Darkside 12 

Avery grinned as she walked down the hall. Alice watched her as she walked through the sunroom and out the back door. An Ancient appeared next to her on the path to the water.

“Now is the time.” She said. 

“I’ll decide when is the time. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to catch some waves.” Avery reached the shed that held all the beach toys and surf boards. 

“The world isn’t ready for you yet. Neither are they.” She said. 

“Aliyah, Maybe you guys should have thought of that before you created me. I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to be anyone’s tool or messiah or anything of the kind. I’m going to live out my life the way I want to. I’ll survive now and be just fine now that we’ve found Tina. Things couldn’t be better.” Avery picked her board and walked away. 

“I hope Abba is having better luck than I did.” Aliyah was engulfed in smoke. When it cleared she was gone.

“Oh one more thing. I’m tired of hiding I’m not doing it anymore.” Avery yelled from the beach as she lifted the glamor to reveal the extended mark and the slight glow from her skin. 

“She’s 16 and seriously over protected, what can you expect.” Shane said. 

“You know she’s really older than that don’t you.” Aliyah said. 

“I do. I also know that’s where she’s been going when she’s been cutting classes.” Shane said. 

“She’s advanced faster than any of expected.” She said. 

“There’s nothing we or you can do to slow it now. The flood gates have opened and they won’t close until she know everything.” Shane said. 

“Do the others know?” Aliyah watched Avery in the water. 

“Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” Shane said. 

“How is that you found out about it?” She asked. 

“She trusts me and I will not dishonor myself by divulging her secrets not even to you.” Shane walked past her over to her chair. 

Tina walked out on the back porch. She could see Avery and Shane down at the water. She wondered if the coven would every trust her the way Avery trusted Shane. 

“Are you okay?” Bette asked. She stood in the doorway. 

“Yeah.” Tina shivered as the evening air blew across them. 

“We’ll take you shopping in the morning.” Bette placed her jacket over Tina’s shoulders.  

“No need I have clothes at home. I have to get back to work anyway.” Tina said. 

“Tina, I can’t stop you from leaving but you need to know the dangers out there. I know how bad you want to keep your old life, but if something happens to you it happens to all of us.” Bette said. 

“I’m keeping my job and my apartment.” Tina said. 

“Then will you at least consider taking Tasha with you just until you gain control of your powers?” Bette asked. 

“How long will that be?” Tina asked. 

“That depends on you, but really there’s no way to know.” Bette said. 

“No I have to try it on my own to start with. I know that’s puts everyone else in danger but I have to try.” Tina said. 

“We won’t stand in your way.” Bette said. 

“Thank you.” Tina said. 

“Whenever you are ready to go just let Tasha know and she’ll take you.” Bette was disappointed that Tina didn’t want to stay. She walked away so that Tina wouldn’t be able to read her emotions that were clearly written on her face. Bette knew she already loved Tina but would Tina ever love her?