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such serenity and so genuinely that I smiled at her. “About yesterday’s talk: You are going back to your parents’ cabin today. I believe they told Sebastian they were leaving tomorrow. Anyway, I will enroll Sebastian in your school, he will be there to protect you, guide you, and make sure that nothing bad happens until you are in full control. Also, I will be renting a home on a large property near yours, and we will train after school. If you have a ton of homework, please tell me, and I will make sure Sebastian tutors you before and after our training sessions. I have called your parents to tell them, and they are okay with it, as long as you pass your classes with As and Bs. That shouldn’t be a problem; I can tell you are a smart girl.
    “Also, regarding which part of training to start you on next . . . Sebastian is taking you to a sacred ground where those who are not supernatural cannot go. It will enhance the next part of your bloodlines. We will go from there. He knows what to look for, and he also will be able to help you through any situation that may come along. Now go pack your belongings, and your cat’s. Sebastian is going to take you there, and then to your cabin. I will see you in a few days. Be careful, my De de lo qua s gi.” Clamora stood up, and her blue dress touched the floor. She stepped out of the room with such grace that I prayed would rub off on me someday.
    Helios slept peacefully on my lap as we drove on a winding road through trees and small moss covered houses. Sebastian had dutifully loaded my stuff into the trunk when I was ready to go. My black leggings were speckled with cat hair, but my orange shirt was safe for the time being. We had been on the road for at least an hour with nothing but trees for scenery most of the way. When we finally started seeing buildings again, they were all run down with broken windows, lopsided doors, and slanted roofs. I could tell that they were abandoned because no cars littered driveways, no stores were open, and gas stations were out of service. Shivers fled down my spine, and my cat growled at the surroundings. After another thirty minutes, we arrived at a small parking lot. I set Helios down in the backseat with a blanket to keep him comfortable and a bowl of water on the floor in case he got thirsty. Stepping out of the car, I almost fell to my knees.
    The sun was achingly hot, and my eyes burned. An overpowering force seemed to hold me up. Thankful for whatever was allowing me to stand, I walked toward the center of the lot, being called there by something unknown. Sebastian was by my side the whole time and never let me go where he thought it was too dangerous. When I reached the spot, a blinding light seeped through my pores. My jaw and teeth ached. I tried to reach for Sebastian, but my movements were foreign and strange. Too fast—I was moving too fast. Suddenly, electricity crackled in the sky. Dark clouds scampered toward us. Rain poured down and thunder clapped, making the ground shake. Iridescent flashes of lightning were so close that they scarred the ground beneath our feet. Cursing, Sebastian threw me over his shoulder and ran with inhuman speed to the car. As soon as he shut the door, the storm went away. Running his hands through his soaked hair, he grumbled about how it was ridiculous that both of my other supernatural parts had manifested. He stalked around to the front of the car, got in, and drove away from the empty, scarred and sacred grounds.
    Awkward silence filled the car. Helios crawled back onto my lap and settled in to take a nap. After an hour had passed, Sebastian huffed and pulled over. He turned to face me, a look of anguish, sadness, happiness, and frustration in his eyes. “AubrieAnna, I just, I want you to know, that . . . that I will always protect you. You’re important to me. You are . . . you are . . . ” Sebastian struggled to tell me something. I could see he was fighting it. My heart sped up, hoping he