Prologue 2 - Twists and Turns Along the Way

Cassie had met Don Lothario at club shortly after she moved to the city. He was a handsome, suave, older man. She knew enough to recognize a good pick-up line but he was nice and funny about it. She'd agreed to meet him again at a family restaurant of all places. She had a good time. He flirted outrageously, of course, but somehow managed to not be pushy about it.

Cassie started spending more and more time with him.


He was vibrant and passionate... distracting her from the darkness that lurked in her heart.


The fact that the paparazzi ate it up, getting her (and him) into the media was a bonus. Don knew how to play to the media.


Her career was rocketing upwards.

Cassie started staying at his place in the Valley more and more...

Which had some definite... benefits.


... very... serious... benefits.


Eventually, it just made sense for her to move in full time.


They didn't really talk about where things were going. They didn't really talk much.

Cassie was amazed that Gwen wasn't hurt by her decision. For Gwen, there was never any question... they were friends and they would always be friends. This was what Cassie needed to do next in her life. Gwen would support her and be there for her, where ever life led.

Of course, life takes some interesting twists and turns.


She probably should have expected this, given that Don though "fidelity" had something to do with stereos. It probably shouldn't even have surprised her to find him was messing around with her old college friend, Jessie.


Well, Cassie wasn't about to let Don have any doubt which of them was the best woman. She'd prove it!

Don had no objections.


Afterwards, however, Cassie insisted that Don take their relationship seriously from now on.

Don was very apologetic and assured Cassie he would do whatever it to took to prove himself to her.

He probably should have known better.

The day of the wedding...


It was a small affair... just family and friends and a setup in Don's back yard.

It had been Cassie's idea to invite her college friends, Gwen, Jessie and Luna...


Don was happy to meet more of Cassie's college friends...


Don was happy with the whole thing really. Cassie was beautiful, fun... and a star. She was perfect.


So... why did he feel lead weights in his stomach? Why did he want to freeze, or run, or shout FIRE at the top of his lungs?

Don wasn't one for soul searching. He knew that there wasn't much worse he could possibly do to Cassie than breaking up her at the moment he was supposed to be marrying her. He also knew, without any doubt at all, that one of those few things that would be worse was actually marry her.

Instead he broke her heart.

... and out of that broken heart started to seep all the pain, the darkness and the hurt that Cassie had bottled up inside.

She was ready to heal and Gwen, as she had always promised, was there to help.


Cassandra Goth had rediscovered her power... and no one would take it away again.

Not from her or from the child she carried.