Master? With each answered question, a dozen more rushed in to fill the void. Anna wasn't sure what to make of any of what was happening.

"Your kind aren't welcome here, Allaire," Liam stated coolly before stepping forward to put himself between Anna and the trio.

"It's been a long time, Liam," Remy smirked, sauntering closer but making sure not to get too close. "I didn't expect to find you here and I'd be lying if I said I was pleased by this impromptu reunion. It does explain why Miss Allencourt disappeared so suddenly this afternoon. You have no idea how infuriating you are when you meddle, Liam."

"I'm sure it's nothing compared to the migraine I get just by hearing the sound of your voice," Liam replied nonchalantly. Despite his bored tone, Anna could feel tension radiating from him. Remy smirked and lifted his slender fingers to brush dark strands of hair from his eyes.

"As entertaining as this exchange has been, just give me what I want. I might even put in a good word for you when my master regains his freedom," Remy demanded, struggling to mask his impatience behind a thin smile.

"Listen," Anna interrupted at last. "I don't know who your master is, or... whatever, but he's not here. I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave."

Remy laughed, a soft sound that abruptly evolved into something akin to maniacal. "Liam, she certainly is precious. Perhaps the master will allow me to keep her when all is said and done. I'd so love the chance to see what makes her tick. What do you think, Liam? Is she a screamer or will she suffer in silence believing herself to be brave?"

Whatever Anna might have said died on the tip of her tongue the moment her eyes met with Remy's again. There was a darkness lurking behind the amusement that sent chills racing through her.

"I can assure you that you'll never find out," Liam shot back, his jaw tight.

Remy chuckled again. "Really, Liam, you need to lighten up. Now, Cassian, if you'd be so kind..."

The hooded figure to Remy's right, the one who had spoken earlier, stepped forward and held out his hand. From his fingers dangled a long, slender, silver chain and at the end of the chain a clear crystal swayed gently. Cassian began to mutter quietly under his breath and Anna swore she felt a soft breeze sweep through the room. The crystal began to sway, seemingly of its own volition, and after several seconds began swinging back and forth. Without warning the crystal stopped, suspended mid-swing and aimed in the direction of the kitchen.

Remy smirked and that's when Anna noticed it – the statue.

It was sitting upright in the doorway as though it had been purposely placed there. Anna knew it had to be more than coincidence because she had been holding the statue when the door had been blown off its hinges and it had gone flying when she had been knocked off her feet.

"There you are," Remy cooed, turning lightly on his heel. Before he could reach the statue, however Liam stepped forward. His hand swept through the air in a quick pattern and words were muttered that Anna couldn't make out. Remy bolted forward but didn't make it before the statue flipped into the air and soared right into Liam's waiting hand.

"Demulsi," he growled, sweeping his hand through the air horizontally. The splinters of wood scattered across the floor flew towards them. Liam used his free hand to shove Anna behind him. It was a pointless maneuver for the wood chips disintegrated before they could get close.

"Damn it," Remy sneered. Ariadne stepped forward, hands rising from the folds of her robe, but Remy held out his hand to stop her. "Don't. The statue has a protective spell in it, something to ensure it will come to no harm. Who knows what else has been done to it. Liam you are smarter than I ever gave you credit for, but how long do you really think you'll be able to deny me what I want? You and I both know that even an expertly crafted Clostrum will not hold my master for much longer. He's awake now, and restless, eager to be free of his prison--"

"You know, Remy, sometimes I think you talk just to hear the sound of your own voice," Liam interrupted, sounding bored again and slightly annoyed. "You and I both know that there's nothing more you can do here, so why don't you just leave, hmm?"

For several moments Liam and Remy just stared across the entry way at one another as though locked in some silent battle of wills. As the tension grew, Anna feared the worst. Finally, Remy motioned for his companions to retreat. He too turned to leave, only to pause and glance back.

"I'll be seeing you again soon, Anna," he stated with an assurance that left her feeling cold all the way to her core.

Liam didn't speak again until Remy had disappeared into the darkness. "We need to talk, but first we need to do something about this door."

"That is the understatement of the century," Anna replied, hoping her voice didn't give away just how shaken she was by the whole ordeal.

By the time they'd finished covering up the hole left behind by the missing door it was nearing midnight. Anna made tea in silence, her movements mechanical as her thoughts were elsewhere. She was hoping the tea would help calm her nerves. Once she was done she lead Liam into the dining room where the statue was now sitting in the center of the table.

"I don't quite know where to start," Liam began after a few more moments of silence. "Magi have been around for millennia. They've taken on various titles over the years, druids, witches, shaman, and so on. There was once a time when the magi walked freely, practicing their art and helping those in need."

"So Salem...?"

"Mostly superstitious paranoia," Liam replied flippantly. "Now Roanoke, that is an entirely different scenario and there are magi to this day still looking into that. Never the less, power, as I am sure you know, is a dangerous thing, easily corrupting those too eager to obtain more and driving mad those never satisfied with what they have."

If it hadn't been for what she had witnessed in the foyer, an event her mind still struggled to fully accepted, she would have thought Liam was losing his mind.

"Some magic, while possible, is not to be used lightly, or at all if you can help it," Liam explained. "Time is a fragile concept, easily broken and often irreparable, especially in the hands of a novice. Certain magic, peering into the future and resurrection, comes with a heavy price. Before I continue... I have to ask, how is it you know nothing of this? The Allencourt family is old, and powerful, and their magi lineage goes back hundreds of years."

"My mom wasn't exactly keen on family reunions," Anna replied, swirling the tea around in the cup. So much was starting to make sense, sort of, like her mother never wanting to answer questions about the family. "I asked a few times when I was little, you know, after I saw other kids with their grandmas. All she'd tell me was that my grandmother was crazy. She used to get so upset that I just stopped bringing it up at all. Then she died and left all of this to me. I still don't understand why."

"Because you were born with powerful gifts, and you cannot deny what you are, no matter how badly you wish to do so," Liam replied softly. "Or how badly your mother wishes to do so."

"What in the world happened to the front door? I leave for a few weeks and all hell breaks loose!"

Anna looked in the direction of the voice and her jaw dropped.

"Grandma?"

"Who else would I be? The tooth fairy?" the older woman inquired. She was tall, slender and, despite her age, had jet black hair that was pulled back in a messy braid. "That was a sloppy barrier spell, Liam, you need to work on your technique."

Liam scowled and offered a curt nod. Anna was still caught up in the fact that her dead grandmother was standing in the kitchen.

"But you.... you're..."

"Dead? Yeah, I'm sorry about that, it was the only way I could think to get you here what with that nagging mother of yours, how is my darling Alice?"

"I... she's good..." Anna replied feeling dumbfounded.

"Wonderful, ignorance is bliss, or so I'm told," Cordelia said. "Now, will someone explain to me why my front door is gone and what that thing is doing out of its box?"

Anna looked towards the table where the statue rested. It had fallen onto its side and now spun in wild circles across the table.

"Anna found it, really Cordelia, what were you thinking leaving it lying around?" Liam huffed, clearly annoyed by her earlier jab about his enchantment. "Remy Allaire came looking for it."

"What a headache that must have been. I can assure you it wasn't just lying around," Cordelia replied. "Tell me my dear, where did you find it?"

"I-in the attic," Anna answered, feeling rather awkward now for going up there at all.

"What in the world were you doing in the attic?" Cordelia pressed.

"I..." Anna began, only to stop when she realized she really had no idea what had driven her into the attic when she'd hardly taken any time to explore the lower levels of the house. "I don't know."

"Tricky devil," Cordelia muttered, strolling towards the table. She scooped up the statue, which to Anna seemed annoyed by her presence. There was no visible indication only a violent hum that seemed to radiate from the statue itself. "Time to put you back where you belong. Both of you, follow me please."

Anna glanced over at Liam who simply shrugged. He appeared to be equally as baffled by the whole experience as Anna was. 

"Come along now, we haven't got all day," Cordelia called from the hallway. "I do believe this little fellow has caused enough trouble for one day."