I haven't been able to see properly for an hour now. The minute we got into Roseborn I directed Zach to my house, even as he and Revaa questioned whether it was safe or not. I didn't care. I had to see my parents, and the minute they opened the door the tears had started flowing and hadn't stopped.

Thankfully the first hour was peaceful, and through my tears I updated my parents on what had happened since my arrest and they updated me on what had happened while I was gone. I was glad to hear that Niko hadn't made any appearances and hadn't tried to hurt anyone I care for. I also introduce my parents to my new friends, and as much as I hate it, my mom shot me a look when I introduced her to Zach. When I'm alone with her I'm going to tell her that now is not the time to try to set me up with someone.

A knock sounded at the door, interrupting my dad from telling us about how his studies have been going.

"I'll get it," my mom says as she gets off the couch. She pauses for a moment and looks around at each of us. "I don't know who it is. Would you three want to... hide? Or something?"

I look at Zach and Revaa. As much as I don't want to hide, I am technically most likely wanted by the police. But these two? Well no one knows who they are. "Maybe it's best if I just hide?" I suggest.

Mom chews her lip. "Are you sure?" she asks, eyeing the two of them.

Another knock rings throughout the house, this one more desperate than the last. "Mom, just answer it. We'll duck behind the couches so they can't see us."

Her shoulders relax and she nods before heading over to the door. Before she can open it the three of us slink down to the floor and duck our heads. A whoosh of cold air sweeps into the house. I hold my breath waiting for someone to say something.

Mom sighs, something that sounds relieved. "Mia. Amber. I'm so glad to see you two."

"Is she here?" Amber's familiar voice says instead of a greeting.

There's a moment of silence before shuffling feet fill the air and the door closes with a click. The moment it does, I pop up and run around the couch.

Amber's eyes light up and the next thing I know I'm hugging her and the tears are falling again and my fingers are tangled in her long blonde hair.

"You're okay," she gasps.

"I am. I am. I'm so sorry." I hug her tighter and bury my face in her shoulder. I don't want to let her go. I don't want to think about how we left things or how things have changed and what I'll have to do and tell her about her cousin.

But all too soon the hug is over and we're stepping back from each other.

Then I turn to Mia and we're hugging. "You're alive," I say as we pull apart, our hug much shorter.

"I am."

"How's your leg?" I take a quick look down but can't tell.

"It's healing. How's... how are you?"

"I'm... I'm okay." I try to smile.

"What happened?" Amber asks.

I glance over my shoulder, but Zach and Revaa must still be hiding because neither are looking over the couches. "There's a lot that has happened. But why don't you two come sit and I'll introduce you to some new people. But first, can I get either of you something to drink?"

***

After telling the two of them what happened since my arrest - I make sure to leave out the part of the fight with Niko since I don't know if Amber knows about it and anything Niko related. I also introduce them to Revaa and Zach, which is met with... less than enthusiasm. Which I'm not sure how to feel about, especially regarding Zach.

"So, you've been hiding out until now? Resting?" Mia asks, skirting around the topic of what we really want and need to talk about.

I nod. "It was better that way before coming back."

"So what did happen for you to need to escape being arrested?" Amber asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

I squirm a little in my seat. "You remember how I was looking for Mara's murderer?" She nods. "Well we found them and battled it out a bit."

"Let's just say it didn't go well," Mia adds.

"What happened?" Amber looks at her drink.

I narrow my eyes, something feels... off. I'm not sure if it's the way Amber avoids eye contact or the way she keeps shifting in her seat. I look at Mia to find her already looking at me. "There was a fight..." I start. I don't know why I'm skirting around the topic, or maybe I do. But how do I tell her that her cousins-

"I know he's dead," she says.

I snap my mouth shut.

"The police came the night that you left. We don't know who murdered him." Her gaze flashes to me. "But I know he's dead and that it probably had something to do with him helping you find her murderer."

I gulp, not liking where this is going anymore. The air feels charged and I look at Mia, or Revaa or even Zach for help but they all seem just as speechless as me.

"And it sucks that my best friend isn't telling me anything." She glances around at the rest of them too. "It sucks that these strangers know more than I do."

"Amber it's not-"

Her eyes flash as she turns to me. "It is like that! You can't tell me it isn't!" She stands up, and surprisingly places her mug down gently. "You stopped talking to me and chose her over me!" She gestures to Mia. "Then you get my cousin involved and now he's dead! How could you? And worse, you didn't even have the guts to tell me!"

"Lumi..." Mia warns as I stand up.

"I was trying to protect you! You don't have any magic, so of course I'd ask for help from the two other people who did and who understood my grief!"

"You don't think I'd understand?"

"Of course not! You went and wrote an article about my grief! How could I possibly believe you'd keep quiet about anything we discovered?"

"Well clearly, you didn't find anything worthy of talk."

A smirk grows on my face. "You wanna bet?"

"Lumi..." This time it's Revaa who says it.

A similar smirk appears on Amber's face and she crosses her arms. "You think I don't already know?"

Something slithers down my spine but I ignore it. "How could you possibly know? I know for a fact Mia wouldn't have told you how Neo died."

"Well you aren't either. So he told me himself." She lifts her chin up as if she's proud.

I never thought all the warmth would seep out of me and that I'd be able to feel this cold. "He what?"

"That's right." Her eyes flash and she takes a step towards me. "He told me himself. He was backstabbed by someone we trusted."

My eyes widen as the realization sinks in. "Amber that isn't-"

"Lumi!" This time it's Zach who shouts my name.

But the world goes searing hot too soon. Amber's hand closes around my neck as her eyes glow. I claw at her hand, heat climbing up my neck. And as the world dims in my eyes I call on my ice and grab her hand, freezing it there, putting a stop to the heat. My breath returns as I step back. "Amber?" My voice waivers.

She grips her hand, frostbite covering it. "How could you?" Tears run down her face.

"How could I?" My throat sounds scratchy.

"You're the one who attacked her!" Zach claims, startling me to realize he's standing beside me.

"I'm only doing what he asks!"

"That's not Neo, Amber. Would he ask you to kill me?"

"He would if you killed him."

"But she didn't," Mia says, also standing beside me. "I was right there."

Amber laughs and throws her head back. "Then who killed him?"

"Niko did," I whisper. "Amber please. It's Niko who's making you do this. He's a..." The word slips from my mind. "He's an evil double of Neo. He can't be trusted."

She rolls her eyes. "Well..." She looks down at the ground as if searching for something to do.

I look quickly up to the stairs, wondering if my parents can hear any of this. "Amber please, would I lie to you?"

Her eyes snap up to me, but she doesn't respond for a moment. "It's too late Lumi. You already have." And before I can say anything she's just... gone.

I slump backwards onto the couch, my energy completely gone and what just happened leaving me shocked.

"Amber has magic?" My fingers float to my neck where a sting lingers. I look at Mia who nods, her lips in a tight line. "Since when?"

"I'm not sure. I've been helping her this past week to control it but..."

"But what, Mia?" I urge when she doesn't continue.

"She already seemed to have experience." She sits down with a huff. "I had a feeling Niko had already gotten to her."

"And you didn't think to warn me?"

She glares at me, but it softens within a second. "How could I when we came together and I had no way to contact you?"

I look down as I realize she's right. If I hadn't ran maybe none of this would have happened.

"Do you want some healing salve?" she asks gently.

I shake my head. I deserve this pain.

"Maybe I should go." She stands up. "It was nice meeting you two," she says to Zach and Revaa.

"It was nice meeting you as well," they say. "Too bad that happened," Revaa adds.

Mia gives them a tight smile before turning to me with a softer expression. "I'm glad you're safe. We'll catch up tomorrow?" she asks like we're old friends who haven't seen each other in awhile.

I nod. She leaves, and then it's just the three of us left.

"Are you all right?" Zach asks. He sits down beside me, our legs brushing against each other.

I lift my fingers up to my neck. "I think so. The heat is already disappearing."

"But she had a choke hold on you."

I shake my head. "She wasn't pressing hard." Which gives me hope there's still time to save her. That she doesn't hate me completely. "But um... I guess we should get you two settled, shouldn't we?"

They share a look before nodding, and I try my best to ignore the lingering looks from Zach.