Cassie listened as the trees clicked and creaked with the sway of the breeze shifting through the large maples and oaks. Aside from the noise of the trees, the night was eerily quiet. Picking up her coffee, she held it between her chilled hands as she took a small sip. Chris sat behind her, his feet propped up on the banister, and his hands folded into the sleeves of his parka.

Melissa stepped onto the wraparound porch with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The screen door squeaked as she eased it closed. Though it had snowed throughout most of the day, the sky was clear, the stars bright in the dark sky. The moon shimmered over the pristine blanket of white snow. It was one of the most hauntingly beautiful and lonely things Cassie had ever seen.

"It's so peaceful," Melissa murmured.

It was peaceful, too peaceful, and Cassie hated it. She missed being part of the action, missed the hustle of her small town and her life. She greatly missed Devon; every fiber of her being ached for him every second of the endlessly long days and nights. She hadn't slept more than two hours at a time since they'd parted last week. Her skin felt like fire ants were crawling over it.

The vibration in her pocket drew her attention to her phone. Her hands trembled in anticipation as she pulled it out. Cassie flipped it open and quickly scanned through Devon's text. He checked in with her as often as he could while searching for Julian. She had to know he was safe; otherwise she would go insane in this cabin, in the middle of nowhere, in upstate Maine. It had every new luxury she could dream of, but the cabin was remote, lonely, and much too far from Devon.

She typed a quick response to him and flipped the phone closed. She held it close, unwilling to lose the small connection the phone gave her to him. Tears burned her eyes as she slid it into her pocket. She hated living apart from him and feeling like this. She hated the uncertainty of both of their futures. And she really hated being taken out of the fight and hidden away.

Movement to the right caught her attention as Annabelle emerged from the woods. She glided gracefully through the almost knee high snow. Her hair shimmered in the glow of the moon as she moved. She wasn't as beautiful as Isla had been, not in the seductive mysterious sense anyway, but she was delicate, pretty and so open and loving it was impossible not to like her.

Though she didn't like it, Cassie fully understood why Devon had thought he was in love with her.

"Couldn't sleep?" Annabelle inquired as she strode soundlessly up the porch steps.

"No," Melissa answered.

Annabelle stomped the snow from her boots. She had a glow about her Cassie recognized as a sign of having fed well. "Where are Dani and Luther?"

"Dani's sleeping, I think. And Luther..." Melissa shrugged as she adjusted the blanket. "He hasn't left his books for more than a catnap and a pee break since we got here."

They’d all spent a lot of time buried amongst the musty books Luther had brought with him, but Luther had been nearly inseparable from the pile. As the pile grew smaller, so did their hopes of finding any answers.

"Hmm," Annabelle murmured.

"Want some coffee?" Chris asked.

Annabelle shook her head so that her long curls bounced around her shoulders. "No, not right now, thank you though."

Cassie nodded, her hands constricted around her cup as she turned back to the hushed night. "Devon and Liam are ok."

Annabelle grinned at her as she clapped her mittens together. "Of course they are, I would know if something happened to Liam."

They all gazed questioningly at her as she continued to clap her hands. "How?" Chris's chair hit the floor of the porch as he dropped his legs down.

Annabelle continued to smile reassuringly. "We share blood; we're connected in that way. I would know if that connection was severed."

A small chill ran through Cassie as she thought over Annabelle's words. "So you would know if something happened to Devon also," she muttered.

Annabelle's eyes were kind and understanding as she turned to Cassie. Cassie hated that look in her eyes, hated the pity she saw there. "It's been years, my blood connection with Devon is much weaker now, but yes, I think I would know."

Cassie nodded as she wrapped her arms around herself as the loneliness inside her grew. She could feel tears burning her eyes and she tried to bat them back. Normally she wouldn't be this emotional, but she'd been uncomfortable in her own skin for the past week.

"You would know also," Annabelle said.

Cassie shook her head. "We don't have that kind of connection," she whispered.

Annabelle frowned as she shook back her bouncing curls. "No, yours is deeper. You would know Cassie, believe me."

Cassie managed a small nod, but she didn't feel reassured. The door opened again as Luther stepped onto the porch. His eyes were bloodshot and weary, his hair a disheveled mess. "Break time?" Melissa inquired.

Luther nodded as he pulled off his glasses and cleaned them on the edge of his shirt. "Have you heard from Devon?"

Cassie frowned thoughtfully as a small surge of hope flipped her heart over. "Yes, have you learned something?"

Luther shook his head as he slipped his glasses back on. "No. I was simply curious if The Commission may have appeared in town yet."

"He hasn't said anything about them, but then again, he hasn't really seen anyone. Not even Julian."

Luther's forehead furrowed as he stared into the distance. "I'm going to have to go back tomorrow to gather some more books."

Cassie's heart lurched as her pulse picked up. "I'll go with you," she blurted as the thought of seeing Devon eased some of the torment in her body.

Luther shook his head no; his eyes were caring but resolved as they met hers. "Absolutely not Cassie," he said firmly.

"But you should have help!"

"Melissa can come with me."

Cassie glanced between them as frustration boiled through her. "I can go!" she retorted.

Luther shook his head firmly. "No Cassie, if The Commission happens to show up, they can't see you. As of now they may know of you, but they have no idea what you look like."

"But they aren't there!" she protested vehemently.

"We don't know that Cassie; they could be hiding. They could also arrive at any time. You have to stay hidden."

Cassie opened her mouth to protest and then closed it. It would be pointless; he wouldn't allow her to go. If she insisted upon it, he would stay here and it was essential they had more books. No matter how useless the books seemed right now, it was the only source of hope she had in these lonely mountains. They were one of the few things keeping her from going completely insane.

Her heart lurched as tears burned her eyes again. "Ok," she reluctantly agreed. "Will you see Devon?"

"Yes."

Despite her best intentions a tear slid free. She wiped it hastily away, if she wasn't careful she would turn into a sobbing mess. She longed to see him, to touch him, and to know he was safe. Her phone vibrated again; she pulled it out to find Devon's reassuring message that he was still safe and everything was fine. More tears slid free.

"Cassie." She looked up as Melissa wrapped her arm around her shoulder and enfolded her in the blanket. "It will be over soon."

"I know."

"Come on let's go inside, it's getting chilly out here. Plus, I think we could use a distraction, maybe a game of cards or Scrabble," Annabelle said with a false cheeriness in her voice.

Chris snorted as he launched to his feet. "Or how about I just kick all your asses on the Wii?"

Cassie couldn't help but grin at him as he strolled by and nudged her shoulder. "Dream on," she retorted.

* * *

Devon watched as the Caddy pulled into the driveway. He didn’t think Cassie was with them, but he couldn't suppress the small glimmer of hope filling him. Melissa and Luther climbed out of the vehicle and stretched their legs and backs. His spirits crashed when he realized Luther had listened to him and hadn't brought Cassie.

He opened the door for them as they stepped onto the porch. They both offered him tired smiles as they trudged inside. "How was the drive?" he inquired as he closed the door behind them.

"Fine," Luther answered. "How are things going here?"

"I'm beginning to wonder if Julian's still in the area. Maybe Cassie killing Isla scared him off, instead of making him more determined," Devon told him.

Luther lifted an eyebrow. "Do you really believe that?"

"I don't know what to believe," he admitted. "I haven't felt his presence in a while; there was only one new murder and that was the night after you left. I think he suspected there was something off with Cassie, something different. He stopped me from helping her that night..."

"He did what?" Luther interrupted.

Devon paced anxiously as he told Luther what Julian had said and done. Luther stared at him with his eyes as round as an owl's behind his glasses. Melissa's mouth was pinched but she showed no other reaction as she stood rigidly by the door. "What does that mean?" Melissa asked when Devon was done speaking.

"I don't know," Devon answered. "I don't know if it means he took off after seeing what she’d done to Isla, but I doubt it. I think he would have become more intrigued and he would have tried to test her boundaries as much as possible to see what she was capable of. Or at least the Julian I’ve always known would have, and I'm not inclined to think he's changed any."

Luther pulled his glasses off and cleaned them as he stared at the floor. "You don't think he followed us out of town?"

"I wouldn't still be here if I did. No, he didn't follow her. I would have known if he had, and Annabelle would have sensed him by now. He is strong, but not strong enough to keep himself cloaked from her and Chris for that long. Besides, there was that one other murder the night after you left."

They shifted uneasily as they glanced toward the door. "Maybe he is laying low in the hopes Cassie will return to town."

Melissa said the words, but he could tell she didn't believe them. "Maybe," he agreed, though he didn't believe it either. However there was no other explanation for Julian's sudden disappearance, or at least not a better one than Melissa had offered. Besides, there was something he was more concerned about at the moment. "How is Cassie doing?"

"As well as can be expected, I guess," Luther mumbled.

Melissa frowned as she folded her arms and her gaze moved over the house. Devon had given up his apartment; he preferred to take up residence in Cassie's home in order to keep an eye on Chris's mom. He also felt closer to Cassie in her home, he could still smell her here, still touch the things that meant so much to her. "Melissa?" he asked.

Her onyx eyes met his, her mouth pressed into a compressed line. "She's miserable," she admitted. "Cassie can take a lot, but she's had more shoved at her in the past month then anyone should ever have to handle. She's lost, she's confused, and she needs you."

Devon blinked in surprise, startled to hear Melissa speak so openly about Cassie's emotions and what she was going through. He was also wounded by the truth and heartache resonating behind her words. "Melissa," Luther said reproachfully.

Melissa waved a slender hand. "I know this is what has to be done. It just sucks," she muttered.

Devon thought that summed it up perfectly. "But she'll be ok, right?" he pressed.

"Yes," Melissa answered. "She asked me to give you this."

Melissa pulled a letter from her pocket and handed it over to him. Devon caught the lingering scent of Cassie upon it as he fingered the white envelope before slipping it into his pocket. He wished it was her he was holding, but until this mess was cleared up that wasn't to be. "Thank you. Did you get more books?"

Luther nodded, but he didn't look happy. "There's slim hope of them telling us anything Devon."

Devon ran a hand through his disordered hair. "I know. The few I have here are useless, but there is still some hope."

"I suppose so."

The sound of Liam's footsteps turned their heads to the stairs. Liam smiled as he stepped off the stairs; his hair was tussled and still damp from his shower. "How is Annabelle?" he inquired.

"Good," Luther answered. "I think everyone else is starting to go a little stir crazy though."

Liam grinned. "I imagine so."

"You staying the night?" Devon asked.

Luther nodded as he glanced briefly at Melissa. "Neither of us is ready for another seven hours in the car."

"Don't blame you. Want some dinner?"

"Sounds good."

Devon turned to move into the kitchen when he noticed Melissa had frozen. She was as inflexible as a block of ice, her face slack, and her eyes distant and unseeing. A chill of apprehension raced down his spine, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He reached for her, but Luther seized hold of his arm.

Luther's face was taut; his eyes callous as he shook his head at Devon. "Cassie," Devon whispered.

Melissa inhaled loudly; staggering back, she hit the wall before she fell to the floor. The horror in her eyes confirmed his worst fear.

* * *

Cassie glanced up from her book. The sun filtering through the bare branches cast dancing shadows across the snow covered ground. She didn't know what had caught her attention until she realized the woods had gone completely still. The squirrels no longer moved about in the trees, the birds had all stopped singing.

A chill began to make its way through her, a chill that had nothing to do with the cold day. Slowly, frightened any sudden movement might draw an attack, Cassie placed the book down. She studied the woods as her eyes rapidly darted over the thick trees. Nothing moved amongst the shadowy interior.

The creak of the door caught her attention as Dani came onto the porch. "What are you doing?" she asked quietly.

"I was reading, but..."

"But what?" Dani inquired when Cassie broke off.

"But something's not right," she answered. "We should go back inside. Where are Chris and Annabelle?"

Dani glanced around the woods. "Chris is playing a video game, and I think Annabelle is still sleeping."

Cassie stood and edged toward Dani. "Are you sure something is out there Cassie? It is the day."

"Not all of our enemies are the undead. Go on Dani, get inside."

Cassie edged toward the door, nudging Dani as she moved. In her pocket she felt her phone begin to vibrate. Keeping her eyes on the woods, she pulled it out of her pocket, relieved to see Devon's name on the screen. "Hello," she greeted.

"Where are you?" the growled demand made her skin crawl.

"I'm at the cabin, of course," she said nonchalantly as she tried to keep her alarm from him.

"You have to get Chris and Annabelle, and get out of there now. Right now."

Melissa must be with him, she must have had a vision, and if Melissa had a vision...

Cassie shuddered again as her hand squeezed the phone. If Melissa had received a vision, then it was probably already too late. Cassie tried not to panic; Melissa's visions had been thwarted before, it was possible this one could be stopped too.

"Devon." Terror choked her voice as his words completely sank in. Or, actually, his lack of a single name. A sudden knowledge dawned over her and left her hollow and shaken. She realized now there had been one name he hadn't mentioned. Closing her eyes she took a deep, calming breath. "I love you."

"Cassie..."

His words were cut off as she spun suddenly and launched at Dani. She realized only too late her mistake. She should have gone the other way, should have tried to get off the porch instead of confronting Dani head on. Dani had been prepared for Cassie, whereas Cassie hadn't been prepared for her.

The jolt from the taser gun slammed into her shoulder and knocked her back a good five feet before she fell into the wall. Her body jerked with spasms as bolts of electricity pounded into her. Pain exploded through her, blood filled her mouth as she bit down on her tongue.

The jolts suddenly stopped. Cassie slumped to the ground, unable to move as her body went limp. Her fingers clawed at the wood of the porch, she tried to form a coherent word, tried to get her body to move again, but her limbs simply wouldn't cooperate with her frazzled mind. She couldn't gather her wits enough to feel the outrage she knew she should feel.

She couldn't summon the sense of betrayal that should be directed at Dani. An anger that would give her the power, and ability, to get up and moving again if she experienced enough of it. She didn't have the strength to ponder what was going on, or how Dani was involved with this.

No, she could only sit helpless in her tortured, frazzled body.

Her eyes rolled as movement caught her attention. Figures began to emerge from the woods. Her head lolled to the side as four men climbed the stairs of the porch. Dani handed the taser gun over to the first man, who gave her a brisk nod.

"Good job. The others?"

"They've been taken care of."

Cassie uttered a garbled moan as her heart constricted. Taken care of? What did that mean? Taken care of how? Fear for her friend's safety gave her a new strength. She lurched forward as she tried to regain her footing in a desperate attempt to break free. She had barely moved a foot before a fresh bolt of electricity slammed her backward.

Her legs kicked spasmodically; blood from her chomped tongue spurted from her mouth as a choked cry escaped her. "You were right, she is tougher than we'd thought," another man said. "Two taser shots and she's still trying to get up. Tranquilize her."

Another cry escaped as they came at her with a syringe in hand. Cassie tried to get the strength to move, but her limp legs and arms refused to cooperate with her. Hands seized hold of her and pinned her against the wall. A shrill, unintelligible noise escaped her as the needle jabbed into her arm and the plunger was pushed.