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It hadn't taken too long for Mikhail and Jacques to find the sharp corner of stone jutting out from the cliff. It took even less time for them to pull the entire thing out and set it on the ground where they could better study it. By the time Gregori had arrived the large stone coffin with a crack running down the side was sitting like an ancient monolith amidst the trees.

Mikhail didn't give his son-in-law much time to look at the coffin before asking the question that was burning in his mind. "What is this, Gregori? These markings…I've never seen anything like them."

"They're runes." Gregori answered running his hands over one of the geometric symbols. "Very old runes at that. I've not seen most of these since I was studying as a boy. Even then they were considered ancient."

"Can you read them?" Jacques asked as he circled the box. It was taller than all of them at eight feet high. Two feet deep and six feet across it seemed to be made for a behemoth.

Gregori was silent for several minutes as he studied the runes etched into the surface. Many of them had eroded away and were barely visible. Slowly he shook his head. "Too many are destroyed by time, I cannot tell what the inscription said. However…" Gregori ran his hand over some of the carvings along the top, where the inscription was better preserved. "This rune here is an ancient protection symbol and the one next it is the rune for eternity."

"The corner has been pulverized." Jacques commented pointing to the upper left front corner. "By lightening."

The implications of that simple sentence were many and not all of them were particularly good. Mikhail instantly reached for Raven; he wanted to be certain she was all right. That woman was so prone to getting in trouble.

You grumble like an old man. Raven said with a laugh. I am fine here in town with Savannah and Shea. You three macho men have nothing to worry about.

We will always worry about our lifemates. Mikhail said simply, though he was relieved to here all was well.

Raven gave an exasperated sigh –despite the fact she wasn't annoyed- and rolled her eyes. You three just finish your little investigation thing and we'll be right here in town waiting for you to come back. And with that Raven let the connection slip away. "I swear it's as if they don't think we can handle ourselves." Raven said to the two women sitting next to her.

"I think we all just got the same lecture." Shea said with a laugh.

"It could be worse." Savannah commented. "They could have 'ordered' us to go back home."

Raven made a face and Shea nodded in agreement. "Carpathian men and their orders." The redhead said with exasperation. "If it weren't for their incredibly sweet side they'd be completely unbearable."

It was about that time when Slavica brought them their drinks. They wouldn't consume them but just having them while they sat in the corner of the lounge would give the impression of normalcy and that impression was usually all that people needed. Because of the nature of the small town most of the socializing took place in the inn that Slavica ran. It was cozy had the room people needed and was located fairly close to everything else in town.

Phai was cloaked in shadows nearby, listening to the three women chatting. She had recognized the innate grace and soundless movements of them as they had walked in. They didn't seem to notice a number of the tourists stared in their direction. Most of the locals didn't so much as give the women a second glance.

What are you thinking? Garm asked in her mind as she glided back up the stairs.

I am thinking that I need to make an entrance. Phai replied as she became visible just outside of her room. What are you doing? Phai asked as she finally picked up on the violence that shimmered around him.

Ah…I believe the term is 'Breaking and Entering' He replied. Phai picked up the impression of shattered glass. I can't turn into mist you know. And I needed to get money. I was careful to pick someone who was already grossly inept at protecting their possessions. He added before she could protest. He left the window unlocked.

Then why did you break it?

It jammed and I used a bit too much force to unjam it. Garm explained.

Phai sighed as she started down the stairs and made her way towards the dining room and lounge area. You should be more careful. She chided as she greeted Slavica warmly. The three Karpatii women in the corner looked up as she entered. She could feel the scans brushing over her. At least they did that, Phai thought gruffly. She had begun to think that her people had lost all their skill.

Yes, mother. Garm replied sarcastically. Anyway, I am waiting for Leif and then we will come straight to Karpatiia.

Phai gave a slight noise of understanding before closing the mental pathway. She let Slavica lead her over to a table that was near one of the walls and Phai ordered a simple mean and drink. The three women continued to chat but Phai noticed a distinct difference. No longer were they talking about their men so casually. They were making completely pointless discussion about some happenings overseas. All for show, Phai was sure.

Phai pulled a small book out of her pocket and began to read, or rather, pretend to read. The book she could probably recite from memory but she couldn't just sit there alone at a table and do nothing. It would invite someone to sit next to her. She'd found that out earlier. A man had taken it upon himself to 'keep her company' and hadn't been particularly happy when told to leave.

The women were still there and paying close attention when Phai's food came and the ancient resigned herself to having to actually eat it. While it wouldn't be the most pleasant of things to do she was trying to remain as human looking as possible. She had even thought to obtain of the strange contraptions that someone had called a cell phone. Though she'd never used the dratted thing it was still there sitting on the tabletop as if she were waiting for a call.

Suddenly the dragon on her abdomen burned and Phai looked up too suddenly. The women looked over in time to see Phai's eyes flash emerald green with the power of the Dragonseekers before she got up from her table and made a hasty exit. Too hasty apparently, because the women followed her out.

Outside the inn the clouds were swirling ominously. A warning to everyone to get to shelter. To a Karpatii it was a warning that a Blood Traitor was out and about and being hunted. The dragon burned fiercely against her skin as she looked up at the tumultuous sky. Phai was suddenly grabbed around the bicep and pulled back inside the inn. Looking around she saw that the redheaded Karpatii had jerked her back inside. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"Trust me you don't want to go out there." She said the other two women carefully blocking the exit. "I'm Shea O'Halloran. This is Raven and Savannah. We've seen this sort of storm before it's uh…it's very dangerous." She explained.

Phai smiled dryly. "Yes, I know. I'm not blind."

The women exchanged a look. They must have noticed her accent. It was old worldly; some of her words twisted in strange yet pleasant ways. No doubt they recognized the way she pronounced certain sounds. "Anyway, I think it would be best if we stepped away from the windows." Phai said easily guiding her would-be rescuers towards the dining room. "Plate glass can shatter fairly easily after all." She added thinking of Garm and his jammed window.

"Who are you?" The one Phai thought to be Raven asked curiously. Phai felt the brush of a scan but paid it little attention.

"Just a traveler. My name is Phai. Phai Drake." Again she heard the snicker in her mind of her so-called friends at her chosen last name. Then you think of a last name if you're so much more creative. She challenged them. Neither man choose to take her up on her challenge.

The three women exchanged a look, clearly not sure whether or not to believe her. Phai gave them a disarming smile. "Do you live here or are you visiting? This is the first time I've been in this town myself." She could make witless banter just as easily as they could.

"Me and Shea live here." Raven answered. "Savannah's just visiting from the States." She put a slight emphasis on 'the States' as if challenging Phai to recognize the slang term for the area.

"Really? How interesting. One of my best friends is currently in Los Angeles. I was planning on meeting him there sometime in the near future." Phai replied easily. It was like a game of cat and mouse and she was greatly amusing herself with it. These women clearly recognized that she wasn't quite what she appeared and were testing her as best they could.

Savannah smiled prettily "Where are you from Phai?" The storm outside rumbled dangerously as lightening slammed to earth in the distance.

Phai could feel the evil of the Traitor evaporate. The dragon ceased burning on her abdomen. "A town called Kaavrie." Phai answered, deliberately dropping a hint by using an ancient name for the town that used to sit on this same stretch of land. Phai made a show of glancing at her watch. "It's getting rather late isn't it? I'm afraid I'll have to retire to my room for now. Hopefully we can chat again."

"Yes, that would be lovely." Raven said with a beguiling tone.

"Goodnight, Shea. Savannah. Raven." She nodded to each of them before turning and going up to her room. She could barely stop the smile from spreading across her face; she hadn't had this much fun in centuries.