
Scéal

Second book in the world of Sciath

For Dominic, who always believed in my stories.

Chapter One

Kyra followed the messenger down the hall; her mind a chaos of topics. Her first instinct was to blame Jason, he had done this to sabotage her and have her leadership questioned. As much as she wanted that to be true, she had no real proof of anything yet. A deep sigh escaped as she forced a professional smile to her lips as she saw Leland waiting outside the door to Medical. Her eyes were drawn to the worn black leather bag at his side. Just another indication of his old-fashioned ideals.

"Madam Director," he said with a bow of his head.

"Oh no," Kyra replied a blush rising to her cheeks.

"Let's just stick with Kyra ok?"

His lips curled in a soft smile.

"I have some new reports to go over after we return concerning the Architect, however this situation seems to warrant my immediate attention," he said falling in step with her.

She would much rather be at her father's bedside.

"How long do you think we will be able to keep this quiet?" She asked him her voice weary.

"Well Galerius has his men posted at the door to the garden and so far, only the Treoraí know about it. However not as much discretion as would be expected can always be assumed to be had," he replied.

She glanced at her watch; it was not even nine AM. This was going to be a very long day. They approached the garden entrance, the two stone-faced sentries glancing over them before permitting their entrance.

Galerius stood over the body. She noted that his expression seemed grim, which for him was impressive. She had known him for years and had seen perhaps three or four expression changes in all that time. Kyra acknowledged him and moved in to look at the woman's body. She was plain looking, the most exceptional things about her being that her lips were a frosty blue, and the thin red angry line, that decorated the flesh of her neck.

She stepped back giving Leland full access to examine her.

"Race?" She asked no one in particular

"Gilly," Galerius responded.

Kyra heard the groan escape her lips before she could stop it. At least within Scíath she was law. Now she was going to have to work with Jason and the Gilly authorities. She set her face to stone and turned to her former boss.

"Details?" She asked in a tone that indicated that it was not really a question.

"The morning crew found her around seven-thirty, they called me as we have no protocol laid down for such a circumstance here. Her name is Madeline Acet. She is a level three land title clerk in Gilly relations," he replied.

"I assume this is a low security area and anyone with level one clearance can enter," Kyra said more to herself than the others

"There isn't a hand scanner on the door, so we can't even tell who entered and exited," a voice piped up from behind Galerius.

Kyra crooked her head to the side to determine who had spoken. She recognized him; she knew he was a security agent; however, his name was a complete mystery to her. His eyes drew her gaze first, their crystalline blue unblinking stare giving away his lupine race to her. His chest was broad, his dress shirt straining against his muscular build. He ran his hand through his disheveled blonde hair causing the auburn flecks to glint in the light; he smiled at her, his goatee enhancing his rugged look. He pulled a notebook from the back pocket of his jeans, meeting her eyes with his own and she registered a flicker of electricity before her rational nature took charge.

She narrowed her eyes, trying desperately to recall his name. He mistook her expression for anger.

"Forgive me, my name is Shane Foris, I'm the security agent that has been assigned to this incident," he said apologetically.

"No forgiveness needed. I was simply trying to recall your name, I know we met but I simply couldn't remember," Kyra said her tone blunt.

From his position on the ground, Leland spoke up to them.

"I will know more when I get her back to the autopsy table; however preliminary finds are that she died between four to six hours ago. She has multiple injection sites in her arms, however, what killed her was a garrote to the neck," he said as he stood up.

"I have already collected all the evidence I could from the scene and I will have my men take her body back to your lab immediately," Shane replied.

Kyra was impressed; she liked his efficiency and take-charge attitude. In addition, it made her look less lost.

Men came in to move the body as Kyra did her own examination of the scene. The gravel crunched under her steps but held no impressions of footfalls. The woman had been dumped much akin to a sack of potatoes in a daffodil bed, the flowers crushed under her weight. Aside from the dead body, the gardens appeared to be undisturbed.

"Security cameras?" she asked Shane as he followed her on her rounds looking for anything he may have missed.

He shook his head no.

"Seriously? Why is this place like the security void?" she asked, her frustration level rising.

"The architect felt this was a place of peace and it did not need to be monitored as there is no way it can be breached by the outside world" Shane replied, watching her closely. He had heard so many rumors about this woman, but her beauty and intelligence had been greatly underrated in his opinion.

She thought of her father's frail form lying in a hospital bed and her anger faded. He truly was a trusting soul.

"Can we rectify that please? Not that I think the responsible party will return; this does not strike me as a crime of passion, but one never knows," she said.

"I will have it done before lunch," Shane replied making a note in his book.

"I know this is probably an impossible request, but I would really like to keep this as quiet as possible. For several reasons: one, we don't need a panic; two, I don't want the perpetrator trying to leave the compound, and third, because until we know exactly what happened, rumor and theory are helpful to none," Kyra explained as she headed towards the exit. She was in desperate need of tea and a few moments alone to think.

"Shane, if it is not too much to ask can you come by my fath . . . by the study this evening around sixish? I'd like to go over what we have and come up with a plan," she asked

"Not at all a problem, we can do dinner," he said with a charming smile as he held the door open for her.

The hopeful intent behind his suggestion was lost on her. Her mind was far too full of other things for that to register.

She made her way back to the cafeteria, her mind swirling with issues, so she missed the curious stares coming from those she passed. Several whispers about her wardrobe went unheard. It had not occurred to her that with her new position of authority her wardrobe should change. She did not feel like the new director of Scíath. She felt like a child pretending to fill in for her dad at work.

She ordered up her tea, nodding in response to the good mornings offered to her. She wanted to shout back that it was not a good morning; in fact, the entire world was going to hell and quickly. However, she held her tongue hurrying away from the crowded areas.

The thud of the study door and its firm feeling behind her back did much to calm her. She looked around. Nothing had been moved or changed since they had left this room to head out on their expedition. She had demanded to use this as her office as it was the safest place in the entire compound to her.

Sinking into her chair, she caught a whiff of her father's pipe smoke; unauthorized tears began to roll down her face. She sat there silently bawling, allowing the self-pity she had held at bay to take over. She may have sat there a very long time simply crying for herself and her father had a gentle knock at the door not caused her to roughly wipe her face and shout enter in the firmest voice she could muster.

She was overwhelmed with happiness to see it was Nyles who poked his head in. He studied her face. She had been crying, and hard, however he knew better than to bring it up.

"You got a minute?" He asked.

"For you, always," she said giving her first genuine smile of the day.

He entered closing the door behind him, he made his way over near her, settling in a space where he would not be likely to do any damage.

"I went and saw the Architect expecting to find you there, but the guards said you left to deal with a situation. So, I figured something serious was up," he said gently.

"Someone was murdered and dumped in the Garden of Peace," she answered.

Nyles jaw dropped open; his eyes became as big as saucers in his disbelief.

"A murder? Here?" He said stunned.

"Leland says she was strangled with a garrote as well as injected multiple times with something, although he won't be able to tell us what until after the blood work comes back. The best part of all . . . she was a Gilly," Kyra explained sipping her tea.

Nyles emitted the same groan she had when she had discovered that fact.

"Who was she?" He asked.

"A level three land clerk in Gilly relations," she replied.

"Jason," Nyles muttered, anger clouding his face.

Her face scrunched in a wince, if anyone in Scíath disliked Jason more than she did, it was Nyles. His suave apology over the encounter the two men had, had done very little to sooth Nyles' anger towards him.

"I assume you haven't seen him yet," Nyles said

"It's too damn early to look at him," she replied, glancing at the wall clock.

"She doesn't seem like a likely target for a murder, that's for certain," Nyles pondered.

"Do you realize how much I have to do in the next week?" Kyra said unable to keep her mind on a single topic.

"Well, I know you have to figure out what to do about the house, keep an eye on your father, go to the Halloween ball with me, and now solve a murder," He replied, watching her response to what he had said.

She took a moment and the smiled.

"Well I guess this means I don't have to ask you to escort me," she replied.

"That is not the only thing I can help you with," he added.

"I was going to ask you if you would mind reassigning over here to help me keep my head from exploding," she replied, glad to know that he was not going to object to her offer. She really had not expected him to, however it was hard to be sure of anything anymore.

"Not at all. However, the first time you call me a secretary, all bets are off," he said with a wink.

She laughed.

"Nyles, I do not know what I would without you," she said sincerely.

The both felt the air become thick with unspoken emotions.

She sipped her tea to avoid eye contact.

"How do you think we should handle the house situation?" she asked.

"Well I would take one of our team members and place them over the project; you don't have the time to be running from department to department for updates, and since we have reason to question the security of the information in Simon," he suggested.

"That is a brilliant idea, any recommendations on who?" she asked feeling much calmer now that she had backup.

"I would pick Anna," he replied.

Her eyebrows shot up. Even after everything that had gone on since their original return from the house, Anna and Nyles had undergone a very rocky start and she was surprised he would choose her.

"When we returned, and I started doing father's . . . well, my work, I received a request from her to transfer out of Gilly relations. She didn't have a destination required as long as she was out from under Jason. So, I do believe whatever ties she had to him, he severed with his behavior. I'll just take her and put her under the administrative tab and make her the project manager. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak," Kyra replied.

"You are aware that you will have to up her security clearance without time to do the required checks?" Nyles said.

Kyra frowned. She simply was not used to the policy and procedure side of Scíath. She could not help but think her father had made a mistake in placing her in this position. _Was it love that had caused him to choose her? Perhaps want of a legacy?_ She glanced at Nyles. He would have made a better choice in her mind. He was a diplomat, knew the handbook inside and out, and had friends all over the compound.

"I can't imagine how full your mind is right now," he said with a smile.

"It's like I'm standing in the middle of a tempest, all the duties and responsibilities are raging around me, but the moment I pick one to do the breath is sucked out of me by the enormity of it all," she said taking a long sip of tea.

"Well, I know the Treoraí are behind you," he replied

"Most of them anyway. I have no doubt Jason is still stewing about this. It's hard to tell what Lev thinks, although he has always been friendly towards me," Kyra mused.

"I know Jason is right pissed off and the other one I can't read is Galerius," Nyles added.

Kyra paused. She had never even considered how her former boss might feel about having her over him. Thinking of him made her think of yet another issue she needed to add to her agenda.

"I need a pen," she said absently searching the table beside her. She stood up pulling her notepad from her back pocket, taking the proffered pen from Nyles.

"New agenda item?" Nyles asked.

"Yes, the missing tranquilizers. I would not be surprised to find that they are what the young women was being injected with. Although, I simply cannot fathom why anyone would hold this woman, murder her in such a cold fashion, and then dump her like garbage," she said, scribbling a note to get the exact compound of the missing tranquilizers so she could pass it on to Leland.

Nyles simply shook his head.

"Where shall we start?" he asked.

"I am hoping that by getting some of the chaos out of your head and onto paper might help relieve some of the stress," he added.

"I'm going to log into Simon, get the transfer of Anna done, and get a memo to all the team members. Set up a meeting with her so she is aware of the agenda and expectations. Send a memo to Galerius and get that compound sent up. Have to head to the ballroom, check on the preparations for the ball," She said looking over her list.

"You also need to get a costume for yourself," Nyles reminded her.

She turned and looked at him as if he had spoken in a foreign tongue.

"Costume?" She asked looking confused.

"Yes dear, it is a costume ball, and I'm pretty sure jeans and a T-shirt are not going to cut it," he paused looking for a tactful segue to his next point.

"And while you are shopping you might wish to order some more business attire for your new role," he added, carefully watching her face to see how she took it.

Kyra's brows knitted as she looked down at her outfit. Several snippy retorts came to her mind. However, she paused and thought. He really was just trying to help. Her mood turned foul, she simply hated shopping.

****

He watched as the storm of angry clouds rolled into her eyes and braced himself. He was no stranger to the rougher side of her nature and he knew he was thrusting yet another change onto her and she was very close to being overwhelmed.

****

A deep sigh escaped her lips and the clouds lifted from her brow.

"I suppose asking you what I should wear and what costume I should pick would be a moot point," she said simply.

"Yes, I fully admit whilst I admire fashion on people, I know next to nothing about styles and things, however I think Moira or Tinka would be more than willing to help you pick something out," he suggested.

"I'll try to get to that this afternoon or perhaps tomorrow," she said scribbling another line on her small paper which was rapidly becoming overfull.

"I have a dinner meeting with the head security agent on this murder business at six," she added as a side note.

Nyles' eyebrows rose, his expression was clearly jealous. Stop it, he chided himself. She was the director of Scíath. She was going to have many meetings that did not include him.

"Anyone I know?" he asked keeping his tone level.

Kyra looked up from her notes.

"Um . . . hang on," she said paging back through her notes.

"His name is Shane Foris. He is a security agent Galerius assigned to the investigation," she replied.

Nyles shook his head, losing the jealous expression.

"Can't say as the name rings a bell, but other than Mika, who traveled with me to do the centaur census, I don't have much contact with security," he said.

"If I can be nosey, what is his race?" he asked.

"I am going to guess Lupine, he had wolf eyes, but I honestly didn't pay that much attention to him," she said slightly surprised by Nyles' interest in Shane.

"Right. So, which agenda item should be first?" Nyles asked changing the subject.

"Oh! Speaking of agenda items, I got a rather interesting request from Tinka for the Treori meeting. It seems that she and Di are finding that their departments are overlapping in recording the same information, and Tinka would like permission to take her department in a more Occult direction. Recording the more magical sides of cultures as well as the ghosts and things. I am curious to see what you think about it," Kyra said sitting back in the chair.

Nyles was silent a moment.

"Being in Supernatural Species, I can see her point and I have noticed a lot of hours being wasted researching and recording things that have already been done. With as much magic and occult matters as we have going on within these walls, I think it's a great idea. I would give anyone from Anthro and Supernatural Species the ability to swap between departments to help people remain where they are happy," he said.

"Alright then, I will grant it to her at the Treoraí meeting. I think we should drop Supernatural Species and make Di's department Anthropology," she said, sinking into thought.

This was her first major change within the walls, one that actually affected the long-standing structure. She hoped her father would approve.

She shook her head brining herself out of her musings.

"Well it's quarter to ten, how about you get all those memos and personnel transfers handled? I will go requisition an office for Anna and then we will have lunch. Go to Medical and get all the info from Leland, check on your father, and see where that leaves us" he said, hoping he wasn't being too pushy.

A bright smile crossed her face and he returned it with his own. She had needed a bit of direction and a place to start.

"I think that sounds like a perfectly excellent plan of action. Can you throw the lunch order in? I want fried chicken, Gus will know the details," she said, moving to sit behind her father's desk.

Nyles could not help but notice how tiny she looked behind the desk; this was going to be a long road for her to fill the shoes that came before her. He headed out silently, his expression showing his mind was as full as hers.

Kyra pulled out her notebook; she started with the personnel transfers, and then moved on to the memos. She paused to send out a personal request to Moira for wardrobe help. She was about halfway through the forms and maze of paperwork when a soft knock on the door drew her attention.

Out of habit, she stretched out her Fae senses to an idea of who was on the other side of the door. It was Anna, her soft aura pulsing with apprehension.

"Come in," she called, standing to move to the comfortable chair.

Anna peeked her head in looking around, seemingly relieved that Kyra was the only one present. She was dressed in a conservative blank pants suit, her long hair braided. Kyra studied her; she had never really noticed how the mocha color of her skin set off her blazing gold eyes. She smiled to the other woman hoping to ease some of her tension.

"I am so sorry to bother you without an appointment, but I really need to talk to you," Anna said edging her way in through the door.

"No worries, come in," Kyra said, motioning to the guest chair to her left.

Anna smiled, shut the door softly, and made her way to the seat.

"First off, I want to thank you for granting my request to move out of Gilly relations. I know how hard it is to switch departments," she said, her tone sincere.

Kyra studied her closely. There was something off, she seemed edgy. Her body was tense, she barely sat on the seat, and she glanced over her shoulder several times, even though the door was closed.

"It was really nothing. I needed your help on the house project anyway," Kyra kept her tone as calm as possible, hoping to make her feel less afraid.

"The house is one of the things I came to talk to you about," she replied.

Kyra nodded, allowing her to speak.

"Are you sure I can handle this project?" She asked.

"I think you will be fine. Is there any particular reason why you don't feel you can handle it?" Kyra replied.

"I haven't had much experience outside Gilly relations and I know the team was not fond of me in the beginning," she said, wringing her hand slightly.

"That is very true. However, I feel that you have shown that your heart is with us," Kyra reassured.

Anna's face lit up as a smile crossed her lips.

"Which is why I feel I must confide this information to you," she said, taking a deep breath.

Kyra's eyebrows rose, but she simply listened.

"Jason wanted me on the team so that I could learn about the succession plans. He sent those boys to the house so that my presence would be necessary. I wanted to tell you at the time, however I was unsure of how you would react, and by that point I was really starting to enjoy the team. Jason is extremely angry at your appointment. I do not know what he plans to do about it, yet I know that he will not stop. I have no proof that he had broken any rules. However, he is very good at covering up his tracks," Anna exhaled as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Kyra's face settled into a frown.

"I can't really say that we didn't suspect why you have been sent along. I do not expect that Jason counted on you changing sides as it were. Let me assure you that I do not hold his actions or secret plots against you in any way. I am going to confide something to you as well. This morning, a body was discovered in the Garden of Peace she was a Gilly relations worker," Kyra explained, watching her face for reaction.

Anna's jaw dropped open, her eyebrows nearly reaching her hairline.

"A body? As in someone was murdered inside Scíath?" she asked, her voice incredulous.

"Yes. We had no idea who or why this happened. She was a Gilly and while going after Jason would be the easiest route, I think that might have been the plan of the murderer. I would ask you to keep this quiet as we do not want panic, nor anyone trying to leave to escape punishment," Kyra explained.

"I completely understand, my lips are sealed. I do not envy your position and responsibilities," Anna replied.

"Nyles is at the administration wing getting you an office, and tomorrow I will hold a briefing of the team so that everyone is clear on what still needs to be done and how the reporting chain will go."

"Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down. I hope you don't think it's too forward of me, but I was hoping to find out how the Architect is?" she asked.

"He is still unconscious and the only thing we have been able to determine is that his body was unharmed, and that his mind is somewhere in the shadow lands," Kyra replied

Anna frowned.

"I know many here are praying for his full and quick recovery," Anna said, placing a hand over Kyra's.

"I know it was not an ideal transition, however, I think you are doing an amazing job," Anna added.

There was time when Kyra would have been suspect of the compliment; while she did not completely accept it, she gave a polite smile.

Anna stood. She was still tense, yet it was obvious that her confession had lightened her soul. Kyra stood; she walked the other woman to the door, yet another thing swirling around her mind. She made her way back to the computer, sitting down with a thud. While she appreciated Anna coming forward, the information simply added another layer of stress to her already full plate.

Moving to a new page in her notebook, she made note of what she had been told so that she could discuss it with Nyles over lunch. The thought of lunch made her look at the clock. She truly was shocked to see that was nearly eleven AM. _Time flies when you are buried in paperwork_ , she thought. Looking over the printer and seeing the large stack of papers she had generated, she knew this was the most she could ever remember doing at once.

Better get used to it, and she told herself. Paperwork was a big part of her new role. An icon on her desktop flashed at her, demanding her attention. It was a reply from Moira stating that she would be more than happy to assist Kyra in a shopping expedition. Kyra smiled slightly. At least now she could cross one thing off her list.

Diving back into the paperwork, she was surprised when the smell of food crept under the door to greet her. Jumping up, she quickly made her way to the door. She was very pleased to see Nyles standing outside the door with a cart.

"You certainly know the way to my heart," Kyra said the large grin.

Nyles returned the smile.

"If only it were that easy," he replied.

Kyra stepped back, allowing him to bring the cart in. She had made a very loaded statement, and she did not want to linger on it. After they were seated and had begun eating, she spoke.

"I had a visitor while you were gone. Anna came to see me. She wanted to thank me for granting her request as well as to confess something that was bothering her," Kyra explained.

She watched as his expression went from curiosity to anger. She knew very well how he felt about Jason and she had no doubt that confirmation of what he already suspected would make him angry. However, it was in her best interest to get a second opinion and she trusted Nyles over anyone else she could ask.

"I also told her about the body, I was hoping perhaps she knew something about it, but she was just as shocked as I was. Tomorrow at ten AM we will be having a briefing of the team, so I can let them know what the new procedure will be for getting things done," she explained.

Nyles kept his eyes downcast eating silently. She could tell he was stewing, and she knew prodding him would only cause an angry outburst.

They finished the rest of the meal in silence. When both plates were clean, Kyra stood and grabbed her notebook and pen shoving them into her back pocket.

"Amazingly enough, I managed to finish off all the paperwork I set out to do this morning," she said with a smile.

Nyles glanced at what appeared to be a novel on the printer.

"I'm proud of you. That looks like quite a task," he said as he stood.

"So, to Leland and then to your father?" he asked. He tried to keep his voice neutral, but he was anxious over the meeting he had set up for dinner with Anaraba when he had run into her in the dining hall. He had no idea what she really wanted, but he could not help but be curious.

"I do believe that was the plan" Kyra replied not noticing his expression or if she did, writing it off to the Jason business.

Chapter Two

Pushing the cart out into the hall they made their way to Medical. Nyles was nearly as oblivious to the curious stares the two of them received as she was. He worried immensely about her safety. While most were understanding as to the horrible tragedy that had placed Kyra so abruptly in the position of power, many were untrusting of her mixed race. Then there were those whose dreams of leadership had been dashed when she had been handed the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. He had even heard the worst possible musing that she had something to do with the Architect's accident. Nevertheless, anyone who knew Kyra would know that she was not power hungry, nor would she ever harm her father for any reason.

Still, he worried. She had a flash fire temper that had been manifesting itself in more outward ways recently. Given what happened to the giant over a harsh word, he shuddered to imagine what she could do were someone to suggest to her she had a hand in the Architect's predicament.

The two of them waited patiently outside Medical to be admitted to the sterilization chamber. A few blinking lights and whooshes of air later, they were led by a young intern to Leland's personal office.

"Please wait here, I'll let Dr. Barker know you have arrived," he said, leaving them in what Kyra imagined that most Gilly waiting rooms looked like, as he disappeared behind the large mahogany door.

A few moments passed, and Leland followed the intern out. Kyra was surprised. She had never seen him in anything but professional attire. He wore jeans and a dress shirt which was unbuttoned at the top and his sleeves had been rolled up to the elbow.

He smiled at them, noticing the affect his attire had upon their expressions.

"I do apologize for the informality of my dress," he said.

Kyra glanced at her own attire and realized that Nyles had been right since she was in informal mode all the time.

"It just struck me for a moment. I don't think I've ever seen you out of Doctor mode," Nyles said with a smile.

"Thankfully I had a change of clothing in my office, so I didn't have to go all the way back to my room. However, I was in such a rush to get to your autopsy that I spilled coffee all over myself," he said with a sheepish grin.

"Follow me to Autopsy please," he added, motioning them to follow him back out the way they had entered.

"I chose to take care of this myself, for obvious reasons. What I can tell you is this. This woman was imprisoned for weeks." He said, leading them through the doors to the autopsy room, which had become far too familiar to Kyra since this was the same place the bodies from the house had been brought.

"The marks on her arms were indeed from the tranquilizers you sent me the formula for. What is odd, however, is that this was the second means of sedation used. She also had levels of morphine in her blood. My guess is that after a while her body became used to the morphine and it stopped having the same required affect, so her capturer had to up the ante by replacing it with the super strong tranqs from security. Now as to cause of death, a garrote was used, however I found several bruises on her body, and I would not say from a beating, but more from perhaps being restrained. My theory on that is that the new drugs reacted badly with the level of morphine in her system and instead of sedating her caused her to fly into a violent rage. Most of the tranquilizers outside security are not for use on humans. Hence her having a surprising reaction that led to her murder. The suspect attempted to restrain her, but when that proved impossible, he simply killed her. This was a crime of necessity in my opinion, "Leland explained as they stood over the woman's body, pointing out the bruises and needle sites.

Kyra had no issues listening to what he was saying; however, Nyles was extremely distracted by the corpse. Kyra noticed the pained expression in his eyes. He was used to reading about people and cultures; he had not had the exposure to death as she had. She laid a hand gently on his arm to reassure him.

He smiled at her, but her gesture did little to settle the unease that ran through his entire being. It's not so much that she was dead. He understood intellectually that death was the logical conclusion of life, even for supernaturals that may live much longer than others, everything died. However, what truly bothered him was that someday he would be the one lying on that table while someone else looked down at him. A visible shudder ran through him as the thoughts chilled him to the core.

Leland seemed to catch on to his discomfort and suggested they head back to his office to go over the rest of the information he had to share. Nyles gave a relieved smile, although it was clear his weakness concerned him. If he was to help Kyra run Scíath, as she wanted him to, then things like this were going to have to become easier for him to handle. The trio silently made their way back to the office. Once settled in, Leland began to talk again.

Chapter Three

"I'm going to give you some updates on your father's condition now. I have finished running a full physical exam on him. I must say it is a remarkable opportunity for me to study him, as he has never once come in for any kind of medical assistance. I just do wish it had not been under these circumstances. His cells, while very old, show no sign of deterioration. No aging in his bones is detectable. I know this may sound odd, but the visage of aging that he displays is . . . I believe to be voluntary," He paused and looked to Kyra for her reaction.

She sat stunned, unaware of the other eyes on her. He had looked old on purpose. This weakness, this stepping down because of his supposed age was an act. She could hardly believe he would do such a thing, to lie to everyone, to lie to her.

"Now this may be completely wrong, he may be like the Fae in that his body is regenerating because it's at rest. I don't know. I can find no one who can identify his race," Leland added.

Kyra's frown dissipated, grateful for anything that would explain away the growing upset in the pit of her stomach.

"Have you asked Di? She has known him the longest, they started this place together. She may know something about his race and may even be able to help us heal him," Nyles suggested.

Leland scribbled on his notepad.

"His brain is fully functional, he is in a coma-like state, he does not respond to any kind of stimulus; physical, mental, or supernatural. However, the synapses are firing," Leland continued.

"So, if we can find and return this spirit, then he should be ok?" Kyra asked.

"That is the theory we are working from," Leland said.

"However, I'm going to be very blunt with you. I, nor anyone on my staff have ever had experience with your father's race since . . . well, we don't know what it is, so we don't have any idea how to fuse his spirit with his body. There are many resources available to us within this great home of ours; I am hoping that somewhere, we will be able to find it," he paused as if looking for the right words.

"In thinking on where to start with this issue, it has occurred to me that the information we seek will not be found in Simon, but perhaps in a more personal space. A place that no one has access to, but you," he said.

A picture of her father's study filled her mind, its shelves crammed with books, many hand-bound and most without titles. She had read many that he had given her to read over the years, but she could never recall having free reign to select what she took from the shelves.

"You mean my father's personal library," she replied, her brow scrunching in thought.

"I cannot permit random people into his personal space, however, Nyles, myself, and a chosen third will start combing through the books and we will bring anything that could be relevant in helping my father's condition," Kyra said, knowing that she was adding even more work to her plate, but she could not place the running of Scíath over saving her father. Secretly and somewhat selfishly, she hoped that if she could save him, he would take this over again and let her off the hook.

Leland sighed, softly relived of not having to do the chore himself, as he was sure there were things recorded in that library that he simply did not want to know about. He paused a long moment, gathering his thoughts before he spoke.

"I have been listening to some rumors that are being passed around," he said.

Nyles tensed. He fully expected her to explode at any moment.

"I want you to know that as a Treoraí, I fully respect and accept you as the new leader here. I and my entire department are at your disposal to help you in any way possible with anything," he said with a comforting smile.

Nyles body relaxed. Leland had enough sense to leave out the actual rumor but to affirm his support of her.

Her brow furrowed in thought.

"I appreciate that Leland. I expect some rumbling in the ranks, but it's good to know I have people standing behind me," she said with a forced smile.

Nyles knew her words were sincere, but she was more concerned than she was ready to let on. They stood.

"I will get back to you as soon as I find anything that can help you and if you have any updates you can get ahold of me on this pager thing that I am apparently supposed to wear all the time now," Kyra said, holding up the little black box before clipping it back to her belt.

Leland smiled, gesturing to his own, which was clipped to his belt.

The two of them exited, silent as they made their way through the maze that was Medical to her father's room. Nyles watched her closely, he could tell that going to see her father in his current condition was very stressful for her, topping everything else that she was now responsible for. The weight was crushing, yet she showed no outward signs of the pressure to someone who did not know her.

Kyra locked eyes with each of the two guards posted outside the door. One of them held their hand up to prevent her from entering.

"Can you please place your hand on the scanner ma'am?" one of them asked, holding up a portable scanner, twin to those posted outside the departments.

Nyles huffed and opened his mouth to chastise him for demanding this of the new director.

Kyra smiled and spoke first.

"Thank you very much for following procedure," she said to the guard, placing her hand on the scanner. After it beeped, she was admitted to the room and waited for Nyles to follow her in.

"I told them that everyone was to be scanned. We have a morph somewhere in this building and we can't be too careful," she explained as she made her way to the bed, dropping her things which landed with an unceremonious clunk on the bedside table.

"Hello Dad," she said, her voice low as she kissed him on the forehead. She watched for a response and her face fell when she was again met with nothing. She went about hiding her disappointment by smoothing the wrinkled sheets pulled over his body and rearranging the techno spaghetti that surrounded him.

Nyles walked over cringing at the sound his hooves made on the tile floor. He laid his hand gently on her shoulder.

"We will get this figured out, he will get better. If I know anyone who is determined enough to never give up, it's you," he said

Her lips stretched in a forced smile, but the slump of her shoulders spoke to her doubt in his words.

They both turned as the beeping of the scanner alerted them to someone's entrance. A Cyclops entered the room and stuck out her hand.

"Hello Madame Director," she said, shaking hands with them both.

"Hello Dr. Malv" she responded, reading the doctor's name badge.

"I wish I had some kind of progress update to give you, but all I can really say is that he remains stable and appears to be in no pain of any kind," she said, looking over her papers.

Kyra nodded absently.

"I appreciate the care you and your team are giving him, and I know that when he wakes up, he will be grateful as well," she responded automatically

Suddenly, a loud rhythmic beeping interrupted the conversation. All eyes went immediately to the machines, but they had not changed. Kyra sighed deeply as she pulled the beeper from her waist. Her brow furrowed as she read the message.

"I'm sorry Doctor, but I have to answer this. I will be back this evening to visit him. If anything changes, please page me immediately," Kyra said, standing and scooping up her papers. She made her way quickly out of the room, leaving Nyles scrambling to keep up.

"Where we headed?" he asked, catching up to her.

"According to my little beeping thing, Di needs to see me ASAP in the mirror library," Kyra said, a touch of annoyance in her voice. She had wanted to spend more time with her father, but she was unaccustomed to the demands of running Scíath.

"I'm sure it's important. Di wouldn't page otherwise," Nyles replied.

Kyra mumbled something about her opinion of importance, but he knew not to ask her what she had said.

They made their way quickly through the hallway; some glanced at them in passing while others stared openly. Nyles knew the racket his hooves made on the stone floor did not help make them any less conspicuous.

Kyra slowed her steps a few feet from the door to the library. The door was shut, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, something was tweaking her Fae senses. She closed her eyes, stretching out her feelings, looking for what had disturbed her. She felt Di's presence and another aura, one she had felt before, but could not immediately place. It, however, was not disturbing. She waited a moment longer hoping it would come to her, but nothing did.

Nyles watched her silently; he knew very little about her powers as it was not something they had ever discussed; however, something had stopped her and he was curious but knew to wait.

A moment later, she turned to him.

"Di is in there with someone else, but something is off. I can't find it or place it, but keep your eyes open," Kyra said walking towards the door again.

Nyles' brow furrowed before he followed her.

Kyra swung the door open wide, giving herself more of an entrance than she had intended. Shane and Di looked up, a smile coming to both their faces when she cringed as the door banged against the rubber stopper.

"Don't worry dear. It happens often, hence, why we put a stopper behind it," Di said.

Kyra smiled back and made her way over to them, taking in every detail around her, still searching for what had disturbed her senses a few moments before. As she neared them, she realized what had done it. A dusty glass case had been drug out into the room. She would guess it had not been touched in ages given the layers of dust and cobwebs if it had not been for the messy handprints and smashed glass panel on the top.

On instinct Kyra closed her eyes and placed her hand on the case. The residual energy field was quite strong and very much in chaos over having its contents removed. She opened her eyes to find that everyone was watching her intently. She felt a quick blush rise to her cheeks.

"Okay. So . . . want to fill me in?" she asked no one in particular.

"I can handle that," Shane said with a charming smile that was completely lost on Kyra but not on Nyles as he positioned himself between the two of them with his arms crossed.

Shane smirked but continued with his report.

"It seems this cabinet is from the back archives. The break in probably would have gone unnoticed for some time except that the thief dropped a shard of glass that became imbedded into Di's shoe when she walked into the library to get a book," Shane explained.

Di held up her shoe as evidence. Kyra glanced at the fragment of glass briefly before looking at Di more closely; she had been with her father when Scíath began. Yet the only sign of any age was a light brush of gray in her hair just around her temples. Unlike the Architect, Di had not been so secretive about her race. She was a Dibia, a tribe of magic workers from Africa. They had taken their name from the Igbo people who believed that Dibia was the Great Spirit and those who did magic were its emissaries.

Kyra sighed inwardly; _things were going to hell, murders, break-ins, rumors and secrets. Her father would be appalled at how quickly things had fallen apart in his absence and at how little she had been able to handle._ She pulled herself together, refusing to let the inward turmoil show.

"So, what was in the cabinet?" she asked

Di frowned deeply.

"I am reticent to admit this, but I don't actually recall what was in there. All of the books have barcodes and are stored in Simon. However, this cabinet does not have a barcode on it. I am going to talk to Tinka and Moira to see if they have it recorded anywhere. The person who would know for sure as I'm thinking he is the one, who enclosed it inside and placed the wards on it, is indisposed," she said, the concern clear in her eyes.

Kyra pursed her lips.

"Well either there was a reason it was not recorded, or it simply slipped through the cracks," Kyra said as she looked over the cabinet. There was nothing overly remarkable about the construction or design; she assumed the broken designs etched into the glass had been the wards that had failed to protect the contents this time. She saw no fingerprints or other clues. This was not going to be easy. Not that anything recently had been.

Kyra could feel all the eyes in the room on her; the pressure of the expectations settling on her shoulders. She was supposed to come up with all the answers. Her helplessness boiled into anger and it was conveyed in her tone. Her stone demeanor started to crack, allowing her inner turmoil to seep towards the surface.

"Now I'm going to ask you for the security footage for this room and you're going to tell me there are only cameras in the hallway and there are tons of people coming and going from this room carrying books, right? she asked no one in particular.

Di and Shane nodded in unison and her aggravation rose.

"I cannot believe the number of places in this compound that are security voids!" she said tossing her hands in the air.

"We have never felt unsafe in these walls, it is supposed to be a haven for our kind, there has never been a time without peace," Di replied.

Instead of calming Kyra, it infuriated her further. She knew Di was implying that it was her leadership at fault for the string of crimes that were occurring. She felt her anger growing, a red tinge appeared at the corner of her eyes, and her pulse began to pound.

Nyles saw her body begin to shake, he glanced at Di. Her eyes were wide and he knew things were about to go very wrong. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder and was shocked to feel waves of heat coming off her body. She was almost too hot to touch. Nevertheless, he kept his hand on her hoping to ground her, to bring her out of this fury before it was too late.

Kyra felt a hand on her shoulder; it was easy to feel Nyles' energy flowing from his calming touch. Closing her eyes, she drew upon his strength allowing her rage to recede, her pulse to slow. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her tone before she spoke.

"Shane please speak with Tinka and Moira and have their statements and whatever else you can find and bring it to the meeting tonight. I want you to head this investigation as well. I know it's a lot to lump on to you," Kyra said.

"I can handle it," Shane said with a smile, his interest in her plain in his eyes.

"Di, thank you for notifying me immediately, but please also notify Galerius as he will be able to get the hallway footage,"

Without another word she headed out of the room. She needed to be alone. A few moments where no one's eyes cast expectations on her. Nyles followed closely, he knew she needed to be protected, quite possibly even from herself.

She had to have known he was behind her, his hoof clatter was more than enough to tell her but she made no gesture towards him that acknowledged him as she made her way quickly back to her father's study.

They entered the study together, as she held the door open for him, indicating to him that he was welcomed in.

Flopping down in her chair, she closed her eyes.

"Nyles, I'm going to be extremely lazy, will you please clear the rest of my appointments till dinner and order tea and something filled with sugar," she said without opening her eyes.

"Absolutely," he said making his way to the computer. After a few moments of careful stepping he managed to get himself behind the desk. A few taps of the keyboard and everything she had requested was done.

He moved over to sit beside her quietly. Her eyes were still closed although he knew she was not asleep. He did not want to disturb whatever peace she had found.

After a few moments of palpable silence, she spoke. Her voice was low and tiered.

"I almost lost control of my temper. I felt as if they were judging me, blaming me for the things that are happening here. They did not deserve it. It's been less than a month and I'm already cracking under the pressure," she said with tears welling in her eyes.

"Kyra, running Scíath in the absolute best of times is a heavy weight; however with the current climate, it would be difficult on the most experienced director. That being said, I do believe that your leadership has something to do with the rash of crimes," he said, holding up his hand as her eyes fluttered open, a scowl overtaking her face.

"Let me finish, I believe that the person or people responsible for these crimes think that because you are new to this position they will have a better chance at getting away with it. However, they are sadly mistaken. This may not be the way the succession was planned, but your father believed in you. He knew you were the best for the job. There will be those who disagree, but you have to know that many of us believe in you and will be here for you all the way," he said, watching her face soften.

"Thank you Nyles, I'm sorry I've been such a cry baby today. I want so very much to uphold Scíath, I know it has meant survival for many, you and I included," she said sitting up a bit.

Nyles sighed softly, glad to see calm return to her eyes.

"So how about this, tonight you deal with the murder and the break in, as much as you can, anyway. See if this security fellow can be trusted to run the investigation, if not we will bring in someone else. I will check on the ball decorations on my way to dinner; tomorrow, we will deal with the house in the morning; you can visit your father, and then you can go shopping," Nyles suggested knowing how much Kyra loved order and lists.

She smiled for a moment, then her brow furrowed.

"On your way to dinner? You aren't staying here for the meeting?" she asked.

Nyles drew in a breath. He had hoped she would not notice his absence, but as always, Kyra missed very little.

"I have plans for dinner," he said simply

"Oh okay," she replied, however he could not miss the brief expression of hurt that danced over her face.

She glanced up at the clock and was shocked to see it read three PM.

"Who do you think I should ask to start going through all this with us?" she asked, making a sweeping gesture over the multiple bookcases.

"Well, normally I would say Di, but I'm going to suggest Tinka. She reads and remembers at a quick pace; also she is known for her ability to keep things to herself," Nyles suggested.

Kyra nodded. She also felt a bit more comfortable with Tinka, which would help if they were to spend a fair amount of time together on such a sensitive project.

"Is there anything you need set up for tomorrow's house briefing?" he asked. He tried to keep from glancing at the clock, he was trying to keep his mind on the current task, but his thoughts crept back to his upcoming meeting. He had absolutely no idea what she could have to say to him, he had met her in orientation, but it had been in passing.

If Kyra noticed his preoccupation, she never let on.

"I booked the room and I sent a request to have the agenda printed and delivered. Gus will handle refreshments. I think everything has been handled. I am torn about this house project. It was my first solo assignment, I feel like I am abandoning it. At the same time, I have faith in the team to continue the investigation and I know when it gets to the end of the investigation stage I will be able to be involved once again," she explained, closing her eyes again.

"I can see that, but part of leadership at any level is delegation. Just make sure you have the best possible people on any given task and things will work out," Nyles said with a reassuring smile.

Kyra nodded she knew he had said the same thing over and over again and it should be sinking in, but it was just so hard to let go. To know who to trust. She pressed her hands over her face, as if trying to physically hold in her inner tempest.

A few moments passed, she opened her eyes to see Nyles watching her.

"You know it could be worse. We could be knee deep in a war or global disaster," she said with a slight smile.

Nyles laughed.

"There you go! Way to look on the bright side!" he replied.

"However, I think it would be better to be embroiled in battle than to go shopping," she said with a smile.

Nyles grinned.

"I believe you are the first woman I have ever met who would rather go into battle than get new clothing," he said.

"What are you going as for the costume ball?" Kyra asked

Nyles thought a moment.

"A centaur?" He asked with a smirk.

"How original," she replied mirroring his smirk.

"I thought so. You have to admit my choices are somewhat limited," he pointed out.

"I do agree, but we can come up with something," she replied, her brow furrowing.

Minutes ticked by as they thought silently.

Nyles was about to suggest that he just go with the centaur thing when her eyes lit up.

"You should go as the Phantom of the Opera! All you need is a tux shirt, jacket, and the half mask," she explained.

He thought a moment.

"I love the idea. It's Monday now and the ball is Saturday, they should be able to get the stuff easily. What with it being Gilly Halloween as well. You my dear are brilliant, "he replied, palpable emotion clear in his voice.

She smiled widely. It was so easy to be with him. He cleared all of the negativity from her. What would she do without him, she wondered?

"Your welcome. Now let's hope mine comes to me as easily. I went to a Gilly Halloween party once chasing a rogue Boggart. I recall thinking how outlandish their costumes for our kind are. The witches with the big pointed noses and warts. . .. The only thing that I saw that was accurate was the stripped tights. I swear if I were a witch, I would be offended. Also, I'm pretty sure if a Fae ever showed up in a green crinkly dress with a wand, that would be the end of them," she said with a smile.

"Humans bend everything to suit them, even us. However, because of the tradition of going about in costume it does allow those of us who do not fit in to walk freely on the streets, even if it is for one night, "he explained.

Kyra nodded. She really should have taken more interest in her father's traditions. As a child she was too young for the balls and late-night parties and as she entered her teen years she became too self-conscious to attend. Now she would be sitting at the head table for everyone to stare at. The idea brought a deep sigh from her.

Nyles raised an eyebrow.

"I've spent years hiding from people, supernatural and Gilly alike. Now I must enter the spotlight and do so with the grace and poise my father would want from me," she explained.

" I can sympathize to a degree. Even on Halloween I don't venture far out. A costume this good is out of the reach of most Gilly's and I would never want to disturb the delicate balance that allows us to live in this world. However, within Scíath most just regards me as another creature on the roster. Although those with knowledge of my race know that I am shunned by them because I associate with outsiders," he responded.

Kyra looked into his eyes. She could see disappointment, but she wondered if it was in the other centaurs or himself?

She reached out and squeezed his hand gently. She always marveled at how soft his skin was. Looking up she realized they had become very close, her face mere inches from his. She marveled at how beautiful his almond colored eyes were staring back into hers or the roguish black curl that lay on his forehead.

He stared back at her with the same intensity, her pale skin like that of a china doll, her bright indigo eyes sparkling. The perfect bow shape of her lips as they parted slightly.

Silently the books and artifacts looked on at the two of them lost in each other. Kyra leaned forward; she felt him start to tremble and knew she was doing the same. It seemed the time had come, that the expression of unspoken love was to be had.

A loud knock on the door startled them so much that in his quick recoil Nyles knocked over a stack of books.

"Who is it?" Kyra called working to keep her voice steady, she knew she could simply reach out her senses and read the aura, but she was still so shaken she didn't think it would work.

"Shane," came the reply through the door.

Kyra glanced at the clock it, was five till five. How had she lost so much time just sitting and talking she wondered? Nyles made his way to open the door nodding to the man standing outside it.

"Well I'll be off then," Nyles said, leaving without a backward glance.

Shane stepped in cautiously, looking around with undisguised curiosity. He had never had cause to come here and it was interesting to see where the seat of power lay.

Kyra took a deep breath as she stood, setting her expression to neutral. She had no time to deal with what had just happened, and now it was time for business.

"Please come in, let's order dinner first then we shall get down to business," she said, gesturing to the chair across from hers.

"Excellent. I have been on the move all day and I missed lunch. If you just tell Gus that Shane Foris would like the number five he can take care of the rest," he said, taking the proffered seat.

Kyra nodded, silently praising Gus yet again for his ability to take care of every species within Scíath. She made a mental note to put him up for member of the year. A few taps of the keyboard and everything was ordered. Lost in her thoughts, she was unaware that Shane was watching her every movement and appreciating the way her jeans hugged her hips.

He quickly returned his gaze to the notebook in front of him as she turned to face him.

"I also ordered pots of tea and coffee, it has indeed been a long day," She said with a smile. She wondered if he was going to ask how she knew he drank coffee. She had smelled it ever so faintly on him when they had been looking at the broken case.

He raised an eyebrow but then just nodded.

Kyra came back over settling in her chair. She pulled out her notebook.

"Let's get this show on the road, shall we?" she said with a polite smile.

Shane nodded, flipping to page one of his notebook

"Let's do this in chronological order. . . so, murder first," he began.

Kyra nodded, noting how surreal the conversation seemed in a place she associated with peace and security.

"I spent a fair amount of time questioning the members of her department. Seems Madeline was brought in by Jason two years ago after she witnessed a Boggart on a cattle-ripping rampage. Her memory proved to be unalterable, so he thought the best way to contain the incident was to bring her in and give her a job," he explained.

Kyra nodded. While not her favorite person, Jason had made a wise decision.

"Her colleagues found her to be quiet and reserved. She never shared much about herself or her life before Scíath. Apparently, she has been out of work on and off for about a month," he finished.

Kyra shook her head.

"According to Leland, the marks on her body indicate she had been held for weeks, perhaps longer. So, this morph we have on the loose has been replacing her for that time," She mused.

"Morph?" Shane asked flipping to a blank page in his notebook.

"We have discovered that a woman is in the compound who is not authorized to be here. She has been spotted several times, in what I believe to be her natural form, which is a beautiful woman of Asian descent with long black hair," Kyra explained.

Shane made furious notes, his brow furrowed.

Kyra took a moment to observe him closely. He was handsome; he had a strong face, chiseled features in the classic sense. However, his eyes were kind even though they gave away his animalistic nature. His full lips were pursed together in concentration. A pure magnetism poured from him which pulled her in, making it feel as if it would be completely natural for her to reach out and run her fingers through his hair. Conscious of herself leaning in, she shook her head to break the spell, leaning back in the chair finding anything to look at in the room that was not him as the feelings passed.

"Tomorrow I will go see Moira and see if she still has those glasses they used during the imp war," He said, completely unaware of her reaction towards him.

Kyra was confused. Noting her expression, he continued.

"The imps have magic that will, for a period of a few hours, mask their appearance. They would use this to position themselves for attacks. A group of witches fashioned several pairs of glasses to be able to see through the guise so that our guards could be aware. I don't know if they will work on the morph, but it can't hurt to try. If I could get her scent it would be no problem but that does not seem feasible, so the glasses are my next best guess," he said.

Kyra nodded with a smile.

"Excellent idea, I can see why Galerius put you on this assignment. You are knowledgeable and resourceful," she said.

He smiled brightly, his whole face lighting up in response to her praise.

"I've spent a fair amount of time in the field, but I've also been working on cold cases, some dating as far back as the imp war, so research is necessary," he said.

Kyra nodded, flipping to the page in her notebook about Leland's findings. She began to fill him in on what she knew. A short time later there was a knock at the door. Shane held his hand up as she began to stand. He sniffed the air a moment then nodded.

"It's Edmund with our dinner," he said, standing and heading to the door.

_Edmund?_ Kyra thought _. He even knew the names of the food porters? He is thorough and has a memory like an elephant_ , she mused.

She listened as a joke was passed between the two and the cart clanked its way over the threshold only to be silenced by the thick carpet. She stood up and made for the cart. As always, the smells rolling off it were incredible. They picked up their plates, settling in to eat. Conversation turned lighter, as the matters at hand were left behind for the moment.

Chapter Four

A few long corridors away, another pair were starting their dinner.

Nyles watched Anaraba closely. He was completely baffled by what she could want with him. Unless she was going to lecture him about his love for Kyra in which case this would be a very short meeting.

Anaraba looked up, meeting his eyes.

"How much do you know about my people?" she asked.

"I know you are secretive; the full scope of your powers is not known. You have the ability to shift into native animals. You are the first to come to Scíath, so hopefully you can fill in the blanks for us," he said, his anthropologist side taking over.

She laughed softly.

"Spoken like a true researcher," she said.

"Well I will be filling in some blanks for you. Not for your records, but for your life," she replied

Nyles raised an eyebrow. What could she possibly tell him that would have some bearing on his present life?

"I am going to be very blunt with you; and know that I do not seek to offend you, but only to truly understand your situation," she began.

Nyles simply nodded.

"You are in love with Kyra, and you have been for what I would wager has been a very long time. You want to be with her so much that you despair over your race. Knowing that the only thing that keeps you two apart is your animal half. I believe that she loves you as well," she said watching his face.

Again, he just nodded, not trusting his voice.

She smiled softly.

"A myth in my tribe speaks to the time that the spirits granted us with the power to shape shift. The story goes as such. There was a girl from the village, among the girls her age she was not viewed as an exceptional beauty, so the men in the village did not seek to court her. Disappointed by this, she would spend many of her days out on the Savannah, simply walking watching the animals. During this time, she found that she had the ability to speak to the animals and to understand them. She made friends with the elephants, zebra, and even a lioness or two. One particular day a boy she had taken a liking to was to be married to a beautiful girl. Lamenting her average looks, she decided to skip the festivities and seek out her animal friends.

Her heart was heavy, so she walked further than she had before, and was lost before she realized it. Spying a large rock, she settled on it, waiting for the stars to come out to help her navigate her way home. She heard a cry that was low and sad. Searching in the dim light of sunset she listened for the sound, hoping to help whatever animal had made it. Before too long she came upon an elegant gazelle, his budding horn was caught in a split of a tree. She knew that the longer he remained stuck the better chance he would become someone's dinner or die of thirst in the scorching day's sun. She spoke gently and kindly to him, freeing his horn from the tree. He thanked her, and as they sat talking, she explained to him that she was lost. Knowing of her village he offered to take her home. Over the next months, she spent every day with the young Gazelle as he matured to an adult. It was hard to admit to herself, but she was in love with him. Just before the turn of the new year, she met with him and explained that she loved him but that she could no longer see him, the heartbreak of their star-crossed love too much for her heart to bear. He left her, his own heart broken, he began to walk to the tree they had first met at to await whatever fate would find him. As she sat alone crying for her lost love, the Great Spirit sang to her. It told her that she had been watched. It had taken notice of her love and kindness towards the great creatures of the Savannah. If she was willing to give up her human form, she would be granted the body of a gazelle so that the true love they had woven could be. She journeyed to the tree, finding him alone and weeping. She explained to him what the Great Spirit had said. Placing her hand on the tree and her other hand on him, she was enveloped in a dazzling light. When the light dissipated. she had become the most beautiful gazelle to ever grace the grass lands. The spirit had taken the beauty of her heart and their love to create her form. Now, when a girl comes of age in our village, she travels to the same tree. If her heart is pure, she is granted shifting powers. We are also given the choice to remain as one form or another, as the transformation is difficult and leaves the body weakened. I myself have only done it once. Now, you may wonder what this has to do with you. I believe the love that you and Kyra share is true and pure. That if you go to the tree, lay an offering to the Great Spirit, and go on a spirit quest to connect with your inner self, you will be offered the chance to change your form into that of a man," she said, raising her water glass and taking a long drink awaiting his reaction.

Nyles was reeling. Was it possible?

"Why would the Great Spirit help me, I'm neither of African blood, nor religion?" he asked, simply trying to grasp at what he had been told.

"The Great Spirit believes in love, in the purity of the heart. Regardless of what you call your faith, you still have faith," she explained.

Nyles nodded.

"What kind of offering? What is a spirit quest?" he asked, trying not to let his excitement show.

"It will take you half of a year to complete the challenges of a spirit quest, at the end of which, you will be granted the proper offering," she explained.

Six months, that was a long time to be away from Kyra especially when she needed him so much now. On the other hand, six months was nothing to pay to have the rest of his life with her. He glanced back at his hindquarters, imagining what it would be like to be able to walk without the clacking of the hooves, to be able to go in and out of tight spaces without breaking things, and to take Kyra out on a date in the Gilly world. There was no way he could turn this chance down.

"Can I start it after Christmas?" he asked, his decision made.

She smiled brightly.

"Indeed, we will use the time to prepare you for the quest. I am going to suggest that you do not tell Kyra. There is always a chance that it will not be granted to you and you would not want her to hurt," she finished.

Nyles nodded, he knew she was right, but he could not think of how he was going to get away for six months with no explanation.

"I will make it work," he replied.

For the next two hours both Kyra and Nyles were deep in conversation. As Kyra let Shane out of the study a clear plan in mind, Nyles was leaving the cafeteria, headed her way. Kyra had just slipped out of her boots and settled back in the chair when a soft rapping on the door caught her attention. For a moment, her aggravation flared, but after a mere second of a check, she knew it was Nyles.

"Come in," she said, wondering about the mysterious plans that had taken him away this evening.

"Hey pretty lady, how's things," he said making his way to sit across from her.

"I swear this is the most exhausting job in history," she said with a deep sigh.

"I do not doubt that for a second," he said, imagining what it was going to be like to wrap his arms around her and comfort her.

"At least I have a clear plan to go forward on the thefts and the murder. Shane is quite competent. I have no problem delegating to him. He's a level four security agent, the only reason he isn't a five is because I was handling all the field assignments. So after this snafu is handled he will be going out to be certified," she explained, wanting to ask him about his plans but not wanting to appear jealous.

"Excellent, good to know we have such an ally in these times," Nyles replied. It was so hard not to tell her of the future he had planned for them.

"So, do you want to work out tomorrow's agenda, so we can drop work talk for the evening?" he asked

"That sounds like an excellent plan. I know we have the meeting with the house team, we must visit father, order our Halloween Ball costumes, and ask Tinka to start the library project with us. I need to schedule a time with Moira to do the shopping thing," Kyra paused and took a breath.

"Wow that sounds like a lot more than I want to do," she said, sinking lower in her chair.

"On second thought let's toss in a movie and we will let tomorrow be handled tomorrow," Nyles suggested, seeing exhaustion in her eyes.

She nodded.

"Shall I order popcorn and sodas?" she asked.

"Indeed, I'll flip through the movies and pick one out," Nyles answered

A short time later, they were settled in front of the flat screen, a tub of popcorn on the table between them as the title sequence of _Fiddler on the Roof_ appeared on the screen.

Chapter Five

Kyra's eyes flipped open. For a moment she was completely disoriented. This was not her room. Reflex kicked in and she pulled the gun from under her pillow, sitting up quickly. Seconds later, she lowered her gun, sighing softly at herself. She was in her father's room; she had moved into it shortly after she returned to be closer to the office. Not to mention it made her feel more connected to him during his absence. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the clock. It read five twenty -seven AM. She audibly groaned. Today was going to be as long as yesterday, if not longer and she had hoped to sleep until at least eight.

"No way am I getting back to sleep now," she said aloud to no one.

_Might as well get started, that way I will be able to get breakfast ordered before Nyles gets up_ , she thought heading off to the shower.

One room away, Nyles stared at the clock's garish red numbers knowing he had fallen asleep only two hours before. Rubbing the grit from his eyes, he looked around Kyra's room. The room itself was very sparse; no art on the walls, no decorations. The only forms of personalization in the room were two pictures sitting on the bedside table. Getting up slowly, he moved over to examine them. One was very old, its image fading, however still visible. It was of a very young Kyra, probably age five or six, standing in front of the huge Christmas tree they erected every year. The architect was kneeling beside her, his face beaming. He looked younger, healthier, and happy. Kyra was not smiling, she looked stoic and not at all interested in the brightly wrapped package she held in her hands. He placed it back on the table, picking up the second one, a wide grin finding his face immediately. It was of the two of them, they were ten years old, sitting in the library reading a large book together.

He closed his eyes, thinking back to the moment it had been taken. It was the first year they were allowed to go into the book stacks in the back and choose their own book. He closed his eyes, remembering the smell of the infinite knowledge penned onto dusty pages. How they had taken so long to choose just the right book. In the end they chose a tome covering the history of witchcraft. It was huge, and they didn't understand three quarters of the words in it. However, they worked their way through each and every page, determined to show that they were old and wise enough for the permission that has been granted them.

He laughed to himself and replaced the picture. She was an intricate part of his childhood. Glancing again at the photo, he knew he was making the right decision. She may not understand at first, but he knew in his heart that when he returned they would be able to celebrate the love that now eluded them.

Moving towards the bathroom, his head hung in dismay. While it was nice to be close to her, and for her to offer her space to him, the bathing facilities were not made to accommodate his issues. Turning off the lights, he made his way into the corridor. Trying to walk carefully, he made his way through the sparsely populated halls, wanting to be back in time for an early breakfast with Kyra before they had the meeting with the house team.

****

Several hours later, they headed towards the meeting room. No conversation was had as both minds were reeling. Kyra went over her briefing for the hundredth time, hoping she could convince them to have confidence in her. Nyles kept glancing over at her trying to imagine how he was going to just up and leave her when she needed him the most.

Kyra pushed the door open, familiar faces glanced up at her from around the table. She took a mental inventory, noting that everyone who should be present was there. She walked up front to the podium, giving them a warm genuine smile.

"Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you once again for assembling on short notice and at the early hour of ten AM. As always, it is wonderful to see you. Many things have been changing recently and I am here to heap even more changes upon you," she paused, glancing around to see nothing but rapt attention to her words.

"Given my new responsibilities, I do not feel I am able to give this project the attention it requires. Therefore, I have placed a new project leader in my shoes. From now on you will be reporting to Anna," she finished, glancing toward Anna who sat at the head of the table. Her long black hair was braided in an intricate pattern and she wore a conservative cream suit to which her mocha complexion gave a beautiful contrast.

She stood up and walked to the podium. Kyra could feel the anxious vibes rolling off her in waves. She gave her a reassuring smile and turned to address the group again.

"I want you all to know that this project is still very important to me and to Scíath. I would like to see this completed and ready for the reconstruction crew by December first. Please respect Anna as you did me and I know this will go smoothly," she finished.

With a nod and a smile to Anna she stepped to the side, allowing Anna to address her team.

"I want you all to know I am incredibly honored to be able to work with such an amazing team. Please know that I have an open door and am willing to lend a hand in any and all tasks relating to our case," Anna said. Kyra watched the faces; Soro and Aieta exchanged glances, but she did not pick up any hostile or disappointed vibes from them. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the pair, recalling their conversation on the initial foray to the house.

"I would like to have an update and planning meeting now so that we are all on the same page and following relevant leads," Anna continued.

Kyra nodded her approval more to herself than anyone else. Anna was stepping into her new role quite well. She leaned up against the wall beside Nyles, interested to listen to the update. She may no longer be hands-on in the project, but it still was very important to her.

Her participation was cut short, however, when the beeper began its annoying chirping. Aggravated, she picked it up and read the message. Before Nyles could ask her whom it was from, she was out the door like a shot, the door slamming open.

Everyone looked to Nyles for an explanation, to which he just shrugged and followed her out quickly; he guessed the only thing that would cause such a reaction from her would have to do with her father. So, he headed towards Medical knowing there was no way he was going to keep up with her as she was already out of eyesight.

Kyra burst out of the sterilization chamber at break-neck speed, headed for her father's room. Impatiently, she laid her head on the scanner, angry at the delay her own procedure was causing her. Leland was standing beside the bed. He looked at her wind whipped hair, flushed cheeks, and knew she had run all the way. Stepping back, he moved away from her father, letting her see what had caused his urgent page.

As she looked at him her heart leapt into her throat; his eyes were open, the pupils fixed and dilated, and they did not respond to movement in the room. However, he did blink slowly several times. His waxy complexion caused his bright green eyes to leap out at her. She could tell that he looked younger, not so much that anyone would notice, but she could see that some of the little lines around his eyes were starting to smooth.

"When did this happen?" she asked, sitting on the bedside slipping her hand into his.

"About twenty minutes ago. I came in to run some reflex tests to see if he responded, and . . . he did. I have been talking to him, mentioning names, places, and when I mentioned you, his eyes flipped open," Leland explained.

Rushing over, she grasped his hand, he showed no reaction to her touch.

"Father it's me," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

Everyone in the room watched his eyes. At first, there was no reaction; Kyra felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

Nyles walked forward, placing his hand on her shoulder. Turning away, she looked to the doctor, but the expression on his face made her turn to look at her father again.

His expression was sill blank; however, his eyes were focused on her. She cried out in joy.

"Can you hear me? Can you talk? How can I help? Are you ok?" Her words came tumbling out so fast it was hard to discern what she was actually saying.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath as they waited to see if he responded. Nothing changed, and after a long moment, his eyes closed again.

Kyra looked to Leland for an explanation.

"I wish I could tell you what just happened or what it means, however, I am at a loss. Yet I can honestly say its progress, it is the first time he has shown any kind of response to anything. It's heartening," he said

Kyra nodded, letting Nyles pull her into a tight hug. Taking a deep breath, she stepped back, her face settling into its neutral expression.

"Thank you for calling me, I wish to be paged the instant he opens his eyes. I will be here in a flash, perhaps this is the beginning of recovery," she told them.

"Nyles, I have absolutely no idea what we were supposed to do today, however I think now a warm cup of tea and a few minutes of quiet here are needed," she finished.

Nyles simply nodded, picking up the phone to order her tea, adding a strong coffee for himself. Leland excused himself with a promise to check back in on her in a little while.

Kyra sank into the wooden rocking chair beside her father's bed. She felt all her strength just draining from her body, leaving behind a hollow chill inside.

"Kyra, it's progress. It's a glimmer of hope when before there was none," Nyles said, his voice soft.

She nodded; her brow was furrowed trouble brewing in her eyes.

"But it also means I should be here all the time in case he wakes up and needs me. What if he wakes and I am not here? What kind of daughter leaves their comatose father alone?" she asked.

"The kind of daughter whom that father has entrusted to run his life's work. Kyra you may not have inherited power the way he had planned, but he put his faith in you, and he would completely understand if you were out tending to the duties of Scíath. I have no doubt that he is proud of you," Nyles said, trying to reassure her even though he fully understood her point.

A soft knock at the door informed them that the tea and coffee had arrived. Kyra drank deeply, allowing the liquid to warm her.

"Remind me what we have to do today?" she asked.

"You have left on your agenda, at the moment . . . order your ball costume, meet with Tinka about going through your father's library, and see if Moira has time for shopping. In order to consolidate tasks, you might was to do the ball costume and the shopping at the same time," he suggested.

She nodded, closing her eyes as she rocked.

"Pass me the phone. I'm going to see what I can accomplish while sitting here," she replied.

Nyles moved to hand her the phone and in the process knocked over a medical cart, the resounding clash and clatter of medical supplies brought Kyra quickly up out of her seat and the guards rushing in.

Nyles face flushed crimson at the ruckus he had caused.

"I'm so sorry everyone," was all he could say.

"No big deal," Kyra said with a reassuring smile as she helped him pick up the fallen things and placing them back on the righted cart.

Nyles kept his eyes down although he was sure he saw one of the guards smirk at his accident. However, he could not be sure, so he said nothing.

Kyra saw the embarrassment in Nyles expression and it hurt her to know how hard it was for him to function alongside her.

Grabbing the phone, she settled back into the chair. She started to dial, but then paused.

"Um, Nyles do you know what Tinka's extension is?" she asked, knowing she would eventually have to memorize all the department numbers.

"It's five three zero four," he replied.

Her smile was grateful as she dialed. After a few minutes, Tinka came to the phone.

"Tinka, its Kyra. I need your help with a rather delicate and extensive project. Also, I wanted to let you know before the meeting that I have decided to grant your request for redirection of your department," she said, pausing for reply.

Nyles wished he could hear both ends of the conversation; however, he didn't think it likely that Tinka would turn her down.

"Excellent, Leland seems to think that information about my father's race may be hidden somewhere in his library. It may be knowledge that might make it possible to help him. Given what other sensitive information might be kept there, I have agreed to do a search, yet with the sheer amount of books present, I'm going to need help. Nyles and I have decided that we would like you to be our third person," Kyra explained.

After a few moments of listening, Kyra's face lit up in a smile. Nyles knew she had agreed.

"Wonderful! If you would like to head over for dinner around seven, I foresee this as an evening project given the other scheduling demands of our job."

"See you then," she finished, hanging up the phone.

"If only everyone was as agreeable and easy to get along with as Tinka," she commented, pulling out her list to scratch an item off.

Nyles nodded and then said "Moira is five one five one."

She laughed.

"If I didn't know better I'd think you were psychic."

Picking up the phone, she dialed, this time waiting much longer for her to make it to the phone. Covering the mouthpiece, she said softly to Nyles "She must have been way back in the vault."

Nyles nodded, knowing for himself the extent of the vault and knowing she could be miles away from the office.

"Moira, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to talk to me, I need a major favor. I have been informed that I need a costume for the Halloween Ball and some new clothing more appropriate to my new position, and since I haven't been shopping in over three years, I need some help. I was hoping you would go with me today instead of later like I mentioned in the memo," Kyra said quickly.

Nyles watched the anticipation in her face. It was hard for Kyra to admit she needed help even on something as simple as shopping.

Kyra let go a whoosh of air and smiled.

"Moira you are a life saver. Please meet me in the study for lunch and then we will head out on this adventure," she replied.

"See you soon," she said hanging up.

Pulling out the list, she scratched two items off it.

"See . . . progress and I'm still where I need to be," she said, glancing at her father who looked to be peacefully sleeping.

"Excellent, and while you ladies are shopping, I'll check in with Anna to make sure the rest of the meeting went ok, get dinner set up for tonight, and I've got a few last things to finish up on the centaur census," he said, hoping she would not sense the lie at the end.

She nodded.

"Today is well planned, I forbid anything else to happen," she said

"Unless it's more good things with father," she added quickly.

"Agreed!" Nyles replied.

The next two hours were spent in quiet conversation. As they walked together towards the decontamination unit, she paused and hugged Nyles tightly.

"What was that for?" he asked with a smile.

"Just cause," she replied, heading into the chamber.

Looking down at her sweet smile, he knew that it would be worth soothing the hurt feelings over his disappearance if he could be with her.

Chapter Six

Nyles, Kyra, and Moira arrived at the study mere moments before the lunch cart arrived.

"Now that's what I call timing. What is that marvelous smell?" Moira asked, inhaling deeply.

"I have no idea, but let's not wait to find out," Kyra said as an audible rumble came from her stomach.

The three of them settled in and began removing the silver lids. One plate contained overstuffed club sandwiches. However, the amazing smell turned out to be potato soup, of which each person had seconds.

Lunch conversation was easy, and Kyra felt a good connection forming with Moira. She was learning more about herself as she was forced to interact with others. Perhaps her solitary nature could be amended a bit.

As they had followed the cart in, so they followed it out. The two women heading off towards the clothing shop while Nyles followed his own agenda.

As they entered the leisure wing, Kyra's good mood and idle chat came to a halt as they passed the doors for the Garden of Peace which were still adorned by security guards.

They passed in silence. When they were out of earshot, Moira leaned in and whispered.

"So, I can assume the rumor that is being passed around the Treoraí about the unfortunate incident yesterday morning is true?" she asked.

Kyra took a deep breath. She absolutely despised gossip and rumors but knowing that Moira was not the type to participate in sensationalism, she decided it would not hurt to fill her in and perhaps get her perspective on things.

Kyra led them to a bench across the hall from the clothing shop.

"What have you heard?" she asked.

"Well I was told that a woman's body had been found in the Garden of Peace and that her death was ruled a murder," Moira said, keeping her voice low despite the fact that the hall was almost completely empty.

Kyra nodded.

"She was a Gilly clerk from Jason's department. Leland confirmed that she was garroted, and it appears she had been held captive for at least a month with sedatives," Kyra explained.

Moira's eyebrows rose.

"I never thought I would see the day that a threat would come to our halls," she said, shaking her head.

"I do not envy your position of having to deal with this. However, to be honest I think you are more suited for this than your father. He had a hard time believing that people were capable of such things, no matter how many times he witnessed the world's cruelty," she continued.

This time it was Kyra's turn to look surprised. As she thought about it, Moira was right. Her business was violence, the hunt. She made a mental note to take a larger role in this investigation. She wanted to be able to assure the people under her care that they were once again safe.

"Enough of all that, what have you decided to be for the Ball?" she asked

"Well, I don't know. I've never attended one of these things," Kyra replied, thankful for the change in subject.

"Do you have an escort?" she asked.

"Yes. Nyles has asked me" Kyra said, liking that Moira hadn't assumed they were going together.

"And what is his costume?"

"He is going as the Phantom of the Opera," Kyra replied.

"That is an excellent idea," Moira exclaimed.

Kyra beamed.

"I helped him come up with it. Finding a costume for him seems to be much easier than for me," she replied.

"I'm going to guess we can rule out the Fae idea," Moira said.

Kyra nodded; it had never even occurred to her to go as her supernatural half. Nevertheless, she knew it was not a good idea.

"I can also assume an elaborate dress with makeup and or a wig is out," Moira said, thinking out loud.

"What about a Greek goddess? You could do Artemis, or Athena. Simple gown, let your hair fall loose, prop or two?" Moira asked.

Kyra nodded going over the Greek pantheon in her mind.

"I like the idea of Artemis the huntress. Let's go see what they can do for us," Kyra said, standing.

The two women entered the shop unaware of the eyes that were watching them intently from just down the hall in the spa lobby.

Three hours later the women exited the shop, both laden down with shopping bags. Kyra tucked the handful of order tickets down into the top of one of the bags.

"I cannot thank you enough. I would have been completely lost, who knew there were that many shades of black!" Kyra exclaimed, a carefree smile on her face.

"It was fun for me too! I like having you around," Moira replied as they breezed out of the leisure wing.

As the women walked down the hall, Kyra recalled the bit of business she wanted to ask Moira about.

"I do have a work-oriented question for you," she said.

"Shoot," said Moira, her bubbly mood not diminished by the change of situation.

"Yesterday, we had a theft in the mirror library. A warded cabinet was broken into. Unfortunately, it was not logged in Simon and we have absolutely no idea what was in it. I was hoping that you might have a hard copy of its registry in artifacts," Kyra explained

Moira's brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing.

"Nothing comes to mind right off, but I will swing by the mirror library and take a look at the case. Perhaps that will help me identify what might have been in it." she said as the two women came to a stop outside the study door.

"Thank you again for everything. Today being Wednesday, do you think we could get together Friday so you could help me go over the ceremony for the ball and all that? I simply have no idea what needs to be done and Nyles' explanation was along the lines of, well you hand something to somebody and say some stuff," Kyra said.

Moira laughed.

"Not overly helpful, yeah . . . there is a bit more to it than that and I would be more than happy to help you through it. If you want, Michauv and I can meet you and Nyles here before the ball and we can all head in together," she offered.

"Moira you are amazing. Book me in for Friday afternoon tea?" Kyra asked.

"Done!" and with that, Moira headed off in the direction of the mirror library.

Kyra placed her bag on the floor to pull out the old-fashioned iron key her father used to lock the study with on the rare occasion he felt it needed to be locked. She smiled as she gazed down at the elegant scrollwork adoring the key. _He certainly had an eye for beauty in all things_ , she thought as she slipped it silently into the lock, turning it. She was rewarded with the thunk of the old lock sliding open.

Reaching down, she picked up the bag when an unexpected voice caused her to drop it again.

"Need any help?" Shane asked.

Kyra looked up, completely flustered as she shoved the spilled clothing unceremoniously back into the bag.

"I've got it but please try not to sneak up on me," she said. Standing, she motioned him to follow her in a she made her way into the study. Dumping the bags on the love seat, she settled in her chair gesturing him to sit before she spoke.

"What can I do for you?" she asked.

Shane smiled, Kyra couldn't help but notice the way the blue in his eyes leapt out at her. Or how his shirt lay gently stretched over his defined form.

"I have a couple of developments I wanted to share with you, and I prefer face to face communication as opposed to memo's," he replied.

"As do I," Kyra nodded, pulling out the box of candy. She offered him a piece, which he happily accepted.

"I have such a sweet tooth," he said munching his chocolate.

"Ok, we know for a fact that Madeline was dead at eleven ten AM this morning. However, someone using her id logged into a terminal in the cyber lounge.

"What was accessed?" She asked.

"Oddly enough, the deceased's file and then they attempted a file to do with a recent expedition to a safe house. Her clearance was not the right level and she was locked out. It also raised the red flag to alert us that it had been attempted,"

"My house expedition?" she asked, her expression showing her surprise. She would never have guessed that this woman would have anything to do with the house project.

Shane flipped through his notes.

"Yes, it is the expedition you headed. Any idea why someone would be interested in the files from that operation?" he asked, pen poised to make notes.

Kyra glanced at his badge for the tell-tale square of color that would denote his security clearance. It was red, so he was high enough.

"Well I'm not sure exactly what part of the information they were after, however there were many sensitive subjects that came up from that adventure. I suggest you clear any plans you have between now and dinner— so the next two hours —and order up some tea and cakes," Kyra suggested.

Shane nodded. After a few minutes he was seated across from her again, pen in hand.

"I will simply start at the beginning; I will let you decide what you think they may have been looking for. First, we discovered that a warrior tribe of Fae live not too far off the grounds. Second, we discovered that there were a number of anomalies inside the house. The basement was full of Imp nests. However, on the first floor, the kitchen had remnants of rotten food, which were too fresh to have been there since the war. We also found lack of Imp damage and traps throughout the house. We found dorms and a laboratory, furthering the theory that a humanoid race was involved with the imps during the war. In that laboratory, we now believe a war beast was genetically engineered out of Imp and Fae Emus DNA. There are quite a few of them living in the forest around the house. Then you have the piles and piles of bodies, which we believe were used for ritualistic purposes. In an attempt to free the spirits of the house, Tinka opened a doorway in the veil giving the spirits a place to pass through easily. During this ritual the beast attacked my father and his consciousness was sucked out and we believe it to be trapped in the shadow lands," Kyra explained, amazed at how she could consolidate the major points of their mission into a few sentences.

Shane scribbled away for a few minutes after she finished her tale.

"Well, when you decide to blow the lid off major beliefs, you certainly go all out," he said.

"I can see a number of things anyone would want. I have no doubt that each of those points is backed with evidence and it could be of use for any number of reasons. There are conspiracy theorists who would love to have this ball to roll with, or it could be members of the race that were in league with the imps that would want to hide said information or see how close they were to being revealed.  Or this could be someone interested in the beast or in being able to clone it or simply to see how it was done. It could also be someone interested in the details of the Architect's accident for good purposes or foul," he said, rattling off ideas.

"I would think anyone who wanted details for good purposes would go to Leland and offer their reasons." Kyra rebutted.

"Point," he replied.

For a moment they were both silent. The air was heavy the implications of the words that had been spoken, pulling it down.

Kyra rubbed her eyes wearily. She had such a good time with Moira this afternoon. She had to fight the bitter feeling at the edge of her mind, which wanted to blame the Architect for laying such a heavy burden on her.

"I know this can't be easy, but I want you to know that everyone in your home department supports you," Shane said.

Surprise danced across Kyra's features.

"Thank you, I know I was never really a team player, but I respect you all," she replied.

"So, uh . . . you know the Halloween Ball is this weekend and uh, I was wondering if you were going. No . . . I know you're going. I was wondering if you had an escort already," Shane said, his fumbling differing from his usually suave manner.

She smiled, flattered.

"I do. Nyles has offered to take me, and did you know this is the first one I've ever been to? You would think growing up here I would have this Holiday thing down," she replied, noting the disappointment in his eyes.

"But if you would like I could save a dance for you," she said, surprised at her own flirtatious behavior.

"I would like that. If you think this is something, wait till you see the Winter Solstice ball. It makes Halloween look like a school dance," he replied, the twinkle returning to his eye.

"That kind of surprises me. I thought with the Supernatural theme of Halloween, it would be the most celebrated," she replied, her body relaxing.

"I can see that. However, because it is the only time that some get to go out into the Gilly world Scíath is sparsely populated on Halloween weekend," he explained.

"I have taken some time to look into the problem the morph poses for our security purposes" Shane said, swinging the conversation back around to business as a quick glance at the clock told him he had merely half an hour left of her time.

"Anything good?" She asked, easily excepting the shift of gears.

"Well, according to some of the nose wiggling spell chuckers here," he started before Kyra cut him off.

"The nose wiggling spell chuckers?" she asked

He smirked.

My own personal nickname for witches. Not one I use to their faces, mind you. I have no desire to end up as a frog," he said with a chuckle.

"Anyway, after checking with them there are a few magic spells that would prove useful in finding this morph. They are, however, impractical as we would have to either dust everyone in Scíath with an herb powder concoction or get them to drink a substance with the consistency of syrup. There are just too many people and I cannot imagine that being a popular activity. The glasses will not work because they to detect a magic spell, not someone's supernatural abilities," he said.

Kyra nodded.

"It would take us days to carry out and I could see that making everyone rather grumpy. Any other ideas?" she asked.

He frowned.

"Well, yes, but this one has not been popular. After the Imp war some suggested we use a bio scanner to commit everyone's biometric data into Simon. Some felt it was an invasion of privacy, especially some of the rarer species. Dr. Barker was a huge proponent of this as he felt it would widen the medical database and make caring for the people here more efficient. The idea was tossed around at meetings but as far as I know, it was never moved forward with. I have spoken with Galerius and he has three bio scanners in storage. If we put everyone through the scanner it would show the morph as they may have the appearance of the race they are imitating but it would be impossible for them to replicate their inner workings."

"I think that both of those reasons are very important to Scíath and think that the bio scans, while also time consuming, would be well worth it in the long run; even if we did not manage to catch the morph with them. I will bring it up at my first Treoraí meeting on Thursday."

"I think that we should scan Gilly relations first. If the dead woman came from that office, it is most likely that the person who was masquerading as her might still be around, possibly even impersonating someone else already," he suggested.

Kyra shook her head.

"I would really like to blame Jason for this, but I can't see him being stupid enough to hire a morph to put in his own department. He has access to every level of information that goes through there so what good would a spy in his own department do? Why choose someone with low security clearance and no information that he couldn't get on his own? As sleazy as he is, I'd be surprised if he was behind this. On the other hand, if he is a part of it he certainly isn't the brains of the operation," she said.

"I met him for the first time today and I have to say I don't have the disdain you have for him, but I can say I did not enjoy the interview. He smiles way too much," Shane replied.

"If I could find that he had actually done anything wrong I would have him booted from the Treoraí council so fast his over gelled hair wouldn't survive the whiplash. However, he keeps his nose publically clean and I can't just go removing department heads because they creep me out," she said, glancing at the clock, surprised to see that it was ten till six.

"Did you get anything useful out of the interview with him?"

"Not really. A lot of politically correct responses. I did, however, get the impression that the secretary at the front desk knows a lot more about running that department and the personnel than he does. I've set up a time to talk to her tomorrow. I do have a favor to ask. There was a member of your house team by the name of Soro; he is very good at reading energy signatures. I've been told that when people lie, their auras change, I was wondering if I could borrow him and just see if this is truth or myth," he asked, closing up his notebook and draining his tea.

"Huh, I never thought of using his talent like that, but sure go ahead. I'll send along the permission form to Anna, so she knows. She is heading the house project for me now. I am learning to delegate," she replied.

"Anna? Pretty, long dark hair, mocha skin?" he asked, his eyebrow raising.

"Yes, that sounds like her. I take it you know her?" Kyra replied

"Yeah, you could say that. I thought she was in Gilly relations?"

"Yes, she was the representative from their department on the house team. Given my other responsibilities and her passion for the project, I put her over it. Is that going to be an issue?" she asked.

"No. I . . . well, when she first joined, we kinda dated and it wasn't a messy ending or anything, just kind of awkward. In this place it's easy to avoid someone, so it's been a couple of months since I've seen her," he said, his fumbling returning.

Kyra nodded. She had no experience in such matters and it really was outside the realm of what she had time for.

"Well, I trust you both to be professionals," she said, dismissing the issue.

A knock on the door caused them both to jump. Kyra closed her eyes a moment, allowing her senses to pick up Nyles' familiar presence.

"Come in Nyles," she called.

Shane nodded to her.

"Thanks for taking the time to go over this with me, I will have another update for you by Friday," he said, moving towards the door. He nodded to Nyles, ignoring the scrutinizing look he was getting.

Nyles closed the door behind him with a definitive thud.

"Any good news?" he asked, maneuvering himself to sit across from her.

"No," she replied with a deep sigh.

"Someone tried to use our victim's login to access files on the house mission this morning hours after her death," she continued.

"Any idea what they were after?" he asked.

"There are so many possibilities that it's really hard to narrow it down, especially since they were not granted access, due to insufficient security level," she answered.

"He also asked if he could use Soro as a lie detector," she said, placing the tea cup back on the cart.

"Soro? How?" he asked

"Well, there is a theory that people's auras change when they lie, and since Soro can read signatures and auras, he's hoping that he will be able to help him tell when people are lying. Since we really have no internal protocols to deal with this, because . . . well, we have never had to. So, I told him he could try it. I'll have to send a memo over to Anna, whom I found out he used to date," she said, unable to keep the little bit of gossip to herself.

"Oh, and he got to interview Jason today, and he's not a fan either," she added.

"I can't think of anyone I know who actually likes that man," Nyles said with disdain.

"Like I told Shane, if I could find anything he had actually done wrong I'd toss him, but he's good at keeping his nose clean," she repeated

"He's just so slimy nothing sticks," he replied, glancing at the clock.

"I expect Tinka and dinner at any moment," Nyles said.

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.

"It's Tinka," Kyra said.

"Come in," she called.

Tinka walked in and Kyra could barely contain her shock, it has been less than two weeks since the incident at the house. Yet Tinka looked to have dropped twenty pounds. Her face was gaunt, deep bruises under her eyes made it look like she had not slept in two weeks.

Kyra stood guiding her to the other armchair.

"Tinka you know that I'm blunt, and I'm not going to pull punches here, but you look absolutely terrible," Kyra said leaning in to keep holding her hand.

She gave a weak smile.

"I feel responsible for what happened to the Architect. If I had better control over the opening in the veil, I could have closed it before his mind got sucked in. I was so absorbed in helping my sister I let everyone else down." As she spoke, large tears rolled down her face.

Kyra stood rummaging around until she located the tissues. She was using the distraction to try to figure out how to handle this situation. There was so much emotional turmoil in those around her. She was completely out of her depth. Giving her a tissue, she took a deep breath.

"Tinka, you cannot blame yourself for what happened. The series of events that lead to the accident are on no one person. I do not want you to think for a moment that I blame you. However, I do need you at your best for this project. So, when dinner arrives I want you to eat and then head off to bed. We will start tomorrow night," Kyra said, looking to Nyles to see if she was doing the right thing.

"She's right, we were all there. We all took part in what happened. No good will come out of you blaming yourself. Your department needs you, we need you, and the Treoraí council needs you," Nyles affirmed.

Tinka let out a deep sigh, a weight seeming to lift from her shoulders. Dinner arrived and everyone sat down to eat.

"I've calculated there are at least three hundred books on the shelves here. I would hazard to guess that most of them are hand written. I have no idea how many are in English, so translations may be in order. As for a plan of attack, I'm going to suggest we start at one end of the room and start pulling them down and looking. I think we should make a catalogue as we go, just in case we need to find other information in the future," Kyra said as she finished off her supper.

"I agree, but I think we should start tonight. Perhaps I will sleep a bit better knowing that I'm working towards a possible cure," Tinka said.

Nyles nodded.

"We can work till nine or so, then I think an early night would do all of us a bit of good," he said.

"Well then let me grab our supplies," Kyra said, standing.

She moved over to the desk, pulling out three legal pads and black pens and round white stickers.

"Each of us will make a list, using our initial and the number starting at one. We will record the name of the book, language, and summary. When we finish we will combine the list and create a master. I have no doubt that father knows each and every book in here, so when he wakes he can add to the list. I'm not going to put it into Simon. He kept these books in his personal space for a reason," she explained as she handed out the supplies.

Looking around, she headed for the book case closest to the desk.

"On second thought let's each take a book case and do it from top to bottom. Some of these may be sequels and we want them to stay together," she added

Grabbing a stool, she balanced on it, grabbing the very first book on the top shelf, and sitting down with it, the work began.

The study was quiet, the only sound the ruffling of pages. Several hours passed, Kyra managed to log ten books by the time the clock struck nine.

"Alright let's wrap it up. Anybody got anything interesting to report?" Kyra asked, stretching as she stood.

"Well I've found lots of very interesting things, histories of extinct Amazonian tribes of warrior women, his personal take on the migration of dwarves across the world, and his favorite sea shanties," Tinka replied, mirroring Kyra's stretch.

"I've found his favorite onion recipes and several books with various floor plans and set-ups for Scíath. I believe them to be early journals from when this place was still being built," Nyles said.

"I bet Gus knows every one of those recipes," Kyra said with a smile.

"I've found two books on flower and shrub identification, a book on herbalism, and a book on what bugs do or don't taste good when covered in chocolate," she said, making a face.

Tinka made a similar face while Nyles shook his head.

"The things other people find interesting astounds me," Nyles said.

They put the books back in their places and placed their notes in the desk drawer, which Kyra then locked.

"I'm not as trusting as he is," she said to explain her actions.

"I want to thank you both for absolutely everything you have done and will continue to do. Tomorrow evening is my first Treoraí meeting. I'm going to climb into a bubble bath and head to bed; I want to be well rested." she explained, hoping they did not take it as a dismissal, but she really was very tired.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I think I will do the same," Tinka replied. She still looked weary, but her eyes were once again bright.

"I'm going to head over to the meeting hall, just make sure everything is in order and check with Gus about the refreshments," Nyles said, nodding his head to both ladies.

"Good Night," he said

"I'll see you for breakfast?" Kyra asked, hoping she did not seem as uncertain as she felt. She was getting very used to having him around all the time.

"Yup, I'll order it up when I see Gus, any requests?" he asked, pausing at the door.

"Omelet of some kind sounds good, thank you," she said, heading towards the door to what she still considered to be her father's room.

He nodded again and they all went their separate ways.

True to their words, Kyra and Tinka enjoyed warm relaxing bubble baths as Nyles roamed the dark hallways.

****

He did the things he had told them he was going to do, yet he found his mind far from sleep. He wanted very much to let Kyra in on his plan, to tell her how much he loved her and explain that he had to leave but, in the end, it would be better. However, he knew Anaraba's conditions; it had to be a secret mission because of how sacred this ritual was to her people and due to the possibility of failure. He had no idea why she had chosen to help him, or how she had even known how deeply he loved Kyra.

His mind heavy, his feet carried him up one corridor and down another, indifferent to his location. Suddenly his deep thinking was interrupted by the sound of raised voices. Looking around he realized he was in the luxury wing. The voices seemed to be coming from behind the doors of the spa. Glancing towards the security guards standing watch at the door of the Peace Garden, they seemed not to hear it.

Nyles stepped closer; trying to make out the voices, whatever was being discussed it was extremely heated. After a moment or two listening he could make out that one speaker was a woman and one was a man. The woman sounded older, whereas the man just sounded angry.

The glass doors and then wooden door were making it impossible to make out words. He thought about stepping inside the glass doors to see if it would make it easier to make out what they were saying, but he had no good excuse for being in the room other than eavesdropping. Slipping into the bookstore across the way, he kept an eye on the door. If he couldn't tell what they were talking about he could at least know who was involved in the argument. Several minutes passed and the tones died down. Nyles was ready to give up when Jason burst through the door like a bolt of lightning making his way out of the spa. His face was flushed as a vein pulsed on his temple. Nyles did not think he had ever seen him so angry, he was not even this livid the day the two of them had gotten into it.

Waiting a few minutes, Nyles stepped into the spa curious if he could find out what or who had upset him so. After an almost ten-minute wait, the older Asian woman who did the massages came out. It was clear to Nyles she had been crying but there was no way he could think of to broach the subject without looking like he was prying.

"Can I help you?" she asked. Her voice was calm and clear.

"Yes, I wanted to know if I could make a salon appointment for Kyra, on the Saturday of the ball, to get her hair done" As the words tumbled out of this mouth, he was impressed that the lie had come so seamlessly.

She nodded, looking at the appointment book.

"We are usually full up this close to the ball, but for her I will find a spot. Tell her five PM," she replied, writing her name in the book.

"I will, and thank you so much for squeezing her in," Nyles said, genuinely glad his lie had worked so well. He could guarantee Kyra had not even considered getting her hair done and now she would not have to worry about it.

Making his way back towards his room, he smiled to himself as he settled in. This would be the first time in a long time he was really looking forward to a social function. He closed his eyes and fell almost instantly into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Seven

Kyra's first instinct when her alarm went off at six AM was to smash it. Even though she had gotten to sleep on time, she still felt drained.

However, instead of mangling it, she smacked it sharply and rolled over, giving herself permission to go back to sleep. It seemed for once her body was going to obey as her limbs became heavy, her eyes closing.

Then came a knocking at the door. Her eyes flew open, her entire body tense. She listened again, unsure if she had heard it or dreamed it. No, there it was again. A light knocking, at the bedroom door, not the study. She shot up grabbing her father's robe. She tied it hastily around her, yanking the door open to find Shane standing there.

As he took her in a smirk crept to his face as he noted her bed head and aggravated expression.

"I'm going to take it I woke you," he said.

"Whatever would give you the impression that I would still be asleep at six AM?" she said, her tone irritable.

He glanced at his watch, his expression apologetic.

"I completely forgot to check the time. I had some important updates so I just kinda rushed over. Forgive me?" he replied with a charming grin.

She sighed and ran a hand through her wild hair.

"On one condition, go through to the study, order up tea, and give me ten minutes to compose myself," she said and without waiting for an answer, she made her way into the bathroom.

He nodded and did as he was told. After ordering her tea, he selected a comfortable chair and settled in, listening as he heard the shower start. Five minutes later, a knock on the door. Impressed with the speed of the tea, he rose to answer it. Opening it he found a very unimpressed looking centaur in the hall.

Nyles took a deep breath, doing everything in his power to contain the jealous rage that was bubbling up in him.

"Oh Morning," Shane said, nonchalantly sensing his rage and hoping he didn't have to take this to a physical level.

At that moment, Kyra exited the bedroom in her normal attire, her hair wrapped in a towel.

She quickly took in the situation, realizing how it must have looked to Nyles to have Shane open the door this early in the morning.

"Nyles please come in. It seems your alarm clock duties were borrowed this morning by Shane who came to tell me about a break in the murder case. I told him that the next time he knocks on my door at six AM without a tea in his hand he may not survive the encounter," she said, hoping the humor would ease the palpable tension.

Nyles snorted, choosing to allow the moment to pass.

"Best be careful, she is dangerous this early without caffeine," Nyles replied, entering the study.

Shane did not fail to note the emphasis placed on the words "best be careful." He would have to do a little behind the scenes work on the connection between Kyra and Nyles. He was now curious.

"I'm going to order breakfast; can I get you something Shane?" Nyles asked. His tone was polite but cold.

"Sure thing, just give them my name, Gus knows," he replied, not feeling the need to explain that during different points of the month he had to have a strict meat diet.

"I swear Gus has a better memory than Simon," Kyra said.

"Rumor has it he has his own filing system in the kitchen. I'd be curious to see it," Nyles commented, making his way to the phone.

Kyra settled into her chair with Shane settling across from her. They both listened quietly as Nyles ordered breakfast, Kyra's stomach giving an audible growl as he ordered her favorite omelet.

Shane smiled, she really was still quite attractive even with a towel around her hair and before she had a caffeinated beverage.

Nyles came over, settling into his spot to the right of Kyra's chair.

"Gus says twenty minutes or so," he said Picking her notebook up off the table he handed it to her.

"Alright, what do you have for me," Kyra said, turning to the section of the notebook pertaining to the murder investigation.

"I wish I could say I had more clues about the murder itself, however I did uncover some very interesting things during the background search."

He looked up from his notes to make sure he had their full attention as he had been waiting to share this with them. Satisfied that they were anticipating his words, he continued.

"The morph, while impersonating Madeline, was very busy. They contacted our liaison at the Vatican and requested all the historical documents on the tomb of St. Peter. They also put in a travel request to Rome for the summer solstice," he finished.

Nyles looked completely puzzled and Kyra was not far behind. Shane looked slightly disappointed that they did not seem as shocked as he had hoped they would be.

"Other than being way outside the duties or interests of a Gilly title clerk, what on earth is so important about St Peter's tomb and a pagan holiday that would cause the morph to risk being found out by the Architect?" Kyra asked, her pen poised to make a note should some brilliant explanation strike her.

"To be honest I was hoping it was some big revelation, that you were going to say, 'Aha now it all makes sense!' But I can see from the looks on your faces that you have no idea," Shane said, gently tapping his own pen against his knee.

"Well, moving on from that then . . . I reviewed the footage from the hall outside the mirror library, and it seems our dead woman was quite busy even after she found herself on Dr. Barker's table. The morph assumed that she was still safe in Madeline's guise and headed into the library. When she comes out she has a bulge under her jacket, but from the angle, it is impossible to tell what exactly she is smuggling out. I've checked with Tinka and she and Moira are going to look through the hand-written records, but as you both know, those are extensive, and our answer may not be soon forthcoming from that source," he continued.

"I'm headed over to talk to Soro after this I'm going to have him visit the cabinet with me and see if he can pick up any latent signatures. I know it's a long shot, but I am grasping at straws at this point. The person we are dealing with is a professional, at more than just being a morph," Shane added.

I will send the memo over for you so that you can borrow him. I hope that his powers can help you."

Kyra inhaled deeply and smiled.

"Breakfast," she announced. A second later, a knock at the door confirmed her proclamation.

The three of them ate, chatting about this and that, both men trying to avoid pointing out that Kyra had glanced at the clock at least fifteen times in the half an hour they sat eating.

Nyles knew she was nervous about the Treoraí meeting tonight as well as wanting to get some quality time in with her father.

Pushing back from the table, she gave the clock another quick glance.

"Alright guys I'm going to go tame my hair, I'll be back shortly," she said, and without a backward glance, she walked away. She was wary to leave them alone, but she did not want them to know that.

Shane and Nyles both watched her go until the door closed. Then they glanced back at each other. The silence was palpable.

Shane took a deep breath and spoke, keeping his tone light.

"I'm not sure how she does it," he said.

"No kidding, I don't think I could even fathom running an entire department much less the entire place" Nyles replied, mirroring Shane's tone.

"Now I want your honest opinion. You are around her more and know her well. Do you think she would be offended if I suggested extra security for her?" Shane asked, lowering his voice.

Nyles grimaced.

"With with the current going on's, I can see that as a perfectly valid and rather good idea. I think she would completely balk at the concept of needing protection. We would get a lecture on how she has brought down more red-listed criminals solo than any other agent, how she is the youngest agent in security with her clearances, and so on, how her Father never needed extra security and it makes her look weak," Nyles said.

"Yeah that's kind of what I figured," Shane replied with a deep sigh.

"I'm just concerned that whoever is behind this scheme, whatever it is, has already stooped to murder; and while she is very powerful and has an amazing resume, she may not seem as formidable as the Architect to some," he added.

Nyles nodded, he had always worried about her out in the field alone, but it was odd to him to have to worry about her safety at home.

Shane's pager gave out a shrill buzz which cause him to grab it and crush the button down.

"I really wish they could switch this thing to an ultrasonic frequency," he muttered as he looked at the message.

Nyles nodded in agreement, the comment confirming for him Kyra's assumption of his race.

"Please let her know I'll be in touch this afternoon. Moira wants to meet me in the mirror library," Shane said as he headed out, not waiting for a reply from Nyles.

Less than a minute later Kyra came out. She was confused for a moment to only see Nyles, but as his mood seemed calm, she assumed there had not been an argument. Nyles stared at her a smile on his lips.

"What?" she asked, knowing very well he was approving of her floor length black skirt and crimson silk shell top.

"Oh, I was just noticing you clean up half decent," he replied with a smirk.

She stuck her tongue out and smiled.

"Shane said to let you know he would check in with you this evening. He got a page from Moira to meet him in the mirror library to look at the case."

"Excellent, although someone needs to teach him that unless the world is coming to an end, six AM is just not the time to be waking someone up."

"Anyway, Moira and her man, whose name escapes me at the moment, are going to meet us here Saturday before the ball and head in with us. As well as her coming over Friday for tea to fill me in on the ball ritual," she continued.

She momentarily thought about telling him about Shane asking her to the ball but decided that was not a good idea.

"Let's go visit father after I send out a few brief memos. Then I would like to work on the library cataloguing till it's time for the meeting," she suggested.

Nyles nodded.

"Have you ever been to a Treoraí meeting?" he asked as she seated herself at the computer terminal.

She shook her head.

"Not really, I was called into one to give a report on a couple of red listers I had caught, but I was only in it for about fifteen minutes. You?"

"I have," he replied, his expression serious

"Once when Di was ill she asked me to go and take notes. It can be a very intense experience, so I'm going to suggest that you take a minute to talk to Di beforehand and you will be expected to close the circle after you enter last and the wards have been set and . . ."

She held up her hand to stop him.

"You mean this is not a Danish and bottled water type meeting?" she asked, looking aggravated.

"No. What did you order from Gus?"

"I simply told him we were having a Treoraí meeting when and where," she replied, pressing her fingers into her forehead hoping to stem the headache that was building behind her eyes. Why must everything be so difficult?

"Don't worry about that then, Gus will handle that part. Let's head over to Di's office, it's Thursday which means she's in going over reports and she can fill you in on the meeting decorum," he replied, noting the crestfallen expression on her face.

"It won't take long, and we will spend the whole afternoon with your father" he said, watching her eyes light up.

"This is a good plan. The books can wait till this weekend, perhaps before the ball," she said and Nyles clapped his hands together startling her.

"Thank you for reminding me! So, in a roundabout way I made you a hair appointment," he said

She raised a brow.

As they started towards Di's office, he explained to her what he had seen, and his spur of the moment lie.

"I wonder what Jason was doing harassing that poor little old lady. You're right, I never even thought about getting my hair done," she said, self-consciously running her hand over her simple French braid.

"I will say I've never seen Jason so angry. I think I'm going to take it on myself to do a little checking into her and find out what the connection might be. If you don't mind," he said, pausing as they reached the badge scanner for the Anthropology department.

"It can't hurt. He bears keeping an eye on," she agreed as the scanner beeped their approval to enter.

Unlike the last time Kyra had visited, there were people bustling around the department, books being read and carried, the rhythmic clacking of keys at terminals, and muted conversations. Several people nodded to her, but many more waved to Nyles. He was liked here.

She followed his lead as he led her through the maze of books to what struck her as a smaller version of her father's study. Comfortable chairs adored the room while a small pot belly stove cheerfully heated the space, making it feel cozy.

Kyra knocked gently on the door. Di looked up from a large bound report she was reading and smiled, waving the pair entry. Kyra came in, choosing a large black wing back chair, whose cushion she sank into. Nyles, very accustomed to the lack of space did as he always did and sat half in and half out of the room, his body blocking the door.

"I swear I'm going to have Lev knock out a wall, so you can get in here Nyles," she said with a smile.

Nyles smiled back. Kyra could tell this was a conversation that had occurred many times.

"I know you're busy, but if we could borrow a few minutes of your time, I need your help," Kyra said, getting straight to the point.

"Of course, dear. What can I do for you?"

"Nyles informs me there is some ritual and pomp to tonight's meeting, I have no idea what is to go on and what is expected of me. I would prefer not to look like a fool," she explained.

Di nodded.

"Very wise of you Nyles. I must apologize, it never even crossed my mind that you would not know the procedures and I'm so glad that you came to me beforehand. I will be happy to explain the entire process to you," she said, placing the report back on her desk.

Kyra pulled out her notebook and for the next hour Di went over, in detail, every step for the meeting from beginning to end. Kyra took furious notes, as did Nyles, just to make sure nothing was lost.

As Di finished, Kyra sat back with a small sigh.

"Di, you're a life saver. I'm going to go see my father. I will make sure tonight goes off without a hitch," Kyra said, standing.

"Speaking of that, I got a message from Leland asking me to consult on your father's history and condition. So, if you don't mind, I'll head over with you and meet with him," she said, standing as well.

Shortly, the three of them headed out to Medical. The conversation was light as in public halls you never knew who could have ears on you. After the sterilizing chamber, they headed their separate ways, Kyra once again thanking Di for all the info. As soon as she was out of earshot, she turned to Nyles.

"Do you realize how much Jason would have loved for me to mess up tonight? Your insight saved me once again Nyles, thank you," she said with a soft squeeze of his hand.

Their touch lingered a moment before a crowd of doctors coming down the hall caused them to separate.

After getting a report from the doctor on call, which sadly was without incident, she settled in the now familiar rocking chair to go over the notes for later that night. Nyles settled in, glancing over the Architect.

He never wanted her to be burdened with it, but his heart also broke looking at the man who had saved his life. The man who had always treated him as family, who had defended his right to exist within these walls. Also, the only man who loved Kyra as much as he did. There is nothing he would not do to see him back up and about again. Sadly, he was completely inept in the ways of magic. He knew that once he became a man, all his supernatural qualities would be gone. Yet, he knew the architect would understand his reasons.

"I wonder what the reasoning behind some of the traditions are," Kyra mused aloud, pulling Nyles from his thoughts.

"I get the wards of protection and the noise blocking, but the passing of the chocolates? I think this was completely a result of my father's sweet tooth and his love of sharing goodies."

Nyles nodded

"It is, however, a good idea," Nyles said with a chuckle.

"I will also point out that I'm glad I'm not a witch, the work that they put into each and every meeting is extensive. I think this is why they only have quarterly meetings usually. I know for a fact that Moira has three of them working on the wards and has since the memo went out. I feel bad for the rush; however, I think they will all understand the need," she mused, her eyes closing as she rocked back and forth.

"Oh, absolutely. I admit some are probably more understanding than others," Nyles replied.

Kyra snorted slightly.

"Oh, I'm sure Jason is just in a tizzy because we interrupted his tanning bed schedule or something."

She rocked in time with her father's breath, the quiet steady hum of the machine lulling her into peace.

Nyles watched her intently, his heart overflowing with love. Yes, she was beautiful, her Fae features petite, her skin so pale it could easily be mistaken for porcelain, and behind those closed lids, the indigo eyes he knew so well. She looked so wispy, as if a strong wind could blow her away, but he knew better. He knew she was one of the most tenacious women on the planet.

They sat in silence, both thinking heavy thoughts, yet the silence was unburdened. The room was peaceful, and Kyra found herself wishing she could remain here with her father, forgetting that an entire underground city and its hundreds on inhabitants relied on her. She felt sleep tugging at the corners of her mind and did not object to allowing it to creep over her.

Nevertheless, as with all her recent escapes into peace, this one was not to be. A soft knock at the door caused her eyes to fly open. Nyles watched as she instinctively reached for her weapon in a holster that was not present.

"Come in," she called softly, trying to hide the aggravation from her tone.

Both of them were surprised to see Shane stick his head in the door. His expression was incredibly apologetic.

"I am so very sorry to disturb you here, however paging you would have been pointless as I need you to come two rooms down. We have an injured young Fae and she is asking for you.

Kyra leapt to her feet. It had to be Milyna as she was the only Fae in Scíath.

"What happened?" she asked as she pushed past him.

"It appears at this early point as if she was poisoned," he said, trying to keep up with her.

"Poisoned?" she cried incredulously at a volume that caused all the staff to turn and look at her.

Shane nodded.

Kyra burst into the room. Leland was standing over the bed. She moved quickly to her side and had to fight the urge to recoil. Her skin was a dark green, her wings looked brittle, as if they were touched too hard, they would shatter. Her eyes were slits, her breathing rapid.

Taking a deep breath, she took her hand.

"Milyna, it's me, I'm here," she said softly as she squeezed the girl's hand.

"Kyra, thank you, I didn't want to disturb you, but . . ." she said. It was obviously painful for her to speak, her voice thin and strained.

"Shh, no worries at all. You just close your eyes and rest. You are in the best possible hands here."

Waiting until her breath slowed slightly, she moved to the foot of the bed to allow the doctors in to work on her.

"Leland?"

"I have no idea what could have caused such a reaction. Again, I am dealing with a species that I have little information about. However, given her symptoms and the fact that she got sick in the dining hall, I can assume it is a poison of some kind. I am going to give her a nectar IV and monitor for now. While miserable, her breathing seems to be stabilizing so I am hoping whatever it was, is not fatal," he paused, shaking his head sadly.

"Things are going to hell; someone is trying very hard to make you look bad," he finished.

Kyra opened her mouth to say something, but there was nothing she could say to refute his words and she did not wish to confirm them aloud.

"I'm going to speak with my investigator, please keep me apprised of her condition," she said

"I certain—" Leland started to a reply when a shout of his name from outside the door sent him scrambling.

"Doc, we've got another one, same symptoms as the girl," a young porter yelled to him.

"Put him in room four," Leland shouted back as he followed the gurney in.

Kyra hung back but managed to get a glimpse of the unfortunate on the stretcher. It was Milyna's beau.

"Shane, call Gus. I need the kitchen shut down. Call Galerius and have him quarantine the mess hall. We have no idea if this was a mass attack yet or not. Kyra said, thinking on her feet as she headed towards the door.

Kyra turned to Nyles.

"Should we flip the alarm, lock down the compound . . . again?" She asked, not slowing her pace.

"Let's get there and see if there are any more cases. We don't want to cause a panic," Shane replied.

Kyra paused and turned to see that he had joined them as they made their way out. As soon as they stepped outside of Medical, Shane was on the radio doing the things she had requested of him. Nyles scowled at him but said nothing.

"I have to say I agree with the flatfoot. I'm not sure if we want the stigma from another lockdown," Nyles said.

Kyra stopped and looked at them both.

"Panic I agree with as a reason, but a political agenda never comes before the safety of the people here." she said an edge to her voice.

Turning on her heel, she picked up the pace heading for the dining hall. Shane smirked and Nyles was hurt. He pulled his pace back just a bit. He knew she was not angry with him, but it hurt to have his idea thrown back in his face.

As they neared the dining hall they witnessed a mass of security agents swarming down the hall just in front of them. People stared, some looked confused, others frightened. Kyra tried to look reassuring, but everything was falling down around her. As they reached the dining hall, she heard commotion as people were forced back inside and portable plastic shields set up to cordon it off from the rest of the compound. They made their way inside the shields, finding themselves in front of an upset crowd.

"Nyles hold me up please," she said.

Nyles looked at her a moment, then swept her up in his arms and seated her on his shoulders. From a far, they looked oddly like a two-headed centaur.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please quiet down and listen to me," she said.

The hustle and bustle did not dim even a notch. Then a shrill whistle cut through the din, calling everyone's attention up front.

Kyra looked down and smiled appreciatively at Shane who nodded in return.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please find a seat and I will explain to you what is going on," she said, waiting for everyone to do so.

"I want to tell you that, first of all, you are all perfectly safe. We believe that some contaminated food may have made its way into the meals served and we want to make sure that everyone who has eaten in the last hour is checked over by Medical to make sure that you are all healthy." she explained. She knew she was half lying, but panic was best to be avoided.

"So please, just sit tight and someone from Medical will be around to check with each of you," she said, gesturing to Nyles to lower her down.

The three of them made their way towards the kitchen where, before they even pushed through the swinging silver door, she could hear the distressed voice of Gus.

"I have never so much as had a case of indigestion since I started working here. Now two people are lying in Medical because of something that came out of my kitchen. It's unbelievable," he said, his voice shaky.

"Gus, it's ok," she said, walking over and placing her hand on his arm.

"What I need to know is what Milyna and her boyfriend ate."

He paused thinking.

"He had coffee and she steeped tea. I recall her teasing him about putting enough sugar in his coffee for it to be nectar. They got no food, just drinks," he said.

"Are they going to be ok?" he asked.

"It looks as though they will be," she replied. Although, she was not all together sure about that herself.

"Shane, bag everything from the creamer bar. Get it to Leland for testing," she said as she headed back out into the main room.

One of the doctors came up to her.

"No one else appears to be sick, Madam Director," he said.

She nodded before turning to Nyles as to hide her conversation from the room at large.

"If it had been a widespread attack, more people would be sick. We just have to figure out how and why these two were targeted. Can we have one day without a disaster of some kind?"

Nyles had to fight the urge to place his arms around her to comfort her. Instead, he simply nodded and said.

"I think we should find their cups. A lot of people bring personalized mugs in. It was a move to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on waste."

"Your brilliant, lift me up again."

"If I could get your attention one more time folks. I need to speak with the people who were with or near the ill pair please."

She waited a moment, hoping someone would come forward. To her surprise, the crowd parted, and a large form came lumbering through the crowd. Kyra was more than a little shocked to see the face of the man who had been the victim of her first uncontrolled outburst. He looked no worse for wear, but he was obviously skittish to confront her. Nyles feeling the tension stepped forward.

"Did you see what happened?" he asked.

He nodded.

"What is your name?" Shane asked.

"Gobon."

"Ok Gobon, can you please tell me in as much detail as you recall what occurred," Shane asked, pulling out his notebook.

"Breakfast with Seth. Fae . . . they get tea. We head to oversize section sipping tea. She dizzy, fell, I yell, someone bring medics, he fall next, both leave." he said, trying hard to be as descriptive as his grasp on language would allow.

"Were they drinking out of their own mugs or Styrofoam?"

"Own. Seth wiz kid we joke about. Fae ruby slippers from movie she says," he replied.

"Where are the cups now?" Kyra asked, trying to keep her tone soft.

He shrugged.

"Thank you Gobon, you have been incredibly helpful," Shane said, making his way towards the oversized section. The other two followed him.

It was easy to see where they had fallen as there was medical garbage strewn around the spot. Kyra and Shane started searching the ground for the fallen mugs while Nyles went to ask the medical personnel if they had picked them up.

After an extensive search, the met off to the side.

"I can find nothing," Kyra said

"That's not coincidence. Whomever did this did not want us to be able to find any evidence. Which means we should see them leaving on the security footage shortly after the pair fell ill." Shane replied.

"Go and secure that footage and meet me back in the study," she replied, motioning for Nyles to lift her up again.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time and understanding. You are now free to return to your day. However, if you feel ill at any time, please report directly to Medical. Thank you," she said, using her best authoritative tone.

She watched as they filed out in a hurry, the dining hall becoming completely empty in a matter of minutes.

"I don't think I've ever seen this place completely empty," Nyles commented, mirroring her own thoughts.

"Let's head back to the study, I need a few minutes to think and get updated on things."

They headed back towards the study. Kyra kept her eyes cast down as she could not fake any polite smiles today. The door closed with a jolt behind her and she drew in a deep breath.

"Why did none of this ever happen to my father? tears built in her eyes.

Nyles put his arms around her and let her lay her head on his chest; he felt the wet from her tears and stroked her hair gently.

"Your father dealt with internal issues on occasion, you did not see them as you were not here much. However, I think that this would have occurred anyway, whomever the villain is. I think this was planned and they were just fortuitous enough to have a leadership change occur," he said, hoping to reassure her.

She said nothing, but he felt her sobs stop. However, she made no move to separate from him. He was content to hold her; he was dying to tell her of his plans, to tell her he loved her, to ask her to be his wife. Yet he just held her knowing that was what she needed right at that moment.

A knock at the door caused them to pull apart, she dashed for the tissues as to try to hide the evidence of her emotional outburst. Nyles opened the door and see Shane with a DVD in his hand. Logically he knew he had every right to be there, but he still felt anger at his intrusion.

"I got the footage and you're not going to believe your eyes," he said, looking around for a way to play it.

She pulled up the player and the TV, curious to see what he had and hoping her tears were not apparent. She smiled thankfully to Nyles; there would never be the right words to express to him how wonderful he was to her.

They all sat with rapt attention towards the screen, watching the footage of people walking in and out of the dining hall.

"Hey, when did we switch to color cameras?" Kyra asked no one in particular.

"They just started switching them out. Only a few of them have been changed over and this was one of the first. Given the colorful population we have here, Galerius thought it would be beneficial to be able to see that." Shane explained, using the remote to find the section he was looking for.

"There you see the Medical team rushing in. Now look right here in the corner and who do you see exiting, clutching two mugs and in a major hurry." Shane said

Kyra and Nyles' mouths both fell open as they watched the woman rushing out of the dining hall bumping into people as she fought to make her escape.

They looked at each other, the last time they had seen that face, it had been in the morgue on a slab.

"It's the morph," Nyles said, as the shock wore off.

"Whoever it is, they have a lot of balls impersonating a dead woman," Kyra mused, pausing the tape.

"They are counting on our keeping the murder quiet so that they can continue to impersonate her." she continued.

"Nyles, grab a pad please," she said, gesturing to a pile of large yellow legal pads.

"I need to get this all out or I feel my brain may explode."

He nodded, grabbing a pad and a pen and settling in across from her.

"Ok, we have a dead woman, who is, in the grand scheme of things as far as we know, a nobody Gilly. A morph who is impersonating her, who has to have been brought in by someone already here. People being poisoned, theft of unknown items, on top of the miscellaneous stuff being taken from artifacts. The house project which holds its own host of possible earth shattering truths. Anna's confession of Jason's dishonest intentions. Trips to St. Peter's tomb . . ." she trailed off, pressing her hand to her forehead.

"Ok, let's try to organize this a bit," Shane said looking over his own notes.

"We know the morph has been here for several months. What possible benefits would there be in choosing this woman to impersonate?"

"Well, there is no real security benefit as she had minimal clearance; her department does not give her access to books, or artifacts," Nyles offered.

"Perhaps her rather dull position and, from what I've gathered, personality is exactly why she was chosen," Kyra said.

"If someone were to impersonate a Treoraí or someone with high level clearance, responsibilities or access, it would be far more likely that someone would notice any little inconsistencies. However, this woman was easily overlooked. It would give anonymity to move around with," she continued

The men nodded.

"Perhaps she was gathering the groundwork for whomever she was working for. Setting things up so that someone with the proper clearances could finalize or obtain whatever it was they need," she said, pacing slowly across the room.

"Now, all we need to know is what that is. We must know what was in that case, and what it could have to do with St Peter's tomb. Can you get me a list of the things that were taken from artifacts?" Shane asked.

Kyra nodded and made her way over to the desk. Digging around a moment she pulled out a notebook and paged through it for a few moments.

"One Fae Sonora cloth, one Gnome calendar, two albino Lupus hair samples, one Tritianian scale, bristles from one of the Grand Witch's retired broomsticks," she read off.

"That's random," Shane replied.

"I said exactly the same thing," she said.

"Ok, now we have to figure out how those things could be tied to the tomb, the solstice, and your house project, as she did try to access those files as well," Shane replied.

They all sat in silence a moment, each racking their brains trying to figure out some kind of connection.

"Ok, I got nothing," Nyles said.

The other two nodded.

"It is certainly a hodgepodge of clues," Shane replied.

"Let's move on to the next point and leave that one as it is right now," she said, settling behind the computer. "I'm going to order some cheesecake and tea, what can I get you guys? This morning calls for sweets" Her statement caused her to look up at the clock. She was absolutely in shock to see it was only a little after ten AM. It had already been a full day.

"Coffee and some butter tarts would be great," Shane replied, looking thankful.

"Hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies here," Nyles said.

Kyra tossed in the order, with a note for Gus thanking him for being so wonderful and letting him know that if he needed anything to please page her personally.

"Ok . . . the morph. The problem with this is there are so very many reasons for someone to be here. There is the outside possibility that this woman came here to hide from persecution and was afraid to let anyone know she was here. Although stooping to kidnapping and murder hardly seems to fit with an altruistic motive. I much more believe she was brought in to be used in this strange scheme," she said.

"Who do you think has the resources, clearances, and ability to do this?" Shane asked.

"Smuggling someone in is probably not as hard as it should be given that it is a morph and my father is far more trusting than he should be. However, sustaining that identity, access to holding facilities, and so on would take someone very high up. A Treoraí or an assistant to one I would think," Kyra said, her brow furrowing.

"Can I just blame Jason?" Nyles said with a smirk.

Kyra could tell he was trying to lighten the mood, so she smiled.

"My concern is how we go about investigating someone of that level discreetly?" Shane asked.

"I'm going to be forward here," Nyles started

"Shane, you're a Lupine Human hybrid, are you not?" Nyles asked.

Kyra's eyebrow raised, but she let him continue.

"I am," he replied, crossing his arms.

"I entered a book on Lupines into Simon before I took on field work. It had a section on what to do if faced with one in full rage. It said that Lupines can smell fear and discomfort in people around it, and their stare can cause those weak of heart to bolt so they can give chase," Nyles explained.

Shane nodded.

"I'm impressed at your recall and your thought process," Shane replied.

"If I could be in a position to discuss the crimes in front of them and watch their reactions and feel out their fear, perhaps the stare would cause the guilty to bolt," he said, finishing the thought.

At that point, a knock on the door stopped the conversation. Kyra stepped up to get it. Opening the door, she smiled to the waiter who she recognized and made a mental note to get his name. She happened to glance into the hall and suddenly felt the wind sucked from her lungs. she was staring into the face of the dead woman, who looked very much alive.

"It's her," she shouted back into the study, pushing past the cart to take after the woman who had broken into a full-on sprint towards the dining hall. Within seconds she was aware of a blur running to her left and from the whiff of Old Spice cologne, she knew it to be Shane. She was partially aware of the sound of a gallop behind her as she weaved in and out of confused and almost trampled people as she fought to catch up with the person ahead, struggling not to lose sight of her. A large curve obscured her view and before she had a chance to clear it, a siren split the air with a shrill warning of fire. Doors in the halls opened as people came out, preparing to evacuate. The passageways were flooded with people and there was no hope of finding one single body.

"Damn," Kyra swore.

Shane moved to a wall, opening a security panel. He pushed a few buttons and the siren ceased. He picked up the intercom mic and spoke clearly and slowly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please head back to your activities, a simple short in the breaker system tripped the alarm. There is no fire. Thank you," he said, hanging it up.

Kyra nodded with an appreciative smile. Nyles caught up with them.

"Well that was fun," he said.

"Yeah, not so much. Let's head back to the study. We want everyone to assume everything is ok," Kyra said, her tone aggravated.

They walked back in silence. The cart was pushed halfway out in the hall, the attendant gone. She pushed it back in, picking up her plate and tea and settling into her chair, her mind mulling things over.

"This morph is incredibly cocky," Shane stated, settling into what he has decided was his chair across from Kyra.

"Is it possible that she does not know that the person's face she is borrowing is dead?" Nyles mused.

"Or perhaps the change takes time and can't be done instantly, and she is still locked in that form?" Shane offered.

Kyra ate her cheesecake which was quite delicious, but she could not bring herself to enjoy it.

"Ok, so put it on the list to check out under the morph. Back to the idea we were having before our morning jog," she said, utterly frustrated by the fact that she had not managed to catch the creature.

Nyles knew by the storm brewing in her eyes that it was not a good idea to push the topic.

"I think Shane should come to the Treoraí meeting tonight. Give a report on the murder and watch for reactions, see who flinches under this stare," Nyles said.

Kyra nodded

"I don't think there is anything in the rules against it. I mean, it's not like we have ever had a murder here before, so I don't think anyone would say anything to you," Nyles said.

"I am the Director. I choose to have him present, and they can get huffy all they want. I'm doing this for the good of all Scíath," she said quietly.

The pager at her side went off as to punctuate her claims of being in charge. Picking it up, she moved to the phone, stabbing at the buttons. Her expression was tense as she waited for someone to answer.

"Leland, it's Kyra."

She listened intently, both men straining to hear the other side of the conversation but also watching her face to discern the nature of the news. She put the phone down and paused a long moment.

"Milyna is stabilized; they have been unable to determine the kind of poison yet. Seth, however, is in a coma and his chances do not look good. He has internal bleeding. It looks like he ingested more, or perhaps her Fae blood metabolized it differently," she said, sinking into the nearest chair.

"We will find out who did this," Shane said softly.

"Could you both leave me for a bit, I need to think?" she asked.

They both nodded.

"I have to meet Moira," Shane said.

"Please lock the door. Call me silly, but I'm concerned," he continued.

Nyles face set into a firm line.

"He's right. I have my radio. I am going to go work on the background, and we will meet you back here at six. I have a feeling it's not going to be a short affair," Nyles said, moving towards the door.

Kyra nodded and watched them go. As the door shut behind them, she moved into her father's chair, placing her face against the cool dark leather, the faint smell of his pipe smoke bringing a smile to her face.

"I can do this, I am strong, I am smart, I am capable. I will not allow my father's dream to fall apart because someone thinks they can take advantage of me," she said aloud.

The proclaimed affirmations brought a surge of self-confidence coursing through her.

Pulling out a fresh pad, she started a list.

Solve Murder

Find Morph

Get House Mysteries solved

Get through her father's books

Keep Scíath from falling apart

Save father

She put the pen down and looked down the list. It was a great To Do list, but she had very little idea how to accomplish these tasks. It would be much more doable if they were separate non-time sensitive projects. However, they were all intertwined and all of them had a due date of yesterday.

A knock on the door drew and almost audible groan from her and she recalled she had forgotten to lock it. Taking a moment, she stretched out her senses looking for familiar energy, it took a fair amount of time and repeated contact for her to be able to recognize a person's signature. This one was foreign to her. Slipping her side arm out of the drawer, she tucked it into the waistband of her skirt at the small of her back. She opened the door slowly. Outside stood a porter with a zipped dress bag.

"Excuse the interruption Madame Director, but your costume for the ball has arrived," he said with a bob of his head, handing it to her.

"Thank you." she replied, her body relaxing as she took the bag and shut the door behind her, recalling this time to lock it.

She carried it through to the bedroom and hung it in the closet. The sight of her bed made her feel so incredibly drowsy. She glanced at the clock. It was nearly five; she could get in an hour nap if she lay down now.

Before the thought was even fully through her head, she had stripped, tossed on her nightshirt, and climbed into the soft bed, allowing the down comforter to wrap her in its soothing folds. She was asleep almost instantly, her body over taxed by all the recent stresses demanded rest.

Chapter Eight

Nyles stood outside the study door, pleased that she had listened and locked it. However, his pleasure turned to concern after several knocks went unanswered. He glanced at a wall clock, it was ten after six. It was unlike her to be late. His radio had been silent, so he knew nothing else had pulled her away. He lifted his hand to knock again when Shane came strolling up. His smile of greeting faded when he saw Nyles standing outside the door at eleven after six.

"No answer?" he asked.

"None, but she did lock it," Nyles replied, unable to hide his rising panic.

"Try her on the radio, "Shane suggested.

"Kyra, it's Nyles. Come in, over."

Both men listened intently.

"I heard it, but it came more from that way," Shane said, pointing to the area of Kyra's bedroom.

They both moved to the other door and Shane knocked forcefully. Nyles readied himself to knock down the door. However, they heard a rustling sound, and a sleepy voice replied.

"Hold on."

Nyles was completely shocked. Even as children, Kyra had hated naps. Yet here in the middle of the day, she was sleeping. This job was really taking it out of her.

She opened the door just enough to stick her head out. Her eyes where heavy, her hair pulling out of the braid, and sheet lines adorned one cheek. Seeing them standing there, her eyes went wide.

"What time is it?"

"Fifteen after six," Nyles replied

She muttered something under breath which Shane was positive was a colorful curse.

"I will meet you at the other door in two minutes," She shut the door with a hurried thud.

Moving one door down they waited, hearing various noises from within. She swung the study door open and Nyles was surprised to see her wrapped in her father's robe.

"Sit; go over meeting agenda and rituals. I will be out in ten," she said curtly.

Both men did as commanded, watching her retreat into the bedroom.

"I hope we didn't make her angry," Shane said, flipping open the notebook.

Nyles shook his head no.

"She hates being unprepared and feeling rushed, she's angry at herself, not us."

They sat silently listening to random bangs and movements from the other room. Eight minutes later, she emerged and both men's jaws hit the ground. She was dressed in a simple draped gown of claret silk. Her hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head. Nyles noted with pleasure that the only jewelry she wore was the triskelion necklace he had given her on her sixteenth birthday.

"I'm not ready. I just have to wait for the curling iron to heat up." she said, oblivious to their reactions.

"Nyles, make sure we leave here by quarter to seven at the very latest as we have to be there by seven," she continued, sifting through some papers, finding the one she wanted. She walked back out without waiting for a response.

"Ok, well then." Shane said, as he simply had nothing else to say.

Looking down at the list, Shane began to read aloud.

"Opening ritual at seven thirty PM, chocolates, Treoraí reports, breaking of bread, Director report, Holiday planning and committee selection, and the closing rite."

Kyra reemerged.

"We are apparently only three weeks early for the normal meeting, so we will be handling everything from that meeting as well as the important things going on. I think I'm going to move my report to the very end, because I want Shane to speak, and the closer to the end the better," she said, jabbing the last few curls into place with pins.

"Well?" she asked, as she slipped on her plain black slippers.

"Well?" Shane asked with hope of time to find a politically correct reply.

"How do I look? I don't do formal and this feels silly," she replied, gathering up her papers.

"You don't look silly," Shane said, thankful for an out that did not require telling her she looked stunning.

Nyles was not as shy.

"You look incredible," he said simply.

She nodded curtly.

"Thank you. Shall we?" she asked, heading out the door, giving them no option but to trail behind her.

Nyles could tell she was nervous. She moved down the hall quickly, but her eyes were darting everywhere, each shadow was examined. He was sad that there were threats from within that required so much concern.

When they reached the fork in the hall, Shane stopped.

"Given the moons phase I'm going to swing by artifacts and grab a moon charged stone from Moira. It should help amplify my senses. Also, I'm going to escort her to the meeting. I promised a friend I'd keep an eye on her," he said.

Kyra nodded and kept going. In her mind, she tried to recall the name of Moira's beau, who must be the friend to whom Shane referred, but she could not bring it to mind. She dropped back a bit to walk closer to Nyles.

As they entered the darkened hallway that lead to the meeting chamber, she spoke so softly he almost missed it.

"I suppose it's too late to call it off huh?"

He nodded and whispered back.

"You will be amazing; you're a brilliant woman and a good leader. Stick to the protocol, and just put on your no-nonsense attitude and know I've got your back," he replied with a wink.

"Thanks," she gave him a genuine smile.

She stopped at the entry doors. She never recalled their ornate wooden edifice being quite so imposing before. Pulling one open enough to slip through, she revered a room she had been in so many times over her life. Yet in its current state, she felt as if it was an unknown land. The soaring wooden walls were draped with deep purple silk. Each panel was exquisitely embroidered with ritualistic designs in a glimmering silver thread. The room was lit entirely with tall pillar candles, their dancing flames causing the shadows to dance.

Eight throne-like chairs sat in a perfect circle in the center of the room, around the chairs was almost a complete circle of chalk line knotwork extending a foot behind them. There was a blank space for everyone to enter through that would be closed by Moira who would enter last. Once inside the circle, nothing could be heard by anyone on the other side of the chalk lines. Nor could the circle be breached from the outside. Even at this late hour, two witches worked diligently, adding a smaller satellite circle just off to the side with a connecting lane. It held one chair and a space large enough for Nyles to settle in. Kyra watched in fascination as they drew with their thin white chalk humming to themselves an odd low tune.

A glance at the stately grandfather clock told her it was five after seven. People would begin filtering in soon. It seemed almost a crime to ruin the perfect stillness of the room and the witches' tune with the sounds of people, but it had to be done. Kyra moved to the closet and pulled out her father's plain black cloak. Nyles held it up for her to put on. At that moment, she was struck with the enormity of where she was in her life. This was the mantle of leadership. It symbolized all the responsibility that lay on her shoulders, and as Nyles placed it upon her, it was evident how heavy that responsibility was.

Hearing voices in the hall, she took a deep breath, affixed a genuine smile to her face, and went to the door to welcome everyone to the meeting.

Everyone arrived. Some in pairs, some alone, but by seven fifteen everyone was present. Moira nodded to her that she was to lead the procession into the circle after everyone had placed on their cloak. Holding her head up high, she stepped into the circle. A small gasp of air escaped from her lungs as she felt the power of the runes she had just passed through. It was akin to an electric current. Everyone followed her in, moving to his or her places.

Kyra watched with intense interest as Moira knelt and began the same low tune the other two witches had been using as she took a piece of chalk; and with a few swirls and lines, she closed the circle. Once she was seated, Kyra stood.

"I want to thank you all again for joining me on such short notice. Let us now perform our opening ritual and oath to Scíath."

Everyone stood. Di, Tinka, and Moira reached beneath their chairs and produced the needed items.

Kyra stepped forward, taking the goblet from Moira with a bow of her head in thanks.

Glancing at the crystal blue water within, she took a deep breath, her voice ringing out strong and clear.

"Sacred waters surround us, flowing beneath all beings, accept our offering. Bring the wisdom of your depths to us, flow within us. Unite us with the rivers of knowledge that flow through the Universe."

The chorus of hushed voices replied  
"Sacred water, flow within us, unite us and bring us your wisdom."

Di stepped forward, holding aloft a small silver dish with a wavering green flame.

"Sacred fire that drives us and purifies us. Burning deep within us all, wisdom and light coming from your heat, light our darkness, and make us whole."

"Sacred fire, burn within us."

Tinka stepped into the smaller group, holding in her hands a tiny sapling of the mighty oak.

"Sacred tree, standing tall and strong, teach us to grow, to lay down our roots in our home and bear fruit for all who shelter under our mighty branches."

"Sacred tree, grow within us"

Bending down, Kyra placed the goblet in the center of the circle while the others did the same. Joining hands, the three women tossed their heads back, chanting their final prayer to the heaven above.

"Eternal spirit of Scíath, be with us as we continue to shelter the persecuted, be stewards of the earth and all who live upon it, and promote peace and harmony among all who walk her surface."

All the voices joined in as they spoke the last part, creating a beautiful harmony that seemed to echo within the magic circle.

Kyra stepped back. It took her a moment to open her eyes as she was lost in the feeling of belonging that flooded her body. It was not just with those present, but it was if she could feel every heart within the compound beating in time with hers. It brought her a sense of peace she had never before known. Opening her eyes, she looked around. Everyone was watching her, but instead of feeling self-conscious, she smiled. She was calm, at peace, and ready to start this meeting.

"I do believe it is now time for chocolates!" she said with a smile.

Pulling out a large ornate chest from under her chair, she opened it, passing it to Moira who sat to her right. As they passed the chest, she took a moment to notice the seating order. She was unaware of any importance to the order other perhaps than the larger chair for Lev.

Beside her to the right were Moira, then Di, Tinka, Lev, Leland, and then Jason, and then Galerius to her left. It took a bit longer as she made a point of walking the chest to Shane and Nyles; she knew her father would never want anyone excluded from the goodies.

"I have chosen to move my report to the end as I'm going to have Shane speak on the current issues that have been going on. So, let's have the Treoraí reports please," Kyra said, pleased to see Nyles had a pen and paper out for notes.

Moira stood up

"The quarterly report for the artifacts is as follows. We have taken in four hundred and seventy-three new magical items. A majority of these came from the house expedition. Not all of them have been classified yet due to extensive research needed. I have added a third shift to the research team to get these done as soon as possible. I have been called in to consult on a break-in in the mirror library in which an object was stolen from a warded case. I have been unable to determine what it was as of yet. I am in negotiations with Lev and the building team about adding another level of storage to my area. What can I say? I'm a hoarder." she said with a smile.

Everyone smirked at her last comment. Kyra had watched Jason closely during the part about the break-in, but all it had managed to do was get him to wink at her. She fought the shudder of revulsion at the idea that he thought she was interested in him.

Moira sat back down. Kyra noticed she had not brought up the theft of the strange items from the vaults; it was for the best as it was possible one of the other Treoraí was involved or had knowledge of the crime.

Di stood next; Kyra noticed how her dark black skin seemed to soak up the light from the candles.

"Supernatural Species has had a rather hectic quarter. We have begun adding the third tier of tomes into Simon and had to pause several times due to server overload. I am submitting the suggestion that computer maintenance and programming be removed from Administration and given its own department."

Several eyebrows raised, another department meant another Treoraí. That would put them in a position for a deadlock on a vote. Kyra's brow furrowed. Why was this first she had heard of this? She had spoken with Di several times and she had never even brought this up.

"Also, I want to remind all departments who have field operatives to send those people to Dr. Barker for vaccination before they are sent out. We had a nasty outbreak of the Troll pox in both Anthro and Supernatural Species. We have seen no active cases outside our departments; however, it never hurts to be sure. We have completed eighty of the two hundred and fifty-three censuses this year; we expect to have the remainder done by the end of the spring quarter. All of the numbers will be available after the winter holidays for anyone who is interested," she said.

Kyra noted Jason taking notes and wondered why the head of the Gilly department would be interested in the number of Supernaturals in the world.

"We have a subcommittee set up to deal with the species-specific needs for the summit."

Kyra cringed internally she would much rather deal with the holiday parties then the International Supernatural Summit. It was a meeting of the heads of the Scíath outposts from nearly every country in the world. It promised to be long, intense, and rife with politics— a subject she was still not overly comfortable with.

Lucky for her they only held it once every five years. However, it was a topic that when mentioned, provided her with a rather large knot in her stomach.

_Hopefully Father will be better by then and then he can run it,_ her mind added selfishly.

Di sat back down, and Kyra snapped back to attention. In her mental meanderings she had completely missed the end of Di's report. She knew Nyles had taken good notes, so she would be ok. Therefore, she planned to stay completely focused for the next reports, as the last thing she wanted to appear was inattentive.

Tinka stood slowly, her movements appearing stiff. Kyra was shocked to see how prominent her cheekbones had become. Her once bronze skin had become a sallow yellow and appeared to be painfully stretched over the prominent bones of her face.

She had to stop her mouth from falling open. It had only been a few nights since she had been in Tinka's company, yet in that short time she had seemingly aged ten years.

"The quarterly report for Anthropology is as follows," she began. Her voice was weak; it was if all the life had simply been drained from her body.

Kyra's eyes met Moria's and she saw her own shock mirrored in her eyes.

"Given the surge of spirits nearing the veil, we are expecting many more ghostly crossings on the equinoxes and solstices in the next year," she continued

Kyra found it hard to focus on anything but the obvious distress of someone she considered a friend.

"We have also noticed many more occurrences of magic within the general London area. Several of our top Witches and Wizards have been sent out into the field to investigate. The wards have been started for the summit. After the holiday festivities have passed, the ballroom will be cleared, and things will be placed for summit security. My department will have four people up for the promotion ceremony. Lev has approved our construction request for a protected spell room, in which more dangerous spells can be tested, as well as a place for potentially dangerous artifacts to be diffused," she sat back down, her thin frame slumping in the chair.

The simple act of giving her report had exhausted her. Her voice had been monotone, and she had not paused at all during her speech. Quick and pointed as if she had been racing to make sure she could finish before exhaustion overtook her.

Kyra had to resist the urge to rush to her friend. Instead, she made pointed eye contact with Leland who nodded in understanding that he was to see to her directly after the meeting.

Lev lifted himself to his feet and picked up a sheet of paper. Clearing his throat, he began to read from it.

"The Transportation department has completed over two hundred projects this quarter. We have plans for five extensions to the Scíath compound. The Safe House in the forest is on hold for the time being. We are sending aid to the Brazilian Ingoloids after their villages were destroyed by a flood. We are working with security to build and install a chamber for the Bio Scanners if they are approved for use. We have two people up for the promotion ceremony," he read. His accent was still thick, but his characteristic choppy dwarven speech was missing.

Kyra just stared. It was interesting that he could read clearly, yet not speak that way.

He sat back down with a thud, punctuating the finish of his report.

Leland stood next. She could tell that Tinka, who was reclined in the chair with her eyes closed, distracted him.

"Medical, as always, has been busy with keeping the supernatural world healthy. We have added another surgical wing, this one set up entirely for the larger species as well as being equipped with an aquatic tank for our water-bound patients. The Australian outpost sent us several aquatic species last summer who had been poisoned by Gilly toxic waste and we found ourselves incredibly unprepared for their arrival. We will be switching out our current second and third year doctors with those at the outposts so that they may gain field experience. It is a new process that we feel will give a better grounding to the medical training they receive here. We want to be able to provide the very best to our world.

I will have a full medical team ready for the summit briefed on all the species that will be present. We will be sending out the winter vaccines and med kits to the tribes who become unreachable during those months. We have several requests for seasonal personnel and will be submitting the requests shortly after the Halloween Holiday. Other than that, we are hoping for a quiet . . . well, season," he said, sitting back down, his eyes never leaving Tinka.

Jason stood, Kyra kept her face neutral. So far this had been the most informative non-informative meeting she had ever been in. Everyone was giving reports but there were so many holes, things left out, secrets. She wondered if it was always like this or if her era of leadership had brought on this veil of mistrust.

Jason pulled out his note cards, every movement he made was exaggerated, his smile wide and plastic. She noted that he made a point of making eye contact with Nyles as he began.

"First let me welcome everyone to this meeting. Not often we Treoraí are graced with the presence of our esteemed department members."

Kyra did not even have to turn to feel the anger rolling off Nyles, his aura was sizzling.

"Gilly relations has also had some rough times in the last little while. We were all devastated by the loss of Madeline Acet, she was a wonderful woman. Our department is darker without her shining smile," he said

Kyra had to resist rolling her eyes; she would be surprised if Jason had ever spoken more than three words to the women ever.

"Also, as has happened in the other departments, staff has been appropriated for the safe house field trip which seems to be taking much longer than expected."

Kyra felt her own rage flowing. He was making a point of talking about everything the others had left out of their reports.

"I am volunteering any help I can offer during the summit as my department is only involved in so far as to collect reports on the relations in other countries and assign ambassadors if needed. Don't hesitate to call on me of anything you may find yourself desiring," he finished with a suggestive look at Kyra.

Shane gritted his teeth, Nyles sucked in a loud breath. Each man wanted to pummel Jason more with each passing remark.

Kyra kept her face expressionless, wishing at that moment that telepathy was in her repertoire of powers so that she could calm Nyles before the meeting turned into a brawl.

Galerius stood, his form was perfectly straight. He took everyone in, but as always, his facial expression was blank.

"We have installed upgraded color cameras. We are ready to put in the bio scanners. We have lowered the red list from ten to six in the last year. We will be putting up two agents for promotion," and he sat back down.

_Wow_ , Kyra thought, _he is no more gregarious here than he is with his department mates._ However, she noted he did not mention the missing tranquilizers.

Kyra stood.

"Thank you everyone for your reports and your continued dedication to our dear Scíath. We shall now take this time to enjoy our bread, I would like to designate the holiday committee before giving my own report as I have guest speakers to present," she said, noting with satisfaction the piping hot basket of bread that was passed from where Nyles and Shane were seated.

Moira spoke up.

"I would like to head decorations this year. I have some ideas that are brilliant if I do say so myself."

Kyra smiled appropriately as she watched Tinka force herself to tear off a small piece of bread, chewing slowly.

"Any objections?" Di asked.

No one spoke.

"Excellent, I would like to head the gifts. It was a very important tradition to the Architect and I would be honored to see it continue," she said.

Kyra nodded, fighting the tears that wished to escape her eyes. Her father made sure every single person under Scíath's roof received a gift. He knew that for a lot of the people here, this place was their only home, its people their family.

She simply nodded her agreement, not trusting her voice.

"I would like to handle the dance cards and games for the parties," Jason said.

Kyra's eye narrowed. Interesting. He was volunteering to handle the social portion of the parties after having spent so much time about social magic recently. However, she could think of no plausible reason to deny him. Suspicion and general dislike were not enough.

So, she nodded.

"I think that about covers things. I will consult with Gus about food for the Yule feast; however, I know he rules that area with skill and perfection," Kyra said

She paused to give anyone a chance to interject. When it was silent for a full minute, she took a deep breath. Show time.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I will begin my report with thanking you all for being such priceless members of Scíath. Without your hard work and dedication to our society, it would not exist. I also appreciate your support during the power transition. The circumstances were less than ideal; however, it was handled with the professionalism associated with the seats of power. I will rely on your expertise and assistance in the days to come. The Architect chose each of you because he knew that you are the ideal people to lead. With that said, many new challenges are facing us now. We have the regular business, Holidays, promotions, and the day to day activities. Before I dive into the outside projects, I want to take this time to address a request that has been brought to me by Tinka," Tinka's eyes fluttered opened in response to her name but did not remain open.

"Tinka has asked that she be given leave to redefine the direction of her department. It seems there has been found to be a lot of overlap between Anthropology and Supernatural species. So, she has requested to take her department on a more Occult path and given how much magical and spirit knowledge we possess, I think this is a good idea. Anyone who wishes to will be granted leave to transfer between the two departments. We will now refer to it as Occult. Also, as I believe Anthropology to be a more encompassing title, I would like to shift that over to Di's department," she paused, waiting to see if anyone objected. Di nodded with a slight smile while the others seemed indifferent.

"Then we have the House project, the Summit, and the crime that occurred within our own walls. I do not need to impress on anyone here how tragic the loss of any life is. I feel it takes on a harder impact when it occurs within our own walls, inside a place that was built to protect life. Shane will be speaking more in-depth on this subject. I just want to enforce that the guilty party will be caught, and justice will be served. When you have your departmental meetings, please impress upon your staffs that any information they may have needs to be reported to you and passed to Shane. The House project has taken on a much bigger need than originally expected. A task force has been formed. I appreciate the gracious lending of your staff for an undetermined period.

We have had a rash of lockdowns recently. I'm sure this will not be a trend. I will be putting someone up for promotion at this year's ceremony as well," she said, her voice clear and strong.

She had decided about thirty seconds before she said it that she was going to place Milyna up to head Equipment. Because her department fell under the administration tab and not a specific Treoraí, the only way she was going to get promoted would be if the head secretary or the director put her up. There was no question she deserved it, however, she knew there would be talks of favoritism given her race.

"Now I turn the floor over to Shane," she said sitting, not sure she had reported anything at all in her report.

Shane stood and walked to the center of the circle. Passing a few inches from her to enter the center of the circle, Kyra felt the animal magnetism flowing off him in waves. She guessed it was part of his power, used to intimidate and frighten others, but she found herself drawn to him. She noticed the way his polo shirt hugged his well-defined form, the soft spice scent of his skin, the intensity of his eyes. Closing her eyes, she centered herself, pushing away inappropriately timed carnal thoughts.

"Madame Director, thank you for this opportunity to speak and further my investigation," he began.

Kyra looked around. Everyone seemed to be watching him and waiting. No one seemed uncomfortable, except perhaps Lev. He appeared to be scowling. She watched him closely.

"As you are all aware, a woman was murdered in the Garden of Peace. We believe she was held for several weeks prior to that. Which means that somehow her absence was covered in her department, as she logged into her work terminal every day. So, our problem is twofold. We have a loss of life as well as an imposter within our ranks, "he said, taking his time to pour his unblinking stare on to each person.

He opened his mouth to continue when Lev let out a shout.

"Animal, use powers here on us! Outrage! I Treoraí, not common criminal!" With that, he stood, barging his way past a surprised Kyra.

With a quick slide of his large foot he broke the circle. The unceremonious breaking of the ritual caused an arc of energy to surge through the room. Tinka was knocked to the floor. Chaos erupted as Leland rushed to her. Leland shouted for Nyles to pick her up, Di chased after Lev, while a queasy looking Moira worked furiously on the smudged lines to repair the balance to the spell.

The only person who stood motionless was Galerius, who seemed fixated on Jason, who returned his stare. For what seemed like an eternity, Kyra watched the chaos in a daze. She was unsure of where to start. Should she follow and detain Lev? Should she accompany Nyles and Leland to watch over Tinka? She gazed at Moira as she worked furiously with chalk and knew she would be of no help to her. It was becoming harder to think clearly.

Suddenly Shane was at her side, his powerful arms encircling her. She gazed into his deep, clear blue eyes. She tried to put together a thought, say something to him, but it seemed so hard and she felt so heavy.

He moved her gently forward, she tried to move with him, but her limbs seemed unable to obey. She glanced around the room only to find that everyone's aura was not only visible, but intensified, turning the room into a sickening twirling prism of color and sparks.

Shane observed her closely, her flawless porcelain skin seemed to lose any indication of life and her eyes looked blank. Scooping her up in his arms effortlessly, he carried her to Moira.

"Something is wrong with Kyra," he said, trying to hide the panic in his voice as her head landed with a thud on his shoulder.

Moira looked up.

"It's a side effect of the spell being broken. Take her to her room and place her in bed. I will be along with an herbal remedy. Do not leave her, get her to talk to you. Just keep her as coherent as you can and I will come quickly. If she loses consciousness, hit the red alarm in the bedroom. It's a medical code and a team will come running," she said, quickly drawing him an exit to the circle that would spare them both another shock. Shane moved quickly through the halls, holding her tightly to him.

"Kyra, I'm taking you to your room. You're having a reaction to the spell being broken. Honey, I need you to stay with me, talk to me, and tell me anything you want to, but talk to me," he kept his voice soft.

"I want to nap," she replied, her voice thin, her words slurred.

"I know sweetheart, but you can't . . . not yet. After you get the medicine you can, but I need you to stay awake for just a little while longer," he replied, picking up his pace as he moved through the sparsely populated halls. Those he did pass stopped to stare at him; however, he paid them no mind and kept moving back towards her room.

"You smell nice," she said.

He could not help but chuckle.

"Why thank you."

He shifted her weight in his arms, moving her about, trying to keep her awake. Reaching the study, he thought better of it and went to the door of the bedroom. To his dismay, it was locked. He looked at her pale skin, her shallow breaths and colorless lips and then swiftly applied one strong boot to the handle.

He was rewarded with the splintering of wood as it flew open, admitting him to the pitch-black room beyond.

The jostling of his actions caused her to open her eyes a moment.

"I'll get you a new door," he replied to her curious expression.

She gave him a weak laugh.

"I think we should just leave it off," she said, blinking her eyes as she tried to get them to focus.

Using his night vision, he carefully laid her on the bed before finding the lamp. Sitting beside her on the bed, his concern grew.

"Help me take the pins out," she said, her voice sleepy.

"Pins?" he asked.

"My hair, it's poking me," she replied.

He could tell she was trying very hard to comply with his request to stay awake.

"I think we can do that, although you will have to forgive me if I tug your hair. I've never done this kind of thing before," he said, gently reaching into the mass of curls atop her head in search of the offending pins.

Her eyes opened a slit as he touched her forehead.

"Is everyone alright?" she asked weakly.

"Well, as far as I know, Tinka was whisked off to Medical, Di went chasing after Lev, and Moira is on her way with medicine," he replied, gently pulling a pin, allowing her hair to tumble over her shoulders.

She nodded.

"Do you think, Lev,you,guilt?" she mumbled.

He took in her words and decoded them.

"Do I think guilt is what caused Lev to respond the way he did? To be honest I'm not actually sure. On the surface, I would say yes; however, I would not say yes or no. As you know, some people have racial bias as well. It could be just as he said, anger at being questioned. He is one of the longest standing Treoraí and he may believe himself above suspicion," he answered as he pulled the last pins from her hair.

He could not help but stare at her, her long golden hair tumbling over her shoulders in curls, she was stunningly beautiful.

"Mmhmm," was all she replied, and he realized she was slipping away from consciousness.

Panic rose in him as he watched her eyes close. In desperation, he did the only thing he could think of to bring her around.

Leaning in, he hesitated mere seconds before gently pressing his lips to hers.

Kyra was floating on the edge of a delicious darkness, which was calling to her. As she felt ready to surrender, a jolt of electricity surged through her. She realized after a moment that she was being kissed. Shane had slipped his arms around her and his warm lips were pressed to hers.

Her eyes shot open, and for a moment, she panicked. Having never been kissed, this was slightly frightening. However, the fear quickly passed as a warmth spread over her. She relaxed into his arms, returning his kiss.

Moments passed when the sound of someone clearing her throat broke the spell. They pulled apart, her face flushed. Moira was standing in the doorway, a steaming mug in her hand and an eyebrow raised.

"She was fading, I had, to . . . uh, keep her awake," Shane said, stumbling over his words as he backed away from the bed.

Moira simply nodded, moving in.

"Kyra drink this. You're suffering a shock from the breaking of the circle. This will help; however, you will need to sleep and be observed while you do. I am going to suggest you check into Medical so that you can be monitored."

Kyra simply nodded, hiding her face in the mug and drinking deeply. She had no idea how she was supposed to feel. The meeting had dissolved into chaos, she had been adversely affected by magic, and she had been kissed all in one hour. It was a lot to take in.

The sound of hoof beats coming up the hall filled her with another unfamiliar feeling. Guilt. Although she had no relationship to speak of with Nyles, she felt as if she had somehow cheated on him.

"Nyles, perfect timing," Moira said as a still red-faced Shane did his best to fade into the wall.

"I would like you to escort Kyra to Medical, I want her checked in for observation, and I will speak with Leland on what to watch for."

"Can you walk?" she asked her, choosing to keep what she had seen to herself.

Kyra nodded.

"I think so. Whatever this is, it is helping," she said, looking at everything in the room but Nyles or Shane.

"I will . . . uhh, get this door replaced" Shane said, making a hasty exit.

"How is Tinka?" Kyra asked, getting shakily to her feet, unsure if the wobble in her knees was from the kiss or the aftereffects of the shock.

Nyles placed an arm around her waist to support her and for the first time in her life, she felt uncomfortable in his embrace.

"She was breathing when I left her with Leland. I rushed back to get you. Galerius told me you had an issue and had been brought back here."

She nodded, feeling a bit clearer-headed, yet every muscle in her body hurt. _I just need a little bit of sleep then I will sort it all out_ , she thought. There was far too much going on at once. She felt her steps falter. Resigning that she was not strong enough at this moment, she allowed herself to slump against Nyles.

Feeling her weaken, he swept her up in one easy movement. She lay her head against his chest, her eyes closed, her breathing steady. Speeding toward Medical, he knew she was going to be in the best hands, but he could not help but worry.

A small group stood around the desk in the intensive care hub in Medical.

Nyles, Di, Moira, and Galerius stood silently waiting for Leland to finish giving his report to the doctors who would be monitoring the newest patients.

Making his way over to the grim-faced group, he took a deep breath before he began.

"The good news is that both women are stable. With Kyra, I know the cause of her distress and can say that with some fluids and a magic brew or two she should be back on her feet in a day or two. However, with Tinka, I am far less certain. I would start with exhaustion; her body is completely depleted. I have started her on several fluid solutions to bring up her vitamin and electrolyte levels. It is obvious that it goes much deeper than that. I'm not confident in saying it's a physical or a mental condition at this point. What I am saying is that she is to be kept here until further notice. I will be scanning her blood and I am going to have some of my gifted doctors come in to touch her mind," he finished, wishing he had been able to give them better news.

"Protocol dictates that if a Treoraí is unable to fill their duties, the Architect, or in this case, our Director, is to fill in. Given that she is also indisposed, we will have to fall to secondary protocols. Di, you are in charge of Scíath until Kyra is well again. Nyles I am going to ask you to take over Occult," he said, his tone authoritative.

Everyone nodded.

"I will remain in my office to run things," Di said, simply walking out.

Nyles had the urge to stop her and ask her what the outcome of her talk with Lev had been; however, he did not want to leave Kyra just yet.

Moira laid a hand on Nyles' arm.

"Everything will work out. I'm going to head to the garden to pick up some more of the herbs I need for Kyra's potion. Your job is to convince her to stay in bed and get better," she said, her smile reassuring, yet her mind returned to the scene she had witnessed not an hour before.

"I will be sending a guard duty to watch over Tinka and Kyra," Galerius said as a goodbye and left.

Nyles was left standing alone. Moving slowly over to the window to her room, he watched her sleeping. Her face was peaceful, yet her still posture and wired visage was eerily similar to that of her father, who lay just one room over.

"How is she?" A quiet voice from behind startled him.

He turned to see Shane standing behind him.

"She is settled and sleeping off the shock. Thank you for tending to her. She was ok when I left and I'm glad you were there when she needed someone," Nyles said sincerely.

All Shane could do was nod. Guilt lay in his stomach like a brick. He knew Nyles loved her and now he was thanking him. He wanted to justify the kiss to himself as he had to Moira, but he knew better. He was attracted to her, and the more time he spent around her, the more his feelings were growing.

"I will brief security to page you and me if anything happens in any of these three suites. You should get some rest. I have a feeling it's going to be awhile before things get back to normal around here," Shane said, thankful for the out from the situation.

"Sadly, I have to agree with you there," Nyles said. Taking one long last look at Kyra, he made his way slowly back towards Kyra's old room. It had become much like his own and he knew it was the place he would probably sleep the best.

Chapter Nine

Di closed her eyes, even this far underground she could feel the moment the first ray of the sun touched the ground above her. Sometimes living underground got to her. It had been too long since the rays of the sun had warmed her skin, since she had felt the breeze across the savannah. When all of this was settled, she would take a long vacation. Go home for a while, but now there were things to be done. She looked at the papers on her desk. It was all there in black and white, the motion to have a new Treoraí elected. It had been done for months. The Architect had been afraid of the idea of technology, of the power it held. It had taken him months to agree to Simon. She had hoped Kyra would have been more receptive to the idea; however, she had observed her expression when she had brought it up at the meeting. The only way that she was going to get Scíath brought into the future was to do this herself. She had not expected this opportunity; however, it would not be wasted.

As it stood, she counted for two of the four votes she needed. She could count on Nyles to agree with her as she was his Treoraí. That left just one vote. Tipping her chair back ever so slightly, she closed her eyes. Lev would not be a good choice given that his behavior had caused all the problems. _I will have to deal with him as well before Kyra takes back over as she may not be as objective given the pain caused her._ Leland was busy caring for Tinka. Moira had been interested in the idea, given that she used Simon extensively and had been greatly inconvenienced by the technical issues. However, she would probably just suggest they wait and talk it over with Kyra.

Jason, he would be her best bet. He was greatly upset by the succession and would enjoy a chance to circumvent the current leader. She sighed deeply. Asking him for anything was simply distasteful, however time was short, and action must be swift. Sitting up straight she reached for the phone, and finding his extension on the list, she dialed it.

****

The woods again, this dream had become so familiar to her over the years she could now recall where each flower was to be. However, unlike any of her other trips here, this time was different.

She cautiously approached the front door to the little house, conscious of its cold feel and gray exterior. Placing her hand on the door knob, a wave of irrational fear washed over her. She stumbled backwards off the porch as she looked around for the cause of the fear. Other than drab the meadow was just as it had always been, yet the warmth and belonging she usually felt here was gone. Replacing it was a knot of dread, settling in the pit of her stomach.

"Kyra!" A voice shouted.

She whirled around, looking for the speaker. No one was in sight. She froze, waiting for another call.

"Kyra!" This voice came again, this time filled with desperation.

Moving towards the origin of the call, she found herself in the garden. This was where the dream always ended. Not this time. As she moved deeper into the flowers, she found the speaker huddled in a bed of violet lilies. It was Tinka.

"Tinka, what is going on?" she asked, kneeling beside her friend.

"I used the dream waves to come to speak to you; I am too weak in the conscious world. I don't know what this place is, but it was the most common dreamscape in your mind, so I waited here for you."

"I've never been able to identify this place myself. I believe it has something to do with my past, but I do return here often when I sleep," Kyra said, placing a hand on her arm.

"I don't have much time, even in this form it's taxing and I am very weak. I don't know what is wrong with me; however, I do know that someone is attacking me spiritually. They are using some kind of binding spell, I think. It would have to be someone skilled in magic. The only way to stop it is to find the talisman they are using. It would have to contain something of mine within it and be somewhere near me as the spell only has a limited range, "she explained. Kyra watched her visage waver as she spoke, knowing that using her energy to talk made it hard for her to remain visible.

"But you have moved several times, so whoever this is would have to be moving with you, so it should be easy to figure out who it is," Kyra said, hoping to reassure her ailing friend.

"I'm very close to the veil here. I've seen my sister several times. It's very hard to not let go and cross over, but I promised him I would stay," she said, her image fading almost completely away.

"Promised who?" Kyra asked.

However, silence was her only reply. Tinka was gone. She looked around; the grey color was fading and the familiar vibrant color returning. She had some notion that the dreamscape had become unpleasant because it felt Tinka was intruding.

Part of her wanted to stay. This was the first time the dreamscape had really been open to her and not played along the well-known script, yet she knew she needed to return to consciousness and deal with the things that had been presented to her here.

She was willing herself towards awakening when a small glint caught the corner of her eye. She moved towards the back corner of the garden, a place she was not sure she had ever seen before. There were roses of every color, yet the yellow bush was enormous, overshadowing the others. She waited again, hoping to see exactly where the glint had originated. After a moment, she was rewarded with another flash of light; this one brighter than the last coming from what appeared to be deep inside the bush.

Curious, she moved in closer, trying to find a way to reach into the den of thorns to retrieve the object without being hurt. After a moment's hesitation she decided the best route was just to go for it and deal with the discomfort. Bracing herself, she thrust her hand in only to have her eyes flutter open as the sting struck her arm.

She looked down, but instead of seeing roses, she saw an apologetic looking young man in a white coat. It took her a moment to realize she had awakened and the pain had been from his attempt to draw blood.

"I am so sorry Madame Director, Dr. Barker wanted this test run asap and you were not easy to wake, so I thought perhaps I could get it without disturbing you. I am so very sorry."

He took the scowl on her face as a response to the pain.

She sighed deeply.

"It's fine. What time is it?"

"Just after seven AM," he replied, placing her blood in the vial.

"Please send Dr. Barker in as soon as he is available," she said, laying back against the pillows.

The doctor nodded his head and scurried out.

She sat up looking for a phone, she needed to talk to Nyles. Her hand hovered over the phone, recalling what had occurred last night. _Did he know? Had Moira told him about the kiss?_ She was filled with conflicting emotions. Her love for Nyles caused her to feel the guilt of betrayal even though she had every right to kiss whomever she pleased.

She closed her eyes, recalling the spark that had run through her body when their lips met. Shane was very easy to be attracted to.

Just then, Leland came through the door. She was thankful to be able to lock away her emotional issues and focus on other things.

"You look much better," he began, as he checked all the monitors and glanced over the printouts.

"I feel like I was run over by a train," she replied.

"You received quite a shock last night; however, all of your vital signs are stable. Dr. Ambrose said you wanted to see me?"

"How is Tinka?"

He frowned deeply.

"She is touch and go, her pulse is weak her breath shallow, I've run every test I can think of on her and I am no closer to finding out what is weakening her so."

"I have the answer for you, she came to me in my dream last night"

Kyra filled him in and watched as his anger grew.

"You mean to tell me that someone is attacking a Treoraí?"

"It seems that way. Now we must find out whom and dispose of the talisman at once. I need you to summon Moira, Nyles, and Shane here so I can fill them in. Moira might have an idea what this talisman will look like. Tell Nyles to look through the Library and find someone familiar with this kind of magic and have them come to the Study in an hour. I will meet them there," she replied.

Leland nodded along until the last part.

"I will tell them all to come here. You are not leaving here until I am certain that the effects of the shock have worn off. Everything is going to Hell around here and I have to make sure you are at one hundred percent. I expect you to stay put until the Halloween ball tomorrow night," he said, his face stern.

"I suppose I'm not going to be able to change your mind, am I?" she asked.

"No." he replied with a grin.

She sighed but could not help smiling back at him. There was a lot more to Leland Barker than she had ever given him credit for.

"Oh, how are Milyna and Seth?"

"Better, however it was not a poison per say, they were both dosed with some of the missing tranquilizers. Her system was much more sensitive to it and her body tried to shut down. We had a few rough spots throughout the night, but things are stable now. As for the young man, he got a very good, solid night of sleep. What we assumed was a coma was just the sleeping effect and the internal bleeding, a reaction to the irritant of ingesting the dose orally. He is recovering quickly as the effect wears off. I am permitting him to stay with her as I feel it would be good for her as well as offer an extra layer of protection. I must tell you this is the second time in all my years that we have had a security presence inside my department. Now I have a pod full of VIP's and guards to watch them," he said, shaking his head slightly.

"I'm sorry Leland, I know everything is all sevens and eights and I wish I could be as good a leader as my father was," she said, feeling the weight of leadership settle back on her shoulders.

"Everything will work out. Now, you sit back and rest. I will round up your posse. Once we determine the radius in which this talisman would have to be in to harm Tinka, I think we should clear everyone out and bring in all new people," he suggested, making his way towards the door.

"Excellent idea," she said, allowing herself to lean back. She would not have admitted it aloud, but she still felt rather weak and very sore.

A little more than an hour later her room was filled with people. She waited while everyone got comfortable. Moira took the rocking chair beside her bed. Nyles took nearest the window after he had managed to knock over the bedside table and the IV pole attempting to maneuver about. Shane leaned up against the wall, they both were going out of their way not to look at each other. Moira noticed but kept her thoughts to herself. Kyra took a moment to look over the stranger in the room. He was an elf. That much was obvious by his small stature and pointed ears. However, she had to admit, she had never seen one with such pitch-black skin. His eyes were white, milky orbs that she found rather unsettling. His hair was an electric blue. By far he was one of the strangest creature she had ever encountered, which, with her wide repertoire of experience, was saying something.

He regarded her stare with disinterest as he was used to being stared at. He was a bit surprised at her appearance. From the rumors, he expected far more Fae features from her than she had.

Moira began.

"Kyra, I want to say I'm glad to see you with some color to you, you gave us all quite a scare last night. Leland says you have agreed to stay here and be monitored until tomorrow evening's party and I'm very pleased to hear you are being so sensible," she said, squeezing her hand.

Nyles piped in.

"You're making my job much too easy. I was expecting to have to argue with you about it," he said with a smile.

"Before we get started, let me introduce Noachian. He is the top expert in talisman and amulet magic in the artifacts department."

"Welcome Noachian, and thank you so much for coming," she replied.

"Let me explain to you why I asked you all here," she continued, preventing Shane from speaking.

Everyone listened carefully as she explained what Tinka had told her. She watched their expressions change from shock to anger much as Leland's had.

"So now you see why I need your help. We must find this talisman and destroy it before Tinka slips away. I do not know how long we have, but I'd wager it's not very long at all," she finished.

"This would have to be a very powerful talisman. I am going to have to go back and consult a few of the books; however, I agree with you that if she is already this weak, time is not on our side. Without knowing the specifics, I would say we have about twenty-four hours to find and destroy it before irreparable damage is done," Noachian replied.

"Thank you Noachian, please report back to me as soon as you have something," Kyra replied.

"Please call me Nio, I will be back within the hour," he said, leaving quickly.

"Shane, I need you to go to Tinka's department, talk to her staff, see if you can get an idea when she started falling sick, and if anyone in particular has been around her more than usual. That way we can try to get timeline on this. When she joined me for dinner on Wed evening she looked thinner and tired, but nowhere near how she looked at the meeting, so I would start with her whereabouts Tuesday and go from there," she said, daring a glance at him.

Their eyes met, she was entrapped by his magnetism. Quickly, she looked away, her face flushing.

"Will do," he replied and quickly left.

"I am going to call up a few witches I know and have them place a protection circle around her bed. It won't cure the issue, but it may be able to deflect some of the magic and buy us some time," Moira said, standing.

"Good idea," Kyra said, glancing at Nyles.

This was the first time she had ever felt anxious about being alone with him.

Moira left with a reminder for Kyra to listen to Leland.

"I stopped and checked on your father this morning. Nothing has changed I'm sorry to say," Nyles said, his demeanor normal.

Deciding he knew nothing about last night's incident, she was determined to let it go.

"Milyna and Seth were hit with the stolen tranquilizers," she confided.

His eyebrows raised.

"I cannot for the life of me figure out what is going on around here," he replied, moving carefully towards the bed.

"Tell me about it. We have father's condition, the stolen tranquilizers, the murder, the morph, the theft in the mirror library, Tinka's condition, the poisonings, Lev's outburst, the Holidays, and the summit!" she listed.

He nodded.

"It is a very overwhelming list. But you have plenty of people here to help you."

"Except it's getting harder and harder to know who to trust. I have no idea what would cause Lev to act like that. Someone in power has the Morph, so I can't just blindly put trust in those in power," she replied.

"This is all very true, it's hard to know what people's agendas are."

"I think we both agree that finding this talisman is our priority right now. The rest will just have to wait in line," she said.

"I completely agree, what I can't understand is how this person with it has remained close enough to hurt her all the time. You would think she would notice someone hanging around her. I mean, other than Dr. Barker, she had no real constant companion."

She paused.

"Leland and Tinka? Really?"

"Oh yes, for almost a year now. She fell off a ladder in the archives, broke her arm. During her recovery they fell in love," he replied.

"Wow, I am so far out of the loop."

"It's ok, you have had other things going on," he said.

"So, it would have to be someone innocuous, that perhaps she would not notice, being around her. Yet, I can't think that if she kept seeing the same face repeatedly for three days it would not be noticed," she continued.

"What if it wasn't the same face?" he asked.

"You think there is more than one person involved here?"

"No, one of the other known issues is the morph. What if she is also involved in Tinka's illness."

"Which would explain why she did not notice the same person because it never looked like the same person. Nyles you are brilliant!" she exclaimed.

"I do my best," he replied with a grin.

"That means Shane is on a wild goose hunt," she said

"Let's see if he can figure out when she started becoming ill. That will at least give us a way to narrow down how long this has been going on."

"If it is the morph, I don't know how we are going to help her. Clearing out all the people around here will not work as she will just shift into someone new," she said, frowning.

"What about the Bio scanners? Could we not place one once we find out the max radius for the talisman's power and then set it up, so that anyone that comes through will be scanned. The morph may be able to mask her face, but she can't imitate the race signature," he suggested.

"Are you sure you don't want to run Scíath? Because your ideas are ingenious," she said, feeling the discomfort fall away.

"Oh no. That, my Lady, is your job. I'll stick with being the helpful sidekick. I'll phone Galerius and have him bring the scanner up and get it ready," he said, moving carefully. He did not want to spoil his moment by causing yet another avalanche.

Kyra's breakfast arrived. She gladly shared her Danishes with him as he made the scanner arrangements and she was submitted to morning rounds.

Just as the herd of doctors was leaving, Nio came back in with a stack of largish books and an anxious expression.

Kyra frowned.

"You don't look happy"

"I'm not. I wish I could rush in here and say here is what it is, and this is how we fix it. Unfortunately, all I have is a bunch of possibilities," he replied, dropping the books on the table with a decisive thud.

What I do know for certain is that this is a very powerful spell that would have taken several weeks to prepare. This was planned out well in advance. However, the target is chosen right before the talisman is activated, with something personal from them. It is usually a hair or something like that. The largest radius I can find on any talisman spell recorded in our books is roughly half a mile. I've requested a Scíath map from Lev so that we can plot out half a mile in all directions from her current location. It's not a definitive answer, but it's a start," he explained.

"This is a good idea, very resourceful. I hate to have to throw another wrinkle into our plan, but I'm going to let you in on some sensitive security information that I would request you keep to yourself. We have a person within our walls who is a Morph. She can change her appearance to resemble anyone. This is why I think Tinka did not realize until it was too late what was going on. Nyles has thought of a way to secure her however, we are going to put up one of the bio scanners, see if we can't flush her out or scare her away," she explained.

"Wow, this is complicated. I can't see why anyone would want to hurt Tinka, she is such a kind gentle woman," Nio replied.

"As Leland would say, things are going to Hell and I have no idea why," she replied, sighing softly.

A knock at the door brought a courier with the map. As they spread it out over the end of the bed, Kyra was struck at the sheer size of Scíath. The compound itself was a circle stretching out five miles from the core. In addition, another two miles straight down.

"We are here," Nyles said, pointing to a spot near the outer wall on the east side.

"It looks like we are going to need three scanners, one each for the north, south, and west sides. Can he get that many up and running quickly?" she asked.

"We don't have much of a choice. Spells like this have a limited time frame, they are strong and are meant to kill the intended target in no more than four days," Nio replied.

"If we count Wednesday as day one, then your original prognosis was right. We have one day left. What can you tell us about the talisman itself, in relation to size and shape?" Nyles asked.

"Well the thing about magic is that size is not relative. An object the size of a one pound coin can pack as much punch as something the size of a dinner plate. However, to carry this much magic for this long of a time, the material it is made of is what is important. I've narrowed it down to two types of material. One is aluminum, and the other is graphite," he explained

"Great, so now we have to search everyone carrying leftovers or a pencil!" Nyles said, exasperated.

"Not exactly, they would need to have all the spell components within the talisman, so I'm going to lay my bets on a foil pouch filled with powder and perhaps a stone or two," Nio explained.

"I still think we are going to be spending a lot of time examining people's lunches. However, it's something to go on," Nyles admitted.

"Ok, get on the phone to Galerius, get those scanners up here and set up, and I'm going to page Shane and have him bring all the known race signatures from security to put into the scanner. Everyone who joins Scíath puts their signature on file for identification purposes. At least that's the way it's supposed to work," she explained.

"Nio, I want you to go over and tell Moira what you have discovered, see if the witches she is with have anything more to offer about what we may be looking for; smell, color, et cetera . . .," she continued.

Nio nodded and headed out. Nyles picked up the phone and began dialing security, she picked up her pager and typed a message to Shane.

Within twenty minutes her room was again full. Nyles, Moira, Leland, Nio, and Shane were all trying to find a place to sit.

Kyra regarded them all, hoping that the trust she was extending to them would not turn out to be a mistake.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, Tinka is in trouble. It is up to us to help her. She has a very small amount of time left. Someone within our walls is harming her with a powerful talisman spell. We must locate the talisman and destroy it before tomorrow morning if we are to have any hope of saving our friend. The research indicates that the object must be within half a mile of her to do damage. We believe that the person holding this talisman is a morph, making it impossible to identify them. However, we are going to set up the Bio scanners at all the half-mile borders of her current location, meaning that anyone who comes or goes will be scanned and searched. The trick is going to be putting the scanners up without people realizing what they are. We are going to disguise them as decontamination chambers, which the suspect would already have passed through many times and have no fear of going through again. However, should they become suspicious and not wish to go through the barriers our purpose will also be served, as the talisman will be outside the radius. Once she is outside of its power, she should recover in a few days. Nio believes it is an aluminum pouch filled with powder and stones, so be on the lookout for anything like that. Shane is going to brief an elite security team that will be posted at the scanners and will know what they are looking for. Moira and Nio are to be notified immediately if the item is found so that they can diffuse it. I do not want rumors of what is going on here to spread through Scíath, it is important that the morph not suspect that we are on to her. Does anyone have any questions?"

"What will be done with the scoundrel when she is caught?" Leland asked.

"She will be detained in security until such time her involvement in several issues at Scíath is determined," Kyra replied, seeing from his expression that her answer was not what he had wanted to hear.

"Well, thanks to her, I have a ward full of patients. So, if you will excuse me," he said. Not waiting for a reply he turned on his heel and walked out.

Kyra frowned, but said nothing.

"If there are no other questions or concerns, the crews from Lev should be here to start the set up. If anyone asks you why we are putting up more decontamination chambers, simply say it's because of the two that became ill in the dining room," she said, surprised at how quickly the lie sprung to her mind.

A picture flashed into her mind of Lev and his behavior the previous night. She would have preferred not to use him until she had a chance to question him about his outburst; however, circumstances had not permitted that, and she placed faith in Di that she had handled it.

At the thought of Di, she wondered if she should not be here, helping with the operation. She knew right away no, she should be where she was running the everyday operations of Scíath, they could not both be locked away in this department.

"Alright then, let's get this show on the road," she said in dismissal.

Everyone filed out except Shane. After a moment they were alone together, the silence was palpable.

"I," they began at the same time.

"Go ahead," he said.

She shook her head.

"No, you." she said glancing at the door, willing it to stay shut, as this was not something she wanted Nyles or Moira walking in on.

"I should say I'm sorry, apologize for my brash and forward actions. Tell you that I did it simply to rouse you, to keep you safe," he said, running a hand through his hair, leaving it disheveled.

"But?" she asked, more curious than she cared to admit.

"But I'm not sorry; I mean I would have preferred perhaps a different scenario for that first kiss to have occurred, but I'm not sorry it happened. I am insanely attracted to you and I do not intend to back down now," he said stepping near her bed.

She took a deep breath trying to come up with a response, then the door flung open with Nyles stepping in.

"I agree, please make sure all the agents are level three or higher and equipped with tranquilizers, we want her taken alive if possible. Please keep me updated," she said quickly.

Shane nodded, understanding, as he left.

Nyles smiled at her, clueless to her deception.

"You know, most people, while on bed rest, do not helm the ship, so to speak. You, however, would not understand 'take it easy' if your life depended on it," he said, his tone teasing.

She simply stuck her tongue out at him. It was an appropriate gesture for his comment, but it also gave her the chance to recover from Shane's confession.

"Who do you think is behind this attack on her?" he asked, voicing something she had been wondering herself.

"I'd like to say Jason; however, I can't come up with a why," she answered.

"I'd like to agree with you mostly out of my lack of love for his greasy hide. Yet, I simply can't come up with a reason as to why. You, Di, perhaps even Moira, I could imagine. Nevertheless, Tinka has nothing I can see that he would want. Yes, she has knowledge housed inside her department, but it would take talent far beyond his or any he could bribe to do any real damage with the information."

She nodded in agreement, racking her brain.

"What about Lev? I mean, normally I would not even suggest him, but his recent behavior means he deserves another look," she suggested.

"You know I've been thinking on that, and even took a poke into the Anthro files; it seems that there is a long animosity between the Lupus race and dwarves. Top that with Lev being able to detect Shane's powers and perhaps it was exactly what it seemed, he was indignant about powers being used on him by a race he feels inferior to his own. He may be a Treoraí, but old habits are hard to break. Not to mention Shane makes the second Lupus and the first half blood to be inside Scíath since its inception," Nyles answered.

"Half blood?" she asked. She had assumed he was a straight up Lupus, she had not investigated him.

"Yeah, kinda like you, he is half lupus half human. He never full shifts into a wolf form. From what I gather, his mother was bitten while she was pregnant, and it mutated his DNA," Nyles said, not realizing that he did not want to make them anymore alike.

She just nodded, laying her eyes back. She felt exhaustion creep up on her as her eye lids refused to obey her command to reopen.

"I would like to remind you that you are here because you had a very close call last night. You've given everyone their jobs, and you are doing more than most would or could in your condition. Take a nap, I will go out and make a supervisory round of all the assignments and come back and report to you," Nyles said, seeing the exhaustion tugging at her features.

She opened her mouth to protest, yet she realized it was futile; she was very tired, both emotionally and physically.

"You're the best," she said, stifling a yawn as she lowered the bed. She fell asleep quickly.

****

Nyles watched her for a few moments; he pulled the covers up over her. He felt so bad for not being there when she had needed him. He knew what she would say. That he had tended to the person in immediate obvious danger and that was what was needed; however, he could not shake the feeling that he had let her down.

What was going to happen when he had to leave? Six months was a long time for her to be unprotected. He thought of Shane. He would talk to him, have him promise to care for her. He had turned out to be a decent, upstanding fellow. He made his way out to do as he promised her.

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### Chapter Ten

Shane stood outside Kyra's room looking over the finished reports from the Bio Scanner install. Lev's crew was damn efficient. It had taken them just over three hours to get them installed and camouflaged as sterilization. He was unsure how to feel about Lev's behavior; however, one thing that could not be doubted was his efficiency.

Laying down the reports, his eyes passed over Kyra's chart. He was tempted to peak at it, to check on her condition for himself, but he respected her too much to pry.

Turning away from the desk he glanced down at the PDA he had been given; if an unknown signature passed through the bio scanner it would alert him. _Now all there was to do is wait. I hate waiting_ , he thought.

Several rooms away Leland also waited. He stared at Tinka's face, unable to restore her strength; but with his sedative power, he had been able to take away the pain she had been feeling. Reaching down, he stroked the side of her face gently. She truly was the most beautiful women he had ever seen. It had been quite a shock to him when she had returned his affections. His life had not been the same since that day. He knew Kyra was doing everything in her power to help her, and her plan was solid, but it did not stop him from wanting to grab ahold of everyone in the department and shake them to find out who was harming her.

His gaze moved to the screen which monitored her heartbeat. The little green blips marching on and on in a steady rhythm, their electronic parade providing comforting proof of her stability.

Moving quietly to the door, he glanced back at her once more before slipping into his professional demeanor and rejoining his world of responsibility.

****

Nyles finished his rounds. Pausing, he peered through the window to Kyra's room. She was sleeping soundly, and he had no desire to wake her from the slumber she so desperately needed. Seeing Shane standing at the doctor's station, he made his way over to talk to him.

"I hate waiting," Nyles said, echoing Shane's earlier thought.

"Yea, me too, but at this point there is not much else we can do," Shane replied, glancing for the hundredth time at the PDA, wiling it to give him a signal.

"At least we know that the people in here are as safe as they can be," Nyles added.

"Yes, the last of the required staff for this wing has passed through the scanners and they all checked out, although the security details will be changing in about forty-five minutes," Shane explained, struggling against the urge to pace. He did better when he was on the move; standing in one place and doing nothing tended to make him anxious.

Leland approached them.

"Her signs are steady, and her blood pressure is rising to a more acceptable level," he said, tilting his head towards Tinka's room.

"Seems that this little barricade is working its magic," he continued.

"Hey Doc, can you think of any reason for Tinka to be a target of something this serious?" Shane asked, his detective nature showing through.

"I've been asking myself that all night," Leland replied.

"I can't think of any major enemies she has inside or outside of Scíath. Her department is full of knowledge, but not any that just anyone could use. Of all the Treoraí, I think she would make the least sense to target. Even Jason has contact information for Royalty and the locations of Diplomats. Tinka has dusty books," he said, shaking his head.

"I know it's not over anything we found in the Architect's library," Nyles said.

Leland nodded but Shane looked puzzled.

"Tinka, Kyra and I were going through the Architect's personal library, looking for a book that might help us with his condition," Nyles explained.

"But you didn't find it?" Shane asked.

"To be honest, we had only just begun, and other than some sea shanties and onion recipes, we did not come up with anything of interest."

"What if someone did not know that? What if there was something in those books that someone did not want anyone else to know? They knew that no matter if it was something or nothing, Tinka would never divulge what she had learned. And this person was so desperate to make sure that whatever it was stayed a secret, that they were willing to destroy those who could know," Shane said as he paced.

"That is a perfectly plausible scenario and one that never crossed my mind," Nyles said, gaining even more respect for Shane.

"However, that would make you and Kyra targets as well," Leland added.

"Point, it is harder however to get to Kyra and I, than it is to get to Tinka. So, start with the easiest and work your way in perhaps."

Leland and Shane nodded.

"I think we should cancel the Ball," Shane said.

"What? Why?" Nyles asked.

"Because it is a large, people-filled room that is dimly lit. I mean, if I was going to attempt to hurt someone, a large crowd, lack of lighting, and noise would be an excellent chance to do so," he explained.

"While I completely concur, Kyra will never agree. Aside from the fact that she is trying to keep Scíath running as normally as she can, one of her father's greatest loves was his parties," Nyles responded.

Shane sighed. He knew Nyles was right, and that he was going to have to find some way to protect her during the party while still allowing her to participate in her role as hostess.

A door around the other side of the pod swung open and a very excited man rushed out.

"Doc, she's awake!" he exclaimed before rushing back inside.

Even though only one of them was needed, all three men rushed to the room to see the young Fae sitting up. Her skin tone, while still pale, was almost back to normal, and her wings no longer looked brittle.

She appeared surprised as they trio entered.

"You certainly know how to make a girl feel important," she said with a weak smile.

Leland moved over to her bed, checking monitors and her pulse.

"Things have been a bit crazy around here and it was nice to have some good news," Nyles grinned back. He knew Kyra would be thrilled to hear that Milyna was recovering.

"I know you have had a harrowing ordeal; but if you're up to it, I need to ask you a few questions," Shane said gently.

He glanced to Leland who nodded his approval.

"Sure, I can try," she said, slipping her hand into Seth's.

"I need you to tell me all you remember from the time you entered the dining hall until your collapse," he asked, taking out his notebook.

"We were meeting Gobon for breakfast; he has made a genuine effort to not be an ass since Kyra zapped him. We got our tea and ordered up some breakfast. Jonah said that they were backlogged, and could we give him a little bit to fill the order. So, we headed to the condiment stand and then to grab a table and wait," she said, her voice gaining a bit of strength.

"What did you place in your tea?" Shane asked, knowing that all the condiments had been checked and none of them had any trace of tranquilizer in them.

"Sugar. Seth teases me that sometimes I like a little tea in my sugar," she said, grinning up at him as he smiled back.

Then, I sipped it. I remember suddenly feeling very heavy, and the rest of it is a blur, I'm sorry," she said.

Shane nodded, scribbling a few notes in his book.

"I have to ask, did you or Seth lose sight of your mugs at any point during the morning? Since you two were the only ones affected and the condiments were all clean, that has to have been the method of delivery," Shane explained.

Seth piped up.

"Actually, something kinda odd did happen when we went to get our mugs from the dish station. They were not on their hooks. One of the dish guys carried a tray out with only a couple mugs on it and ours were there. They have never not been on the pegs in the morning before," he said.

Shane and Nyles looked at each other.

Shane knew asking what the dish guy had looked like would really be a moot point as he was almost certain it was the morph.

"Thank you both very much for your help. I'm so glad to see you awake and looking better ma'am, you just concentrate on getting better and we will figure out what happened," Shane said.

They were turning to go when the lights in the entire pod flashed once, then the PDA at his hip started buzzing like mad.

"The scanner!" he said, bolting out of the room with Nyles and Leland close on his heels.

He picked the device up, "it's the scanner in the farthest corner. It had gone offline and was tossing out all kinds of alarms."

He yelled back as he raced through the halls, dodging doctors and a few startled patients. Nyles and Leland kept up the best they could; however, it was very hard for Nyles to maneuver as Shane had.

When they arrived at the scanner, they were greeted with a red-faced Shane who was ripping into a security agent.

"What do you mean the scanner went off? I specifically requested that it make no indication of an unknown signature so that the morph would not be notified!" he said, tossing his hands in the air.

"I don't know Sir; it surged, causing the lights to blink once. The guy in the chamber froze and turned to run. I got a hold of his arm and he dropped this, but then wrenched his arm free and ran," he explained, holding up a small square packet of aluminum foil.

Leland pushed through and grabbed the packet. He stalked to the other side of the barrier. It took Nyles a moment to realize that it was the talisman and Leland was taking it beyond the barrier to keep Tinka from harm.

"Call Moira and Nio. I'm standing right here with this in my hand until they arrive to diffuse it," he said, crossing his arms.

Shane looked at his determined expression and knew that by protocol, security should take control of the item; however, he knew there was no way Dr. Barker was going to allow his love to be harmed another moment.

Picking up his radio, he summoned the requested pair.

"The guy in the scanner, who did it look like," Shane asked.

"It was Glen, the Architect's regular guard. He's been on his room since he was brought here." the person explained.

Nyles nodded.

"Whoever this is, is doing their homework. They chose someone who everyone is used to seeing and was likely to be overlooked. Whose position two doors down from Tinka would give them the entire shift for the talisman to be fatal," he said.

Moira and Nio huffed up. It was obvious they had also come at a run.

"There is no way whoever is pulling the strings of this morph is not in a position of power, they have way too much information that is highly classified," Shane said.

"That's why Kyra asked that the scanner plan not be put into Simon, not giving anyone the chance to find out about it," he added, to himself more than the others.

"Where is it?" Nio asked.

Nyles gestured to Leland.

"He is keeping it safe outside the boundary for you guys."

The two of them moved to Leland and they began to gently examine the pouch.

"We are going to take this back to the vault for more examination," Moira said.

"I will join you and bring a security detail just to make sure everything gets where it needs to be," Shane said, motioning to a few of the security men.

Once the pouch was on its way outside of the department, Leland rejoined Nyles and they headed back towards Kyra.

When they reached the ICU, Leland headed back towards Tinka's room while Nyles peaked in. Seeing Kyra awake, he knocked gently.

"Come in" she called.

Nyles stepped in, unable to keep the smile of victory from his face. She read him in an instant.

"You found her!" she exclaimed.

"Not exactly," Nyles said, relaying the tale.

She sat back after he had finished, a pensive look on her face.

"I am thrilled that Milyna is recovering, and ecstatic that the talisman has been found and removed. I am, however, disappointed that the morph got away."

"However, I must take the wins to sweeten the losses," She said.

"How are you?" he asked, noting her color was returning.

"I feel better," she replied.

"Excellent, you will need your strength for the ball tomorrow night. Shane suggested we cancel the ball; however, I told him you would never have that."

She nodded.

"You were right. I can't do that; however, I really wish it was further away than tomorrow night," she said as Leland entered.

"Magic simply amazes me," he said, moving to Kyra's side to check her pulse and monitors as he had with the others.

"That something small enough to fit in an aluminum pouch can drain the life from a vibrant woman; and then just as quickly as it's removed, the ill effects can fade. She is sleeping comfortably now, the pallor in her skin is less, and all her vitals are normal. I have no idea how long the effects will remain or if any permanent damage has been done to her body; however, I am sure enough to say we are not going to lose her," he said as his smile lit up his face.

"Excellent work Leland, you are an amazing doctor and we are all very lucky to have you here," Kyra smiled back.

"Nyles tells me Milyna came through ok as well."

"She did, and you are most definitely on the mend. I am going to say that both of you ladies are going to be able to attend the ball. However, I'm going to ask you both to take it easy. One of the other things about magical injuries is there is no real way to ever know how long the affliction can last. However, in Milyna's case, all of the tranquilizers have been metabolized through her system, so she is well on the mend." he finished, scribbling some notes on the clipboard beside her bed.

"Plus, I'd like to have my critical care unit mostly empty; I like it better that way. However, given that the Architect is still here I would like to keep the scanners up where they are. We have no idea what this morph is up to and it would make sense to keep our eyes open. I'm going to put out a memo asking for another one to be installed on the front door as well, and then there are no surprises," he added.

"Do not put it out over Simon, call Lev and Galerius directly and have it done. We are trying to keep the installation under wraps to lessen the information available to the morph," Kyra said.

Leland nodded.

"I've been in Scíath most of my entire life, and I've been a Treoraí for nearly fifteen years. I have never had to wonder or worry about those I served with. It saddens and angers me that whoever is doing this is taking the tragedy of the Architect as their chance for mayhem. Please understand that I in no way think that you are not as capable of a leader as your father is, nor that this is happening because you are in charge. I know you will be a great leader, and when you find out who is behind this they will be lucky to be sent to prison," Leland said, then nodded and left.

"That was a vote of confidence . . . I think," Kyra said.

"Leland is turning out to be a much deeper fellow that I expected; his repeated calls for violence are not what I would expect from him, "she added.

"Agreed" Nyles said.

"So, Lady, it seems that the immediate danger has passed, and you have one more night in theses lovely accommodations. So, I was thinking that I would head down and pick up a picnic of sorts from Gus and we could spend the evening not focusing on work," Nyles suggested.

Her face lit up.

"Nyles, that would be amazing, I can use the afternoon to handle the wrap ups and then we can relax. Tomorrow morning, I will be free. I have a hair appointment and I'd like to go over the lantern lighting and veil ceremony al— . . ." she stopped mid-word.

"Tinka is not going to be well enough to lead the ghosts over at the end of the night! How are we going to restore the balance at dawn?" Kyra asked.

"I had not given that any thought, to be honest. I usually go to the ball, dance, have a bit too much of the liquid spirits, and crash in bed well before dawn. I'm not even sure what happens," Nyles replied.

"Well, as Moira explained it to me, on All Hallows Eve the ghosts have an easier time passing through the veil, so a number of them come over to visit with family and friends, or just look around. At dawn, Tinka holds a ritual that draws them back and gently reminds them to head back into their world. Without it, we may end up with an exorbitant amount of spirits remaining earth side, and that simply won't do," Kyra said, feeling the weight that had momentarily been lifted settle back into its new favorite spot on her shoulders.

"Hmm, so how about this? Since I am the acting head of Occult on my way to the dining hall, I will swing in, poke through the dossiers, and pick a few candidates for this ritual. I will bring them here and right after lunch we will go through them, pick one, send for them, and get it handled before you run afternoon wrap up," he suggested.

A wide smile danced on to her lips.

"My dear Nyles, you really are a lifesaver. I have no idea what I would do without you."

He smiled at the compliment, but a nagging thought crept into his mind, reminding him that she would indeed have to do without him very soon.

He bowed dramatically, banishing the thought.

"I shall leave then, on the cusp of my brilliant idea. See you soon, Madam," he said with a playful grin.

Kyra leaned back and listened to his hoof beats until they faded out. She did not realize she had fallen asleep, yet she found herself standing in the grand foyer of the manor house. Time had been rewound; no signs of decay or disregard were present. Only love and signs of family life were present.

She looked up to see the towering spruce beside her. The mighty boughs were laden with glass baubles and ribbons. Strings of cranberries and popcorn garlands wound their way around, hugging the tree in their festive embrace.

The silence was broken by a pair of joyous voices coming ever closer. Kyra posed herself ready; however, she could tell the voices belonged to children and she was a witness to happier days gone by.

As predicted, the two children came racing around the curve in the stairs. One was the young girl whom she was already very attached to, the second was a boy, younger, probably five or so. He chased his sister, waving around what appeared to be a rubber snake. She played along, acting scared and running from the toy. Her reactions brought deep laughs of joy from the child.

Kyra was content to watch them and relive the past. When the little girl spied her, she walked directly up to her and smiled.

"Thank you, thank you for bringing her here, and giving peace to their souls. Now that we have been released, we can play together, here in the place where we were so happy" she said, giving Kyra a tight hug.

The little boy wandered up, although he kept his distance, rightfully frightened of strangers.

"Is that the angel?" he whispered to his sister.

She smiled, stepping back, she slipped her arm around his shoulders.

"Yes, that's her," she replied.

He looked up at Kyra, his young eyes full of wonder.

"Thank you, I am with my family and am home again," he said, his voice timid.

Kyra got down on one knee to be at his level.

"You are ever so welcome, little one. I'm glad I could help," she replied, holding back the tears that threatened.

He leaned in and looked around before adding in a conspiratorial whisper

"I hid a picture, something one of the bad men dropped. It's under my toy box."

Kyra's eyes widened.

"Thank you for sharing this with me. I hope to bring the bad men to pay for their misdeeds and you have given me an important clue," she replied.

She had no idea if the picture was relevant or if it would help, but the smile on the face of her little friend was more than worth it.

"You must go now, they are coming," she said, and taking her brother's hand, they began to fade as Kyra tumbled towards consciousness.

Kyra opened her eyes to hear voices outside her door. The little girl had been right. They were coming. Glancing at her clock, it read nearly one PM, and she had been asleep for almost an hour.

_I must learn her name_ , Kyra thought to herself as she awaited Nyles' entry. As foretold by the sound of hoof beats, a moment later Nyles stuck his head in. Seeing her awake, he entered holding four file folders in his hands. Who came next was a bit of a jarring surprise, yet she managed to keep her expression neutral.

"Jason," she said, keeping any possible emotion from her tone.

"Kyra, so lovely to see you looking so much better. Leland runs a first-class facility here," he oozed, his smile so wide she was sure it must be painful.

"Thank you, Jason, he is the best. What can I do for you?" she asked, getting straight to the point in hoping to keep his intrusion short.

His smile never wavered.

"I just wanted to drop by and let you know that the meeting has been set up with Scotland Yard for Monday at one PM. I was unsure if you had access to a Simon terminal, so I wanted to make sure you knew and ask if you wished to accompany me."

Kyra fought a full body shudder, she had zero desire to talk to Gilly police. She always found it a frustrating contact, and then the added bonus of traveling with Jason, without Nyles, was nauseating. However, she knew it had to be done, as they still had no one to make pay for the murder of Madeline and she had been a Gilly.

She found herself nodding.

"Thank you for being so thoughtful. I will be out of here and ready to attend the meeting with you. I will be bringing Shane along so that he can share our investigation progress and perhaps garner more knowledge about the woman," she said, watching Nyles out of the corner of her eye for a reaction. She had not planned to take Shane; however, if she could avoid alone time with Jason, she would invite the Devil himself.

She noted Nyles nodding in approval; Jason looked unfazed, though she was sure he had been counting on spending time alone with her.

"Excellent, well then, if you will excuse me, I'm sure I'll see you at the ball tomorrow evening," he said. Without waiting for an answer, he exited quickly.

Nyles snorted.

"I'm really glad you thought to bring Shane along, I'm not sure I would have let you go alone," he said, crossing his arms.

Kyra raised an eyebrow.

Catching his mistake, Nyles sputtered.

"Not that I 'let' you do anything . . . I just mean that he's not someone I would trust alone with anyone is all."

He looked down, as his face became a lovely shade of red.

Kyra laughed.

"Nyles, you are so cute when you're embarrassed. I knew what you meant, I just wanted to make you blush," she said with a wink.

"Now all I have to do is ask Shane if he can go," she added.

As if he had been summoned, Shane's head appeared through a partway opened door.

"Ask me what?" he said with a grin.

"Were your ears burning?" she teased.

"Kyra has graciously volunteered you to accompany her and Jason to meet with Scotland Yard on Monday at one PM to discuss the murder," Nyles said.

"Oh. Well, I'm ok with that; I would not want you traveling alone with that slime ball down the hallway much less into London," he said.

Kyra laughed.

"I cannot think of a single person who actually likes Jason."

The men paused a moment as if trying to come up with someone.

"I got nothing," Nyles said.

"Nor I," said Shane.

"Well, now that that is handled, let's get on to why I showed up an hour before our scheduled wrap up," he continued.

"I swung by the ballroom to check out how much of a nightmare it's going to be to protect you tomorrow evening. I am pleased to say that the dais is a rather easily defendable position and if you choose to dance, we have a place off to the side for that where you can be safe and still have fun."

"How do the decorations look?" she asked.

"Um . . . I am thinking they are good," he said, shuffling his feet.

"You didn't even notice them, did you?" she asked with a grin.

"Not true. I know where all the deep corners are that the candlelight does not reach, so I know there are candles. I also know that the dais' underneath empty portion is covered with thick, purple velvet. "he said in his own defense.

Nyles laughed.

"I don't quite think that's what she meant, mate."

"Yeah well," he said, chagrinned.

"It's ok Shane, I am also a security agent and given your mission, I probably would have been blind to the crepe paper as well."

"Nyles, now I come to what I need from you. I need access to the witches who did the circles for the Treoraí meeting, I would like them to add some protections under the stage. Nothing as elaborate or as dangerous as those, but just a bit of protection against outside forces."

Nyles nodded

"After the wrap up, Moira and the two of us will head over to Occult and see what we can get for you."

"Great. Well, I'll leave you two to your paperwork," Shane said, making a point of meeting Kyra's eyes for a longer look.

She looked down, feeling the flush rise to her cheeks.

Luckily for both of them, Nyles was arranging the dossiers on the table and missed the exchange.

"Ok, what do we have?" She asked, thankful for the distraction.

"I picked the top four spirit weavers from Tinka's files. Out of those four, I have my top two; however, I wanted to give you all the possibilities," he explained.

Kyra nodded and the two of them began pouring over the dossiers.

Many hallways away, two figures were locked in a heated conversation. They counted on the deep shadows to hide them from prying eyes.

"You are taking too many risks, this is getting out of control," the first voice growled in a menacing whisper.

"I'm doing what has to be done, we will never have another chance," the second voice replied with a dead calm that was even more menacing than the angry growl it was responding to.

"If we fail, it hangs on you," the first voice responded. After a furtive glance into the deserted corridor, a largish shape stuck to the shadows and made its way out of the corridor.

The second voice waited quietly as it was joined by another shadow. A third smaller shadow joined the first; this voice was softer, quieter.

"Are we ready?" it asked simply.

"Just about. I need you to secure trouble, as many disruptions as you can cause; we must have the place in chaos to retrieve what we need. I'm sorry about today, I don't know how they knew," the voice said, a touch of sadness in its tone.

"Worry not, it was probably just a fluke; they know nothing. We will not be stopped," the second voice replied, all anger gone; its place was a warm soothing tone.

The two remaining shadows embraced briefly, then as quickly as they had come, they vanished, each going their separate ways.

#

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#  Chapter Eleven

"I think she is the one," Kyra said looking again at the folder in her hand.

She and Nyles had spent an hour and a half going over the four folders in detail. Each candidate had excellent qualifications; however, the one they had chosen, she felt had the balance of experience, talent and knowledge.

Evelyn was a Nymph. She was from a small band that it was said had guarded the entrance to the cave that lead to the underworld. It was their job to guide in lost spirits or stop them from escaping if they managed to find their way back up the river Styx.

She was banished from the tribe for attempting to save her lover's spirit from descending into the underworld when he was killed. Driven by bitterness and heartbreak, she roamed the world, riling up restless spirits, searching for weak parts of the veil so she could peer in for her lover's spirit. She had been apprehended by security a little over two years ago. The Architect had given her a choice, come into Scíath and use her talents for the good of the world or serve a lengthy sentence in prison.

She had chosen to come to Scíath on probation. Tinka's notes said that she had been a loner for the first year, rarely socializing with others within the department. Then she had been chosen to go on an emergency mission to repair a rift in the veil that had been opened when the holocaust graves had been exposed and hundreds of tortured spirits had risen and needed guiding.

According to the report, upon seeing the lost souls mourning for their love ones, she had come alive and taken the lead, spending eighteen-hour days, guiding each soul across to peace. Her dedication to saving those spirits had earned her a commendation and removed her probation.

Nyles nodded.

"I agree, I've seen her a few times, I will call over to the department and have her come by."

Kyra closed her eyes as he made the call. She could not help but feel a surge of confidence about her leadership capabilities. She had seen a problem before it became a disaster and taken the steps to have it handled. She felt her body relax, and without intending it, her Fae senses stretched out over the ICU pod. She felt Leland, Milyna, Seth, Tinka, her father; and beside her father was Di.

She sat up, opening her eyes. She should not have been surprised that there were others who cared besides herself and Nyles; however, it had simply never occurred to her that they did. She sat up and glanced at Nyles as he finished his call.

"She will be here in twenty minutes, so she might have to sit in on the wrap up session before we have a chance to fully fill her in."

"Fair enough, you should go out and tell Leland she is coming; you know how he is about people in the unit that he does not expect."

Part of her really wanted to go into her father's room and check on him, yet she resisted. He and Di had started Scíath together; they had been friends for a very long time. He was perfectly safe with her.

Glancing at the clock, she saw it was three thirty, half an hour until her room would be packed with all her current issues. She paused to wonder exactly what Di was doing since she still seemed to be in charge. Still, it was probably better this way. Were she not still doing all these things, she would be panicking over them and getting even less rest then she was now.

Sliding out of bed, she headed into the bathroom to freshen up. When Nyles re-entered to an empty bed his heart began to pound. A quick scan of the room showed she was nowhere to be found. He was reaching for the panic button as the bathroom door slid open.

"Woman, you scared me half to death," he said, taking a deep breath.

Seeing the panic on his face, she rushed over to hug him.

It was at this point that Moira, Nio, and Shane entered the room.

Nyles stumbled backwards out of the embrace. Kyra looked down, not daring to meet Moira's eyes since this was the second time in as many days she had been caught in an embrace with two separate men.

She was, however, unable to miss the deep frown adorning Shane's face.

"Ok crew . . . everyone file in and find a place to sit; we are waiting on a few more people, then we can get all this wrapped up so you can enjoy your Friday evening." she said as she climbed back up into her bed, hoping to bring an air of professionalism back to the meeting.

Leland came in a few minutes later, followed by Anna.

Kyra smiled brightly; she was glad to see Anna looking so healthy and well. Another hesitant knock at the door caused Kyra's brow to raise. She had forgotten about Evelyn.

Leland answered the door, stepping back to admit one of the most striking women Kyra had ever seen. She was not remarkably tall; probably five foot five or so; however, absolutely everything else about her was remarkable.

Glistening silver ringlets tumbled down to her waist; her skin could only be described as twilight blue; her eyes were a pool of liquid silver that pulled you in and threatened to drown you in its unknown depths.

Kyra shook her head, freeing herself from the woman's gaze.

"You must be Evelyn," she said with a welcoming smile.

The newcomer nodded once but did not say anything.

"Please come in and if you can find a place to sit do; if not . . . well, pull up a piece of wall. I will get to why you're here shortly," Kyra said, pulling herself up in the bed in an attempt to look as little like a patient as possible.

"I would like to welcome you all here. I would apologize for cramming you all into one tiny room for this; however, I know you all understand. So, let's begin. I've called this wrap-up session because, well, in the last week or so several things have happened. Projects have begun or continued and with the ball this weekend and my meeting at Scotland Yard on Monday, I wanted to get a bearing on where we stand on things. Not to mention a plan going forward on what still needs to be done. I will be reassuming all of the duties as Director of Scíath upon my release from Medical tomorrow morning, provided that is ok with the good doctor," she paused to look at Leland.

"As long as you check out, you will be free to go," he replied with a smile.

"So, without further ado let us get down to business. As most of you know and some of you may not know, Tinka was under attack from an unknown source using a talisman to drain her energy. Due to some quick thinking and amazingly seamless teamwork, the amulet was found, removed to the vault, and now Tinka is recovering. I am going to turn the floor over to Nio and Moira, who can let us know what they discovered."

Moira stepped up next to Kyra's bed, so she was facing the audience; Nio stood beside her, but stared at the floor, obviously uncomfortable with being in the spotlight.

"Nio and I took the amulet, which was more of a pouch of spell components wrapped in left over tin foil. Thanks to Nio's knowledge of the spell components, we were able to remove and cleanse them one at a time and now they are nothing more than a handful of odds and ends. Unfortunately, there was no signature or individual magic touch put on the talisman, so it is impossible to tell who made it. The one thing we can say for certain is that it took a significant amount of skill and knowledge to put this together and have it work so well," she said, looking to Kyra.

"Thank you, Moira and Nio; we will all feel safer knowing we have such a swift and efficient team ready to handle any dangerous magical items that find their way into our walls," she said with a smile.

"Anna has been heading up the house project. Nio, I was hoping that you could join her team. We originally had Nyles as our Occult representative; however, given his new administrative role, I would like you to take over. Given your talent with talismans and the artifacts we discovered in the ritual site, I feel you would be an asset to the team," she said, looking to Anna who nodded and gave Nio a welcoming smile.

Kyra could not help but notice how much more at ease Anna had become since she had gotten out from under Jason, how much more personable and relaxed she seemed. The change had done her good.

"Anna, do you have anything major progress to report?"

Anna shook her head no, but then spoke.

"Well . . . yes and no. We have many of the missing Gillys identified and back on their way to the families who have missed them for so long. Other than that, on the house itself, nothing. However, we have a report from the town that a drunken man was mauled to death in the woods by a bear. As soon as the report came in, we swooped in and confiscated the remains and I fixed a few memories. It was no bear; it was one of the hybrid creatures. I have no idea why they are so close to town or what the man did to provoke the attack, but it was a very grisly death," she explained with a shudder.

Kyra's face betrayed her shock. Why had she not been told about this? She would not reprimand Anna in front of the entire group, so she simply took a deep breath before she spoke.

"That is a major concern and we will send a security squad out to maintain a presence and try to keep any further occurrences from happening." she said, looking to Nyles who met her eyes, nodded once and made a note; she could tell she was as shocked as she was and probably just as annoyed at being uninformed.

"Shane?" she asked, taking care not to meet his eyes.

"Well, I have several things to report on the last few days' business. The person carrying the talisman was not apprehended, yet. We discovered the broken pieces of Milyna and Seth's mugs in the trash bins. Let me tell you that they were not a whole lot of fun to look for. However, my hunch was right, the lab tested the mug fragments and found traces of the missing tranquilizers. So, we may not know who or why, but we know how and when the young pair were poisoned," he explained.

"I'd like to butt in and point out that they are both back on their feet and will be released tomorrow. It was a close call. Had the young Fae ingested anymore of the tranquilizer, I do not think the outcome would have been as positive," Leland said.

Kyra paused a moment and looked around. She realized that Evelyn and Nio were the only outsiders in the room; however, she had little option on whether to trust them as they were both about to be shoved square into the melee.

"Leland, I'm sure everyone who has received your amazing medical care the last few days is extremely grateful for your incredible facility and knowledge," she said, hoping to boost his ego a few points.

He beamed.

"Now I would like to introduce you all to Evelyn, she is a member of Occult. Upon reviewing the ceremony for tomorrow night's ball, it occurred to me that with Tinka still under the weather, there would be no one to lead the visiting spirits back through the veil at dawn. Nyles graciously rounded up the top dossiers and we chose Evelyn to take her place. Moira, I need you to take her to the ritual site, guide her through it, and get her anything she may need."

"It is a fairly extensive process, so if you don't mind, we will get going," Moira said.

"Absolutely," Kyra replied.

"One moment please," Evelyn said.

Her voice came out in a deep purr; it was smooth, like a fine, aged Brandy.

"Yes?" Kyra asked

"I am curious as to why you wear a covering of magic dust?" she asked, causing Kyra and everyone else in the room to search for the mentioned substance.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kyra said, trying to keep the worry from her voice.

"It is because you do not have the sight that you can't see it, I think. But your entire body is covered with a fine silver mist that shows you've had a very recent brush with some very powerful magic," she explained simply.

"It must be leftover from when the circle was broken," Moira mused, looking hard to see if she could see it.

"Is it dangerous to her health?" Leland asked, making a note in her chart.

"I don't think so, no . . . It should fade in time, it's just a curiosity I had," she answered.

It was obvious that English was not her first language; her slight accent gave away her Greek origin.

Kyra nodded, but she felt self-conscious about having something on her body that she could neither see nor feel.

"We can go now," she said, heading for the door.

Moira and Evelyn exited.

"I think we should go as well; I would like to take Nio back to my office. He has a fair amount of back information to catch up on," Anna said.

"Excellent, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening," she replied

Anna and Nio exited.

"Well, you sure know how to clear a room, Lady," Shane said with a grin.

"I guess I'm not all that exciting," she replied.

"I prefer you not be, at least not until after you're out of here," Leland said. Walking to her bedside, he gave her the once over.

"You look great. I'm going to go check on my other guests, then retire for the evening. You will have to excuse me, but I will not be attending the ball. I'm going to spend the evening in with Tinka as she will be in no shape to attend," he said.

"I understand, what I said is true. I will fully admit to never having given your department much thought before, but you are incredibly talented and Scíath is in excellent hands with you."

"I thank you," he said, and exited on that note.

"Can I say I do not envy your job?" Shane said,

"Why is that?" she asked.

"Well, let's see . . . Even from your hospital bed, you have managed to stop a catastrophe, save a Treoraí, run a ball, and get everyone where they need to be. It seems there is no rest for you," he replied.

She smiled and shrugged.

"I did not ask for the mantle of leadership, yet I must bear it with the grace and competence my father would expect."

Nyles smiled, it was nice to hear her sound so confident in her role.

"You make him proud; of this, I am sure. Now, if you two will excuse me, I need to put together the security team to send to the house and finalize my team for the ball and the ritual."

"I will see you both at the study tomorrow evening around six PM so that we may make it to the ball and get everyone in place," he added.

The door closed, and they were alone again.

Kyra let out a deep breath she did not know she had been holding.

"Ok, so when did this attack occur, and why was I not informed about it? I did not ask her as I did not want to appear out of the loop or to shame her in front of her peers for not informing me; however, this is something I should have known about," she said, crossing her arms.

"You are right, I'm going to go out to the Simon terminal and log into the house files and see what I can find out. I'm also going to rustle us up a movie for our dinner tonight. This promises to be a long weekend, and I think this will be our last lazy night for a bit," he said, making his way out into the hall.

The moment he was gone, she closed her eyes, stretching her senses out to her father's room next door to see if Di was still with him. To her surprise, she still was. It was even harder this time to not get up and go check on him. What could she be doing in there still?

She pulled her senses back in, throwing her legs over the side of her bed. She had decided to go check on him when Nyles came back in.

"It appears that the attack happened overnight Wednesday. By the time we set out for the Treoraí meeting, the team was back here with the body and all the memories rearranged. "

He did not notice she was poised to get out of bed; or if he did, he made no mention of it.

"So, in her favor, I would say that she had probably not been able to get to you before the meeting and things have been rather chaotic since last evening," he explained.

Kyra nodded slightly. She was distracted by her curiosity over Di's unusually long visit with her father. She could not shake the feeling that she should check on him. She stood up, protecting her feet from the cold tile floor by sliding her feet into the slippers.

Nyles raised an eyebrow.

"I would really like to take a moment to visits with Father before we settle in for the evening" she said, not waiting for an answer as she walked out of her room tightening the sash around her waist and straightening her robe.

She took a hard look at the guard. She knew he had passed through the scanner without issue; however, he was the one the morph had been impersonating, so his presence made her uneasy. Without knocking, she walked into his room and stopped short when she observed Di placing an exceptionally tender kiss on the Architect's head.

She spun around and locked eyes with Kyra. For a moment, there was an awkward silence. Then Di's normal, pleasant smile took over.

"Kyra, it's so good to see you up and about and looking so much better. I must congratulate you on the supreme job you did saving our dear Tinka. You're an amazing leader. I think he would be proud."

With that, she walked out, not explaining her presence or her affection. Kyra stood stock still a few moments, processing what she had seen. She moved over to her father's bed, making a mental check of all the wires and monitors. Studying his face, she was amazed to see the smoothness of his brow and the lack of laugh lines around his eyes. He appeared at least ten years younger. She smoothed his flawless hair, and picking up his hand, she was surprised to find something clutched in it. Gently, she pried it out. It appeared to be made of bone. It was a carving of a cobra. She studied it intently. The details were amazing; it had to be hand carved. A cobra, a venomous snake, seemed a very odd gift to give a sick man. Her brow furrowed in thought. She could not imagine Di wanting to hurt him; however, given everyone's strange behavior recently, she tucked it into her pocket. She would have Moira check it out before she allowed it around her defenseless father.

She stood a long moment, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, waiting, hoping perhaps for a miracle, but none seemed forthcoming. She kissed his head gently and made her way back to her room. Nyles was looking over paperwork and smiled at her.

"How is he?"

"He looks younger, at least ten years younger," she said, slipping back into bed. She would never mention it to Nyles, but the quick walk into her father's room had winded her, and that was concerning. Tomorrow was a long day, with another longer day to follow it. She needed to be at her best. She would simply allow Nyles and Leland to keep her off her feet for the evening by playing the compliant patient; when in reality, she really did need the rest.

The rest of the evening flowed easy with good company and no more catastrophes. When Nyles slipped out around midnight, she was dozing peacefully.

Saturday morning dawned bright, early, and busy. Kyra hit the ground running. Released from Medical, she made her way back to the Study; she was relieved to find there were no memos to be handled, no fires to put out.

She busied herself with going over the ritual again, as well as reading over Anna's report from the mauling incident after dropping the carving off to Moira to be analyzed. She was surprised when the call came in to remind her of her hair appointment in half an hour. She began walking toward the Leisure wing when she saw Moira coming the other direction toward her.

"Kyra, I'm headed toward the Leisure wing to get my hair done, but I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk," she said, lowering her voice and observing the people around them in the hall.

"Well, as a coincidence, I am headed the same place for the same thing, so we can walk together."

"Excellent," she replied, keeping her tone low as the pair headed down the hall.

"I checked over that carving you gave me. I won't ask where you got it, as you didn't tell me originally, which I can only assume to mean that it's of a personal nature. However, it is a strong healing talisman. The cobra in African mythology represents protection from evil spirits. It is infused with positive energy. So, whoever made this did it with hopes of healing someone," she explained as she handed the talisman back.

Kyra smiled softly.

She immediately gave a mental apology to Di for having suspicions about her intentions.

"I found this in my father's hand. It is my belief that Di gave it to him; however, with all the strangeness going on, I had to be sure that it was safe" she confided.

"You're smart to be suspicious; however, I am not at all surprised that Di gave it to him. Despite their old flame, they are still great friends."

Kyra stopped dead in the hall.

"Old flame?"

Moira turned around and looked surprised.

"You mean to tell me you did not know?" She hooked her arm through Kyra's, guiding her back towards their destination.

Kyra simply shook her head no. The last few weeks had proven to her that she really knew very little about the man who had raised her.

"Well, one night, Di and I were having drinks . . . it was the day Simon had crashed for the third time and she was extremely agitated. Well, she tipped back a few more than I did, and she started to talk about the old days; before all this, when it was just a band of supernaturals on the run from a world that did not, and would not, accept them. She told me about how dashing the Architect was, fighting for the right to even exist. She had fallen deeply in love with him, and they had shared a very passionate affair for many years. It had ended mutually as Scíath grew and demanded more and more of their time. However, I doubt that the feelings they had ever died," she explained as they reached the leisure wing.

Kyra remained quiet, contemplating what she had been told.

Moira noted her intense expression and felt it best to just let her think.

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#  Chapter Twelve

Nyles stood in front of the mirror; he adjusted his mask for the millionth time. He enjoyed the view in the dresser top mirror because it only showed his top half, his human half. Nyles had no animosity toward the centaur race, or really being one. It was his love for Kyra that gave him the disdain for his horse half. How it was harder for them to travel because of it. How he knocked things over; he wanted to be able to just be beside her and not have to

Tonight, he would be unable to hold her close for a dance as he would fear mashing her dainty feet with his hooves; not to mention the noise that accompanied his attempts to dance.

Taking a deep breath, he smiled. Soon . . . soon it would all be better. While the cost of leaving her was unbearable, the gain would be worth it. He really wished for many reasons that the Architect was well; but the most selfish of those reasons was that he wanted to tell him his plans, get his input, to know that he would be watching over her in his absence.

He hoped things were calmer by then. He realized he was going to miss the Summit and that was a high stress time. Shane was going to be his best bet, and he would make a point of making sure he spent time learning about her and set him up the best he could to care for her in his absence.

He laughed at himself. When Shane had first arrived, he had viewed him as a threat; but he had proven himself to be attentive and had shown no major interest in her that he had seen.

Glancing at the clock, he saw it was time to go pick Kyra up. As it was three steps down the hall, being late was not the cause of the butterflies in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he headed out the door, his mind heavy with hopes that this evening would go by smoothly.

Kyra heard the soft knock on the door. She closed her eyes, and she did not even need to check; she knew it was Nyles. She took one more long look in the mirror. The white gown fit her perfectly and much to her own surprise, she had a decent figure. Most would probably refer to it as athletic in nature; but draped in white linen, it was flattering. The delicate trim and beading around the neckline sparkled magically in the light.

Reaching up, she tucked the last owl feathers into her cascading crown of curls.

"Come in."

Nyles heard her call when he entered the study. He was surprised to see Shane sitting in the Architect's chair, scouring over printouts. He was dressed as a gunslinger, a wide brimmed cowboy hat atop his head and a matching black duster. In his holster was a firearm that Nyles doubted very much was a prop.

He looked up.

"She's still in there getting ready. I'm going over the bio scans from yesterday to see if I can find any irregularities. I still don't know what caused the light to flicker when the morph stepped in," he explained.

"I do love your costume, excellent choice. Now you can wear a side arm, and no one will even think twice about it," Nyles commented

Shane smiled.

"Indeed, plus I've always had a soft spot for the lawmen of the Old West. Rough and rugged, survival, and all that," Shane replied, taking in Nyles' simple but elegant costume.

"You look right dashing there, Sir," he said

Shane felt a pang in his conscious, he was really starting to like Nyles. He was a decent guy. Which of course, inspired guilt as he cared for Kyra.

"Before she comes out I'd like to brief you on the security measures, I'd like to have it flow around her and keep it from interfering and ruining her night," he said, tucking his personal feelings aside.

Nyles nodded and moved in closer. Shane lowered his voice and went into the details of his plans.

Kyra entered a few minutes later and was more than surprised to find Nyles and Shane, heads together, deep in discussion.

"Mind if I join the party?" she asked.

The men looked up; there was simply no way to contain the expressions of admiration.

"You looked stunning," Nyles said, moving forward to hug her.

Shane was thankful, as he knew the expression on his face betrayed the feelings in his heart.

"Ok kids, let's get this show on the road," he said, turning his back to both to give himself a chance to reset his face.

As the three of them traveled silently down the dim hallways, many other revelers passed them. The costumes were varied, some as simple as a crown and a wand, some as involved as mechanical wings that flapped.

Given the amount of people in the halls, Kyra did not notice the three men in costume fall in line behind them. Had she turned around, she would have seen three men traveling down the hall to the party, one dressed as Robin Hood, one as a gangster and another as a nineteen hundreds cop.

As they came closer to the ballroom, Kyra heard the strains of soft music drifting down the hall to meet them. The crowd got thicker around them; if Kyra noticed that she was surrounded by people from security, she did not let on.

Her eyes lit up as they entered the ballroom, it was as if the doorway had been used as a portal into a magic forest. The walls were draped with ivy, swags of bright blooming flowers hung across the room, their blossoms lending a soft fragrance to the air. Golden lights adored the walls giving everything a shimmering glow. A raised dais sat at the front of the room, the platform was covered with a fine overlay of moss and creeping vines. Upon it sat several chairs that had been carved from the trunk of oak trees. As they made their way to the other Treoraí to set up the processional, Kyra could see the intricate symbols carved into back of the seats. She had no idea what they meant. Leaning into Nyles to ask him to remind her to ask later, she was caught off guard by the entrancing sent of his cologne. She closed her eyes a moment, allowing the closeness of him to flood her senses.

A touch on her elbow caused her to jump and open her eyes, to see a concerned Shane staring at her with his intense blue eyes.

"You ok, Lady," he asked quietly.

She nodded, ignoring the electricity in his glance.

They joined the other Treoraí at the end of aisle. She looked around at the heads of Scíath, everyone was in amazing costumes. Moira and Michauv were dressed as King Arthur and Guinevere, her flowing blue gown making her eyes sparkle. Di stood alone off to the side; she was wearing what Kyra guessed to be the traditional garb of a witch doctor from her tribe. Jason stood with a very beautiful blonde woman; he was unimaginably dressed as Sherlock Holmes. He gave her a nod and a grossly inappropriate once over with a sly grin. She felt Nyles tense on one side of her and Shane on the other. She felt very protected, perhaps a bit more than she should be.

Lev leaned up against the wall; his costume was amazing, his skin painted grey, huge wings adorning his back. He looked as if he could very easily adore the steeple of Notre Dame amongst the other gargoyles. Kyra gave him an intense stare, but he turned away, perhaps embarrassed by his behavior at the Treoraí meeting. She had still not gotten an explanation on that; however, tonight was not the time or place. He was in a conversation with Galerius, whose costume she could not figure out at first glance. He nodded at her, but then turned back to his conversation.

The absence of Tinka and Leland was noticeable to her; however, she knew it was unreasonable to expect them here.

She heard the music starting to play; soon it would be time for rituals and speeches, then the party and the dancing. She realized she owed Shane a dance and it caused mixed feelings in her head and her heart. At that moment, the loss of her father's guidance cut through her like a knife. He would be able to help her sort this out.

Moira and Michauv moved to make a line, the others moved into position, Kyra took a deep breath, Nyles took the jack o' lantern. He would head the procession, which meant she would walk down with Shane. No doubt, the rumors would fly.

With everyone in place, the song began. The crowds formed on either side of the black velvet runner, the lights dimmed. Kyra drew in a breath as everyone in the crowd lit a candle, it was a sea of flickering lights that reminded her of fire flies; it was simply magical. She slipped her arm in Shane's, noting the smile on his face as he walked with her.

The rhythmic drumbeat stirred something primal within her soul. The air around her felt electric, tiny sparks brushing against her as she walked. She felt euphoric and slightly reckless as she leaned into Shane and whispered.

"You are so very handsome."

His eyebrows rose in surprise, a touch of color rising to his cheeks. He realized that she was not expecting a response, which was good, because he was at a loss for words. She climbed the stairs before settling into her chair, unaware that the feelings coursing through her were products of enchantments on the room, the music, and even the air. She smiled out at the people before her, her people. The anxiety left her, and she felt at peace.

Moira stood and gave a speech, Kyra tried to listen, but the flickering candles distracted her, as did Shane's strong presence beside her.

Before she knew it, all eyes were on her. It was her turn to speak and she had been daydreaming. Still, she smiled brightly, the mix of magic enchantments and the vibes rolling off those around her made her giddy.

She stepped to the podium and began to speak. The words she had practiced flowed from her lips like a sweet wine; but try as he might, Shane could not hear the individual words. He was simply in awe of her. Not only was she beautiful, but she was smart and a damn good leader. He closed his eyes a moment, thinking back to the kiss they had shared. Even though desperation had spurred his actions, he could not say he had not been waiting for the right moment anyway.

He watched as Nyles stepped forward carrying the unlit jack o lantern. Mixed emotions clouded his joy, Nyles was a good man. It was clear he truly loved her, and he had no doubt that she loved him. Yet, there was simply no way they could ever be together, and as much as he did not want to cause Nyles pain, he could not sit and watch her waste away pining for love he could offer.

Kyra took the lit black candle from Moira, she knew there was magic in the wax; but as with most spells, she really did not understand it. She lit the jack o' lantern, surprised to watch as the flame turned a rainbow of colors before settling on a soft blue. The crowd burst into applause and the music began to play. Shane was pleased to hear a rock tune. He had been worried it was going to be a night of ballroom dancing and he had no idea how to dance to that.

Kyra moves quickly off the stage, immersing herself in the dancing masses. Shane jumped up and rushed out after her, the other three agents following him. This had not been in the plan, but he doubted she even thought about that. Thankfully, she was wearing white, so it was a bit easier to follow her through the throngs of bodies moving rhythmically with the beat. Reaching her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and he spun her to face him.

"Hey Lady, how about we don't run off and give your protection a heart attack, huh?" he asked, pressing his lips to her ear to be heard.

She smiled brightly, her eyes were sparkling, her body still moving with the beat.

He shook his head. She was completely enchanted, perhaps her fae side was susceptible to the magic here and logic was lost on her. He pulled her gently towards the edge of the crowd where an anxious Nyles waited.

She twirled out of Shane's arms, wrapping her arms around Nyles, pulling him down to her level before she whispered something in his ear that caused the half of his face that could be seen through the mask to turn crimson. She then tossed herself back among the crowd.

"This is going to be a nightmare," Shane muttered.

For the next several hours, Shane spent his time being jostled and elbowed by partiers as he moved to stay behind her as she lost herself in the music.

Nyles passed the floor trying to keep his eyes on Kyra or Shane, resisting the urge to bull through the crowd and remove her.

As the party began to wind down, the band played several slow songs. Shane found himself wrapped in the arms of several strange women as he watched Kyra dance with strangers. Breaking free, he grabbed her and pulled her close. As the lights had dimmed, it was nearly impossible to see the couple next to them, much less the anxious centaur at the edge of the dance floor.

Her cheeks were flushed with the excitement and exhaustion of dancing. She snuggled contentedly into his arms.

"I don't know why I have never attended this before, the music is so amazing!" she said softly.

"Yeah, this is my first time too," he said, very conscious of how close she was to him.

The music floated over them, soft and slow. The urge to kiss her was so strong he had to turn his head to avoid acting on it. He knew many eyes would be on them and he held no desire to add any more gossip to the spell pot.

As the music ended Shane noted a change in the air, it had been the last song of the night and the enchantments were wearing off. Kyra closed her eyes for a long time before stepping back, her eyes clearer as she opened them.

"Why do I get the feeling I have made a fool of myself this evening?" she said, glancing at the crowds making their way to the mess hall for the late-night feast Gus had prepared and some rest before the dawn ritual.

"Well, you didn't make guarding you easy, but otherwise you looked to be having a great time," Shane said with a chuckle.

"I remember the music, and dancing, and being driven by the beat," she said, making her way through the thinning crowd to Nyles and the three tired-looking security agents.

Nyles smiled as he was certain that it was the effect of the ball that had caused her confession, and he did not wish to burden her with it since she may not even recall having said it.

"Well, I think it's time for some food. I am starving!" she said to the group awaiting her.

Several people nodded and mumbled in grievance, some of them much preferring bed. As they passed a hall clock Kyra exclaimed, "It is nearly three AM!"

"Indeed, just enough time to switch out security patrol, get something to eat, and meet Evelyn for the dawn ritual," Shane said, thankful for the stamina given to him by his lupine genes.

The other three agents nodded thankfully, pulling out their radios to summon the next shift who would be fresh and much more alert.

The sounds of the continuing party traveled up the halls from the dining area. Kyra felt an overwhelming sense of love for all the people within Scíath; these were her people and she would do anything to keep them safe.

Nyles saw a look of fierce determination on her face and wondered what could be on her mind. At the door of the dining hall, the current guards were relieved by three plain clothes security agents who looked vaguely familiar to Kyra.

"I need to make a point of meeting more of the people here," she said to no one in particular.

Finding seats in the oversized section, Nyles, Kyra, and Shane settled in, all with heaping plates and steaming mugs. They ate silently for a few minutes before Kyra declared.

"I was wrong, this is the best part of the Halloween ball!"

Nyles laughed.

"I think I have to agree. Gus spends all year planning new recipes and outdoing himself for this feast," he added.

Shane nodded. His mind was preoccupied with personal matters. Even though it would not rise until tonight, he felt the pull of the full moon that was coming. He would have to get Nyles to take over security on Kyra just after nightfall. He had resisted the moon's pull for nearly three months, locking himself in a holding cell. If he was going to continue to be of use to Kyra, he would have to go to the witches and get a potion to help settle this wolf side.

"So, now we just stay conscious until the ritual is concluded and then crash out?" Kyra asked, pulling Shane out of his thoughts.

"Indeed, I am glad to say that the night passed without incident. The ritual starts at six and can last up to an hour. All departments are officially closed this weekend so that people can recover," he said.

Kyra knew that even "officially closed" meant that the Treoraí were on call and departments like Medical and Security could not really close, but it was nice to give most people the chance to sleep off their party.

Shane glanced up at the clock. It was four-thirty. He was unsure of what to suggest they do to pass the time. He knew that if they all went back to the study, there was no way they would make the ritual as he noted Kyra's eyes were already at half-mast.

"I think we should take some treats to Tinka and check on my father," she suggested.

"That is a great idea!" Nyles said, hoping the walk would help shake him from the drowsing state he found himself in.

Heading to the buffet tables, they found Gus fussing over the replacement dishes, never wanting the table to be bare.

"Gus, I have to say this is simply amazing, you Sir, are the heart of Scíath," Kyra said, laying her hand on his arm.

He chuckled.

"I don't know about the heart, but I am without a doubt the stomach!"

"I am glad you enjoyed yourselves, ready for another round?" he added.

"Oh goodness no, if I eat another bite I'm fairly certain I would burst!" Kyra replied.

"However, we would like to take some treats to Tinka over in Medical, it would be a shame for her to miss out on all the wonderful parts of tonight," Nyles added.

"That is an excellent idea. I know she is back on a semi-regular diet as her tray orders changed. If you will give me a few minutes I can put together a basket for her and Leland, as I am assuming he stayed with her," he said as he trotted off, not waiting for a reply.

"I must be the only one who is completely out of the loop as to who is dating who," Kyra said, picking up a few jellybeans despite knowing she was overfull.

"Well dear, you have a lot on your plate to be worrying about other than the dating scene," Nyles said with a chuckle.

Gus came back more quickly than she expected with a brown wicker picnic basket, which he handed to Shane.

"I know your plate is overflowing, but if you could send me a time for a meeting next week, I want to go over the summit dinner menu with you," Gus said.

"Absolutely I will. I look forward to seeing what wonders you have planned for our guests," she said, trying to keep the look of panic from her face that she always got when the summit was brought up.

As the three of them made their way through the halls, the quiet closed around them. A burst of laughter from a group of revelers just around the corner caused Kyra to jump and Shane to reach for his gun.

As they rounded the turn, she was annoyed to see Jason with his date and a few other Gilly relations workers.

Jason stopped and bowed deeply before Kyra; it was obvious he had, had a bit more than his share of wine.

"Madam Director and her pets, I do hope you have enjoyed your evening and that you manage not to bungle the morning ritual," he said, his words slurred.

Kyra felt Shane and Nyles tense beside her, and she knew this situation was about to turn ugly.

"Jason, you are drunk. I'm going to suggest you find your way back to whatever room you intend on spending the rest of the night in before you dig yourself a deep hole," her words carrying a sharp undertone.

Without waiting for a reply, she continued down the hall with her head held high, hoping that Nyles and Shane would follow her lead and was relieved when she heard their footsteps beside her.

They walked in silence the rest of the way, she could feel the waves of anger flowing from her companions, but she could think of nothing to say that would ease them. Jason had been way out of line and he would have to be reprimanded. They moved through Medical, the halls silent and devoid of all but a few personnel, most partying or out in the above world.

Kyra thought back to when she had felt lost within the labyrinth that was Medical. Now she could find her way to the intensive care unit without much thought at all. They entered the pod, the lights were dim as two doctors sat within the circle desk, the guards stood silently outside her father's door. The door to Tinka's room was slightly open and murmured voices could be heard. The trio headed for the door, knocking lightly.

"Come in," Leland's voice called out to them.

Kyra walked, in pleased to see Tinka sitting up in bed. Her complexion was pale, but she looked so much more alive. Kyra's heart soared.

"Hello!"

"Hello." Leland responded, looking a bit confused.

"I did not expect to see any of you at this hour," he added.

"Worry not. Everything went off without a hitch, the party was amazing, the feast incredible; however, as we had some time before the ritual, we thought we would swing by and leave you a basket of goodies. But seeing as you are awake, we can present it to you instead," Kyra explained.

"How very thoughtful of you. Not but ten minutes ago, I was lamenting about missing Gus's cream horns!" Tinka said. Her voice was raspy, but so much stronger than it had been.

Shane held out the basket to Leland who took it with a smile.

"Gus packed it, so I'm sure all of your favorites will be in there. He is a marvel," Kyra said, fighting a yawn.

"That he is," Leland replied, looking through the basket with a delighted grin.

"I'm going to check on my father, then we should mosey back towards the ballroom in case Evelyn needs help setting up for the ritual," Kyra said, fighting another yawn.

With that, she slipped out of the room, making it clear she wanted to be alone with him. Conversation continued as Shane and Nyles filled the other two in on the party.

Kyra placed her hand on the scanner and was permitted entry to his room. She looked at his serene face in the dim light; smoothing the covers over him, her hand brushed across the back of his. This caused a jolt of electricity to shoot through her, causing her to cry out.

Before she could steady her swimming vision, the door was flying open and Shane had his arms around her steadying her. Nyles and the two guards were on his heels. Leland broke through the crowd, beginning to examine her.

"What happened?" Shane asked softly, unwilling to release her from his arms.

"I touched his hand and a bolt shot through me, like a shock, made my head spin." she said, submitting to Leland's exam; keeping her eyes closed to avoid looking at Shane who was so very close.

Determining she was alright, he moved to the Architect. He took a chance of touching his hand but did not receive the same jolt that she had.

"Well, I can honestly say it was not a shock from the equipment, but from the Architect himself. Was it intentional? I have no idea, but it is a good sign. First, he opened his eyes to your name, and now this could be a way of him reaching out to you. You are going to play a big part in his recovery, I have no doubt," Leland said, shooing the guards back out the door.

Shane released her once he was sure she was steady but made a point of avoiding Nyles' gaze.

Kyra looked down at her father again and blew him a kiss.

"Let's go do this thing so I can go to bed. This has been a very long night," she said, weariness creeping into her voice.

The trio silently made their way back to the ballroom. Waves of people were also headed in. Kyra was surprised at how well attended this ritual was. She had mainly expected it to be Evelyn and a few of the ghost nuts, but this was almost as well attended as the ball had been.

Kyra saw why as they entered into the main part of the ballroom. A huge, intricate circle had been drawn in chalk on the floor, its multitude of colors and intertwining designs were awe-inspiring. However, more than that was the curtain that seemed to hang midair in the center of the circle. Kyra looked at it for a long time, trying to see how it was hung before she realized it was not fabric, but instead, it was part of the veil made visible. The fabric between worlds laying there, tangible before her eyes.

Evelyn stood off to the side of the veil, her eyes closed as she chanted softly. Kyra moved to the open part of the circle. She really had no place inside it or any part in the ritual other than supervision, but she could not contain her curiosity about the veil. She felt it tugging at her, something in her mind whispering to her to get closer. She cautiously stepped inside the circle, waving Nyles and Shane to stay back. Evelyn opened her eyes for a moment, simply nodded, and went back to her chant. Somewhere in the room a drum beat began, deep and slow, like a hearth beat. Evelyn snapped her fingers and two bright green flames appeared in midair on either side of the veil. Kyra jumped slightly but then moved to stand directly across from the curtain, her heels on the line of the circle.

The room became silent as Evelyn's clear voice cut through the room.

"It is time. Return to your home in the shadows and linger on the other side until the next All Hallow's Eve night."

At that moment the room became thick with swirling spirits heading her call, the lure of the flames, and the guidance of the drum beat. Some shrieked, perhaps in anger or sadness, at being banished again. But, they began to fly through the curtain, causing it to wave wildly.

Kyra stood in awe, watching them pass over until her eyes locked with a spirit standing just on the other side of the veil, staring intently at her.

"Father!" she cried out, rushing forward, giving no thought to what could happen to her if she stepped through. She reached the opening, her hands extended, her fingers passing through the whispery barrier, touching her father's incorporeal fingers for just a moment, resulting in the same shock she had felt just a short time before at his bedside. She fell to her knees as a strong pair of hands clamped around her shoulders, pulling her back.

"Kyra, no!" Shane cried against her ear.

"Let me go, damn you! My father is there, he is right there!" she cried, tears streaming down her face as she searched again for the familiar face. But, he was gone. All she saw now were the swirling spirits colliding with each other as they re-entered their realm.

Collapsing into Shane's arms, she dissolved into tears. Shane carried her out, ignoring the curious stares they received, Nyles on his heels. He paused at the branch in the hall trying to decide if he should take her back to the study or to Medical; a glance at her pallor made the decision for him and he headed to Medical as fast as he could go without jostling her.

Nyles nodded, agreeing with the decision he had made, the two men rushing through the halls, pushing through the decontamination chamber without pausing. The two techs tried to detain them, but a snarl from Shane stopped them cold.

The morning rounds were starting, and more than one group of doctors were pushed aside as they carried her to the ICU pod. Shane carried her in laying her on the bed she had only vacated less than twenty-four hours before. Leland, hearing the commotion came rushing in, his brow furrowing at the site of the sobbing pale woman lying curled up in bed.

"What?" he managed to get out before moving to examine her.

"I'm not really sure, Doc. She was drawn to the veil, she touched it, her hand passed through, and it looked like she was shocked again. She started yelling about her father, I pulled her back, fearing she would plunge through," Shane explained, his words tumbling out as he ran a hand through his already disheveled hair.

"What's that?" Nyles asked, noting as Leland pulled a needle from the drawer and plunged it carefully into her arm.

"It's a sedative. She is a mess. She needs a chance to get rest, I will inform Di, but I'm declaring her unable to serve as Director until I know what on Earth is going on. Now at this point, I would instruct you two to go back to your rooms and get some rest; however, I know better. The room two doors down is open, you are welcome to it," he said, moving Kyra under the covers and placing monitors on her.

Shane and Nyles watched until she was peaceful and then headed to the room to settle in for what would prove to be a fitful day of sleep.

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##  Chapter Thirteen

All Saints' Day passed quietly for the most part, many sleeping off the night's revelry; however, Kyra's behavior, both at the dance and the ritual, filled many conversations. Most loved that she had joined in with everyone and danced the night away, and most were concerned for her after what was obviously a traumatic experience at the ritual. Some however, were bitter, angry that she had blended so well with the populace, and that it appeared a breakthrough concerning the Architect had occurred. Conspiratorial whispers passed over steaming mugs of coffee and passed bottles of aspirin. When word came through that she had been readmitted to medical, and that once again Di was in charge, heads were shaken, and traitorous ideas were tossed around.

None of these things touched Kyra as she lay sleeping, her dreams completely empty due completely to the drug Leland had injected her with. He wanted her mind to heal and he had no doubt her mind would be a bustling dreamscape were it left to its own devices.

The smell of the dinner tray caused her eyelids to flutter open. She heard a laugh and saw Shane hand Nyles a folded pound note.

"What?" she asked, surprised to hear her own voice come out so strong.

"I bet Shane that it would be food that woke you," Nyles said, moving slowly over to her bedside slipping his hand over hers.

"How are you dear?" he asked.

"Hungry," she admitted, causing them both to laugh.

"I promised Leland I would come to get him when you woke," Shane said, bowing out knowing Nyles wanted time alone with her.

"Is it really six o' clock?" she gasped

"It is, you had a really long night Lady," he said, moving the tray in front of her.

Memories of the previous night came flooding back to her and she closed her eyes, fighting back the tears.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked, careful not to push. She looked so delicate laying in the bed, her color better, but still not back to normal, her indigo eyes jumping out at him.

The door opened, and Leland and Shane came back in.

"I am pleased to see you awake and hungry," Leland said with a smile.

"Thank you, I am lucky to have you here," she said.

"I don't like to be needed, but I am very glad I have the skills to help," he said as he checked her pulse.

"I know this may be hard for you, but I really need to know what happened, for clinical reasons and as a friend," he said, sitting on the edge of her bed.

She nodded, taking a deep breath and a sip of her ginger ale.

"From the moment we entered the ballroom, I felt this draw towards the veil, like it was whispering to me, beckoning me closer. I do not really recall moving towards it but then it was right in front of me. Then, right there, just on the other side I saw my father. He was standing there staring at me, he looked so sad, so lost, he reached his hand out, pressing it against the veil. All I had to do was reach in, grab him, and bring him over. As I reached for him, a cold I had never felt before suddenly shot through me. I could see my hand, but I could not feel it. Then I was being pulled away. I . . . I really don't remember what happened next," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks.

For a moment the room was silent. Shane knew he had done the right thing. Bad things happen to live people who stepped through the veil; however, he felt horrible for separating her from her father.

"I'm going to suggest you talk to Evelyn about it, she may be able to figure out why he was visible then, even though they have tried several times to contact him through similar portals," Nyles suggested, his heart breaking for her.

Kyra nodded, unable to contain the growl in her stomach. She started in on her tray.

"I hope the day has been quiet," she said between bites.

"It has, the clinic is always packed today, headaches, bruised insteps, indigestion, and the occasional broken toe from bad dance partners," Leland said with a smile.

Kyra laughed, she really had underestimated the depth of Leland.

"I talked to Di about half an hour ago, everything else has been very quiet; however, several Treoraí and others have called on her to check on you," Nyles reported

Kyra slumped, as the realization that her collapse and emotional outburst had been witnessed by quite a few people.

"Kyra honey, you are a human . . . well, mostly . . . and you can have emotions. I know it is new for you to express vulnerability, but it does not make you any less of a leader or a person in our eyes or anyone else's," Nyles said, reading her expression.

He knew that there were some that would try to exploit the situation, but she needed reassurance right now.

She smiled up at him; she knew it was not completely true but it was still nice to hear.

"So, Doc, when can I post bail and break free?" she asked, wanting very much to be back in the study and her own bed.

"Your vitals are stable. Do me a favor and go see your father, then pop in and see Tinka so we can see how you are moving about and make sure you suffer no lasting effects, and I can see my way to releasing you to the care of your friends. If you promise me that you will not resume work until tomorrow, that is" he said, glancing over a printout from one of her machines.

"Deal!" she said, pushing away the completely bare food tray.

Standing, she was pleased to see one of her loungewear sets laying on the couch for her to change into. She disliked the frailty of the medical gown, not to mention its drafty back. Excusing herself, she backed into the bathroom to change. She stepped out, her hair in a fresh braid. With her expression determined, she headed out into the hall.

"Guys I'm going to go in and talk to Tinka alone first; I promise I'll call out if I feel the least bit faint or funny at all," she said, moving quickly into Tinka's room, making it obvious they were to wait out there.

****

"She is one of a kind." Shane said.

"That she is. Hey, I wanted to thank you. You have been an amazing help to her and that means so much to me. I know when all this started it was just your job to work on the murder case, but I'm going to talk to her about adding you as security liaison, putting you under her to deal with internal issues. If you don't mind, I mean," Nyles said. He needed Shane to be able to protect her when he was gone. He knew he was a good and capable man and could be there for her.

Shane's stomach formed a tight knot. He should turn it down, walk away, and let them figure out their own love without interjecting himself and his feelings to confuse the situation. However, he knew that was impossible; since the moment his lips touched hers, he knew he was lost.

He nodded.

"Probably a good idea, I can't say Galerius will be thrilled, but then again, how will we be able to tell?" he said, making a joke to cover any feeling that might be showing in his face.

Nyles chuckled.

Shane picked up the logs from the bio scanners, thankful for the distractions, he looked through them slowly. So far, they had no major issues, except for a height issue with several of the larger races. The power glitch that had given away the morph had never been repeated, so it was safe to say that she has been scared off by the initial attempt.

Just as he reached the last page of the log and was worried he was going to have to again make small talk with Nyles, Kyra emerged. She looked a touch pale, but otherwise all right. He fought the urge to rush to her side and support her. He knew she would not appreciate being made to look or feel weak. He glanced at Nyles and was certain he saw the same thought pass behind his eyes.

She smiled at them and headed into her father's room making no indication that they were invited to join her. She closed the door softly behind her as Leland joined them.

"Her complexion is a bit paler than I would like, but I have a feeling if I try to hold her just on that, she would have my job," he said with a grin.

"I don't know if she would go that far, but I have a feeling it would be a very long and unpleasant night for all involved," Nyles agreed, mirroring his grin.

"Shane and I are going to stay with her to make sure she keeps her promise about staying off work until tomorrow; so if anything happens we will know," he added.

"Excellent, she is lucky to have such devoted friends. Here is my extension in my room, Tinka has informed me that if I don't go to bed tonight and sleep all the way through, she is going to report me to my chief residents and have me treated for exhaustion," he said while scribbling a number down on a prescription pad.

Shane took a good look at his face and it was clear he was worn out, bruise-like shadows seemed to have taken up permanent residence under his eyes.

"Might want to listen to the Lady, you look kinda ragged Doc," Shane said

Leland nodded, stifling a yawn.

"It has been an insane time around here. I am looking forward to things calming down," he replied as Kyra came out of her father's room.

Shane wished for the same things as the two men escorted her back to her room. True to her word, she did not attempt to go back to work but she did ravage her father's cookie tin as she settled back into her chair.

****

They chatted about the ball and the costumes and the food, careful to avoid the topic of the ritual. By quarter after nine, she was yawning.

"You would think with all the sleeping I have been doing, I would not be tired, but my body disagrees," she said

"Now I know for a fact that you two don't want me to be alone, and I'm sure Leland left parting instructions to the same ideal. So how would you gentlemen like to handle our slumber party, because I get my bed. I am willing to share a pillow or two, but otherwise, you're on your own," she said, making a point of not meeting Shane's eyes.

"I, Uh, well . . . I mean" Shane and Nyles stuttered alternately.

She sighed.

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Shane you can sleep on the settee and Nyles you can sleep in here, with the door open. Will that make everyone happy?" she asked.

Both men nodded, neither one of them had wanted to invite themselves into her bedroom; she had made the whole situation much easier.

After some shuffling and handing out of pillows and blankets, everyone was settled. Shane made a point of checking all the locked doors twice before settling and turning out the light. He lay in the dark, feet from her bed. Given his gifts, it was very easy for him to make out her shape under the covers; she was facing towards him with her eyes closed, her expression peaceful. He listened to her soft, even breathing and wondered how he had ended up here.

Galerius had summoned him to investigate the murder. Under Kyra, he was one of the top field agents in the department. The only one better had been away on assignment, so as luck would have it, the job of investigating Scíath's first, and hopefully last, murder had fallen into his hands. He had no idea as he stared at the poor woman's body that the experience would turn his entire world upside down.

He watched her again. Closing his eyes, he listened to hear Nyles breathing; he was also asleep. He wanted so much not to like the guy. It would make things easier, but he truly was a nice guy, smart, and completely devoted to Kyra. He shook his head, none of this should be taking up space in his mind, and he had a murder, a break in, a poisoning, and illegal magic use to investigate all while protecting the Director of Scíath, in some cases, from herself. He needed to find a way to focus. All of this would have to be wrapped up before the summit. He had applied to be security lead for the summit; however, there was no way that was going to happen now. Oddly, he was okay with that, even though it had been a position he had been working towards since the last one.

So many changes, so much chaos, and no clear path through it all; he sighed softly, closing his eyes, willing himself to get some rest as he had no doubt she would want to hit the ground running in the morning.

Kyra awoke first. She lay in her father's bed, and by stretching out her Fae senses, she saw and felt Shane's alluring presence just feet from her. Moving further out, she felt the comforting presence of Nyles. How complicated her life had become, and to be honest with herself, while running Scíath was a huge responsibility filled with many duties worries and issues, it was nowhere near as burdensome to her as the emotional issues that kept cropping up. She had spent a majority of her life detached. Her friendship with Nyles and her love for her father were they only entanglements she had ever had. It was just easier when you grow up knowing people hate you simply for existing, and wall them off, keep the stone throwers far enough away that you could dodge better.

Yet, here she was in the middle of the most awkward triangle she could imagine. She loved Nyles. She had known that for years, deep down she knew part of the reason she had stayed away from the compound was to avoid having to come to terms with that. He loved her as well, she knew that too. It just simply was not possible. Too much was against them. Accepting that and using it to hide behind has made it easier for her to fend off the date requests she had gotten over the years.

But Shane . . . No, he had not asked, he simply invaded her mind with his strong presence. Normally anyone who had been that forward with her would have gotten a good thrashing. She truly believed that their kiss had arisen out of panic and that if she told him to go and leave her be outside of a friendship, he would. He was a noble and respectful man. Yet, she was not sure she wanted to tell him that. His keen mind and wit were as attractive to her as his rugged handsomeness and animalistic appeal. He also knew what it was like to live outside both cultures to which you should belong as neither would accept you.

She sighed deeply, pulling her senses back in. She slipped quietly out of bed, moving as quietly as she could into the bathroom. As she shut the door behind her, Shane shot up off the couch. A quick scan of the room confirmed that she was gone, he moved to the bathroom door and was about to knock when she called out.

"I'm fine. Please order breakfast. I'm dying for a chai tea."

He shook his head, tossing a reassuring smile at Nyles as he made his way to the computer to order up breakfast.

"Anything in particular I can get for you, and what does she eat?" Shane asked, fingers pausing over the keyboard.

Nyles yawned and stretched

"Here, I got it. I can order for her with my eyes closed, just toss yours in. I will finish ours," he said, rubbing his eyes.

Shane nodded. Tapping his order in, he felt a pang of jealousy that they were so close, but he hid it well.

Just as Nyles closed the door behind the breakfast cart, Kyra made her way into the room. She wore her jeans and tee shirt, her hair wrapped in a towel that distantly reminded Shane of a syrup bottle.

"I was sure you actually would have waited until you smelled food," Nyles teased.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

The mood was lightened. As soon as breakfast was tucked away, the day began.

"What do I need to prep to take with me to Scotland Yard on Monday?" she asked Shane.

"You know, I've been thinking about that a fair bit. I don't think that it is necessarily a good idea for you to do go out there. Before you get mad, hear me out. I was checking into it and any other time there has been a non-royal meeting with the Gilly authorities, Jason has gone on his own. Now I know this is an abnormal circumstances given the loss of life, but I just can't shake the idea that Jason is trying to get you out of Scíath, or alone. I'm asking as a favor that you let Di and a security agent of my choosing go with them," he said, his eyes searching her face for a reaction.

She thought a long moment, her expression pensive.

"I do not wish to appear weak, but I think you may be right. I'm not sure what he could be up to, but as long as Di is ok with going, I'd much prefer it," she agreed.

"I will speak with her," Nyles said.

"Let's hope this is the end of the excitement for a while then," Shane said, relieved that she had agreed.

Chapter Fourteen

Indeed, it was the beginning of several weeks of calm and relative peace. The days rolled by, holiday preparations began, day-to-day business kept Kyra hopping, and she snuck in daily visits with her father, His condition had not changed, however, he was opening his eyes more often and she had been subjected to several more shocks. Many nights were filled with the search of the library to no avail. The house evidence was bagged and moved into a special room in the compound so that the renovation team could begin its work as the summit drew near. Anna blossomed as a team leader and Kyra witnessed her socializing with other members of the team outside of work. Shane and Nyles had become quite a team, working together on the murder and the break in. Nothing had come of the investigation sadly, but no new problems had arisen. Things moved on as normally as they had been before the leadership change.

Given the current climate of calm, Kyra was surprised to receive an urgent memo from Di just one week before the Winter Solstice ball, asking for an immediate meeting. Clearing her schedule, she sent back a message letting Di know she was at her disposal, as was the study.

Less than ten minutes after she tapped out the reply, Di opened the door without knocking, holding a crumpled piece of paper in her hands. She flopped down in the chair beside Kyra.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, she reached down for the tin of cookies, taking several before turning to speak.

Kyra let her be, not wanting to rush her. Although, she was becoming more and more concerned; she had never see Di this flustered.

"Amazons!" she announced and then looked to Kyra as if that single word made everything clear.

"Amazons?" Kyra asked, her brow furrowing.

"The queen of the Amazon tribe has contacted me. She wishes to send a dignitary to the summit. Not only that, she wants to send her own daughter a month early!" she exclaimed, holding out the crumbled telegram for Kyra to examine.

Kyra read it carefully.

"Ok, so we are going to host an Amazonian princess for a bit and they are adding themselves to the list of dignitaries. I mean, I know that they have never shown interest in being part of our world before, so that is a bit surprising; but I'm not sure I am seeing the reason for panic," Kyra said, handing back the paper.

Di sighed, and it was clear at that moment that she would have much preferred to have had the Architect sitting across from her.

"Amazons ended the imp war, and they are responsible for the capture of Cobbwick. This world would be a very different place had their warriors not have come to our aid. They never asked for recognition, have never sought our help in any way; and yet, when the chips were down, they laid lives down to save us," Di explained.

Kyra nodded, she was not sure this was something she would panic over, but it seemed some preparations would be in order.

"Well for starters we will have to find her VIP quarters, I know it's not ideal, but I know there are a few suites left in Medical. We need to find someone from your department and someone from security to act as her entourage, making sure she is safe and enjoying her stay. Is there anything else you can think of that would make sure she has a good time?" Kyra asked, wanting input as she was way out of her realm here.

Di nodded.

"Excellent suggestions, I think we will have to talk to Gus. I'm not sure he has a file on Amazonian diets. We will have to add her to the solstice ritual somehow, so she doesn't feel slighted. I do hope she isn't a toad," Di said, causing Kyra to laugh.

Di smirked.

"You remind me of your father when you laugh like that; while I do miss him tremendously I am very proud of the job you are doing, and I have not once regretted ratifying his choice", she said, laying her hand on Kyra's.

Seeing her chance Kyra took a chance.

"I appreciate that so very much. Please, don't think me forward in asking this, but it has come to my attention in a roundabout way that you and my father used to be involved," Kyra said, letting out an audible whoosh of breath as she finished the statement.

Di's eyes widened, but she did not look angry. She leaned back in her chair, and closing her eyes, she smiled softly.

"Many years ago, I came to this country with my family. My father had taken a job in a factory. He wanted what he thought was a better life for our family, and I was the only one in our family of six to be gifted with magic as I was the only girl and my own mother was long since dead. Unable to teach me and fearful of the powers, he convinced me that it was for the best. I will never forget staring out that train window, watching the tall grass wave goodbye to me as the chugging locomotive carried me towards my destiny. We had only been here a short time when I met a dashing young Irishman. He used to follow me home from the flower shop I had taken a job in. Even though I never spoke to him, he just continued to show up every day and talk to me. I began to anticipate with great joy the end of my day when I would get to hear him talk, he told the most wonderful stories of impossible creatures and magic powers. I always wondered how he knew of my race and he never told me," she smiled wistfully.

Kyra had never seen this side of Di, nor could she imagine her father as a young man courting this woman by weaving her stories of their world, knowing perhaps that she would believe in them.

"I became quite enamored with him and we began to spend all our free time together. At that time the Illuminati had several factions with less than virtuous ideals. They sought people of our world to abuse our talents for their own gain. Within the ranks was a telepath equal to your father and he would scan the thoughts of suspected targets. He was a vile creature," she paused and shuttered visibly at the memory."

Kyra laid a comforting hand on her arm as she felt it was what her father would have done.

She smiled again, inhaling deeply before she began.

"I always had a talent for getting flowers to bloom and stay fresh, as well as hearing the stories and needs of the plants in our shop. I will never know how exactly, but they caught wind of me and brought their Bloodhound around. I knew he was odd by the way he smelled, the coppery scent of blood tainted his presence. I had no idea that the day he walked through my door would be the last day I spent above ground in a normal life. When your father came that day I told him of the strange man and he became instantly alarmed. He told me we would have to collect my things and leave as I had now been marked. Marked for what, I had no idea, but there was no time for questions. He pulled me through the streets as if the devil himself were on our heels. When we reached my home it was in flames. My family was safe, yet my father shunned me, saying that it was because of me that the men had come, and I must go. We ran through the streets, your father taking me back to his humble flat above a bookstore. We stayed there for three days, not daring to even open the curtains. We talked of my past and my home and powers and he promised to keep me from the hounds of Illuminati. Friends of his had been taken and tortured until they agreed to use their gifts or were killed if they refused. On the fourth day a strange knock came at the door. He opened it to rush in two other men, one was badly injured and the other looked like he had seen a fair bit of action. You may know their names from the History of Scíath as, Halatoquin Minaque, and Bartholomew Von Stewart. I met them as Hal and Bart. That first night was very touch and go for Bart and I was unsure even as the sun rose, and his pain faded, if he would survive his wounds. The hounds had found them in a pub and a brawl had ensued. We all realized how perilous our situation had become. It would only be a matter of time before the "Bloodhound," as he was called, would find us. Gabriel explained to us that his telepathy was different; he smelled a person's brainwaves like a dog, being able to track an individual for miles," Di paused as she noted the odd look on Kyra's face.

"I'm sorry. I just . . . I think that is the first time in my life I have ever heard my father called by his given name and not just "the Architect," " she said.

Di smiled, " Ah yes, but when I met him he was simply Gabriel, our angel"

"As soon as Bart was able to, we left the flat and headed towards the countryside, Hal's family had a summer cottage on the water and we hoped it would give us the distance we needed to avoid the Bloodhound. However, we never made it out of the city; they were on us just on the outskirts of town, ten or so big men with snarling dogs, and I can still hear their growls in my nightmares to this day. That creature standing in the center of the group, his black eyes a sharp contrast to the stark white suit he wore. Standing there, sneering as he sniffed the air. How we got away, I will never know, but we made it to the river fleet system and hid out in a dank drainage pipe. As we sat shivering in the cold, soaked and terrified, Gabriel promised us that he would forge a new world for our kind, a place where we would be warm and comfortable and never again hunted. For years, we worked side by side to build what you call home and over those many years, I loved him so. However, the curse of living a very long life is that nothing truly lasts forever. We became embroiled in making Scíath and drifted apart, but I will always love him and remember him as the boy who followed me home every day," she smiled, a tear in her eye.

Kyra wiped her own tear away.

"Thank you so very much for sharing that with me. Father would wave his hand and say it was all in the books when I asked. I think it was a painful memory for him," she said.

"Feeling helpless always enraged him, I was witness to more than one of his rants. He is so proud of what he has now. I think he preferred to live in the present, he became much more focused on legacy when he became your father," Di added.

Kyra knew she should not, but she could not resist in this open moment.

"Di, I . . . I dream about my home. I mean before I came here . . . It's always the same; well, it used to be until the Tinka thing. Did he ever tell you about where he found me, about my parents? Anything?" she asked, holding her breath.

Di sighed softly.

"Child, while I feel you have every right to know the answers to your questions, I cannot tell you as I simply don't know. He left on an urgent mission in the middle of the night and returned with you clinging to his legs. He told me simply that you were to be his child and of your race mixture. He made me promise to act as your Godmother," she explained.

"Now I know that you are well aware of the people within these walls that work extensively with dreams, but I also know you are not one for allowing people to poke around in your mind. However, if it become troublesome, I do have someone in my department whom I trust implicitly and will apply discretion and may be able to help you," she added.

Kyra nodded, she was slightly disappointed she had hoped that Di knew the story, but it seemed she would have to file that away for investigation after the summit.

"So, I guess we both have a few things to do to welcome our new visitor, I will arrange the quarters and get her security briefed, if you want to get her added to the ritual and see Gus, when does she arrive again?" Kyra said, steering the meeting back to its purpose.

"In three days," Di said sounding flustered, still but much less panicked on the subject.

"Well then, I think we should get on it, can you pencil in a time to go over the Yule ritual with me? I fully admit as a child I was much more interested in the mound of gifts than I was the candles and words," she admitted.

Di smiled.

"Of course, dear, now you are aware that much like Halloween, this is a dance and you will be expected to have an escort, and to lead off the first dance," she said, watching Kyra's face. She knew of her love for Nyles, but she had also seen the magnetism between her and Shane.

Kyra's face fell. She had been enjoying the lack of love-life drama the last few weeks had provided her, and now she would have to choose. Logically, Shane would be the one she could dance with, but her heart belonged to Nyles. She shook her head to remove the competing thoughts.

"No, thanks for reminding me," she said, though it was obvious she was not at all pleased to be reminded.

"At least this time I already have a dress," she sighed. Myra had stolen her away for lunch and helped her choose a stunning, white and frost blue, one shoulder gown and snowflake accessories.

Di nodded; it was obvious her mind was on what she needed to do and no longer really on Kyra.

Glancing at the clock, she nodded.

"Eleven am, enough time to catch Gus before the lunch rush if I hurry" she said, more to herself than to Kyra.

"Good luck and let me know if you need anything further from me. I think I shall head topside and meet her when she arrives," Kyra said thoughtfully. While she had been kept busy, her Fae side had been nagging at her to head above ground, even though she knew it was freezing.

Di smiled and headed out, almost running into Shane.

"Hey boss lady, got a minute?" he asked, closing the door behind him.

"In fact, I do, if you don't mind me sending out some memos while we talk," she replied, moving back behind what she still felt was her father's desk.

"Not at all, what was Di in a huff about? I saw her headed this way earlier and she looked like she carried the world on her shoulders," he asked, picking up the box of cookies and rummaging around.

"She was all in a huff because the daughter of the Amazon queen is coming in three days to spend a month with us and take a seat at the summit," she explained as she tapped out the memo to security.

Shane's eyebrows rose.

"An Amazon, huh?" he said, the tone in his voice showing more than a passing interest.

She looked up and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, an Amazon princess to be exact. She needs a security detail if you would like to be assigned?" she said, surprised at her own insecurity about his interest.

He laughed and shook his head.

"Nah, one bull-headed woman to assist is more than enough for me," he replied with a wink.

She stuck her tongue out at him and smiled.

"On a more serious note, I do need a favor from you," she said, her tone tentative.

"Sure" he said looking up, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"It came to my attention today that I am to lead the dance at the Solstice ball. I was hoping you wouldn't mind being my dance partner?" She worded it carefully not to imply that he was her date.

Shane dropped the notebook he had been holding, slowly bending over to pick it up to give himself time to compose his thoughts. He had been very careful to keep his feelings for her under tight reign the last couple of weeks, letting business come first. However, during that time, watching her work, learning who she really was had enflamed his infatuation and turned it into something far more serious. She was such a brilliant, powerful woman and his respect for her only deepened his affection.

He sat up with a neutral smile, "Sure thing. I guess I'd better attend that dance workshop Moira is offering tomorrow morning so I'm sure not to mash your toes up too much," he said, feeling he had made it seem like a casual acceptance when his heart was pounding.

She smiled.

"Thank you and I will see if they make steel toed heels," she replied with a wink that had gone easier than expected. Now she just had to talk to Nyles and make sure he did not feel slighted by the whole thing.

As if her thought had summoned him, he poked his head in the door.

"Knock knock," he said with a warm smile.

"Please come in," she said, returning the smile.

"I figured you would beat me here, have you told her yet?" he asked Shane as he carefully maneuvered himself into an open space, only causing one cascade of papers.

"No, I just got here and got to hear about the Amazon princess, but I'm glad you made it to tell her your half," he replied

"Tell me what?" she asked, slightly disturbed by the close friendship that had formed between the two men.

"We finally found out what was in the case," Nyles said excitedly.

"Only because Nyles here spent all of his off time combing the hand-written inventory in Moira's archives," Shane explained

Nyles held up his hands, which sported several Band-Aids, that she guessed were paper cut testimony to his devotion to the project.

"Bravo! We will see about getting you a medal for being wounded in action," she teased.

"So out with it, what is it!" she exclaimed.

"It's a book that was confiscated by the Architect when they raided the Illuminati base around the time Scíath was formed," Nyles said.

Kyra frowned, had this information come just hours earlier, it would have meant very little to her. Now, the mention of the group brought to her mind a haunting figure dressed in all white, black sightless eyes sniffing after his prey. She shivered.

"I'm guessing by your reaction that means more to you than it did to us," Shane said.

"Well, as odd as it may seem, I just had a conversation with someone who may be very aware of what's in the book and why someone may want it," she said.

She sat back in her chair and shared with them the tale Di had told her the best as she could recall it. Both men sat still, listening intently.

"To think all of this . . ." Nyles said looking around, letting his statement trail off.

Kyra nodded.

"So, I think the person we really need to talk to is Di. Now that she knows what was in the cabinet, she may be able to tell us what was in the book, and why someone would go to such lengths to steal it," Shane said.

"Agreed, but first, I require lunch. Are you guys dashing out to save the world or do you have time to sit and talk?" she asked.

"I suppose the world can wait," Nyles said and winked.

The trio parted ways after another of Gus's amazing lunches. Nyles and Shane headed off to finish the princess's quarters and Kyra, using the excuse of a free afternoon, to spend more time with her father. She moved through the compound pushing the thoughts of the summit and Di's story from her mind. She tried to keep her mind clear and her vibes positive when she visited her father, if he could feel her or read her in any way, she wanted him to get peace from her.

She nodded in response to hellos and waves as she made her way to Medical. She smiled and wished a good afternoon to the doctors whom she had become familiar with and some she could pick out on sight. She was pleased to see Leland standing at the counter outside her father's room flipping through a chart.

"Hey Doc," she said

"Good Afternoon Kyra, I'm glad you are here. I was just thinking about paging you," he replied, laying the chart on the counter.

"Oh, is he alright?" she said, moving towards his door to peer in the window.

"Oh yes, he's fine, but I got the latest brain scans back, from the scan we did right after the Witch group preformed the calling ritual," he said.

She recalled it well, she had been reluctant to let them perform a ritual they expressed they were unfamiliar with on her father; however, as any other ideas were nonexistent, she had consented.

She had remained in the room while they had worked and while she heard them speak and watched them move. She could not have at any point been able to say what was transpiring. One of them had explained to her beforehand that they were drawing some of the essence from his physical form and casting it across the veil to see if it would draw his mind back. After the Halloween experience there could be no doubt that, he dwelt on the shadow plane with the dead and it was feared the longer he was there the less likely he would ever be to realign with his own spirit. However, since no one had no idea as to the extent of his power, and no one knew exactly how long a mind could last on the other side, time was subjective.

The ritual had taken several hours but, in the end, he had not even opened his eyes, the witches left defeated and Kyra had sat by his bed to cry.

"So, what do you see?" she asked

"I see about ten times more brain wave activity, it's more of that of a sleeping patient, than a comatose one," he explained.

"So that means he's waking up?" she asked, fighting the urge to run into his room.

He shook his head.

"I can't say that for certain, but what I can say is that whatever happened in that ritual, it brought more activity to his body. I am ordering another scan every two days to see if this level of cognizance remains. If it does, then after the ball I'm going to suggest we try again, who knows what we might get."

She turned back towards him and embraced him in a fierce hug before running into her father's room.

Leland stood there surprised before chuckling, he had always liked Kyra, but he was really starting to enjoy her friendship and watching her bloom into a capable director.

She stared down at him for a long moment, many of the wrinkles on his face she had become accustomed to were gone, he resembled, much more now, the man she remembered from her earliest childhood memories. She was surprised to see copper strands appearing slowly in his white mane.

He really was getting younger, soon he would be the young man who had followed Di home from the flower shop every day. She leaned in and kissed his forehead.

"You can't become an angel just yet Gabriel," she said softly.

At that moment his hand shot out and grabbed hers in a painful vice grip. She cried out, more in surprise than pain. Nevertheless, it was loud enough to bring both the door guards and Leland running. He saw the grip on her hand, his eyes widening in shock.

His doctor side took over and he immediately because to check his pupils and other vital signs. Nothing else changed. He held the grip for less than three minutes before his hand fell limply back to the sheets.

Leland began to silently asses her hand. She would have some bruising, his grip had been like iron, but that was the extent of the damage.

He motioned her to step outside. After soothing his covers and kissing his head, she followed him out.

"So, what did you do right before that occurred?" he asked, watching her rub the feeling back into her fingers.

"I said his name," she said simply, still in shock

"We have tried that many times," he said with a frown.

"No, I called him by his name," she said, emphasizing the last word.

"Wait, you mean his given name? That's nowhere in any of my files," Leland said, grabbing his pen.

"His name is Gabriel, and I think hearing it, combined with the brain activity, triggered a response in him. We are making progress," she said wanting to escape and tell Nyles and Shane what had happened. She hardly noticed how easily Shane had become just as important a confidant to her as Nyles.

Leland made note in the top of the file in big block letters. "I will keep this confidential as obviously, for whatever reason, it was not a fact about himself he did not wish publicized, but it may help in our retrieval of his spirit."

"I'm going to head back to the study. Oh, did you see my memo about the VIP quarters in the family wing?" she asked.

"I did, for an Amazon princess, I sent a couple first years down to make sure it's in perfect condition. I will get the family elevator up and running so she does not have to come and go through decontamination every time she wants to leave her quarters," he replied.

"Excellent, I'm so glad to have such thoughtful people on my team. Nyles and Shane should be there sometime soon to check it over for security and to make sure everything she may want, or need is present," she said, taking her leave.

She quickly made her way back to the study, absently running her fingers over the red outlines his fingers had made on her alabaster skin. Once inside with the door closed, she took a moment to steady her voice before picking up the radio to call Nyles.

She spoke evenly into it.

"Nyles, if you and Shane are free I would appreciate it if you could make your way back to the study, no hurry," she said, sinking into the chair as she awaited the reply.

She closed her eyes holding the radio. She was about to call them again, when the door unceremoniously flung inward and a red-faced Shane stood, staring at her intently.

She sat up, unable to keep the amused smile from her face at his blustered appearance.

"Well, I guess you were free, but a simple 'Hey, sure . . . On my way' would have worked," she said, surprised at the absence of thundering hooves following Shane's nearly soundless steps.

"I thought you never really ask like that and that you were using some strange code or something," he said, shaking his head at his own assumptions as he caught his breath.

Picking up his radio, he spoke into it clearly.

"Nyles, she's fine, if you want to finish and sign off on the princess's quarters and then head back here," he said, waiting for a reply.

After a long moment, the radio crackled to life.

"Gotcha. Be back in about an hour or so, we are having some issues with the elevator in Medical" he said, the transmission twisting his dulcet tones with static.

Shane settled into the chair across from her noting the red spots on her hand and the drained expression on her face.

"So, care to tell me what warranted you scaring me half to death?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

Kyra went on to describe what had happened with her father, noting the same surprised expression on Shane's face as had been on Leland's; making sure to point out at the end that they only reason he had been scared half to death was because of his own paranoia.

"Well in my non-magical, non-medical opinion, something is definitely happening with him," Shane said, realizing as he spoke how simple he sounded.

She laughed.

"I agree with that, I'm going to ask the witches to come back again for another try after the winter ball; I don't want to jolt him, so we are taking this slowly. Of course, that could be the completely wrong course of action and perhaps it should be done immediately," she said, pressing her hand to her forehead.

Shane had come to know that was a sign of too many things bouncing around in her brain; he had watched her try to physically contain them that way more than once.

"Well, let's talk to the witches, explain to them what happened and see what they think. Also, as we have two days to get this Amazonian princess thing together I brought you four dossiers; two from Security and two from Anthropology, so you can look them over and choose for her entourage. Oh, and because I am so wonderful, I managed to save you from a visit from Jason. He heard about Princess what's her name and was offering to be her escort for the ball," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"First off, her name is Uh . . .," Kyra said, reaching for the paper Di had left behind, scanning it she continued.

"Her name is Saffron, and I think she will be as pleased as I am to not have to deal with Jason," she said, taking the files from him.

She frowned as she looked at the top dossier.

"Is it really the fifteenth of December?" she asked, completely shocked that time had flown so quickly since Halloween.

"Indeed, it is," he said, glad she was not frowning over the choices he had made.

"So that means she will be here on the eighteenth, the ball is on the twentieth, and then there is New Years and the summit on the fifteenth of January," she said, her shoulders slumping.

"It does indeed seem like a lot in a very short amount of time," Shane replied.

Kyra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, there was no way she was going to buckle under pressure and not be ready for any challenge that made its way to her plate. She opened her eyes and scanned the dossiers before her. She was having a hard time focusing on the words on the page, as her brain wanted to remind her of the other things she needed to be knowing while tossing in memories of what had happened with her father.

_I'm just going to have to trust Shane_ , __ she thought, and grabbed the two female candidates and handed the folders back to him.

"Given that she is an Amazon, I suspect that she will be most comfortable around women," she said, explaining her cursory glance at the candidates.

"I have no doubt their qualifications are exemplary, I trust you and Nyles completely," she said looking at Shane, the meaning of her words heavy, their eyes locked, sparks of intensity flew between them.

He leaned forward, unable to break the pull of her eyes. She mirrored his movements, everything faded away, lost in the cool blue of his eyes. Needing to be closer, his fingertips ran gently up her arm, each contact with her skin arcing electric bolts into her. Gently pulling her closer, he felt no resistance. She leaned in willingly, her lips inches from his. Eyes fluttering closed, she tilted her head to the side, kissing him softly. Pulling her gently into his arms, he drank deeply of her lips savoring the kiss.

Time floated by unnoticed as the kiss lasted, his hand sliding up to run his fingers through her hair, the embrace becoming tighter, her fingers seeking the side of his face, tracing her fingers over the stubble on his jaw line.

Jerking backward violently, she knocked the lamp off the table, not seeing Shane's hurt expression as she opened the door; outside it stood Nyles, his hand poised to knock.

"Hi," she said quickly as Shane righted the lamp.

"Hey lady, your instincts are getting better, or do I just make that much noise?" he said with a grin. She looked pale, but he attributed it to whatever reason she had called them in the first place.

Shane raised a hand in greeting, but he was pouring over the two files in his lap.

"I'm going to order some tea and cakes, would you like anything?" she said trying to keep her tone light, which only served to make it sound fake to her.

"I would love a coffee, shot of espresso please, and can you ask for butter tarts?" Nyles said, moving in to settle in his usual spot.

"I'll take the same drink, but a slice of pecan pie instead," Shane added, without looking up.

"Those the entourage for Princess what's her name?" Nyles asked, peering at the files.

"Her name is Saffron," Kyra called from the desk.

"Like the spice?" Nyles asked.

"It's a spice?" Shane asked looking up.

"Yes, it's a spice and her name." Kyra said, careful not to meet Shane's gaze.

"Well, alright then," Nyles said.

"So, what did I miss?" he added.

Kyra froze, as the color drained from Shane's face.

"Miss?" she asked, her voice sounding strangled.

"Yes, remember you called us here?" he added as his brow furrowed a bit.

"Oh, yes . . . that!" she said, standing.

As they waited for the tea and sweets, she told him the story about her father while keeping her eyes locked on his face trying to ignore the soft scent of spice that rose from Shane's skin.

"Well I am very encouraged by this; let's hope the scans show continued improvement!" Nyles said.

A knock at the door caused him to answer the door, turning his back on the pair. Shane glanced at her to find her glancing at him.

"Talk later," he mouthed before standing to help maneuver the cart in.

She did not reply, but yes, a conversation was going to have to be had, this was getting out of control.

Kyra glanced up at the clock as they finished their sweets. It was nearly nine PM.

Noticing her glance up at the clock, Nyles looked as well and grimaced.

"Di is going to kill me, I was supposed to close up the department tonight and if I don't go and shoo all but the nightshift out, we will have folks asleep face first in books. Again."

Kyra cringed, recalling that had been one of her mistakes, what seemed like from another lifetime.

"Hey, while you are there, can you set up a meeting sometime tomorrow with Di to ask her about what was in the book?" Shane said, making no move to get up.

Kyra watched the exchange, her stomach twisting, knowing that in just a few moments she would be alone again with Shane.

_Perhaps he will kiss you again_ , her mind added, causing her to frown.

"Yeah, I can do that."

"Kyra, I'd like to go over the transport security as well as the welcome group for Nutmeg before calling it a night, if you don't mind," Shane said.

"Her name is Saffron, and sure," she said, having no real reason to deny him as it was too early to say she was going to bed.

Nyles pushed the cart out into the hall and waved as he headed out. Even though the door was closed, they both sat very still, waiting until the hoof beats had completely faded from hearing.

"Kyra, I . . ." he began, his words colliding with hers.

"You first," she said, curling her body up into the chair.

"I care for you, I think you are an amazing woman, and I know your heart belongs to Nyles; I can also see that he loves you. However, you two have chosen not to have a relationship, and you can't go on mourning that forever," he said, leaning forward clasping her hands gently in his.

Kyra closed her eyes, his words made so much sense to her head, but her heart did not want to hear them. It felt so wrong to even consider, she had only ever loved Nyles. She shook her head.

"I, I'm not even sure how to address that. I have enjoyed getting to know you and I know that we share an attraction. I am not really in a position in my life for a relationship," her shoulders fell as the flat-feeling words tumbled from her lips.

He sat back and crossed his arms.

"I'm going to be very blunt and tell you that you do not believe that."

"No, I don't," she said. "However, I simply can't choose. It's not . . . I can't break his heart, and I mean . . . I need to talk to my father, and there is my race mix and your race mix and," she stopped, realizing she was rambling in a completely random way.

"Look, I know right this moment is not the best time for this. I mean, we just laid out all the things we have going on in the next couple months. I'm not saying we need to decide everything right this moment. I respect you and I want you to be fully comfortable with whatever happens or does not happen between us. I just wanted it out in the open instead of this hidden moment stuff," he said, laying his hand gently over hers.

A genuine smile graced her face.

"Thank you. Yes, I care for you, and I think that we may have a future of some kind. Once the summit is concluded, I will sit down with Nyles and hash things out so that we can all move forward on the same page without hurt feelings. You two have become quite close I've noticed, and I don't want that friendship damaged," she said, enjoying the warmth of his touch.

"Now that this is somewhat settled, at least for the moment, we do need to discuss the travel plans for Basil," he said, pulling out his notebook.

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, her name is Saffron!" she said with a smirk.

"I would like to go topside and meet her. I know it's freezing out there, but I have not been outside in far too long," she said, her eyes closing as the memory of the cold night air against her face danced through her memory.

"I could tell you all the security protocols about you leaving; but since we are only going to the drop off point and I will go with you, I see no reason to make a big fuss about it," he said, shaking the thought of how her skin would glow in the moonlight from his head.

"I was not really asking your permission," she said, opening her eyes to stare at him.

"But it makes it easier if you agree," she added.

He laughed softly.

The silence took over, but it was an easy, comfortable silence. Kyra felt a sleepiness overtake her and stood, stretching.

"As lame as this sounds, I'm ready for bed. I hope you won't think me rude for ditching on you," she said.

"Speaking of sleeping, I wanted your permission to take the empty room next to Nyles, which puts me two doors down. Just for security measures, we still have a killer on the loose, missing tranquilizers, we are about to have a lot of strangers within our walls for the ball and the summit, and well . . . I would just feel better," he said, his tone sincere.

She nodded.

"Fair enough, it's been empty a long time; it was set up for the Architect's personal security team, which he never got around to assigning to himself. Put a note in to housekeeping to clean it out, change the sheets, et cetera . . . it's nothing fancy, be warned," she said while edging towards the door to her room, her eyes on the fluffy pillows that awaited her exhausted head.

"The rooms in Security aren't exactly the Ritz, so I'll be fine. You get some rest and I'll see you for breakfast and we can knock out the briefing for cinnamon's security team," he said with a smirk.

"Oh, for the love of . . . her name is-- Now you are just being a brat! Off with you," she shooed him away a wide grin on her face.

He left with a smile on his face, heading back towards security completely unaware of the eyes that dogged his steps.

The next several days were packed with frenzied activity. Kyra found solace in the silence of her father's room the few times she could escape to see him. He showed no other signs of recovery, but his brain activity had not slowed, and another ritual was scheduled for the first day of the new year. She paused while in Medical to peek in on Tinka, who was looking better every day. The time to go topside to meet Saffron crept up on her. Before she knew it, she stood before the simple freight elevator that would carry her, Shane, and the two security agents up to the frozen world above.

Stepping inside, she took a deep breath letting the cool air invade her lungs as she tried to remember and emulate the grace and presence her father had always displayed when dealing with diplomats. She still could not shake the feeling that she was playing at her father's job, filling in until he recovered. Glancing down at her tailored black pants suit, she hoped she looked a lot more grown up than she felt.

The jarring of the lift brought her out of her revelry and she gave Shane the most put together smile she could manage as they sped upward through the darkness.

Even though she had expected it, the bite of cold that hit her as the gate was opened caused her to draw in a hissing breath. Gratefully, she quickly climbed into the cab of the awaiting vehicle that was to ferry her to air strip.

Shane leaned over and said to her, his voice purposefully lower in pitch than the crunching of the gravel they were driving over, "So, here's to hoping she's not an ogre."

Kyra rolled her eyes, "Did you not read the briefing? She is an Amazon, not an ogre."

She could not hide her smirk.

"You know what I meant, I mean what if she is . . . you know," he said, floundering for the right words.

"What, you are worried she is ugly?" Kyra asked, slightly surprised at his bias.

"No, not like that. I mean, she is someone of importance to our world and to this summit. What if she is snotty and rude? I could care less what she looks like," he replied.

"I am going to assume that being an Amazonian princess she has been trained as a diplomat, and if nothing else, she will be aloof and mysterious," Kyra replied, truly hoping this woman did not turn out to be a problem, as there were way too many things going on to have to babysit some pampered princess with an attitude.

The cover noise of the gravel disappeared as they pulled onto the smooth tarmac of the private landing strip. Kyra set her face in her familiar neutral expression, her fingers brushing over the pager clipped to her side. Both Galerius and Leland had assured her that she would still receive any urgent messages from inside Scíath well beyond the distance she was traveling. Glancing up at the sky, she smiled softly, happy to see the bright full moon that had come out from behind the clouds to accompany her on this journey.

They pulled up just as the plane's wheels touched down. With a curt nod to her team, they walked slowly towards the plane, waiting for it to stop.

Kyra had an image in her mind, mostly fueled by modern cinema, of what an Amazonian princess would look and dress like, and she figured it could not be far off; though she did wonder how the white toga was going to work out in the cold of a British December.

The plane stairs descended, and Kyra was more than a bit surprised by the woman who stepped gracefully down the stairs. Kyra took a moment to study her. Her height had to be nearly six feet, if not just over. Dark auburn curls spilled over her shoulders falling nearly to her waist. Her clear blue eyes met Kyra's violet eyes and she smiled softly. Kyra smiled back, pleased to see someone had prepared her for the weather as she wore a pair of black dress pants with a simple white turtleneck sweater and a thick black parka jacket. The inky color of the jacket showed off the creamy white of her skin which was brushed ever so lightly with freckles.

Kyra stepped forward, extending her gloved hand to her. She extended her own hand and Kyra noted that not only was it not gloved, but also that her palms were rough and calloused; this princess knew the meaning of hard work.

"Hello, Saffron. I want to welcome you to Scíath, it is a great honor to meet you," she said with a genuine smile.

She bowed her head slightly and smiled back her handshake firm.

"Thank you, Madam Director," she replied, her accent a soft mix of Italian and Greek. Kyra was surprised by the dulcet timber of her voice.

"Please, call me Kyra. Let us get you in out of this cold," she said, gesturing towards the car.

Once they were inside the warm interior, Kyra gestured to Shane.

"It is my pleasure to introduce my personal head of Security, Shane Fois. He has put together a pair of security agents to be your guides during your visit.

Shane extended his hand and Kyra hid the smirk that crept to her lips as she noted that he was slightly in awe of the beauty and grace of the woman before him.

"It is a pleasure to welcome you to Scíath. Never hesitate to call on me personally for anything you may need," he said, flashing a smile.

Kyra rolled her eyes and pushed down the twinge of jealousy that sprung into her gut.

"Thank you, Shane. I am very excited to perhaps see London while I am here. I have never been off our Island and I wish to explore a bit," she said, gazing out the window into the dark night.

"That could very easily be arranged. While cold, it is a festive time of year here, and perhaps you will return to visit us in the warmer months so that we can show you even more," Kyra said, wishing silently for her Father, hoping she was saying what he would to make her comfortable in Scíath.

She nodded, and the ride lapsed into comfortable silence and before long they were standing outside the freight elevator.

"Scíath is a very large compound, and as it is late, it will be rather quiet once we descend. Are you hungry or would you prefer to rest first?" Kyra asked as she listed to the clunky machinery open the rusted doors.

"I am a bit tired; would it be possible to have some tea in my room? I do not wish to seem anti-social; however, it is the farthest I have ever traveled," she replied.

"Absolutely, we will send for a- " Kyra began before the buzzer on her hip began to shake furiously.

She pulled it off with an apologetic smile just as the lift arrived. Stepping inside with her party, she peered at it in the dim light; however, as they got closer to the compound it was obvious something serious was going on as the shrill sound of the siren could be made out. As the door opened, they were all bathed in the harsh glare of the red lights strobing over the eerily empty hallways as the mechanical voice declared, "Security Lockdown, stay in your current locations and await further instructions," it repeated this message twice before the shrill siren took over again.

Saffron's eyes widened and she backed towards the back of the lift. Kyra cursed under her breath.

"Shane, take her straight to her quarters. Make sure they stay with her. I'm going to find out what in the seven hells is going on here," Kyra said and turned to go. She felt a hand wrap around her elbow. She whirled around ready to fight, only to see Shane's surprised expression.

He instantly let go.

"Hey, I just wanted to say I would prefer if you did not go alone; it's a security breach and while I'm not in any way implying you can't handle yourself, we have no idea what could be going on," he explained.

She felt the anger rising, annoyed at his assumption that she needed to be protected. She had brought down more fugitives alone then anyone. Then, she looked into his concerned expression and realized it was out of care that he wanted to see her protected.

She frowned but nodded.

Turning to the two security agents, she looked at them sternly.

"You get her back to her room safely, I don't care what it takes; and then you stand guard until the lockdown is cleared.

The women nodded and took an intrigued looking Saffron quickly down the corridor towards her quarters in Medical.

Taking a quick mental inventory of her whereabouts in the compound, Kyra realized she was closer to the study than Security, and from there she could hope to mainline the crisis.

"Let's head back to the study," she said, voicing her thoughts as she pulled her weapon, holding it at her side.

Following her lead, Shane slipped his gun out of the holster, forgetting how much he enjoyed the feel of the Colt in his hand.

Kyra remembered to keep her speed to a human pace, not because she didn't think Shane could keep up, but because she didn't want to miss anything in her rush. As she rounded the last curve before the study, the tangy odor of blood rose to meet her senses and she became a blur of speed.

Shane hurried to catch up, arriving barely in time to catch her as she stumbled at the sight before her.

The door to the study had been torn off its hinges. Splinters of the thick dark wood sprayed out across the stone. Crouched just inside the doorway was Leland, leaning over the prone form of Nyles.

She pushed Shane back unconsciously as she fought her way through the Medical and Security personnel who were milling around the door. Dropping to her knees beside Nyles, she began to shake, as she noted the deep gash across his brow and his pale, still face. Placing her hand on his chest, she let out a small cry as she felt the shallow rise and fall. Leland had his hand placed over his heart, his brow furrowed.

Leland opened his eyes, surprised for a moment to see Kyra's frantic face in front of him. She guessed he had been using whatever powers he possessed on Nyles.

"Is he . . . ok?" she asked quietly, tears filling her eyes.

"He is stable, the blow knocked him out and I am going to say he will need stitches and will likely be sporting a scar, but he should recover. I've sent for the transport to get him back to Medical so I can monitor him," he said.

"I'm coming with you," she said, jumping up.

Leland shook his head and gestured to the study, which had gone completely unnoticed as she knelt at his side. Looking up, her eyes went wide, one-half of the room, the one containing the Scíath files, her desk, and Simon terminal had been completely torn asunder. Papers were spread everywhere, cabinets tipped over, and her chair was lying on its back.

"What the Hell," Shane's voice came from behind her.

"Um, Doctor Barker, the transport is here. Do you need help lifting him?" he said, tearing his eyes away from the destruction of a place he had become so fond of.

"Thank you, but I sent for the large transport crew. I think Kyra, however, could use a hot cup of tea and one of these," he said, handing him a small blue pill he had pulled from his kit.

Shane took it, tucking it in his pocket before placing a steady arm around Kyra, moving her back out into the hall so that the transport team could move Nyles. Given the amount of people in the hall and the space needed to move Nyles, he made the decision to guide her one door over to her room. Sliding his key into the lock, he opened the door, momentarily aware of the fact that everyone in the hall now knew he possessed a key to the Director's personal quarters. It was, of course, only for security purposes; however, he doubted the gossip would even consider that.

He shut the door beside her, sitting her on the edge of her bed. Picking up the phone, he made an order for tea and some cheesecake, just in case.

He turned around just as the tears tumbled from her eyes. Pulling her into his arms, he just held her as she sobbed. He offered no words, as he had none to offer. Her closest friend had been injured and her inner sanctum vandalized.

He released her as a soft knock on the door came. She walked into the bathroom and he heard running water as he opened the door. He took the tray from a young nymph who did a poor job of hiding her curious stare.

He closed the door with more of a bang than he intended to. Turning around he saw Kyra wince at the sound.

"Sorry," he said simply.

He handed her the pill and the tea.

"Leland said you should take this."

She looked at the pill a few moments; she had never been one for taking medications for many reasons. However, she had a feeling that Leland would not give her anything that would harm her, and he had taken good care of her recently. She swallowed it, allowing the tea to warm a familiar path through her body.

"Here, I got you some cheesecake, just in case," he said, offering her the plate, still unsure of what to say.

She took it and began to eat quietly; it was apparent after a short time that the pill she had taken was a form of sedative as her face relaxed and her eyes drooped.

"I need to go see what's been taken and check on Nyles and . . .," she said as her eyes drooped further.

"I think you should lay down, just for a little while. That was quite a shock. Trust me to talk to the security agents and round up the information, I have my pager and I'll carry yours. I'm going to get the alarm turned off. Let me help you," he said, guiding her to lay down. Her eyes were completely closed before her head hit the pillow.

He slipped her shoes off, then he pulled the duvet over her before slipping out of the room. Walking into the study, he went to the security panel and punched the numbers, killing the shrill siren, but leaving the red light flashing.

"Where is she?" a voice from behind him caused him to jump.

He turned to regard the man who, through his entire career, had been his boss. Now he felt less attachment to the Security department more than ever, which gave him pause since he had more security responsibilities.

"She's been sedated, by Doctor Barker. Seeing this and Nyles injured was quite the shock to her," he replied, gesturing to the chaos surrounding them.

Galerius pulled out a notebook. He gave no indication or expression of how he felt about their leader being indisposed during a major crisis; however, for him to have shown emotion would have been remarkable.

"I have reviewed the tape already. From what I can tell, a woman entered the study. She was in here approximately three minutes when Nyles made his way in carrying a stack of files. He never made it in the door and fell where you found him, I cannot be sure what she hit him with, but from Leland's report, she hit him hard. She fled down the hall, headed towards the planetarium and then disappeared into a shadow and did not reemerge that I can see. Milyna was walking past the study, and upon seeing Nyles prone form, she pulled the security alarm," Galerius read out of his notebook.

Shane scribbled furious notes in his own notepad knowing that Kyra would require every detail he could find.

"It's a really ballsy move to attack the director's office; I mean, she was only outside Scíath for little over an hour. Not to mention, only the top levels and possibly their seconds knew she was even leaving," Shane noted

"That limits the list of suspects," Galerius noted.

"When she wakes I will need a list of what is missing. Although from the state of this room, I'm pretty sure the only person who would know for certain would be the Architect," Galerius said, his shudder-like blinking taking in the almost split personality of the room.

"Given that the intruder had been interrupted mid-search, half of the room was completely untouched and clean in its cluttered way, whereas the other side had been thoroughly ransacked. It was hard to tell if they had been looking for something specific or just out to cause general destruction." Shane added.

"Agreed, I am going to go check the planetarium; I don't think I will find anything, but I must be thorough. Report anything you find to me at once," he said, walking out without another word.

Shane stood a long moment staring at the mess. He wanted to clean it up and make it right for Kyra when she woke, but there was no way he could know where everything went. Although, he was not sure she really knew either. He righted the chair and stacked up some of the papers. The buzzing at this side stopped his progress, it was her pager and the extension was Medical. He took a deep breath and put the phone back together. A lump formed in his throat as he dialed, Nyles was his friend and it would crush him if anything were to happen to him.

"Doctor Barker," the voice answered.

"It's Shane, Kyra is resting. I got your page," he said, keeping his voice as level as possible.

"Good. I'm glad. I never know with her Fae metabolism if a medication is going to work on her or not. Let her know when she wakes that Nyles is okay; he has a concussion and quite the nasty headache. He is resting comfortably, however. Do we have any idea what is going on?" he asked.

"All I know, Doc, is that our dead lady snuck in here, made one hell of a mess looking for something, I would imagine, and Nyles was at the wrong place at the wrong time," he replied, cocking his head as the sound of rustling came from Kyra's room.

"Hey, it sounds like the lady is getting up. I'm going to go check on her. I'm sure we will be down there soon," he said, hanging up. He walked to the door and opened it. Kyra was sitting upright in the bed, her eyes large and vacant.

"Kyra?" he said softly.

She did not reply, her expression registering no sign that she had heard him. He moved slowly and carefully toward her. He had heard about the incident with the Giant and had absolutely no desire to startle her. Her eyes drooped a bit more as he laid her back down. He locked the doors before he left and headed to check on the princess.

Halfway to Medical the red light stopped flashing and Galerius's mechanical tones came across the intercom system.

"Security lockdown lifted. Restricted travel in place. For questions, contact your Treoraí."

Shane picked up the pace. How on earth were they going to have the Winter ball on restricted travel? There were over one hundred visitors slated to come in for the ritual and party, some of whom were staying until the summit. Security was going to have to go to fully manned twenty-four hour shifts. Around this time of year that meant cancelled leave. He shook his head, very glad to not have to be running shifts for this mess.

He was halfway to the Architect's room before he realized he was moving on habit and was headed the wrong direction; he was backtracking towards the VIP apartments when the sound of a giggle stopped him. Glancing down a side hall, he saw Anna with her arms wrapped around some dark-haired guy as they stole kisses in the empty hallway. He watched a moment waiting to feel jealousy or hurt, but he simply felt happy for her that she had moved on and was not with Jason. He kept moving, not wanting to intrude or make the situation awkward.

Entering the apartment's wing, he was pleased to see one of the guards posted outside her door. His brain fought to come up with her name but given the chaos he was drawing a blank. He thought it might be Carrie, or perhaps Karen, but it was better not to be wrong, so he simply nodded and said.

"Report."

"Princess Saffron is settled in her quarters and napping. Marianna is inside with her. We did a full sweep of the rooms before we permitted her to enter. What does restricted travel mean for visitors?" she asked, her deep golden eyes regarding him.

"Nothing really, she is still free to come and go as she wishes because she already has a full security detail with her. I have no doubt in my mind, she will be safe. However, if you can gently convince her that she should perhaps not traipse all over the compound, that would be fantastic," he said.

"Understood."

"I'm going to talk with Doctor Barker. If anything happens that is out of the ordinary in any way, I want you to page me immediately," he said, watching her expression turn puzzled. Procedurally, she would report anything to Galerius, as he was her Treoraí,

He walked away, unsure if he could even do what he just did. Theoretically, he oversaw the entire place until she woke up or he found Di. He needed to get her to define his position and its responsibilities.

_Be nice if she did that for our relationship_ , his mind added. He shook the thought from his head. There was way too much going on for that to be a priority.

Heading back towards the ICU wing, he noted the hallways were filling back up as normal operations resumed. While he knew Nyles' condition did not warrant him being in intensive care, he knew Dr. Barker would want to keep him close. His pace quickened. He wanted to get back to Kyra, but if he went back to her without seeing that Nyles was okay, she would be more than a touch angry. His impatience grew as the traffic in front of him seemed to bottleneck. He waited less than a minute before pushing his way through the growing crowd to see what the holdup was. He found himself at the scanner and two befuddled security guards trying to figure out why the machine was putting on a Technicolor light show.

"What is going on?" Shane asked.

The guard closest to him turned and shrugged, his rapid eye movement categorizing him as the same race as Galerius.

"Dunno, when the alarm reset, the scanner started blinking and it refuses to come back online. I called Security and they said they would send someone round to look at it when they could spare them," he explained.

Shane could not contain an audible sigh. Just as he was about to walk away and come back later, an alarming deduction sprung to mind. This kind of delay kept anyone from getting into the ICU area as the guards would never let anyone though who had not been scanned, so if someone was on the other side of the scanner when the alarm reset they were given free range to the most vulnerable patients with minimal staffing.

He turned back and pushed his way through the scanner past the two guards.

"Stop Sir, we can't allow you through, by the order of the Director no one pass-," he began.

"I know the order. I gave it, and yes I know you have no reason to trust me, but I have a feeling that is part of the–," At that point a high-pitched scream drowned out his words.

Without waiting he pulled his gun, taking off at a run he waved the guards back as they started to follow him.

"Let no one else through. This could be a distraction to weaken defenses."

He was down the hall before he could hear any reply the guard may have uttered.

Rounding the corner into the ICU he saw the woman who had screamed, and following her gaze, he could see it was not an intruder who had caused the sound of alarm as Leland and several other doctors stood in awe of the same thing.

Everything in the Architect's room was rattling as if some tremendous wind was swirling inside. He lay in the middle of the tempest, completely undisturbed by anything going on around him. Hovering over his prone form was a spectral form. The apparition was several feet above his sleeping form. Shane moved closer to the window to get a better look at the figure though he already knew who it was; however, he noted her spiritual form had Fae wings.

He tried the door but was unsurprised to find that he could not open it. However, his hard tugs at it caused Kyra's apparition to turn to look at him. A chill ran down his spine as he locked eyes with the opaque stare. She stared a long moment before letting out a low moan of pain and fading out of sight. The wind died down and everything returned to how as it was.

For a few moments everyone just stared at the room before Leland rushed in checking vitals and machines. Shane just stood a moment, trying to figure out what his next course of action was to be. Should he stay here and try to get the scanner back and running, wait to hear about the Architect, check on Nyles? His gut wanted to run back to Kyra, this was probably a manifestation of her powers, brought on by the stress and perhaps even the medication. Who knew what kind of affect it would have on her.

Leland came out shaking his head.

"Today is fired," he said, deep frown lines settling around his mouth.

"Is he ok?" Shane asked.

"He is fine. Nyles is fine. I am, however, considering a pint. What on earth is going on around here?"

"Well, I . . . you know, I have absolutely no idea," Shane replied, thinking that a pint sounded amazing.

"I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news, but all traffic from the main scanner coming this way is shut down, the scanner is on the fritz and with what's going on, there is no way we can let people in. So, we will have to funnel them around to the other scanners." he explained, watching Leland's already deep frown become even deeper.

"I'm going to go check on Kyra and see if I need to put Di back in control. I will lean on security to get the scanner fixed. I think Di may be right about needing an IT department. It is my goal to get this place back to some semblance of normal before the Winter ball," he said, although the conviction in his voice was much stronger than he really felt.

He walked away before any doubt could show. At this moment, Scíath was a mess. They were due to host a huge party and ritual, security had been breached, there was a 'bad guy' inside the walls, and no one had any clear idea of what was going on or how to fix it. He quickly made his way through the silent halls. Six months ago he would have been sitting in the Security lounge bemoaning the extra shifts and waiting for his orders, but his life had changed. He knew he was not perfect, but he felt confident that he was rising to the challenges in front of him. He was determined to help Kyra and to keep his home safe. The Architect had kept him out of Gilly prison after his first moon inspired rage had left several of his mates in the hospital. Much like Kyra, he faced racial bias from the lupine side given his ability to blend in with the mortal world and sometimes fend off moon rages. If the human knew what he was, he would be locked up and tested or worse, turned into a killing machine.

As he neared the study, he tuned in his sensitive hearing. What he was listening for he was uncertain, but at this point there was no such thing as being too cautious. He noted that Lev's team was already at work on the door and the ribbon had been taken down. He nodded to them as he took a glance at the lock on Kyra's door, checking for signs of tampering, of which he was relieved to find none. He already felt guilty about having to leave her alone. Entering, he held his breath, uncertain of what he would find, given what he witnessed in Medical. Switching on the bedside lamp, he found her to be lying just as he had left her, her face was serene, and she looked only to be sleeping. There was no sign that she had been roaming the halls in astral form, scaring the daylights out of Medical personnel.

Narrowing his eyes, he focused on her carotid artery, watching it pulse against her pale skin. He counted the beats, happy to find her pulse in normal range. Her breathing, while perhaps a bit shallower than he would like, was even and slow. He had meant to ask Leland how long she would be out; however, it was clear that the side effects were highly unexpected, so he doubted any normal parameters would apply.

Glancing at the clock, he was shocked to see it was nearly one AM. Time had flown, although it had been eventful since they had set foot back inside the compound.

Stretching out on the chase lounge, he closed his eyes, weariness overtaking his body as the rush of adrenaline faded. Everything was as stable as it was going to be. If she was not back to herself by morning, he would call Di and tell her she needed to take over the director duties. He wanted to sit a bit longer and ponder a plan, but his eyes drooped, each blink taking longer than the next to pry his eyes open from.

Kicking off his shoes, he pulled the patchwork quilt from the back of the sofa and let sleep take him, with a final fleeting hope that things would be better in the morning.

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##  Chapter Fifteen

Kyra's eyes fluttered open. Laying still, she took a mental check of her body finding that while she felt sore, she could find no injury. Her memory was blurry. Sitting up slowly, she was surprised to see Shane sleeping on her settee. She sat up on the edge of the bed as quietly as she could, hoping not to wake him; however, the mattress gave a mild squeak under her weight causing him to bolt upright, hand on his weapon. She smiled, he reminded her so much of herself.

He blinked a few times glancing at the clock, surprised to see it was just after seven.

"Good morning Lady, how are you feeling?"

"I'm ok, my memory is a bit fuzzy though," she said, closing her eyes, the creases in her forehead showing deep thought as she tried to piece together the fragments of last night.

Her eyes flew open.

"Nyles!" she exclaimed.

"Worry not, he is okay. He did get a concussion for his trouble, but he is in Medical and resting comfortably. I checked on him last night," he said, struggling to broach the rest of the things that went on the previous evening.

"The study?" she asked.

"I can't tell you if anything is missing because I'm not sure what all was there to start with. I started to clean up but it's still a mess. Also, there are a few other things we need to talk about," he said, watching her closely for any signs that she was still under the effects of the medication.

"Can we talk after I take a shower and you order some food? I'm starving," she said while stretching.

He chuckled. If nothing else, her appetite was unharmed.

"Yes, we can talk over breakfast, as we have a lot going on in the next little while," he said, watching her walk and making sure she was stable before turning to the phone to order food. He had them bring it to her room as he was not sure she was quite ready to see the destruction of her sanctuary.

Once he heard the water start, he called Medical first to get an update on Nyles and to give one on Kyra. After assuring Leland she would be headed to Medical to see Nyles and he could check her out then, he called and ordered breakfast. It occurred to him that he could also use a shower and some fresh clothing, but that would have to wait until after they had talked about her adventures from the night before.

She came out wrapped in a towel and he immediately looked away, allowing her the privacy to select her clothing and dress. Pulling the chair from the small writing desk in the corner, she faced him.

"So, what is it you need to tell me?" she asked. Her eyes were clear and alert, although worry lines were forming around her mouth.

"Well, last night after I tucked you in and cleaned up the study a bit, I headed over to Medical to check that Saffron had gotten settled in and to check on Nyles. However, some complications arose. The scanner in the west hall was on the fritz. Apparently, when the alarm system was reset, it caused something to malfunction. I think you need to give serious consideration to putting in an IT department as Di suggested, having our tech people spread through other departments makes it hard to find one in an emergency. Now during this scanner outage, we did have a visitor of sorts in the ICU, in your father's room as a matter of fact," he held his hand off seeing the rage storm forming in her eyes.

"It was you, well, in a manner of speaking. The best I can tell, you were in astral form and you were watching over him. Leland thinks it may be a side effect of the sedative he gave you. Perhaps it unlocked one of your powers or relaxed your mind enough for your spirit to go wandering. Do you remember anything about it?" he asked.

She shook her head, her brow deeply furrowed.

"I had bits of a dream when I woke up; something about my father and a garden that often haunts my dreams, but whatever it was faded mostly away as I awoke."

A knock on the door stopped them both and breakfast was had in silence.

As they finished up, she stood and walked to the door that connected what she still thought of as her father's room to the study. Her hand wavered over the door knob, a knot of uncertainty forming in her stomach.

"Hey why don't we go check on Nyles, then we can come back and get that sorted out and decide how on earth we are going to have the ball tomorrow night on restricted travel. Now, I'm not pushing, but I'm going to suggest you have a Treoraí meeting; tonight if you can. You are going to need to support and input of your team," he said, watching her eyes to see if he had overstepped his bounds.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

"You are right, I will send out an urgent memo from Medical, we will have a meeting to figure out what on earth is going on around here as well as approve Di's request and start the hunt for a new Treoraí. It would be good to have them in place before the summit as a myriad of technology will be needed at the summit, and I would prefer no more embarrassment in front of the other supernatural leaders," she said, tossing him a grateful smile.

"Thank you for sticking by me, I'm sure this wasn't exactly the plan you had or anywhere near what you expected when you were assigned to the murder, but you have been invaluable to me and to Scíath."

"I appreciate it and I know your have a lot on your plate, but I'm finding myself in positions where I'm needing to assert authority that I'm not sure I have. If you get a moment . . . if you could decide on exactly what it is I do and what authority I have, not that anyone has questioned me, just an in-case measure," he said.

She nodded, moving towards the door; he could tell from her expression she was building a mental checklist which he imagined would be a mile long.

Following her silently they made their way through the compound, people moved in groups of four or five with a security agent accompanying them. Kyra expected to have to approve a bunch of returning agents from the field if the security issues kept up.

_Perhaps we should cancel the summit, it is way too late to cancel the ball, and I would rather take the fallout from canceling the summit than for something to happen to one of the diplomats._ she thought as they made their way through the halls. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she did not notice the looks being tossed her way.

Shane however was far from oblivious. He noted the curious, disapproving, and even a few hostile looks given her. Being a leader was always hard and not everyone was going to like you, he knew, but their attitudes made him uneasy and he let his hand rest on his weapon.

They entered Medical making sure to take the path to the functional scanner. She hoped they had gotten it back up and running. She added a line to the mental list to ask Leland about it. Medical seemed to be back up and running at normal pace, although she noted a few stationary people posted at major doors, Galerius already had people in place, he really was very good at his job.

Kyra entered the ICU. She was, for a moment, torn on where to go first, to Nyles or to her father. Leland, however, saved her from the choice.

"Nyles is getting a CT scan. He reported some blurred vision this morning and I want to make sure he has no brain swelling," he said, noting her panicked expression.

"I'm sure it's nothing, but better safe than sorry," he smiled, his stare intensive.

She knew he was using his trained Doctor eyes to check her over, her ghostly appearance must have really shaken people up.

She nodded, moving silently towards her father's room. She did not trust her own voice. So much was going on inside her head and all she wanted to do was curl up beside her father, have him pet her hair and help her work through it. She really had no idea how much he had meant to her, how all the years they spent together had shaped who she was. Regret formed a deep knot in her stomach. She had been so involved in making her own way, in caring for herself, that she had let her time with him slide; and now, well, now there may not be any more time.

Pausing at her father's door, she placed her hand on the scanner, waiting for it to beep. As its melodic beep confirmed she was indeed herself, she put her hand on the door knob holding her hand up to alert Leland and Shane that she wished to be alone.

She knew tears were eminent and she had no desire for her weakness to be witnessed. Closing the shutters to block the view from outside, she pulled the chair up to her father's bedside, the screech on the linoleum causing her to wince.

Staring at him she was less surprised than she had originally been to see that his white mane was almost completely ginger again and the lines that time and experience had placed on his face were faded almost completely. Brushing his hair gently back from his forehead, she grasped his hand tightly. Laying her head on the edge of the bed, she began to sob silently.

****

Shane watched her close the shutters. He knew she was safe, but he could not help but worry. Turning to Leland, he tried to mask his concern.

"She looks okay to you Doc?" he asked

"I think so, I would love to get a brain activity study on her, even perhaps give her the medication again under observation to see exactly what it was that occurred; but now is not the time and I don't think she would be keen on having a machine strapped to her head," he said, flipping through a chart.

"Yeah, probably not. Level with me about Nyles . . . What's going on?" Shane asked, never taking his eyes off the door to the Architect's door, watching for a sign of anything amiss.

"I am worried, he has double vision and his blood pressure is high. It is possible that the hit has caused some swelling in his brain. After the scan, I will know for certain. It is possible it will resolve itself on its own, or with medications; however, surgery is not out of the question. No matter what the outcome, I will be keeping him for at least seventy-two hours. There is no way I am comfortable enough to allow him to go to the Winter ball. You are going to have to take care of her on your own," he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth that was quickly smoothed over.

Shane sighed internally. Gossip was being had about them. Well, it was to be expected, and Doc Barker was an all-around good guy.

The door to the Architect's room opened and Kyra stepped out. The red splotches that marked her face made it obvious she had been weeping, and heavily.

"I am sorry to have startled you all last night. I was unaware that astral projection was on my resume, and as I can't say I recall the incident at all, it's not one I plan to be repeating anytime soon," she said, her voice was calm and level.

She was pleased that neither one of them seemed to want to question her about the remnants of her emotional outburst. For this she was grateful.

"When do you expect Nyles back?" she asked.

"He left about ten minutes before you arrived and it's a three hour scan, so after lunch hour would be the best time for you to come back to see him." Leland replied.

"Excellent. I'm going to go check on Princess Saffron. I will swing back around then. If anything comes up, please page me," she said, walking out with Shane on her heels.

Once the door on the elevator slid shut, he put his hand on her shoulder gently.

"You okay lady?" he asked softly.

"I am. My father always used to tell me that bottling things up was unhealthy and I had way too much going on inside. The safest place for me to let that out will always be with him. So, I did," she explained.

She was proud of how strong and sure her voice sounded. There was a time she would have been ashamed of such a show of weakness. However, she had come to realize over the last couple of months that while she was a very strong woman, it was alright to have emotions and to need others.

She reached over and gave Shane a short soft hug, releasing him as the doors slid open. He stumbled in surprise as they exited the elevator.

Kyra stopped at one of the large silver-framed mirrors. She smiled, pleased to see that the red splotches had faded almost completely from her face. Walking to the Princess's suite, she gave the guard a smile; it was the other half of the pair, but Shane could still not recall her name.

"How are things?" she asked.

"Fairly good, she seems to be suffering from a headache, Doctor Barker is sending a doctor down to look at her. Probably nothing but travel and climate change, but we did not want to take any chances," she replied.

"Excellent, thank you for taking the initiative to make sure our guest was cared for," Shane replied.

"She is napping now; would you like to go in and see her?" she added.

"That is not necessary, she needs her rest; however, let her know that if she wants to see me, that I am at her disposal and page me immediately," Kyra replied.

"Yes, Madam Director," the guard replied.

As Kyra and Shane headed back to elevator, she glanced at her watch.

"Some days, time flies and sometimes it feels like we are stuck in molasses" she said as she saw that it was only quarter past ten.

"I suppose I can't put it off any longer, let's go back to the study and try to see what's going on there. Damn, I forgot to send the memo out for tonight, please make me do that as soon as we get back to the study," she added.

"Will do. I'm sorry, I got side tracked before. I will make sure of that," he said.

"I'm sorry you are kinda having to take over Nyles' duties, I got rather accustomed to him helping me keep my brain together and it's unfair of me to ask you to take over his job, but quite honestly, you are the only one I trust to help me," she said.

"Hey, don't worry Lady, I can pull secretary duty as well as chief of security," he said, his wide smile showing the pride he felt at having her trust.

Before long they stood outside the brand-new study door. While it looked the same as the previous one, she would always know it was new and something about that bothered her. Perhaps it was the fact that someone had the gall to breech a place that was what she considered the heart of Scíath, or that she had not been around to stop it simply because she had yearned for the night air and a glimpse of the moon.

She placed her hand on the knob, and taking a deep breath, she pushed it silently inward, her eyes widening as she took in the destruction. She hardly felt his hand as it cupped her elbow.

Taking a deep breath, she moved into the room. Whoever had broken in had focused on the papers around her Simon terminal and the file cabinets around her desk. Thankfully they had not had time to do any damage to the bookshelves, since they were still only halfway through cataloging what was there and therefore would make it impossible to tell what had been taken.

"I am guessing they thought that important papers were kept in the file cabinets around my desk, which would make logical sense to anyone except my father who used them to hold random assortments of papers. Everything from Treoraí meeting notes to a recipe he copied off the telly in absolutely no order."

Kyra chuckled softly.

Moving through the sea of papers, she settled at her Simon terminal.

"Ahh, I think this was what they were wanting. It appears they tried to log into my terminal, perhaps hoping that I kept it on and that they would not need a password to get into the files."

"I am assuming that you do not keep it logged in and that they were thwarted," Shane said, gathering up more of the papers and making then into a stack."

"No, I always log out. Years of using public terminals in security and having high security clearance ingrained in me the habit of logging out after each session. So, they went through a lot of trouble for no gain, at least none that I can see at this point," she said with a frown as she tapped out the memo for the emergency meeting.

"I have a feeling they would have gotten to cause, at the least, more damage had Nyles not shown up," he said, settling down in the chair across from her.

She nodded without looking up, intent on what she was typing.

"I know this may seem like the wrong time, but given the circumstances, I would be honored to be your date for the ball tomorrow night, if you don't mind," he said, twirling a pen in his fingers.

She looked up, her eyes widening a bit.

"Sure, that's fine, I'm hoping the ball goes off without a hitch and I have no intention of getting as carried away as I did at the Halloween ball; but I would feel much safer about the entire thing having you with me," she said before going back to typing.

He smiled, she was getting better about telling people she needed help, even if sometimes her hands-on technique could be rather frustrating.

He let her type in silence for a while and was about to ask if the memo was turning into a novel when the printer started spitting out papers.

"I wrote up a job description for you. I'm calling you the head of Directorial Security and you have the power of my office and the ability to take over for me until the protocols can be enacted," she said, watching his face.

"Thank you. And to think, all I wanted was to head summit security. I think this is a much better gig."

She handed him a copy of the official paperwork. She checked the clock, it was eleven AM.

"Think we can get this place at least back to baseline before we head back to Medical?" she asked.

"I think we can give it a serious try."

For the next hour they picked up, straightened, and attempted to refile the paperwork; which devolved into stacking it neatly enough that the drawers closed again.

At noon they had the room almost completely back to normal. There were a few more random stacks of things that neither of them were sure of where they came from in the first place.

"I would suggest grabbing lunch and taking it with us, but we don't know what kind of restricted diet he is going to be on and it would be unfair to eat in front of him. So, after we visit we can actually go eat in the dining hall," she said, slipping her shoes back on.

"After we see him and eat, I think we should go see Galerius and decide how we are going to handle the restricted travel. It's going to be super hard to maintain with the ball. We can set up patrols and make sure all of the afterparties are held in the dining hall." he said as they walked.

"Good idea. I'd like to be able to present the plan to the Treoraí tonight because we are going to need their help getting the information out to all the departments before tomorrow night," she agreed.

As they walked through the corridors, they found them fuller as the fear faded and people went about their daily work as well as pre-party planning. They saw more than a few groups carrying boxes of decorations towards the ball room.

"You know, this will be my first Solstice ball as a grown up," she noted, as they stood waiting to go through the decontamination chamber.

"As a child, I was not allowed to stay up after the presents were handed out and as a teenager I was too self-conscious to dance. Then I started being out as often as possible," she said, the last part of the statement bringing about the knot of guilt.

"Well then, I'm hoping you will enjoy it," he said, letting his thoughts run to hoping that she liked the gift he had chosen for her; and that just perhaps, for a little while, they could forget themselves and just enjoy the night.

"Have you ever gone?" she asked as they made their way through the labyrinth of hallways that had once confused her so.

"Uh, yeah. I went to one two years ago with Anna, otherwise I always seemed to be out on assignment when they rolled around," he answered with a shrug.

She could tell from the faraway look in his eyes that the memory she had invoked was not altogether pleasant.

They remained silent on the rest of the walk. A wide smile spread to Kyra's face as they rounded the corner to the ICU as it was easy to hear Nyles' warm laugh carrying through the sterile halls.

Her pace quickened, and Shane was reminded painfully of where her heart lay by the bright expression the sound of his voice brought to her face. He followed at a slower pace not wanting to intrude on their moment.

She rounded the corner to see the door to his room open and that he was laying on what could only be described as a feather pallet. He looked comfortable and his face wore his dazzling smile, although his complexion was a bit pale and the glaring bandage on his forehead was disconcerting. Putting on her most confident smile, she walked into his room.

"You know, if you wanted a vacation, all you had to do was ask," she said.

"Kyra!" He exclaimed, moving to get up.

"No, you stay put. I'll come to you," noting the way his eyes seemed uncertain of his balance.

Leland nodded, looking over the scans of his brain, Kyra noted the way his eyes narrowed as he glanced over film.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, settling into a chair beside him.

"Got a bit of a nagging headache, but the meds the Doc gives are keeping me comfortable; however, they make me a bit dizzy. How is the study?"

"Better now, it seems you interrupted the thief before they could find anything of real value. Although, it is my belief they were hoping to find my Simon terminal logged in. I know you have been over this, but would you mind telling me what happened?" she asked, taking his hand gently.

"It was all a matter of chance, to be honest. I was not even headed to the study, but instead, I was on my way to the dining hall. My sweet tooth was acting up and I was wanting one of those peanut butter milkshakes they started making. I saw the door to the study was slightly ajar and I honestly thought you had gotten back early and was going to offer to get you one as well since I know you have a fondness for Gilly sweets. So, I pushed the door open and the next thing I knew, I was seeing stars. You know, like they show in those old cartoons. I can't honestly say I even saw a glimpse of what hit me, it was either incredibly quick or had a hidden vantage point. I know it's not much help and I'm sorry," he said, squeezing her hand gently.

"I'm just glad you are okay, that's what really matters," she said.

Leland cleared his throat.

"Kyra, if I could speak to you about some of the test results on your father, then you guys can get back to your visit. Although Nyles, I don't want you sitting up and moving around a whole lot. Don't want to aggravate that headache," he said with a patent doctor smile.

Kyra stood. Nothing that what he wanted to talk about had nothing immediately to do with her father.

Squeezing his hand again, "I'll send Shane in. He's been fretting over you as well," she said, keeping her face neutral.

"Shane, I'm going to chat with the Doc a few minutes. If you would like to go see Nyles, yo-," she had not even finished her sentence before he was headed in. The close friendship that had formed between them was a concern to her, and not one she had time for right at that moment.

Once the door closed, she faced Leland.

"Give it to me straight Doc, is he ok?"

"It's not as bad as it could be, but not as good as I had hoped. The upside is I'm almost positive we can control it with medication. The downside is that he will have to stay here at least 3 days, which means that he will miss the Winter ball."

"In the grand scheme of things, missing the Winter ball is nothing compared to him being healthy," Kyra said, relief in her voice.

"I agree; however, I would appreciate if you would give him a few words on perhaps a rain check or something. I need his mood to stay elevated. He, like you, is hard to medicate and I need to be able to keep an eye on anything that could be medication related, even if it's just a mood swing," he explained.

"I can do that. Like my father, if anything changes I want to be paged immediately, I think I'm going to have Shane post another guard on the unit. The attacker may be concerned that he can in some way identify them and could come back for another shot at taking him out" she said.

"Can't hurt, I saw the memo for tonight's meeting. I think Tinka will be able to make it, but let's hope this one is a bit less exciting than the last," he said, sliding Nyles' chart in with the others.

"Indeed, we have to get the place back to good, we have the Winter Ball, then the summit to get through, and I would much prefer to get through them with the fewest number of catastrophes we can manage," she said.

"I'm going to go talk to Nyles and get him straightened away for you, then I'm going to go attempt to make as many diplomatic apologies as I can think of to our Amazonian princess," she added, moving back towards Nyles's room.

Laughter greeted her as she opened the door. Seeing their smiling faces made her heart soar and sink all in one swift motion.

Closing the door behind, her silence was once again restored to the ICU unit as needed conversations were held in private.

A little over an hour later, they emerged from his room. Leland caught a glimpse of a sleepy Nyles settling in.

"We are all good Doc, keep me informed," Kyra said as she headed out without waiting for a response.

"Ok I'm going to swing past and see if she is up and about, I feel simply terrible for the lack of hospitality we have shown her, not to mention the fact that she walked into a full on security breach. You know, Scíath home base is supposed to be the safest of all our compounds. You hear of raids and things on the outskirts; at some embassies, even occasionally, something will happen. But never here. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong," Kyra confessed as they stepped off the lift. However, Shane never had a chance to reply. As the doors opened, they found themselves standing toe-to-toe with Saffron and her guards.

Kyra recovered quickly and put on her best special occasion smile.

"Just who I was coming to see, feeling better I hope?" she asked, stepping back into the lift as it was obvious the princess had been headed somewhere.

"I am. I know you are having some sort of security issue, but I was told you have a garden here. I am not accustomed to being underground and was hoping to see it," she said. The soft lilt of her voice could easily lull anyone who heard it.

"I completely understand that sentiment. We do have a garden, it's in the Amenity wing and I will be happy to walk with you if you don't mind," Kyra offered.

Saffron simply nodded as the lift rose and let them out on the main floor of Scíath. The halls were busier now, but instead of the steady streams of people, they moved in large groups, reminding Kyra of icebergs floating in an otherwise empty sea.

"I must apologize for the state of affairs upon your arrival. I can assure you this kind of thing does not happen often, and you should not be concerned at all for your safety."

"I'm not worried, my guards are more than capable as well as wonderful sparing partners. I want to thank you for such thoughtful choices."

Kyra smiled.

"I will pass all of that praise on to my chief of Directorial Security, Shane. He took a great deal of care in making sure that the people who are to be your companions while you are here were well suited to you. I am very happy to hear that it worked out," Kyra replied, tossing Shane a smile which he brightly returned.

"I am already glad that I was chosen to come visit. Your world is so very different, so official and structured. I read in the material on the plane that you have an extensive library with the knowledge of many cultures, some extinct, here. I would love if I could arrange a time to look through," she added, her soft eyes taking in everything around her as they walked.

"We absolutely can. I will give a shout over to Di, she heads Anthropology. She can get you all set up with some archive time. I was wondering if you needed to stop by the clothing shop for tomorrow night's ball," Kyra added, taking in the simple, Japanese styled set of pajamas she now wore.

"I do think that would be a good idea. I'm sure with such a short time to the party selection will be short, but I do not have anything formal and I am looking forward to going to this party," she replied.

Kyra smiled. She had no intention of bringing up a date; this woman had no idea how close she had come to being saddled with the slimiest member of Scíath, and that was the way it was going to stay.

They walked into the Amenity wing; it was fairly busy, which was not at all surprising given the holiday season and the big party tomorrow night. The doors to the Garden of Peace stood open, the smell of evergreens wafted out, and the bright red pinwheels of poinsettias could be seen lining the path.

Kyra knew they lit the trees up and set up a Winter Wonderland walk; however, she had simply been too busy to get down and enjoy it. She really did love the holiday season out in the Gilly world. All the bright colors and sleigh rides, hot chocolate and fireplaces. It truly was a shame that the Gilly's could not live in harmony with anything truly different from themselves. So many here would enjoy living in the topside world and taking part in the things it had to offer.

"I'm afraid I must leave you now, Princess. I have a meeting to prepare for and then, of course, final ball preparations. If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. The ladies here can direct you to the shop and I will put that request into Di as soon as I get back to the study to get you the reading time you requested," Kyra said as they stood outside the garden doors.

"I thank you. I look forward to this party and my stay here," Saffron said before heading into the garden.

Kyra and Shane watched them until they were well into the garden, mingling with the other people admiring the winter displays.

"Well, that went very well," he said as they made their way back to the study.

"Indeed. She seems to be very nice and I don't think we will have any problems with her at this point," she replied, marking off diplomatic duties from her mental check list but adding the point to send Di a memo in its place.

Steps from the study door, her overloaded brain reminded her she was headed to Security.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath. She had really been looking forward to settling into her chair.

"We have to head over to Security, I almost forgot," she said as Shane's eyes widened.

"I forgot, too. I really need to get one of those PDA devices. So much to keep up with," he replied as they turned and headed back down the hall.

They walked in silence towards Security. Kyra's mind was a jumble of all the things that needed to be done as opposed to what she wanted to be doing, which was hiding in the study or better yet, gearing up to go chase a bad guy through the night. She would never shirk the duty her father had given her. Yet, she felt that he had placed her in this position out of love and that he perhaps truly believed that she could do the job. But she had no doubt that if he was to see the mess she was making of his creation, he may seriously rethink it.

She noted Shane watching her out of the corner of her eye. He looked concerned. He really was an amazing friend and she knew that she really cared for him. It was just the most inopportune time for her to try to have any kind of relationship, and that did not even touch upon the whole Nyles thing.

She placed her hand on the security scanner, her mind so full that it took a tap on the on the shoulder from Shane to alert her to the fact that the scanner was beeping angrily because she had, had her hand on the scanner well past it's authentication of her identity.

"Sorry I'm just, yeah," was all she could say in defense.

"No problem at all Lady," he said, sticking his hand on the scanner and pulling the door open after its short approval beep.

Security was packed, in all the years she had been a part of the department she had never seen more than ten or so agents in the room at one time. Her trained glance told her there were closer to fifty now, every table was covered with papers and maps, shift rosters and weapon logs.

Galerius looked up as the door opened, and meeting Kyra's eyes, he waved her over to his table.

While he had never shown any sign of not completely accepting her authority, she still felt like he was her boss. Even more so now when she was clearly out of her depth on how to handle a very important situation when he obviously already had a jump on things.

Squaring her shoulders, she strode across the room, her face set to the most self-assured expression she could manage. Shane followed, shaking hands and exchanging hellos with a few of his friends.

"Madam Director," he said, dismissing the other agents at the table with the nod of his head.

"I received your memo about the meeting tonight. I think it quite a prudent idea given the state of things," he added.

Kyra made a note to thank Shane again for the suggestion, one she was not sure she would have come up with on her own.

"I wanted to take a few minutes with you before the meeting to see how I could help you in making sure the ball went off without a hitch. We can sit down after the holiday and work on the summit security, and of course deal with the break in. I assume the security footage was useless?" she asked.

"Not exactly," he said, motioning her over to one of the monitors where the footage with the previous evening's time stamp was paused.

Kyra's strangled cry escaped her lips before she could stop it. The tape showed her walking to the study door and with one swift practiced kick, the door flew open. She entered, quickly closing the splintered part of the door as best as she could.

He stopped the tape and looked at her. She immediately became defensive, taking his silent stare as accusatory.

"I obviously . . . that was not . . .," she huffed, feeling the warmth take over her body, the red tinge invading her vision.

"Of course, it was not you. It was obviously the Morph looking to use a disguise that would be the least likely to be noticed," Shane's voice cut through her raising ire.

"Which leads again to point out that someone in the upper levels is involved since only the Treoraí level knew you were going out to pick up the princess," Galerius said.

"I'm not sure we can have the summit with a high-level security breech," Kyra said, her tone defeated.

"I would bring that up at the meeting this evening. As you are aware, the supernatural summit is very important to our world. Cancelling it less than a month out would cast great shadow upon the leadership of Scíath. A leadership that all the other outposts rely on," Galerius said, his monotone statement of the obvious causing the fingers of anger to creep back up her spine.

Shane moved forward.

"We will definitely keep that in mind and it will be discussed at length. What we need to focus on is how to have the ball with restricted travel. There are, at this moment, one hundred and thirty-seven visitors approved to enter Scíath tomorrow to attend. As well as the twenty-four visitors already here, some of which are staying on until the summit. There simply is not enough security personnel to take care of all the visitors, plus all the residents of the compound. Herding them into securable groups is beyond a logistical nightmare. So how do you suggest we make this work," she said, allowing the cold she had used to shield herself from others fill her, her tone stony.

"We lift the restricted travel, we put guards and scanners on all the entrances and exits, we ask Di to compile a list of anyone among the visitors who might be considered a target, we stick them in manageable groups, and maintain the escorted status," he replied, his expression as dead pan as always.

"I think that is an excellent game plan, what do you need from me to help you get that accomplished," Kyra said, allowing him to maintain control of the security situation.

"I need to pull some of the tech people from the other departments to get the scanners set up. Due to the lack of scanners, I will have to pull one from Medical," he said, walking to a Simon terminal.

"Fair, you have permission to take what you need from any department. We will just close the part of Medical without a scanner. We cannot risk the safety of those within the ICU," she said.

He simply nodded and did not look up as his fingers flew over the keyboard.

She knew she had been dismissed, having known his manner for a long time. She turned and noted that many of her former coworkers were observing her, some gave smiles or a wave; but just as many looks were not openly hostile but could not be described as kind. She could not help but notice that not all the looks were directed at her but some at Shane. She was tempted to stretch her mind out see if she could read the thoughts around her. However, as tempting as it was, she could see her father's disapproving expression in her mind. He was very strict about the privacy of everyone under his care.

She just held her head high and walked out.

Once the door audibly clicked closed behind her, her shoulders slumped. She turned to Shane.

"What else do we have to do right now?" she asked, her voice weary.

"Now we go back to the study and have tea, we relax until it's time for the meeting, and make sure we have an agenda written up with everything we want to cover in the meeting. Then, if possible, we are going to call the meeting at a decent hour and get you to bed," Shane replied.

She looked at him with a grateful smile.

"You don't know how much I needed to hear that," she said.

They made their way back to the study, the rest of the afternoon and early evening were quiet. The only major adventure was a result of the two of them attempting to reload new ink cartridges in the printer.

"It's ten to seven," Shane said, his expression showing he was loathing to disrupt the peace they had found, but knowing duty came first.

"Well, it's time. I think as long as everyone is on time, there are no shenanigans, and the agenda goes over smoothly, we should be done by nine," she said, stretching as she stood.

"Well, the fact that it is an informal meeting in the mirror library as opposed to the ball room with all the security measures will hopefully also make it much calmer," he said.

They moved quickly through the halls, which were normally populated again given the earlier lifting of the restricted travel ban. Kyra noted a lot of festive holiday sweaters and jewelry on people they passed, and she promised herself as soon as she had time, she would attempt to find her holiday spirit.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the mirror library, she had been there more in the last couple months than she had in years, and even that only added up to two times. Remembering the door, she opened it gently. She could hear the familiar voices in conversation and she put on a polite smile, these were the people she had known most, if not all, her life. People her father had trusted with entire departments within his dream and one of them, was a traitor.

The last thought caused a very large chip to settle on her shoulder, morphing her polite smile into a hard line.

Di, Tinka, Leland, and Moira looked up and all offered her bright smiles. She tried not to return them, but it was clear in her own mind that these were her favorites. She would have once counted Lev among that number as well, but his recent behavior and seclusion had caused her to wonder about his motives.

"Hi guys," she said, settling in the offered chair, Shane at her heels, flashing a bright smile at those assembled. Kyra noticed the return of greeting. He had admitted to her that over the last couple of months he had gotten to know more of the Treoraí council than he had even known had existed.

"How are you feeling Tinka?" Kyra asked. She noted the lack of dark circles under her eyes as well as their light seeming to have returned.

"I am better, the Doc here is top notch at taking care of people. I would still like to know why I was targeted; but given the other things that are going on, I know that revelation will have to wait," she said, squeezing Leland's hand.

"I promise you we will find out. I have a feeling though that all of the issues we have been having are connected, and once we find out who is behind it we will get the answers we all need," Kyra said, glancing at her watch. It was five to seven and she really wanted to start this on time and have it end on time. Shane was right, she was exhausted.

Kyra handed out the agenda to those who were already present and tried to keep from glancing at the door in impatience.

"How long should we wait for them?" Moira asked, glancing up from the agenda.

"While we have a majority now, I really feel everyone should be present for this," Kyra said.

"Okay, the party can start," Jason said as he breezed in through the door, his flawless suit and perfect tan testament to his need for perfection.

Kyra had to make a conscious effort not to roll her eyes. Moira was not as successful; her eyes rolled skyward as he took a seat beside her, flashing his plastic smile.

Kyra handed him an agenda with the politest smile she could muster.

Galerius and Lev followed a few minutes later, their entrance far less dramatic.

Once she had given everyone a few minutes to look over the agenda, she cleared her throat.

"First of all, I want to thank you all for making time to get together. I know that this is a very busy time for everyone," she said, marveling internally at how diplomatic and grown up she sounded. She liked to think her father would be proud.

"I also want to assure you all that I hope to make this a quick and smooth meeting so that everyone can get back to their affairs," she added.

There were several nods and she was about to begin with the first item when Jason piped up.

"While I greatly appreciate you worrying over our social obligations, I for one have nothing that is more important than council business and given the state of Scíath I think we need to stay until all the issues are resolved."

Kyra took a very deep breath, her face stretching into a thin smile that was only barley not a scowl.

"Thank you for your dedication Jason. Now, if we can start with item one on the agenda.

"Security breach of the Study," Kyra read.

Picking up her notebook she read off all the information she had on the break in; she did, however, leave out the part about the security footage, as she was still not wanting to let on that she knew there was a morph in the building. She glanced at Galerius to see if he intended to add the part she had left out, but he simply looked back at her, his blinking look giving away nothing.

For a few moments everyone was silent.

"I have always respected the Architect's desire for openness within Scíath. However, I feel that it may be time to start enacting the scanner idea as well as other identification and monitoring controls on the residents here," Kyra said.

"So, we take this from being a safe haven for supernaturals and turn it into what? Some kind of prison?" Jason asked, his tan skin starting to flush.

Kyra was not surprised by the argument. It was the same one that had shut down the original project, but she was very surprised as to who it came from.

"I ok scanner, nothing to hide, how monitor?" Lev interjected.

"Well, we could put a chip under the skin, to be able to track anyone at any time?" Di said, her voice calm, but her eyes narrowed as she met Jason's gaze.

"Oh, so we do exactly what the Gillly Prime Minster wanted to do, tag us like wild animals?" Tinka's soft voice asked.

All at once voices started back and forth, arguing their points. Kyra looked at Shane in panic, this what not at all what she planned, and she had no idea how to stop it.

She looked over and met Moira's eyes. She was also silently observing the kerfuffle going on around her. She mouthed "May I?" gesturing to the others in the room

Kyra nodded empathically "Please do," she mouthed back.

Moira stood, and her hands began to glow with a soft green light as her lips moved quickly over words Kyra doubted she would understand at normal speed. Her eyes were pressed closed, the lids creased in concentration.

Her eyes flew open and the same light that engulfed her hands shone brightly from her eyes. At that moment, every one of the arguing Treoraí was suddenly lifted off their feet and found themselves hanging about six feet off the ground.

The bickering instantly ceased. Kyra could not help but grin at the surprised expressions of those around her.

"While I appreciate the passion you all feel about your individual ideals on this topic, I can assure you absolutely nothing will be decided or even heard when we are bickering like children. So, unless you wish to spend the rest of your evening floating above the ground, I would suggest we find a way to productively discus this," Kyra said, unable to keep the smirk from her lips

"Ah well, I must say your father would be most amused by this," Di said looking chagrinned.

The others looked everywhere but Kyra, but silence reigned.

"All right. Moira if you would be so kind, I think we are ready to try this again," Kyra said, settling back in her chair. She exchanged a wink with Shane who was barley holding in a laugh.

They slowly floated back to the floor, everyone seemed ok with what had happened, except Lev, who had the look of a cat at bath time.

They settled back in their chairs. Moira looked a bit drained, but completely satisfied with her performance.

"So, this is how I propose we handle the situation." Kyra began, making a point of meeting everyone's eyes with an unblinking and powerful look. She saw Shane smirk and she knew he recognized that she was asserting dominance over her 'pack,' as it were.

"I do want scanners put at all the in and out ports. I do want everyone in Scíath scanned so that the signatures are on file. I will not, at this time, be 'tagging' the residents, but security level upgrades will be tightened and will have a triple review. Yes, I know it means more paperwork; however, you have to know who you can and can't trust," she said, the last word her eyes landing on Jason who looked at his shoes with intense interest.

"What I need from you all will be a difficult task as no one wants to think the problem lies in their own house. However, I need you to look through your people. I need a list of at least three people who you believe could know something about what has been going on. I'm not just talking about the murder, but the break in, the vandalism of the cabinet in here, the study break in, and the missing things from Artifacts," she watched some of the expressions around her turn to shock as not everyone here knew about all the incidents.

"Shane will be sending each of you a report tomorrow with limited details of each crime as well as the things you should be looking for. I will expect your lists by the end of the year and we will address them individually," she looked around, pleased that no one seemed ready to explode over her request, but Jason and Lev looked the most displeased. She had no doubt Shane was making observations in his notebook that they would go over later.

"Now, moving on to agenda two," she paused to give anyone a last moment to put in a comment before moving on.

Perhaps she should start every meeting by levitating everyone off the ground. It made them much more agreeable.

"Summit security and issues. Now, I know that this topic will need to be brought up again at the specialized committee; but since I will be needing to pull members from each department for security, as even as extensive as our security department is, we cannot devote the entirety of its resources to the Summit as we have other missions and responsibilities to attend to. So, we will be looking for ten volunteers from each department to bulk up our numbers. I will also need those names by the first," she paused, looking around. While no one looked overly happy, most faces had on an interested expression. Except for Jason, who looked as though he had smelled something bad.

Looking down at her list, she noted there were only two things left on the list. A quick glance at the clock told her that even with the earlier disruption, they were going to make it in two hours and a bubble bath was still in her future.

"Moving on, item number three is the need for an IT department. Di brought this up to me and it was wrongly swept under the rug. After the number of technically related issues, plus all the scanners we are talking about putting into place, the need to upgrade Simon, along with other things; it is beyond clear that we need to 'get with the times' as they say and bring in another department. Now, it has been a very long time since this has been done, but I will remind you of the procedure. Normally, we have a two-month open nomination phase for Treoraí and then two weeks of voting. During the nominations, people who wish to transfer to that department are asked to submit reasoning to be reviewed. However, like everything else recently, time is not on our side. We must have at least a skeletal department together and functional by the opening day of the summit which is January fifteenth. That gives us twenty-five days to elect a Treoraí and then get them a crew and resources. I have already sent a memo to the Senior Secretary for temporary quarters till Lev and I can sit down and figure out if there is somewhere we can stick them or if construction is required," she paused, her eyes meeting Di's. She was smiling and nodding as were most of the others. Jason's expression had not changed but his eyes were narrowed.

"Since I'm giving you guys much more homework than I'm sure you anticipated, I will be meeting with each of you individually over the next week to go over things personally. A meeting time will be sent to you tomorrow, I apologize if it conflicts with something you already have going on, but time is of the essence. I would like you to have the name for Treoraí when we do the meeting so that by Christmas day I can send the entire list out. I'm giving you five days to research. When we meet on the first to submit everything else, we will be voting. When you put out the memo asking for security volunteers, also let them know we will be taking transfer requests until the fifth of January. They are to be submitted to the department head and copied to me," she said, a couple of eyebrows raised at this part. However, since she did not know who the security breech was, she wanted to make sure everything was on the up and up so that every request was being given proper consideration.

Di spoke up.

"While this is a lot and I know it seems a bit overwhelming, I think everything you have put forth is entirely reasonable and I appreciate that you are doing it. You have my complete support and I promise to bring my name over with a bow," she said, her dark eyes twinkling.

Kyra was ignorant of the politics that went on within the council, it never even occurred to her that what she thought was just an affirmation of her statement was a dare to any of the "outside" members to have any issues with what she said.

Kyra observed the silence and Di's smile with interest.

"Well, that leaves us with the last item on the agenda, Foundlings. It has come to my attention that a number of delegates will be bringing in candidates, more than twenty it seems. Normally I would be wary of this as we prefer to do our scouting with procedure. We simply need more people and given that the summit only happens every five years, I feel an exception can be made. What I need is someone to volunteer, to put together a welcoming tour for them, go through dossiers, and pick out who they feel should be reviewed. You are more than welcome to hire a helper or two, but I would like to have Treoraí oversight on this project," she said, her eyes settling on Moira. She had already chosen her to be the one she wanted. She just hoped that she could volunteer.

Silence filled the room a long moment and Kyra thought she was going to have to find encouragement when Moira spoke up.

"Given how little my department has to do during the Summit, I would be more than willing to take this on," she said, her eyes still twinkling from the earlier display of magic.

"Thank you, Moira, I know the recruits will be in good hands. We can have a sit down on Monday and I will go over the paperwork with you. That will give you two meetings with me, so I owe you cheesecake," Kyra said, returning the infectious smile Moira displayed.

Stealing a quick glance at the clock, she was shocked to see it read only eight thirty. This was easily the shortest meeting she had ever been in and a lot had been covered.

"I will open up the floor to see if there is anything anyone wants to bring up at this time. I want to thank you all for this productive meeting," Kyra said silently, hoping no one would have anything to say.

Then Tinka spoke, her voice was still weaker than Kyra remembered, but it was nice to hear.

"I know I missed the deadline for the award ceremony, given I was preoccupied," she said, shooting a hard look at Jason.

"Is there any way I can squeeze someone in?" she asked.

"Of course, shoot the name over to the Senior Secretary tonight and put a rush on the certificate. Father has an entire box of the medallions, so worry not, we got you," she replied.

Tinka nodded.

"Oh, one more thing, I've created a new job within the office of the Director, Shane is going to head security for my office. He acts with the authority of myself and is authorized to enact any of the protocols within Scíath." she said, watching Galerius for some change in expression as usual with him. She was sure she saw his eye twitch just slightly.

Silence once again took over.

"I do believe we should wrap this up, as we all have a fair amount to get done in a short period. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening for the festivities," she said, standing.

Walking over to Shane, she took note as people milled together to talk, all except Jason, who promptly walked out.

"That went very well," he said in a hushed tone, his bright blue eyes missing nothing that was going on around them.

"I think we should start every meeting by levitating them," Moira said, coming up behind the pair.

Kyra smiled.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," she replied.

"I also rather enjoyed it; although, it takes a bit more out of me than I recall. I think I'm going to head down and grab some tea. Care to join me?" she asked, looking at them both.

Kyra inwardly groaned. She had been so keen on retiring to the study that this was a disappointing turn of events.

"Actually, Kyra is overdue for a night in; however, if she is willing, we could head back to the study, order up something sweet, and have some tea," Shane interjected.

Kyra's brow wrinkled, she didn't want to at all. But assuming there must be a reason he was nixing her bubble bath, she smiled.

"Sure, sounds great," she said in the cheeriest tone she could force.

With a brief wave, the three of them headed back towards the study. The halls were moderately full, lots of people heading towards the ballroom with final bits and baubles to be hung. Kyra watched a pair of giant glittering snowflakes being carried past and she paused at the fork in the hall.

"Has anyone seen the decorations for the ball? I mean, has anyone checked to see if they are on schedule?" she asked.

"Nyles was on that. I know he was there earlier in the week, but since his incident, I don't think anyone has followed up on that." Shane said.

Kyra sighed, feeling her bubble bath slipping further and further away.

"Ok, you guys head to the study; I'm going to swing down and just poke my head in ask um . . ., whoever is in charge how it is going, and I'll meet you back there. Ten minutes tops."

" _Damn it Nyles, you really did keep all the little things together."_ she thought.

Shane looked concerned.

"I will be fine, I promise!" she said, slightly exasperated that he thought she needed to be escorted around her own home.

With that, she took the right fork leaving them standing there, silencing further objections.

She moved quickly through the hallway. She was more than a touch irritated, perhaps more than she should be. She tried to reason with herself. She was the top agent when she was in security, she had brought in hundreds of criminals, she had taken care of herself for weeks on end without any aid when on the hunt, and now— just because she was the Director, everyone wanted to coddle her. The more she thought about it the angrier she became, when she reached the ballroom she yanked the door open with a fair amount of force just as a startled looking Gus who was walking out with an empty tray of mugs.

"Oh, Gus, I'm so sorry," she said, feeling the anger physically drain from her.

"Kyra, are you ok?" he said eyeing her with a knowing gaze.

"I um . . ., yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted to check on the decorations since Nyles is stuck in Medical. I wanted to make sure no one needed any help," she said, feeling herself visibly deflate.

"Ah, well I was just bringing hot chocolate and cookies to the decorators. They have been very busy and it looks simply beautiful," he said, opening the door wide for her to look inside.

Kyra took a step forward, but suddenly she had no desire to even be here. She should have just sent a memo, or picked up a phone, or something not so hands on. She really was drained, and this trip was just too much.

"You know what sugar, I think it's so magical you should let it be a surprise. Why don't you take my word that it is fantastic, and that Evelyn has everything well in hand? That Nymph has come a long way, your father was right to give her a chance," he said with a wide smile.

She nodded, turning away gratefully. Her feet were filled with lead and each step was exhausting.

" _Probably some side effect of that out of body business from last night,"_ she thought.

"I'm going back to the study for tea and sweets with Moira and Shane. I suspect they have already sent in a request," she said, allowing Gus to slip his arm around her waist as they headed back towards the study.

"I will make sure you get a sampling of all the treats for tomorrow night sent over. That way, you can make sure they are all good," he said, supporting her as they neared the study.

She smiled at him.

"You are the heart of this place Gus," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek before straightening up and walking into the study, looking tired but under control.

Moira and Shane were seated in the study. The fire was blazing, and she heard soft music in the background. Instantly she felt better and headed slowly for her chair.

Shane studied her but said nothing. He knew she would dislike him pointing out apparent weakness.

"How does it look?" Moira asked

"Well, I ran into Gus at the door and he says that it's beautiful and I should be surprised. Evelyn, the nymph who led the ritual on Halloween, is in charge and apparently doing quite well. He also promised us a tray with a sampling of what we are to have tomorrow night, so we can 'approve' them," she said, forcing a smile.

"I am certainly glad I decided to come back here then! However, there was an ulterior motive to my tea invite." she said while pulling her legs up under her in the chair.

Shane smiled slightly, and Kyra guessed he had thought so too, which is why he had accepted the invite for them.

"I did not want to put it in the system without talking to you first. In fact, I have not even informed Anna yet; and no, it's not because I don't trust her. If you put her in as lead on the project, that's good enough for me. It's mainly because I don't know what to say. I mean, I have information, but I'm not exactly sure what to do about it, or even what it means" she said, her statement floundering as she waved her hands around.

Kyra raised an eyebrow.

"Right. I'm rambling. Okay, to the point. I was going over some of the artifacts you brought back from the house, and I found something very unusual in the bottom of one of the clay pots they were using. I assume it was to hold blood after draining, given the staining in it. I sent a scraping off to Leland, but the lab is backed up, so I'm not sure how long it's going to take to get it back. Then I took pictures of it to compare with anything that may be in Simon; although, it is terribly hard to get a clear picture, given the angle and . . . I've lost the point again," she stopped to take a breath and sighed.

Kyra held a hand up as she heard the wheels of the dessert car headed their way.

"Take a moment. Think about what it is you are trying to say, and we will try again after we have sweets and tea." she said with a kind smile that was hiding the aggravation that was rising.

_"I gave up my bubble bath for this,"_ she thought as she moved to the door.

Moira smiled sheepishly at Shane, who watched the door like a hawk; danger was never far from his mind.

Once the door was closed, everyone made over the yummiest, and by far, the prettiest, pastries Kyra had ever seen. Selections were made, tea was poured, and they settled back in.

"Alright, let's try this again," Moira began, taking a big gulp of tea.

"While looking through some of the pots from the house, I found a very strange etching covering the bottom. It was not like a ritual or deity carving. I think it's a maker's stamp, but it's not like anything I've ever seen before," at that point she pulled a folded piece of paper out of her pocket.

She handed it to Kyra, who unfolded it gently as Shane leaned in over her shoulder. They both studied it a moment.

"If I did not know better I would think this was a drawing of, or a diagram for, some kind of electrical or computer chip," Shane said.

"Kinda what I thought, but that makes no connection to anything I can think of" Moira agreed.

Kyra studied it a moment longer. Then she flipped it around.

"I've seen something similar, sort of" she said, covering part of it with her hand.

"Shane, doesn't it remind you of the prison locking sequencer?" she asked.

"Actually, now that you mention it, it does," he said, taking the paper from her hands for another look.

"I've never been out there, so would you care to fill me in?" Moira asked.

"Mirartene has a very thorough procedure when someone is being incarcerated. There are several levels we go through. Some that confirm that the prisoner is indeed who they should be, which is done by placing the hand on a scanner like the ones we use here on the doors. But this one samples DNA that was entered when they were brought in, as well as before and after trial, to prevent any shenanigans. The scanner has markings very similar to this, but it's smaller," she explained.

"That narrows it down to . . . anyone who was involved with the prison, its security settings, has been in the prison, or has seen a prisoner verification," Shane said, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"It may not be a smoking gun perhaps but given what we know about Cobbwick and the mind block having to have been placed while he was in custody, we can assume that the situations are related. We know we can have Anna's focus on the prison records and seeing if anything that matches this can be found," Kyra explained, leaning back in her chair, trying to keep her eye lids from drooping.

"Thank you for bringing this here, I appreciate your understanding of the need to keep the house project quiet," Shane said.

"Because we have a leak on the council," Moira added, setting her tea cup on the table.

Kyra sat up, her eyes open.

"What would make you say that?" she asked, her body tensing.

"All of the issues we have had, plus the morph, would require council level assistance. The only people who knew you were going out last night to pick up Princess Oregano, were the council. So, whoever sent the vandal here, knew you were gone," she replied.

"Oh goodness, her name is Saffron! Am I the only one who can recall which spice our most honored guest is named after?" Kyra said, tossing her hands up in the air.

Moira grinned.

"Hey, give me credit, I knew it was a spice!"

"But, in all seriousness, we have a leak on the council and that is a very serious issue, which is not going to be easy to prove. Everyone who is there, is there because of how good they are. Even Jason with his spray tan and plastic hair, is good at his job. They are not going to be sloppy," she added.

Kyra nodded.

"I agree, I have a gut feeling about people I would like to cross off the list. But, to be honest, and please don't take this personally, the only people I can put above suspicion are Leland and Tinka. Tinka because she was attacked and Leland because he has had full access to all of us in vulnerable states and could have easily caused an accident at any time and has not chosen too," she said, watching Moira's face to see if she was hurt.

"Those are very good points. I will cross them off my list as well. No, I understand you not just blanket trusting people. It's wise. This is an uncertain time and people are very rarely what they seem," she said.

"So, it's going to be up to the two of you and Nyles, once he gets out, to figure out how to find out who the breach is before any more damage is done. The best guess I can make is that the culprit is causing this random havoc to undermine your leadership and perhaps form a coup to seize control of Scíath," she said, frowning deeply.

The gravity of her statement silenced the room, each head filled with frightening visions of a violent overtaking of their home.

"Yes, well on that cheery thought, I'm going to head back to my department see if I can get started on my homework," Moira said, picking up another snowflake cookie off the tray.

"Thank you again for bringing this directly to me, I will see you tomorrow evening then, say . . . 10ish to go over the foundling's information," Kyra said, thinking a bubble bath was back on the menu.

Moira nodded, snagging another two cookies before heading out the door with a wave.

"Well, I need to check in with Anna anyway," Kyra said with a sigh.

"And you will, on Monday. Right now, you and your tea are headed into the bathroom to relax. I will lock the doors on my way out. Please keep the radio within reach, I am close by if you need me," he said with a smile that caused her stomach to flutter.

Pausing to place some Tchaikovsky on the CD player her father kept in his room, she made her way to the long-awaited relaxation.

# 

#  Chapter Sixteen

Kyra's eyes begrudged her internal alarm's wish for her to open them. Slowly they fluttered open, her gaze moving between the familiar objects of what she still thought of as her father's room even though she had been using it for several months now. Her eyes landed on the dress mannequin upon which her ball gown rested, it was more princess-esque that she would have chosen; however, she had been assured it was the right level of formal for this ball. The hand sewn sequins caught the light and twinkled softly. She had been impressed that the silk she had been shown truly captured the soft frosty blue of a winter sky. The seamstress had insisted on hand making her a gown instead of allowing her to order one. It was a matter of pride for her to have an original creation worn by the Director. She had been slightly concerned by the one shoulder sketch she had been shown. However, the sheer grace and elegance of the gown she had been given was impressive. In a small way the dress, or more so, the grown-up leadership it represented, intimidated her. This was not a party dress or a costume, this was a formal gown. Soft, beautiful, and feminine. _And one you are going to be wearing with Daniel on your arm_ , her mind added.

She shifted her eyes to the glass slippers. They were not really glass, but they looked it, adorned with dainty snowflakes on the sides. She had been hoping to go barefoot, but these shoes were quite nice and comfortable, so she figured they could stay at least for the ritual.

The ritual for the Winter solstice had similarities to the tradition of Advent. An oversized pine bough wreath sat on the dais, its large white pillar candles ringing the outside with the tri-wick red candle growing out of the middle. Each white one would be lit as the prayers for a good year and family were said by the maids and the red one would be lit by the man chosen to represent the Gillly Santa Clause before the gifts were handed out. She thought of the huge mound of gifts under the tree, thankful that each Treoraí was responsible for making sure that everyone in their department had a gift under the tree. It was a massive undertaking that her father had relinquished to the council once Scíath reached one thousand members. The same tree had been used for the last fifteen years, it was kept at the airstrip in an ever-growing container. She figured that some kind of magic had been used to ensure that no damage was done and it was kept healthy during its movement and decoration. It had been a mere four feet on its first holiday, but it was now closer to ten. The handmade decorations were unique to many of the cultures that lived within the walls. Despite the religious differences, the Architect had worked diligently to make sure that everyone could come together to celebrate during the long winter months.

Many enjoyed the holidays hosted within the walls of Scíath; however, none compared to May Day when the walls of the compound emptied, and everyone journeyed to a special field. The witches and other magical folk used their extensive powers to shield the celebration from Gilly eyes and ears. Almost everyone attended. It was a picnic with dancing and games, and everyone got outside and enjoyed the sun and open air. She had loved it as a child and had been very sad as she began to miss more of them as her responsibility within her department grew. Security was one department that could not enjoy the liberty of the day off. Security was on top of the event as it would be a major breech were the picnic to be uncovered, but it was also an amazing target for enemies who would try to enter Scíath unnoticed. She knew for a fact that Galerius hated the entire affair, but he would never say so. She had to form yet another committee to get working on that, but the summit had eaten so much of her time that she made a mental note to get that group together when they met again. Her brain started to cascade all the things that were going on in the next couple of weeks and she squeezed her eyes closed, wishing for sleep.

She rolled over pressing one of the down pillows over her face, trying to lose herself in the fluffy white world. For a few moments the world was muted, and she let herself think of nothing but the warmth of her bed and the quiet around her. Her breaths became even as sleep crept over her.

The dreamscape crept in, she was back in the familiar meadow. The air was heavy with the smell of summer flowers and a hazy sunshine. She could hear the stream bubbling just beyond the tree line. While she knew this space well, she was in a different part than she had ever seen before. Instead of the gardens filled with flowers, she was in a more open area and she could see the outline of a small cottage. She had seen it in the distance on some of her other visits, but it was closer now and as she moved towards it the details became clearer. She could make out the glinting fish scale roof tiles, which were probably made of copper given the way they shown in the light.

The front porch was small, boasting a branch fence, the limbs expertly woven into a seemly wild pattern. The front door was a simple Dutch door. The bottom half was closed, but the top half was swung inward towards the inky blackness within. The walls of the cottage were whitewashed, making the cranberry of the door stand out like a smear of blood a clean white sheet.

Even though she willed her feet to move faster, it seemed that the dream's intention was for her pace to be slow, each step taking what felt like an eon. She was desperate to reach the little house and see what secrets it held. An acrid smell reached her nostrils causing her to pause. It was a burnt smell, but not wood or paper. She frowned as her mind told her it was that of burnt flesh. Yet she saw no scorch marks, and her sudden interest in seeing what was inside the house waned. An insect buzzed close to her head, its annoying insistent sound relentlessly demanding her attention. Swatting at the unseen bug, the scene before her went out of focus. She realized she was waking up and with that realization came the one that the buzzing was not a bug, but her pager, its nonstop buzzing demanding her acknowledgment.

Jumping up, she grabbed for it. Her brain quickly processed the numbers flashing on the neon green screen. It was Medical. In a flash she was in the study, the door vibrating from the force of her entry. She punched the numbers in, her fingers drumming a sporadic rhythm on the desk as she waited for whomever it was to answer.

"Dr. Barker's line," a soft female voice answered. Kyra's heart dropped into her stomach.

"This is Kyra. I received a page," she said, struggling to keep her tone even.

"Oh yes. Madam Director, one moment," she said, the phone making a distinct clunk as it was placed on the counter.

Long moments passed, Kyra pacing as far as the cord would allow. She was about to hang up and just go to Medical when she heard the phone being lifted from the counter.

"Kyra, sorry to call this early, but we had some activity on your father's scan yesterday and coupled with the activity on the AM rounds, I would appreciate if you could swing by and I could go over this with you."

"Order tea, I'm on my way," she said, hanging up the phone without a goodbye. Punching in the number for Shane's room, she ran her fingers through her hair trying to tame it to some semblance of presentable.

She noted his voice was groggy and she thought for the first time to glance at the clock. It was four past five, no wonder Leland had sounded so apologetic. Her internal clock had woken her up at least two hours before it normally did.

Hearing her voice, he was immediately awake.

"What's going on?" she could hear him moving around, probably getting dressed.

Relaying the information from Leland, he said exactly what she had been hoping he would.

"I will pick you up in ten minutes, I'll snag some of the really bad coffee in the Medical lounge on the way through."

"Ok," she said, hanging up and making her way back to her bedroom, pulling out some of the new leggings that had been delivered to her. She pulled the tags off, tossing them carelessly on the floor. Yanking a long teal sweater from the closet, she pulled it over the black tank and leggings, not wanting to be monochromatic. Stepping back, she glanced in the mirror over the dresser, the outfit fit her nicely and she had to admit the leggings were a nice change to the dress pants. Her hair, however, was a totally different story. Realizing Shane would be here in just about five minutes, she knew that brushing it out was not really an option as that was a time-consuming process. Grabbing the brush, she made a few strokes through, looking for the large knots, before pulling it into a haphazard braid that looked as frazzled as she felt. Looking at it a moment longer, she wound it into a bun, stabbing a few pins into it to hold it in place.

Another look satisfied her that she looked almost presentable enough to pretend she was the head of a huge secret organization and not a disheveled college student after an all-night studying binge. She slipped her feet into the simple black slippers pulling the door open as Shane was raising his hand to knock.

She took him in, no one would know he had gotten ready in a flash. His jeans fit him as if they had been tailored for him; the simple black dress shirt was untucked, but it also fit him perfectly. A light golden stubble graced his cheeks, but it just enhanced his rugged good looks.

They started out for Medical, the eerie silence of the halls causing them to subconsciously move a bit closer together as they made their way through the labyrinth of halls.

Pausing only for Shane to pick up the aforementioned coffee they were in Medical in less than twenty minutes from the time of the call.

Leland offered them a smile, laughing slightly as he watched Shane's face twist into a look of disgust from a sip of the coffee, which he promptly dumped in the hand washing sink.

"I refer to that fondly as battery acid," he said, offering them both cups of tea.

"I appreciate you coming out this early. I know we all have a long day ahead of us, but before the hectic last-minute things start, I wanted to get this to you. I am, however, prescribing you both a nap this afternoon," he said, pulling out the Architect's file.

"We have routine scans once a week of his brain to monitor progress and changes, also so that we know when anything changes from the baseline. I showed you the jumps in activity after the ritual, which I'm still advocating we repeat, but this . . . this as far as I know, was completely unprovoked by any external stimuli," he said, laying the now familiar brain scan films in front of them.

"If you look at the top scan, you will see he has the lowered color of a nearly comatose patient with perhaps some dream activity. Now, this is the one from after the ritual. You see the jump in color and activity pushing him to more of a dreaming state. It has remained that way since then with a slight decrease. However, this was last night's."

He laid out another film and both Kyra and Shane's mouths fell open. The brain was full of color; deep, rich, bright colors one would expect to see in a person engaging in some serious thinking.

"Now, one thing I must explain to you . . . the only activity that I've ever seen fully engage all sides of the brain is listening to music. We sometimes play music for comatose patients for that reason. However, it was not something we had attempted with him yet. So, I looked back over the visitor and employee logs. Some of my nurses have been known to hum and such, and I was looking for any explanation. What I found is that an hour before his scan, Di came in and she was with him until they wheeled him out. Given that you placed her on the approval list to be with him without supervision, no one else was in there. But, it is my guess that whatever this activity is from, she stirred it up," he said.

Kyra looked at the brilliant colors on the scan and her heart leapt.

"Now that, in and of itself, is remarkable; however, coupled with the scare he gave my crew this morning, I'm ready to say we are making some serious progress. If nothing else, I am not seeing the deterioration I feared. You see that very com—,"

Kyra cut him off.

"What did he do this morning?" She was trying to keep her impatience down, but she had no desire to allow him to go off on a medical tangent.

He grinned.

"Sorry, I do get carried away sometimes. Anaraba was being led through the stimuli exam by one of my fifth years; and she, by the way, is doing amazing. Anyway, they were holding each of his hands and she greeted him in her own language. He gripped her hand, turned his head and opened his eyes. For a brief second, they appeared to be focused on her and she says she felt a very small mental push before he fell back onto the bed. There was a slight dip in his blood pressure and an increase in his pulse when this happened," he said, watching her face.

"He is in there, I don't think that the blast completely separated his mind as we originally thought, but perhaps it just pushed all of his power out?" she mused out loud.

"I don't honestly have an answer for you. I wish I did, but I want you to know that we are trying and I think as soon as the holiday things are over, in the lull before the summit, I think we should implement an extensive therapy program with the elements of things he has proven to respond to," he said, pulling out another piece of paper filled with scribbles.

"I have some ideas here, but I will submit it to you in a more organized fashion as soon as I can. I know things have been nutty, but have you been able to find anything else in the books that may help us?" he asked.

Kyra felt a knot of guilt forming in her stomach.

"I've really tried, but with everything else, I'm not getting through the books nearly as fast I would like to be. However, if you ever need a mushroom recipe I have you covered. I have two books on them," she said, forcing a smile.

"I understand it really is unfair of me to put that task on you on top of the millions of other things you have going on. I appreciate everything you are doing," he patted her hand.

A quiet descended over the group as each mind whirled around in thought.

Leland's pager gave a loud squawk, causing them all to jump and Shane's hand to move to his weapon.

"Sorry, I have to turn it up when I get lost in thought. I tend to miss pages and it drives people batty," he reached down, silencing it and reading the message with a frown.

"It seems our Amazon has another headache," he frowned.

"Do you know that could be causing this, it has been quite common," her fingers tapping on the counter. The very last thing she needed was for her experience to be a miserable one.

"It could be any number of things, from the difference in being underground all the time, to the water, to the diet. I am going to suggest we run a quick scan, just to make sure she does not have some latent injury or condition that is presenting itself now," he said, moving to the Simon terminal.

"Please let me know what you do or don't find," Kyra said, taking it as the cue to leave.

"Can we please head to dining hall and order some real coffee? That swill damn near killed me," Shane asked as they exited Medical.

Her stomach let out an audible growl.

"I'll take that as a yes," he replied with a laugh.

The halls had begun to fill up with talking and laughing people, many of whom, were carrying gifts. Many departments had smaller parties in the afternoon, she had never attended the one in Security and the only people she had ever bought gifts for were her father and Nyles. She glanced at Shane, she had purchased him a gift after much thought. She had sent away for a copy of Axis and Allies, as he had mentioned that he really enjoyed strategy games and she thought he would enjoy that. She wanted him to know she cared, but they were not in a sentimental stage yet, if ever.

They entered the dining hall. All the tables that were usually populated with people eating were now covered with hundreds of platters being filled from carts that were being rolled around by a very hurried looking kitchen staff.

Turning towards the ordering counter, she saw Gus going over extensive lists.

He looked up with a smile.

"Good Morning. I'm sure you came here looking for breakfast; however, I fear that I can't offer you much other than oatmeal. All of my people are working on the feast for tonight."

"Oh, please tell me there is coffee too?" Shane asked.

Gus chuckled.

"There is always coffee on, help yourselves. I laid the oatmeal and hot water station out over there," he said, turning back to his list.

They moved over, peering through the large bins of flavored oatmeal packets. Kyra searched diligently, reading each label.

"What kind are you looking for? Shane asked.

"I only eat one kind of oatmeal, apple cinnamon," she said without looking up.

"One packet, or two?" he asked

"Two," she said, looking up as he handed them to her.

"Thank you."

"It's my favorite too, and I eat it fairly regularly around here, so I know what color the packets are," he grinned, carrying his own over to the hot water canisters.

After they finished and returned their bowls to the dish room, Shane with an extra-large coffee in hand, headed back to the study. Kyra groaned audibly as she looked at the clock. It was not even eight AM.

"I know Leland said we need an afternoon nap, but I'm ready to go back to bed now," she said, sinking into her chair. She knew it was more of a mental weariness than a physical one, but her limbs were heavy. She felt herself sink into the welcoming presence of her chair and her father's lingering pipe smoke.

Shane smiled.

"You know you are the boss lady and really . . . you can take a nap whenever you decide to," he watched her eyes dip closed. He had watched the last couple of weeks as the mantel of leadership starting to really strain her.

Her eyes fluttered open slightly and a small smile crept to her lips.

"You are trying to tempt me, which is not all that hard at this point. What is our agenda for the day, so at least I know what it is I am shirking in favor of a nap?

He pulled out his tablet and touched the screen several times, opening the appropriate file.

"At ten, you are supposed to pick up the candles for the ritual from Moira and take them to the wreath and read over the ritual one more time with her so that you don't screw it up."

She smirked as he read her notes word for word as she had said them.

"Then at one, you are supposed to go meet with, insert random spice name here to aggravate you, to explain her part in the ritual to her. However, given her headache, you may just want to shoot over to Medical to make sure she is still up to participating," he continued.

Her smirk turned into a smile.

"I do agree with your thought. I am hoping she is well enough to at least attend, even if she can't participate in the ritual itself," she said, allowing her eyes to sink closed and remain so.

He watched as her eyes remained closed and her breathing rhythmic, she really was tired. Moving silently, he covered her with the blanket and settled back into his chair. For a few moments, he just watched her, noting how her golden eyelashes lay on the porcelain white of her skin. How even without makeup, her lips were always a soft red. Were he feeling poetic, he might have likened them to a rose petal; but all he really wanted to do was kiss her. He pulled himself back as he leaned in. She needed her sleep and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his presence, and he had no desire to change that.

He leaned back in his chair, his own eyes drooping. He had been unable to sleep the night before and her early morning call had startled him awake. He was thrilled that she had called on him to go with her, but for both of their sakes, he wished it had been later.

Had his eyes been open he may have noticed the small electric spark that arched its way from her fingertips to his, but he only felt a mild tingling as he was drawn into her dream world.

Kyra immediately realized the dream was different than the one she had been in merely hours before. The house loomed above her just as it had been on the first day she arrived. Glancing around she judged it to be close to sunset, and the trees cast long shadows. The woods began to take on an ominous shade that hid things from view. A rustle from her right filled her with dread and an urge to move closer to the house. As her steps sped up, the rustle became more of a thrashing accompanied by a deep growl. She did not dare turn around but urged her feet to move her closer to the safety of the house. She felt her heart begin to pound as she maintained a sprint that should not have even winded her. After what felt like an eternity, her feet hit the stone steps as she could hear the deep gravely breathing of whatever beast that was so close behind her. As she put her hand on the door knob, she noted a shadowy figure just inside the doorway. She paused, her steps faltering at that moment. She had to decide which she would rather face, the unknown figure in the gloom or the beast nipping at her heels.

Realizing she had no weapon and unsure of how to summon her Fae abilities on command, she decided the shadowy figure looked to be near human sized and was probably going to be a whole lot easier to take down than whatever was behind her.

Unsure if it was locked, she pushed the door in as hard as she could. She fell, sprawling to the cold stone floor realizing the door had not been locked. Rolling over on her back she sprung up, slamming the door shut before turning to face the shadowy figure who was grinning at her.

"That was one Hell of an entrance," Shane said.

"Um, thanks . . . but what are you doing here?"

"I have no idea. I'm pretty sure this is a collective dream, meaning either I pulled you into mine or you pulled me into yours, and seeing as I've never been here before I'm going to guess this is yours," he said, glancing out the window.

"What the Hell were you running from?" his expression indicating that he saw no signs of anything in the forest.

"I don't know exactly, but it was loud and sounded angry, and I was not about to face whatever it was unarmed in forest terrain," she said, leaving out the part about how it had terrified her.

"You are right, this is probably my dream This is the house where my father was harmed," she replied, her eyes being drawn to the now bare staircase that showed no sign of the battle that had taken place.

"Okay. So, what are we doing here?" he asked, his eyes following hers.

She shrugged.

"I have no idea. I don't usually dream of this place, and the last time I did I met ghost children," she started to move around the house, her eyes seeing easily in the gathering gloom, or perhaps it was that she had been here before that she knew every detail of the layout.

"This place really is majestic," he mused, running his fingers over the carving on the end of the banister.

"I am very excited to see how it comes out. The last report I had from Anna was that they had started the refurbishing on it in early December. If nothing odd happens while they are renovating, I've Ok'd it to be a stopping over point for some of our long-traveling summit guests. So, I doubt it looks much like this anymore," she said, settling on a step, her eyes searching the darkness outside for whatever had been on her tail.

"I think it would be a great place for a getaway," Shane said, leaving the meaning hanging.

"Yes, I suppose it would; except for, you know . . . the warrior Fae who surround this place and seem to think I should be snuffed out on principle," she replied.

"You know, I was going over the map of this place with Nyles and he nor I saw any recognized colonies of Fae within a hundred kilometers of this place. I wonder why they seem to be so close now."

Kyra shrugged.

"Some of those maps are very old and Fae tribes move for any number of reasons, and I don't see them as the types to drop off forwarding address cards.

"Point," he replied.

Kyra was about to make another joke when a soft golden glimmer out of the far-right window caught her eyes. She blinked, and it was gone. Standing, she moved closer to the window in hopes of seeing it again, mesmerized by its brilliant shine. Shane watched her silently but moved closer, looking in the same direction she was.

She was about to give up and walk away when she saw it again in the far corner of the forest. Laying her hand on the cold glass of the windowpane, she was surprised to feel a small wave of warmth and comfort wash over her. The longer she stared at the light, the brighter and more enticing it became. She glanced at Shane.

"I feel like Sleeping Beauty. I have a strong desire to go out and touch that light, yet I'm pretty sure it would be a very bad idea."

"What light?" he asked, intently studying the world outside for a sign of what she was talking about.

"I see nothing but the ever deepening dark of a heavy forest after the sun has fled."

"I bet it's some sort of glimmer," she said, making her way to the door, oblivious of anything other than her need to get to that light. It was pulling, calling to her.

Shane followed cautiously, looking and listening for any sound of the beast that had been pursuing her.

"I have no idea how your dreams work, how collective dreams work, or if they are even strong enough to hurt us; so, I will go wherever you go, but do me a favor and hold my hand and take it slow?" he asked, slipping his hand in hers.

"Yes, I think I will," she replied, her voice was far away and soft.

They made their way through the forest towards the shine which had now become like a lighthouse beacon, beckoning her towards it.

The air around them was heavy and still. Shane looked around, sensing the eyes that lay on the pair as they made their way in a seemingly random pattern into the night, deep in the woods.

"We never came out this way when we were here," she whispered.

"I can see why there is nothing out here but forest," he replied, holding her hand tight.

"No, there is something . . . something in that tree," she pointed ahead, moving faster as she all but pulled him along beside her.

As they neared the large tree, she covered her eyes; so great was the bright white glare emanating from within. Reaching out tentatively, she placed her hand through the light and onto what she thought would be the rough bark of the tree. She was surprised instead to find warm air on the other side, but nothing solid.

"It's a door way," she said, and without a moment's hesitation she plunged into the light, pulling a confused looking Shane through with her.

A moment later they stood within the dream she always recalled having, back in the formal gardens that she believed had been part of her home as a very young child.

"I'm back in the grove," she said with mild disappointment.

"I had hoped this would take us somewhere new and exciting, to tell me more about my parents, and what happened to them.

"I'm not sure about that, but this place is incredible. And to think all of this was hidden in one mangy old tree.

"It's a Fae grove. New parents are able to make them as a safe place for their families," she said.

She turned back to him after she said that.

"I have no idea how I know that."

He shrugged.

"Perhaps your father told you?"

"No we never talk about Fae stuff really, but it's possible . . . even probable, that I read it someplace. However, as I stand here, I'm more than a little certain that this is where I was born and where the Architect rescued me from," she said, the familiar scene taking on a whole new wonder.

Moving quickly in the opposite direction, she looked around hoping for more information. Shane stayed on her heels in awe of the beauty that surrounded him. The copper roof came into view again and the beauty of the scene was spoiled once again by the acrid odor of burnt flesh.

Moving quickly, he put his hand on her shoulder, halting her as they stood face to face with three incredibly impressive and rather frightening warrior Fae who stood over burning bodies.

Kyra's eyes went wide as there was nowhere for them to hide. They were completely exposed in this open field and three on two was not great odds, even if they were both expertly trained in defense.

They stood still, their bodies tense, waiting for the Fae to see them and strike. The largest wore an exquisite feather headdress resplendent in many colors. She spoke angrily towards the dead pair; her language was not something either one of them could decipher, but her tones conveyed anger and hatred.

She looked up and stared directly at Kyra, whose heart froze in her chest, knowing at any moment she would have to fight for her life. She had seemingly forgotten this was a dream, as had Shane, who stood poised to fight beside her. The Fae, however, showed no sign of seeing them; their eyes fixed on the garden from which they had just come.

"Find the abomination, I do not want to her to escape," the leader said in common tongue.

The two smaller Fae beside her jumped to her command, rushing towards the garden. They were nearly to where Kyra knew her child self was hiding when another shriek from the leader stopped them.

"The man is near. We must stop him; he cannot find the creature first."

The others turned on their heels and stalked towards a far tree.

"I think we are seeing a memory," she whispered to him, not wanting any chance of changing that.

He nodded.

A loud buzzing sound invaded the quiet, Kyra looked around for a large bug, then recalling this morning, she sighed softly.

"It's my pager, it's time to wake up," with that that she closed her eyes and felt sleep losing its hold on her.

She sat up to see Shane reaching for the pager that was dangerously close to vibrating off the table. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the clock it was ten to ten.

"It's Moira, she's on her way to bring the candles to you," he said, stretching slightly.

"Well, that's good. I am not sure what that was exactly, but that is the most of my history that I have ever witnessed," she said, her expression was thoughtful.

"Well, I am also new to all of this, but I would say that the dream is trying to tell you that the grove you came from is near the house," he said, tapping his tablet to bring up the file on the house.

"You know, when I was there the first night, something called to me, and several other times, something out in the woods was pulling me towards it. I wonder now if that was it. I wonder if he knew, I mean . . . he would have to. I mean, he rescued me," she said, thinking aloud.

"It's possible that he was hoping it would call to you. I mean, you have been a bit resistant to finding out about your past and perhaps he wanted the choice to be there, but not to push you towards it?" he asked, moving towards the phone.

"I know the kitchen is down, but I do hope we can at least get a pot of coffee and tea without raising Gus's ire. I don't expect to make it all the way through the day without my caffeine," he added, watching her face to see if he had angered her.

Pulling her legs up under her, she let her braid loose, only to begin to braid it again as she thought.

"I'm not resistant, I just see no point in reaching out to a culture that wants me dead is all," she said with a shrug.

She had always been curious about her parents, about the love they had found that would cause them to risk the wrath of an entire race of not-known-to-be-nice beings simply to be together. She wondered which of them she looked like and if they had been happy as a family. She had often spent time when out in the field on long nights meditating, searching for memories from the time they had spent together; all she had been able to come up with were a few snatches of a soft melody in a beautiful melodic voice. That, and a man's laugh, rich and deep and happy. No visuals, nothing. After a while she had stopped trying, there was nothing in those memories that could help her now.

Once the Architect had suggested reaching out to her father's family as the human half would be more open to her existence. She had told him he was her father and was all the family she needed. He smiled sadly; she knew that he loved her with all his heart, but he was isolated from whatever family and race he had. Perhaps it was some of his own desire for connection that he was transferring to her.

A soft knock on the door brought her out of contemplation to find Shane watching her with a sparkle in his eye. She smiled softly at him, he truly was wonderful, and she knew she cared for him.

Moira stuck her head in. Seeing Shane, she smiled.

"Hey kids, sorry to change the schedule up on you, but I'm heading down to Medical with some of the magnetic rocks from the vault to see if I can't do something for the headache of our Princess. Apparently, she is requesting homeopathic remedies before drugs, as she wants to attend the ball tonight," she said, laying the large pillar candles on the table.

"I appreciate you doing that. I'm starting to really worry about her," Kyra said, her frown deepening.

"I understand, and don't take this the wrong way, but you look more than a bit troubled yourself. Anything I can do to help?" she said, leaning on the door frame.

Kyra's first reaction was to blow her off as she needed no help. Taking a deep breath and swallowing her pride, she nodded.

"Actually, Shane and just experienced a very lucid communal dreaming event of a very personal nature to my past. Do you know anyone who can be truly trusted to talk to about that?" she asked.

Shane's face betrayed his shock, Kyra had not only asked for help, but she had admitted to sharing something personal.

Moira's eyebrows raised.

"Well, I would say the Architect, but that option is obviously out, so your next best bet would be Tinka. She gave a whole class on dream walking and weaving our own dream catchers to invite prophetic dreams and so on, so I would go to her," she said. Her expression showed her curiosity, but she did not pry.

"Thank you. I will send her a message tomorrow. Today is much too busy for everyone. I look forward to seeing you at the party tonight, let me know if there is anything I can do to help with Princess Nutm—, er . . . Saffron," she said, giving Shane a playful glance.

"Will do," with that, she headed out.

As the door closed behind her, Shane smiled.

"I'm proud of you," he said.

"Whatever for?" she asked, baffled.

"When I met you, you would not ask for help opening a door, even if your hands were full. You are really coming into your own in this job and maturing, "he said.

"Thanks, I guess. I am starting to learn that I can't do everything myself, even though sometimes I still fight the compulsion to check up on everyone. I want to be able to trust those around me, and at a time I would have thought the council to be above reproach, but things have changed. So, some of my paranoia is still required," she said, realizing she just lectured him on a compliment.

"I'm sorry. Yes, thank you. I'm trying," she said, looking down.

"Since Moira is heading over to see Basil, I think we should wait for her to be done before we drop in. So, while we wait on the coffee, do you want to go over the ritual with me? I'm mean, I'm not an expert, but I have seen it done a few times and I have the script here." he asked.

"Sounds like a good idea." She said, eyeing the candles. The early morning's elation about wearing the dress had worn off and she was starting to feel the weight of the role she had to play. She knew her father would be so happy to see her dressed up and standing beside his beloved tree. An unsuspecting tear snuck from the corner of her eye and down her cheek before she could stop it.

Shane raised an eyebrow but waited to see if she wanted to talk.

"Let's do this. I want to head back over to Medical, to give Father and Nyles their gifts," was all she said.

For the next hour they went over the lighting of the candles, the prayer, the burning of the good wish jar. Towards the end Kyra felt herself growing impatient. She really just wanted to spend some time with her Father and her best friend, and not that she did not enjoy Shane's company, as that could not be farther from the truth. But right now he was representative of the job she was expected to do, and all she wanted to do was go lay her head on her Father's shoulder and pour out everything that had happened.

" _Perhaps he would be disappointed in the way you have let things go here. He would see through the professional front you put on in a heartbeat and see that his faith in handing you the keys to the kingdom had been a mistake,_ " the little voice in the back of her head added.

Suddenly her ache to be with him lessened and she paid more attention to the end of the ritual, which was placing the star atop the tree.

"When I was six, my father held me up to place the star on the top and I thought I was the most important person ever," she said, her eyes tearing up slightly as the nostalgia took over.

"How do we get the star up there now? I mean, the thing has to be nearly ten feet tall now." he asked.

"Magic. One of the witches levitates it up, kinda like Moira did with everyone in the Treoraí meeting," she said with a grin.

"I have to say I have been to a lot of meetings, and that was by far one of the most amusing. Lev looked as downright mortified as I've ever seen him," Shane said with a chuckle.

"I doubt it's very often that someone of his size gets lifted off the ground," she said, echoing his laugh.

"Let's head over to Medical, that way if there is some progress with Cumin, we are already there," Shane suggested, noting the way her glance kept darting to the door.

"Fair idea, I don't have anywhere to be till five when I get my hair done and it's now only eleven, so we can have lunch with Nyles. That should cheer him up," she said, standing. She walked to her room, gathered two brightly wrapped gifts, one in a crimson paper and one in gold. She glanced at the dark green of Shane's gift and decided it should wait for tonight.

The time in Medical flew by. Shane let her be alone with her father until close to one when he knocked to let her know the lunch trays had arrived. Nyles was sitting comfortably, but his color was a bit more ashen than she cared for and made a mental note to ask Leland about it after the visit.

She embraced him warmly before pulling up a chair to sit beside him.

"Hey, you, staying out of trouble?" she asked, forcing a note of cheer into her voice.

"Well, you know me," he said with a genuine smile.

"I do indeed, that's why I asked," she replied with a wink.

The conversation was light, and everyone's spirits were lightened by the companionship.

A soft knock on the door intruded on the warm atmosphere and Kyra fought the urge to snap at whoever was invading her little bit of peace with something that probably was directorial.

The snap died on her lips as she saw it Moira.

"Hey Lady, come on in."

"Thanks, but I have to get to the hair dresser. It's nearly three, and I just wanted to stop in and let you know Saffron, aside from being a very lovely person, is feeling much better and will be more than able to participate tonight. She is very excited. I am leaving the rocks with her and have taught her out to use them when she starts feeling the symptoms of the headache coming on," she said with a glance at the clock. She was shocked to see that it was ten to three.

"Thank you so much Moira, I don't know what we would do without you," Kyra said with a sincere smile.

"See you guys tonight. Oh, and speedy recovery Nyles!" she said and left with a wave.

"I'm going to go check with the Princess's security detail for tonight. I will meet you out at the desk in a bit," Shane said, wanting to give them time alone. As much as he cared for Kyra, he knew that they meant a lot to each other, and the best place to deal with the green-eyed jealousy monster was somewhere else.

"Ok, see you then," Kyra said.

Once Shane exited the room, Kyra held out Nyles' gift to him. He took it carefully.

"Over in the top drawer of my little bed stand is yours. I knew you would come by and see me today, so I had your gift brought here," he said as he began to unwrap the shiny gold paper.

Kyra was surprised. She has spent so much time on the gifts she had picked out for them that it had not occurred to her in the slightest that she would be getting gifts in return.

Pulling out the small silver wrapped package, she took it over and sat beside him, placing it in her lap as she watched him open his. His eyes lit up as his fingers felt the soft leather cover of the journal.

He turned it over admiring the binding. Nyles had always had a deep love for books, it was one of the reasons he fit in so well in his department. Opening the brass clasp, he smiled as he saw the simple inscription she had written on the inside.

"Not all who wander are lost," it said in her delicate handwriting.

"You always were one of the people who shared my love of Tolkien. Thank you. I love it," he said.

"Now it's your turn!" he said with a grin. Much like her father, he had always loved giving gifts.

Gently tearing into the paper, she found a small wooden box, the outside ornately carved with trees and flowers. Opening it curiously, what she found inside caused her to catch her breath. A delicate silver chain led to a pendant that was a violet lily flower. She was sure it was gemstone and the details on it were intricate. It looked like a real flower.

"Oh, Nyles! It's simply beautiful, it reminds me of the one my father keeps," she said, gingerly taking it from the box, surprised at the weight it held.

"It is the same color as your eyes," he said, his smile wide at her obvious pleasure with the gift.

"It is an amazing gift, thank you so very much," she said, turning to allow him to do the clasp up on it.

It lay perfectly on her pale skin. She noted that it seemed to radiate warmth, but when she touched it, it was cold to her fingers.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek gently, immediately concerned with the coolness of his skin.

"How are you feeling? I'm worried about you," she said while taking his hands, unable to hide her true concern from him.

"Well, I feel alright, but Dr. Barker seems to now be concerned that whatever I was hit with had magic in it that is having lingering effects. But I know I'm in the best possible hands here, so worry not Lady," he said with a brave smile.

"I want you to know this party, ritual, all of it . . . None of it is as important to me as you are. I will skip it all and spend the night here with you without a second thought," she said, brushing the hair from his eyes.

"As much as I would love to spend the time with you, we both know how important this party is to your father and I know we are close to getting him back. I don't think his spirit is very far away. I tell you, a few times when I was between waking and sleep, I swear I could hear him talking to me. No, you go and do him proud," he said. Although, she could tell the idea of a quiet night in appealed to him very much.

She nodded thoughtfully.

"I know that he would be watching over you. He always cared very much for you, especially the way you helped keep me from bringing this place tumbling down," she said, squeezing his hand again.

"I have to go. I need to get my hair done and finish getting ready. But I am not far away and if you need me for anything, even if you're just lonely and you want to talk, you pick up this phone and you page me, promise?" she said in her best stern voice.

"I promise, I will be out of here in time for New Years and we can go to the planetarium again; hopefully, this time without the chaos," he said with a smile.

"Deal," she said, hugging him tightly, letting the embrace linger.

Exiting the room, she caught Shane's gaze and quickly looked away, her feelings for him were complicated enough as is.

She was just about to leave when Leland exited her father's room.

"Hey, got a minute?" she asked.

"I'd say about five," he replied, jotting something down in the chart.

"I'm really worried about Nyles."

"I wish I could tell you there is nothing to worry about; however, while the swelling in his brain is receding, the malaise that has settled over him, I believe to be magical and it could have something to do with what he was hit with. But, being as I have no idea what that was and nowhere to even start guessing, I'm treating symptoms at this point. I can tell you he's going to be here until I'm one hundred percent certain that whatever it is, is gone. Scíath is a huge compound and I can't take the chance of him collapsing somewhere that it would take us awhile to get to. I know he would not want me telling you this, but he passed out trying to walk around his room today. It worries me greatly," he said, the deep frown pulling out the smile lines around his mouth.

Shane mirrored his frown.

"I've called for the witches that did the ritual with your father. I'm hoping they can remove whatever it is that is still resting on him. When I lay my hands on him, I get nothing but a flash of rage which I think may be left over from the attacker's mental state upon being discovered," he added

She simply nodded, her fingers tracing the lines of the flower pendant.

"Anything and everything you need. If you need any special permission or to bring in anyone or anything, it's yours," she said, walking away without saying good bye.

Shane gave a small wave.

They walked in silence until they had exited Medical and were headed for the amenities wing.

"Now don't get mad, because I know your concern for Nyles comes first; but if Leland is our bad guy, you just gave him carte blanche to bring anything into the compound he wants."

She stopped and glared at him.

"First off . . . if you must start a sentence with 'now don't get mad,' be prepared that I'm probably going to be mad. Secondly, I know that. I realized it moments after the words left my mouth. I already carry the guilt from my father's accident, as I was not there when he needed me. I will not be responsible for anything happening to Nyles simply because I was afraid," she snapped. Turning on her heel, she pushed through the door to the salon, not holding it open for him.

Taking the hint, but unwilling to leave her unguarded, he wandered around the shops keeping his eyes on the door to the salon always, his senses tuned into hearing just in case something were to happen.

At ten to six the door swung open and she walked out smiling. He stood a minute, awe struck by how beautiful her long blonde hair looked as a mass of curls pinned carefully atop her head with sequined snowflakes woven in.

She saw him stepping out from the book store across the hall and smiled.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," she said as he approached.

"Forgotten," he replied with a wave of his hand.

"You look stunning, but we need to get you back. We have to be in the ball room in a little more than an hour," he said, offering her his arm.

"Lead on," she said. There was something about that place that made her feel relaxed and refreshed, it may have been an enchantment, or it may simply have been the pleasure of having someone spend time brushing out and playing with her hair. Although, she suspected the former as she had never been big on people touching her hair. Either way she felt lighter, and excited for the evening to come.

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##  Chapter Seventeen

At seven o'clock on the dot she heard a knock on the door and without even cheating she knew it was Shane. Turning once more in the mirror, she stared at the beautiful young woman staring back her; the dress fit her perfectly, the sparkles in her hair shown in the light. She felt elegant. She had originally chosen a snowflake necklace but given the beautiful gift and Nyles' absence that evening, she felt it right to wear his gift. Slipping into her 'glass' slippers, she opened the door with Shane's gift in her hand.

She was just as awestruck by him as he was by her. He wore a deep black tuxedo, complete with tails. A top hat graced his ginger hair, his eyes twinkling. In his hand he also held a small wrapped package, slightly bigger than the one Nyles had given her. She sensed that it was also jewelry and hoped it was not a necklace.

Holding out the box, she smiled.

"Happy Solstice, my friend!"

"And to you," he said, trading her gifts.

"Why don't you come in and we will open these before we go. I think tonight is going to prove to be very long.

"Agreed." he concurred. coming in and closing the door behind.

She set to opening the gift as to ignore the almost magnetic pull she felt around him. There was something about him that simply drew her in and made her desire his powerful arms wrapped around her.

_You could just give in to it,_ her mind added.

She stepped back a bit; after the afternoon with Nyles, she had no intention of allowing anything to happen tonight.

He was examining the antique cigar box and its contents, sniffing the soap.

"This is perfect. I hate modern razors, and this scent is perfect for me. What a thoughtful and useful gift, thank you so much," he said.

"I'm glad you like it. Being as your birthday is in March, I got both gifts at once and just closed my eyes and decided which one you would be getting tonight," she replied with a grin.

"You are too good to me," he said, gently placing the items back in the box.

"Well, go on!" he said with a huge grin.

Removing the wrapping, she found a long slender box. Her heart soared. It was a bracelet, not a necklace.

However, she was unprepared for what greeted her eye as she flipped open the long velvet box. Inside was a snowflake bracelet, each individual snowflake was made up of gems. A rainbow of soft colored gems adorned the handmade silver flakes.

Holding it up gently, she was awed by the craftsmanship that had gone into this obviously handmade piece.

"Oh Shane, it's simply beautiful," unaware she nearly mirroring her words from earlier.

"I am so glad you like it," he said with an enormous grin.

Holding out her wrist, she had him do the clasp.

"It matches my dress beautifully," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek. Closing her eyes, she stayed near him, taking in the soft spice scent of his skin. She felt his hand slide gently around her waist, knowing that if she looked up, she would end up kissing him.

For a long moment she simply stayed still, unsure of what to do. He must have felt her tension as he kissed her on the forehead and released her gently.

"We don't' want to be late for our own party," he said with a grin, once again offering her his arm.

The halls were filled with partygoers. The glitz and glamour of the dresses would rival any gala at the palace. People were smiling and laughing, many of them greeting Kyra and Shane with smiles.

As the approached the ball room, the smells of the banquet floated out to them and Kyra felt her tummy grumble. She was thankful it wasn't noticeable over all the noise as they made their way into the ball room.

Once again, as she was on Halloween, she was completely transported. Now she stood in a palace made of ice and snow as soft flurries fell from the sky. Holding her hand out she giggled when one landed on her palm and disappeared instantly, leaving a momentary rush of coolness.

The long tables ran the length of the ball room, heavy silver domed dishes covering the lengths. The huge tree, all alight, stood next to the dais with soft red, white, and blue candles and baubles adorning its branches. Underneath were seven enormous piles of gifts, their festive wrappings glittering in the soft lights.

The guest tables were adorned in what was could be mistaken for lace; but when one got closer, they could see they were silk snowflakes that had been gently sewn together. The music floated up from the corner, as soft as the falling snow.

Shane escorted her to the dais; the wreath, now made complete with candles, sat on the floor beside her chair, which to her looked more like a glittering silver thrown. Several other silver chairs sat to the left and right of the wreath. Unlike Halloween with its processional, this was more of a show, in which she was the star. She was not exactly sure, even at this late point in the proceedings, how she felt about it.

Settling into her chair, she watched as the people poured in. The Halloween ball had been well attended, but so many more people were here tonight. She would not be surprised to learn that nearly all Scíath was present.

_Except those who can't be._ her mind added. She pushed away the thought, but her heart felt just a bit heavier than it had moments before.

Preparing her most diplomatic smile, she donned it just as Saffron walked up the platform flanked by her guards. Kyra looked her over carefully. Other than a bit of dark shadows under her eyes, she appeared to be alright.

Her gown was beautiful. It was soft green, what would be called goddess style, the chiffon falling gracefully over her curves. Her long auburn hair hung in loose wild natural curls, a few well-placed emerald pins held it into a semblance of style that worked beautifully for her. She looked truly like the goddess of Spring, gracing the Winter with her presence and the promise of the warmth that was to come.

More than a few eyes followed the princess as she took her place beside the director, most were curious stares or complimentary, based on just being who she was. However; one set of eyes from the far back of the room had a far different agenda as his eyes raked over her.

Moira, beautiful as always, wore a purple gown. It was more of a full ball gown style than Kyra would have imagined for her petite frame, but she looked fantastic. Seth kissed her cheek at the bottom of the stairs as she made her way to her seat. She truly was happy for them as they were so obviously in love.

Tinka made her way up next; and again, Kyra eyed her carefully as her intent was also of concern. Given all that Tinka had been through in the last couple of months, she still worried about her. However, she had no need to as the drawn and pinched look had disappeared, and the life had returned to her dark eyes. Her simple black gown mirrored the deep luster of her long dark locks. She reached out, placing a hand on Kyra's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

_One more,"_ she thought, her eyes searching the crowd for Di. She really needed to talk to her about the Architect; however, now was not the time.

The volume level rose as more and more people poured into the room. Kyra knew this room at maximum capacity could hold at least one thousand people; but looking out at the throngs of people, she wondered if perhaps there were more present. She closed her eyes, pulling up the last head count of Scíath. The compound itself was home to one thousand, seven hundred and thirteen beings. Now all of them were at home base full-time. So, on a regular basis, there was more like twelve hundred. Opening her eyes, she looked around again and figured there were at least eight or nine hundred in the ballroom. No wonder Gus had been so busy. The Solstice feast was almost as legendary as the presents and every year his food was raved about. Taking a deep breath, she could tell this year would be no different as everything smelled amazing.

Lost in thought, she almost missed Di slipping up on to the podium. She wore a simple red shift gown and a silver bracelet around her arm. Kyra studied her intently, she had known this woman her entire life; but she had never taken the time to know her, to learn from her. She had always been so wrapped up in her own little paradigm that she had never looked at the people who surrounded her.

_"Perhaps if you had, you would know who the traitor is,_ " her mind added. Shaking her head, she gave Di a warm smile. Di returned it with a polite one, but her eyes were far away.

Kyra resisted the urge to lean over and ask her what was wrong.

_Now is the time to party. If father is watching somehow, I want him to see that I'm upholding his traditions, even if I don't really understand the need for all of this,_ she thought, looking around at all the expectant faces staring up at her.

The music stopped, and she stood; she could feel the heartbeat of the crowd rising to her. For a moment, she felt slightly dizzy as she absorbed the energy being thrown at her.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shane moving forward. She must have looked unsteady. Consciously pushing her Fae senses down, she smiled out to the mass of bodies, fixing her eyes on the back wall of the room to help distract her from just how many people were watching her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. I want to start by thanking all of you for joining us on this most festive of occasions," she said, noticing people leaning in to hear her. She felt the panic grow as she was not good at shouting. She turned back to Moira, who smiled and walked up to her, holding her finger up to the crowd in the gesture to wait. She began to whisper strange words again, laying her hands against Kyra's throat. Kyra's whole body tensed as she waited to feel something. She felt no different as Moira stepped back a moment later.

"Now try," she said softly before heading back to her seat.

"Welcome," she said, surprised at the projection her voice had taken on. The general murmur of the crowd led her to believe that everyone could hear her now.

Kyra smiled at that moment. She was struck with the thought that these were her people, they trusted her, and she was their leader. The moment of elation lasted only that, when she locked eyes with Jason, who looked borderline hostile. She stepped back, losing her train of thought. Her foot bumped the wreath and she quickly picked up the lighting stick. She had wanted nothing more than to celebrate with those gathered here, but now all she wanted was to get this over with so she could get down off the stage.

"Maiden, Mother, and Crone, bring the candles," she said, her voice flat. As Di, Tinka, and Moira stepped forward, she was reminded that Tinka was a mother. She sometimes forgot that her son had chosen to stay with her tribe when she had taken the position at Scíath. Knowing it was a painful subject, she wondered why she had always volunteered to represent the mother in the ritual, or at least as long as Kyra could remember she had.

_You really do know nothing about them,_ her mind jibed.

Pushing the nasty voice down yet again, she called Shane forth.

"Steward, bring the candle of the Holly King," she watched as he moved quickly, his moments graceful as he lifted the large red candle to stand in front of them. Her father had always played the steward, but since it was to be held by a man, Shane seemed a logical choice given his proximity.

Holding the long matchstick out to Moira, who snapped her fingers on the end causing it to burst into flame.

"With this single light I bring together the circle of life to guard the Holly King as he returns control of our world to the Oak king," she said, watching as the three ladies encircled Shane. She saw Saffron stand and come forth with the small wreath of oak leaves. Lighting each candle's three wicks, she paused at each to give thanks to each aspect of the human cycle for each of its gifts.

Leaning in to light the red candle, she met eyes with Shane. What she saw caused her to cry out softly, which, thanks to Moira's spell, was more a very loud gasp. Transposed over Shane's face was her father's; but instead of his loving expression, his face was hard and angry, his eyes glittering with hate.

She stumbled backwards and dropped the lit matchstick with Saffron caught with a quick graceful gesture.

Shane started to move forward but was hemmed in by the women and the candles. Kyra reluctantly looked up at him again, only this time it was simply his concerned expression which met her eyes.

Visibly shaking, Kyra collapsed into her chair. Stepping forward, Saffron lit the red candle after placing the oak wreath around the base.

Turning to the crowd, she spoke in a loud clear voice that needed no amplification.

"The longest night has begun. Let us eat, dance, and make merry until the dawn finds us." She said, dismissing people to make their way to the tables. Many still looked at Kyra, but thankfully for her, the lights around the dais dimmed to highlight the flames of the candles that were now placed in the pine wreath.

Kyra looked up at the anxious faces all around her. She had a hard time looking at Shane, afraid of what she would see.

"Thank you, Saffron. You are a life saver," she said with a weak voice.

"I am a princess. I know the stress of regal duties can be overwhelming, and I was glad to help," with that she exited the dais, her two security guards flanking her as she made her way to the long VIP table to eat.

"What happened?" Shane asked. He had never seen her this visibly shaken before.

"Wait," Moira said, laying her hands on her throat again as she mumbled more words

_A spell could have made you see that,_ the voice in her head slyly whispered.

Kyra fought the urge to pull away from Moira in suspicion.

"When I looked at Shane, I saw my father, and he looked so angry, so full of hate. Is he trying to tell me he is unhappy with the things I am doing?" she said, holding back the sobs. She was still being watched and so many out there would be delighting in her distress that she had no desire to give them any more pleasure.

Di frowned deeply.

"I have known that man longer than anyone here and I can tell you, he would be so very proud of all you have done, the things you have shouldered, and that you have pushed through trials he himself may not have been able to handle," she said, her words kind but her brow furrowed in worry.

"Let's get you some water and some food. If you don't feel better after that, Seth and I will take your place to start the dance and Tinka and Saffron can do the star. There is absolutely no reason to risk your health and or sanity," Moira said.

Kyra nodded, she really wanted to retreat to the study and just stay there forever, but her stomach reminded her she had been on rations all day and it was sure she had smelled fried chicken.

Encircling her, Shane and the four of them got her to the VIP table amid the curious stares of those already eating.

Kyra tried to hold her head up high. She felt terribly foolish sulking like that in front of everyone. She had faced far scarier and more dangerous things in the field. She took the proffered water and sipped it slowly. Several sips later, her stomach let out an audible growl.

Shane smiled.

"I think she is feeling better ladies, why don't you get some of this wonderful food and we will let you know closer to the end of the meal if she is up to dancing," Shane said, taking the seat on Kyra's right. The seat to her left was empty. It was silly, but she had asked that it be left empty for Nyles. She wished he was there as his insight would be very helpful at that point. The head table was quieter than the rest.

"I just wish I knew if they were concerned or scheming," she said softly to Shane, who nodded.

"What do you think about them?" she asked.

"I am trying very hard to remain objective, but it's hard with some of them," he said, echoing her own feelings.

"Yeah, and that may be just what they want," she replied, taking a long drink of the spiced wine from her glass.

"That is a really good," she noted.

"I can honestly say I'm not even sure about half of what I ate this evening, but all of it was amazing. Did you note the little colored dots on everyone's name card?" he asked.

"I did. I was wondering what that was all about," she replied.

"I noticed it a couple of years ago and made a point of asking Gus after the feast. Apparently, each attending member must submit a R.S.V.P. to the kitchen one month in advance and a card is made for them; the dots represent each of the dishes and if it's listed on the card it is put on the plate. It's how he deals with food intolerances and allergies," he explained.

"He really is amazing; I was wondering that just yesterday, with all the sensitive diets in here, how he made a feast that everyone could eat. That man is an absolute wonder, I think we need to honor him at the promotion ceremony. I mean, he can't really be promoted, but we can at least recognize his dedication to Scíath," she said.

"I got your memo about moving the ceremony to be part of the summit. I was curious about that," he said noting that the color had returned to her cheeks.

"Funny story that, a young lady came to me, it seems her parents are dignitaries and will be here; they had given her a bit of a hard time about coming and staying in the compound instead of being an ambassador and she wanted them to see that she was well respected and doing well here. So, she wanted to know if there was any way we could move the ceremony. I saw no harm in it, and it will be a bit nice to show off the in-house talents to the visitors."

"You are very compassionate, with everything else going on, in taking time out to move even more stuff for one member," he said with a smile.

She shrugged. "I tried to figure out what my father would do and that's what came to me," she said, glancing quickly at his face to confirm that the angry specter of her father was not staring back at her in consternation of her decision. Seeing nothing, she smiled at the approach of the dessert tray.

As the trays and tables were quickly and efficiently cleared and moved away, people milled around chatting.

"You feel like dancing?" Shane asked, wanting very much to dance with her, but also concerned for her wellbeing.

She looked at his soft smile and brilliant bright blue eyes. It would be so easy to feign weakness and avoid the entire thing, which would ultimately be much more comfortable; yet, she knew no matter how much she denied it, she really did want to dance with him.

"I'm okay. Plus, it will let everyone know that I'm okay," she said, not looking into his eyes.

"I'll let Moira know. We have about ten minutes or so before everything is ready," he said to her, nodding to one of the other less conspicuous guards he had assigned to her as a signal to move closer while he moved through the dense crowd to find Moira.

The band started to play softly, and Kyra wondered if she was going to have a partner for the dance, her eyes searching the muted faces for Shane.

Just as she was about to go find him, she felt a hand on her elbow; taking a deep breath, she could smell the spice of his skin, bringing an unbidden smile to her face.

"Think I forgot you?" he said softly against her ear, causing a shiver to work its way down her spine.

She opened her mouth in the hope of a witty reply, but luckily for her the music started and he pulled her to the dance floor, saving her from a lack of retort.

She fit neatly in his arms; at first, she was aware of all of the eyes on her as the music began to pick up and she and Shane moved flawlessly through the steps that she had practiced many times over the last through weeks, usually with Moira as a partner. Then her eyes met his and suddenly the rest of the room vanished. She felt herself falling gently into their intense depths as if he was gazing directly into her soul, looking to find the self she hid. Normally that kind of scrutiny would anger her, but she felt so at home and at ease in his arms. Gazing back, allowing him to find her, they floated across the floor together, neither of them aware of the other couples joining the dance or that Saffron, with the help of Evelyn, lifted the star to the top of the tree. Even the ooh's and ahh's of the crowd as the tree lit up were lost on the pair. Moving together like they were practiced partners, they made their way across the floor, coming to a stop next to the tree as the song ended.

Shane did not release her right away, the air between them practically crackling with electricity as they came even closer together. The semi-darkness and soft snow made them less visible to most; however, from around the room, interested sets of eyes watched them intently waiting to see what would come next.

Kyra's head tiled slightly to the side, her lips parting slightly in preparation for the much-anticipated moment when they would meet his. Tightening his arm ever so slightly, he pulled her closer, their faces mere inches apart. Closing her eyes, she leaned in and allowed the kiss to happen, the intensity causing her toes to curl. The kiss lasted a long moment before they separated; her eyes fluttered open to see his doing the same and they shared a smile.

"Happy Solstice, my dearest Kyra," he said softly as she pulled him out onto the floor for another dance.

Much like the Halloween, the rest of the night was a whirl of dancing and talking, Kyra losing herself in the fun, and disappointment when the band announced the last dance.

"Breakfast will be ready within the next thirty minutes for those of you not yet ready to collapse," Moira announced, stifling a very large yawn.

Kyra froze. She had promised to bring Nyles a plate of goodies and to go sit with him and she had completely forgotten. She glanced at Shane. She had become wrapped up in what was right in front of her and had forgotten her word. Her mood instantly deflated and bottomed out.

Shane noting the frown, slipped his around her and seemed very surprised when she pulled away.

"I promised Nyles I would bring him by some food and probably ditch out early to spend the evening with him and instead . . .," she looked at Shane and felt the warmth flood her face.

"Instead I stayed and had a good time, leaving him to sit alone," she said moving towards Gus, who was directing the wait staff.

"I know this is probably a crazy request but is there any way I could get a plate of the feast and desserts to take to Nyles?" she asked, her frown deepening.

"Well, of course it's possible, but I don't think you need to. That young Amazonian gal, she took a plate just after dinner ended and left for Medical," Gus said.

Kyra's guilt turned instantly to an emotion which took her a moment to identify; it was jealousy. Why was she with him? How did she even know him? Kyra stomped off without another word, leaving Shane to run to catch her as she made her way through the happy revilers. She was anything but happy. Not only had she neglected her best friend, someone else had picked up the slack.

****

Shane glanced at her scowl and remained silent, halfway to Medical she stopped, pulled off her shoes, and looking around, she set them on a recess self in the wall and kept walking. Shane picked up his pager and texted one of his staff to pick them up and take them back to the study. He was not worried about her feet, he had seen her barefoot often, but he was not sure that in her current mood she would recall where she put them. He felt a strange swirl of emotions inside himself. He had, had a magnificent evening, drunk probably a touch too much of the spiced wine, and had been looking forward to a quick breakfast before a nice long sleep. However, noting the determined march in her step and the anger in her eyes, he could assume the magic of the evening, for the moment at least, was lost on her. Secretly he hoped that perhaps Saffron and Nyles would strike up something, even if it was a close friendship. He realized this was a purely selfish want as it might alleviate some of the concern she had over Nyles. It was obvious, given her current state, that she cared very deeply for him and he had no doubt that he also cared for her. He shook his head slightly as they marched through Medical at a rapid place, as if she needed one more thing to worry about.

****

Kyra burst into the ICU, surprising the staff and causing the guards to draw weapons. Noticing the response to her entrance, her expression softened. A peal of feminine laughter came from Nyles' room and her foul expression returned, deepened.

She turned to the head doctor.

"I want a report on my father's and Nyles' conditions," she said, knowing she could not just barge into his room and demand to know why she was there.

The Calopine gentlemen sputtered, his purple skin flushing with red.

"I, um . . ., well, nothing has changed really for anyone. Nyles seems to be in good spirits, Saffron came in just around ten and has been keeping him company all evening," he said, giving her the information she sought.

Glancing at the clock revealed that it was nearly five AM; there was no reason for her to have been with him for seven hours. Pushing past the still chagrinned doctor, she composed her face before knocking on the door.

"Come in," Nyles called, his voice light.

She glanced at Shane, who made himself look busy by typing into his pager.

She walked in and her heart sank. Spread out on the floor was a checkered table cloth, on which were empty plates and remnants of desserts, two tall flute glasses and a mug of the spiced wine, which was nearly empty.

Nyles smiled up at her. It was quite clear he was tipsy.

"Kyra! You look simply lovely, I am so glad you could stop by. I'm sure you know Saffron," he said, his grin wide and happy.

"Madam Director, I am glad to see you are looking so much better. I was worried," she said, her smile soft and sincere.

Kyra fought to keep her polite expression.

"Thank you Saffron, I must say I'm surprised to see you here. I did not even know you and Nyles were acquainted," she said, trying her best to sound casual.

"Funny story about that," Nyles began, his dimples showing as he grinned.

"Saffron came up here to get a scan of her head because of all the headaches she has been having; and I was in the radiology department as well, waiting on my head scan, so we just started talking. I was totally unaware, but there is a small centaur colony on her island!" he said, his excitement rising.

"I've told him once he is back on his feet, he is more than welcome to come visit my home and meet them," Saffron said, pulling her long auburn waves over her one shoulder.

_I bet you did,_ Kyra's mind added unkindly.

"Wow, that's very interesting, I'm sure Di and Tinka will be most interested to learn of it," she said, searching for things to say that did not sound accusatory or like a pathetic plea for attention.

"She was telling me you had a bit of trouble at the ceremony," he said, his brow wrinkling.

"Just a trick of the light. I'm fine," she said, forcing the green-eyed monster back into his cage.

"I am very glad that you had a fun evening. You were missed at the party," she added.

"I'm not much of a party person, not used to large groups like that and I knew he was to be stuck here. I figured instead of forcing my guards to miss the party, I could stay in a secure location that already had guards present as well as making sure Nyles had some fun too," she said.

She sounded thoughtful and kind, and to Kyra that was worse than if she had been flirty or annoying. Because it made her feel small and spiteful for disliking her for spending time with Nyles.

"Very kind of you, I just thought I would swing in and check on you before grabbing some breakfast and sleeping the day away. I am sorry I could not get away, but I am glad you were not alone," she said, knowing how fake she sounded.

Nyles looked up at the clock.

"Goodness it's after five, I've kept you here all night, rambling on; you'd best get on to bed. You don't want to risk another headache," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Kyra felt the rage rising within her, much like it had the day she struck the giant.

"Well, I'm off," she said and fled from the room before she could do any harm. Without pausing for the handprint scan, she rushed into her father's room and shut the blinds. The guards went to follow her when Shane held out his hand.

"Let her be, boys," he said.

They nodded, respecting his authority even though they looked soured about taking orders from him. Several minutes later, Saffron emerged and headed towards the hall that lead to her room.

"Where are your guards?" Shane asked, moving to walk beside her.

"I left them at the party. I knew there were guards here and I planned on spending the evening here, so I figured I would be fine," she answered with a shrug, taking a moment to study his face.

He noticed her curious look.

"If you are trying to figure out my race," he began.

"I'm not. I knew that yesterday, you have feral eyes and a fluidity to your movements that gives you away as an of animal shifter," she said matter-of-factly as they headed down the hall.

He nodded, impressed by her astute observations.

"I was looking merely because you are handsome, and we observe all men who are close to us for breeding stock," she said, pressing the button for the elevator.

He sputtered.

She laughed.

"Forgive me. I forget that I am not at home and the ways here are different. I will learn," she said, stepping into the elevator with him silent beside her.

"Nothing to forgive, you just surprised me," he mumbled.

"Anyway, I'm going to escort you to your room, the new shift should be waiting for us. Over the next couple of days, lots of new faces will be flooding into Scíath. While I agree that you are well protected in the ICU unit, for my own sanity, can you please take at least one of your guards with you if and when you visit Nyles again?" he asked, watching as she slipped the key card in her door.

"I will," she said, pausing in the doorway.

"I will take a guard and I will be seeing him again," she said, closing the door without another word, leaving Shane to head back to the ICU unit shaking his head over the notion of breeding stock.

He reentered the ICU and had time to casually lean against the desk and think, instead of pretending to be busy when a much more composed Kyra excited her father's room.

She smiled at him softly.

"You hungry? I overheard someone saying they were serving Monte Cristo sandwiches. I have no idea what those are, but it sounds interesting," she said.

"I could eat," he said, smiling at her and happy to see the storm had passed from her eyes.

"Well, let us grab something, and depending on how much of a zoo the dining hall is, we could eat there or take it back to the study," she suggested, walking away from the unit without a glance backwards.

The halls were more quiet than usual, lulling them into a lethargy. That dissipated, however, as they rounded the corner towards the dining hall, the din coming from within was a dull roar.

Shane inhaled deeply.

"That smells like bacon," he said smiling.

"That it does," she replied, returning his grin.

Several months ago, they had discovered they both had a deep affinity for bacon, on "Build Your Own Burger" night.

Slipping her hand into his, she pulled him through the crowd, conscious of how her dress crinkled as they pushed through the throngs of people milling around with plates in hand.

As they reached the end of the rather long buffet line, a glance passed between them that simply said the food would be to go. It seemed that almost everyone who had been at the ball was present. It was easy to pick out the visiting diplomats as they were all flanked by two somber, and in some cases, visibly exhausted, security agents.

Filling their plates and grabbing large drinks, they pushed back through the crush, unconsciously holding their breath until they were through the crowd.

As hers came out in a whoosh, she laughed softly.

"I'm pretty sure I've had missions that were easier than that," she explained as they started back to the study.

"I can tell you that having a wolf's nose in a crowd full of people who have been partying all night is not a blessing," he returned her smile.

Food was consumed, and quiet conversation was had, amidst many yawns.

"Your company is delightful my dear, but I am afraid I am going to fall asleep in the middle of my French toast remnants," she said, setting the plate aside to stretch.

"I agree completely," he said, setting his plate on top of hers with a clink.

The silence settled over them. Again, they found themselves close and the magnetism was pulling them closer.

Leaning in, she kissed him softly, smiling at his look of surprise. Adding a kiss to his cheek, she stood and walked to her door.

"Sweet dreams," she said, closing the door behind her.

He sat there a moment, letting the warmth of her kiss linger on his lips. With another long glance at her closed door, he made his way back to his room.

The night had worn on them both and as the winter sun peeked over the horizon, they were both already fast asleep.

Chapter Eighteen

Kyra's stomach woke her, its deep grumble reminded her of her neglect of eating. Rolling over, she groaned. It was nearly four in the afternoon. She had not planned on how long she had wanted to sleep, but she had hoped it would be closer to dinner when she awoke. Lying in bed, she felt her mind starting to drift over the events of the night before. However, before too many images could come to mind, she pushed them away, choosing instead to think about all the things that needed to get done within the next week. This summit was a serious thorn in her side. Thanks to Di, Tinka, and Moira, she had very little procedural things that she was required to do. The agendas had been prepared, and she had read over the issues that were to be brought up weeks ago. The only thing that could be tricky was helping two leprechaun tribes come up with a treaty. It had risen beyond the power of the local council and the ambassador had been unable to come up with a solution that was pleasing to both parties; so they had offered to bring it to the summit with the promise from both sides that they would honor whatever agreement the Architect had made. She knew for the most part the things she was going to lay out in the treaty, but she needed to head to the archives to look up some old maps to figure out who was really on whose land. Her father had put into place excellent channels for people to work within. It really made the international part of her job much easier, which was a good thing, given that there were so many ways to offend people, that it would be easy to cause a massive issue.

The delegates were arriving sporadically; from a few days ago up until the one from America that was flying in the night before the summit. There would be eighty different countries represented, many of them were making strides to build compounds like Scíath in their own countries and she knew that they had requested aid. Lev was set to give a speech to that group on one of the days. She cringed slightly, _I do hope they can decipher him._ She made a mental note to get one of his assistants to write out comprehensive notes for those attending.

In theory, the four-day event should be packed from the opening ceremony to the large party on the last night. Some of the diplomats were staying a few days longer, but by the end of January, things should be back to normal and she could get back to solving all the in-house issues that had been pushed aside for the summit preparations.

Her stomach rumbled again; reminding her that it had woken her, not so that she could sit and contemplate her to-do list, but because it was annoyed with its state of emptiness.

Pushing up out of bed, she winced as she stepped down. It seemed she had danced her feet sore.

"Glad it's an 'in' day," she said aloud, sliding into her robe and walking into the study, thankful for a bit of time alone.

Stoking the fire, she placed a food order through Simon as she was afraid to call Gus and ask for food, given all the work he had done in the last twenty-four hours. She did simply write, 'Anything left over is fine, except the Monte Cristo.' She stuck out her tongue at the memory. She had not known they were made with corned beef, and much to her father's chagrin, she simply did not care for it.

Sitting still, she enjoyed the quiet, allowing the fire to warm her. Despite Lev's careful attempts at temperature control inside the compound, there was only so much that could be done when the world above you was frozen. To appease her cranky stomach while it waited on dinner, she ate a few cookies and wondered if she could get away with not doing any real work at all today. It was the last downtime she was going to have for weeks, and really, there was nothing that could absolutely be accomplished today.

_Except perhaps talking to Di,_ her mind added. She let out a heavy sigh. She wanted to talk to her about her father, not any of the other things she needed to, so it would be best to do a separate meeting to keep the things with her father from taking over the council business.

She pulled herself up to get presentable before she called Di to ask for a meeting. There was a knock at the door. She opened it, fully expecting to see her dinner cart. She was standing face to face with Di. Kyra froze, had she called her and forgotten? No, she shook her head. She had just stood up and had the idea. Di noted her puzzled expression.

"I'm sorry to barge in on you, but I was out this way and well . . . to be blunt, I felt your thoughts about me and I figured it would make more sense to just come here than to walk all the way back to my office only to have you call me." she explained.

Kyra's mouth fell open, she had no idea she could broadcast at such a range.

"Please come in," she sputtered, stepping back from the door as she pulled her robe tighter.

"I am extremely sensitive, so don't think that this is something that will happen often when you think of people," she explained, settling in the chair, a tall thermos cup in her hand.

"Why don't you go ahead and get changed? If your dinner shows up I'll grab it for you," she said.

Kyra. Still unsure of how to handle the whole thing, simply nodded and headed into the bedroom, dressing quickly.

"I knew you were expecting dinner because I heard the order being read off of the terminal in the kitchen. I promise I'm not spying on you" she said with a wink as Kyra reemerged, dressed in what would be called yoga clothes.

Kyra smiled as that was the first question she was going to ask.

"I'm sorry I ordered before you stopped by or I would ask you to join me for dinner," she said, curling up into her chair.

"I had just finished my dinner and was grabbing my evening tea when I heard them call your order and felt you, so I am just fine," Di said, picking up the cookie tin her expression asking permission.

Kyra nodded and smiled.

"Well, since you are here, I wanted to talk to you about something to do with my father, after talking with Leland," she said.

Di raised an eyebrow but just listened.

"Leland has been doing brain scans periodically to see what, if anything, the interventions we are performing, have been doing. We had some moderate success with the calling rituals a group of witches preformed a little while ago. Well, they took a scan after your visit last night and it was simply remarkable. The activity was extreme and it's the most we have had from him to date. I need to know what it was you were doing, because we need to employ it again and perhaps combine it with other ideas to see if we can bring him back," Kyra explained.

It was Di's turn to be surprised, her mouth falling slightly open. She took a deep breath and a long slow drink of her tea.

"First of all, what I did not tell you and Leland would have been little help. I want very much to have Gabriel back. I've been spending more and more time with him, and he looks so much like the young man who followed me home all those years ago. I do not know your father's supernatural race per se; however, I do know this. His mother was a very powerful witch. I do not know her name, but I do know that at one point she served as the Grand High Witch for the British Isles. As for his father, he never knew him, and his mother never spoke of him. Anyway, I began having nightmares after the encounter with the Bloodhound of the Illuminati. He would rock me softly and sing this song to me that his mother would sing to him. So, I have been singing it to him, hoping that perhaps it would call to him," she explained.

Kyra closed her eyes, she knew the song so very well as he had sung it to her many times as a child. It was sung in Gaelic and she had no idea what the words meant, but it had a soothing melody.

"His powers are so much more than any witch I have recorded in the archives, so I'm inclined to believe his father was also one of us, although I have no idea of what race," Di added, noting the tear as it ran down Kyra's cheek.

"There have been at least seven Grand High Witches since I met him and to be honest, I have no idea when he was born or how old he is, so we could be looking at a hundred years of names. I have tried to narrow it down to those with recorded children, but I have not found one without a listing of two parents," she further explained, giving Kyra time to compose herself.

"Thank you, for trying to help. I know that you love him, and you are doing more to help bring him back than anyone else," Kyra said

A tight hot knot filled her stomach. She had spent so much time running Scíath that while she had visited him regularly, she had not even thought to sing to him; and often, she just sat and let his still form listen as she poured out her woes. No matter how far she had come, she was still wrapped up in herself.

"He would be very proud of the job you have done. No one would have blamed you for canceling the summit given all that has happened in the last few months. But not only have you kept the summit on, you have dealt with every issue that's come up about it, and you have added a department for the betterment of Scíath. We had once talked about having a child, you know; but it had never come to be. He loves you. When we get him back, he will tell you so himself," she said.

Kyra smiled.

"Between you and me, once we wake him up; since he's looking so young and spry, I'm so letting him have this place back."

Di laughed softly.

"I can see that perhaps you need a bit of a break from the responsibility this place requires. Don't sell yourself short. As the younger members of my department are always saying, 'you got this.' I must, however, place some words of concern in your ear about the council. Not that it matters, because I trust Moira and Tinka implicitly. Tinka vouches for Leland, so that's good enough for me."

Kyra nodded.

"I know you have no love for Jason and I can't say that I blame you. I have no evidence that he has done anything wrong, but I have heard rumors and a general feeling of unease around him. As for Lev . . . once upon a time I knew him well; well, as well as anyone could, but over years he has become more isolated and, dare I say— elitist —in his views. He has never been overt enough about it to garner anything from the Architect, but it's gotten much more blatant recently," she said.

Kyra thought back to the Treoraí meeting and his reaction to Shane that had caused her to be zapped. As one who was well versed in race bias and hatred, she would like to think that those chosen to be leaders within their society would be above that. However, she could see Di's point.

"Now, I'm not saying that makes him a traitor. I'm just saying I'm less than pleased with it and it makes me unable to put complete faith in him," she added.

Kyra nodded, while she was unaware of other instances of his beliefs, she had already placed him on the maybe list after his outburst.

"Now I know he was your boss and that you may have been close to him, but I can't honestly vouch for, or suspect, Galerius. He is impossible to get to know; however, he had more opportunity and availability to get people in and out of there, not to mention the tranquilizer darts that went missing were under his watch," she said, watching Kyra's face carefully.

Kyra's eyes widened as she thought. Perhaps it was her tie to the department, but she had never even considered Galerius, and it was not that they were close. She was pretty sure no one on the planet was "close" to him. It was more that he was just there, he did his job brilliantly, but his lack of outward personality made him easy to blend in, you took for granted that he was doing his job and just moved past him.

"You know I should know him. I mean, I've spent six years in his department, I am or was one of the nine security agents. I should be able to say I know him, or at least something about him, but I simply don't. Come to think of it, as he is always working for parties or special occasions, it's safe to say I've never even seen the man eat."

Her brow furrowed as she suddenly realized exactly how little she knew about the man who oversaw the security and how to access to all the weapons and lockdown systems within Scíath.

"I would like to think that my father had enough faith in him to put him in such a position and that to the best of my knowledge, although I will check his file, he has never had any kind of disciplinary action at all, ever," she said, not crossing him off the 'maybe' list, but putting him at the bottom.

_You know, she could be doing this to throw suspicion off herself and perhaps someone she is working with whom she doesn't want you taking a good look at,_ her mind added.

Kyra's frown deepened even further. Sometimes it really was hard to have a cynical mind, but her lack of trust had saved her on more than one occasion and as discomforting as the thought might be, she had to consider that it was entirely possible that Di was doing just that.

Returning her expression to neutral, she simply nodded.

"I really do appreciate your insight, you have far more knowledge about the inner working of the council than I do," she said, hoping that none of the little seeds of disbelief her mind was adding were showing in her expression or tone. She needed to stay on the best terms she could with everyone to further facilitate finding out exactly what was going on.

A knock at the door silenced the conversation. Opening it, she found Shane pushing the dinner cart wearing a wide grin.

"Hey Lady," he said.

"Hey, you. I'm surprised you are already up," she said, mirroring his grin.

"I think that I'm going to take this opportunity to take my leave, I woke up much earlier than I would have liked to. I'd like a chance to get a jump on some of the paperwork before I turn in again," Di said, nodding to Shane as she slipped out.

Pushing the cart in, he waited until the door was closed.

"Everything ok with Di? He asked, taking his own plate off the cart before settling into the recently vacated chair.

"Yeah. It was kinda odd," she said, explaining the circumstances in which Di came to be sitting in the study and what she had said. She left out her own observations as not to taint any conclusions he came up with.

Taking a long swig of his coffee, his eyes narrowed as his mind processed her thoughts.

"Well, there are two ways we can look at this information she gave you about the Treoraí. One, she is being honest and trying to help you because she really does want you to succeed and is loyal to the empire she helped build. Or two, she is part of the problem and she is trying to throw you off the track," he said, echoing her own ideas.

"As for the stuff about your father, I think she could have brought that to you sooner, but I think she's right that it would not have made a serious difference in our search. I think she was hoping to have some more concrete answers before she gave us yet another research project."

Kyra shifted in her chair, her fingers drumming their familiar rhythm on the arm of the chair.

"I really hate all this mistrust that is floating around the council, these are supposed to be the people I can count on. They are the ones my father chose to help him protect and grow our world. However, instead of being able to use them and harness the knowledge and resources they wield, I have to treat them all as possible traitors and imagine that they are plotting to, for whatever reason, either replace me or destroy Scíath trying. It's frustrating and enraging to think they would do that to my father," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Is there any way we could use magic or powers to ascertain who the miscreant is?" he asked.

"Not without violating the most basic tenant of this place. My father built this to be a home, a safe haven. A place where we would be safe from unwanted attacks. That's why the 'no powers' rule exists," she said.

He nodded thoughtfully. He knew the tenants well. They had been taught to him in orientation, as well as impressed upon him to uphold the year or so he did internal security.

"If you want, I can be present for the individual meetings you have to have over the next week, if no other reason than to make sure you are safe. Yes, I know you can take care of yourself, but we are dealing with one, if not more than one, very intelligent 'bad guy,' and it never hurts to have back up," he said.

She laughed.

"I was not going to object to you being here for the meetings; in fact, I was about to suggest it. But you get to serve as secretary too," she said with a grin.

He grimaced.

"I draw the line at getting your dry cleaning" he winked.

The rest of the evening was spent in quiet conversation and ended in a movie. Kyra lay in bed that night surprised to find herself tired after sleeping all day. Closing her eyes, she knew she had to hit the ground running tomorrow morning. She wanted to be up early as she had her meeting with Anna at nine and then everyone else for the next three days. As she slipped into a quiet slumber. She let her last thought be of how much she enjoyed the quiet evening with Shane and how she was looking forward to their seven AM breakfast meeting.

Monday's meetings held Anna, Moira, and Leland, hours of talking and paper work, names and theories, thoughts and suggestions. By the time Leland walked out and dinner was ordered, her head was swimming.

They let silence reign for a bit. Given all the directorial work they had done together in the last couple of months, there had never been a day so incredibly full of talking, and reams and reams of information to be digested.

Kyra looked at the stacks of paper taking over her desk and sighed deeply.

"I don't know if I can do two more days of this," she said, gesturing to the piles.

"You know, I am in awe of the fact that you made it through that without your brain melting," he said, stretching.

"Don't be so sure it didn't melt," she said, rubbing her temples.

"You know, I think today was the easiest it's going to be. Tomorrow is Lev, Jason, and Galerius," she said, unable to hide the disdain from her expression.

"Well, um . . ., I . . ., nope, I have absolutely nothing to say that can make that line-up any better," he said, standing to receive the dinner tray.

"I am going to suggest that after dinner we swing into Medical, after what Leland said," he said, gauging her expression.

He was rewarded with a scowl.

While Leland had been there to talk about the council business, he had let her know that he had been able to cancel the witches' visit to Nyles. Due to the continuous company of Saffron, he had perked up considerably, and his scans were improving. As far as she knew, Amazons had no healing powers, so she surmised it was just her charming company and time devoted to Nyles that had helped. This made her feel even worse as that perhaps if she had been able to give him the time, he would have recovered as well.

"Sure," she replied, crossing her arms.

They ate in silence. Her mood improved slightly as they headed towards Medical and light conversation was had. However, that moment was immediately canceled when they entered the ICU to see Saffron and Nyles taking a cautious walk around the counter, her arm wrapped around his waist.

He greeted her with a brilliant smile that she was unable to fake in return.

"Kyra!" he said.

"Nyles, it's so good to see you up!" she said, forcing a cheerful tone.

"Doc says if I can take two walks a day without getting woozy, I can go to the New Year's party," he said, seemingly unaware of her distress.

"That's simply fantastic, the last party definitely lacked your amazing personality," she said, making no move towards him as they continued slowly around the circle.

Saffron smiled brightly at his ever-reassured steps.

"He has quite the spirit, Madam Director," she said with adoration in her tone.

"He's one of a kind," Kyra said thoughtfully.

By the time he reached where she stood, his color had paled, and his breathing was more of a puff. Forgoing her jealousy, she slipped her arm around his other side and the ladies helped him back to his room.

Shane glanced at Leland, who was exiting the Architect's room.

"He looks better," Shane said, keeping his tone low.

"He is better, she is really good for him. I did not tell Kyra this, because well, you know, but he has progressed more in the last twenty-four hours then he has since he came in Thursday," he said, matching his low tone.

"I am glad to hear it, but yeah, I would keep it to yourself," he said, nodding to the door as it opened.

Both women exited.

"He's napping, that took a lot out of him," Kyra said.

Without another word, she disappeared into her father's room; this time, pausing for the beep of the hand scanner.

"I'm going to head back and take a nap myself. If he wakes up before I get back, please tell him that I will be back for our evening tea," Saffron said as she was walking out, her guards flanking her.

Shane and Leland looked at each other a long moment.

"I can honestly say I have never had this much personal drama here before. I mean, we have people come here to die and medical emergencies and so on; but seriously, this, whatever it is, is easily the most we have had in here," he said, garnering a nod from the Doctor working behind the desk who was trying very hard to not be noticed.

"I wish I had any idea how it's going to turn out, but here is to hoping that all your residents leave soon and in good health," Shane replied as Kyra came back out, her face looking more serene.

Stifling a yawn, she looked at the clock.

"I'm going to head back and turn in. I will hopefully be around after tomorrow's meetings," she said.

"As always, if anything major changes with either of them, I will let you know," Leland said, mirroring her yawn.

She gave him a polite smile and headed out. For a moment, Shane remained still, his expression suggesting that he was a bit annoyed at thinking he would always just follow her, but with a soft sigh he did just that.

They parted at the door to the study, he could tell there was a lot on her mind and he needed some quiet time to recharge. It proved an early night for both; however, Shane found his dreams not to be nearly as empty as she did.

Breakfast was very quiet, both steeled against what could be a very harsh day. As they rolled the cart out, Kyra looked at him.

"Here is the problem I am having; I am asking them to submit to me possible culprits within their own departments when I'm not even sure they are to be trusted. I am asking them to put forth the name of a new Treoraí who could easily be part of the conspiracy, and the worst part? I don't even know what the purpose, intent, or extent of said conspiracy is," she said, sitting with a resounding thud in the desk chair.

All the papers from the night before had been filed and the desk was clear and ready to accumulate more.

"Well, I can safely say that I believe that the murder, the break-in into the mirror library, the break-in and attack on Nyles, the morph, the attack on Milyana, and the tranquilizers incident are all related and most likely the work of the same person. As for the reason behind it, I can't give you a specific reason, but I have no doubt it has to do with the succession, I think whoever it was had these things planed and was hoping perhaps to do it to your father forcing, his choice to be nullified by the council as he had seemingly lost control. His accident shifted all of it to you and changed it up. However, I still believe the mayhem is going to be used to question your ability to rule," he surmised.

"Did you know that if they get five of the seven Treoraí to call for a vote, they can have the director removed? My father put that in place when they set down the original charter for the organization. But I can't imagine five of them coming together against him," she said.

Their musings were cut short as a heavy knock on the door announced the arrival of Lev.

While the day was no more or less full than the previous one had been, by the time Galerius walked out of the study, precisely at the end of his two hour appointment, Kyra felt she had been run over by a train.

"I was pretty sure Jason would have left an oily residue on the chair. Hs charm was fairly oozing," Kyra said her eyes rolling.

"I can't like him, to be honest. I never put that much effort into it, but I can guarantee it would not work," Shane said, pacing aimlessly around the room to stretch his legs.

"You did a far better job of looking interested in his chit chat than I could have done," he added.

"I'm learning that with people like him, if you pad the ego a bit, they are more likely to open up to you," she shrugged.

"With just Di and Tinka tomorrow, we should be done by early afternoon. Which means I can spend Christmas day looking through the Treoraí candidates and have them out to everyone by the evening. I would like to think they are all anxiously awaiting my memo, but I know that some of them have celebrations and departmental get togethers, so I don't think they will even look at it until the next morning," she added.

"Well then, I would like to request a dinner date for tomorrow evening. We can come back here and put the list out then. But, you need a break," he said, watching her expression.

Kyra sat a moment and thought, she absolutely needed a break, as the forced extensive contact had drained her considerably. Dinner somewhere other than here, surrounded by work, would also be welcome. However, her jealousy flair over Saffron proved her emotions were in no real state for any kind of dating. She glanced at Shane. She really did enjoy spending time with him, and her reasons for saying no were not because she didn't want to.

"Shane, I . . .," she began. She saw his expression fall, expecting some made up rejection reason.

"I would love to," she said, letting the genuine smile light up her face.

"Excellent! I will set us up dinner in the restaurant," he said, moving to the Simon terminal.

"Wait, what restaurant?" her brow furrowed.

He looked back at her his eyebrow raised.

"The small French café. You approved it going in the luxury wing right after Halloween," he said, typing slowly.

She closed her eyes trying to travel back in her mind to the chaotic weeks after she took charge; somewhere in there she vaguely remembered a memo from Gus about an enterprising young chef who wanted to open a more refined and romantic place for the couples who could not venture out.

"Yes, I remember now. I admit, it had totally slipped my mind. I'm assuming it went in okay as I've seen nothing else but the original request," she added.

"Yup. Apparently, it's quite busy and you have to wait weeks to get in" he said, hitting enter and standing.

"Then, how?" she asked.

"Hey, being part of the Director's office has his perks," he said with a grin.

She laughed.

"Fair enough."

She glanced at the clock, sad to see it only read six pm.

"Is it sad that it's only six and I'm ready for bed?" she asked, accentuating the statement with a yawn.

"Not at all, but I suggest you eat something before you turn in. You don't want to wake up in the middle of the night hungry," he said, moving back to Simon.

"Point. Something easy, pasta, or something," she said, moving to turn the fire higher.

He nodded, wishing for a moment that he had Nyles's knowledge of her, but knowing that it came from a lifetime of closeness that he would have to catch up on.

Quiet conversation accompanied a simple but amazing dinner, and by seven-thirty, Kyra's eyes were drooping.

"I suggest we call it a night," Shane said, standing,

Standing as well, she noticed the surprised expression on his face as she slipped her arms gently around his waist, laying her head on his chest.

Wrapping his arms around her, he simply held her. They stayed that way a long moment, enjoying the connection they felt which needed no words. Tilting her head up, she closed her eyes allowing the kiss to happen. Their lips lingered together after the kiss as if inviting another. For a moment, she allowed the thought of inviting him back to her room to cross her mind but stepped away before it got any further than a whim.

She squeezed his hand and left him with a smile before retreating to her room. Sleep came easily and when the alarm went off, she did not feel like crushing it.

"Great, the answer to not being tired is to be in bed before eight. I'm exciting," she mumbled on her way to the shower.

Letting the warm water run over her body, her mind wandered back to the warmth that had flooded her as they had shared the tender moment. She found herself smiling. As soon as this whole summit thing was over she was going to have to come to terms with how she felt about him and how she felt about Nyles. It was not something that could be ignored forever. Stepping out of the shower, she dressed quickly, psyching herself up for another day of work and diplomatic conversation; however, the idea of the promised date caused a smile to creep to the corner of her mouth.

Di's meeting went failrly quickly and she was hoping the same for Tinka's, which would give her time to visit her father and Nyles before her big evening out that she was looking more and more forward too.

However, from the look on Tinka's face when she walked in, she knew something was up.

"I know what this meeting is about and I've got all the things you've asked for here; however, I have something else to talk to you about that I believe to be far more important," she said, settling into the chair, the bags under her eyes saying that whatever it was, it had kept her up very late.

"Let me order some tea and some lunch then, I want you to take as much time as you need," Kyra said, tapping out the order before turning her full attention to Tinka.

"I'm sure you remember Evelyn. She came to me about ten pm last night, she was meditating, and she was shocked out of it by a blast from the veil. Something hit the veil with enough force to shake the structure of it. She's pretty sure it came from the shadow side, so it's something trying to cross over. I've never experienced any entity strong enough to shake the veil like that. We have both witnessed strong spirits, usually angry at being dead, and raging against the veil trying to get back. Or even earthbound spirits who want to pass over, causing the veil to ruffle slightly. But this, this was like a sonic boom. I can't imagine how much power it took to cause that. However, after much research, I think it was your father. I think his mind is trying to push its way forcibly back across to his body," she said, pausing as the tea was distributed.

Kyra's mind was reeling. It would make sense with all the activity they were seeing in his brain; that perhaps it was pulling energy from his body to give it the force to come back. She sipped her tea, trying to process what she should say; however, Tinka continued.

"We called in a few of the ghost-oriented witches and we attempted to see if we could get a location on the hit. While the veil covers the entire world, there are places where it is weaker, more apt to see spirit activity. As you know, part of the reason this location was chosen for Scíath, was because there is a weak spot in the veil that we use to help spirits. However, the blast was not centered here. We were unable to get a fix on it, but I want to ask you for permission to pull together a team and work on this. I know it's not the best time and we are stretched for personnel as is; but if it is your father, we want to be able to help him," she said.

"Yes, absolutely! Anything you need. I don't care if they are on summit detail or not. This needs to be a priority. However, I must ask, what if it's not my father, what could it be? Is it something we need to worry about?" she asked.

"Well yes, I would imagine so. Although it's hard to know without an identity to give us some indication of intent. But it is possible that something that strong could energize and stir up the spirits on the other side and more could slip through the weak spots, causing disruptive things to happen in this world," she replied.

Kyra's brow furrowed.

"Define 'disruptive'," she said, looking to Shane who pulled out his note pad.

"Well, most earthbound spirits rattle things, speak occasionally, and make people feel uncomfortable. It's rare that you get ones that are powerful enough to harm the living. However, if this force energizes them and the veil rips, we could see Gillies being tormented, possessions, and the world of the living would no longer belong to the living," she explained.

For a moment everyone was silent, the air was heavy with the implications of what had been spoken.

"Oh, and I know you have gotten all kinds of recommendations for new Treoraí, but I'm telling you, there is really only one person for the job. That person is Joseph Jernbergh."

"That's a mouthful," Shane piped in.

Tinka laughed.

"A bit. Joe is Norse, and he is part of the Odin Sons line; however, instead of having power over the elements. his power has manifested as a control over technology. He surges data instead of thunder and lightning; although, between you and me, he's still a nearly seven-foot Viking and I would not engage him in a fight regardless of his lack of traditional talent. Every time the computer systems have gone down, he has been the one they call to fix it. He invented the scanners, and he is totally wasted as a researcher in my department," she explained.

"I've read that name before," Kyra said, pulling out the pile of Treoraí recommendations.

"I've read it twice before. Both Di and Leland have given the same suggestion," she said.

"That does not really surprise me. He's worked closely with Di when her system has gone down and created the backup drives for Medical when they threatened to overload the system. I'm surprised you haven't seen him; aside from his towering height, he has the most exquisite tattoo on his head, and a booming voice," Tinka said.

Kyra thought for a few moments.

"No, you're right. He sounds like he makes an impression, I can't say I've met him, but I think I absolutely should. There are three total candidates. Lev, Jason, and Galerius put up the same name. So that makes the list and the review much quicker as well," she said while scratching some notes on the side of the paper.

"Thank you for bringing this spirit business to me and please keep me apprised of any more attacks on the veil or anything that you need," she said, taking note that Tinka had begun glancing at the clock.

"Thank you, I'm planning to have dinner with Leland, then I'm going to get right on assembling that team," she said, clearly looking for leave to continue with her plans.

"Excellent, I hope that you enjoy your time. Oh, and Happy Christmas," Kyra said, looking forward to her own dinner date.

As the door closed behind her, Shane let out a sigh.

"I feel exactly the same way about it. The last thing we need is one more possible disaster," she said, glancing at the clock. It was nearly one, still plenty of time to get ready for their six pm reservations.

"I have to think that if it is your father, he is simply trying to get back. I know he would never try to intentionally cause harm to anyone and would never upset the balance between the two worlds," Shane said.

"Agreed."

"But what if he doesn't realize that he is weakening the barrier? I don't know if we can communicate with him; but I think someone should try, perhaps Di. Let him know we want to guide his spirit back, but he's gotta quit rocking the boat," he continued.

"I will toss that in a memo over to Tinka when I put out the Treoraí names. Speaking of such . . . do you know this Joe fella?" she asked, pushing the buttons to make his dossier spit out.

"I've seen him. Tinka is right, he is hard to miss. I've never spoken to him, although, I know he has a lot of friends as I've seen him in the dining hall with decent sized groups of people," he answered.

She nodded, reading over his file.

"He seems to be an outcast of sorts. His family line did not think his technical talent was really a talent. He came in four years ago. He has many notes and accolades from Treoraí, all based on his tech skills. It does seem to me, based solely on paper, that he is the man for the job. I would like to meet him and see what kind of vibes he gives off."

"Send Tinka a message. I'm sure she could spare him tomorrow or the next day to meet with you," he replied.

"I am hoping to spend the next couple of days going through some more of the books; it's even more important now and I've neglected it," she said, looking at the crammed shelves.

"I know I don't have the connection to the Architect that you and Nyles have, and I certainly don't have the research skills Tinka does, but I would be more than willing to help you go through the books. It's a daunting task to try to do alone," he said, his eyes following hers to the hundreds of volumes shoved onto every available piece of shelving.

She thought a long moment, she really would welcome the help, but it was hard to let someone in who her father had not had there on social visits. She had no doubt that he would like and respect Shane and appreciate the help he had given her over the last few months. The memory of his angry face transposed over his flashed to her mind and she wondered if that was not his way of telling her that he disapproved of her— well, her whatever-it-was with him. However, in all her life she had never seen him turn someone away or be mean or cruel to anyone, so she had a hard time believing that he would pass judgment like that.

"I think that would be okay, but I warn you now, it is the most random amount of knowledge I've ever seen," she said, finally allowing herself to accept the help she did in fact need.

"Fair enough. Why don't we head over to Medical, so we can get the visits in before our reservations?" he asked, his voice betraying some of the excitement he felt about their upcoming dinner.

She nodded.

"Let me send a memo to Tinka with all the extra stuff in it before I forget. Plus, I'm going to send out the Treoraí candidates now, just so I don't feel rushed later," she said, letting her meaning dangle in the air, garnering a very Cheshire-like grin from Shane.

He went over his notes as she tapped away at the keyboard, stealing occasional glances at her that she pretended not to notice. Shortly, she was done, and they were on their way. She decided that if Saffron was with Nyles, she would not intrude; she would simply see her father, leave, and have a nice dinner with Shane. She felt the jealousy bubbling in her belly, but she pushed it back down. There was no reason that Nyles could not hang out with whomever he wanted. Not to mention it was hard for her to spend the time with him that he deserved, and she was a tiny bit glad that he was not sitting all alone. As they wound their way through Medical, she could not help but think on her relationship with Nyles. He had always been a friend, they had talked, and laughed, and played, but she realized it had always been her way. While she knew him well, she had never really taken time to let him take charge, decide the plan, or even choose the activity for the day. She really had a very one-sided relationship with him and that was all due to her own behavior. Her frown deepened and she glanced at Shane, _I won't do that with him. Even if he is just to be my friend, I will make it a two-way street,_ she thought as they pushed through the final doors to the ICU.

At first glance, it appeared empty except for the two ever-present guards outside her father's room. _Perhaps it's rounds or something,_ she thought. Moving towards her father's room, she heard Leland's voice coming from Nyles' room. It was too mumbled to make out words, but her Fae hearing picked up a definite distressed toned. All jealousy pushed aside, she went and knocked on his door; with Shane at her heels, she guessed he had picked up on the same thing she had as his expression was also of concern.

It took a long moment for the answer of "Come in" to her knock and she was not even certain who had said it.

As she entered, her heart began to race and her eyes grew wide as panic flooded her. Laying very still on his feather bed was Nyles. He had an oxygen canula on his nose and multiple IV's going into his arms.

Saffron was kneeling beside him and she had tears in her eyes.

"What, what is going on?" Kyra cried out, unable to control the fear.

"Nyles was on his walk and he fell into the wall hitting, the back of his head. I have to say I am completely baffled as to why this simple head wound is giving him so much trouble. The witches can't seem to find any lingering magic and I can't seem to find any matching cases like his anywhere at all," Leland said, exasperated.

"I'm so sorry. I had my arm around his waist but when he went down, it was too fast and he is just too heavy for me," Saffron explained.

"You did your best," Kyra said, knowing full well that even if she had been there, she alone would not have been able to stop him from falling any more than Saffron could have.

"He was doing so well. We had been walking every day, and he was so excited about being out for the New Year's party," she said as an unbidden tear escaped unbidden down her cheek.

"Leland, what do we do? I don't care what resources you need, we have to help him," Kyra said, unable to tear her eyes away from the prone pale form of her oldest friend.

"One of the centaurs on my island is a very powerful healer and wise woman. She attends all our births and has helped many. Perhaps she will know something about how to help him? Perhaps this is something specific to his race," she suggested, her eyes imploring.

"As I said when you brought this up ten minutes ago, I don't think that she would agree to come here and I'd like to think that having been Nyles' doctor since he was very young. I have a very good file on centaurs, I have performed surgery on several of them," Leland said.

Kyra was surprised to hear this tense tone from Leland. She had never known him to turn away help.

"Leland what you have done for Nyles and for all of us over the years has been incredible. No one is doubting your skills or abilities, but you yourself have stated that you don't know why this is happening and we must find out any way we can for Nyles' sake," Kyra said, pulling out her diplomatic hat.

Leland's expression softened slightly.

"Whatever you think is best. How would we go about contacting and convincing this woman to come here?" Shane asked.

"I will have to get her. It will take some convincing to get her to leave the island, but she delivered me, and we are very close. I think I can talk her into it," Saffron replied.

"But you will likely miss the Summit," Leland interjected.

"I will try not to, but to me, his life is much more important than a meeting."

Kyra looked at her. She really cared for Nyles and while that may cause her to be a green-eyed monster, she was very glad that he had an ally like her.

"If you make it back in time, great; if you don't, we will take good notes. You are right; Nyles' condition must be treated. I will have transportation ready for you early tomorrow afternoon. You will take your two guards, as well as a letter to your mother and to this wise woman, requesting aid," Kyra explained.

She felt instantly better having a plan, being lost always made her angry. While this may not have been an ideal plan, as it was a big deal to get Saffron to the summit in the first place, she didn't care one bit about the political or social ramifications of her missing it. Nyles was far more important.

_Would you do the same thing for anyone within these walls?_ The less than helpful voice in her mind asked.

_Of course, I would,_ she answered it, not allowing herself to linger on that thought.

At that moment, Kyra's pager went off and she looked down at it, confused. Pulling it off her belt, she saw the call back number for Medical. She held it up to Leland.

"I paged you about thirty minutes ago when he fell, the system must be acting up again. Once we get the IT department in place that needs to be on their to do list," Leland said.

"I figured that was why you showed up, actually," he added.

"No, I just finished the council meetings and sent out the Treoraí candidates, and I wanted to stop in and check on father and Nyles before heading to dinner," she explained.

"In the future if you don't get a call back within ten minutes, call the study. If that also does not reach me, hit the compound wide intercom please," she said, trying to hide her annoyance that he had not tried harder to reach her.

Leland nodded stiffly, looking a bit chastised.

"I'm guessing then, you spoke with Tinka about the—," he stopped, glanced at Saffron, and looked out the door.

"If you will excuse us, we have administrative matters to handle. But I want to say that I am so very happy that you are here and that you and Nyles have become friends. Please let me know if anything changes with him and if you need anything further for your trip," she said exiting without waiting for a reply.

Once outside the closed door, she turned to Leland.

"Yes, I spoke extensively with Tinka about the spirit boom. I've given her leave to pull together a group to work on this. I'm going to send Di in to talk to father. I believe he is hearing what is said to him, so I'm hoping she can explain to him what he is doing and ask him to calm down the barrage," she said.

"Good, there is something, however, I must show you. I've not told anyone else and I've covered it as I want your thoughts before we take it to Tinka and Di," he said, walking ahead of her and placing his hand on the scanner, waiting for its familiar beep before waking in.

She glanced at Shane, who shrugged but looked very curious. The two of them followed suit, coming into find Leland standing next to the man who was a version of her father she was sure only Di would recognize. None of the wrinkles on his face still shoed, his hair was a beautiful copper against the pillow, his form was still lithe, but the ravages of age were gone.

"He looks like he's barely twenty," Shane muttered.

Leland peeled off a band-aid to revel the number 919 tattooed just above his ankle in magenta ink.

Kyra gasped.

"I've never seen that before and I've seen him in those awful plaid shorts a number of times. I know that was not there," she said, running her fingers over the smooth skin,

"I can vouch for it not being there, as I gave him a thorough examination when you brought him in, and it was not there. I'm guessing it has something to do with his body regenerating. If you recall, he had a slight scar on this ankle that I believe covered it, but as his body heals, it is reversing the damage, revealing the image hidden under it," Leland mused.

"I remember the scar! He told me that he burned it on a radiator when he was very young," she said.

"I think I know what it is," Shane piped up, causing both to turn and look at him.

"In the early 1800's the Illuminati captured a number of witches and other supernaturals; they branded them with numbers to keep track of them," he explained.

Looking at their confused expressions, he continued.

"On one of my bounties, I discovered various supernatural creatures hiding inside of a crypt. All of them had the Illuminati symbol on their caskets and each of them had a number on their ankle. See, tattoos sometimes can imprint themselves on bone, which seemed to be the case here. I was curious, so I started researching the symbols and the numbers. I found a very obscure text that mentioned the 'ones lost to the hunt,' the writer theorized that it has been a test run for the symbols used on the Jews by the Nazi party. I have no idea if that is true, but it gave a list of the known deceased, ones who had been taken. I was able to match up several of the names with the bodies. I passed the names to Di who had them all laid to rest, if not in their homelands, then at least in their custom."

Kyra's mouth fell open.

"He is over two hundred years old?" she asked.

"It's possible, or it's possible that the Illuminati kept up the practice. Remember the story Di told you? He was well acquainted with their Bloodhound. Perhaps he had been captured and escaped?" Shane replied.

Kyra looked at the man who had saved her life, whom she loved deeply, and she was again struck by how little she really knew about the people in her life. So much time spent in anger at those who hated her. She wasted time getting to know those who loved her so.

She sank into the rocking chair.

"The question is now, if there are any records of those they captured, we may be able to find his name and perhaps more about his mother or even his father. Which would help with the race question," Kyra said, feeling the energy drain from her.

"There are only seven species I know of that can regenerate to this extent. I will compile that list and I'm going to suggest that you and Di and I sit down. I would say Tinka as well, but she needs to focus on the spirit thing. Shane, do you think you could find that book?" Leland asked.

"Sure thing," he replied.

"We should all gather what we can and meet here tomorrow afternoon for tea. Any information we can put together will help bring him back and if it is him rocking the proverbial spirit boat, then the faster we get his mind free, and the safer we will all be," Kyra said, standing.

"Excellent, I know you have dinner plans, so I can send Di the memo if you would like," Leland offered.

"Thank you very much," Kyra replied. She really had no desire to dress up and go to dinner at this point. She was sure Shane would understand, but she would just go crazy sitting in the study.

They exited Medical in silence. Headed back towards the study, she glanced at a wall clock, shocked to see it was nearly five o'clock.

"I know the saying is 'time flies when you are having fun,' but it also flies when the world is swirling out of control," she said, forcing a smile.

"Which is exactly why you need this evening. Tomorrow morning we will go through books until it's time to go for tea or in my case, coffee; we'll see if we can luck across something that might help us," he said.

"Agreed, our reservations are at six, so all I need to do before I get ready is send a travel request over to Lev for Saffron. Then I promise I will let work slide for the rest of our evening," she said, doubting she could actually keep that promise, but she was willing to try.

"I appreciate it, I'll swing by the study at ten till and we can head that way, being as you are the head honcho, I doubt they are going to give your table away if you are a few minutes late" he said with his charming grin that so expertly showed off his dimples.

They parted ways and before long, Kyra stood in front of the door to her armoire. She had thought she was going to wear her usual black, but the claret velvet gown caught her eye. It would look so lovely with her necklace from Nyles. She paused as she reached for the jewelry box, it felt odd to wear something he had so lovingly picked out on a date with someone else. Looking through her not-often-used gems, she decided on a simple ruby teardrop set in a soft silver with earrings to match. Slipping on the gown, she looked at the clock and realized curling her hair was simply out of the question. After several attempts to struggle it up into a French twist, she tossed the pins in exasperation. She was very sure that the texture and attitude her hair displayed was purely from her Fae side having seen their impressive manes.

She took the bristle brush to it, getting it as straight as she could before she slipped a red jeweled comb into one side. Stepping back to look in the mirror, she was pleased with what she saw. The gown was a modest cut with a high sweetheart top, it clung to her figure, and flared out at the bottom. She glanced at the several pairs of heels Moira had ordered for her and her inner wild child cringed. She opted instead for a pair of black ballet flats. They did not exactly go with the dress, but hey, no one should be looking at her feet anyway. She was just applying the light perfume her father had bought her for some Yule past when there was a soft knock on the door. Glancing one more time at the mirror, she walked to the door, putting on a relaxed expression.

As the door swung open, her expression instantly changed. She had spent so much time with Shane in his jeans and polo shirts that seeing him dressed up was quite the pleasant shock. He wore black slacks and a deep red dress shirt, a long black coat, and black boots.

"You look amazing," he said, his eyes drinking her in.

"So do you," she said slipping her arm through his, closing the door behind her.

They walked towards the leisure wing. They were slightly late, but there was no hurry to their steps. He inhaled deeply, enjoying his having wolf senses.

"You smell very nice," he said, leaning in close to her ear.

She shivered slightly.

"Thank you. I'm ashamed to say I have no idea what the fragrance is. It's something father bought me," she said, allowing herself to take in his familiar spice smell.

Several people greeted them as they walked through the halls and they returned the salutations with smiles. She felt completely relaxed, allowing the world to slip away and just enjoy the moment.

They approached the restaurant, which very much resembled some of the fancy ones she had seen in Paris; although, she had never had the opportunity to be in one.

A well-dressed Satyr opened the door with a flourished bow.

Kyra looked around, amazed that such a place existed within her walls and she had never been inside. The walls were cream, the accents mahogany and crimson. Wall sconces and candles gave it an amazingly soft atmosphere. Somewhere within, soft music played and it sounded as if it were live.

She leaned in and whispered in his ear as they waited for their table.

"It's beautiful in here, and live music? I'm again ashamed to think that this is the first time I've ever been here"

"Well, my dear lady, I will bring you here as often as you desire. Also, once things are calmer, I would love to take you to the opera up above," he whispered back.

She smiled brightly at the idea as they were led to the back table. It was inset and adorned with its own closable curtains of deep crimson. She slid around the round table, smiling as Shane slid in and sat right beside her in the back of the booth.

They looked at the menu quietly, occasionally peeking at each other around the corner.

"Oh, they have fondue! Father and I used to do a chocolate one once a month on book night," she said, letting the warm memory fill her.

"I think that sounds like fun. Let's do that," he said.

She allowed him to order when the Cyclopes waiter came around.

A short time later they were enjoying a cheese fondue and sipping a delightfully light wine.

"Tell me about you," she said, remembering her promise to herself.

Shane raised an eyebrow.

"What would you like to know?" he asked.

"Anything and everything. Your favorite color, music, and ice cream. Tell me about your family and how you came to Scíath, and whatever else you want to share," she replied.

He chuckled.

"All right then, my favorite color is red. I like all kinds of music, except for that rap nonsense. I never could get into that. I like healthy Elvis ice cream. It's an American thing with bananas, chocolate and peanut butter," he said, pausing to put a well-dipped piece of cheesy bread in his mouth.

"My family . . . that's a rather complicated question. My mother and father are both human. However, my father's brother was bitten by a lupine. In an effort to help him, my father took him in. During one of his moon attacks, my mother was bitten. She was just pregnant with me, didn't even know it yet. My uncle was killed shortly after the attack, by a bear. Although, I think he committed suicide, through the bear. From all the stories, he really was a kind-hearted man and I don't think he could deal with what he was becoming. So, fast forward. I am born. Apparently the lupine virus affected my cells, but not completely, as I have never had a full transformation, although I've come close. I have the wolf scenes and strength, but thankfully not the fur," he said with a grin.

She smiled.

"As for how I came to be in Scíath, after the almost transformation, my mother sought out help. I can't tell you how many phony witchdoctors, two-bit carnival fortune tellers, and just plain strange people she dragged me to before she stumbled across a genuine witch, who put her in touch with the Architect, who welcomed me in. So that's how I ended up here. Security seemed like the logical place for me for several reasons; my own skills, as well as if I ever did lose control, I would be in the right place with the right people to take care of that," he said his expression sobering a bit.

She lay her hand on his arm.

"You're an asset to this place, I can't imagine where I would have been the last couple months without your help," she said, allowing her fingertips to linger on his arm.

"I can't say I ever saw my path heading this way when Galerius pulled me out of my morning workout to cover the body they found, but I would not change a thing," he said, placing his hand over hers.

For a moment they sat in silence, but it was comfortable, and she felt no pressure to fill the air with words.

The rest of the meal was spent in light conversation. Even with her attempts to keep the topic off her, it was a very easy give and take that revolved around both, she was even comfortable enough to tell him the story about the bookcases in Anthro. He laughed, and she didn't feel the sting of embarrassment, but instead joined in his mirth.

As the last of the rich milk chocolate was wiped from the bowl with a piece of pound cake, she looked out into the restaurant to see that it was nearly empty, and several tables were being wiped down in preparation for closing. Glancing at the wall clock, she was flabbergasted to see it read nearly nine. They had been sitting there for three hours and it had not seemed like one.

"Well, I think they would probably prefer if we moseyed on out of here and let them close this place down," she said, snapping herself out of the spell cast by the pleasant meal.

Shane looked around and she could see he was just as surprised as she was at the time and the lack of people around them.

"If you would allow me to escort you home, M'Lady?" he asked with a charming grin.

"I would indeed, thank you for the offer," she said, enjoying the banter.

They left arm in arm, her head laying on his shoulder. The halls were sparsely populated, and she did not seem to care about some of the curious expressions they were getting.

Before she knew it, they were standing outside her door, her chin tilted up allowing their eyes to lock. The intensity of his stare startled her just slightly; however, when she felt his fingers on her cheek, she did not feel the urge to pull away. She closed her eyes, awaiting another kiss, but after a moment when it did not come she opened her eyes and frowned to see him not gazing at her face, but at his pager. Before she could utter a word of complaint she heard a buzz from inside her hand bag. Fishing out her own electronic leash, her deep frowned immediately mirrored his.

"Tinka," she said.

"Galerius," he said.

"Two separate emergency pages?" she asked, moving into her room.

"You can use the phone in the study" she said as he followed her in, the pleasant mood of the evening-end impending romance having dissipated.

Tinka picked up on the first ring, her voice high and thin.

"I need you to come to my department, now," she said offering no further explanation.

"I am on my way," she replied. Normally she would ask for a bit more information about being drug out, but the tone and Tinka's voice said now was the time.

She hung up and started towards the study where she heard Shane's raised voice.

"You are sure? Let me talk it over with Kyra and we will get back to you as soon as we have a plan," he said, setting the phone down with a thud.

He turned around to face her, his lips pursed, deep worry lines furrowing his brow.

"We have a problem," they said in unison.

He smirked.

"You go first," he said.

"Well, I don't really have anything yet, but Tinka called requesting I come to her immediately and to me that says 'problem'," she explained.

"I am not surprised, given what Galerius just told me. He received an urgent distress call from the restoration staff out at the manner house, it seems they are being swarmed with spirits and there is light on the grand staircase."

Her eyes went wide, and the memory of her father's accident flooded her mind. The pillar of light was the opening that Tinka had made in the veil to usher the restless spirits from the attic through.

"I'm going to change, I have a feeling it's going to be a long night." she said, turning back towards her room.

Less than ten minutes later they were headed down towards Occult. Kyra felt pleased to be back in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, her boots making a welcomed thud as they moved quickly through the halls.

As they rounded the turn to Occult, Kyra was not all that surprised to see Moira and Di headed towards them from the direction of Artifacts.

As they came together and waited for the hand scanner to recognize Kyra's print, Di spoke, her tone hushed.

"Does anyone know what is going on? Tinka sounded very upset."

"Sort of, we have a rip in the veil at the house," Kyra replied.

"Gabriel" Di said softly as the door opened, granting them admittance to Occult. Tinka and Evelyn had a huge map spread out over several tables that had been pushed together. The map, as far as she could tell, covered England, Ireland, and Whales. There were many multicolored pins placed all over the map.

Tinka looked up and it was clear that sleep had not been her friend.

"I'm glad you are all here. I am sorry I had to call this late, but we have a major problem. Galerius called me to let me know about the distress call from the team, I pulled Evelyn out of her party, and had her scry to see what she could come up with, and I fear that what we have here is just a taste of what is going to begin happening everywhere. The veil in the house was opened by me and given the hasty method of closing it, I fear I did not do a very good job. I believe that the spirit that is trying to push its way through is indeed the Architect and it would make a lot of sense for him to go back to the place which he was forced through to get back out. What he may or may not be aware of is that if he does come through without his body to rejoin with, he will become a wandering spirit and he will be very hard to locate. The tear at this point is small, it's enough for the wispy ghosts, as I call them, to come through; those spirits who really have no purpose and are just floating through time may happen upon it and float through. However, a rip will be noticed very quickly by larger, more together spirits who will attempt to use it to reenter our world. Now, not all those spirits are bad. Some are just still very attached to family or places they left behind and will not hurt anyone other than perhaps some 'haunting' issues. However, as in our world, there are good people and bad people, just as there are good spirits and bad spirits. Supposedly, everything that dies, its spirit is sent to the shadow side, wherein all manner of creature lurk. There are also inhuman creatures on the other side, which some believe are demons or monsters, or even devils. I personally think they are just ancient spirits who have grown bitter at the shadowy existence they lead. Whatever the case may be, they would be dangerous on this side, and they would only open more portals until the living world was overrun with the world of the dead," she explained.

"So, as I see it, we have two major issues. We have to get Father's body back to the rift in case he does come through and somehow stick them back together again; then we have to close the portal so that no big time baddies come out," Kyra reiterated, massaging her temples that were beginning to ache.

"Pretty much," Evelyn piped up.

"However, I feel we may already be too late," her fingers hovered over the map, her eyes closing. Her hand jerked to the side and her fingers started moving to the edge of the map.

"I need a map of France," she said softly, her eyes still closed.

Tinka gestured to Shane to help her push a few more tables together as Di, who was very familiar with this department, went to the wall and pulled out the correct tube with precision. They rolled it out, it also had the same colored dots all over it.

"What are the dots for?" Kyra asked.

"Known supernatural crossovers or instances of extreme ghost activity. It was a hobby Trina and I shared, and we used to put theses together," she explained, guiding Evelyn over to the map her eyes still closed.

Without even seeing the map, her fingers zoomed towards a spot with a large blue dot, her fingers hovering over the spot.

Tinka and Di sighed simultaneously.

"It's that winery in France, the one where the imp nest was burned," Tinka explained.

"Wait, Imp ghosts?" Kyra asked, her eyes wide.

"Yes, as I said, everything that dies is supposed to release its energy or spirit into the other side, whether it is an intelligent spirit or simply an orb of energy. So, it is possible for there to be Imp ghosts as well. That's why it is listed. There were several hauntings, reports of a winged . . . what they called a gargoyle, often seen around the property. Blue means it was resolved, the spirit was helped to the other side. Something you should know about vortexes or openings in the veil . . . While there are certain geographical locations that they are more likely to occur, they really can happen anywhere; especially if a place has seen a lot of emotional turmoil," Tinka explained.

"Wait, so you're telling me that there is absolutely no way to plot where the next hole in the veil could be and if something big and powerful does slip through, it can just roam the land, opening up portals wherever it pleases?" Kyra said, her voice straining.

"Well, yes. Sort of . . . Think of it literally like a veil, a long, white, filmy piece of fabric. Then imagine you had a pair of sharp scissors. It would be easier to cut a hole in the fabric at its weak point then having the exhort the energy required to push through a regular piece. If you are a spirit, you have a limited amount of force. So, you're going to go for the weakest point with your scissors to open doorways to let your less than powerful friends out, rather than wasting your strength trying, and possibly failing, at a strong point. So yes, it is possible for them to try anywhere, but it makes more sense for them to look for vortexes, rifts, portals, or whatever you wish to call them.

Also, it is probable that if they are looking for a certain type of spirit. They will go to a place where a number of those spirits died to draw them out. I have no idea what the geography of the shadow world is like or even how far one place to another is. I am rather hoping that if we get your father back together, that he may be able to clear up a number of mysteries about it," she explained.

Kyra frowned as her head was saturated with information about a subject she had spent very little time in her life thinking about. Her heart wanted her to focus on the fact that the doorway to getting her father was open and she should be packing him up and headed out right away. However, she knew she also had to think not only of the rest of the people in Scíath and the supernatural world, but about the Gilly world as well.

"Okay, so what is it about the winery that is drawing you? Is there another opening there?" she asked Evelyn.

"No, no rift yet, but I felt a very strong pulse against the veil, this time from our side over. So, something in our world is trying to push through and open the door.

"This is our number one priority. If something has spilled through and is trying to let all the ghosties out, we have to focus on it and helping my father and stopping this before we need to call the Ghostbusters."

Shane and Moira laughed, being the only ones who got the reference.

Evelyn's eyes closed, and her fingers sped towards the other map. Shane rushed to her side to guide her to it, her fingers searched everywhere, her expression frustrated.

"Italy," she said softly.

Daniel started pulling the last remaining tables together while Di moved hurriedly back to the map wall, her face scrunched in concern. The map was laid out and her fingers went directly to a space that was free of dots.. Hovering for a moment, her finger stabbed downward. Everyone moved closer, waiting for her finger to move, before checking out the destination.

"Vatican City?" Di asked incredulously.

"We have never had any activity there, or at least if there was, it has never been reported, nor have they asked for help," Tinka added.

"Another hit against the veil, an immense one, from our side over, and it feels different than the last," Evelyn explained, taking an offered glass of water from Moira.

"So, more than one power spirit is on our side?" Kyra asked, the headache achieving its full strength behind her eyes.

"I don't know," Tinka said, defeat starting to sound in her voice.

"Okay, we know of one rift for sure. Let's start there. If we can close it, we can prevent any more from coming through and hopefully guide my father back to his body all at once," Kyra said, feeling the weight of leadership settle upon her as the expectant eyes of her staff pleaded with her.

"Tinka, put together whomever you think we will need. Di, I need you to come to Father, he responds to you, and you must be there to guide him through." she began.

"I will need Moira and a few amulets and someone who knows how to use them, as we may need to trap this spirit inside.

"So, we are proposing the Director, the former Director and three department heads leave the compound for who-knows-how-long, less than a month before the summit?" Daniel asked.

The four women looked at each other and nodded.

"Cancel the summit," Di said.

"I agree. We can't have people traveling and coming in and out of the compound while we have this to deal with. We can look at reconvening this summer; however, I agree with Di, the ramifications of this are of weightier than listening to people complain," Tinka said.

Kyra fought the urge to smile, it was hardly an appropriate situation in which to feel relief but having someone else suggest the summit be done away with was like a dream come true.

"Thank you for the advice. I think you are right; however, we must look at the fact that we are taking the new leader, the old leader, and the second in command out of the compound. Normally, I would not worry about that; but, with all the shenanigans that have been abounding recently, it concerns me," she said.

"If I were in your position I would put Leland in charge, and that has nothing to do with my deep affection for him. He is a good and moral man and is the only one I can see having Scaith's best interests completely in mind," she said.

Di and Moira nodded in agreement.

Kyra started to pace, motioning to Shane to pull out the notebook.

"Step one, we pull together the team of people we need for this adventure. We need Di, Tinka, Moira, my father, and Shane," she said, looking to Tinka.

"I need Evelyn," she said.

Shane wrote down the name as they looked to Moira.

"I'm going to bring Noachian. He is the one who helped us with Tinka and with about twenty-four hours' notice, he can put together base amulets for what we need. He is pretty incredible," she said.

Shane took down the name and they looked to Di.

"I really need no one else, but I am going to suggest we bring another security agent or two. Not that I don't think that Shane is more than capable of caring for us, there are just a lot of us for one person to look after."

"Excellent points. Step two, we arrange for transport in forty-eight hours to the manor house. I need time to get the summit put off, Leland set up, Saffron sent off, and so on," Kyra said, watching Shane scribble down her words with a grateful smile.

"I can't guarantee we won't have any more pings against the veil. They come erratically, but I would rather we take the chance than go out ill prepared and put people in danger," Tinka said while watching Evelyn carefully. Her eyes were drooping, but looked more exhausted than trance-like.

"Fair enough. I'm heading to Lev now to start the transportation arrangements. Thank you all for being so willing to pull together and work for the good of well, of possibly the entire world," she said, finding it easier than it used to be to dole out sincere compliments.

With that, the group dispersed, all with plenty to do.

Kyra stopped halfway to Lev's department.

"Perhaps I should have called over or paged him to, you know, find out where he was, other than assuming he would just be sitting in his office at quarter to eleven on Christmas day," she said, stifling a yawn.

"Perhaps. However, I think it might be worth sending him a memo for a first-thing-in-the-morning meeting and getting some rest. We have a lot of stress ahead of us and I think sleep is going to become a luxury." Shane suggested, his own eyes dropping.

She looked down the long stone hall and her body suddenly felt very heavy. The idea of crawling into her soft bed suddenly seemed very enticing.

As they headed back towards the study, Shane spoke again. His voice sounded hesitant, as if perhaps he was unsure of voicing his thoughts.

"I know that the council always votes on important things, but I also know that you have the power to just do something, and I think given everything that is going on, you may just want to appoint the new Treoraí so that he can go ahead and get started setting up the new departments while we are away. I mean, it rushes the decision and I know one quick interview hardly seems appropriate for giving someone an entire department. However, four other Treoraí recommend the same guy, and he has a spotless record, with tons of achievements and accolades," he said, drawing in a whoosh of air as he let the words tumble out.

She was silent a long moment. He opened his mouth to speak again as she opened the study door.

"I will send him an urgent meeting request for tomorrow at noon. Provided that goes well, I agree that it is in our best interest to appoint him; because let's be honest, he already has four of the seven votes as is," she said, making her way to the computer.

"I'm going to go to Security tomorrow while you're talking with Lev, if you feel comfortable being alone that is, to get a couple of guards. I know the people I want. One is probably out in the field, but she can meet us there."

"I'll be ok with Lev. I'll go to his department, it's full of people. I really hate having to suspect people I've known most of my life as possibly being saboteurs," she said, her fingers flying over the keyboard as the flurry of notices began to fly across Simon.

She looked over just as the clock struck midnight and smiled to see Shane's head resting against a bookcase as his soft even breath spoke of a deep sleep. If she had not been sure that he would have a wicked crick in his neck come morning, she may have just covered him up with blanket and left him to rest.

Shaking his shoulder lightly, his eyes opened an inch or so. She made the decision that him getting all the way back to his room was questionable. A mixture of the wine with dinner and the stress of the night had left him drained. Walking him in as one would sleepwalk a child, she lay him down on the settee and covered him with her spare duvet, before slipping into her pajamas and into bed. She was instantly asleep; however, she was not granted the same restful sleep Shane seemed to be enjoying.

# Chapter Nineteen

She opened her eyes and found herself in the shed outside the manor house. Looking around, quickly she discovered the space to be empty. A small amount of light filtered through the holes in the wood on the east side, leading her to believe it was near sunrise. Inhaling deeply, she could smell the impending snow in the air. She moved forward and was surprised to see the hem of her winter ball gown. After a quick self-inspection, she determined she was dressed in completely the wrong attire for the situation and had no weapons. Moving towards the door of the shed, hoping to find her team standing just outside, she paused as the sound of heavy footfalls outside the shed drew close. Flattening herself up against the wall just to the right of the door, she tried to stretch out her Fae senses to determine who and perhaps, how many, was making such a racket. However, she found them unresponsive. Frowning, she resorted to peeking through the crack. She glimpsed several heavily armed men, wearing what she would call armed response unit gear. Each carried a large weapon and none of their faces were familiar to her.

"Spread out. We are looking for a woman, young, about five foot six, long blonde hair. Consider her armed and dangerous, even if you see no weapons on her. She must be apprehended, but not harmed. We need her to reveal the whereabouts of nine-nineteen." a large redheaded man said to his squad.

Kyra froze. Nine-nineteen was her father, and they were searching for her. What on earth was going, on, where was her father, were these men Illuminati hunters, and why was she in this impractical gown in the middle of an obvious crisis? As the questions swirled around her head, she remained perfectly still, waiting to see if any of them decided to check the shed. Unsure of being able to rely on her Fae powers, she looked around the floor for something she could use a weapon. Her eyes fell upon a rusty shovel, and while not ideal, it was better than nothing. Picking it up, she crouched beside the door, hoping they would clear out enough for her to venture out to find her father, Di, and the others. The door creaked open. Her heartbeat was audible in her ears as she raised the shovel over her head.

Just as she was about to brining it crashing down on the face of the intruder, her eyes locked with Milyna's, who looked terrified at the large object rushing towards her. Kyra threw her arms to the side, bringing the shovel crashing down harmless with a thud on the dirt floor.

"What are you doing here?" Kyra hissed, pulling the girl inside before gently closing the door. Eyeing Milyna's beautiful blue water silk gown, she surmised that something fancy had been broken up.

"I'm looking for you!' Milyna replied.

"I'm confused, what is going on?" Kyra asked, wishing she could remember the details of the situation.

Milyna raised an eyebrow.

"We were having the Architect's Welcome Back party and the soldiers broke in. Did they hit you in the head or something?" she asked, her eyes studying Kyra intently.

"I don't know. Maybe I just found myself here and— wait, my father is conscious?" Kyra asked, grasping at the information and struggling to recall the facts being spoken about.

"Yeah, you know . . . Big ritual at the manner house . . . We need someone to check your brain out," Milyna said, clearly concerned.

"Probably. However, right now we need to get out of here and find the others, my father especially. I think those men are Illuminati soldiers," she said

"Illuminati? You mean those guys the conspiracy theorists blame everything on, but no one really thinks exist?" she replied, watching Kyra closely.

"Yeah, them. However, at this point, I'm going to go with they exist and worry about why later. Where did you see everyone last?"

"Well when the percussion grenade went off, everything went crazy. Shane grabbed your father. Nyles and Saffron were near the door and you went charging towards the blast. After that, between the smoke and the yelling and the flares, I have no idea what happened. I have the power of flight, so I grabbed Seth and moved him out into the forest, then came back to help. The house is full of soldiers and they have most of the guests corralled into the downstairs rooms; however, some of the injured are laying in the main hall," she replied.

Kyra nodded, immediately pleased that Shane had protected her father over her. Perhaps something in one of the grenades was making it hard for her to remember.

"Okay, I have no doubt they have the place surrounded, so we can't call for backup that way. The nearest outpost is hours away. The Fae around here are as much of a danger to us as the soldiers are," Kyra said, unable to stop from pacing as she thought.

"Kyra," a soft voice said.

Her head snapped up.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Milyna shook her head no.

"Kyra," it spoke again, this time however, it was followed by a tangible pull on her body, heading southeast.

"I think it might be my father calling me," she said softly, looking out the door to find the immediate surrounding area empty.

"Or a trap," Milyna said, watching as Kyra ducked out of the shed into the early morning light.

Kyra moved stealthily through the underbrush, her eyes and ears open for any sign of the men. Milyna followed her, hovering slightly off the ground. They moved unhindered but slowly in a straight line. Kyra felt the pull intensifying as she got nearer. The voice was not needed to let her know that it wanted her to come. As they reached a large tree, she took notice of its soft violet glow. She paused, unsure of what to do.

Her hand lifted on its own and she began to touch the tree in a specific pattern. Just as she hovered over what she somehow knew was the last touch, she heard a shout and a deafening bang. Milyna cried out and fell to the ground beside her, silver Fae blood soaking her gown.

"Stop her!" a voice screamed from the distance. She felt her body jolt as something hit her leg. She reached for the last spot, somehow knowing it was her only chance at survival. Another shock to her left arm left her leaning against the tree.

"Don't kill her!" the same voice screamed. The violet glow from the tree was nearly blinding her as she struggled to raise her good arm to the final spot. She felt the rough wood under her fingers as another jolt hit her body. Just before her eyes closed to avoid the blinding light, she felt the wood of the tree sliding over her, and for just a moment, she was filled with a deep sense of peace and belonging.

Kyra jerked away with a cry causing Shane to jump from the settee, his hand on his weapon. Blinking a few times, she looked around, she was having a hard time discerning her whereabouts. Her eyes fell on Shane and she realized it had all been a dream and she was back in her bed.

Glancing at the clock, she groaned to see it read five am. There was absolutely no way she was going to sleep.

"Lady, you ok? You're pale. Well, paler than usual," he said.

"Weirdest dream ever," she said, shaking her head.

"I'll order the tea," he said stretching as he made his way into the study to give her space to get ready.

Slipping into the shower, she let her mind pour over the details of the dream, wanting to commit each one to memory before they slipped away as dreams are want to do.

She entered the study just as Shane was shutting the door from pulling in the breakfast cart.

"I got some pastries and fruit too, might as well get the day started," he said, offering her a cup of tea.

She sipped it slowly, taking a moment before she began.

She relayed the dream to him in every detail she could recall, watching his lips purse and his brow furrow as she told him about the soldiers and presumably being shot.

He took a long drink of some very dark coffee.

"No wonder you woke up looking confused," he replied.

"Now, I would be inclined to pass it off as a mash up of things going on in my subconscious, except for the part about the tree, and the feeling. The way I felt when the golden light touched me was so familiar. After thinking about it, it is a much stronger reflection of what I feel when I'm in my usual dream, without the flowers. I think that tree, though, is the entrance to the grove I was born in," she said.

"So close to the house? Or do you think that's just a coincidence of the dream?" he asked.

"When I was on the mission at the house, I felt something pulling me several times, but I was never able to investigate it. I think the entrance is very close to that house," she said.

"If your father is the one who rescued you from the grove, then he knew where it was and knew that sending you to that house may have brought you in contact with that place," Shane said.

Kyra frowned.

"I actually didn't think of that," she said softly.

"He knows how resistant you are to your heritage, perhaps he thought that if you stumbled upon it on your own you would be much more open to exploring it" he suggested.

"It's possible, he is a crafty old codger" she said with a slight smile.

"The rest of it, well, it does sound like all the fears and hopes you have for the future are mixing themselves up and tossing you in the middle. However, just to be safe, I'm going to ask for a security squad for this instead of just two extra guards. I understand it means more transportation needs; however, I would much rather not be out gunned," he said thoughtfully.

"How many people are we talking altogether, so I know what to tell Lev?"

He pulled out his notebook.

"Me, you, the Architect, probably a Doctor just to be safe, Di, Tinka, Moira, Noachian, Evelyn, and seven for a squad. So, fifteen," he said.

"Lev is going to have kittens," she said softly.

"Probably. We are going to need both planes, and possibly the chopper. We don't have time for people to take the train," he replied.

"Well, we technically have four planes, and I'm going to have to use one to send Saffron home," she said, imagining the look on Lev's face when she told him she needed to deplete almost all Scíath's travel resources for one mission. But there was simply no way around it.

"Right. I kinda forgot about her," he admitted.

Kyra glanced at her computer. She was more than a little concerned about setting down at it, given the amount of memos and notes she knew would be waiting for her concerning the canceling of the summit.

"What did you tell them was the reason for canceling the summit?" he asked, pouring himself another cup of coffee.

"I said there was a security issue of utmost importance and travel would not be wise, as well as leaving the outposts without their governing heads at this time," she replied.

It had taken her quite a bit of time to come up with such a simple statement and she knew it would not satisfy most within the community, but she still had no idea who to trust, nor did she want to spread panic.

"I can't say that it will satisfy everyone, but let's hope good manners keep them quiet until we have our other problems handled," he said.

"The people that are already here, which thankfully most are new recruits, are just going to have to stay put until we get this sorted," she said.

"I hate to bring his up, but what happens if we fail? What if whatever theses spirits are manage to rip open multiple rifts? I mean, at this point, all we have is a hope that some trinket thrown together on the fly is going to be able to contain them. I mean, we don't even have some mumbo jumbo magic spell to put faith in," Shane said, allowing his cynical side through.

"I, I don't know. I've never fought anything I've not beaten. This is way outside anything I've done, and I can't honestly say I know how, or if, this is even going to work, or if this is the beginning of the end of the world," she said softly.

Her words hung oppressively heavily in the air.

"This can't be the first time we have had this kind of trouble. I mean, look at all the dots on the maps. Someone has to know what we are dealing with," Shane replied.

"From what I am gathering, those are hauntings, routine so to speak. I think this is the first time an entity or entities have directly attacked the veil in attempt to rip apart the natural balance. I'm pretty sure Tinka will come armed with plenty of spells and things as well. Everyone is doing their best," she said, feeling a bit defensive towards his words.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to doubt the team. I, like you, am just way out of my league. We used to have that one guy in security who went on all the ghost cases, but I can't say I've seen him in a long time. He was some kind of nomadic shaman type," Shane said apologetically.

Kyra raised an eyebrow.

"The bloke with the guitar. I remember him, animal shifter or something" Kyra said straining to remember.

"Yeah. It might not hurt to see if he is still around and can be recruited at this point. I'd much rather be overprepared than under."

Kyra moved over to the computer, cringing as she saw the double digits worth of messages sitting unread in her folder. Instead, she pulled up the personnel data base.

"If we could remember his name that would help. There are a fair number of security agents and I can't recall his specific race," Kyra said, closing her eyes she pictured him in her mind.

She recalled he had towered over her, standing at least six feet, and his long russet locks fell nearly to his waist in tight waves, reminiscent of a lion's mane. His eyes were the blue of the sky. He had a stocky powerful build, but his presence was more of a resting lion. His voice had an unhurried quality that drew in the listener. As she concentrated, more memories came flooding back. For a long time, he had held an open mic night in the dining hall, letting people tell stories, sing, and recite poetry. 'Soul Expression,' he had called it. She had walked past a few times and it looked like everyone had been enjoying it; however, she had figured that she would not be welcome and had never tried to attend.

"I can call Galerius and ask him. I don't think he actually sleeps," Shane suggested.

"Please do," she said, opening her memo box with dread while he made the call.

After a very short conversation, he set the receiver down.

"His name is Viktor," he said with a frown.

She could guess that something else had been said in that brief conversation that had concerned him; but as he was not offering, she was not prying. She was knee deep in well-veiled insults and expressions of regret and disappointment over the summit's postponement.

Kyra punched the name into the database, her fingers drumming the table as the system slowly brought her the file she had requested.

"I for one, will be glad when Joe gets this computer system in shape. It is slower than molasses today," she said, glancing at the clock.

It was only six-thirty am and she still had an hour and a half before she had to meet with Lev; but she was impatient to get this thing rolling. She hoped there was some gleam of foresight in her dream and that this would succeed in bringing her father back. She knew that if she did get him back, they would sit down and have a very long and serious conversation about all the things he had not told her.

The file finally made its appearance. She scanned the pages quickly, reaffirming that he was often used on hauntings and for souls in trouble. He was currently on assignment in Ireland, dealing with an alleged Banshee, but he could be flown to the house.

"Please have Galerius recall Viktor from the field and arrange to meet us at the house. So, that brings our party up to sixteen. Sounds like a lot, and part of me wonders if, for some reason, I should invite Milyna. I see no real reason to bring her, other than the fact that she was in my dream," she said, her fingers picking up their usual rhythm on the desk top.

Shane nodded, pouring over some notes on his pad.

"I understand fully that this has to be done and that everyone we are taking is necessary and that Leland is a very competent member of the council, but I'm still very worried. What if we are walking out and a takeover is had? Not by votes, but one by force. We have absolutely no idea what kind of plotting or even army building that could have been going on here for years. Someone could just be waiting for the perfect chance, and to me, this would be it," he said, looking up.

"You are completely right and were it not for my father, I would not be sending Di or possibly not even going myself. I would be sending Tinka with a top-notch ghost team and monitoring the process from here, which would be much safer. However, there is no way I'm allowing him to be taken out of here and back to that house without me. Remind me to ask Leland for a doctor to take along with us. We have to make sure the strain on his body is minimized," she said while glancing at the clock. She groaned internally at its slow progress.

Shane noticing her glance and expression, smiled slightly.

"You are anxious to get the ball rolling," he said.

"I am, I was honestly hoping to sleep until seven, get up, eat, and go meet with Lev," she said. Picking up the phone, she dialed through to Medical.

She received a status update on both her father and Nyles. Nyles was conscious once again but seemed to be very groggy and would fall asleep mid-interaction. Placing the phone down, she forced herself to not look at the clock.

"Okay, so Lev at eight, Joe at nine, Leland at noon. Then the assembled team at three. Right?" she asked him. Even though she could just look at the agenda on her computer, she did not wish to see the overfull memo box glaring at her.

"Right, I'm hoping uh, the talisman guy whose name is currently escaping me, can perhaps come up on his time frame and be ready to go tomorrow night. But at the same time, I do not want to rush it. The stakes on this mission are very high," he said.

"His name is Necktie, or something that starts with an N," she said with a grin.

"You know, my father managed to recall so many of the names of the people here. He has met everyone under this roof and I can't honestly say that I have even met half," she added.

"In your defense, there are a lot of people here," he noted.

"True, but I need to start trying to at least get some face time with as many as I can. It is also much easier to asses a threat when ones knows who is around them."

She glanced again at the clock, it was nearly ten after seven.

"Okay, if I walk really slow, it will be closer to eight by the time I get to Lev's office. If I sit here a minute longer I may lose my mind," she said standing.

"I know Galerius is already in the office, so I will go over to speak to him. I will meet you back here a little before ten so we can meet with Joe. I know you can handle yourself alone, but it never hurts to have a witness when matters of power are being discussed," he said, stretching.

She watched the way the muscles moved under his shirt and her mind wandered down a path that caused a smile to curl on her lips. She looked away quickly when his glance landed on her. She took her time gathering her papers, allowing the blush to fade before looking up.

"All right then, see you in a few hours," she said as they parted ways at the door. As planned, she took her time ambling slowly towards Transportation. She was surprised to see Anaraba coming towards her.

"Madam Director, I can see that you are on your way somewhere, but I am needing to talk with you. May I walk with you?" she said, her low voice silky and smooth.

"Of course, what can I do for you?" she asked.

"I have just rotated into the ICU and I was shocked to find Nyles as a patient. I have read his file and the account of the incident and I know of the Amazon's offer to help him. However, I would like permission to search in the restricted section of the medical archives. I believe it is a dark magic that has taken ahold of him. One that we have not dealt with in some time and I think the answer may be in some of the forgotten texts," she said, her eyes anxious.

Kyra stopped walking and stared at her.

"What kind of dark magic? What would make you think this? How do you know the texts even exist or that the information you want is in them?" she asked.

Anaraba looked at the ground before continuing.

"I think it is Imp magic, not a toxin or a poison per se, but something from one of the imbued artifacts or weapons. I think this because of the lingering and progression of his condition to what should have been a minor concussion at most," she paused a long moment.

"I know the texts exist because one of my duties as a first year was putting away text books and well, I found myself in the back room and someone had left the cage open. I didn't know at the time that it was the restricted section as there were no signs or anything. I figured it was just deeper storage and there was a book on Imp magic sitting on the bench and some of the conditions listed seemed very similar to those exhibited by Nyles. One of the older students came in and chased me out with a warning that if I was ever found back there without clearance again, they would have me taken to Dr. Barker," she finished.

Kyra thought a long moment. Imp magic, it was something she had never dealt with and no one had seen it in a long time, so it was likely it was not even being considered in Nyles' case. However, the question then became why was a book with that information already out? Was someone researching, or plotting? She looked at Anaraba. She in no way faulted her for what she had done and was impressed with her guts to come and ask, knowing that admitting to being there could get her in trouble.

"First off, I want to thank you. Thank you for being so brave and for caring for Nyles. When I speak with Leland today, I will see that you get a full pass to the restricted archives and that you are given time to research this," Kyra said, offering a rare warm smile.

Anaraba returned the smile.

"I do think the Amazon should still bring back the centaur wise woman. Even if I find something to help, she would best know how to implement it on her kind," she said as they began walking again.

"I agree, and I want as many resources as we can spare working to help him. Although I would appreciate it if you would keep your suspicions between Leland and I, the last thing we need is every headache turning into an Imp curse and people freaking out."

"I understand that completely. I appreciate your faith in me for this project. I know this must be a very trying time for you. I've already heard about the summit being cancelled and if it's any condolence whatsoever, almost everyone I've heard talking about it supports you. It's good for people to see you putting the safety and security of our world above politics," Anaraba replied.

Kyra beamed, she knew not all would feel that way, but it was good to know that at least some people understood her logic.

She stopped outside the door to Transportation. A quick glance at her watch told her it was just after seven thirty. She was just going to have to hope that Lev was ready because this day just needed to start moving.

"I'm going to head back for rounds. I will hopefully have something for you within a couple of days," Anaraba said as she waved goodbye.

Kyra waved goodbye in return, hoping intently that she was back in a couple of days to receive that report. Placing her hand on the scanner, she waited for the lights to perform their colored dance before the shrill beep informed her she could go in.

The department was sparsely populated, a few early birds or leftover night owls sat at the desks. Kyra raised her hand in a wave to Maltruis, who was carrying a large amount of rolled up blue prints and in his attempt to return the wave, dropped several of them. Kyra cringed slightly and hurried back to Lev's office.

Raising her hand to knock, Lev's voice rang out from within.

"Come," he said simply.

Kyra pushed away the butterflies that were attempting to invade her stomach. She was the director of Scíath, and despite his rather odd behavior in recent months, Lev was still, to the best of her knowledge, an okay guy. She had no reason to fear him, yet she found herself missing Shane and Nyles at that moment.

Squaring her shoulders, her chin raised, she pushed ahead into the office, refusing to allow anyone to think that she was scared.

"Good Morning Lev," she said cordially.

"Madam Director," he replied with his same genuine smile. She felt her fear dissipating but kept her senses alert. She would be a fool not to.

"I am so very thankful to you for meeting with me this early. I need your help on a very serious and extensive mission," she said, sitting in the chair across from him.

Lev nodded.

"Reason for no summit, me thinks," he said.

Kyra nodded. She forgot to adjust her brain to Dwarf speak and it took her a moment longer than usual to put his words together.

"Yes, part of the reason I cancelled the summit has to do with the initial part of this mission. I am going to need travel arrangements for sixteen back to the Manor house, I am sure you are aware of the distress call placed by your team," she said.

"I pull them out, that day. Big group, specials?" He asked, taking out a note pad.

"Yes, I am going to need both jets because we are transporting the Architect as well as the rest of the team and he is, of course, bed bound. Also, I need to be ready to go by tomorrow evening. On top of that, I need a private flight chartered to take Saffron back home. Now, she may be coming back with a centaur medicine woman and I know that requires special planning on your part. She needs to leave tomorrow as well, and I can't tell you when she is coming back; to be honest, when we are either. So, I'm not even sure how to plan the transportation, which is why I am so glad you are here to handle it," she said, hoping to soften the blow of all her needs with a compliment.

Lev sat back, his expression stony.

"That many to do. I understand emergencies, will be ready by six tomorrow. I hope you win," he said.

She nodded.

"Thank you, I do to. Might I be able to have a member of the team to talk to the group today at three? It might help to have a firsthand experience to hear," she asked.

"Maria, went to get stuff for Wendigo, I send her," he said, making another note.

Kyra though about correcting him on Anna's name; however, it was a matter of choosing battles and this was not one she had the time to fight at this point.

She took a deep breath. She had not expected any real issue with that part of the conversation; however, she had no idea how he was going to react to her leaving Leland in charge.

"Now, as Di and I are both going, that means I have to choose someone to be in charge in my stead. I am going with Leland, as Tinka and Moira will also be going out," she said, watching his face closely.

He nodded, his lips tightening into a grimace.

"Better than Jason," he said, but offered nothing more.

She smiled slightly.

"I appreciate you getting this together so quickly and I know this is going to put a strain on our resources. I am heading over to equipment now. Do you know if the house is in livable condition or if we will need to camp out?" she asked as it suddenly hit her that she needed to provide for sixteen people for an indeterminate amount of time.

"Power, water, bed, cook," he answered.

"Perfect. That will make this so much easier. I knew the crews were close to completion as we were planning to use it for the summit, but I did not know they were that close." she said, relief showing in her expression. The idea of having to rough it with that many people and her father in a delicate medical condition was not overly appealing.

"Done four days, ghosts stop crew," he added.

"I am hoping to get that settled so that the crew is safe out there again," she added, standing.

"Thank you, Lev. If you need anything or run into any problems, please feel free to page me," she said as she headed out of the office.

Checking the clock, she noted it was just now eight. Arriving early had given her the time she needed to add in the visit to Milyna. Perhaps that's why her dream had placed her in the forefront of her mind, to serve as a way of reminding her she was going to need equipment for the team.

The halls were much more populated now as she made her way back towards Equipment. She was pleased to see the half-door was open when she arrived there and she could see Milyana sitting at the computer across the office.

"Hey lady," she said softly.

Milyna smiled as she turned around.

"I am always happy to see you, but you know, I dreamt about you last night," she said, inviting her in and shutting the top of the door, affording them privacy.

Kyra sat in the chair, her eyes wide.

"I'm going to ask you to recount your dream before I tell you about mine," Kyra said.

She listened intently as Milyna recounted something very similar to what she had dreamt, watching her convey with a shudder, the jolt at being shot.

Kyra reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. It was uncharacteristic of her, but she needed it as much as Milyna did.

"Looks like this group dreaming is becoming a thing," she said as she released her and then sat back.

"It was more like a nightmare," Milyna said softly.

"I agree. I am sorry that you were subjected to that, as I think it is my subconscious that is pulling people in. I don't know how to stop it and I will try to get that figured out when I get back," she said.

"I saw the memo about the summit. I thought it said it was unsafe to travel, where are you going?" she asked.

"I have to go to the house, with the architect and fourteen other people. I know it's insanely last minute, but I need ten basic survival packs. The house will serve as shelter. It has water and power; however, I never count on anything for sure. So, if you could, set up both planes to be stocked as well as the survival packs. I'm hoping to have some food sent ahead from the village. We have given them the story that the house is being preserved as a heritage site, so they have been sending up groceries and stuff to the renovation crew for weeks. So, we are just going to continue that. However, just toss together some package rations too. Because, as always, better safe than sorry, and I need it all by tomorrow evening," Kyra explained.

"I know it is way above my security grade to ask what's going on; however, given last night's occurrence, I think I know that you are going to try to wake the Architect and I really hope it works," she said.

"Thank you, I do to. I hate to ask a ton of favors and dash, but I have a nine am meeting. Lots to get done and set up before we head out," she said, giving the girl's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I will have this all ready to go by tomorrow and it will be stocked and stowed before you hit the planes. I will also have backup provisions set up in case anything needs to be sent up by train. I will make sure to leave space for extra weaponry," she added, grabbing one of her scanning machines and heading back into the vault.

Kyra smiled and headed out, knowing that Shane would handle the need for weapons when he got the security squad.

Moving quickly, she realized she was going to make it to the study mere minutes before Joe, and if he was early, well, he was going to have to wait. Even though the day was rolling along quicker now with things she had not thought of it, was still nice to have it moving.

Shane was leaning on the door frame as she came around the corner at five minutes before nine.

"You could just go in you know," she said, sliding the old-fashioned key into the lock.

"Yeah, I know. I figured I'd give you until nine, then I'd go in and put off Joe until you arrived."

They barely had time to sit before there was a heavy knock at the door. Glancing at the clock she saw it was exactly nine am.

"He is prompt," she said as Shane got up to open the door.

Ducking to enter, Joe came in with a friendly smile. Taking his offered seat, Kyra studied him. The tattoo on his bald head was in electric blue ink. If she had known more about Norse culture, she may have recognized the rune symbols intricately drawn on his skin. However, she was in awe of the intricate patterns. He had a thick dark beard and chocolate brown eyes. His eyes crinkled when he smiled in testament to his perchance for laughter.

He was wearing a black tee shirt that stretched over his well-defined chest, a pair of black cargo pants, and combat boots which completed the ensemble, all except for a silver braided chain that was wrapped several times around his right wrist.

"Good Morning, Joe. I want to say thank you so much for making this meeting on such short notice. You may be aware that your name has been put up for Treoraí of our soon to be Technology department," she said. Watching his eyebrow raise, she realized he had not been told.

"Right then, let me back up. Due to the numerous technology problems and needs we have within the compound, it has been decided that we need an entire department dedicated to that. Your name has been put forth by four of the existing Treoraí as the man for the job. Now, in normal procedure, your name and file would be forwarded to the council. They would have time to review it and we would vote. However, as you also may have heard through the grapevine, there is a lot going on and things are far from normal. So, since four of the seven have chosen to nominate you, I'm going to go ahead and offer you the position. There are a fair number of responsibilities in taking over a department; however, since you are starting from the ground up, you have a whole new set of challenges in front of you should you decide to take this job," Kyra said.

He smiled.

"Thank you for this opportunity. It means a lot to me to be able to help the place that saved my life and to be able to use my skills in a way that will benefit many. I accept this position and I promise you I will do everything in my power to show that the faith put in me by the other Treoraí is justified," he said.

Kyra was a bit surprised by his voice. She had expected a deep rumbling tone; however, his voice, while deep, was more like flowing water than a rumbling thunder.

"I appreciate you taking this task on. I'm going to grant you, with the permission of the Treoraí of course, the ability to pull five members to start your department with. After that, people will apply, and you can refuse or accept them. I am shooting to start you off with thirty people. I know that may not seem like a lot, but right now, until we know the exact needs you are going to have, it's better than you running everywhere to handle every job. Lev is working to make you an actual place. For right now, you are going to have makeshift offices in the Administrative wing. I will set up a time with the Head Secretary to go over how you requisition equipment and other things. I wish I could give you the time and attention you deserve with all the mentors, but I just don't have it. Your first order of business after getting set up will be scanners. We will be placing them at all entry and exit points. We will send over the existing signatures we have. Hopefully, starting around the first of February, we will be committing all the signatures to file. So, if we could try to have the scanners operational by then, it would be fantastic."

"I will try. They are incredibly involved machines, not only to assemble, but to install and can be rather temperamental. So, I am not going to make a promise I am not one hundred percent sure I can live up to, but I will try," he said.

Kyra nodded. She liked his practical approach.

For nearly two and a half hours, she went over all the little details, had him fill out paperwork, and changed his security level within the system.

Just after eleven thirty, Joe stood, shook her hand and Shane's and made his way out with a stack of papers to head to the Administration wing and start on his new role.

"I snuck in a lunch order while I was upping his security clearance. It should be here any minute, which means we will have a few minutes to wolf it down while we compare morning notes before Leland arrives," she said, settling in her chair. She felt very good about Joe and she hoped her father would be proud.

"You, my dear, are brilliant. That pastry came very early and I am starving. I feel good about Joe; he gives off good vibes and I get no fear or anger from him. It's way too early to judge him completely, but for right now I think we can trust him with the tasks he has been given," Shane said, stretching.

"Okay, you want to go first?" he added.

"Sure, but I managed to accomplish more than just seeing Lev," she said.

She proceeded to fill him in on the talk with Anaraba, noting the surprise on his face as she talked about Imp magic. His expression settled to neutral when she told him about Lev. She knew Shane did not hold a grudge, but he was very wary of Lev given his past behavior. The surprise once again took over his expression as she described the occurrence of the communal dreaming.

"Wow," he said after she had finished.

"Seriously," she said, getting up to retrieve the lunch tray.

"I have to admit, I also completely blanked on the idea of gear. Much like you, I am used to going into the field alone, so I am very glad you remembered the fact that we have a fair number of people to look after for the next couple of days at least. As for the Imp magic . . . well, the implications behind that are frightening. Especially given the fact that both sights of the veil disturbance have Imp history," he said in between bites of his fish and chips.

She dipped her fish in the tartar sauce thoughtfully.

"What if the men, from the house, the ones with the imps, what if they were Illuminati soldiers? We know they are not above working with supernaturals to hunt others. What if they helped with the war hoping to eradicate our society? They could easily, then turn on the imps and kill them after they had outlived their purpose," she said.

They both sat in silence, pondering her words.

"Could they in anyway be involved with the attacks on the veil?" he asked.

"I honestly don't know. I think it's something worth looking into, and I wish we had more time to research their involvement with our kind. Did you have a chance to grab that book?" she asked.

"No. When I went back to get it, it was signed out, but the name was illegible. So, that book is gone, the book from the case that was Illuminati related. Someone within these walls is very interested in them. That book on Imp magic laying out cannot be a coincidence. Is it possible that someone on the inside is working with them?" he replied.

"I can't see to what end . . . From what we know, they hunted down, killed, and used our kind. Why would anyone supernatural want to work with them when they don't have to?" she asked.

"What if they are not one of our kind?" he replied.

Jason immediately sprung to both their minds.

"There has to be a buildup of resentment, living among many with powers and abilities you could never hope to have; having parents to whom you would always be a disappointment. It has to weigh on you," she said.

"Unfortunately, at this time we have no proof; so, all we can do is watch, which we really can't even do at this point. I wish there was a way we could send him out of the compound while we are away," he mused.

She nodded, thinking.

A soft knock at the door brought them both around.

Leland stuck his head in the door.

She stood pushing the remainder of her food away.

"Please come in. Forgive us, we're just finishing up lunch here," she said.

"No worries. I just finished up lunch with Tinka myself," he said, taking the chair she offered him.

"I understand that our later meeting is to be cancelled. Tinka did not give me all the details, but I know things have escalated," he said, accepting one of the biscotti from the dessert tray.

"That they have, quite a bit. It is the consensus of the group that my father's spirit is trying to come through the veil. They believe it's going to happen at the house and that he needs to be physically present when we guide him through to make sure his mind does not get lost. So, there are several things I need from you. I need a doctor to accompany him to make sure his body always remains in stable condition. Also, because of who is needed to attend this mission, I need you in charge of Scíath," she said, watching as a shocked expression crossed his face.

He looked at her a moment longer.

"You're serious, aren't you?" he asked.

"I am. Di, Tinka, Moira, and I are all headed out to deal with this issue and you are the only one I trust to leave the power to," she said, gesturing to Shane to pour him some tea, as all the color seemed to have drained from his face.

"You are all leaving?" he asked, accepting the tea cup from Shane with a grateful smile.

"Yes. As you know, the heads of each department are there because they are the best at what they do. This situation calls for the best," she answered.

He nodded solemnly, keeping his eyes on the tea.

"I am sure I can handle it, I'm just in a bit of shock. I mean, there are so many in the protocol line before me. I never thought it would come to me. However, I want to tell you I appreciate your faith in me and I will keep everything calm until you return. As for a doctor, I would like to send Nikkos. He is familiar with the house as well as having proven his field experience," Leland said, his voice becoming stronger.

"Excellent idea. I'm sure Anna will spare him. I know from the reports that they have been working very hard on getting all the bodies identified and laid to rest appropriately," Kyra said, making a note on her pad to send her millionth memo of the day.

"I assume we have no idea how long this will take?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"No, and on top of your regular running the asylum duties, this morning I placed Joe in as Treoraí of the tech department," she said, waiting for him to complain about procedure being jumped.

"I think that's a good idea. We have so many needs in that area and with you unable to know when you would be back to do it, putting him in place was the right thing to do," he agreed.

She smiled slightly.

"He had four of the seven votes already, so really, it was just a confirmation of the trust you had all put in him. Captivating fellow, however, I have no idea how I managed to go this long without seeing him before," she said.

"Indeed, he has quite the presence," Shane agreed.

"Ok, we have a team meeting at three, which you are welcome to come to so that you can brief everyone on father's current condition. That means I have three hours to show you how this beast known as Scíath works and how to keep it afloat for the foreseeable future," Kyra said, pulling out a stack of forms.

She sighed inwardly. She had become a paperwork pusher. No longer the loan agent who hid in trees and ambushed bad guys; she had somehow become exactly the type of person she used to pity.

_When this is all over and father is back, I'm out of here. I did what I had to do, but this is not who I am,_ she thought as she took a deep breath and launched into the inner workings of Scíath.

Not a moment of the three hours was wasted as she rushed through to the ending to make sure they were only a few minutes late as the three of them rushed to the conference room. She could hear the voices coming from the room and for a moment, she was thrown back to the meeting before the house expedition, which seemed like a different life time. She had been so worried about leading, about being over the care of a handful of people, and in the end, she had become responsible for so many more. However, she still had a twinge of doubt. Somehow, this meeting was more terrifying to her than running the entire compound. It represented the chance to fix what she still felt was her fault. To save her father and to become free of the heritage he had placed upon her. It was a selfish thought in a way. However, she assured herself that her intentions were pure.

Stepping into the room, she looked around.

So many faces. She noted it was just the core team and that the security agents were not present. She took a mental check list. Moira, Tinka, Di, Evelyn, Noachian, Shane, Leland, and Nikos. Everyone who was in the compound and going was present. As always, Gus had come through with a beautifully arranged cheese and fruit tray.

As she made her way up to the podium, everyone sat around the table.

"Good afternoon everyone. Please, enjoy the food Gus has provided and make yourselves comfortable. We have a lot of information to go over before we leave tomorrow. Lev assures me we can take off around six pm, putting us on the ground sometime around nine. I know we must take a convoluted flight pattern due to some restricted air space nonsense; however, having flown it once before, it's not too bad of a trip. We will be taking two planes due to the number of us going. Another member will be meeting us at the house. His name is Viktor and he is a member of the security department," she said, watching Tinka's eyes light up.

"I know him very well and I am so glad you thought to bring him. He will make a brilliant addition to the team and is very talented with the restless dead," Tinka said.

Kyra nodded, making a mental note to thank Shane once again for his input.

"The goal of this mission is threefold. One, we must try to find my father's spirit and reunite it with his body. Two, we must figure out what is causing the attacks against the veil; and three, if two is not caused by one, we must deal with whatever it is. We have brought together the best of the best for this as it is a matter that affects our entire world. Now, Leland has been handed the keys to the kingdom, and as soon as I leave for the plane, he is in charge. I will be sending out a memo to cover that after this meeting. Now, I will open the floor up to any questions or specific needs we may have," she said, looking around.

Noachian stood and cleared his throat.

"I have a very real and odd problem," he said, looking at those around him.

"When I went to put together the talisman to hold evil spirits, I found that a certain number of the components I needed are missing. Upon checking into it, they were reported missing months ago, but were never found. Aside from the gnome burial pots, of which, we have dozen and bristles from the grand witch's broom stick, I am without the things I need to make this properly," he said.

Kyra's mouth fell slightly open. She was thrown back to the late-night conversation with Moira in the dining hall. The seemingly random things that had been taken from her department had not been so random after all and it was yet more proof that this was indeed an inside job.

"Now I can make a less powerful amulet out of the things I do have, but I cannot guarantee it will work as well," he said.

"I . . . Do what you can with what you have. I am sorry that you find yourself in this position" Kyra said, her eyes meeting Moira's.

Evelyn stood.

"Since last night there have been three more attacks on the veil. I can't be sure without seeing the places and experiencing the energy, but I don't believe them to all be the same attacker and I am certain now that it is from outside over. Meaning, I don't believe it to be the Architect's mind. I think his attempts to get back across may have weakened the veil and have provided whomever is attacking a better chance at what they are attempting. I honestly believe all of this was orchestrated. Someone planned to throw his mind across; knowing perhaps that as it grew stronger, it would attempt to come back across and would afford them the opportunity they sought. Why on earth anyone would want to destroy the veil, I have no idea. I see no benefit to anyone to have the balance destroyed. However, I think what we are dealing with here is not a random occurrence, but a plotted attack," she said, sitting back down and glancing at Tinka, who offered her a reassuring smile.

Kyra took in a deep breath.

"Well, that changed our objective. We still must find and guide the Architect's spirit back to his body. Then, however, we must find out what is causing these attacks and stop them before the natural balance is obliterated," she said.

Silence reigned as everyone took in what was said.

Di stood.

"I can help find his spirit. I think we will find it is lingering around the rip in the manor house as that is where he went over. I would suspect that the reason we have not seen a huge outpouring of spirits from that rip, however, is due to the presence of his mind holding them back. So, when we pull him out, we must be ready to immediately seal the rip," she said before sitting back down.

Kyra nodded to Shane and he moved to close the door.

"I'm going to share with you all what I fear may be going on. It is all conjecture at this point as I have no real proof, but you are all going on this mission and I will need all the help I can get. This is going to require a fair amount of listening, so please get comfortable," she said, moving down to be among them and taking an offered chair.

"It has come to my attention recently that our secret organization has had some previous run-ins that were none too favorable and many of the things I'm finding that are happening now have something to do with them in some way or another. As most of you know from reading the reports of the house mission, it was proven that there was another group, a humanoid race. present with the imps. We believed them to be supernatural and we are not, at this point, ruling that out. However, I am led to wonder if they were not perhaps Illuminati agents working with the imps to wipe out our world. I am unsure as to why they hate us so much and I think the best person to answer that is currently unavailable," she said, glancing at Di, who nodded.

"However, we have two books on the illuminati missing, as well as reason to now believe that the Architect had a previous run-in with them and may have been captured by them at some point. Now I have nothing else to say. They aided the imps, they are the ones responsible for the current issues, but I would appreciate any knowledge that is held about them, even if it is just 'conspiracy theory' to be shared with the team. Also, please keep your eyes out while we are at the house for anything that may be helpful in deciphering this mystery," she said, noticing that her suspicions sounded much less concrete when said out loud than they had in her head.

No one spoke up, leading her to believe that it was not a subject that anyone knew a lot about.

"The other concern is that whoever, Gilly or supernatural, is responsible for attacking the veil could be very organized and dangerous instead of some rogue troublemaker. I want to try to do this as quickly as possible, but at the same time I realize that if we are not successful in catching whomever is doing this, we are going to have to head to the other locations; however, I am hoping we will not need everyone and that my Father will be back up. It is now nearly five pm, I have ordered basic survival packs for everyone as Lev assures me the house is habitable and has power and water. However, anything that may be a specific need, to you personally or to the task at hand, you will need to assemble on your own. We will have a full security detail, so please do not feel the need to bring a lot of weapons; however, personal weapons are understandable. I must impress upon you that this place is dangerous, and it holds many secrets still. Do not go off exploring on your own. Always take a radio with you and stay out of the forest as much as possible," she said.

"I am going to Medical to check on the arrangements for transporting the Architect, then I will be in the study and available to anyone who needs me for the remainder of the evening. We are taking the tubes out, so please assemble at the south launching tunnels at four pm tomorrow. Noachian, if you need anything from anywhere in Scíath to help make up for the stolen items, please don't hesitate to request them. Moira, he is to be given your clearance to go into any of the vaults, accompanied of course," she said, thinking better of letting some new person have free range over the thousands of artifacts stored within the compound.

"Fair enough. I will help him put together the amulet myself. I admit it is not my area of expertise, which is probably why when those items went missing all those months ago, I could not fathom what they were for. I hate to say this, but we have someone on the inside who does not have the best interests of Scíath in mind. Please use discretion when discussing this mission," Moira said, letting her eyes linger a moment on each person in the room.

Kyra nodded, agreeing with her completely.

She stood. Nikos opened the door for her and she, Shane, and Leland made their way back to Medical, leaving the others to chat or work on their own projects.

"Do you really think all this Illuminati business could be true?" Leland asked quietly as they walked down the hall.

"I thought they were some fictitious branch of the Masons, used by nut cases to prove the existence of aliens or some such," he said.

"I can admit I'd never given them much thought myself, but it seems that perhaps that's the way they want it. It's much easier to get away with things when no one is looking at you. However, with the Architect's tattoo, the two books going missing, and the evidence of a humanoid race at the house, it certainly bears looking at. Not to mention what Anaraba brought to me. I want to give her the clearance to go into the archives and look through and hopefully find what she needs to help Nyles. If nothing else, someone within these walls is going out of their way to make sure no one else can check up on the Illuminati or research imps. So, we follow the clues we get and draw conclusions, as odd as they may seem, from the information available," she explained as they waited for the scanner to admit them to medical.

As they came into the ICU unit, Kyra was not at all surprised to see Saffron standing at the desk going over Nyles' files with one of the other doctors.

"How is he?" Kyra asked.

"Tired, groggy, and a bit dizzy. It is the strangest thing I have ever seen," the Doctor admitted.

Kyra frowned.

"And my father?"

"He looks great, his vital signs are stronger than they were when he was brought in. His aging has been reversed. I'd guess him to be around twenty-five or so now. His brain scan is consistent with the one from the other night. I have him all ready to move. All it needs is Dr. Barker to go over the arrangements and decide which portable monitors he wishes to take," the tall man answered.

Kyra smiled slightly, leaning in to read his tag.

"Thank you, Dr. York, I appreciate your getting all of that together. It takes a load off us," she said, walking towards her father's room. She paused, even after the scanner gave her the okay to enter. She was rather afraid of facing a man she had known her entire life who now appeared, at least outwardly, to be her contemporary instead of her caretaker.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped in, moving to his side. She brushed his soft auburn hair from his smooth forehead. She agreed with Dr. York, he was younger and stronger, which would hopefully make this much easier all around.

Leaning in, she whispered to him as she kissed his forehead.

"Hold on, this will soon be over, and we will have everything right again."

She watched his face, looking for some sign of recognition at her words. He made no sign that he heard her.

Leland followed her in with a checklist on a clipboard, noting what equipment he wanted to send along. Nikkos was behind him with his own list.

"I want to thank you for putting faith in me to handle this Kyra. I know how important this is and I promise you that I will protect his health and wellbeing," Nikkos said.

"I am happy to be working with you again," she said, walking away to let them get everything together.

Walking back to the study with Shane, she silently hoped that no one would need her tonight. She felt heavy and the early start to the day was starting to wear on her. However, her hopes were dashed as she approached the study door and could hear voices before she could even see the door. Her feet began to shuffle, and she glanced behind herself, hoping she could escape down the hall before they saw her.

She felt her shoulders dip under the weight of the leadership she had never really wanted, and for a moment, she felt the deep seed of regret burrowing into her mind. It was not fair. Everyone was looking to her and she had no real answers. In some cases, she was completely out of her depths. Yet, that mattered not. Some of the people coming to her with beseeching pleas had once whispered that she should never exist. She felt her anger growing, as she guessed there to be at least four people standing outside her safe haven, wanting to invade it with their needs, totally blind to the fact that she needed some downtime and quiet before they launched themselves into this mission that had no safety net and a large chance of disaster.

Shane was looking at her, as she had stopped dead in the hallway.

"I just don't want to," she said softly, hoping to keep the others from hearing it.

Shane nodded, placing his hand on her arm.

"I don't know how you juggle all of it. You are very strong," he said, lowering his voice to match hers.

"I don't want to be strong. I don't want everyone looking up to me, and there is so much I don't know. There are so many mysteries within these walls, politicking, and hidden things. I didn't even know my father's given name, and I still don't know his race. I can only claim to have met a quarter of the people inside Scíath and yet I'm responsible for each one of them as well as the balance between our world and the Gilly world. Piles of paperwork bear my scrawled signature and I can tell you, some of them I don't even recall reading. I have no idea how he did this. I mean, at the time, his age was advancing, which is why he wanted to step down. However, just the weight of the day to day here is enough to make me want to head to the woods and never ever come back," she said, feeling the resentment seed coil in her mind as the vine of contempt for her situation grew.

Shane was silent a long moment.

"I'm going to be blunt, I don't think it's fair that your father hoisted this legacy on you, especially with no warning. I don't just mean because of this accident. He knew months before that what his intent was and he should have consulted you. Now, we both know you would have said 'no,' and that is probably why he didn't do it. He was perhaps hoping to ease you into the role over time, be there to guide you, and then he may have seen how ill-suited you are for this. Not because I don't think you are strong enough or smart enough, or anything like that. Because you are, there is nothing this place can throw at you that you cannot handle with grace and diplomacy. But because you are a wild and free spirit and living in this place is hard for you. If there was a way for you to remain Director and still get out into the air and to hunt to give you some time to breathe without someone watching you, then I would be all for it. I will always support you in your role as Director, but that is my opinion," he said, his voice never going above a whisper, a whoosh of held breath accompanying his confession.

Kyra smiled softly at him, his words echoing her own thoughts.

"While I agree with everything you said, right now it's us. Thank you for reminding me that while this may not be where I want to be, it is where I am, and I can handle this. The 'want to' is pushed aside and 'have to' mode is engaged. Thank you for being my friend and standing beside me," she said. With her shoulders settling back, and her chin thrust forward, she walked boldly towards the crowd outside her door, her best diplomatic smile plastered to her face.

She looked to see Joe, Tinka, Saffron, and Gus. Her eyebrow raised at the strange contingent awaiting her.

"Hello all," she said, none of the fear that had plagued her just a few steps back resonated in her voice.

"Starting the party without me?" she added with a slight smile as she moved past them to unlock the door.

"Sort of . . . You have such fascinating people here" Saffron said, her long auburn waves hung in an intricate braid down her back.

Kyra paused and looked just a little way down the hall to see one of Saffron's guards standing her silent vigil against the wall. She smiled, she has some good people in her organization.

She invited everyone in, mentally taking note of the chairs, and realizing she was one short. Glancing at Daniel, he leaned up against the bookcase with a silent nod, indicating he would be the one without a chair.

Once everyone was settled, a thought struck Kyra. She hoped that nothing anyone wanted to talk about was confidential as it was a bit of a party. Looking over the group again, she decided in what order to ask them and how to politely dismiss each one after they spoke.

"Since it seems we have a lot to go over, I'm going to start with Gus and get you guys handled and back to your evenings as soon as possible," she said, smiling.

Gus bowed his head in acknowledgment and spoke.

"Mine is a rather simple request. As you know, most of the time my employees and chefs come in through orientation and pick a department and are shifted to me after they show desire or an aptitude for cooking. However, with this incoming foundling group I have spoken with three folks who wish to start with me. One who is an amazing cook. I know it goes against protocol as I am not a department. However, I would like to be able to give new recruits the opportunity to come to the Dining department to start with. I'm not looking to be a Treoraí or anything crazy like that, just to have the option offered in orientation and being able to meet with the interested ones before they go to another department and we have to do transfers and the like," he said.

Kyra sat back in her chair a moment. While she knew that many people worked in the extensive kitchens, it had never occurred to her how they got there. They just were, just like the Administration people or the ones in the Amenity wing. It never occurred to her that they had started out in one of the seven, now eight, departments and had moved jobs.

"Gus, your request makes an exceptional amount of sense. Foundlings should be given the options of choosing any of the possible jobs within Scíath. Imagine the transfers it would cut down on and would stop fluctuating personnel in departments," she said, more thinking out loud than addressing him.

Gus smiled.

"If you would like, I can draft up something to be added to the foundling's orientation that outlines the other options," Gus offered.

"Yes, please do. The orientation needs to be changed to reflect our eighth department as well. I'll talk to Moira and see who she had helping her with large group of foundlings that came in for the summit and make sure it gets added. Send me the write up and I will make sure it is put into the orientation packs when this group starts orientation," she smiled genuinely at Gus. He really was a great member of her team and while she was not her Father, she did feel as if she was making some positive changes to Scíath as a whole.

"Will do. Oh, and I just got in some new ice cream, a mint chocolate cookie flavor, I'll send some down for you to sample when I get back," he said with a wink. He stood, waved to the others and headed out.

"I do so love that man," she said to no one in particular.

Nods from around the room confirmed the sentiment.

"Saffron, if you're ready?" Kyra said, hoping each one was as simple and that she could sit and enjoy that ice cream.

"I just swung by to check out my travel arrangements, also I spoke with a most delightful young doctor named Anaraba. She had fantastic insight and I will be taking that information with me on my errand," she said.

Kyra smiled slightly. She had been able to tell her everything she needed to know without revealing anything.

"You will be heading out with us at six pm tomorrow. Your transportation has been arranged, I do hope your mission is successful and I appreciate all you are doing to help. Anaraba is dedicated to that project so she will be on it while you are gone," Kyra replied.

"Also, you should stop by the cafeteria and try some of the ice cream, too. Gus has amazing taste in such things," she added.

"I will indeed. I also intend to have a brief conversation with my mother about an extended stay here and involving ourselves more within this community," she said, standing.

With a nod to the others, she left.

_Two down, two to go,_ she thought, looking to Joe.

"Joe, I'm sure you have had a busy day"

"Indeed, I have. I just need a few signatures on some papers, so the head Harpy lady does not rip out my heart and eat it," he said with a charming grin.

Tinka laughed deeply.

"I've thought that about her more than once when she gives me that eyebrow raise whenever I ask for, well . . . really, for anything. The Architect told me she was very efficient at her job, which I think might be to terrify anyone who asks for anything, so as to not do so again," she said.

"She does have a formidable nature, but I think it just comes with her race, warrior spirit and all," Joe said with a grin.

Kyra held her hands out for the paperwork, glancing at them briefly before scrawling her name across the bottom. They appeared to be permission to form a department and giving him rights to Scíath's resources. The second was a personal requisition form. There were empty lines for names and she hoped that he would be filling them in soon. Handing them back to him, she glanced at Tinka. She smiled slightly, her tired eyes spoke of too many hours of missed sleep. She clutched a very tall coffee in her hands, sipping it in the hopes of some caffeine assistance.

"Back to the grind. I hope to have a lot of progress to show you when you return," he said standing.

"I hope everything goes smoothly for you," she said.

"You too," he said with a knowing look.

He and Shane exchanged a look and a stern nod. Kyra looked at Tinka and shrugged while mouthing "Man thing."

After the door had shut, a few moments of silence passed before Tinka spoke her voice confirming the story of exhaustion her eyes expressed.

"I'm sorry to intrude on your last 'quiet' evening; however, this could not wait," she said, taking a deep swig of coffee.

Kyra wanted her to get on with it but did not want to rush her.

"After you mentioned the Illuminati thing, I followed a hunch and went to the mirror library. I recalled a section of Sherlock Holmes and Masonic fiction I had stumbled across once. Every single one was missing. Now, I'm not saying these books were in any way accurate texts, but it seems that someone did not want any information, real or not, available to anyone here. The books were not signed out, but that library has always worked on the honor system with two part-time clerks volunteering time to reshelf the books as they are returned," she explained.

"When I went to grab the book out of the stacks from Anthropology it was also missing. Plus, we know the book that was stolen from the cabinet came from an Illuminati base, even if no one, well no one who is awake now, knows what's in it," Shane said.

"I fully admit that I have a ton of books in the back stacks that are being entered into Simon as quickly as the staff can get them in, but I have no idea what is in them. So, there could be more that are missing," Tinka shrugged.

Kyra shook her head.

"I have no idea what's going on around here. I really wish I could talk to my father and ask him what on earth is so important about these people," she said, tipping her chair back slightly.

"If everything goes well, you will be able to," Tinka said, taking another long drag on her coffee, following it with a big yawn.

"I don't think there is enough caffeine in this place to wake me up," she said, fighting another yawn.

"Why don't you turn in? There is nothing more we can do about any of this tonight and the next couple of days promise to be insane," Kyra offered.

"You're right, I'm meeting Leland in about fifteen minutes, so we can spend some time together before we head out. Thank you for trusting him, he may not show it well, but it means the world to him and I know he will take good care of Scíath while we are gone," she said, standing with a stretch.

"I can honestly say that I have spent more time getting to know him over the past couple of months and I have to agree with you," Kyra said, trying not to glance at the door and make her feel rushed.

Tinka nodded, tossing her drained cup in the waste basket.

"I will see you tomorrow evening. Get some rest, we will make this work," she said and left.

Kyra sat a moment in the silence, closing her eyes as she listened to her own breath, meditating away the stress that lay just at the edge of her mind, threatening to overtake her.

She felt herself slipping softly and slowly towards a deep meditative state and perhaps even sleep. She knew she should stop it, open her eyes and talk to Shane; however, the quiet was so nice. The ebb and flow of her breathing caught her consciousness up in the rhythm of peace.

A knock at the door startled her eyes open as she watched Shane admit the ice cream cart. She sat up.

"Sorry, I kinda zoned out on you there," she said, accepting a dish of some yummy looking ice cream.

"No problem lady, you have a lot on your mind and you do what you need to do to keep yourself steady," he said, and she noted not referencing her earlier near meltdown.

"As long as no one else shows up after this ice cream, I seriously think I'm going to turn in," she said, digging into the ice cream.

"I don't see that as a bad idea," he said, enjoying his own dish.

No one else showed up, and true to her word, Kyra turned in early. The night was uneventful, and she was granted slumber with no intrusions. The next day was hurried and hectic. Equipment checks, reviewing flight plans, and head counts. Before she knew it, Kyra stood at the much-hated tunnels, watching as her father was gingerly laid inside a well-padded tube. Nikos had gone ahead so that he would be waiting on the other side. There was no way to put more than one person into the tube, and Kyra paced anxiously as they loaded him in. He would be alone for no more than seven minutes, but he was hurtling along in the dark and the whole concept terrified her.

Leland glanced over at her expression and moved to her.

"I know you are worried about him being alone in the tunnel, but I think this is far less jolting to his system them a ride up the cargo elevators and in the back of a truck," he said.

She grimaced. That was exactly how she had brought him back and she had to wonder now if she had done any damage to him.

Reading her expression, he continued.

"I feel that way because he has been bedridden for months and he is going to be moved a lot more than he has been, so the less is better," he said with a reassuring pat on her arm.

She nodded silently, not trusting her voice not to convey the near panic that she felt creeping up on her.

The lid was closed, and the button was pushed. With a silent whoosh, he was out of sight and for a moment she had the fear that she would never see him again. Taking a shaky breath, she held her head high in front of her crew and climbed into her tube. She knew that she should wait and make sure everyone got out okay, but unable to sit and wonder about her father while she waited. She glanced at Shane, who nodded in understanding and gave her reassuring thumbs up.

She blinked at the fading sunlight; as even in sunset, it was bright compared to the inky blackness of the tunnel. She saw Nikos and two of the security agents wheeling her father towards the plane. Moving quickly, she was beside him, searching him for any appearance of distress or injury. Other than some windblown hair, he looked as he had when she had loaded him into the tunnel.

After some rearranging of people, they were airborne. Kyra sat beside her father, stroking his hand gently. Conversation was minimal as everyone had heavy minds. As they touched down, Di glanced at Kyra and then spoke softly.

"It's now or never."

Chapter Twenty

As they stood in the main entryway, Kyra was amazed at the transformation around her. Gone was the dust and grime of vacancy, fresh paint adorned the walls, all the broken glass had been repaired, the light fixtures all worked, and some furniture had been moved in. She looked up the staircase, banishing the image from her mind of the last time she had stood on these stairs, trying not to let the past intrude on observations of now.

Tinka stood near the middle of the stairs, beside a very faint shimmer, that looked like heat rising off the pavement. She leaned in very close, closing her eyes as if she was listening to something.

"It is a small rip; however, it goes straight through to the Shadowlands. I'm hopeful that we can bring the Architect through," she glanced at Evelyn, who raised her hand up to the rift in concentration.

"I think we can do this, but I feel something wrong. There is another live presence on the other side, another invader who does not belong on that side. The spirits are stirred up and restless," she said, opening her eyes.

"So, you don't think my father is the one that blasted the hole in the rift?" Kyra said, looking at his prone form laying on the stretcher at the bottom of the stairs.

"No. There is something else, something that does not belong, I have heard of walkers, who can pass through in the physical form, but it takes a great amount of skill and ability to withstand the spirits and not lose control of your mind. I would venture it's possibly one of them, but I would be very interested to meet someone like that," Evelyn answered.

"Let's set up the ritual. I want to get this closed as soon as we can," Tinka said, rubbing her arms.

Shane set about putting the security guards in place while Tinka, Di, Moira, and Evelyn set up the ritual. Kyra felt useless, so she stood beside Nikos, who was monitoring her father with a frown.

"I don't feel that it's harming him, but I must point out that his heart rate is rising. Would you mind if I placed my hands on him and used my powers to see if I can pick up a spike in brain activity?" he asked.

"Please, go ahead. I wonder if his body is sensing the closeness of his spirit?" she asked.

"It is very possible. I admit that the spirit world is not something I'm very familiar with and while I'm good at healing people on a holistic level, I think rejoining spirits and bodies is a bit above my pay grade," he said, placing one hand on the Architect's head and the other on his heart.

Kyra stepped back, keeping her eyes on his expressions and on the machines. For a long moment there was nothing, silence, reigned as everyone was busy. Nikos cried out, stepping back. His nearly strangled cry causing everyone in the foyer to jump.

Clutching his hand, he stepped away.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, noticing that everyone was now looking at him.

"What happened," Kyra asked, her intense gaze seeing no change in her father.

He held his hand out and she gasped. An angry red welt adorned the palm that had been on her father's head. The edges appeared to be singed.

"I felt a significant spike in his energy and it was like I put my hand on a hot coal. I've never had that happen," he said, pulling a salve from his bag, putting it gingerly on his skin.

Kyra looked at the wound, remembering a similar one on the chest of the Giant she had blasted with her powers.

"We are ready," Di said softly beside her.

"Not a moment too soon," Evelyn said softly, as the spirits began to swirl around her, recognizing her as a guide and hoping to follow her.

"I'm going to try to reach through the veil and call for him to attach himself to me and then bring him across. Noachian, be ready with your amulet just in case any large spirit comes through. Shane be ready in case a human walks through. If one does, put him down as fast as you can," she said, taking control of the situation.

Kyra nodded to them to follow her orders. She would not presume to think she knew more about what was going on than the woman whose entire life had been devoted to what they were attempting, or at least something close to it.

"Di, take his hand, whisper in his ear. Tell him to call for his spirit, to attach it to me when I lean through, and I will bring him home. Tinka keep ahold of my lower half, I have no desire, nor the talent, to tumble through this looking glass," she said. Taking a deep breath, she began a soft, rhythmic chant in a language Kyra was unfamiliar with.

The wind whipped up around them, and Kyra could see the spirits just as she had the day of her father's accident. Tinka gently wrapped her arms around Evelyn's waist as Di leaned over the Architect and began to whisper. Kyra held her breath as they all stood at the ready for what was likely their only chance at this.

With one last glance at the Architect, Evelyn leaned her head into the heat waves and, like some magician's illusion, the top half of her body vanished. The shrieks of the spirits filled the room and the wind picked up enough to cause Kyra to have to shield her face. The vortex picked up speed and Kyra felt the stretcher rock beside her. Ignoring the sting of the wind on her cheeks, she grabbed ahold of it with both hands, trying to keep her father from being tossed. She heard Moira shouting something, but her words were carried away in the torrent of the air.

A deafening clap of thunder and a flash of lightening blinded them all. As her eyes cleared, Kyra stood awestruck at what was walking towards her. It was her father as he had been, old and slightly bent, his form completely transparent. He clung tightly to Evelyn as other spirits tried to do the same. She stumbled at the weight of the dead that hounded her, looking for passage back to the other side.

Rushing to her, Kyra took the other side as Tinka helped her to the bottom of the steps. She released the Architect's spirit. It hovered a moment, glancing back at the rift, a look of confusion crossing its face as it started to drift back towards the rift.

"No!" Kyra cried out, unwilling to lose him again. Grabbing her father's hand, she lifted it towards the spirit, nearly wrenching him from the bed. The spirit showed no recognition as it looked at the young man's body being thrust at him.

"He doesn't know that it's him, because of the regression," Di cried out, frustration in her voice.

"Gabriel, please trust me. It's you. Please remember, come closer," Di spoke softly.

Evelyn moved back up the stairs, leading the swirling spirits away from him and back to the rift, her complexion growing more ashen with each step.

Moira rushed in to take Kyra's place, helping the woman move the restless dead back to where they belonged.

"Father, please trust me," Kyra said, stretching her hand out towards the face she had loved her entire life.

His image shuddered, losing form slightly.

"He is weakening. We need to get him back in his body," Tinka shouted over the wind as she helped Evelyn.

From out of nowhere, Shane appeared at her side. He scooped the Architect's body up from the stretcher, pulling him away from the machines which began their plaintive wails. He rushed to the spirit and thrust them together. For a moment, it appeared to have done nothing, but as they all watched, the spirit of the old man sunk into the young man's body. Once there was no longer sign of the transparent figure, Shane laid him gently back on the bed.

Kyra smiled gratefully at Shane. It would not have occurred to her to employ such a physical approach to the situation; however, she was glad he had tried such a tactic.

Breath was held as Nikos started to examine him. As he reached his face, the Architect's hand lifted, batting the medic away. Sitting up slowly, he opened his eyes, staring in turn at Kyra, and Di.

As he held his arms out, both women rushed into his embrace. Tears of joy slipped down all three faces.

The moment was short lived; however, when a cry of pain from the stairs caused them to jump to shield him.

Evelyn lay crumpled on the floor with Tinka beside her, blood running through her fingers that she pressed to her temple.

The sound from the spirits' wailing seemed distant; however, Kyra's own scream more than filled the silence as she looked up into the rift. Her eyes met the black orbs of the bloodhound. His lips twisted into a cruel grimace as she looked down towards her father.

"See you soon, nine nineteen," he said, his gravely tone cutting through the room.

Just as quickly as he had appeared, he vanished, taking the rift with him as it collapsed in on itself.

The wailing ceased, and everything was still. No one moved. Had they really seen that man leaning in from the Shadowlands as casually as one would lean out a window?

Kyra rushed to her father, pulling him into her arms and hugging him tight as Nikos and the others rushed to Evelyn and Tinka.

He returned her tight embrace, mumbling against her shoulder.

She leaned back.

"I didn't understand you," she said softly, not hiding the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

"I said 'I can't breathe'," he said with his soft smile.

Glancing at the large mirror just across the hall, he gasped.

"Holy Hell, is that me?" he said, sliding off the stretcher and walking over to the mirror like a man who had just awoken from a nap, not a multiple month coma.

"Yes, it is you. You seem to have regenerated while you slept," Kyra said, softly watching him ruffle his own ginger hair.

"Well, I didn't know I could do that," he said with a grin.

"I need to get her back to Scíath, she is absolutely depleted," Nikos yelled to Kyra.

"Right. Break this down quickly. Tinka, are you all right?" she asked.

"I'll be okay, the bastard hit me when I would not let him pull Evelyn through," she answered, allowing Moira to hold the bandage to her head.

Hearing her words, Kyra stopped. The man had been real.

"Was that him? Was that the Illuminati Bloodhound," she asked her father and Di.

"I'm afraid so." Di said softly, slipping her arms around Gabriel's waist.

"It seems we have a much bigger problem than we originally anticipated," she added.

"Father, I know what you have just gone through, but we believe the Illuminati are attacking the veil and we are going to need your help in finding out why and how to stop them," she said.

He nodded gravely.

"I saw many things on the other side that may help with that as well," he said. Turning towards Kyra, he stumbled, only Di's arm keeping him upright.

Kyra swooped in holding him tightly.

"You are still weak, Evelyn is in bad shape, and Tinka needs stitches.

Shane, I need to be wheels up in thirty minutes. Can we do that?

"Of course, we can," he said with a grin. Leaning in, he picked up the Architect, who started to protest.

"Look, after all the worrying that Lady has done about you in the last couple of months, the least you can do is sit still until the Doc can check you out." He said while laying him gently back on the stretcher.

"Months?" The Architect said softly.

"Yes father, it's nearly January," Kyra said, tucking the blankets around him.

His face crumpled in thought as the rest of the company collected their things and helped the wounded back to the planes. As they approached the meadow, the pilot came running towards them at full speed.

"Director!" he shouted.

"Yes?" Kyra and her father said in unison.

The pilot looked confused but then deferred to Kyra.

"The alarm from the compound, it's going off like mad and I can't raise anyone on the radio or phone. All I know is that Scíath has been breached and no one is responding," he said, wringing his hands.

Kyra looked at Shane, who began barking orders.

All the injured were loaded into one plane, the others together, as every one of them started dialing in to the compound.

After fifteen minutes of nothing but busy signals and no answers, Di shouted, "I've got an answer!"

But as the others crowded around her, all that could be heard from the other end of the line were terrified screams. It lasted a moment before the line went dead.

Kyra looked around at her crew a long moment before speaking.

"I don't know what we are going to find when we get home; but prepare yourselves for war." 
