looked back to the door, then back at Blaize. “Let’s talk about this someplace else.”

Blaize nodded. “Come on, in the alley.”

Astarre nodded and followed him down the steps.

“NO!” Astarre yelled. “We can’t do that!”

Blaize sighed. “Astarre, he’s obviously hurt you, why don’t you want to put an end to it?”

“…because.” Astarre said. “He’s my father… and the only family I have left.”

Blaize shook his head. “I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you.”

“You don’t have to.” Astarre said. “Thank you for trying to help me Blaize, but that’s not the way.”

Blaize shook his head again. “I still don’t understand… but it won’t matter if I tell Drake, you’re the only one who can say you’ve witnessed his behavior. It’ll take that to get him convicted.”

“Can we just forget this conversation?” Astarre asked.

Blaize nodded. “…for now.”

Astarre smiled.

Blaize looked at her for a moment.

Her beautiful face had already begun to swell where her father had struck her, but other than that she was the most beautiful creature Blaize had ever laid eyes on.

The thought of someone abusing her made Blaize shake with anger… but for now, for her, Blaize would stay quiet about it. If it got any worse however…

“You better stay out of my way...” Blaize thought. “Otherwise, there may not be enough of you left for Drake to sentence.”

Chapter 7:

Drake was currently standing outside the old shed that Jenna was being kept in.

This was going to be a very difficult decision.

By all accounts Jenna was guilty; there was no question about her innocence, or more accurately lack there of, however…

Drake sighed.

“How can I do this to Balto… to their kids… to Jenna?” He thought.

Just then, Balto stepped into view, interrupting Drake’s thoughts.

“Hey Balto.” Drake said.

“Hello Drake…” Balto responded.

Drake sighed. “We’re both in a bit of a pickle, eh?”

Balto sighed and nodded. “That’s actually what I’m here to talk about.”

“What’s on your mind Balto?” Drake asked.

“What are you thinking about all this?” Balto asked.

Drake sighed. “Well… we caught her in the act.” Drake said. “Had we not stepped in when we did…”

“Drake stop.” Balto said, knowing where Drake was headed with this line of comment. “Both you and I know Jenna would never do anything like that, especially to your son. You’re a friend of the family… I don’t understand it, but something’s not right here, and I intend to find out what it is.”

Drake sighed again. “I hope you do Balto, because Jenna has got a pretty strong case on her.”

Balto’s mouth fell open a bit in shock.

“You’re… you’re really planning on pushing this, aren’t you?”

Drake sighed. “I’m sorry Balto, but the law is the law and it doesn’t make exceptions for friends… or family.”

Balto sighed. “I know it doesn’t Drake, but…”

Drake looked at him. “…but what Balto?”

“…this is Jenna we’re talking about.” Balto said. “Do you honestly think she would’ve murdered James?”

Drake sighed. “I don’t know what to think Balto.”

Balto shook his head. “Well I do, and something isn’t right. I mean… Jenna’s never hurt anybody who’s not been threatening her life or the ones she loved… she’s not a murderer Drake.”

Drake sighed. “Balto, I would’ve believed you until yesterday, but now… I saw her Balto, she was going to kill James.”

Balto shook his head. “No Drake, I’m telling you she wouldn’t do it.”

“I have to go on what I saw.” Drake said.

Balto sighed. “Then I guess there’s no point in continuing this conversation.”

Drake stared at Balto for a minute before replying. “I guess not.”

Balto turned and walked away, leaving Drake to his thoughts.

Saba could feel it.

The time when she would be ready to return to the Talbourne was drawing near.

She found the amount of knowledge she had gained the past few days amazing. Saba’s entire world had turned inside out and it was just now starting to make sense. Everything that had happened to her was coming together to make one picture.

A now familiar female voice came from behind her. “My child, I would speak with you.”

Saba turned around, and the window to the physical world that she had been looking in collapsed, becoming nothing once more. “What is it Aniu?”

“Who were you watching?” Aniu asked.

Saba knew that Aniu already knew the answer to her question. As she knew most everything; the question was more Aniu’s way of making conversation.

“I was watching my mother.” Saba answered.

Aniu sighed. “Her position is precarious, and unfortunate. My son was able to get to her first, and in the weakness of her grief, Jenna listened to him. I can do little for her now, it is in the dog’s hands.”

“Drake?” Saba asked.

Aniu nodded. “Perhaps he will find it in his heart to forgive her.”

Saba nodded. “We can only hope.”

Aniu nodded too. “This, however, is not the thing I came to speak to you about.”

“What is it?” Saba asked.

Aniu sighed. “Aleu’s time as leader is drawing to a close. Soon, she will be no more. Someone must take her place.”

“Who?” Saba asked.

Aniu smiled. “You are, my child. This is why you have been trained. This is your purpose for being here.”

Saba chuckled. “Aniu, I have no idea how to lead a clan. Surely someone else more qualified could take her place.”

Aniu’s face remained passive. “Saba, there is no one else. It is your destiny and has been since you were born. With the knowledge of leadership, I will help you, you need not worry at all, only concentrate on your coming battle with Shade.”

Saba nodded. “May I ask you a question Aniu?”

“What is it my child?” Aniu responded.

“Why me?” She asked.

Aniu smiled. “The leader of the Talbourne has always been a descendant of myself. Melody does not possess the proper traits to be a leader, and Aleu’s children are still too small. They do not yet even grasp how things work in their world. These cannot be trusted with the safeguard of my clan. You can be.”

“How do you know this?” Saba asked. “What if I mess it up?”

Aniu smiled. “My child you will mess up. It is only natural, but you will not be alone, I will be there with you in a way.”

“In a way?” Saba asked.

“All things will become clear to you soon.” Aniu said. “For now you must simply trust me when I say that you will be able to carry out these duties.”

Saba nodded. “I do Aniu, I do.”

Aniu smiled. “I know.”

Chapter 8:

Drake was awakened the next morning by a sound of frantic scratching on the door of the old mill.

He got up and walked to the door, pushing it open.

Drake blinked at the harsh morning light that streamed in the open door and yawned. “Hello?”

“Oh Drake you have to come with me!” A frantic gray dog said.

Drake shook his head, and looked at the dog for a moment. “Dusty?”

The gray dog nodded. “Hurry Drake, she might be dead already!”

This woke Drake up extremely fast. “What are you talking about Dusty?” He said. “Who might be dead?”

“Trina!” Dusty cried. “I’ve been going to see her every day for the past few weeks. Poor thing never gets out much. You know her owners keep her tied up all the time? Yep, right there on the porch, and all day! The only time she has to herself is at night…”

Drake could tell that Dusty was starting to ramble, probably shaken from whatever she’d seen.

“Dusty, can you tell me what happened to Trina? Is she alright?”

Dusty shook her head. “No, no… I think she’s… I think she’s dead.”

Drake sighed.

“Well, can you take me to her?”

Dusty nodded. “That I can do, follow me!”

Dusty took off, running as fast as she could.

Drake jumped off the porch, at the front of the old mill, and ran after her. “Dusty slow down.”

Dusty chose not to listen, and Drake tried his best to keep up with her.

Timbre crept through the woods.

He couldn’t explain why, but he felt very ill at ease. Every hair on his body seemed to be standing straight on end.

Dash was in a similarly alerted condition.

He looked over at his friend and Dash nodded.

They were close to home, whatever the danger was,