JAKE ARMSTRONG.

Cassie noticed a sudden change in Jake’s demeanor, sensing that maybe they all weren’t on the same page.  Had this been earlier in the year, she might’ve been more timid, but frankly? After the year they had and everything they had been through? Cassie couldn’t bear to take a setback. “We are, Jake.” she insisted, her tone rising a little. She made it apparent she wasn’t afraid of him. In fact, she wasn’t afraid of anybody.  Not anymore.  All the while, she didn’t feel a need to posture her dominance, and simply let him try to intimidate her, showing no actual sign of inferiority. “I didn’t tell anyone- I said it because I knew you would jump to conclusions – can you blame me with the way you’re acting right now?” she was rather rash and spewed her words quicker, as if rushed.  Cassie took a moment, a deep breath. “Look..” her mind was dizzy with her own frustration, holding an arm out to give them both space. “Whoever took it- us siding against each other isn’t helping.” The blonde eyed him, firm in her stance. “You know I wouldn’t do that. We can’t waste time turning against each other.” If he didn’t believe her? Well, that was too bad for him, and that was evident enough in her delivery.

Jake knew he wasn’t wrong here. Cassie was clearly attempting reverse psychology and trying to gaslight him into thinking he was acting crazy. The simple truth remained: no one knew about the talisman but her and Faye. Blaming Faye should have been the more obvious option between the two of them and she would have been IF the talisman couldn’t render Cassie’s dark magic defenseless. She had every reason to steal it. Jake knew if there was something out there that could hider him, he’d want to keep it close, too. “Okay, then you didn’t tell anyone.” he was detached, showing no emotion. He wanted to believe her but wasn’t so sure he could. 

“Well... I don’t know that, actually.” Just because they all went through hell and back together didn’t mean any of them were trustworthy. “Look, clearly there’s some tension here, between the two of us.” Jake was good at making girls feel like they were the problem. He’s done it to Faye and now he was doing it to Cassie. “We would both do anything to get what we want...Tell me you didn’t want the talisman, Cassie. Tell me it didn’t bother you not having it in your possession. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe you.” 

“――――――――Exactly.” They dabbled in some witches brew, listened to some music, drank some beer, exchanged some spells. And when it got more intense than that, she bailed. Lied, and said she wasn’t feeling well and she had curfew to maintain, so she needed to go home. When had Faye ever abided by curfew? These were just excuses. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Whereas Jake? Jake once kissed Cassie, he was attracted to her, and he would’ve certainly done more. Contrary to popular belief, this was different. Yet, instead of saying that and looking stupid, Faye decided maybe she ought to lie? Push Jake away before he had time to hurt her again. So, that’s what she did. She lied. Straight to his face, after kicking off her combat boots upon noticing he failed to leave. “Yes.” It wasn’t really Kol, who she slept with. But then, Jake didn’t need to know that. And maybe the threat of losing her for good would force him realize his own mistakes. “Happy?”

What did Faye really expect — or hope that would happen after learning she was out making magic with Kol? Jake hated him. Specifically because the aussie was after Faye, had been for years. Turns out, his paranoia was valid. They fucked, perhaps a couple of times. Upon her admission, Jake felt his stomach drop and then twist into knots. Every paranoid thought was confirmed. Then while he was white in the face and shaking with nerves, she had the audacity to ask him if he were happy about it? He was so mad he could throw her against the wall with his magic. Nothing went on between him and Cassie. Not presently. He accused her of stealing the talisman, the same as he did Faye. He didn’t invite her to Briar Hill to sleep with her. But Faye, with all her immaturity ran straight to Kol, someone who she has slept with, someone who still has feelings for her. “I get it—” she wanted to hurt him. He was back in Chance Harbor for good now and although he was with her intimately, she still has scars and the only way for them to heal is for her to hurt him back. To get even. But Jake had his own scars. “Guess this makes us done.” Protect yourself, run away, don’t fall in love with her — again. After his parents were killed, he got really good at running away from matters of the heart. He wanted this to work out with Faye but it couldn’t. 

Without another word, he pulled her bedroom door open and GOT OUT. He thought of evening the playing field by going out to a club or bar, but the vibe wasn’t there so he went to bed. The following night, he decided to take himself up on the offer and went out to a bar. Jake was only two months shy of his twenty first birthday, so he was still using a fake ID, not that it would matter if he did get caught. It’s not like he was planning on getting hammered. He just wanted to get properly drunk and maybe dance with a girl — then take her to the boathouse so everyone could see and tell Faye. 

There it was. The sweet, cruel dagger one only needs to knock the wind right out of her sails. Faye’s leather-clad shoulders deflated, while her skin overheated. She felt like a pyromaniac, ready to set Jake’s stupid, smug, face ablaze with rage. He knew precisely how to hurt her and when given the chance, he never ceased to take it. Can’t say she was all that surprised but she was disappointed. And even worse, ―――― BITTER. “Get out.” The words were harsh, venomous, and thrashing against a wicked tongue. Whatever chess game they were previously playing, Faye was now walking away from. And Jake too, for that matter. Disgusted by the sight of him, she turned away to peel off the jacket constricting her. She was so angry, she could hardly breathe. Let alone think. She might’ve told him to fuck off and have fun solving his little riddle with Cassie but, she didn’t actually mean it. 

Usually Jake would leave without another word. It’s how he kept Faye interested. If he were to hang around all the time and kiss her ass the way Adam did with Diana, she never would have became so obsessed with him. The fact that he was unattainable made him more attractive. People (especially Faye) always want what they can’t have. “Funny,” he sighed, turned on by the exposure of skin once she removes her jacket. She smelled like sweat and alcohol but that only made her hotter. “You want to act all entitled and yet you were out partying with Kol, making magic.” She didn’t really have an argument to win after that. “Tell me, Kol, is he the other guy you slept with? During that game of truth or dare at the cabin, you said there was someone else. Was it him?” 

So typical….. of Jake. Playing with fire. It’s why they worked, because Faye was the same way so she understood. No one else could ever match his level or brand of crazy. Not like her. He might’ve tried to replace her numerous times over the years, but him coming back for more with her, was always further proof that, he couldn’t. The only reason she didn’t take offense to him calling her pathetic now was because, she currently had the upperhand. He waved his little white flag when showed up in her room, armed with a series of interrogative questions. He cared. No matter how hard he tried convincing himself and her, that he didn’t. Further evidence, lied in his description of Kol. Who she knew, Jake hated and couldn’t stand because, he was a threat to them. Unlike many of the other useless fools Faye used to make him jealous, this one felt actually real and could steal her away, should she so much as allow it. “I didn’t realize you were there, too.” ―― Confirmation that he was right on the money. Her friend was in deed, Kol. “Guess you already know then that, we made magic together. And I had a lot of fun.” It was a cruel and antagonizing way to get under his skin but, it usually worked. She wanted him to get angry, mad, jealous, and possessive. Just to validate his feelings, which were already, always so confusing to her. “You should’ve come forward. Said hi. We could’ve cut you in. They say three’s a crowd but, they don’t know us.” 

Confirmation that she was with Kol made his blood boil. His skin beat with a redness that betrayed any sense of coolness. He couldn’t fake not caring when both hands were clenched into fists. Jake was going to break him in half, no matter how bad that might look, venturing into another circle to pick a fight. Faye was supposed to be off limits, but maybe he didn’t make that clear enough considering Kol was helping to get her drunk while most likely, whispering in her ear about how much better she can do than Jake. “Right,” His response came hoarse, through gritted teeth. He wasn’t sure what making magic meant, but his brain helped come up with a few visuals for it — a series of lewd images flashed through his mind: Kol taking what wasn’t his, and Faye giving it to him. Knowing Kol, he would leave a mark (or several) just for him to find. “It would have to be enough room for four.” He corrected her, accepting her challenge with hooks for eyes. “I was with Cassie.” The bomb had been dropped. If she wanted a war, she had one. 

 Her eyes widened, a panic coursing through her veins.  The prior apathy subsided, there was a new threat amidst. So much for the calm after the storm. “What??” her tone of voice rose. The fear (and perhaps demanding distraction) awakened what had been void inside). “Why would you even–” she stopped herself mid-sentence from asking why he would leave something like that out in the open. Cassie didn’t want to criticize. Not only was that pointless, but certainly wasn’t in any position to judge. She breathed out, sounding somewhat frustrated. "Sorry.” her tone was sheepish. She paused before starting again. “.. Jake, you know she wouldn’t take it, we’re all past that – I didn’t even think we were keeping things from each other.” Cassie mused, puzzled by the fact they were keeping secrets again. A thought dawned upon her. Her face froze, quick to correct herself. “but, I didn’t tell anyone.” 

Was she jumpy? Well, yes. But, not for the reasons he probably thought. And taking into account all they’ve been through, it would be weird if she wasn’t. She was jumpy because he startled her, plain and simple. At his initial inquiry, Faye simply nodded. She understood where he was coming from but, what little maturity she had was shrouded by her own jealousies. It was bad enough she had to compete with Cassie for superior power, she hated having to do so over personal reasons too. And besides that, she was hoping they were all well past that. Clearly not though. At the threat of him leaving, Faye decided to oblige with option B. But, still do so in her own, stubborn, snarky way. She was good at the theatrics and whether Jake liked to admit it or not, he enjoyed them too. Had he not, he would’ve left her ages ago. “Where does it look like, grandpa?” His guess was as good as hers, because right now, her memory was turning hazy. “I was out.” Pause for a beat. “With a friend.” By leaving this friend ambiguous, she HOPED to make him jealous. Were he not to have a reaction, that’d be a bad sign.

“Somewhere pathetic.” Jake gave it to her straight. He was never one to sugarcoat things, especially when it came to Faye. She was still acting like the same fourteen year old girl he left behind. Only now she has the boobs and curvy figure to taunt him with. It was obvious she wanted him to be possessive over her and to forget all about Cassie, but it wasn’t like that. He wasn’t pursuing Cassie in that way. She was smart, mature, and could relate to his pain. They could talk - really talk, without all the games Faye enjoyed playing. “You have a lot of friends, Faye.” Some of which he didn’t approve of. Kol for example, the witch was bad news. He enjoyed messing around with things he shouldn’t touch, much like Faye. They shared that reckless nature in common and if Jake were to feel threatened by anyone taking Faye, it would be him. During truth or dare when Faye said she slept with one other person, Jake wondered if it was him. “Let me guess, this friend of yours... australian accent, squinty eyes, and a little too full of himself - that about sum it up?” He could feel his fist clench by his side. If she thought she was going to win this game, she wouldn’t. Because after she left Briar Hill, he called Cassie. Once she finds out, she’ll lose all sense of what little control she thinks she has. 

She’d gotten his text and she ignored it, mumbling a ‘wouldn’t you like to know?’ under her breath as she proceeded to dabble in more witches brew. Courteous of an old friend ( Callum ) who Jake wasn’t all that fond of in the past. But, what he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him and Faye had no intentions of ever incriminating herself, anyway. That would be a lot easier said and maintained too though, if he wasn’t waiting up for her like some kind of stalker when she inevitably rolled in. She was a little drunk, ( or okay, maybe a lot drunk ) when she tossed her heels aside on the floor, after closing the door behind her on her way in. The same heels she slipped off before entering the house as to not wake her wicked witch of a mother. Too late though, because as she finally turned around to catch Jake posted up by her beanbag chair, a loud shriek escaped her along with a scowl. “Seriously?!” Hadn’t he had enough? Or were there more accusations he came to sling her way? “I thought I told you to get lost.” Those weren’t exactly the words she used but, the message still read the same. Granted, deep down it wasn’t actually what she wanted. Faye would never admit it but, she was glad Jake hadn’t given up. It was his persistence, that kept her hanging by his thread. “What do you want now, Jake? I already told you I don’t have it so you’re wasting your time and mine by barking up the wrong tree.”

Stealth was something Jake learned as a hunter but he was still taken by surprise when Faye stumbled in, shrieking at the unexpected sight of him. Dramatic. He rolled his eyes as he turned around to face her, a furtive smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Someone is jumpy.” He would gladly take that as a sign of admitted guilt. She was also deflective and— tipsy? “So, if something of yours went missing, that only I and one other person knew about, you wouldn’t think to ask me?” He didn’t believe that. They weren’t really known for their merit badges. Jake was one of the many reasons Faye became such a bitch. He broke her and she rose from the dead dressed in leather and oozing with sex. But underneath it all, he knew she was still the same obsessive, little girl he left behind two years ago. “Look, if you don’t want to help me track it down, I’ll leave. Or you can drop the act and tell me where you’ve been all night.” Which was his way of saying he cared. If he didn’t, his stomach wouldn’t be bubbling with jealousy as he eyes her skimpy outfit. What bothered him the most now was who she’d been with, not where.

She had gotten the news, and had yet to react the way any normal person would. Cassie had no issue getting into gear, ready to face yet another mess.  But that was it, it was as if she’d been devoid of any feelings. No fear, worry, panic, or grief. Grief was what she should’ve felt. As messed up as her Father was, this was still the last tie she had to all the people she’d lost. Another thing  ripped away from her, not far in between from the last crisis. Maybe a person was only allowed so much grief and pain in one short period of time before shutting down completely. Cassie took a moment to size up the sight of the house’s condition. Sighing, the blonde approached with caution, unable to look away from all the damage left in the aftermath. Just as she reached what used to be an actual entryway, her gaze darted at the sudden shadowy motion. “hey–” concern washed over her features. Cassie remained put by the doorstep, glancing past him as if she could see inside. “where is everyone?” her gaze averting back to Jake. 

“Hey yourself.” The older witch kept his eyes trained on her, studying her features carefully. Cassie Blake was always a hard one to read, it’s what made her so interesting. She seemed carefree yet troubled; a combination that didn’t belong together, but somehow she made it work. “They’re not here,” his voice was low, rough, the kind of smoky tone you’d expect from the town parasite. Like Cassie, he wore camouflage. Everything he does and says is carefully constructed and meant to elude. His own speculations made him wonder if she was reading him too. If she was, what did she see? Was it what he tried so hard to project - cool, calm, collected? He knew what Faye sees when she looks at him: the former witch hunter who wanted them all dead at a point. “Faye was here, but—” he took another step over the rubble, his hand wrapping around a charcoaled slab of wood to keep his balance, “she left. Stormed off, actually. I told her you knew about my granddad’s talisman, after I blamed her for stealing it... It’s gone.” By telling her this, Jake hoped to sus her out; so he watched her reaction carefully. If she took it, he hoped to see a crack in her facade. 

The difference between her and Jake almost killing the circle was that, Faye’s intent was never to hurt anyone. It wasn’t her mission to eradicate witchcraft from the world, not like Jake. She simply wanted more power for herself and as a result of her greed, bad things happened. Unlike with Cassie, who was just as impulsive, it backfired, and she was verbally burned at the stake. But Jake wouldn’t know that or what all she went through with the circle because he wasn’t there. He ran away, again. And left her in a tangled mess. It was his MO. She was wasting her time hoping that he would ever change. “Easy, Jake.” She didn’t have to think about the answer to his question, she already knew it. “Ever since the day I was born. If you have a problem with that, well then, that sucks for you.” She was tired of trying to mold herself to please him. Where had it ever gotten her? Maybe everyone  was right and they just didn’t belong together. Good sex wasn’t reason enough to hold onto someone anymore and Jake was far too damaged. Faye didn’t know how to fix him, even if she selfishly wanted to so they could be together and live happily ever after. “Mmmm no sorry—“ her pursed lips went catapult as Faye tried her best not to turn around. She let Jake get a good view of her ass as she stalked away, leaves and twigs crunching under her combat boots, all while talking to him over her shoulder, “this bitch has better things to do now. Have fun solving this one on your own, scooby doo. Give my best regards to shaggy.”

Jake wasn’t taking Faye’s drama to heart, he never did. She was just being unreasonable and irrational, like always. Was he not supposed to question her when she was known for starting fires, explosions, and storms? Faye would do anything for power and the talisman was the most powerful instrument they knew. In a rivalry with Cassie, Faye would come out on top if she had it. Cassie’s dark, singular magic would no longer make her the superior witch; something Faye would kill for – or so Jake believed. Deciding to let her walk away, he searched the rest of the rubble for clues before reaching out to Cassie. He wanted to hear her side of the story. By the time night fell, Jake was back in his room with no texts or missed calls from Faye. Surprised and a little disappointed, he decided to be the first one to reach out. Where are you? When she didn’t respond, Jake went over her house and let himself in. The door was locked but he knew which window would be open. If Faye wanted to be childish then so would he. Rummaging through her bedroom and drawers, he looked up and down for the artifact with no such luck.  

“Why thank you, Sherlock. You’re very good at this, aren’t you?” Moving on – this was just great. Now, what were they gonna do? – And… wait…. Did he just say Cassie? So, she wasn’t the only one who knew about the talisman? Huh. Was she surprised? Well, no. Not really. Annoyed, jealous, irritated, and angry? Yes. Absolutely. What a dick!  She should’ve known this would happen again. It was Jake, after all. Fickle, selfish, twisted Jake. Maybe, he hasn’t changed. Maybe he never really would, either. With the frigid jealousy now bristling in her stomach, Faye turned towards the house. Or what was left of it anyway, as the firemen tried to put it out. “Interesting…” she tapped a finger against her chin, contemplating her next move. Before finally turning back to Jake with a decision. “You have some nerve, you know. This all coming from the ex witch hunter who once tried to kill us all. If anyone can’t be trusted here, it’s you. I mean, just look at your track record. I’d say that speaks for itself.” Frustrated and so over this argument already, Faye turned on her heel to leave. She was prepared to stalk away for good but, stopped dead in her tracks. Not yet, fully satisfied with her version of the last word. Supposedly, she still had several more to share with him. “Good luck finding the match-happy culprit on your own. In case you forgot, I was with you 10 minutes ago. Your precious Cassie… however? Well, as per usual, she’s nowhere to be found. Hmm…. Have fun hatching it out with her though. Don’t forget to use a condom, Jake.” In case it wasn’t obvious, Faye was pissed. And rightfully so. She needed a drink now. Preferably with Melissa, who she actually did trust. 

JUDGEMENT coming from Faye was rich. Her track record was no better. Wasn’t she the one who tried to steal Cassie’s dark magic, resulting in her almost killing the circle and setting a fire to the gym? After many nights huddled around drinking, Jake learned a lot of what went on while he was away. Faye could be just as impulsive and dangerous as him. The only difference was, she had friends and a mother who she could lean on. He had no one. “Ten minutes ago I was asleep.” He argued. She could have left and snuck back into his bedroom before their phones went off. Did he really believe that though? No. Not really. But she was butting heads with him, so he was butting back in typical Jake-Faye fashion. “I’m just saying… How long have you been after power beyond your control?” She made a good suspect, but so did Cassie who actually has dark magic and would probably prefer to have the talisman herself. He knew he would if the devil’s blood was flowing through his dark veins. It could destroy her kind. “I’m also not saying Cassie is completely innocent. So why don’t you stop acting like such a bitch and help me get to the bottom of it.”