Tomas watches Teri, following the younger boy as he moves deeper into the woods. The air is cooler and the large trees block much of the late afternoon sun. Teri tracks a small green lizard as it scuttles over a fallen log. Tomas was about to tease but he chokes back his words after seeing the intent serious look on Teri's face.

Well past the tree line Tomas hears Taras voice. Tomi! I cant see you, come back or Maman will worry. I can feel those blue ones, they arent far away...

Its okay, Teri just wants to watch this lizard and look for ....
Tara freezes as she sees the image her twin sends her. The warrior was big, his blue skin easily blending with the shadows of the forest. He was armed to the teeth, swords at his sides and knives strapped to his thighs. Tara can feel the stillness then the heavy feeling as the change starts to take over her brother. She drops the flowers she had been picking and races to Laila and her mother.

Tara suddenly stops in her play, sensing someone watching from the woods at the edge of the clearing. She glances ahead, Tomas was teasing Gracie with his high leaps, his wings outstretched and lifting Gracie off the ground when she grabbed his foot. Ryan stops and looks at Tara, worried at her stillness. Tara glances back at their house, knowing they were safe in the wards, but the uneasy feeling wouldnt go away.

Ryan signs quickly. Whats wrong?

“I dont know. Maybe its the blue ones papan warned us to stay away from. Tante Star says they watch from the woods...” Tara glances towards the trees, unable to see anything in the dense shadows.

Then we need to stay together... Ryan signs hurriedly.

Tara nods and as the pair approach the others, Tara starts to go pale. The energy she feels starts to make her feel ill and light headed. She can feel the rot and decay of Underdark and visions of bones, skulls crawling with maggots, spiders swimming in blood come to her mind. And the smell, the smell of death.. Tara completely loses her color and Tomas lowers and races to her just as she faints.

“Stay with her Ryan, I will get Maman..” and Tomas rises in the air and speeds to the cottage.

Tomas opens his eyes, looking around the room. He nudges Ryan, nearly pushing him out of the bed they share. Gracie rubs her eyes, as does Chloe. The girls wake Mera as Ryan peeks out in the hall and looks back, shaking his head. They tiptoe into the room where the two youngest boys are sleeping. Both boys are already awake and waiting for their cousins.

Tomas speaks softly. "We gots to be quiet. No wake up Lala and Ramji..."

The oldest girls pick up the infants and the children sit on the floor in a loose circle. Chloe instructs them to hold hands. She tells Mera and Ryan about opening their minds and letting the others help them with their mission. Ru holds tight to Mera and Tomas' hands, eyes wide and solemn. Teri offers his hand to Ryan, taking Gracie's hand as well. Once all have been seated, Chloe begins a chant of healing. She opens her mind, linking with Gracie and Tomas, then Teri, picking up and directing the energy through the others.

Fae magic merges with Chloe's casting as the others begin to chant with her. Light flares and magic surges. This time, instead of bouncing off the walls, the energy shimmers and slips through the wall like water through cloth. They feel the spell tough the Manse's wards, but as the Wards recognize the children's personal energies. the spell drifts where intended. Tannr and Ob both feel the warmth of children's smiles and the ache of little hearts. As the spell settles, a lullaby runs through their minds.

*Codladh, mo chodladh álainn. 
An póga Ghealach amach gach ngortú, 
mar na carraigeacha oíche tú réidh .... 

Codladh, mo chodladh álainn. 
Mo ghrá comforts tú 
mar na carraigeacha oíche tú réidh .... 

The spell wanders, touching others that the children love. In a circle of pavingstones, Keon raises his head in wonder as he hears his daughter's voice singing  the lullaby he taught to her mother as they awaited her birth.

On a stone bench a stone dragon feels the touch of the children and sighs softly as he feels the proud and awed touch of his Witchwife at the children's gift.

Tori looks at Tannr's strained face and cries, knowing Rowan was searching for the cause of his pain. Tara takes her hand and smiles, opeing herself to the spell, sharing with the others how bad their uncle is truly hurt. A fresh surge of power sweeps through and then tapers off.

Chloe has learned much about controlling her magic and the others have learned as well. Tori can feel their touch in any mind that can reach hers. Silently she watches Rowan work, tears slipping down her cheeks, but these tears are of raw emotions instead of fear.

Fire emeralds begin to collect in her lap. Tara picks up one of the stones and hands it to her.

"Tante Tori? You cry tears like my Pa'pan?"

Tori looks at her in surprise. "No, Tara. I am not full gargoyle."

Tara nods slowly, thinking. "Maybe it is only the sadness coming out because of the spell. Better put them in something before they melt."


*Sleep, my lovely sleep.
The Moon kisses away each hurt,
as the night rocks you gently....

Sleep, my lovely sleep.
My love comforts you
as the night rocks you gently....

Tomas slowly opens his eyes and looks around. His limbs are losing the heavy feeling and he can stretch his arms out. His skin still looks pale, but not really like stone, like papans does when he sleeps. He turns his head and is met face to face with black fur, large green eyes and a face full of ticklish whiskers.

Panther nudges and licks the little boys face, causing a peal of squeals and giggles to ring out.

In the kitchen Alise hears the sound and drops the spoon she was stirring batter with into the bowl and she hurries into the bedroom. She smiles as she sees Rainas panther playing with her son, the girls still sleeping on the large bed.

Tomas sees her and holds his arms out, “Maman!”

Alise goes to him and lifts him into her lap and she wraps her arms around him. “Tomas...my brave boy...How are you feeling?”

Alise gently holds him, afraid of hurting his back with the newly emerged wings.

Tomas sends his thoughts to her, Tomas gargoyle, like Papan.... He flaps his wings making Alise laugh.

“Yes, just like papan...”

His expression turns suddenly serious and Tomas looks around the room. Lala? Where is Lala?

“She is fine, upstairs resting, waiting for you to wake up. Should we invite her and Ramji to supper? I am making your favorite...”

Tomas sends a picture of tacos and french fries and Alise starts to laugh. “Yes, that is what I am making... and sugar cookies....”

Stoney appears in the doorway and Alise smiles. Tomas' head snaps up at sound of his fathers voice greeting his mother. He scrambles off Alises lap and turns so his father can plainly see the wings.

“Regardez! Les ailes!”*


*Look! Wings!