Excerpt

Andr then turned his attention to Celeste intent on the weeping beauty that spoke words that reverberated throughout his heart. I know I ask much of you child. There is a battle that I am not sure we can win without you. Will you join this team? Will you save the world?

"For what?" Andr wanted to know. "For perverts, rapists and murderers? Perhaps this world needs to end and be cleansed of the greediness and perversions of mankind. The few good that are left can make to their just rewards."

"You said it felt good to be loved," Jady said. "There are still good people out there. Would you really have them experience all that would transpire in the losing of the grand battle? It is true that Paradise awaits them, but life is a gift from God. They should be allowed to enjoy it to the fullest. Help us save it for them."

Andr stood silent for a moment weighing his options. He would do anything to help Tiffany; she had done so much for him already. He sighed before nodding. Celeste wiped her own tears caused by Jady's impassioned words and raised her arms to awaken the maelstrom inside of Andr's body. Wind raged through Andr's veins causing him to gasp as the world took on an unfamiliar tilt.

He tried to block the frightening feelings as they rushed through his body. One moment his blood seemed to boil and the next it was chilled. He was terribly dizzy and he thought he was going to be ill. Kenneth reached out a hand and helped Andr to remain standing. Andr shivered at the touch and the wind died down. Andr sagged against Kenneth who gently lowered him on the floor where he turned a sickly shade of green.

"Oh no!" Tiffany clapped her hand over his mouth and ran him to the bathroom.

"Eewwww!" Staci screwed up her face as they could all hear Andr retching in the other room.

"He'll be ok. I just hope he can forgive me. If I had watched more carefully..." Celeste sobbed anew. "Oh, please, let him forgive me." Water could be heard running in the sink as Andr rinsed his mouth.

"It is not up to me to forgive you. I cannot forgive you for something that you did not do. You have to forgive yourself." Andr had quietly entered the room. Celeste nodded and kissed his forehead. "So how do we go about saving the world?"

Celeste smiled and beamed brightly around the room looking at the completely assembled group. The twins sat silently on the bed staring at Andr as if he were some strange new animal. They could tell from his breathing that he was like their brother and they felt bad for him. If they had two asthmatics in their group... how well would they do in battle? Celeste grinned at them having easily read the looks that passed between them. "You will all go to Arcadia and you will be taught to fight and use your powers. God willing you will show the world and beyond that there is something here worth fighting for."