The touch on his senses is annoyed. There is the sensation of tossing a tool across a room and a few well placed explosive words of French. Nothing is wrong here that a well placed punch would not solve, *mon frère. I have been commissioned to sculpt, of all things, ^une gargouille. I have yet to make one that does not look like Kin! The last is very similar to Notre-Dame's inhabitants. Ah bien... back to the drawing board, literally.

Ob shares with Pandora, showing her there is nothing on that end to worry about. Alise touches their minds with images of the children settling in to after dinner diversions and a stack of dishes to wash. Pandora settles back in her husband's arms, Chloe quieting as she sees her cousins playing. Ike hides her concern for Tori behind her frustration with a new waitress, hoping Pandora does not pick up on it. Ob glances her way with a rueful expression.

"As for Tori... Mujer, she is a big girl, if she needs us she will shout. Ike tells me that our sister has told Tannr something that few know. She has been..." He makes a face trying to find the right word. Chloe giggles and her dragon settles onto her little mistress' lap, arching into the little girl's touch. "Quisquilloso, um... touchy? on edge? Could that be what you are feeling?"

Pandora shakes her head. "It's not just that..."

Ob kisses her forehead, looking up as Dmitri comes back in from the back. Guunnar strolls back in and settles at their table as well. "See mi amor, if Guunnar returns to his food, nothing is amiss." He strokes his hand along the side of her rounded belly. "Our boy is growing quickly, si?"

Chloe scoots as best she can to lay her cheek on her maman's tummy. Her brow furrows, then she giggles as Pandora's stomach rumbles. Ike hears it and laughs as she passes their table, taking more coffee to the Riders.

"Maman... baby love you!" She pats her mother's belly. "I love maman too. No sad now?"

Ob laughs, tousling his daughter's brilliant curls. "How can mamacita be sad when the three of us love her so much?"

As Pandora kisses the top of her daughter's head, Ike touches Ob's mind. Dmitri sent 'Zade to Keon. Tori shut me out as soon as I touched her mind. Whatever is going on, we will know soon.


*my brother

^a gargoyle

Pandora was enjoying an uninteruped meal for a change; Ob was discussing with her possible baby names..and making banter about what it would be like having their own little hellion like Stoney's son running around. Across the room they could hear Chloe entertaining the riders.

Pandora  felt a wash of emotion; and her look turned serious as she looked into Ob's eyes. 'Something is wrong Ob... I don't know exactly what, I am being torn different ways". Ob was silent as he concentrated on his siblings..."Tori; she is involved in something; shes in gargoyle mode..its really fuzzy".

Pandora had a terrible sense of dread. "Its not  just  Star's family... something else is wrong." She felt foolish as tears started down her cheeks..."This pregnancy has made me so emotional." gathering her inner witch she stopped herself, this was not the time to fall apart.

Ob had already risen and stooping to kiss Pandora he took off across the room to the riders... gathering  Chloe in his arms he told them what Pandora had felt, what he knew was happening with Tori... and said "I think you best be seeking the hell hounds out back; get in touch with Keon... something's going on... but my place is here. If I am needed I can leave Jeb in charge  and join you."

The riders moved quickly toward the back door; and Ob took a now crying Chloe to her mother, Absynthe hovering in the air above her, knowing from the tension there was danger. Pandora chided herself for not closing her emotions off sooner; now Chloe had picked it up, and she rocked her daughter and whispered soft words to comfort her. Ob had gone to talk to Jeb and alert Monty... and now returned to sit with arms around his wife and  daughter. Concealing his own sense of unrest till more was known... and wondering why Stoney had not answered.....

I don't know magic, but I know when something feels wrong, and I feel it now. The farther I get from Keon and Pike, the colder it seems to get. The very air seems wrong, like I'm running through molasses or something. Every step is a major effort, but I keep going; what else can I do?

I explode through a tangle of bushes, sword in hand, and then fear and rage run through my veins in equal measure. Star is struggling with two dark elves, fighting like hell to get free. Her eyes go wide when she sees me, then something moves too fast to follow and suddenly one of the elves goes down with an axe in his head.

I spare a glance to the left and see Tannr, looking tough and competent and dangerous as hell, readying his second axe - and I doubt he's planning on splitting wood. His voice is level. "Walk away or die."

Just then all Hel breaks loose, and when all is said and done, the other Drow has been dispatched - by Tiger, no less. I always knew that big pussycat would come in handy…. I move to take a weeping, nearly hysterical Star in my arms, holding her close. "Shhhh, shhhh… it's okay, Princess, everything's okay…." We'll have to talk, but now is not the time.

Tannr goes silent and still at the sight of one of the Drow, flashing a knife and holding it to Stars throat. Fighting instinct takes over and in one fluid motion Tannr raises the axe, aims and releases, saying a silent prayer that Star not move.

The Drow looks up at Tannr. But there's no warning, none; suddenly the axe is just there, spinning end over end. it ends its flight in a dark elf's head, with a sound like someone splitting a pumpkin.

Tannr's voice is low and guttural, savage, scaring Star, as she has never seen Tannr like this.

“Walk away or die”, he says; the second axe in his hand is poised, ready to strike.

The Drow gives Star a hard shove, intending to make good his escape. But when he sees Star shoved, Tiger has other ideas.

As Star turns and tries to scramble to her knees she sees Tiger, crouching behind the Drow. When he turns to flee, the giant cat springs, taking the Drow down by his neck. Star gasps and turns away. The scream and crunching sounds along with a spray of blood making her cringe and gasp.

Tannr approaches and takes Star by the hand, helping her rise. “Dont waste your sympathy. If I hadnt been here, he wouldnt have thought twice about gutting you right here...”

Taking to the air just as Wish landed on the lawn, Tori darted over the trees and quickly lost sight of the pale image. Closing her eyes, Tori channeled the feelings of personal magic in the woods. Each signature was different, giving different markers to the map in her mind. Small points designated the demifae and natural denizens of the woods.

There was Tannr, his energy a bright flame, hellbent on Star's glittering trail. Something pinged past him, pausing for a few moments, just long enough for Tori to recognize Wish. Moments later it was gone, pining into view in the space between Star and Tannr. Tori scans ahead. Startled, Tori catches an updraft, spiraling into it to thrust herself forward with greater speed. Star was running straight toward a place of blankness. Tori could feel the edges of the spell, but not what hid within.

Tori bursts through the treetops just in time to see Star's energy blank out. Fear drives her onward, even when she is nearly blinded by the explosion of magic that floods her being. Tori catches a branch as she drops out of the air, breaking her fall, but not the force of the tree trunk she slams into. Closing her eyes tight, the gargoyle focuses on the energies now swimming below her.

Wish is muttering. Tori feels the rising tide of the little Fae's power building, fueled by her fierce devotion. Tannr skids to a stop as Star appears in the middle of the trail, fighting the grip of two Fae nearly as dark as Keon. She tastes their magic, hissing at the malevolence directed towards a struggling Star.

Tannr changes his stance, an axe sliding into readiness for a throw. Tori drops behind him, wings spread to make it a light landing. There is a soft thud as her hooved feet strike the ground. Tannr never turns, keeping his eyes on the people before him.

"Hi Red. What's Wish doing? Looks like she is just standing there."

Tori grins, fangs flashing just as one Drow looks their way. Her tongue flicks out, tasting the air. "She is raising her energy. I am sure they feel it and aren't sure what to make of us." She hisses again, and one Drow darts a look at the other. "Hmmm... I'm not Silk, so I can't be sure, but  think that one is worried."

"As can I."

Wish slips from the porch roof and is off after Tannr as Pike comes through the door, Mera clutching his hand. The Wyldfae leaps as she nears the forest, using the closest tree to launch herself down the path and is soon lost from sight, appearing only as she uses another tree to bounce her along Star's trail like a multicolored pinball.

Pike smiles at Erik. "Go. My Lord. I will keep the wee ones safe. After all, You can nae run after her wi' a babe in yer arms. Our Lady will have need of yer love and strength."

Keon sets the broadsword against the porch rail and takes Ruarc from his father's arms. The baby's eyes are bright, taking in everything. "I stay as well, Brother. Just in case."

Erik nods, clasping hands with Pike and Keon. He touches his son's downy head. A grim set to his lips, Erik mutters, "My thanks Pike." His eyes meet Keon's, no words needed. Keon tosses him a sword and Erik turns on his heels, racing after the others.

Pike sighs, looking up at the taller Fae. "An' he does know not ta thank Wish?"

Keon shrugs. "Pike... just how old are ye, Wish and yerself?"

The young seeming Wyldfae picks up Mera and twirls her in the air. "That, My Lord Blackthorn, tis a secret best left alone. Ye may nae like ta answer." He clucks to Mera as she laughs. He rubs the tip of his nose to Mera's as she hugs him. "Precious *gealach beag, yer da is a curious man I say."

He sets the little girl on the grass and drops down beside her. "Here Dark Lord. Give me the bairn to hold, an ye check wi' yer Hounds?"

Keon hands Ruarc to Pike as the dark mist envelopes his form. Red eyes gleaming, Keon's Hell Hound shape steps out to find his daughter waiting to hug him. With a quick swipe of his rough tongue, Keon lopes away, howling to his sentries for report.


*little moon

Star and Tori are busy cleaning up the remains of supper. Happy and chatting about the gallery and Tori has been trying to convince Star that she should have a show of her artwork. Erik is holding Ruarc, telling him a story of Viking warriors and battles with gods. Star smiles, knowing Ru didnt understand the words or story, but he loved the attention from his father. The babies eyes shifting from pink to blue in his happiness.

She glances out the window at Keon and Tannr, breathless and sweaty from a mock battle of their own. They had shared supper with Star and Erik, enjoying the peaceful family time. Mera was still in her high chair, waiting for mama Star to finish so she would take her outside to watch her father.

The yells and clash of weapons makes Star a little nervous, even though she knows they are just practicing.

As she finishes the dishes a sense of uneasiness starts to spread through her. Tori notices and asks if anything is wrong. Star shrugs “I dd..dont know...”

Star glances out the window again, then to Mera and finally to Erik and Ru. She shakes her head to clear it, but the feeling persists.

Looking up Erik sees the shake and the worried look on Stars usually happy face. “Whats wrong Princess?”

“I..I dont kk..know.. I feel strange, like...” Star pauses her face crumples and she starts to cry. “It's Laila, or one of the twins.... Somethings wrong, at the cottage, someone is hurt really rr..really bb...bad... I have to gg..go....”

Tori and Erik follow her out of the cabin as Star turns and says, “I can cut through the woods, its faster...”

“Star, wait, its not safe...” Toris words trail off as Star shakes her head and sprints towards the woods.

Erik yells, Ruarc still in his arms, “Tannr!” and points as Tannr looks up from his mock fight. Without a thought or a moments hesitation he turns and in one motion grabs his axes and runs after Star.

Keon shakes his head, “She is Fae, he will nae be able to catch her.”

Tori smiles, “I can...”