2010, 2 years after Jem and Tessa reunite

"Magnus you've got to be kidding me!"

As I step out of my room, wearing the most ridiculous costume that I have ever seen, those are the first words out of my mouth. Of course, Jem can't help but laugh. The costume is made up of yards of excess fabric in bright mustard yellow and peacock blues and greens and looks utterly horrid.

"Come on Tessa, if you're going to my Halloween party you must be in costume. No one will recognize you in this lovely dress!"

"Magnus," I say hurriedly, "If you like the dress so much, then why don't you wear it. I can find another one by tomorrow night."

"Tessa, I might just have to take you up on that offer!"

I can't help but roll my eyes. In the 132 years that I've known him, Magnus Bane hasn't changed a bit. This year, unlike any of the other ones, he's convinced me to attend his Halloween party. The only reason I'm going though, is because Jem said he'd go too. So today we're out with Magnus shopping for costumes that he has so graciously agreed to pay for. He's also decided that he has to pick out what we're wearing. Yippee.

I look up as Jem walks out of his dressing room wearing a very awkward child costume.

"Um Magnus... I hate to break it to you, but I don't think this costume really matches my complexion."

I can tell that Jem's being sarcastic, but it passes right over Magnus's head.

"Oh dear... I think you're right," he says, slightly dejectedly. "Why don't you try on the gladiator costume, and you Tessa, try on the ballgown."

We shuffle back into our respective dressing rooms, and when we step back out, see Magus twirling around in the same dress I just had on.

"It's very you, Magnus," I say, trying hard to keep a straight face.

"Yes I do believe it is. I think I'll wear it to the party, thank you Tessa. Wow! Look at you! That gown is perfect for you, you must wear it to the party! Oh let me see if I can dig up that old tiara, it must be around here somewhere..."

Jem walks over and whispers in my ear.

"I might still have my old tux around from way back when, and if I can find it would you like to go as 'royalty'?"

"As long as it keeps you from wearing that horrid gladiator costume. It looks like the Romans were desperate so they took a cute Chinese man and made him play dress up for them."

Jem's face splits into a grin.

"Yes it really is bad. Let's get dressed and try to drag Magnus out of here. I really don't want to be stuck playing dress up with a warlock all afternoon."

After we're back in our regular street clothes, we manage to drag Magnus out of the costume shop, once he purchases the costumes of course.

Back out on the street again, I look up at the sky. The sun is still out, but the clouds are starting to cover it. Great. It's going to rain.

We walk a few block to where my car is parked, and right as we reach for the doors, the sky's open up and the rain starts comming down in heavy sheets.

I hear an ear-splitting scream, but none of the others seem to hear it. I take a step forward but I can't even make it into the car. My head is pounding so hard that I can't think. Jem and Magnus hurry over to where I was standing moments before, but before they can reach me, I promptly black out.