IMPETUS

Prologue

"That world is ended, as if it had never been. Let the race of Adam and Eve take warning."
– C.S. Lewis

"A man once told me that darkness was a disease; not to be merely fought or overcome – but to be cut out. Otherwise you risk its return." Hands clasped behind his back, he turned – catching her gaze, holding it. "This is essentially a purification process. In order to cleanse this world of its disease, we must remove the darkness."

"The supernaturals."

"Precisely."

"And what if I refuse?"

The President's eyes shifted above her head, and he gave a subtle nod.

Heavy boots sounded behind Caroline, and a moment later a strong arm extended before her. Her gaze became fixed on the the small tablet screen.

"Easy," a general cautioned in a hard tone.

Her response had been instantaneous; all had borne witness to the incandescent glow of power budding in her fingertips – had heard it.

Steeling the fury that threatened to expel from her body, Caroline took a slow breath through clenched teeth. It was so easy to lose control. And she wanted to.

But they were innocent people.

No, she mentally corrected. They weren't innocent; they were the government – they lied, they manipulated, threatened–

But they were still people.

And she was not a murder.

Not like her.

"A push of a button," the President pronounced – the lightness of his tone confirming an emotional indifference with regards to what he was threatening. The message was clear; he would pull the trigger without blinking. And if not he, the hundreds – or thousands, Caroline couldn't be sure – in cooperation with him, would do just the same.

Caroline's throat tightened painfully, eyes burning with tears as she watched her mother and step-family move about their kitchen. Fear and fury brought her to her feet, trembling. "You don't even know the extent of my powers," she threatened, power snapping in her finger-tips. She was subconsciously aware of her irrationality, but so blinded by emotion that she couldn't check the words as they tumbled from her lips. "I could kill you all in an instant." She didn't know how. "I'd be very careful about how far you choose to push me. I haven't even agreed." She tilted her head to the side, steeling her rage into a cool reserve. "You even try going after my loved ones – let alone before we've even come to agreement? You'll have your own families to worry about."

"You even try to do that," the President murmured coldly, evenly, "and when this is all ends – however it ends – you will have no family to go back to. Guaranteed."

The soldier with the tablet stepped away – and for a split second Caroline leant in his direction, after device, after the image of her family–

Until it was projected above the leaders' heads. A lens zeroed in on all four targets.

The rage returned – and this time she couldn't reign the surge of power. The lights overhead burst as the energy exploded from her being. Furniture hurled violently about the room. Men cursed and cried out as they were struck, injured–

She felt the sharp, piercing intrusions to her sides before she could fathom what they were. Syringes emptied a cocktail of drugs into her veins; similarly to how vervain had once affected her, the poison began to dull her senses and reflexes.

The commotion instantaneously died, and reinforcements burst through the door.

She hadn't killed anyone. A few bruises and flesh wounds. But not enough for them to retaliate against her loved ones.

A moment passed. Two.

She was right: no 'button' was pressed. Her mother continued to set the table, and her partner served the meal as the children scuttled around the kitchen. Everything in their perfect, normal life carried on undisrupted.

Caroline surmised no course of action was taken because they wouldn't risk losing their greatest leverage so soon. But also because they undoubtedly understood they'd provoked her too much – pushed her too far, too soon – when they still hadn't gained her cooperation. That had been the colossal mistake on their behalf.

She wanted to feel relieved that her outburst hadn't cost her anyone she loved – but her mind and body couldn't conjure the emotion, distorted with the aftermath of using intense power, and the rush of several depressants in her veins.

"Don't ever forget who has the resources, witch," the general snapped as his men surrounded her.

The President's gaze didn't waver from Caroline as two men came to her side at his command. "And don't ever make the mistake of underestimating us, Miss Forbes."

The soldiers clasped manacles around her wrists, and small rods on the metal interior pierced her skin, locking the device in place. Similar ones were attached above her ankles. As they settled against her limbs, she felt the draining sensation of her power being impeded.

The two men walked her to the vault's exit, where she was then book-ended by the remaining troops.

She paused, yanking the guards to a stop – but not flinching as all guns were trained on her. Turning slowly, features cold with revulsion, every cell in her body fought the onslaught of drowsiness, and she stood tall, determined. Interior searing with fury, she warned through her teeth with absolute conviction, foreboding:

"Don't underestimate me."

A/N: So, I'm back! I know it's been a horrendously long wait for all of you Ubiquitous readers, I apologise – my life's taken a very big, positive (and busy) turn this year, and I just haven't had the time or inclination, really, to write. I've actually been on the bench for all fandoms all year, but I am picking up a little bit again now and will contribute to them when I can. I am a slow writer, as all of you are aware, but I will do my utmost to update as often as I can (real life does take absolute precedence, I'm sorry!). I can't wait to share this sequel with you though (it's been in the works for quite some time!), and I really hope you enjoy it! I'd love to hear from you if you have the time (it's been so long!) – so please sound off your thoughts in the box below, or even if you just want to say hi – my PM on here and ask on Tumblr are always open.

Much love, G xx