A/N:
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Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Richelle Mead, except the story line or any new character(s) introduced.

Lissa walked with Sasha on her hip and Mia beside her completely oblivious to Avery trekking morosely behind them. To be quite honest, I felt a wave of sympathy wash through me toward Avery. The only reason she was on this trip was because of Adrian, who didn't come to the mall with us. It had to be hard on her attempting to fit in with a bunch of people she barely knew.

But as I delved into Lissa's mind I found that she still harbored reservations about Avery. She hadn't forgotten the way Avery had disrespectfully come into her home, and there was also an innate distrust of Avery embedded deep within Lissa that I couldn't comprehend. For some reason Lissa couldn't bring herself to trust the girl she had just met, which confused me to no avail.

Lissa was the friendliest person I knew. She was also quick to forgive and not one to hold on to grudges. So for her to ostracize Avery was beyond me.

Feeling bad for Avery, I walked up beside her with Lissa's and Sasha's many shopping bags lining my right arm. With my free arm I nudged her in the side while still keeping surveillance of my surroundings. "Do you want to talk," I asked.

She gave a start but gave me a small smile when she turned to face me. "No. I'm fine," she said as we made our way into Victoria's Secret. Behind me I could hear Guardian Reynolds teasing Guardian Yuran about 'buying a little something sexy to impress Max'.

Shaking my head I pursued my conversation with Avery. "Don't worry about Lissa." I paused to give the pretense that I was shopping for something and scanned the store for possible threats. "She'll come around. She's not one to hold grudges for long," I said, hoping Lissa wouldn't make a liar out of me, but based on the feelings I gauged from her earlier I wasn't sure if I believed my words.

Avery frowned. "You've forgiven me," she said turning her gaze from a lacy bra to me. "So why hasn't she? I mean I understand that I shouldn't have barged into her house the way I did, but I've tried to atone for that." She sighed. "I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I really want Lissa to like me."

I gave a sigh of my own. "I don't think it's so much what you're not doing so much as what Adrian didn't do." I didn't want to tell her that Lissa just flat out didn't trust her.

She raised an arched eyebrow at me. I was really starting to get annoyed that everyone but me could do that. "What do you mean?"

"Lissa and Adrian are like this," I said, crossing my index and middle fingers. "She's probably offended that he didn't feel the need to introduce the love of his life to her."

Avery still wore a look of confusion as she perused the lingerie. "But Lissa is your best friend, not Adrian's."

"They're connected in ways that she and I aren't," I said. "They understand each other in a way I can't."

Understanding lit up her face. "You mean the spirit, don't you?"

I nodded.

She frowned in thought before she spoke. "But that doesn't explain why she would be so mad he didn't tell her. I know Adrian," she said. "He just wanted to be sure of his feelings before he introduced me to the people he's closest to."

This time I frowned. "We know Adrian too, especially Lissa. They've shared so much having to learn spirit together." I paused, not entirely comfortable discussing this with Avery. "I guess Lissa just feels like she and Adrian have shared so much that there would be no barriers within their friendship. Nothing they wouldn't be able to discuss or talk about—"

Avery throwing down the lingerie she had clutched in her hand stopped me midsentence. "Well I'm sorry if Lissa feels that way, but Adrian is happy with me. If they are so close then she should be happy that he's happy."

A shift of my eyes found Lissa with Sasha sniffing perfumes. Neither of them had noticed anything amiss with my conversation with Avery.

"Lissa," I said through my teeth, not pleased with the way Avery was talking about her, "has the right to feel whatever way she wants. If she wants to be angry because one of her closest friends wasn't forthcoming with her she can very well be that."

Avery and I stared each other down.

She was the one to break the silence. "You should know how she feels. You shouldn't have to speculate and guess. You should just know. You two are bonded—" she abruptly closed her mouth like she had said too much.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What makes you say that," I asked, not wanting to confirm her statements.

I saw a spark of something in her eyes before she spoke, but it was gone as soon as it came. But whatever it was rubbed me the wrong way. "Adrian," was all she said before she stormed out of the store.

I was beginning to think that Lissa's suspicions weren't completely unfounded. Quickly scanning the room I found Guardian Reynolds pretending to help Guardian Yuran pick out lingerie for the sake of not raising the attention of the humans that we weren't ordinary shoppers.

Walking as quickly and nondescriptly over to the "couple" as I could manage, I pulled Guardian Reynolds aside and quietly advised him to keep a close eye on his charge. He didn't argue. He nodded his head in compliance and waltzed out the store and winked in Guardian Yuran's direction before he cleared the exit.

She rolled her eyes and inclined her head to my arm. "Would you like me to carry some of those," she asked, referring to all the shopping bags I had on my arm.

"No, I'm fine, thanks," I replied, my conversation with Avery still fresh in my mind.

"You won't be once they reach us," She said, directing my attention to Lissa and my daughter who were approaching, both carrying four bags each.

I groaned. "Liss, what did you do, buy the entire store?"

"Just a few things," she said, smiling down at Sasha. "Plus Sasha thought it would be a good idea to shop for you since you won't do it yourself."

"Yeah, mom," said Sasha. "We were only thinking of you," she said innocently, handing me her bags.

"Maybe if you made them carry their own bags they would reach a shopping limit," Mia said, laughing at my expense.

I couldn't help it; I let out a chuckle. "Maybe I should try that," I said to Mia. "Then they might let me go home early and get some rest."

"I doubt that," Guardian Yuran said over her shoulder as she led us out the store. "Is anyone else up for a visit to the food court?"

Smiling, I placed some of my bags in her outstretched hands. "Now you're speaking my language," I said.

"Mine too," said Sasha. "Come on, Aunt Lissa," she said, clutching Lissa's hand and dragging her along behind her. "I'm hungry."

Lissa laughed but let herself be dragged away by my daughter. "Meet you guys there," she called over her shoulder.

Guardian Yuran followed close behind them since she didn't have as many bags weighing her down. But before I could take one step, Mia nudged me in my side almost sending me sprawling to the floor. I forgot she was getting stronger because of her offensive training.

Before I could say anything she looked directly to our right. I followed her eyes and spotted Avery having a heated conversation with Chad, our human tour guide.

My alarms were instantly raised. What reason would Avery have to argue with our tour guide, a human one at that? Either she was an extremely abrasive person or she was having a bad day. Either way I planned to find out.

I turned to Mia and handed her my bags. "Take these and find Lissa, Sasha, and Guardian Yuran," I said.

"Sure, but what are you going to do," she asked.

When I faced Mia, my face must have said I meant business because she instantly stopped questioning me and did as I said. My friends were used to me being fun and laid back, but when I was in guardian mode they knew not to question me. They just acted because most of the time their lives depended on it.

When Mia was out of my sight, I made my way over to Avery and Chad. I positioned myself behind a statue of children with water shooting from various parts of their bodies to hear their conversation without being seen. I had to inch a bit closer in order to hear due to the sound of the water, but I finally got within hearing range.

Looking up I saw Guardian Reynolds in a store directly across from the bickering duo staring intently in their direction.

Letting my gaze shift back to Avery and Chad, I made a note to question him about what had led up to this heated exchange, but right now my focus was on listening to their conversation.

Edging a bit closer to the two, I heard Avery's raised voice. She sounded frantic but adamant as she accosted our tour guide. "I don't care," she yelled. "I want to go back!"

Chad was more composed than Avery, but his body language definitely alluded to him being pissed off, as did his tone when he responded to Avery. He wasn't yelling, but there was an underlying hint of animosity and malice in his voice as he spoke. "Are you sure that's what you want to do," his voice was low and dangerous, "because there is no coming back. I have to stay—"

"I don't care," Avery screeched. "You don't think I know this already! I…don't…care," she said between her teeth. "And I don't care what you have to do to make it happen, I want it done!" There was a finality in her voice that sent chills down my spine.

I wasn't sure what I was witnessing, but something was amiss. Avery had been speaking to Chad like they weren't complete strangers. But that was impossible. How would Avery have connections to a human hotel worker in Miami, when she lived at court?

Or at least I thought she did, but honestly, what did any of us really know about this girl?

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I almost missed what Chad said next. "Fine. I'm going to take you back now, but I need to make a call first." He paused. "And let Rose or Lissa know that I'm taking you back to the hotel."

Avery didn't respond she just stormed off with her regal nosed turned up.

Before Chad could make the phone call he told Avery he was going to make, his phone rang.

With a heavy and tired look in his eyes he picked up the phone. "Hello," he said into the receiver.

I could only hear one side of the conversation, so I paid close attention to what Chad was saying.

"Approximately six," he said after a couple moments as he listened to the person on the other end of the call.

He was silent for a couple more minutes as he listened to the caller. I couldn't hear what the other person was saying even as I inched a bit closer, but I could discern a feminine quality to the voice. "I'm not sure exactly. That's something you're going to have to figure out."

More silence ensued. "One week," he said. "That's all you have, so make the most of it." With another heavy sigh he said, "Sure, I'm looking forward to it," and abruptly ended his call.

He began to walk away and I walked around the statue at a pace that would allow me to intercept him. I wasn't sure what I would say when I found him because I couldn't outright demand to know exactly what he and Avery were arguing about without revealing I had been eavesdropping.

Rounding the statue I nearly bumped into Chad, who looked stunned to see me.

There was an awkward silence before I said, "I was just on my way to the food court," I paused before I spoke my next sentence. "I was looking for Avery, but I couldn't find her. We had a little disagreement and I wanted to make sure she was okay," I said, scrutinizing his reaction.

Relief spread across his face and I raised my eyebrows. "That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about," he said. "Avery was really upset about that and decided to take her frustration out on me, but I eventually agreed to take her back to the hotel. I told her I needed to stay here with you guys, but she didn't really care and demanded that I take her back. I just wanted to let you or Lissa know where I was going before I left and you couldn't find me."

I nodded my head in understanding.

He continued on. "I'm also going to have to leave you guys early. My sister called and said our parents are out of town and she doesn't know when they're returning home," he paused, looking sheepish. "I'm pretty sure you don't want to hear about my family woes but I promised I would be at the house by six o'clock because her prom is coming up and I have to take her shopping since our parents aren't here," he paused to catch his breath. "I'm also not going to be very available outside of work this week because I gave her a week of my time to get everything she needs for prom." He looked at me with an apologetic smile on his face. "Fun, right?"

I gave a small smile in return feeling bad about suspecting him of anything malicious. "It's fine," I said. "Do what you have to do. Honestly, we'll be fine. We can make it back to the hotel on our own. You don't have to come back after you drop Avery off." I waved my hand toward one of the many exits in the mall. "Go be with your sister," I said.

"Are you sure," he asked. "Because I can come back if you guys need me to."

"Positive," I said. "We'll be fine."

"Alright then," he said. "I guess I'll see you guys later then." He waved in farewell and turned to leave.

Before he was out of hearing range I called out to him. "Chad," I said, loud enough for him to hear me.

He turned back to look at me.

"I apologize for Avery's behavior toward you," I said.

He shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle," he said. "Let everyone know I said good bye," he said before starting toward the exit again. I was so engrossed in my thoughts I didn't notice that this was the first time Chad hadn't tried to flirt with me before a departure.

Turning on my heels, I headed to the food court and steeped into stride with Guardian Reynolds on the way. I recounted everything that I heard and that Chad told me to him.

A frown spread across his face. "I'll keep an eye on this situation," he said, referring to his charge. He didn't come outright and say he didn't trust her, but I could see the wariness written clearly in his eyes. He then turned and began heading for the exit at a slight jog. "I have to catch up to Chad and Avery, and escort my charge back to the hotel," he called over his shoulder as he cleared the exit. It wouldn't take him long to catch them. Chad had exited the mall not even two minutes before Austin.

When I finally reached the food court, my group was sitting at a table in the center of the room laughing. When I approached, Sasha hopped from Lissa's lap and bounded into my waiting arms.

When she was comfortable she turned in my arms to face me. "Mom, I bought you an éclair," she said.

I smiled at her and frowned at the clear table. "Where is it," I asked, my stomach growling on cue.

She pointed to her stomach. "You were taking too long so I ate it so it wouldn't go bad."

I feigned outrage at Sasha eating my food. "Did anyone save me anything?"

Lissa laughed as she handed me a Five Guys bag. "A cheeseburger and fries," she said.

A smile spread across my face. "Now that's more like it," I said, taking a seat with Sasha in my lap.

I opened my bag and dug in, with Sasha's help of course.

"Where's Avery," asked Guardian Yuran, as I stuffed my mouth with French fries.

At first the question didn't register with Lissa, then she scanned our group and noticed Avery's absence. I thought back to earlier today when Lissa said she had to invite Avery to the mall with us so she wouldn't feel left out. So much for that sentiment. "And Chad and Austin," she added.

"Avery wasn't in the mood for shopping, so Chad and Austin are taking her back to the hotel," I said between bites of my burger. I also relayed Chad's dilemma with his sister.

"That's too bad," said Lissa, and that was all she had to say on the situation.

A quick check of the bond clued me in on the fact that Lissa wasn't happy Avery left, but she also wasn't bent out of shape. She still didn't care too much for her. I made a mental note to question her about that later.

"So," Mia said, drawing out the word. "Are we going to continue shopping or are we heading back to the hotel too."

Lissa and Sasha looked at Mia as if she had taken complete leave of her senses.

"Of course," I said. "No sleep for the weary." I rose from my seat with Sasha in tow and threw away my empty bag. "Where to now?"

"There," Lissa said, pointing at a huge store at the far end of the mall.

I turned a second later to follow her finger and missed the raven haired woman exiting the Forever 21 Lissa was pointing toward.

"Fine," I said, letting Sasha leap from my arms and run to Mia, who was standing next to Lissa. "Let's go."

Guardian Yuran shook her head, but kept pace with me as we trailed behind our charges as they made their way to yet another store.

I glanced at all the bags she and I were carrying between the two of us and shook my head too.

"Long day," she mouthed to me.

"You know it," I mumbled back, entering the store behind Lissa, Mia, and Sasha.

I hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter.

R&R!

As always I apologize for any mistakes you may have come across during your reading.

Do you guys think the gang is being fair in their mistrust of Avery? Let me know in a review. This chapter might not seem like much, but it is a very pivotal point in the story. But, all will be revealed in due time. I feel so evil for leaving you guys hanging right here because things are definitely about to pick up.