Chapter Two – Jade POV

I was awakened the next morning by Orion jumping on me. “Mommy! Daddy told me to come get you! There’s someone at the door for you!”

I sighed and pulled the blankets off of me. “Alright, alright.” I tried to shake the grogginess. “I’m up.”

He took my hand, leading me downstairs excitedly. When I got to the door, Marco was inside, hands folded behind him. He gestured toward the terrace. “Can we talk?”

I nodded, rubbing my eyes. “Yeah.” I looked at Orion. “Go find Daddy. I’m running outside for a few minutes.”

Orion took off.

Marco smiled. “He’s a little ball of energy, isn’t he?”

I started to walk toward the terrace, still half asleep. “Yes. And quite the alarm clock.”

“Sorry I had to wake you,” he said.

We stepped outside. The fresh morning air woke me up much faster than being inside. “What is it?”

He sighed. “I couldn’t sleep again. But this time there was a good reason.”

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Yesterday, when we were hiding out, I swear I saw Damien. It was only for a split second, but I saw him.” He shook his head. “I sure as hell hope not. He’s great at manipulation and could potentially turn me back into what I was before. I can’t go back Jade. I refuse to. I’d rather die.”

“Marco,” I placed my hands on his cheeks. “Damien is dead and no one on our side would ever bring him back. No one on that side knows that spell. You’re fine. We are all fine. Calm down.”

He furrowed his brow and closed his eyes. “Then who did I see?”

I shrugged. “You may have seen him, but it could have been your mind playing tricks on you. Please try not to think about it. You are safe.”

He nodded, his eyes still closed. “You’re right.”

“Come on,” I said. “I’ll get changed and we can go to the realm. We need to meet Aidoneus.”

He nodded and I walked upstairs. When I came back down after changing, Marco was gone. I shrugged, assuming he headed to the realm without me. But stepping into the realm, I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. He wasn’t there.

I called his phone. Nothing. I tried again. Nothing. I couldn’t leave as I had an early morning class, and then I had to prepare for my afternoon class. I sighed. Why was he avoiding me?

Aidoneus approached me. “Hello Jade.”

I smiled. “Hey.” Truthfully, I knew what he was going to ask.

“Have you seen Marco?”

I shook my head. “I saw him this morning before I left, but he didn’t show up here today.” I shrugged, attempting to hide my worry. “I’m sure something just came up.”

He stared off, contemplating. “Right, well if you see him, please call me.” He handed me a slip of paper.

I nodded and stuffed it in my pocket. “I will.”

He left, and I sighed, calling Marco again. Once again, nothing. This time I left a message.

“Marco, hey, it’s me, Jade,” I spoke quickly, nervous. “Could you please call me? I’m getting nervous. Aidoneus was looking for you, but left. If you were avoiding him, it’s safe now. Please come? Or call? Please?”

I hung up, hoping the message would prompt a call.

Morgyn came up to me. “Everything alright?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I think so.” I glanced around. “Marco is MIA, but I think he’s just avoiding Aidoneus. But Morgyn, something really weird is going on. I don’t like it at all.”

He nodded in agreement. “Me either. We need to find out what it is. Quickly.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, but didn’t say a word. What could I say?

As the workday came to a close, I got a frantic call from Caleb.

“Jade, Jewel is over here to watch Orion,” he said breathlessly. The sound of wind rumbled the speaker. He was using his supernatural speed. But why? “Something is going on in Forgotten Hollow. Something involving Marco.”

I gasped. “I’ll be right there.”

Without a word, I teleported away and straight into the center of the hollow. But, it was quiet. What was going on?

Caleb arrived shortly after. “This way,” he said, taking my hand. He led me to the Straud mansion. Without even knocking, we walked in.

“I just wanted a life with my son,” Vlad growled at Marco. “You tried to take that from me.”

“So your plan is what?” Marco asked, crossing his arms. “I haven’t got all day, old man.”

“My plan is a little reunion.” Vlad grinned. “And you may not know what that means right now, but you will. That I can promise you.”

Marco rolled his eyes. “You and I both know this reunion isn’t going to phase me. I’ve gone without friends for a very long time. I don’t know who you could possibly reunite me with that would move me that much.”

Vlad stepped closer to him. “I’m going to make your life a living hell. I’m going to make Jade’s life hell. I’m going to make the Vatores’ life hell.”

Marco looked away. “Don’t bring any of them into this.”

“Oh, look at that soft expression. And as soon as Jade’s name was mentioned? You care for her.” Vlad stepped closer still. “Maybe even love her?”

“Stop!” Marco commanded, causing me to jump. “I have no such feelings for her. You know this. You’re just taunting me. All of this is nothing but a taunt!”

“Why don’t you use that vision power of yours to find out?”

“That’s dark magic.”

“Oh, right, and now you’re a softy. You don’t dabble in such evilness.” Vlad laughed. “I know someone who can change your mind.”

Marco scoffed. “No one will change who I’ve made myself.”

Vlad turned and walked away. “You’ll find out soon.”

“We have to tell Lilith and Kris,” Caleb whispered. “Marco’s right. These are taunts, and Vlad will act on those taunts if he doesn’t get what he wants.”

“Kris,” I agreed.

“Begone, Marco,” Vlad growled. “The next time I see you, you won’t be so cocky.”

Marco grinned. “My pleasure to get out of your shambles of a home.” He snapped his fingers and teleported out. Caleb and I quickly followed and caught up with him.

“Everything that’s going wrong,” Marco said, looking up at the darkening sky, “it’s all his doing. He wants to break us, piece by piece.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Caleb said quietly.

I stood in front of Marco. “Is what Vlad said true? That you feel some type of way ab-“

“No,” Marco said firmly. “Absolutely not.” He looked at Caleb. “I’m not a homewrecker.” He started walking again.

Caleb and I exchanged glances, then followed Marco. Upon going back to my house, I got in front of Marco again.

“Caleb wouldn’t have gotten a call just because of an argument. What happened back there?”

Marco looked away. “It was nothing.”

“No, it was something, Marco. What happened?”

“I confronted him. I…” he stopped. “It doesn’t matter.”

I furrowed my brow. “Marco.”

He sighed. “I went after him with a stake.”

“Why would you do that?” I barked. “That was reckless! You could have been killed!”

“I have nothing to lose,” Marco brushed past me, leaving me dumbfounded.

“What?!” I followed him. “So all of the changes, all of the friends you’ve made, they mean nothing?”

“Jade, please. Leave me be.”

I stood back. “I-is that really how you feel?” I was surprised he hadn’t tried to say he didn’t mean it or something.

He stopped walking and took my hand, leading me out onto the terrace. He faced me and closed his eyes. “Sometimes.”

“Why?”

“I try to stay strong,” he said. “But people remind me every day of the wrong I’ve done. You guys of course mean so much to me, especially you. But sometimes it takes it’s toll.”

I hugged him, resting my head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat. “You mean a lot to me too, Marco.”

He rubbed my back. “Thanks. I guess I needed to hear that.”

I smiled. “I’ll tell you every day if you want me to.”

He laughed as we pulled away. “I should get home. I’m going to try to document everything so far. I need to make this make sense.”

I nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He walked inside to leave, but I stayed outside for a few minutes. When I did go in, I was immediately met by Caleb.

“What was that about?” He asked.

I tilted my head. “Marco is going through a lot.”

He narrowed his eyes. “He seems like he’s getting quite close to you.”

I shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. He needs a friend. I’m that friend.”

Caleb looked skeptical, but I walked past him. I didn’t need interrogations.

Marco and I found ourselves walking around HQ the next day.

“I think I know what’s going on,” he said quietly.

I looked at him.

“I swore I saw Damien the other day,” he continued. “And I’ve seen him a few times here. Only for a split second here and there, but it proves I’m not crazy. And it makes sense. The one person of my past that I was actually close to was him. If Vlad wanted to bring back someone from my past, it would be him.”

I stopped, taking it all in. “But we still don’t know how Damien was revived.”

“The only people who can do that are you, Morgyn, Aidoneus and me,” he explained. “I’m placing my bet on Aidoneus.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Of course you are.” I thought for a moment. “Why would Damien revive Vlad?”

“To get back at us,” he shrugged.

“If he’s alive, then where is he?”

“Looking for me.”

“But you’re here.”

“He has no power here.”

“He still has light magic.”

Marco waved his hand. “He won’t use light magic to cause chaos.”

I pondered this. “Okay, you’re right.”

He hugged me. “I’m very sorry for what I said last night.”

I closed my eyes. “What’s happening to you isn’t fair.”

“I brought this on myself and I need to deal with the consequences.”

I gazed at him. “No. That was years ago. This needs to stop.”

He caressed my cheek. “I’ll be alright.” He smiled and narrowed his eyes.

I pulled away. “Right, I have a class to teach.”

He cleared his throat. “Even after all these years, there are awkward moments.”

I grinned.

We stepped back inside and went our separate ways. I moved down to the lower floor to get ready for my class. About half way through the class, there was commotion upstairs. Bookshelves falling, yelling, commotion.

I looked up at the ceiling and held up a finger. “Excuse me for a moment.” I rushed up the stairs and was immediately knocked to the ground. Before I could comprehend what happened, I was picked up by Marco.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Go. It’s not safe.”

“Why? What’s-“

“Duck!” He shouted, jumping in front of me. I did as instructed and looked up. My eyes widened.

“Damien.”

Damien pushed past Marco and moved to me. “You seem surprised to see me.”

“You were dead.”

“So was Marco.”

“I revived him.”

“Bored with your two good boys, you needed to add a bad boy to the mix?” Damien grinned.

“I needed his help.” I crossed my arms.

Damien looked at Marco. “And you so graciously accepted?”

Marco scowled. “I’ve changed. I’ll never be a part of what we were before.”

Damien laughed. “I suppose you’ll pull me to this side too?”

“No.” Marco shook his head. “But I won’t hesitate to kill you if you try to hurt anyone I care about.”

“Not if you don’t see me coming.” Damien stepped closer to me.

Marco shoved him back. “Don’t touch her.” He stood between us. “And I know your tricks, my friend. I will always see you coming.”

Damien shrugged. “I guess we’ll see.”

Marco rolled his eyes and began to laugh. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that light always wins.” He crossed his arms. “And when it comes to you, I won’t fight fair.”

I grinned and looked at him.

Damien looked between us. “This dynamic between the two of you is interesting. Tense. Like you always have something to say to each other.” He grinned. “Would be a shame if you finally said it in the wrong company, eh?”

“Oh, don’t start.” Marco narrowed his eyes. “There’s nothing to say. Just leave us be. You don’t belong here.”

Damien shrugged. “So be it. I’ll go. But just think about those good times we had, Marco. Those would we tortured. The chaos we caused. I know you crave it. I see it in your eye. You don’t want this life, especially now that I’m back.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Marco scoffed. “I won’t leave this life.”

Damien got in his face. “Then don’t threaten to take mine.”

And with that, he was gone.

Marco sighed. “This is bad. Very bad.”

I nodded. “It’s okay. We’ll figure out a way. We always do.”

He turned toward me, glancing around. “Jade, what he said there…”

I blushed and looked down. “I already know.”

He shook his head. “Then you know it’s not true.”

I closed my eyes. A small part of me felt let down. “Yes.” I knew he was lying.

Aidoneus approached us. “Ah, Marco, there you are.”

“I have to go back to my class,” I said.

He nodded as I walked away. I returned and finish teaching, apologizing for the delay. Thankfully, this class was of older students who didn’t ask too many questions. I didn’t see Marco for the rest of the day. I assumed he had explained everything to Aidoneus. I vowed to call both of them in the evening. We needed Aidoneus in order for us to make a plan.

As it was time to leave, I went home and immediately went to play with Orion. I stayed away from Caleb and Morgyn. I didn’t want to talk or think about anything that was happening. I just wanted my son’s presence, to see the world through innocent eyes. There was no pain, no confusion, no enemies. Only love and purity.

Purity. Calm. Something we could clearly never have.

Chapter Three (click here)