"Shhhh," Leo hushed, looking over at the closed door. "Don't be so loud."

Every family has a secret, and everyone in Lucas's friend group knew the other's secret. Jessica's brother is gay, Lucas' mother is not a harlot, and Leonardo comes from a family of witches. Carvington's secret was that his neighbor in his homeland abused him, explaining the bruises dusted across his body when they met in middle school.

"So, a revenge spell, huh?" Leo sighed. He stretched his arms out, crumbing his fingers on the table. "Um, I think I can help you." Lucas snapped his head to Leo, grinning.

"Let's do it now," Lucas exclaimed, closing his book. He stood up and bounded towards the door.

"Now?" Leo asked.

"Yep," Lucas said, grabbing the door handle.

"No, no, no," Leo said, shaking his head. "I have training today." Lucas' grin contorted into a confused pout, blinking blankly at his friend. "I have to go, like, now. The only reason I came by was to check up on you."

"Oh," Lucas said sliding his hand off the knob. His posture sunk as his shoulders slumped.

"Listen, I'm still going to help you," Leo said, staring directly into Lucas' eyes. "I...I promise, okay?" Lucas huffed looking away. "You know the moon cycles, right?" Lucas rolled his eyes. "Sorry, that was a stupid question. Well, tomorrow's the full moon and my coven is coming to my house tonight." Lucas eyed Leonardo's face warily. "I know. I know. New people, but they will probably know what I should do. I'm pretty inexperienced. So, drop by my house around 7. Sound good?"

Lucas looked down at his hand, picking his nails. He face was starting to throb again. "You-" Lucas started. "You promise?" He frowned internally kicking himself. He felt pathetic. He was acting like a toddler.

Leo placed his hand on his shoulder, giving his a quick but firm squeeze. "Of course. I promise." The redhead's phone buzzed. "I'm about to take off. My mom's gonna help you while I'm gone. So, don't give her a hard time, okay?"

~ ~ ~

Lucas rubbed his arms as he walked across town. It was night and the library had closed. As usual, the streets were empty and Lucas was alone. He received a text from Leo after he left in a group chat with Jessica and Carvington. He told them all to come to his house at 7pm.

As he walked down the sidewalk, he let his thoughts wander. The library was usually his safe space, but today he wasn't satisfied. His cheek was the only thing that throbbed thanks to medicine he received from Mrs. Jones. He was too afraid to look in a mirror. He didn't want to see the result of the fight.

Lucas' eyes widened, as he gasped. He wasn't a person that got nervous easily, but he could've sworn that someone was watching him. He slowed his steps closing his eyes to listen to the sounds of the night. The crickets, the wind. There it was, the faint sound of feet tapping against the concrete.

"You should not walk alone at night,"

Lucas jumped, whipping his head back. "Shit," Lucas said as he recognized his friend Carvington. "You scared me."

"Sorry," Carvington said. "But it is too dangerous to be out at night. You know things go bump in the night. I would not want those things to get you."

"That doesn't sound right," Lucas mumbled. His eyes flickered towards Carv's hand. His knuckles were puffy and red. "I'm sorry."

Carv lifted up his hands inspecting his swollen knuckle. "I am fine. It will be gone by tomorrow." He tucked his hands in his pocket. "Come. We should go over to Leo's."

Lucas's eyes widened as he realized something was missing from Carv. "Where are your crutches?" Lucas asked, perplexed.

Carv shrugged. "They are annoying," he said. "I no longer want to use them. So, I'm not."

"Um, ok," Lucas responded. He didn't press any further as Carv began to walk forward. His stride was wonky as Lucas could tell his leg was still a bit stiff. However, if he didn't know Carv was hit by a car, he would assume that it was just his friend's swagger. He oddly enough made the slight limp look naturally funky.

They walked together in silence, running into Jessica as they made their way onto Leo's house. The three teens stood in front of the cream cape cod style house. Light shined through the curtains, the sound of laughter and talking being heard from inside the house. Lucas clenched his teeth. There must have been at a lot of people there. As Carvington reached out to knock on the door, Lucas thought of stopping him. He could make an excuse.

"They're here!" The sound of Leo running to the door drowned out the chuckles from inside the house. The door swung open. It was too late to run now.

"You actually came," Leo cried, throwing his arms around Carvington's waist and squeezed him. He was dressed in black joggers and a grey dri-fit shirt. Carvington grunted as he patted Leo's back, hoping he would let go.

"Don't break him," Jessica laughed, watching Carvington struggle.

"Oh, Jess," Leo sighed, releasing Carvington. Carv bent over, catching his breath while holding his side. "You could've just told me you wanted some attention." In one swift movement, the girl was flung over his shoulder.

"Leo, put me down," Jessica yelled as she squirmed in his grasp. A chuckle escaped her feigned frown. Lucas tried to laugh as well, but found that even a grin made his bruised face ache. "Seriously, you're gonna smash my curls."

"Leonardo! Let your guests in," a baritone voice barked. Leo rolled his eyes groaning. "Now! Before I send your mother out there." The sound of Mrs. Jones scolding her husband drifted through the house.

"We better hurry," Leo said, dropping Jess to the ground. "She bites." Leo swung his arm around Jess's neck as they walked inside together. Lucas watched as the pair walked down the hall and disappeared as they turned into the living room. He wouldn't be able to enter by himself.

Lucas searched for Carv spotting him still hunched over behind him. Shallow breaths reverberated from his chest, his hands grasping his sides.

"You good?" Lucas asked, hoping Carv hadn't injured himself. Carv grunted before nodding. He straightened out his back, brushing past Lucas, and marched into the house. Clenching his hand, Lucas decided to follow his friend. He held his breath as he entered the house he had been in hundreds of time before. He entered the crowded living room. At least twenty people were in the room, two of whom he recognized as Leo's parents cuddling on a sofa. The rest were scattered around the ground and sofas playing some sort of card game, a few were sipping from bottles of beer.

"Lucas," Leo's father, boomed, lumbering towards Lucas before pulling him into a hug. "How ya doing, son?"

"Good, sir," Lucas said, pulling out of the older man's grip. Mr. Jones pulled back, his eyes landing on Lucas's face.

"Holy shit," Mr. Jones said, as he studied Lucas' eye.

"Mark!" Mrs. Jones hissed from the sofa.

"Sorry, hunny," Mr. Jones droned, gripping Lucas' shoulder. "Son, you know we could perfect that right hook of yours at the gym." Lucas shook his head, showing his disinterest. Mr. Jones shrugged, dropping his hand. "Have you talked to your mom yet?" Lucas scoffed, spotting his friends sitting against the wall behind the ongoing game.

"No," Lucas said. "I don't want to."

"Lucas, you know we'll always be there for you, but you need to-"

"Mark," Mrs. Jones interjected. "It's been a long day. Let him spend time with his friends."

Mr. Jones grunted. "Fine," he mumbled. "But don't think this conversation is over. We'll finish this late."

"Yes, sir," Lucas said, wandering over to his friends. The Jones' were the first people that reached out to Lucas' mother when they moved to Lans. They were practically family, and Mrs. Jones was like a second mother to him. Even though Lucas didn't know his father, he often considered Mr. Jones to fill that spot.

"Take a seat," Leonardo said, patting the spot next to him. "I want to introduce y'all to Fergie, but we'll have to wait a spell. They're almost finished with their game." Lucas sent him a pointed look as he sat down. "You'll love Fergie. If he tries anything you have Mohammed Ali here to beat him up." He gestured towards Carv as he chuckled.

"Dumbass," Jessica hissed, smacking the back of Leo's head. She gaze at her now shinny hand, scrunching up her nose. "Gross, your head's wet."

"Well no shit, smartass," Leo countered as Jessica wiped her glistening hand across her jeans. "I just came back from the gym half an hour ago." Leo pouted as he palmed the back of his head. "That hurt, too. Can I lay on you?"

"You're so irritating sometimes," Jessica uttered as Leo nestled his head in her lap. "Do you want me to kiss it to make it feel better, too?"

Leo nodded as he puckered his lip before earning a thump to the head. "You're mean," Leo pouted, but he still remained settled in Jess's lap. "And what happened to Carv's crutches?"

"I threw them away," Carv said.

Leo giggled, point at his friend. "Carv's such a badass," Leo said. "What was the price for beating the shit outta Seth?"

Carv shrugged as he watched Leo get thumbed again. "A week of morning detention and night detention," Carv said. "They do not want Seth out of practice so they are making us take detention twice a day."

Lucas shook his head. "Was it that bad?" Lucas asked, feeling a tinge of guilt.

"That bad?" Jessica repeated. "Carv smashed his face in. Seth's nose is demolished."

"R.I.P.," Leo whispered, solemnly.

"And Carv didn't even leave with a scratch," Jess said, smirking at Carv.

"That's my boy," Leo cheered. Carv looked down to the ground, feeling awkward from the praise he was being given. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

Leo, Jess, and Lucas looked at Carv expectantly. They were all genuinely surprised to hear that their friend could fight so well. Although his ill-fitting clothes always hid it, Carv had a relatively lean figure. His stature was similar to a runner's body and looked like a slightly doughy version of the body of those on the cross-country team.

Carv shrugged, eyes sill glued to the floor.

"You don't know?" Jess asked softly.

"It's not like your ass knows how to fight, Jess," Leo teased.

"Wanna test me, Jones?" Jess threated, raising her fist. Leo flinched. "That's what I thought."

"You're so violent," Leo whined. "Friends aren't supposed to treat each other this way."

Jess widened her eyes in shock. "You think we're friends?" Jess said.

"Kiss already," someone groaned. The teen jumped as a young man that appeared to be a few years older than themselves joined them.

"Fergie," Leo cheered. "D to the E to the, to the, to t he, hit it, Fergie-"

"We're not doing that," Fergie mumbled as he adjusted his grey beanie. He raised his long plaid covered arms, stretching and let out a yawn. "Hey, I'm Fergus." They all took turns introducing themselves, Carvington going last.

"I am Joseph, but my friends call me Carvington," Carv said. Fergus widened his brown eyes as he looked at Carvington.

"I thought you were lying," Fergus said, giggling.

"Right," Leo said, waving his hand toward Carvington.

"Leo, what did you say about Carv," Jessica hissed, thumbing his forehead.

"It's nothing bad," Fergus confirmed. "I swear. It's just-it's kinda weird." Lucas and Jessica leaned in with expectant gazes. "Ok, so when we go into the forest there's a certain energy and I feel that from him." Lucas, Jessica, and Carvington stared at him blankly.

Leo sighed. "You're not explaining it right." He sat up and moved in front of Carvington. "Carv, you're energy is like a tree."

Carvington looked down, his lips still turned into a frown. "How so," Carv asked looking back at him.

"Oh my gosh," Leo groaned. "It's not a metaphor or whatever. I mean it literally."

"Do you get it," Lucas asked Jessica. She shook her head in response.

"Ok," Leo said, frustration ringing through his voice. "This is a tree." He held up a hand. They nodded. "This is you." He held up his other hand. "This is what I'm saying." He weaved his fingers together, before scanning the expressions of his friends.

"So, I am the tree," Carv said.

"For fuck sake," a woman around Mrs. Jones uttered. She sat on the group behind the group, cleaning up the remains of the card game. "I'll explain it. This is getting on my nerves." She crawled over on her knees, bunching up her maroon broomstick skirt. She sat back on her heels, her wavy black locks falling into her face as she smoothed out her skirt. "We all have energy, but not everyone can feel it. In fact, most people cannot feel energy from other human. Leonardo is an exception to this rule, but that is beside the point." She paused, her grey eyes observing each teen to insure she had their attention. "In our coven, we try to get in touch with nature, which means we're outside a lot. Though neither of us are familiar with human energy, both Fergus and I are familiar with the energy of a tree and are familiar with your energy. This is because the energy I feel from you is that of a tree. Meaning if I had my eyes closed and I was in a room with just you and a tree, I would think I was in a room with two trees."

"Oh," the teens exclaimed as the rest of the room exhaled.

"That is strange," Carvington mumbled.

"Leonardo," the woman said as she stood. "Please don't try to explain anything ever again. That was pure agony."

"Got it chief," Leo said, saluting her. She scattered off, trying to get back to her own conversation. "She's our high priestess."

"Oh, cool," Jessica uttered. "Well, I'm bored now."

"I second that," Fergus said. "Leo, why don't you read their aura's or do a tarot reading or something."

Lucas wanted one of those things to be casting a revenge spell against Drake and Seth, but he kept his mouth shut. "Let's start off with reading your auras. Mom!"

"What!"

"Can you dim the lights? I'm about to look at their auras."

"Okay," she yelled back. She nudged her husband in his side. "You heard him."

As the lights dimmed, Leo rose to his feet. Reaching out his palm, he helped Jessica stand and guided her to the center of the room.

"Why are we moving?" Jess asked.

"It's too dark by the wall," he answered as they sat down in the cleared center of the room. "I like it better over here."

"Why are they dimming the lights?"

"I can't see aura's that well when there's that much light," he said. Lucas and Carvington moved to lean against the sofas to get a better view. "Give me you hands." She let her palms rest against his. As she opened her mouth to question it, Leo interrupted her. "This is just because I wanted to touch you." Jessica rolled her eye as she chortled. "I like that. Your laugh too."

"Stop acting so weird," Jessica said, tearing her hand from his grip. Leo rubbed his palms against the area before placing them in his lap.

"I'm just gonna say what I see," Leo said, his eyes never leaving her body. "I see royal blue, which means you're generous and open to new things. I see light blue too, which means you're truthful, and red, which means you're passionate about things." Leo looked towards Carv motioning him over. "I think that sums you up. I couldn't detect any aggression, surprisingly."

"Why don't we ask Fergus if he sees some," Jessica said as she stood up, giving him a threatening look.

"Well he wouldn't," Leo said, as Carv sat down in from of him. "Me and my mom are the only ones that can see auras in our coven." Leonardo pursed his lips as he focused on a strand of Carvington's hair. "I'm about to do Carv's now. So, if you could just-"

"Yep," Jessica said, as she took a spot next to Lucas.

"That's pretty cool, right," Lucas said, as he looked over at Jessica.

Jessica nodded before meeting his eye. They held a gaze for a second before her cheeks became warm.

"Are you sure you're okay," Leonardo asked, as he looked over Carvington. "Your aura is so dark. It's shrouded in all this negative energy."

"I am fine," Carvington said confidently.

"Liar," Leo snapped. "I'm literally looking at your aura right now. Are-are you sick?"

"No," Carvington said. "What did you see?"

"I see, like, a murky brown, which means you're holding onto something and are afraid to let go. A murky blue-all these colors look like they were pulled out of a sewer. The blue means you don't trust the future because it's out of your control. Yellow, fear of losing something. I'm not completely sure, but I think I see some dark pink." Leo leaned back, shaking his head. "That can't be right. That means you're dishonest. Are you-have you been lying to us?" The room fell eerily silent. The teens and the coven watched Carvington as he squirmed under their gaze.

"Yes," Carv croaked, ruffling his hair. "My parents. I lied to you about them." He gulped and sat up straight. "I left because my mother was very ill, she still is. That is why I worry." He bit his lip before letting out a shaky breath. "She might die."

Leo's let his eyes lock with Carvington's watering eyes, a sympathetic smile etched on his face. Carvington turned his head, blinking his eyes hoping the burning sensation would go away. When I didn't, he simply stood and shuffled back over to the sofa.

"Carv-"

"Leo," Mrs. Jones said, breaking the ear shattering silence. "That's enough. I'll go get us some snacks and water. Why don't you move on to Lucas?" Lucas snapped his head up as he heard his name. He nodded, watching Mrs. Jones drag her husband into the kitchen. The room began to fill with scattered conversations. Lucas dared to look over at Carvington; his legs were pulled to his chest and his eyes held a neutral expression, appearing almost bored. That always fascinated Lucas, how quickly Carv could turn off his emotion, but now he knew what he was hiding or an idea of what he was hiding, at least.

"There was some green too," Leo said, giving an encouraging slopping grin to his friend. "Don't worry; this isn't like the rest of your sewer cover aura. The green goes back to that tree vibe you have, so it's not terrible."

"Does that seem like me?" Carvington asked. "You said Jessica's fit her. Does mine suit me?"

Leo nodded before motioning Lucas over. "I'd say you're pretty down to earth."

"I hate you," Jessica said. "That was the worst pun I've ever hear in my life."

"I tried," Leo said, shrugging. Lucas sat across from Leo, placing his hands in his lap. Leo began to repeat the process, selecting a random piece of hair to stare at. "You don't have any secrets, do you?" Lucas frowned, shrugging. "I mean, it's not a problem if you do. I love you guys, but that was kinda-" Leo cut himself off as he grimaced, leaning in closer to Lucas. He squinted his eyes, straining them to the fullest extent. "The fu-Mom!" Leo said, his eyes flickering across Lucas' body.

"What did you do now?" Mrs. Jones yelled from the other room.

"No, it's Lucas. His aura's fucked," Leo yelled back.

"Leonardo," Mr. Jones snapped. Leo rolled his eyes, letting out a groan before bringing himself to his feet. "Language."

"I'm serious," Leo said. Eventually, Mrs. Jones entered the room. Her strawberry blond hair was flowing freely as it was released from her usual bun. Her typically cardigan shrouded arms were replaced with tatted sleeves of colorful ink.

"Sweetie, you really shouldn't talk about people's auras," Mrs. Jones chided as she took her son's spot. She glanced at Lucas before humming. "Well, Leo, I do agree with you. Lucas, you don't have an aura."

Lucas hummed back, in an uninterested and casual manner. "That is weird."

"It's more than that," Leo retorted. "All living things have an aura. So, does this mean he's dead? Is he like a ghost or something? Is this the Sixth Sense?"

Mrs. Jones scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous," she said with a chuckle. "There might be something blocking him. Usually it's something in the spirit."

"Oh," Leo said, clapping his hands together. "A healing spell!"

"A healing spell," Lucas whispered, trying to understand the conversation. The weight of what they were talking about finally hit him. The mother and son pair continued to speak as Lucas allowed his thoughts to consume him. If Leo was going to preform a healing spell, could he do a revenge spell as well? Lucas cracked open his lips to ask, but Mrs. Jones and her son scattered off to grab supplies.

Lucas clambered to his feet, hoping to follow their trail to the kitchen. AS the pair disappeared into the kitchen, Lucas's vision was blocked by a large figure.

"Can you help me put these down, son," Mr. Jones said, balancing four bowls in his arms. A smirk slipped onto Lucas's face. Though his face hurt and he believed he was acting childish, Lucas couldn't help smiling at the thought of Mr. Jones being his father. He knew he wasn't his child, but there were often times where he could pretend. Lucas grabbed two bowls filled with vegetables and brought them to a coffee table pushed against one of the cream color walls. "This is why you're my favorite." This was definitely one of those times.

Mr. Jones waved his arms around grabbing everyone's attention.

"Snacks are all over here," he said motioning to the table. "We did have sandwiches, but they were lost when my wife and son's decided to savagely raid the kitchen, for God knows why. Enjoy. And yes, Janet, these are all vegan because almost everyone here is vegan. And, yes, I said that because I don't want to hear your vegan puns again." An older woman pouted before a loud clatter rung through the house. "What are they doing?"

Lucas shrugged. "They said something about a healing spell," Lucas said.

"Oh my," Mr. Jones started. People began to raid the snacks and wasted no time returning back to their conversations. "Mary! The blue candles are in our room, on the dresser!" After an exchange of directions and confusion, Mrs. Jones returned. Lucas decided to go back to his friends still leaning against the couch. Carvington was hunched over, rested his head against an arm propped against his thigh. His bored expression remained untouched. Jessica was scrolling through her phone, going through messages and looking at memes. Lucas waited a few minutes, praying someone would start a conversation, yet a conversation never started.

"I'm gonna go check on Leo," Lucas said, looking over to his motionless friends for some sort of reaction. When he got none, he left to wander around the house. He had been there thousands of times before. He knew the plan like the back of his hand. He walked through the living room and marched up the carpeted staircase. The lighting grew darker as he walked further away from the lively gathering.

"Healing hands and healing heart. I send this light to Lucas to heal him in their time of need. Send this healing from me to him with no harm so mote it be." Leo's voice rung through the house, crystal clear and rhythmic; it was almost as if he were singing a song. Lucas popped his head around the bedroom door opening. Leo's back was facing him, but he continued his chant. He could clearly see each breath he was taking, slow and steady. Lucas wasn't familiar with this Leo. Leo repeated the phrase again. Lucas spotted the flickering blue candles in front of Leonardo's sitting form.

Lucas was oddly proud of his friend. His voice and body were so relaxed. He was familiar with an excited Leo, a hungry Leo, a goofy Leo, but never this calmed relaxed person chanting in front of him. The mantra ended, the last word hanging into the air.

"How long have you been there?" Leo asked, startling Lucas. Leo picked up the still lit candles that were on a silver platter.

"How'd you know I was here," Lucas asked, watching Leo place the candles on the nightstand sitting next to the black king size bed. Leo pointed at the ground, revealing a mirror. "Oh." Leo stretched before walking over to Lucas, still peeking around the entrance. "Did I interrupt you?"

"No, you're good," Leo said as he pushed pass Lucas. "I finished just when I needed to."

"Oh," Lucas said. He pushed himself off the wall and followed Leo. "Can you do multiple spells in one night?"

"Yep," Leo said, walking down the stairs.

"Then, could you do that spell for me tonight?" Lucas asked. Leo scratched the back of his head as they entered the still bustling living room.

"What spell?" Leo asked, passing his mother, father, and high priestess.

"You promised me you would do a revenge spell for me," Lucas said. Leo suddenly stopped, his body stiffened as he froze.

"Leonardo Angus Jones," Mrs. Jones snapped. "You did what?"