Sam watched as the final two they'd been waiting for slowly came in.  Jeremy eyed her like a love sick puppy dog, and Ambrose sat away from the rest of them, still unsure if he wanted to be a part of the motley crew.  Sam smiled and when they were all in, she strutted to the door and locked it before taking a seat at the front of the room.  Ambrose asked what the plan was and Sam didn't know what to tell him.

"I don't know," Sam said honestly as she shook her head and sighed in irritation.  "The being that slipped through the ceremony hasn't surfaced since that night.  In order for me to identify him I need to figure out what it looks like, and the only person who saw the being was Alex who isn't here."

Caleb looked around the room and noticed that Alex wasn't there.  He did see Ambrose sitting away from everyone.  Caleb turned his attention back to the books as Sam continued to talk.

"Ariana, you spent the night with him, did he divulge anything?" Sam asked as she crossed her legs and arms.

"Not really, he did toss and turn all night long begging for mercy but that was it, no name, no description," Ariana said, "but I'm sure if we ask him politely he will tell us."

"Or let me go visit him, I'll delve into his mind and find out for us," Caleb said not looking at the group but focusing on a book he had pulled from the wall.  Sam looked at Caleb with worried eyes.

"You know that type of magic is forbidden Caleb," Sam said to which Caleb scoffed in annoyance and shook his head.

"Then you have a better plan?" Caleb replied causing Sam's mouth to hang open for a moment before she glared at him.

"What the fuck happened between you and him that's got you all pissy?" Sam retorted pointing at Ambrose causing Caleb to close his eyes momentarily.  He didn't say anything, he didn't even look at Sam or Ambrose or any of the others.  Ariana gasped and sighed.

"Maybe Caleb's just worried that the longer we don't identify this being, the longer it has to wreck havoc.  Alex isn't safe and we need to figure it out as quickly as possible," Ariana stepped in trying to diffuse the tension.

"Whatever, when you figure it out let me know," Caleb said as he stood up and moved towards the door.  It opened without him touching it.  Sam crossed her arms and glared as Ariana stood up.

"Caleb, we're in this together, let's just calm down and figure this out," she said as Caleb shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm all ears," he replied leaning against the wall close to the door watching it close in front of him and relocking.

"Sam?" Ariana asked.

"Fine, fine, delve into his memories Caleb, but do it with discretion.  The fewer people know about this, the better.  Jeremy and Ariana, focus your efforts on resources.  We may not know what we're up against but we will need everything we can get.  I'll scour the library for books, I may have to visit the forbidden section, but I've done it before so it will be easy.  Ambrose, I know you don't want to but we need your help.  Accompany Caleb to Alex's room and help him."

"I'm fine alone," Caleb interjected.

"As fine as you are alone, Ambrose is new here.  He can't go with me, Ariana and Jeremy will have their hands full so that leaves you.  Just man up and take him," Sam replied standing to her feet.

"Fine," Caleb said as he moved to the door and opened it, "Let's go," he shot in Ambrose's direction as he left the meeting.  Everyone had an assignment and yet it wasn't all roses and sunshine.  Sam watched Caleb leave and sighed.

"He's pissed," she said quietly, "Ambrose keep an eye on him please, I haven't seen him like that since..."

She paused and shook her head before turning to Ariana and Jeremy.  "You two gather as much as you can.  If any of you need me text me."

Ariana nodded and Sam vanished in the blink of an eye.  The meeting was over and now it was time to get to work.  

"Let's go Jeremy."

[@Catmint]