Normally, only reading stories that are completed means I am not left wondering (or not for long, at least), but now I am seeing a downside... I've read the teasers for the next two stories in this series (though I won't be able to read the third since it is incomplete and not likely to ever be finished :( ), so I know Chloe can't be permanently dead - well, unless there is a new character by that name.  Hmm... I assumed Jason ends up mated with Leah because I saw on the teaser for the third story that they must protect the children at all costs: Renesmee' Harry and Chloe.  Obviously, I know who Renesmee' is and given Harry was Leah and Seth's father's name, I guessed that she and Jason must have had a son and named him Harry (the second story said something about an "unnatural union" so I had guessed it would be a vamp/wolf pairing).  But I've assumed the Chloe named was Jason's sister.  Now that the idea has popped into my head that perhaps, like the name Harry, Chloe was a name given to a new life to honor a lost loved one.  ... sigh  Now, I have to read faster. :D

"I think Dermot will return soon with Isolde, too.”

Isolde was Dermot’s mate from Wales. Dermot had gone up north to meet her. Apparently, the strong storms rolling up from the south had thrown her off course a bit whilst she swam across the Irish Sea. Meaning to come ashore just south of Dublin, she’d actually ended up nearer to Dundalk in County Louth. Suffice it to say that she didn’t know Ireland very well and had neglected to look at a map before leaving. Dermot had instructed her to stay put in the countryside outside of town and that he’d meet her there. Assuming he found her straight away, he should have only needed half an hour to get there and back. He’d been gone for several hours. No one dwelled too hard on what they were up to for the sake of their own mental wellbeing.

Still, just to lighten the mood, I asked, “Are you sure? They seem to be getting awfully side-tracked.”

Fiona grimaced and said, “Please, don’t. It’s hard enough to withstand the innuendos that Siobhan’s coming out with.”

“Ugh! I am hurt that you could think I would suggest something so vulgar. And I thought you thought more of me. I think I’ll just crawl into bed and sob off this attack upon my character.” I heard sniggering from the living room. I think I even heard Liam give a short giggle.

Fiona’s nostrils flared and she said, “Don’t encourage them, Jason.”

“Oh the hurt, the horror, the betrayal.” More sniggers from down the hall, but no one dared turn and look.

“Okay, Jason, do you want me to hurt you ‘cause seriously, I am on the edge right now?”

“Let me think about that. Will I enjoy it?”

Fiona scowled and gave me an almighty slap across the back of my head as unmitigated laughter erupted from the living room. Fiona shouted at me as I disappeared inside the room. “You…you! Ugh! Get yourself ready and get out here in five minutes or else I’m coming in there.”

I replied, “Don’t worry, Fiona. I’ll be ready and waiting.”

She was about to explode at me once more when Siobhan shouted to me, “Hey Jason, was it as good as you hoped?”

I answered, “Meh, I’ve had better spanks.”

The laughter was uproarious. Fiona simply shouted at the ceiling and ran passed everyone into the kitchen, slamming the door behind her." -- this scene was a total crack-up.  Nice to see a bit of the lighter side mixed in with all the heavy emotional drama. ;)

Then, there was a momentary flicker from what I assumed was overhead. A brightening light peered into my black void. The light was soft and white but shone irregularly like something was passing between me and its source.

Then, I saw a perfect sphere with odd markings and realisation swept over me just before the crashing waves. A blinding effervescence accompanied a massive pull that yanked me upwards and cast me into the freezing air and scathing light before dragging me back down. Then, I was met by another wave and as I surfaced, I saw the cliff tops from whence I’d jumped. I was sucked back down by the current but not for as long this time. I surfaced to find myself drifting from shore. I was already beyond the point where the waves were breaking. I drifted in the relatively gentle undulations of the offshore waters for a few moments whilst I processed what had happened. I’d jumped. I’d fallen. I’d hit the bottom, hard. I’d cracked off the rocks at least four times. I’d been under the icy water for several minutes.

And yet, I’d survived.

I'm just a bit confused as to what the light was that is referred to in the section quoted above.  My first thought was perhaps the moon or sun, but then I remembered it was snowing and he saw the dark clouds moving on his way to the cliff.  So then I thought perhaps it was going to be someone to help him, but that didn't materialize either.  So, now I am left just confused. :(

Other than this one bit, though, I loved it!  I do admit to wishing it had been Danny and not Julian who was pulverized by the blackness...I'm just a little bit vindictive.

  ‘“I’ve lived nearly two millennia, little boy. My coven will not fall before the likes of you. You will know suffering before I’m done with you.”(...)        The beating knocked her to her knees. Her skin fractured like stone struck with a hammer and did not reseal. Shards and splinters lodged themselves in the cracks, holding them open or forcing them wider. She hollered in agony, begged for mercy, barely audible above the tumult of smashing stones and snapping sticks.’

  *sigh*        It’s always so cathartic to revisit this scene…        ^_^

Author's Response:

Haha, yes, and I did, too, in writing it. Apologies for the delay with Spring Tide, I'm still waiting for it to be validated.

  'I had done my best to avoid domesticated animals in that time, for my frenzy after my first animal feeding resulted in a number of newspaper articles in Europe covering reports of strange farm animal deaths from Ireland’s Mid-West to western Russia. I figured as well that the Volturi were using those reports to better track me.'        Tracking you through the news?  How strange.  With Demetri, they should be hot on your heels.  Unless, of course, he is siding with Marcus, and playing dumb about you, probably saying you're immune to his power.   Feasible, since you made a good show avoiding Aro's.  As long as Aro doesn't touch him...        :-]

  'He reared up again, this time pressing his massive paws down on my shoulders with his jaws snapping mere inches from my face. I was able to bear his weight easily though, and I grabbed his paws in my hands, pushing them off me whilst kicking the bear’s legs. One blow ended in a resonant crack, which left the bear yelping and whining before it tried to retreat with a broken right hind leg.'        Jason, Jason.  Bad, bad vampire!  I will have to put the animal rights groups on you.        P-)       

  'The leader shook my hand last and said, “I’m Carlisle Cullen, leader of this coven, welcome to the Olympic Peninsula.”'        Ah, you meet the old gang.  Now you're definitely in good company.  Will you involve them in your plans?  Can't wait to see what will come out of this.  See ya at Equinox, Jason.        ^_^

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for reading my story and reviewing my chapters, you're quotes as well actually reminded me of a lot of things that I'll need to keep in mind when writing Equinox. I hope you enjoy it as much as this story and there'll be a third and final installment of this series after it. I am working full-time and am busy at home so my updates to Equinox might be spaced a few weeks apart but I hope to post the last chapter this year or early next year. Then there might be a break before I start the third story.

Thanks again for all your comments and as for Demetri, well, I won't ruin the story for you so you'll just have to wait till towards the end of Equinox to find out what the deal is there.

See you there!

  “I don’t understand why she sought the Volturi’s favour.”        “That’s the reason her and Sophia separated.”        It took but moments to work out his meaning. “Carina thought their feud with the Volturi should end, that they might finally be able to stop running if they settle their dispute with…a gift.”        So, this is why they parted ways.  Sophia wasn't keen on forgetting her grudge against the Volturi.

  'They were inside the forest, darting smoothly amongst the trees, closing on us.(...) As I watched, the mist became darker in four places.(...) They all wore gloves and were all hooded, making it hard to discern anything about their appearance.'        Just like your vision.  Hard to believe you haven't the slightest precog capacity.        :-] 

   'Once second of hope was engulfed in flame as Jane withdrew a lighter from her pocket, ignited it, and dropped it upon Chloe’s broken body. Flames spread over her body in a split second.'        Noooo.....

  Jason, this was awful!  But, then again, I suppose this kind of pain is the only thing that could have fueled the blackness for it to really defeat them, right?        X_(

   'I knew, too, that my attack would be too slow to catch the majority of them before they cleared the meadow and disappeared deep into the forest. No matter, I only ever intended to catch Marcus.(...)         “My wife is dead.”        “Yet, you never really found out what happened to her, to your Didyme.”(...)        “Who in the Volturi knows of this?”        “They don’t just know, Marcus. You want to know who killed your wife? Well, he sits on a throne just to your left in that grand castle of yours.”        And the truth comes to the surface.  Hmm, did his early hesitation have to do with Didyme?  Did Aro's condemnation of you two remind him of her somehow?

  When Fionna passed you this information, with Siobhan at her side...  Was Siobhan the one who "told" her that, or did she get it from Carina before she died?  At least this is what your words to Marcus seem to imply.

  "I need someone’s location. The one who started all this hasn’t been ticked off my to-kill-list yet.”(...)        “She is close. The one you seek hides in a wooded area not far from a small town inside a collapsing farmhouse.”        Sophia, I presume.  And at your hometown.  How symbolic...

  Something's coming up that a lot of my readers didn't like but agreed was necessary for the storyline...  You wasn't kidding when you said that, my friend.  At least, the others escaped unharmed.        :-[

Author's Response:

I know this chapter was fairly morbid and lacked many happy endings but it's just where the story took me and it's necessary for the plot of my two planned sequels. Yes, Siobhan did pass on that knowledge, it was her best card to pay and she held it back until now. You have to think though on the bright side there's an insidious worm within the Volturi now and Sophia is about to get what's coming to her.

   'There were sixty of them, ten of which were Immortal Children.'        YIKES!!!        *hides under his bed*        ooo__00__ooo

  'During our conversations, Maggie revealed she had an ability, too.(...)  From then on, I started referring to her as “Miss Polygraph”, which she didn’t appreciate.(...)  After several references to my manhood, sexual preferences, and whether or not I found Maggie attractive (all of which had embarrassing outcomes), I retreated in shame to my room.'        *chuckles*        :-}

  'That day, she had tried to spray me in the eyes with a bottle of surface cleaner. She missed, which gave me the opportunity to grab a bottle of Tabasco sauce and empty it on her head.'        What a pest!  Sorcha, not you.  Good job, by the way.        ;)

  'As Fiona took her seat again, Dermot’s eyes strayed towards me, and the thing I feared most would happen came to pass.        He said, “Hey Jason, do you think you might give us a performance?”'        Hah!  It was just a matter of time.        :)

   “I mean even if we get her back, it’ll only be in the physical sense.(...) She will not be the same, she won’t be my little sister anymore.”        “I think you underestimate vampires. We are quite emotional creatures, to a far greater degree than humans, but we are more resilient, also. I think you also underestimate Chloe. She is strong and mature beyond her years. She will come through this in much better shape than you think.”        Amen, sis, amen.

  “We can fight all the vampires at once, but I’ll need several things for this to work.”(...)        “Okay, for starters I’ll need a big field near the newborns, a whole lot of blood, and last but not least, some dynamite…or any high explosive will do.”        I think I see what is her plan.  Simple, but efficient, if I'm right.  Explosives...  I guess it could work, if it's powerful enough.  A pity you can't get your hands on some C4... 

  “Now, once they lose themselves to their hunting instincts, they will be unable to focus, distracted as they will be by the overpowering odour of blood.”        I wonder if this truth won't turn against yourselves.  Sorcha doesn't have much of a restraint.        :-/

  Your fight with Sorcha.  While I understand why the others are disappointed, I can't say myself that I'm.  She had it coming.        ;)

  Now, if only you all can survive this next day...

Author's Response:

Read on and find out!!! I warn you, something's coming up that a lot of my readers didn't like but agreed was necessary for the storyline...Enjoy! ;)

  'I remembered her vaguely speaking of a truth she’d sensed from Sorcha, that she, too, was special. Even as a human, her body temperature was running on average at about one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit. From our few encounters, I remembered her being bossy and hot-tempered, quick to take offence and to argue.(...)        His eyes and the area around them were black and sooty, smoke rose from the sockets, and a few patches of skin were still hot enough to glow. She had somehow burned out his eyes with her bare hands.'        When you first described Sorcha's body heat and temper, I found myself thinking if any of her ancestors had passed by the western United States.  Now I see her hotness (pun intended)  have another source.        ;)

  By the way, it was very cathartic to see Sorcha burning Danny.  Imagine that, to put a nine year old through a week of that agony...

  “Did you say you injected her with venom?”        “Yes, I think it’s less traumatic to get a needle to the heart than having your throat ripped open.”        Just like Edward did for Bella.  Great minds think alike.        :)

  “I am a manifestation of your subconscious mind. Since the day you received your friend’s chain, the blackness has conjured me to alert you to the perils along your path.”        “Are you saying I can use the blackness to predict the future?”        "Hardly, your ability is complex and multi-faceted enough without any extra quirks like precognition. No, the blackness just allows your mind to be more open to possibilities, to be more aware of how current events will evolve as time transpires.”        Pity.  To speak with the dead and precognition would be some intriguing traits.  Still awesome as it is, though.        :-]

   '“Your ability, you hastened your own change. Why couldn’t you do it for someone else?”(...)        Chloe suddenly uttered something feebly, “You need…help.”'        That was a good move.  And the way Chloe helped...  You two would make a good team.  For a moment, I thought you wouldn't have to worry about her being labeled as an Immortal Child...

  “Her…her intention is not to kill the boy but…but to change him. She’s already done it. He’ll be a vampire in a matter of days.”        “He’s even younger than her; he’ll never be able to control himself. He’ll be…”        “An Immortal Child, the gravest sin in the eyes of the Volturi.”        ...until she did this!  What the Hell possessed her?

  Man, I don't see it ending well.        :(

Author's Response:

Oh let me tell you now, it really, really won't. I think if you give it some thought though you'll figure out who or what possessed her to do that. Thanks again for reviewing.

"Watch your mouth, leech, unlike you I actually help people, and as for my feeding habits, if you must know, it’s called donated blood."        Ah, so she is really one of the good guys.  I was hopeful.        :)

  "I’m a truth-seer. I merely need to concentrate on a person or a situation, and I gain complete understanding of it. I know things that have happened and how they have led to a current situation. With people, I can know their whole lives in and out if I choose, and I can see how other lives intertwine with theirs."(...)        "Oh, well along with my aunt’s ability to see truth, she can also show people truth. She updates me when I come here on what she learns."        Wow.  Alice would love to meet this woman.  And Aro would be in crazy acquisition mode if he learned about her.  And, just for the record, again, I didn't peek this chapter before guessing she was Dermot's aunt in the last review.        ;)

  "I don’t know how long I was there, but it was still dark when she found me, a kindly woman named Siobhan. I remember her being stunningly beautiful but a very big woman with reddish eyes.(...) She said I was going to die, and she could end my suffering, or she could save me, though I might not like how I would be saved. I was delirious and just told her to help me, and that’s when I was changed."        Siobhan.  First reference to the story we already know.  Good touch.  And I like that you made her and her coven at least vigilantes.  Still beats the vampires who kill indiscriminately, without minding who.        :-]

  'Dermot stood as I did and waving his hands, he said, "Hold up, you aren’t saying that you’re switching to the packaged diet?"        "I think that would be best for me."        "Ah, man, and I was looking forward to having a hunting partner."        Fiona backhanded his leg and said, "Don’t pressure him, if he wants to live my way, then he can." She looked very pleased with her nephew’s dismay.'        *chuckles*        X-)

  "She creates potent physical barriers.(...)  It is vaguely similar to your ability but far less versatile. She is your opposite in the sense that she requires emotional calm to stabilise her barriers."        Again, a dichotomy.  You, rage; Sophia, calmness.  Interesting.

  "Fiona, what have you seen?"        "Something so vile, how could they? Oh no, poor Sorcha."(...)        "I must get back to Limerick. Sorcha is in critical condition, and she might not make it. With your permission, Jason, I could change her."(...)        "You must return to Clare, to Shannon where your sister’s staying."        "Why? What’s happened?"        "A decision has already been made for Chloe."        Hmm...  Sorcha must be dying from the stabs.  So, I imagine the vile thing Fiona saw was about Chloe.  What could Danny and Sophia be up to?        :-/

  Truckloads of information in this chapter, Jason.  Very enllightening.  And very well done.        ^_^

Author's Response:

Thanks very much, this was a chapter full of revelations, wasn't it?! I think you'll understand after reading the next chapter why Fiona described what she saw as "vile".

'As if to confirm my wary suspicion, I saw the outline of several forms moving towards me. I soon realised that they were human, but I also noted that they moved far too quickly and seemed to glide over the earth rather than step upon it. I observed that they wore hooded black cloaks, their faces obscured.(...)        I felt a presence at my back, but it did not arouse fear but protectiveness. I could not turn to see who or what I was protecting, but I knew these hooded characters were a threat to it'        The Volturi.  I'm beginning to think your powers are precognitive, together with everything else.  I wonder who you was trying to protect in there...

  'I felt pain to make a stab wound feel like the prick of a pin. Then, my body spasmed and heaved, rendering my limbs useless. I wanted to jerk away from the source of my agony, but I couldn’t even determine where it was coming from. It felt like my whole body was burning from the inside out.(...)        The light that filtered in caught the side of his face. I screeched murderously. “Danny!”        He smirked and replied, “Jason, I told you I’d let you live only a little longer.”'        Emphasis in little.  Geez...        :(

  'Upon coming across a venom molecule, the blackness broke into hooked microfilaments that towed it along. Eventually, the blackness had gathered them all and through various pathways, they flowed towards my chest cavity.(...)        I roared and bellowed as my own ability helped speed the transformation. As each molecule of venom bound to a cell and carried out its activities, the blackness would scoop it up the microsecond it finished and deliver it to a new substrate.'        Jason, your power is the most bizarre thing I ever saw in any story.  Congratulations! Specially in the way it seems to act on it's own volition, and seems to "know" things.        0_0

  'The rest of my body felt like a solid block full of only the most miniscule of pores. They were so tiny that you’d need a microscope to view them, well, anyone else would. I wondered what their purpose was.'        Me too.

  'Suddenly, I felt a surge of force bolting from her eyes in my direction. I stumbled back, but the blackness held it from my body. I could not reach around her shield, but something told me she had an ability not unlike mine. Yet, it was clear whose was the most powerful.(...)  I rammed her with all the force I could, and her energy reflected back upon her. Sophia and Carina were launched wide of my garden, and into a field across the road.'        Hahahah!  You showed her, Jason.  But I bet Sophia and her "patience" aren't done with you.  Too tempting, the idea of doubling the power of her coven, if she manages to entice you.  That, or the need to get rid of the competition.  Neither a good prospect.        :-/

  'I felt like something had caught in my throat. My breathing accelerated as the woman pleaded with her daughter to go back to bed. Suddenly, the burning thirst meant nothing. I heard the cries of the younger sister upstairs. She’d seen me and thought I was a bogeyman, a monster.'        Carlisle would be proud of you, man.  For managing to spare both Chloe and this family.  Very good, the description of you getting closer and closer to Brian.  It was terrifying.        ^_^

  Monolithic, cataclysmic, apocalyptic...  Not enough words for this chapter.  A pity I can't read anymore today.  See you soon, Jason.        ;)

Author's Response:

Wow, thanks for the compliments on this chapter. I was  trying to make it not so much the main event but one of the most pivitol parts of the story, a big turning point. I hope "Excuses" and all the other chapters live up to this one for you. Thanks again.

  'I admitted fully that I’d caught them with drugs, and they tried to kick the crap out of me. They believed that much because the four boys were still a little inebriated when they were found.(...) Still, what the principal, Mrs. Anne Fogarty, couldn’t comprehend was how I’d defeated four boys twice my size in close quarters.'        Your feat with the "blackness" was something worth see. My compliments for not killing them, by the way. But, really, I liked more when you smashed Gary's face against the sink using only your hand. *sigh* I know, you may call me vengeful.        P-)

  "My point is that they likely will not face prison time or even see the inside of a court, if their parents’ lawyers have anything to say about it. Therefore, I will have no choice, if they are acquitted, but to allow them back to school."(...) "Their parents contribute much to this school. It wouldn’t be in our best interests to expel them."        What a hag! Are you sure you didn't have any speck of blackness left? Just to, say, break her chair? At least it would take away her pose.        :-P

  'I quickly found that every letter I thought was a bill was, in fact, more notices and warnings of legal action ensuing if overdue payments were not met.'        That is what I call karma. Just sorry that you and Chloe will be dragged down with your parents. I liked how you two began to make plans to get through this, cheering each other.        :-]

  "How dare you judge me. I’ve done nothing but provide for you ungrateful brats since the day you wormed out of me. If I hadn’t used that money, there’d have been no food on the table for the past two months. There wouldn’t have been electricity either, so you could play your precious videogames or watch your geeky documentaries."(...)        "Whatever, it’s not like I wanted any of you in the first place. The only reason you exist is because your father wanted heirs. If only I had been more ruthless back then."        Sickening.        :(

  'Then, my mother let out a scream so chilling that I forgot to breathe.(...) Then, out of corner of my eye, I noticed Chloe.(...) Her eyes were simultaneously glazed over, but focused…on our mother.(...)        "I searched for her sense of empathy, compassion…and turned it against her, amplified it."(...)        "I only…wanted her to feel…remorse, guilt for once. I didn’t think it would stop her heart."'        Holy...! When you hinted Chloe also have a gift, I thought she was just able to hold yours back, Jason. Poor girl. This will haunt her.        :(

  You two seem to be complementary, I think. While you affect the physical world around you, Chloe seems to affect emotions. Kind like Jasper. I just wonder if it's at mental or physical level. Very interesting.

  Hard to believe all this happened to you in a single day. While what Chloe did is not something I would want to see happening in cold blood, I can't feel sorry for Orla. You're all better without her, in the long run. Cold, I know, but I can't help it. You did a good job in making her hateful.        ;)

Author's Response:

Thanks, I really wanted people to feel nothing but negative emotions towards the parents, I wanted the father to seem pitiful and cowardly and the mother to be a vile bitch so I'm glad you think she's hateful! I'm glad you find their abilities interesting, I wanted them to be complimentary and relatively unique, especially Jason's. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. Thanks again.

Damn it, the more I read, the more I can't wait to go back to Clare. Only two more weeks.

Odd, I've been to Kilkee every year of my life. Must read this now. :D