Straight on Til' Morning; Book 4 of the Love is Weakness(Carlos De Vil) series

We Have to Get Creative

Carlos ran into the castle, and saw the little VKs, all sitting on Evie's sofa. He was freaking out internally, but when he saw their startled and confused faces, he composed himself.

"What happened?" Jay demanded, abruptly.

"Not here." Whispered Carlos, as he made eye contact with both Jay and Evie.

He cocked his head to the right, to beckon them to the other room.

"Dizzy, Celia, stay with the twins for a minute, we'll be right back." Evie instructed.

The older girls looked confused, but agreed.

The three original VKs filled into Evie's design room. The room was impressive, like the rest of the castle-- with celling to floor windows overlooking the garden in the backyard.

"I assume this has to do with Raven?" Surmised Evie, nervously. Referring to the pixie's noticeable absence.

"Where the hell is she?" Jay interjected, his face full of worry.

"Pan and Michael were here. I think they took her. I think she was being hypnotized," Carlos reported, anxiety dripping from his words.

"How? Isn't she the pixie?" Challenged Jay.

"The hypnotism power isn't a pixie thing, that she got from her father." Explained Carlos.

"How do you know that they took her?" Asked Evie.

"She was sitting with her eyes closed and singing, but it was a haunting singing-- like when she's putting someone in a trance. The twins were affected too, that's why I got them away. I heard her sing the word, Neverland."  Carlos explained, trying to keep his voice low.

"You don't think she was trying to lure the twins for some reason?" Evie asked, carefully.

"Of course not! This is Raven we're talking about!" Carlos exclaimed, "She wasn't answering me or responding to me at all. Besides, she hates that part of her magic. She was definitely under someone's control."

"I also found this," continued Carlos, holding out the blood-stained shirt, "It was Michael's. I'm the one who slashed him."

"Okay, that's creepy. It's like he's calling you out." Shuttered Jay.

"Wouldn't be the first time." Mutttered Carlos, referring to when it was Hartley.

"So, what's our next move?" Demanded Evie.

"I have to figure out where they took her. I don't think they'd go back to Neverland right away, now that Pan has access to his power here." Said Carlos. "You guys should stay here and take care of the little VKs."

"Hell No! We're not letting you deal with those Neverland freaks alone!" Argued Jay.

"Dizzy can stay with them, and Jane can look in on them too." Evie added.

"You guys have been through enough with me and Raven. Our past keeps affecting everyone. I don't want anyone getting hurt or put under a curse." Carlos countered.

"You know what's funny? You keep talking-- like we're actually listening... " Jay remarked, sarcastically. "We're all going."

"I'll call Mal, and I'll see if Doug is willing to help." Evie added

"Don't involve Doug. Raven's his best friend. He'll get in over his head." Pled Carlos.

"We don't keep secrets," started Evie,
"Besides, you and Doug together may almost add up to Raven's brain. And
since she's missing, we'll need that."