

"Okay, sure," Cassie replied timidly, "thanks for the invite." Cassie shot back a much duller smile, but it was certainly more legitimate than Diana's. It wasn't that Cassie thought Diana was shallow, or a horrid fake. Truthfully, the girl seemed perfectly genuine. But that was the problem. Why would she make such an effort to befriend Cassie?

"You're welcome. But don't worry; you'll meet a lot of nice people. Like this is Adam: my uh," she breathed sadly, "friend." By the way Diana looked to Adam longingly; it became clear to Cassie that he had broken up with the flawless beauty. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Diana.

"We've already met," Adam chimed in lowly and huskily. The sound of his voice sent shivers down both girls' spines. Cassie looked at Adam, partly in shock at him being so curt about it, and partly in admiration for just being him.

"Oh, well that's uh, great! At least you'll know two of us." The way Diana said 'us' gave Cassie an odd feeling, but she tried to let it go. The breakup must have recent, and it was sorely obvious that Diana hadn't wanted it to end. That fact made Cassie feel like Adam was off limits. He was linked to one of the most popular and well-liked girls in school (Cassie guessed), and getting involved with him might upset the now benevolent queen.

"Yeah, that's true," Cassie said in mild neutrality. "Well it was really nice meeting you Diana, but I have to get to class." She laughed to herself. "Correction, I have to find my class." Giving a shy little smile, she began to slowly walk away, hoping that Adam might follow her; if he didn't, she wasn't going to push it.

"What class do you have next?" Adam said quickly, to catch Cassie before she made it fully out of the door. She turned back around to face him. Her blue eyes sparkled luminously against the sun that was finally settled in the sky.

"Uh, English with Mr. Bello." Cassie waited eagerly for Adam to ask to accompany her to class. Or, better yet, realize that they were in the same class.

"I have history a couple rooms down from that. I'll show you where it is." Adam walked up next to Cassie, beginning to step slowly out of the room, and taking great care not to catch Diana's numb stare. Cassie however, gave the sweet girl a little wave, before following Adam out of the Chemistry room.

Walking down the halls, Cassie realized just how large the school was. Maybe it was some cruel illusion, played on the feebly new students, but it still horrified her. It was like she was a rookie in a sport she never even knew existed. Cassie had picked up on the quiet fact that Chance Harbor had a secret code: one never spoken, but one that everyone understood and had come to terms with. She felt out of a loop she needed desperately to be a part of, in order to survive. Right now, she was about ready to be thrown into the snake pit. Meeting Adam and Diana so early on, was probably the only channel she'd get to blend in with the small town—a miracle, she'd even go out on all limb to say.

"So it seems like everyone knows that I'm here," Cassie commented coolly to break the silence. Even though she liked the quiet, she wanted to hear Adam's voice; interact with him. He turned to look at her, his intense eyes staring deeply into her.

"Yeah, everyone knows everything about everybody here," he responded blandly, tugging at his backpack. Cassie tilted her head at him. Yes she had guessed him to be someone to opt out of following the crowd, but there was something else hidden behind that simple distaste and rebellion.

"You don't seem too happy about that," she replied, finding herself inching closer to Adam carefully. He didn't resist.

"The meaning of the word privacy is about as mutilated as the real definition of 'fascism'. To them, it's just a word to throw around, but no one actually gets it." Adam shrugged.

"That bad, huh? Everyone seems really nice here, though, so it can't be that bad." Cassie had always had a habit of being an optimist. The dull look Adam returned her with, gave her the vibe that the glass was rarely half full for him. Cassie was content with that, though. It somehow just further fueled her liking of him.

"First impressions always are nice, aren't they?" His words were almost bitter, but Cassie felt it was not the prime time for trying to dissect and delve into the deeper meaning. She wanted to soak in as much of his personality as she could. Cassie didn't want to overanalyze Adam… she didn't even know if she could. He was so talented at maintaining the aloof mask.

"So you're saying I was wrong in calling you nice?" A small smirk tiptoed giddily onto her lips. Flirting with Adam was different than with any other boy she'd ever encountered. Cassie couldn't really explain it, but there was a definite difference.

"You'll have to find that out for yourself," Adam returned, a smirk creeping onto his face. Though, his was slicker and more practiced than hers. He stopped in front of a room, and Cassie felt her heart plummet to her stomach. This must be Mr. Bello's room. "I'll see you after school, Cassie Blake. I can meet you by your locker, if that would be easiest for you."

There was something archaic about the way Adam spoke and carried himself. His words seemed perfectly normal for a sixteen year old, but there was a certain reminisce of chivalry long since dormant. It slipped from his soft pink lips, in a most elegant simplicity, that Cassie could bet that Adam didn't even know he did it. She looked at him in observant wonder as he held his head kindly high, and kept his posture perfectly straight. Give him a top hat and black coat, and he'd be the perfect gentleman, seeming right out of the late eighteen hundreds.

"It'd be great if you could meet me." Cassie smiled and waved goodbye, and walked into second period English.

Adam watched as she disappeared into the softly lit room, and found himself smiling uncontrollably. Breathing in a breath of utter satisfaction, he continued down the hall to class.

Sliding out of her Subaru, the Boat House Grill seemed different than it had on Sunday night. Just by the faint sounds, Cassie could tell it would be much more crowded and loud. The amount of people always had a great effect on the ambiance of a place. She hoped that the grill would still welcome her, despite its chaotic state.

Adam got out from his car that was parked next to Cassie's, and came up behind her. She could feel him hovering dangerously close, but didn't feel the urge to move away.

"You ready?" Adam moved to the side of her, and raised an eyebrow at the blonde. Cassie nodded slowly. That was a very loaded question he had just asked, and Cassie felt that Adam knew that. Lowering his dark eyebrow, he ushered her to the entrance to the Boat House, opening the door for her when they reached the faded and chipping paint-covered wood.

She was immediately overwhelmed by a sea of people, cluttering all of the tables and booths that had looked so peaceful and placid the night before. Crossing her arms, she allowed Adam to lead the way to a booth set up cozily in the back corner of the restaurant. His strides were longer and bolder than at school, so she could only guess that this was his element.

The two approached the booth, and Cassie noticed three heads of perfectly manicured hair popping up from behind the red backrest. She held her breath as she and Adam reached the table. He allowed her to enter first, then he slid in quietly next to her; making sure to keep a safe amount of distance between them.

"Adam, would you like to do the introductions?" Diana raised a sharp and seemingly annoyed eyebrow, and Adam nodded curtly. As the two were caught in a momentary glaring contest, Cassie looked to the girl immediately across from her. Shiny ebony hair tied back in a lithe ponytail almost blinded her vision, and misty hazel eyes held Cassie's weak gaze sternly. The way the girl's jaw was set firmly forward, made it seem like she had some sort of determined goal, and she'd do anything to get. Cassie immediately felt suffocated under the totalitarian vibe the girl radiated.

"Cassie," Adam addressed her carefully, quietly, and maybe even seductively, "this, is Faye Chamberlain," he gestured towards the black haired beauty she'd been looking at, "and this, is Melissa Glaser." Cassie gave a wave to the two girls. Did Adam only spend time with girls? She was almost bitter about that.

"I'm Cassie Blake," she then introduced shyly. Melissa and Faye looked to each other in knowing amusement.

"Yes, we know," Faye responded in tight mystery. A conniving smile formed on her lips. "You know, you're very pretty."

Cassie felt like there should be a 'for a…' tagged onto the end of that so-called compliment, but it never came, much to her surprise.

"Um, well, thanks," she replied loosening up somewhat, "that's really nice of you to say." Cassie felt herself gravitating towards Adam, but it was difficult to control her movements. Adam looked to the steaming Diana, and bit his lip, like her face was a sort of inconvenience.

"I'm going to go get some drinks. Diana," he looked to her firmly, "mind helping me?" The girl's face softened at the invitation, even though she knew the real reason for him pulling her from the table (namely Cassie).

"Yeah, I'd love to." Diana gave a proper departing smile, before rising from her seat, and following Adam into the kitchen. Faye watched intently for the two to disappear from sight, and then turned in dark eagerness to Cassie.

"Do you like him?" Cassie's heart stopped at Faye's question. She knew the answer was yes, but she also wanted to get on Diana Meade's good side.

"I—I don't know," she replied weakly, "what kind of question is that?" Cassie crossed her arms.

"Well, an obvious one, based on how you act around him," Faye rolled her eyes as if it was common knowledge. "So, do you?" She leaned her elbows on the table.

"No offense, but I don't really know you…" Cassie gave Faye a guarded look.

"Maybe, but I do know Adam. He goes for girls like you, you know. The sad, brooding, and trusting girl who has virgin written all over her. You're just his type." Faye's tone was borderline cruel.

"Great," Cassie shot back dryly, "but I uh, actually have to go. Tell Diana thank you for inviting me." With that, Cassie kept Faye's unsettling hazel stare, and then walked swiftly out of the grill, and to her car. She didn't know why she had gotten so upset by what Faye said, but she had. She wanted to cry and scream, all at the same time.

Reaching the car, she stared longingly at Adam's blue one that sat right beside hers. Cassie wanted to go back in there for Diana and Adam; possibly even Melissa, but Faye was such a looming threat, she couldn't do it. Sighing, she got into the car, and buckled her seatbelt in a slowed down haste. About to rev up the engine, she saw smoke begin to rise from under the hood of her car. Rolling her eyes, Cassie went to open her doors, but they were locked shut. Panic beginning to overtake her, she tired pulling the unlock button, but it refused to budge. Her heart was racing frantically now.

"Oh, no, no, no, you've got to be kidding!" Cassie kept pulling crazily on the door, with no luck. Tears started to form in her eyes from the stress, and she shot back jumpily when the car burst into sudden flames…

"Put it out," Faye whispered harshly from the window, Melissa beside her, "put it out…."

Cassie felt death coming closer. She didn't want to die in flames like her mother. Looking frantically out of the hazing window, she saw a form spring over to her: Adam.

His momentum made him run into the car with a little thud, but he didn't let it faze him. Adam began to pull harshly on the door's handle, but the green piece of metal would not let him enter. He looked to the flames, thinking that that was the first thing that he should do before anything else. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Cassie pounding frantically on the window, and he focused all of his energy in the direction of the flames, them finally going out. Adam couldn't sigh in relief just yet. Tugging on the door a couple more times, he was finally able to think of the right undoing spell to unlock the door. When the thing swung open, Cassie dashed out of the car and right into Adam's arms.

He caught her with ease, bringing her feet off of the ground, and her face intimately close to his. She wrapped her small and smooth hands around his neck, clinging to him with everything she could muster. He noticed the tears that had begun to fall minutely down her cheeks. Adam encircled Cassie's trembling waist with a tighter grip, bringing her lithe body closer into his chest.

When Cassie finally caught her breath, she looked up to Adam. "Thank you," she whispered, and dug her head into his collarbone. It fit perfectly in the little crevice, and she never wanted to leave his arms. Adam carried her in the direction of his car, and gestured for Diana to come over and put down the back part of his car for Cassie to sit on. Diana got the message, and ran as fast as her black flats would take her, to Adam's faded blue car.

"Cassie, oh my god, are you alright?" Diana was frantic, as Adam gently sat Cassie on the old car. She held her torso tightly, and looked panicked towards Adam when he began to move to give her space. He understood her fear, and remained close to her.

"Yeah, I'm—I'm fine; just shaken up, I guess. What even happened?" Cassie looked perplexed at Adam and Diana (who had just moved closer to Adam). The exes stared at each other nervously.

"It doesn't matter," Adam's soothing voice said, "you're safe." Diana nodded in agreement, and then looked to Faye and Melissa who were swiftly fleeing the scene. Adam followed her gaze, and sighed. He knew it was time to tell Cassie. He hoped that she could handle it.

"Are you okay to walk?" Diana asked Cassie expectantly. Adam gave her a stern look. Was she really going to make Cassie go to the house now?

"I think so, why?" Cassie was taken aback by the sudden and seemingly random question. Diana breathed heavily.

"Good, because we need to show you something." Diana's voice was utterly serious, and Cassie gave a questioning look. As Adam and Diana began to slowly back away, urging her to follow, she got up hesitantly, and succumbed out of pure curiosity. Maybe whatever they had to show her would help her forget the recent traumatic event.

Adam and Diana led Cassie deep into the fertile forest, and to an abandoned house that looked to be from the last century; maybe even two. The wood was at the mercy of the termites, and the roof was so badly torn, that the entire building was probably ice. Cassie looked in scared questioning at Adam, but he gave her a smile, to assure her that it would all be okay. Wringing her hands together, she continued to tag behind the duo, and up the stairs, and into the dark house. Upon entering, she was met with Faye, Melissa, and another boy standing patiently. The three smiled at Cassie. One was wicked, the other empathetic, and the last somewhere in between.

"You already know Melissa and Faye," Diana said, emphasizing the latter name harshly, "and this is Nick Armstrong." Cassie stared blankly at all five of the teens, not sure how to respond.

"What do you guys want from me?" Cassie became frantic for a second time that day. If this was some twisted cult, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

"You're different than most, Cassie," Diana began slowly, easing into the punch line. Faye rolled her eyes.

"Oh for dear lord, just tell her!" Faye's hazel eyes fixed on Cassie, and she came closer to her. "You're a witch, alright? A full-blown, pure blooded witch."

Cassie took a step back. "Is this some spinoff of Harry Potter or something? What the hell are you talking about?" Cassie shifted her blue eyes to all of the people surrounding her, and landed on Adam. His face was sad, it seemed. Cassie felt her heart drop to her abdomen. He couldn't be a part of this… insanity.

"This isn't any Halloween fantasy," Diana told her. "We're a Circle—and you're our sixth and final member." She started to approach Cassie, but the blonde took some questioning steps backwards, falling right into Adam. She held her breath, and that movement seemed to trigger a crazed response.

"No, this is crazy," she whispered, her eyes wide, and she ran from the house, and into the woods.

Adam could still feel the shock of Cassie's body against his, and he slowly rolled his eyes. "Shit," he breathed, and took off after Cassie into the great unknown of evergreen and brown.

"Cassie!" He called, seeing her frantic form take a sharp left. He picked up his pace, and caught her in an opening, surrounded by enormous trees. "Cassie," he said softer, "please, just hear me out."

"No," she returned backing away and shaking her head, "you're all crazy…"

"Then humor me for one minute, okay? Just one; I promise." Cassie sighed, giving in to Adam. Reaching down, he pulled off a leaf from one of the plants around him, and kept his gaze locked on Cassie. Walking slowly up to her, as if not to startle her, he handed her the leaf. "Hold the leaf like this," Adam said, demonstrating the cupping form with his hands, "and watch what happens."

Cassie rolled her eyes, and tried to hide the sliver of interest that she had. She did as she was told, cupping the leaf lightly in her hands, and watched blandly. Nothing happened. Adam breathed shallowly; he'd have to show her.

"Here," he mumbled, and cautiously stepped towards her, and enveloped his hands around hers. Closing his eyes, he whispered something incoherent to Cassie. She watched with awe as he recited the beautifully foreign language, and caught his striking blue eyes when he opened them. Adam dropped his gaze to the leaf, and a droplet of water was hovering high above the green plant. Cassie smiled in wonder, and as she stared to believe, numerous other drops of water rose from their homes on the plants, defying gravity, and encircling Adam and Cassie.

"You're doing this?" Cassie whispered, in both shock and awe. Adam looked to her kindly, a smile forming on his face.

"No," he replied just as light, "we are…"

She looked up to Adam, his lips so close. She wanted to feel their soft caress over hers, and she wanted to get a slight hint of taste from the mint gum that he was chewing. Cassie wanted to close her eyes, and experience nothing but the animalistic and primitive sensation of pure touch. Adam's hot breath swirled blithely onto her skin, and she felt her hands twitch in his.

Adam could see Cassie's wants, and took the bold step, and closed the distance even more between them. They were so close. Cassie closed her eyes, only a few inches from his lips, but then froze and pulled back; taking her hands out of his.

"I—I can't," Cassie stuttered, and quickly began to walk away. It wasn't the kissing that had gotten in the way; in fact, she didn't know what possessed her to flee from such a beautiful scene and person. But logic seemed taboo in this instance, and she continued on her way back to her car.

Stepping out of the bathroom, pastel pink robe tied tightly around her, she walked absent mindedly about her room. Adam, the woods, and the prospect of being a witch, sprinted through her mind, engulfing Cassie in a terrain she could not manage. Continuing to walk, her sleeve caught on something. It jolted her from her haywire thoughts, and she tugged the material off of the mystery object. Cassie found a small little handle, and cocked her head to the side. Did it open?

Curiously reaching for the white knob, she wrapped her fingers around it, and pulled the small little compartment door open. The cubicle-like opening was dark, but she felt around, and grabbed on to what looked to be a book of some sort—maybe even a journal… one of her mother's. Closing the little door, she hugged the book to her chest, and sat Indian style on her bed. The worn leather cover stared at her with an ethereal eagerness.

She flipped the book open, to find a letter much whiter and newer than the horridly yellow paper of the book. Cassie gently unfolded the piece of parchment:

My dearest Cassie,

If you are reading this, that means that I'm gone; and for that I am so sorry. Just know now, before you dig any deeper into this book or its contents, that I never wanted this life for you. But, it's never easy to run from destiny: no matter how hard you try.

This book holds all you need to know for the most part, about witchery, but it won't tell you how to deal with it. Every witch and warlock deals with their powers in different ways. I cannot tell you how to go about doing it… that's part of the journey. You are a smart girl, Cassie, and strong, and willing; I know you will do what is right. Don't think of this magic as a curse—at first I did, and that did me very little good. Just accept. I know it's a hard thing, but trust me on this one, okay, my sweet Cassie? Life will be easier that way.

I wish you all the luck in the world on your new journey, and know what I am with you in spirit every step of the way (that's such a cliché line, huh? But it's true; I will be there, watching and protecting you.)

All my love,

Mom.

Cassie stared at the letter, unable to move or react. A wave of strong and weighty emotions came crashing over her, and she had no idea how to react. Crying would be the most obvious and easy option, but Cassie decided rather, to stay strong, and continue to look at the book her mother had left her. If Amelia wanted her to learn this, then Cassie would dive into the topic with all she had.

She flipped through page after page of antique cursive handwriting penned in the deepest of blacks. She skimmed over the headings that labeled each section, numbly doing so; until she got to the header: The Legend.

The Llŷr and the Dôn were rival families. For centuries, they put aside farming, prayer, and peace in order to fight. The Llŷr were the water people, followers of Arausio, and the Dôn are the earth people, following Robor. Robor and Arausio were rivals gods, so they supplied their devout humans with segments of their powers, so that they could wage the war for Robor and Arausio.

This feud between the earth and water gods and the rivalry between the Llŷr and Dôn went on for quite some time, resulting in much bloodshed. The humans swiftly adjusted to their newfound powers, beginning to exploit them—using them for things other than war in the name of Arausio and Robor. The Fates had observed this complex battle for some time, deciding to let the history play out as it was supposed to. But, after one Llŷr used their magic to shatter a sculpture of the Fates, they had had enough. They descended down to earth, and cast a cruel spell on the eldest son of the Dôn and the eldest daughter of the Llŷr: they are destined to be together.But, the Fates put a tragic twist on the spell: Gywdion, of Dôn, and Branwen of Llŷr repel each other; their families doomed to feud for all of eternity.

After this curse, the Fates decide that magic is too dangerous for any human to have. So, for any man who is blessed with the gift, they can only practice it in a 'circle' of peers who share the same power. Their magic is greatly weakened when they try to use it on their own; so much, that it scarcely even causes a spark. But alas, the Fates cold not put this curse on the Llŷrs or the Dôns: the power handed to them by Robor and Arausio was too powerful to be stripped. As time passes, the two families felt just how serious the consequences were of the curse placed on the first born son and daughter. The two were bound, and cannot resist, but they were forced to repel one another, and discard their destiny, in order to be with the one they 'truly loved'. They were tortured by seeing one another, and sunk easily and heavily into depression. Their cruel and tragic fate came when one of the two are forced to die: brutally, and lonely. Gywdion was the one to parish. Trapped in his hut, it was set into flames, and the only way to escape the burning fire was to pierce his heart with a dagger the Fates had placed in the house.

Though the outcome was a horrid one, the two families continued their hatred and senseless fighting.

Dispater, god of the underworld, was very bitter towards the Fates for banishing him to his dark realm. In order to spite them, he went to the head of each family: Lleu, of Dôn, and Caradog of Llŷr. He persuaded them to each smell a whiff of his narcissus flower—both men did as they were asked. The scent mutilated the magic within them and their families, morphing into dark instead of its original light. Both men sneeze at the smell, though, and the curse was altered.

It can only go into effect when the cursed eldest son and daughter meet…

Cassie stared at the page, not sure how to take it. What did Gywdion and Branwen have to do with her? Looking back at the simplistic writing style, she had no idea how to take the myth it spun. All she did know was that she'd have to face Adam and the rest of them tomorrow, and she'd either have to ignore or join them. Keeping her eyes locked on the page, she didn't know which path she'd choose...

Okay, so it's five thousand words as promised! By the way, sorry for the spacing of the last few paragraphs; I don't know what happened. So, the myth is based loosely on Welsh mythology, but the story line is all mine. If there is only one chapter you ever review for this story, please let it be this one! I need as much input as possible!

Your thoughts are much appreciated.