A/N: I think I have one more chapter and an epilogue left. So, enjoy the rest of the chapters.

Thanks

~Rissa

__________________________________________________________________________-

The days flew by faster than I wanted them to. They seemed to not care that I did not want it to be my birthday just yet, because it kept going faster and faster until it was two days before my birthday.

My anxiety had been through the roof, and it sometimes gets so bad that I almost let out a dozen spells to either attack or protect me, even at my own house or school. It was getting harder and harder to hide what I was to my mother, and I knew that it would be for the best if I left until after my birthday.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked as I walked downstairs with a duffel and my school bag. She glanced up at me before looking back at the television. "I thought you were grounded."

"I don't know," I replied, not really caring if I was grounded or not. "But, I am leaving for a couple of days. Hopefully, I will be back a couple of days after my birthday, if not the day after my birthday."

Mom stiffened and turned to look at me. Worry and fear filled her eyes, and again, I couldn't help but wonder how much she knew about what I was hiding. "Why will you leave?" she asked, her voice void of emotion. She turned away, and I could tell that she didn't really care.

Now would be a good time to spill the beans, Ruckur said. You don't have to tell her about being the Director and stuff like that. The letter should suffice.

"Because," I said, feeling a bit guilty about it. However, I knew that I had to get this weight off of my chest if I was to survive the battle that would happen on my birthday. "I am sick and tired of you moping and crying around. I get it, I am not your favorite child and never will be. I am sick and tired of not eating anything because there isn't that much food and having to watch you eat it. I am tired of you not trusting me or not letting me go out to see the world. Yes, I lie sometimes, but it is to protect you and because you wouldn't understand." I gestured to Cody. "I need him in my life, and I am tired of arguing with you about it."

Mom didn't say a word as she looked at me. Her face was drained of all color, and I could see that there were tears in her eyes. Guilt was evident in her eyes before she placed a mask over her feelings by pursing her lips.

I shook my head and sighed. "I am just done. I am almost eighteen, and I need to experience stuff on my own. You should know that I would not do drugs or anything like that, but I do need to get out of the house and just not work, home, nor school."

Again, Mom was silent.

I think it is time to leave, Ruckur said, softly.

I shook my head, again. "On my birthday, you can go into my room. I left a letter for you and something for your birthday. If I make it back here alive, then I hope that you will welcome me with open arms"' With that, I picked up my duffel and started to walk towards the door, only to be pulled back by muther.

Mom hugged me for the first time in ages, and I just stood there like a statue. "Be safe," she whispered. She pulled back and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind my ear before stepping away from me.

I clutched my bag, not knowing what to do but nodded. With a heavy mind and a hopeful heart, I left my mother and started to make my way to where I was meeting Luke.

We were going to the battlefield and scout it. Surprisingly, the battlefield was my old home, so we were just going to stay there until this whole thing was over.

Hopefully, I wouldn't lose him in this fight, because I needed him just as much as I needed air to breathe. I loved him, and I couldn't see anyone replacing him in my life.

***

It was the day of the battle, and I was afraid that we wouldn't survive. We had practiced hard for two days, and I was sure that that would help us, but I didn't know how much. The Darks were strong in the dark, and since it was the night of the new moon, they would be very strong.

"Hey, are you alright?" Luke asked, coming over to me. He sat down where I was seated and watched as I fiddled with the new amulet that my father had left me to find. Worry was clear in his voice, and it caused my heart to pound faster.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Uh, ya," I said, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind my ear. "I will be after this is done."

Luke chuckled and pulled me close to him. He rubbed my shoulder, causing my body to relax before he kissed my forehead. "We have to go and make sure all the preparations are done," he whispered after a couple of minutes.

I nodded my head and sighed. "I know," I said. I got out of his grasp and stood, tucking the amulet underneath my shirt. I was about to leave to make sure that everyone was prepared when an idea appeared in my mind. "You know what," I said, gaining the courage for what I needed to do.

"What-"

I didnt' let him finish as I kissed him on the lips. A small smile appeared on my lips when Luke kissed me just as roughly and pulled me close to him.

Luke pulled away first and laid his forehead on mine. A smile was on his face, causing his whole face to brighten. "That was a great way to say 'good luck'," he whispered, causing me to chuckle and peck his lips.

"Good luck," I whispered, pulling away from him.

"I'll see you on the other side, Director."