CHAPTER SEVEN

The Spades Domain and Sierra's Plan

"Mrs- I mean, Miss Francesca Hardsey," Michael (the mediator, remember? Keep up!). "get's full custody of the children, but has agreed that the father can visit if they are at home- which is Miss Maia Hardsey's residence- and that he is allowed to have them every other weekend. Miss Francesca Hardsey will receive half of Mr. Tillman's net worth, which is 36,000 dollars and Mr. Tillman will also pay a total of 5,000 dollars a month in child care to Miss. Francesca." They were quite. It was the 5th mediation meeting and they had finally agreed on a deal. Sierra Anderson didn't look happy, but they all knew her boss would not be happy about her not only breaking up a marriage but for bring his lawyer after the fact. And they all knew that Maia wouldn't hesitate to send it to her boss.

"Do we all agree to these terms?"

"Yes." Maia smiled pleasantly. Sierra just nodded although her face was twisted into a scowl.

"Miss Anderson? Does your client agree?" Michael asked her. Sierra glared at Maia's tape recorder.

"We agree to the terms." She spit out the words like it hurt her.

"Good, you just need to sign…" Michael put the paper down and they all took turns signing it. "This has been a very good mediation." Michael stood when he had gathered all the paper up. "Miss. Maia, it was wonderful to work with you again." He shook her hand.

"It was lovely to work with you too sir. When will we be getting our copies of the paperwork?" Maia inquired.

"I'll have a messenger bring it by Monday." Michael sighed. "Good day everyone." He left the room quickly. They didn't know it but he was leaving to go deal with two men you can't stop yelling. He was totally looking forward to it (sarcasm at its best).

"Can I come see the kids this weekend?" Jonathan asked. "It's been so long." Maia and Franny looked quickly at each other and exchanged worried looks.

"You can but Camellia won't be there." Maia said slowly. "I'm going out of the country with a few friends and Camellia wanted to go."

"Where? What country?" Jonathan yelled.

"Canada. My friend's son is also going. She seemed interested so she's going." Maia gave a shrug.

"But it's my weekend." Jonathan seemed like a child.

"We haven't decided when to start the weekends." Franny crossed her arms angrily. "We just signed the papers and agreed. We've had all of 5 seconds to make a schedule. Now you can come get Joshua and Georgiana this weekend and the weekend after that even. But Maia is taking Camellia to Canada for two weeks. The trip had already been planned and canceling it will upset Camellia."

"Jonathan, it's okay." Sierra rubbed his shoulder. "They're not permanently going anywhere. Plus it's just one of them, isn't two enough?" The comment struck Maia funny but she quickly let it go (just account it to her being a stuck up- oh that's a bad word)

"I guess…" Will you tell her at least? Let her decide?"

"Yes. But trust me, she'll pick Canada." Wonderland. Maia thought. Wonderland.

"Joshua, are you sure you don't want to go?" Franny asked Joshua for the hundredth time.

"No." he stubbornly shook his head. Maia had taken him to Wonderopolis after Camellia had found the mirror but he didn't seem to like it. Oddly it seemed to scare him a bit.

"Alright. Give Aunty Maia a kiss." Maia knelt down. Joshua and Georgiana both ran up and gave her a sloppy kisses on her cheeks.

"Be good for your aunt Maia, okay? And Hatter and Kat." Franny was hugging Camellia tightly.

"He said I can call him Uncle Maddion!"

"Maddion?" Franny repeated.

"It's Hatter's first name." Maia picked up her small suitcase. It had the few last minute things her and Camellia needed. Earlier that week Kat had taken them shopping with Hatter's money (he had insisted) and they both had a small wardrobe of Wonderland clothing. They also had other things like shoes, jewelry and a few toys for Camellia. "We're off." Maia took Camellia's hand and they walked into the secret passageway. Franny close the door behind them tightly and after climbing the stairs, they slipped into the mirror.

Maia noticed immediately that the clothing and items she had laid out to pack on her bed were gone. In its place was a bright blue bag. It was about 3 feet big and was pulled closed by a drawstring. Maia and Camellia were inspecting it when Kat came in.

"Good! You're on time!" Maia was shocked. Kat was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a bright purple tank top. She had another bag in her hand along with a fashionable purple jacket. It was the most clothing Maia had ever seen on Kat (if that didn't sound dirty…)

"Aunt Kat!" Camellia ran and hugged Kat, who dropped her bag to swoop the child into her arms.

"Hello Cammy!" Kat already had a nickname for Camellia. "Are you excited to see the Spades Domain?"

"Yes! I want to go on a boat ride!" Camellia has poured over the drawings of the Spades Domain Maia showed her and had fallen in love with the pictures of the white sail boats.

"I'll make sure we go sailing then." Kat took Maia's suitcase. "Is this the last of your stuff?" she opened the suitcase and emptied it onto the bed.

"Kat!"

"Good we can fit this into the bad and get going." Kat opened the drawstrings bag on the bed. Maia was about to argue that the drawstring bad was way to small when Kat started successfully stuffing things into the bad. Maia's face was full of surprise when Kat finished. It's a Topsy Bag." Kat explained. "Kind of like Hatter's hat."

"Cool…" Camellia gasped.

"Let's go, Hatter and Ion are packing up the knights." Kat and Maia both picked up a bag. Maia grabbed her hat and set it on her head. Camellia skipped down the stairs and out of the house in front of them. In front of the house were four large white knights. Ion and Hatter were tying a few more blue bags to the Knights. When Kat and Maia walked up to them, they took their bags and added them to the Knights too.

"Isn't this the White Queen's symbol?" Maia pointed to the White crest on the saddle.

"These are also her Knights." Hatter smiled slyly at Maia. "She's letting us borrow them since we're traveling in her kingdom."

"Oh, that's very nice of her."

"It's also a fashion statement for her." Ion sighed. "Have'n well known people like mum and Hatta travel on her knights is show'n people that she's friends with two powerful people." Maia was shocked at the fact that Ion was wearing a long sleeved shirt. "what?"

"You're wearing a shirt."

"Miss my body?" she smirked.

"No." Maia scoffed. "It's just strange seeing you and your mom with so much clothing."

"So now you got the hots for my mum."

"You're infuriating." Maia narrowed her eyes at the smirking Cheshire.

"We can get away with very little clothing here, but the Spades Domain appreciates fashion, so clothing is required." He finally explained. Maia just nodded (still mad at his teasing) and walked over to Kat, who was introducing Camellia to one of the knights.

"This is Kleiner." Kat was holding Camellia up to the Knight's head. Camellia was staring in amazement as she put Kleiner on the nose. "We'll be riding him."

"Are you ok with riding with Kat?"

"Yes." Camellia nodded enthusiastically. Kat lifted her higher and set her on the saddle of the Knight.

"Be good!" Maia looked pointing at Camellia.

"Your Knight awaits my dear." Hatter said jokingly and led her over to one of the two Knights left.

Ion was already on his Knight and Kat was swinging up on her Knight behind Camellia. "Let me help." Hatter motioned to the Knight. Maia stuck her foot into the stirrup of the saddle. When she pushed herself up, Hatter's hands wrapped around her waist and helped her mount the giant stead. When she had settled into the saddle, Hatter walked away, trailing his hand down her thigh. She blushed furiously, remembering waking up in his arms a week ago.

After crying, she had fallen asleep. When she woke up, Hatter's arms were wrapped protectively around her. Her face was pressed into his chest one of her hands pressed on his abdomen between them, the other laying on his waist. One of his legs was between her legs, pinning her more to him. She had tried to slip away carefully, but couldn't do so without waking him. So she fell back asleep, only to wake up a few hours later alone (she didn't know that Hatter was making something for her to eat) and she left to her room in Annabell's house.

She shook her thoughts from her head and took the reins of her Knight. She knew that Knights were fast (which is why Camellia was going with Kat, who was skilled in riding) so she held on tight as Hatter mounted his stead.

"Are we ready?" he asked. Everyone nodded. "Good, we don't stop until we reach the edge of the Spades Domain."

The ride on the Knight's felt quick as they blurred past the trees of the chorus Forest towards the Spades Domain. Maia understood why Camellia wasn't riding with her when they left; it was hard enough keeping herself on the Knight, much less someone else. When Maia felt like she was going to fall off, they reached the end of the Chorus Forest.

There was a large field between the Chorus Forest and the Tugley Woods. Hatter had decided they would stop there and have a quick picnic lunch. Ion jumped off his Knight quickly and came over to help Maia down.

"Are you excited to see you home again?" Ion asked and Maia paled. They had overlooked Ion. He didn't' know she wasn't from the Spades Domain.

"Ion!" Kat yelled as she slid down from the Knight. "We've talked about this! Don't let your curiosity lose your respect with your friends. And with me."

"Yes mum." His ears fell back from the scolding. The look he gave Maia said that he hadn't given up yet. He knew she had a secret and she was determined to figure it out.

Maia helped Kat lay down the large blanket and unload the picnic basket (both from the bottom of one of the Topsy bags) while Ion and Hatter tied up the steeds with some pales of water (she hadn't a clue to where they got those). Camellia was glowing in happiness and could barely stay seated on the blanket.

"Aunt Maia, I can't wait till we get there." Camellia whispered. Maia just smiled widely at her and ruffled her hair. Camellia stuck her tongue out at her aunt then turned her attention to the plate of food Kat gave her.

"So…" hatter sat down next to Maia. He leaned back on his elbows and leaned towards her a bit.

"They're very majestic. And their bigger than…" Maia stopped as Ion came over. She was going to mention the horses at home but that would be a big tell as to where she was from to Ion. (This brings up a question, why doesn't Kat trust her own son?)

"I get what you're saying…" Hatter leaned in closer to her. "I've noticed you keep staring at Ion. Are you missing his lack of shirt?" Maia blushed. "is he what you consider a fine specimen of men?"

"Hatter!"

"Maddion, love. Maddion." He reminded her with a deep chuckle. She ignored him and focused on her food. Maddion watched her eat a slice of fruit, taking small bites.

"What?" she looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"I was just wondering…" Hatter leaned back onto his elbows. "If Knights are majestic, does riding one make me a 'finer' specimen?"

"You're incorrigible."

"Would I be better if I took my shirt off?"

"Hatter!"

"must I remind you again my dear?"

The trip through the Tugley Woods was even quicker (if that was even possible) than the Chorus Forest. It was understandable though because the tree's in the Tugley Woods were much bigger and much farther apart than the Chorus Forest. Each tree was at least 10 feet wide and the roots that were gathered at the base of each tree were as thick as Ion (and he was very thick).

It was a bright forest too, with bright red birds and pink flowers. There were other colors but Maia couldn't tell what they were because they were going so fast. They changed directions and the tree's started to thin out and become smaller. They slowed down dramatically and soon they came to a large stone and mortar wall. They trotted alone to wall, looking for something. Kat pulled up next to Maia and soon the three females were involved in a lively discussion.

When they came to a gate, the Knight's stopped abruptly. The gate was plain. It had a wooden door just big enough for them to enter on the Knights. There was also a small window in the tip of the wall. A man was leaning on the window frame sound asleep.

"Good day!" hatter's yell jolted the man awake.

"M-Mr Hatter s-sir!" The man saluted; his hand over his heart. "It is an honor!"

"I'm sure…" he mumbled so softly that only Maia heard. "My party and I seek passage into the city."

"O-of course! B-but wouldn't you enjoy entering through the front gate sir?"

"I would enjoy entering through this gate."

"As you wish sir." The gateman disappeared from the window. There was banging noises as the guard tried to open the gate.

"Why are we going this way?" Maia asked.

"I don't want to deal with the public…" Hatter groaned. "They're so… touchy."

"Whenever we enter the main city of Baroque, everyone goes crazy for Hatter and mum." Ion shrugged. "They're famous."

"Just because of Alice?" Maia's question wasn't answered because the noise of the gate opening was too loud to talk over. The minute the gate was fully open, Hatter maneuvered the Knight into the city. Maia's Knight followed without need of direction from her and they were soon on the streets of Baroque. Maia felt like she was in Shakespearian England with the cobble stone streets and the full length dressed. The houses and shops were all the same white and brown, clustered together.

Hatter lead the Knight's through the town with swift but careful moves. The farther they got into the town, the more people started to stare. There were whispers and people gaping as their party made their way down the street.

It was obvious when they reached their destination. The building was larger than all the ones surrounding it, but it still had the same colors and style as the other buildings. There was a sign hanging out front that was bright and colorful. It had a tea cup on it with the words "The D&D Inn."

Hatter swung off his Knight as a stable boy came up and took the reins. Maia was about to slid down when he appeared next to her. He reached up and grabbed her by the waist and helped her down. He didn't remove his hands when she touched ground, but instead leaning in closer to her.

Maia couldn't speak as he leaned in and whispered into her ear. "That's a beautiful dress." He brushed his lips on her cheek as he pulled away. He winked as he walked back to his Knight. Maia looked around to see if the others had seen the exchange but the Knight's blocked everyone's view. She fumbled getting the bags off her Knight before a stable boy took it away.

Another boy dressed in a uniform came and took their bags as they walked in. Camellia took Maia's hand quietly. "Are you ok?" Maia asked. Camellia nodded but she looked tired. "Did the trip wear you out?" Maia stopped a little distant from the front desk, where Hatter and Kat were checking in.

"A little."

"Me too. Maybe we'll take a nap before dinner." Camellia was too tired to argue so she just nodded and tried to keep her eyes open.

"Here is the key to your room." Hatter handed Maia a heavy brass key with a string on it. "You will be right next to Ion and Kat. I'll be across the hall."

"Thank you." Maia blushed as she looked at him. They followed the bell boy up the stairs to their room.

"We'll have dinner at 8 in the restaurant across the street." Kat paused outside of her door. "Is that ok with everyone?"

"I will wait patiently for the best Borogove steak in all of Wonderland." Hatter smiled widely then disappeared into his room.

"we're going to take a nap. Can you make sure we're up in time for dinner?"

"Sure." Kat yawned. "A map sounds amazing right now."

Maia woke up a few hours later, curled up in her bed. The room was pleasant, with a sitting area that faced a large window. The bedrooms were blocked off a little by half walls and curtains. The style was like a French cottage, done in light blues and soft grays with yellow flowers everywhere. She crawled out of bed and walked across the room to answer the pounding on the door.

"Ion?" Maia had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. He was dressed in dark slacks and a light gray button-up shirt. "Why are you in dress cloths?"

"Everything here is fancy dress." His hands were stuffed in his pockets.

"Where's Kat?"

"She headed over to the restaurant with Hatter's to get a table, it looked busy." He shrugged. His eyes bore into her with a questioning look and she tried to thank him and close the door. He grabbed it before she could though and opened it.

"What?"

"You're not from the Spades Domain, are you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Everyone in Baroque-which is where you uncle is from- knows Hatter and mum. If they don't they at least know why."

"I don't know much about these things, I was never interested in them. But I do know a bit about Alice and the Diamond Mine Wars."

"See, most people from here automatically would say that this was where Hatter was born and raised. All Spades are incredibly vain about that fact." He leaned in closer to her. "That's not the only thing you should know." Maia was very silent. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

"Aunty Maia…" Camillia's yawn echoed in Maia's ears.

"Where are you from?" Ion hissed.

"Thank you for waking us. We'll meet you at the restaurant." This time Maia was able to close the door. Maia went to get dressed with shaky hands. She helped Camellia into a frilly blue dress and black slip on shoes. She quickly slipped into a richly embroidered dress made of dark blue (she couldn't even look at the price tag when Kat insisted on it).

The dress trailed in the back a bit where as it went just above her knees in the front. She passed up her slip on shoes for heals when she remembered Ion saying it had to be fancy. Once Camellia was satisfied with her hair (which was half-up) they made their way out of the picturesque Inn to the restaurant across the street. Maia had a tight grip on Camellia's hand as they followed the Waser (in our world, it's a host) to the table. Kat, Hatter and Ion were already seated along with two strangers. Well, they were strangers to Maia, Hatter and Kat seemed to know them very well.

One was a girl, the other a boy. They both looked very similar with dark hair and dark eyes. They were also dressed similarly in dark green clothing and looked to be no older than 18. Hatter was the first to notice them and he stood up to greet them. Everyone followed suit and hello's and introductions went around. "Maia, Camellia, this is Deedle and her brother, Dumini. De, Dumi, these are the two beautiful women," he winked at Camellia, who giggled. "I told you about."

"It's so joyous to meet you!" Deedle hugged Maia tightly. "Tweedle Dee." She whispered in her ear and recognition flew across Maia's face.

"Callouh! Callay!" Dumini yelled out and pulled her into a tight hug. "And you, my lady!" he knelt down to Camellia's level. "Please tell me that this beauty will sit next to me during dinner." Camellia nodded with a large smile on her face. "Do you like stories?"

"Oh yes sir! I especially love the story about the Walrus and the Carpenter!" Camellia sat in the seat Dumini offered to her. Maia sat next to Hatter (the last available eat) and everyone sat down.

"It's the Case of the Curios Oysters, Marjorie." Deedle said.

"The Walrus and the Carpenter!"

"The Case of the Curios Oysters!"

"please, let's not argue" Kat laughed. "There is plenty of time for that later. When we can enjoy it much more." The twins stuck their tongues out at Kat. They didn't wait long though to get thrown into a story. They were interrupted a few minutes later by the Takke (waiter for us) coming by. She asked everyone what they wanted and they went around the table, starting with Camellia who was sitting between the twins.

"And for you, most gracious sit?" The Takke fluttered her eye lashes when she got to Hatter.

"I'll have a white Traff for a drink and Borogove steak with differs." Ha looked at Maia. "I suggest you try the steak also. And they carry your favorite tea, but they do something very interesting to it."

"I trust you, you haven't led me stray so far." Maia gave a small smile. "Borogove steak and Spades Red please."

"It's Spades Traff." Hatter corrected her. "Spades Traff." He repeated for the Takke.

"Of course sir!" The Takke gave a large white smile and hurried away. A few minutes later the food arrived but it was barely noticed because everyone was enveloped by a story the twins were telling. Maia was about to cut into her steak (which smelled delicious) but Hatter stopped her.

"Here." Hatter traded their plates. "it seems someone decided to tamper with yours."

"How can you tell?" to Maia, both plates looked exactly the same.

"There is a slight difference in the smell." Hatter tapped his nose.

"Hatter's nose is sharper than a borogove." Deedle laughed.

"It's probably because he eats so much of it!" Dumini sent the table into laughter.

"Not quite unlike the time you tried to eat a whole one by yourself, brother?" deedle set into another story while Hatter waved down the Waser

"Yes sir?"

"I would like another Takke. It seems someone has tampered with my food." Hatter handed him the plate. The Takke took a sniff and his face scrunched up.

"Quite right sir. There is too much Blue Pepper on this! I will personally over see the rest of your time here. I am sorry about this sir."

"These things happen." Hatter shrugged. "Go ahead, eat." He said to Maia and the Waser walked away.

"I'll wait till your foot gets here. It was originally mine after all." Maia shrugged.

"No!" Camellia yelled at Dumini, cutting off anything Hatter was going to say.

"What's wrong majorie?" Dumini put his fork down.

"Uncle Maddion doesn't have his dinner! It's not polite to eat until he has his dinner too." Dumini gave her a blanks stare. Slowly his face changed into understanding.

"You are very right. I have never noticed how rude that is." Dumini nodded. Everyone else put their forks down.

"Please, don't wait on me. My food shouldn't be much longer."

"If it's not much longer, than we won't be waiting too long." Deedle smiled.

"Nonsense." Ion rolled his eyes and picked up his fork. "If he says eat, I'll eat."

"No!" Camellia yelled. "Annabell always said that eating before everyone was served was improper! And Aunt Annabell never said anything that was nonsense." She was giving him a dark look, challenging him to go against her.

"Who is Annabell?" Dumini asked.

"My great aunt. She had a hand in raising everyone in our family." Maia shrugged.

"So she was your Silver One."

"I'd rather not talk about her." Maia gave a sad smile to Deedle. "She's pass-… her clock spun." She thought back to the term Kat made her learn.

"I'm sorry." Deedle said. "Oh look! Here's Hatter's steak."

"Now may I eat?" Dumini asked Camellia.

"Yes." She nodded. "Now you can eat."

"Aunt Maia! Aunt Maia! Look at what Aunty Kat gave me!" Camelia tried her hardest to run through the sand, her hands holding something an. Kat was chasing after her with a large smile.

"What did Aunt Kat get you?" Maia looked up from her book. They had decided to take a day trip to the pink beach of Azurth, a small beach village outside the gates of Baroque. The bathing suits weren't much different from the ones back home, so Maia and Camellia were comfortable. Maia was perched under an umbrella on a blanket with Deedle while everyone else played in water or the sand.

Kat had taken Camellia for a surprise. And this must be it. "What is it?" Maia looked at the tiny worm looking thing in Camellia's hands. It was yellow and was barely an inch big, about the size of Camellia's pinky. On the end that looked like the head there was a tiny tuff of purple hair.

It squirmed in Camellia's hands and Maia could see the slits of its eyes. "It's a baby mome rath." Deedle awed. "It can't be older than a few days, it's eyes aren't even opened yet!"

"Aunt Maia, can I keep it?"

"Well…" Maia sighed. "We have to ask your mom first." She dug into her bag and pulled out her crystal ball. "Franny." She only had to call her name a few times before the crystal warmed and Franny responded.

"Hello Maia! How's your trip going?"

"Wonderful, no pun intended." Maia laughed. "Hey, Kat got Camellia a pet. It's called a mome rath."

"What is that?"

"It's like a fuzzy worm."

"A worm?" Franny fell silent. "Is it hard to care for?" Maia looked up at Kat. Kat took the ball with a smile.

"Hello Franny, this is Kat."

"Oh hello Kat."

"Mome raths eat very little. They like any and all vegetation. And the only… waste they create is silk. The silk is very valuable in Wonderland so the little mom pays for himself."

"Wow…" Franny said as the ball was passed to Maia. "Maia… it's up to you. It's your house." Maia looked at Camellia's anxious face.

"You're taking care of it, you hear?" Camellia squealed in happiness. "And you listen to all the directions Kat gives you as to how to care for it. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am! Thank you!"

"Can I talk to Camellia?" Franny asked and Maia handed the ball to Camellia and took the mome rath. Camellia walked off to talk to her mother and plopped down in the sand only a few feet away. Kat stretched and laid out in the sun right near the umbrella.

"Time for a cat nap?" Maia asked.

"You're not funny." Kat mumbled. "But yes." Kat let out a large yawn and was asleep within seconds.

"Yo Dee!" Dumini yelled as he ran over to their group. Ion and Hatter were walking behind him and got there a few seconds after him. "Wana make a sand castle?"

"Bolderdash! Of course I do!" Deedle jumped up and they both ran closer to the water. Hatter sat down next to Maia and looked at the mome rath in her hand.

"Where did you get the mome rath?" Hatter asked. Ion laid out in the sun without speaking and was soon asleep like his mother.

"Kat bought it for Camellia." Maia pet the mome rath with her finger. "It's kind of cute. In a weird wormy way."

"They're from the Tugley woods." Hatter informed her. "Very good companions for young children. It'll be with her for most of her life. And very loyal."

"It's a worm."

"A very intelligent worm when it grows up." Hatter laughed when the mome rath started to suck on Maia's finger. "It's hungry. Didn't we bring some food with us?" Hatter looked around for the cooler type thing they brought. It was a box that's sides were constantly cold, and in turn, kept its contents cold. "Here we are." Hatter opened the box and took out a handful of uncooked duffers.

"That's a lot." Maia raised her eye brow.

"It'll eat it." Hatter started to put leaves of the duffers on Maia's hand next to the mome rath. The leaf was eaten up quicker than Mai expected. Hatter placed another leaf next to the mome rath and soon the two were in a pattern of 'place and eat'.

"Wow… it was hungry." Maia said when all the duffers ran out.

"They eat a lot. And the silk is worth a lot of treznors."

"If their silk is so valuable, why isn't there a business for them?"

"The only way a mome rath will produce silk is if it's cared for the right way. To have a successful industry of mome rath silk, you'd need hundreds of them. But each needs a lot of love from either a family of mome raths, or a companion like Camellia." Hatter pet the soft mome rath.

"How old do they live to be?"

"As old as their companion usually. If they're in the wild, about 90 years." Hatter looked at the mome rath sadly. "He will be a great companion for Camellia."

"Did you ever have one?" Hatter's face was passive as he pet the little mome rath in Maia's hand. "Hatter?"

"Why the sudden interest in my past, love?" Hatter smiled in a teasing manner. Maia shrugged and was saved by Camellia running over to trade the crystal for the mome rath again. Maia placed the crystal ball in her bag and forgot about it until a few days later.

They were having dinner with the twins again in their private room in the inn (which it turns out the twins owned) when she felt the crystal ball in her purse get warm. She pulled it out and held it in her hands. "Franny?"

"Their gone!" Maia excused herself from the table and went into the hallway.

"What?"

"The kids! Their gone! I left them alone for a few seconds with Jonathan and the bitch to get some sandwiches made for lunch! I heard a car in the driveway and they were just gone!" Maia's heart dropped.

"Call the police. Tell them everything. Camellia and I will be home as soon as-"

"No! Camellia's safe there, right? Let her finish her vacation, it's pointless to have her worry with me. I-I j-just do-nt know what t-to do." Franny was crying.

"I'll be home as fast as possible. It'll be before the sun rises."

"Thank you Maia. I can't believe it… he took my children. He took my children!"