By xxx Queen of Slayers xxx, for Mette.
It had been over a year now that Cassie had moved to New England, and the danger had passed. Black John had been destroyed and the Circle were now also on good terms with the outsiders. Cassie was again living at her house with her mother, and since it was the December holidays, was at Diana's house with the rest of the Circle. Even Faye was there, and though she hadn't become softer towards the others, she still made an effort to participate within the group, like Nick.
Cassie looked around, seeing that Nick wasn't there, but just as she thought that, he came in. His eyes went straight to her face, then dropped down to her hands enfolded in Adam's hand, and for a second a wistful expression flashed in his face as he went to sit next to Deborah.
"Is everyone here? Good, then we can begin. I want to talk to you all about the Yule rites we should plan," Diana began.
Cassie leaned forward, interested. "We could do what we did for Samhain for the Winter Solstice and then have a party later, and I've read it's also a good time for wishes to come true."
"A Circle and a party - at night. Hmmm..." Faye murmured, her golden eyes narrowed. "Maybe."
"Yes." Laurel said. Suzan and Deborah agreed with her.
"We could go swimming as well," Sean said eagerly.
Melanie glanced at him, eyebrows arched. "Swimming? In December?"
Dough and Chris were just as enthusiastic as Sean, their tilted blue-green eyes glinting. "Yeah! And Laurel could make that Ovaltine she made again." Doug grinned.
Laurel nodded. "It would be fun!"
"It's also one of the most important witch seasons, so we could add some of the traditions from our Book of Shadows'." Adam suggested. He was sitting close to Cassie, her head leaning on his shoulder with her hand intertwined in his.
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "Those are pretty good ideas. We could work on them. Maybe..." and for the rest of the afternoon they discussed how to make the Circle on the Winter Solstice an exciting event and also meaningful, and also made plans amongst themselves. Finally they disbanded and Cassie left with Adam after saying goodbye to the others and promising to call Diana when she reached home.
That night Cassie went to the theatres with Adam and was in an excellent mood when she got home. Her mother was in the kitchen baking; as she came in, the smell wafted towards Cassie making her mouth water as she sniffed appreciatively.
"How was your day, honey?" Her mother asked.
Cassie smiled. "It was great, thanks, Mom." She picked up a cookie with white chocolate and sugar sprinkles on it from the plate and ran up the stairs. Once she'd reached her bedroom, Cassie picked up the Book of Shadows from her bedside table, then settled down to read it, engrossed in the spells and rituals written down in cursive by her ancestors before her sharing their life long experiences, and eventually her eyelids became heavy and she drifted off to sleep.
Cassie felt something wrong, and woke up in the middle of the night by the sound of something... she waited a couple of seconds so her eyes could adjust to the darkness, then swung her feet out of bed, walking softly and quietly to the middle of the room. There was a shadow hovering a couple of feet above the ground. Cassie's heart began to beat very fast, thudding against her ribcage, her hands clammy.
A voice whispered in her head. Cassie don't...
The voice sounded a lot like Adam's. Cassie swallowed, and the shadow turned around. It was a shadow of a woman with the crystal skull in her hands. Cassie backed away, her hands over her mouth, choking as she saw the darkness emanating from the skull, all things black and evil, things created from the absence of light.
"Hello, Cassie." The woman smiled, her crimson eyes glowing as her hair blew around her face. "I don't think I've introduced myself."
Cassie's heart beat wildly, nearly spiralling out of control, as she waited for the woman to say her name, though Cassie had a distinct feeling she knew who the woman was.
"I'm Belladonna, you know? Black John's sister? He never mentioned me? Shame on him."
Cassie's breathing became ragged. Adam? Diana? Nick? Help me! Adam? Diana? Nick? Can anyone hear me? I'm danger... "What do you want?" Cassie's voice hitched.
Belladonna smiled, stroking the head of the skull with her thumb. "My brother had an - shall we say, unwise - obsession with a particular coven in New Salem, especially with a young girl who had joined them. But he's dead," she said matter of factly, "and I guess I should avenge him, since he was after all family."
"What are you going to do with us?" Cassie asked. She fingered the Hematite stone hanging on a chain around her neck, and immediately cold strength flooded through her body. She stood up straighter, able to face Belladonna.
"Not you," Belladonna said. "I have special plans for you, as you're my niece, and something different for your coven; I just merely mean to incapacitate you," Belladonna said. Her mouth pulled back in a feral smile.
Suddenly a dark ball of energy shot out at Cassie, slamming into her body, as she dropped to the ground. Cassie's heart almost stopped beating, slowing down, until it stopped completely. Her blood ran sluggishly through her veins, slowly chilling as she started to turn cold, panicking, unable to do anything as her body got ready to near it's final death throes. Cassie's soul slowly slipped out from her body and floated to the ceiling as she looked down at her still body, lying on the floor of her bedroom.
As soon as Belladonna teleported away, the bedroom door banged open; the Circle was here at last, but it was too late as they rushed in, alerted by Cassie's mind call earlier on. Adam immediately rushed over to Cassie's side as he cradled her in his arms, repeatedly calling out her name. Cassie's mother was being comforted by Laurel as she came in after the Circle, seeing what was happening in her daughter's room. Melanie's normally calm façade was broken and crumbling, silent tears pouring down her cheeks. Suzan and Deborah looked shaken, Deborah's stone appearance fading as she knelt by Cassie's body, replacing her expression with a look of anguish. The Henderson brothers and Sean were grim for once and silent, Sean's eyes showing his fear. Nick was by the door, his expression unreadable. Faye was solemn for once, without her scarlet-tipped fingernails and regular accessories. She passed for normal, her golden eyes dimmed, and as if by a trick of the light also a little watery. Diana had sunk to her knees, her expression shattered, and her eyes wide and blank and overflowing with tears.
No, Cassie thought, No! This can't be happening! She felt the silver cord trying to pull her to Adam, and she caught hold of it, but just couldn't re-enter her body. Agony clouded her mind and Cassie shrank back and watched the proceedings, her eyes resting on Adam.
I will get back to my body soon, she vowed to herself, whatever happens, I will come back. For Adam... The day of the funeral drew to a close; it was cold and grey, matching the mood of the mourners. Cassie the spirit found she could go anywhere, so she kept watch over Adam, Diana and her mother, and also the rest of the Circle. The whole school was there. Sally had given her sincere apologies to the Circle and was standing besides the grandparents of the Circle, her other former hall monitors besides her. Mrs Cain, the new principal, had also attended and was deep in conversation with Cassie's mother. All fell silent as the funeral rites were being held. Half the mourners had tears running down their cheeks as they took out their tissues, and then finally it was over. All the mourners separated and went their own ways; only the Circle remained behind, along with Cassie's mother besides Cassie's grave, and then they eventually began to leave, until there was only Adam, Nick and Diana left, who went last of all. After they had left, someone came up to the dais. Cassie had no trouble recognising her by the flowing black robes she had worn before, and she could also see the person's profile.
Belladonna.
She looked up at Cassie, who started to feel light headed.
No, Cassie thought, no! She looked down at herself as she started to fade away; her last conscious thought was of grey-green eyes, like silver lightning.
Cassie's eyes snapped open to the darkness of the tomb. She couldn't see anything as her eyes struggled to adjust to the dark. The tomb felt closed in, suffocating, claustrophobic. There was no air inside the tomb; Cassie's throat was on fire. Panicked, she tried to claw at the hewn wood, her breathing struggling. Her nails dug into the wood as she tried desperately to free herself from the coffin.
Finally after what seemed like ages, she succeeded, as she pulled herself out of the narrow wooden box, pushing through the soil. Her nails were raw and bloody, her clothes falling apart and soaked, as it was pouring down. Cassie ran from the cemetery, stumbling on several headstones as she passed. She reached the road and was walking in the middle when headlights pierced the darkness in front of her. A car came round the corner and the driver braked sharply when he caught sight of the figure on the side of the road in his bumper mirror. He unbuckled his seatbelt and walked around the driver's side to the figure, realising it was a girl.
He caught sight of the face and instantly recognised it, frozen in shock.
"Cassie?"
Cassie stared at him uncomprehendingly as she shivered, droplets of water rolling of her exposed skin. "Wh-who are y-you?" She questioned Nick, shivering.
Nick's face, still frozen but now also unreadable, kept his emotions in check. "Just a friend."
"I -- I don't remember you," Cassie stammered, "I don't remember anything. I don't even remember my own name."
"Cassandra Blake."
"What?" Cassie blinked up at him.
"Cassandra Blake. Your name." Nick hesitated. "Are you okay? Want me to drive you to the hospital?"
Cassie shook her head. "I- I'll be fine."
"At least let me take you to a friend's house," Nick pressed. His eyes clouded over with concern and something else. Something Cassie couldn't read.
"Thanks," she said. Nick helped open the passenger door for her carefully, and then went round to the driver's seat and got in. As he revved up the engine, Cassie shivered, the coldness of the leather seats seeping into her bones. Nick glanced at her, then took off his black leather jacket and slung it over her shoulders. The jacket smelt like him, the clean, musky male scent and cologne not too strong. It made Cassie feel safe. Cassie looked over at him out of the corner of her eye as he drove, his hands tensed on the steering wheel, and throwing glances at her every now and then, as if he couldn't believe she was real. Finally they reached the 'friends' house, and Nick helped her out of the car. Cassie smiled at him gratefully then blushed.
"I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
He grinned at her; the smile lit up his face. "Nick Armstrong." He said, holding out his arm to her as he walked her to the door and rung the doorbell. It was Diana who opened the door. She saw Nick standing there, and then from behind Cassie stepped out; Diana blinked and blinked again, then fumbled with the door to stay upright, her eyes bloodshot.
"Cassie? Cassie, is it really you?" Diana whispered, disbelief clearly evident in her voice and expression, and then she ran to Cassie and hugged her as if her life depended on it. "It really is you! Are you okay, Cassie? But how?" Diana asked, stumbling over her words, overjoyed. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, she reached out to pull Cassie into a hug --
And Cassie resisted.
Diana had never looked so anguished in her life.
"Come on; lets go inside first, then explanations." Nick suggested.
Cassie had been taken to Diana's room whilst they hurriedly discussed something. Cassie couldn't make out what was going on, and then Diana came back into the room, alone. She crossed over to Cassie, her large green filled with concern as she appraised Cassie's wounds. She looked up at Cassie's face, smiling hesitantly. "Do you want to have a bath? Then I can help bandage your wounds?" She offered.
Cassie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She locked the door of the bathroom and went to look in the mirror; she didn't recognise herself. in her reflection, she saw a girl with fine light brown hair waving softly back from her face, wildflower blue eyes set in an oval face with pale skin, the cheeks a dusky sunset, her figure slender and delicate with highlights shimmering in her hair under the pale lights of the bathroom.
Cassie sighed, frustrated, and hung her clothes on the back of the door, slipping into the rose-scented bath as she thought over everything. She felt much better when she had finished; she picked up the clothes Diana had left for her from outside the bathroom door, and then got dressed. When she came out, Diana was waiting for her. There was also a teenage boy waiting besides Diana.
His hair was as red as wine and he had sea-green eyes that were as deep as the ocean. As soon as Cassie saw him, she felt as though she should recognise him, but yet she couldn't. He drew her to him, a silver cord stretching between them.
I know you...
"Cassie, this is Adam Conant." There was an odd tone masked in Diana's voice. Cassie opened her mouth to say something, but then promptly closed it again as she stared at Adam. He was looking at her intensely as he stepped forward right up to her.
"Hello Cassie." His eyes were like silver lightning as she looked at him. Cassie's eyes never left his face as something tugged at her memory, trying to make her remember, but all she could find was a wall blocking access to everything about her life. Her brow creased in concentration as she struggled furiously to remember, and something about the look on his face made it so much more important to remember.
"Cassie?" There was a slightly hopeful note in Diana's voice.
Cassie dragged her eyes away from Adam's face. "Yes?"
Something about the look on Cassie's face made the hopeful tone in Diana's voice disappear. "I was just asking if I could introduce you to the rest of our friends."
Cassie noticed she'd said 'our' she nodded and let Diana lead her downstairs to the foyer, where a couple of teenagers were waiting with their eyes wide, and one also had her hand on her mouth, as if Cassie was coming back from the dead - which she was. One of them was Nick. He met her gaze head on as she came down the stairs. Cassie felt a strong sense of déjà vu; she must have done something similar to this in her life. As Diana introduced - or re-introduced - her to everyone, Cassie caught sight of a girl with long raven locks and golden eyes; she gave off an air of danger standing there, dressed in a short black dress, her long nails scarlet-tipped.
She was the last person Cassie was introduced to; it turned out she was Diana's cousin Faye.
"Hello, Cassie." Faye had a throaty, sultry voice, which reminded Cassie of a singer's voice she had once heard. She stared at Faye not knowing if she was once her friend or not.
Diana glanced around. "Maybe we should go up and acquaint ourselves with Cassie, she must want to know about us," Diana suggested, her voice strained. Everyone nodded and followed her up the stairs. It was a long while later, after everybody had told Cassie about themselves - and some amusing tales too, which in some was Cassie herself -- when Diana suggested Adam drive Cassie home. Everybody went silent of what was yet to come.
"Maybe Diana and Adam could explain to Ms Blake," Suzan said doubtfully.
"I wouldn't mind," Adam said
Cassie stared around at them all, confused, until a throaty voice broke in. "I think we should phone first, tell her the good news, and then drop Cassie off." It was Faye.
"We could do that, couldn't we, Diana?" Laurel questioned, turning to her.
Diana nodded. "Yes, I'll phone her."
"Aren't we forgetting something?" Faye asked, her eyes gleaming dangerously. Knowing what she was about to say, Diana glanced at her.
"If you want to phone you can."
Faye smirked. "As one of the co-leaders I expect to be able to participate and take charge whenever I wish." She stalked out of the room, and went to phone Cassie's mother. Cassie didn't know what was going on, but was more concerned about her ... Cassie fought to think the word aloud.
Mother.
What terrified her was that she didn't remember anything or anyone, especially her own mother, knowing it would hurt this woman in some way. She wondered how bad her amnesia was. But as it turned out, when Cassie met her mother, Ms Blake didn't seem as shattered as Cassie thought she would be by the fact that her only daughter could not remember her, although Cassie could see the pain flicking behind her eyes before she turned away. She was concerned about Cassie, enquiring after her in a way that made Cassie feel uncomfortable. After the brief visit, she was about to leave, when Suzan intercepted her.
"Ms Blake, aren't you going to take Cassie with you?"
Cassie's mother turned around. At that moment she looked incredibly young and very, very vulnerable. "I don't think that's best for her at the moment, maybe she would be more comfortable with Diana?" She suggested.
Diana looked at her, her green eyes concerned. "Of course Ms Blake, but what about you?"
Cassie's mother smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll manage."
Once she had gone, Faye, who had been looking bored, announced, "I'm going, anybody coming with me?"
"I'll come," Sean said. His eyes were rapidly taking in one Circle member after another, as he darted to Faye's side. Some of the others went with her, saying goodbye to Cassie and touching her, either a hug or a friendly pat, like they wanted to prove to themselves that she was there and real. Laurel hugged her as Deborah just rolled her eyes giving Cassie a pat, the Henderson brothers whooped loudly and swung Cassie around in a big bear hug, being a bit careful like she would break or something, grinning broadly as they disappeared down the path. Only Melanie, Adam and Nick stayed behind with Diana and Cassie.
Diana led them to her room, then turned to Cassie saying gravely, "Cassie, I think you should know about us, about what you really are." They explained as best as they could to Cassie about when she moved to New Salem and everything that had happened since she had come to this town, which was quite a lot, but Cassie could tell they had left out some parts, but didn't want to know what else there was to say. When Diana and the others there had finished telling Cassie almost everything, Diana looked at Cassie expectantly.
"Do you know now? When -" Diana couldn't say the words, too anguished to let it out "- when you went and then came back, something must have happened to make you forget everything."
Cassie's head was swimming with everything she had just heard, trying to make sense of it all.
"Everything you've just told me, it's all true? Am I really a-a witch?"
Adam nodded. "Yes," he said solemnly.
Cassie bit down on her lip. "Oh, I--I don't remember any of it..."
Diana smiled at her gently. "Don't worry its fine. Everything will work out for the best, you'll see."
Cassie nodded, wishing she could believe that, and also noticing the way that Adam and Nick were staring at her, Adam agonised and Nick thoughtful. They were also the type of looks that Cassie thought that boys would give to Faye and Diana. They were looks she recognised.
As Cassie lay in bed that night, she thought over everything that had happened to her that day. Like the fact that she remembered a bit about a woman with long flowing raven hair and ruby eyes, before 'dying', but couldn't tell anyone as she couldn't remember all the facts and if it was real or not. She remembered everything the Circle members had told her about her life, and wished she could remember her life just as clearly as they, it was agonising and it was hurting her inside.
As Cassie lay on Diana's bed - she had insisted that Cassie sleep there, in case of nightmares - a flash from Diana's nightstand caught her eye. Softly, so as not to wake Diana, Cassie crept out and picked up the stone that had glimmered by the light of the moon. It was round, with a spiral pattern in it. Gray swirled with pale blue and sprinkled with quartz crystals.
Cassie could suddenly remember everything about it, the chalcedony rose. Diana had given it to Adam, who had given it to Cassie, and then it had belonged to Diana again, who had given it back to Cassie. Diana, who was Cassie's big sister... and Adam.
Cassie still couldn't remember what Adam had been to her.
The next couple of days went in a blur for Cassie as she spent most of her time with the Circle members, telling everybody the Need To Know
Every night Cassie had recurring nightmares about the grave and the woman with the long dark hair, and every night Cassie woke up alarmed. Diana was always there to comfort her though. Cassie had the feeling that she hadn't seen the last of the raven-haired women, whoever she may be.
Cassie was curled up on her bed reading a Jane Austen novel when the doorbell rung and Cassie ran down to answer it. It was Nick. Cassie stared at him, surprised, and then let him in. "Nick! What are you doing here?"
He grinned at her, running a hand through his unruly black hair. "I came to see how you were doing." He started to take out a packet of cigarettes, when he saw Cassie's frown and put it back. "So, is Diana here?"
Cassie shook her head. "She's gone shopping with her dad. She'll be back in an hour or two." She led him up to her room, grabbing the book and hastily shoving it under her pillow, and then turned to Nick. "You were saying?"
"How have you been lately?"
Cassie hung her head, her hair making a curtain between them. "I'm fine, I guess." She peeked through the heavy curtain and saw him frown.
"Are you sure? You sound...different."
Something about the tone of his voice made Cassie lift her head defiantly. "There's nothing wrong with me! Really."
Nick chuckled. "That's the Cassie I know and love."
The last word made Cassie's breath hitch; she looked up at Nick, studying his features that seemed carved out of granite. He was staring at her intently, two emotions conflicting in his eyes. His hand reached out, slowly stroking Cassie's cheek, and then his face loomed close, and his mouth was on hers. She had expected his lips to be cold, but they were anything but, burning her up, until Cassie heard the door slam.
"Cassie?"
Cassie broke away from Nick, breathing hard. She stared wide-eyed at Nick, who looked startled and...ashamed? Angry? Her gut twisted and she flung open the door, running down the stairs to Diana. She was aware of Nick following her. As she came down, Diana looked up at her, surprised as she saw Nick close behind. Her eyes widened, and then understanding flashed in them.
"Hi Cassie, Nick. Cassie, could you help bring in the groceries?"
Cassie nodded mutely and went to help as Nick announced he was going. He gave Cassie one last look before walking over to the Armstrong car. He gave her another last searching look then drove off, watching the icy road carefully.
The next couple of days were the same routine, though Cassie still thought about the kiss. Nick didn't come and see her as much, but Cassie was fine with that, as she needed time to herself too. Cassie was happy, but there was always something at the back of her mind that she couldn't get rid of.
That Saturday there was a Circle meeting at Faye's house. Cassie couldn't remember most of it, but she was there, though she didn't participate much. As she set out for Faye's, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was permeating the air around her. She neared Faye's house with Diana and went down to the basement; Faye was already there, wearing her usual black shift and imitations of the master tools that had belonged to Diana. The others filed in one by one, and then Nick filed in last.
After the whole circle was there, Faye shut the basement door and was joined by Diana in her white shift. But before they had a chance to say something, someone teleported into the basement.
Belladonna.
Cassie sprang up, recognition flashing in her eyes. No one looked at her; they were too busy staring at the witch.
"Who are you?" Faye demanded, her golden eyes flashing.
Belladonna arched her eyebrows. "Your third leader didn't tell you? I'm surprised."
"Cassie doesn't remember, so she couldn't have told us," Diana said, loyally defending her little sister.
Belladonna smirked. "Oh, she remembered. Anyways, can I just kill you all be done with it?"
"No!" Cassie gasped, horrified. She started towards Belladonna, but Belladonna raised her hand and blasted Cassie to the wall, where she lay crumpled in a heap.
"Cassie!" Adam ran to her, kneeling by her side. He cradled her in his arms, gazing into her face. "Don't leave me again, Cassie."
Cassie's eyes fluttered and then she stared at Adam...
...Like someone who had finally found the one they had been looking for.
"Adam?"
And Adam knew that she remembered. Laughing, he gently wiped away her tears. "Hi Cassie, long time no see." She blinked up at him, her eyes swimming.
"It was so bad, I couldn't remember anything and now I do."
"Shhh, it's okay. You're safe now. I'll never let you get hurt ever again." He stroked her hair gently, looking towards Belladonna.
"Diana," Cassie looked around for her big sister, and then there she was. "Diana, I'm sorry."
"It's okay Cassie." Diana smiled down softly at her, her green eyes teary.
"Awww, the sweet reunion; how lovey-dovey, you make me sick. I hope you've all said your goodbyes now." Belladonna said, her crimson eyes glowing cruelly.
Cassie looked at her friends, a smile tugging at her lips.
"There's no need for a goodbye. Now or ever." She linked hands with Diana and Adam, connecting with everyone in the Circle.
Earth, Air, Fire, Water...
Cassie brought the elements raging down on Belladonna, who was swallowed up by a chasm in the earth. There was a wall of seawater and a ring of fire surrounding the place where she had been, and then the elements were gone, leaving nothing behind. Such a short end for one who had caused so much trouble. Cassie smiled, remembering vaguely something she had learnt in history class; Belladonna had been a poisonous plant. She looked across at Nick, catching his eyes. He smiled at her.
I will always remember you.
Outside the first snow began to fall on Christmas Eve.
Fin.
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