A/N: I absolutely adore Garm and Leif...they are so much fun to write. Mostly dialogue here but I had to finish up the conversation so that meant talking...

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"As I was saying…" Phai said after having silenced the two males with a sharp look. "The Council is made up of ten members. Including myself, seven have already woken from their slumber. Three are here before you the other four on their way. So I believe I've fulfilled your little history lesson. Now, answer my question of 'Who is Xavier?'"

The Carpathians shifted a bit, still trying to readjust to the sudden increase in what they had apparently been lacking for so long. "Best to answer her." Garm said suddenly. "She gets cranky."

"I am not cranky." Phai denied.

You sound cranky.

"No one asked you, Leif." Phai pointed out.

"Why…" Mikhail started uncertainly. "Would our ancestors use a female and not a hunter to guard our race?"

Phai scoffed. "Like men are at all sensible." Several women, Raven included, stifled a laugh. "Besides, the length of time we were dealing with would have left a male completely vulnerable to the darkness. The last thing we need is for our protector to turn. And don't even suggest sending a mated pair because it was decided that mated pairs were needed where they were."

"But you could have been a lifemate to one of the ancients that turned!" One of the younger males protested.

Phai's eyes hardened into emerald ice. "I have only one Lifemate. And my Dearest has already departed from this world. You would do well to remember that Fledgling."

"Then…why haven't you joined him?" Shea asked lacing her fingers through her own Lifemate's.

"I am Dragonseeker. And I have a duty to perform." Phai answered proudly.

Garm stirred slightly. "Only those who have lost everything can protect those who have everything to lose." Phai nodded in agreement. "That was the oath we took eighteen centuries ago and through our blood we will hold to our word."

Whooo, a shiver run down my spine… Leif said shifting a bit in his spot. That was nostalgic.

"Indeed it was." Phai agreed. "Now, I will answer no more questions without my first being answered."

Mikhail nodded the three ancients had been remarkably patient with the barrage of questions. "Xavier is a wizard who has been attempting to destroy our race. He kidnapped a Dragonseeker female and forced her to bear his children. Now he has joined forces with the Malinov brothers, a group of Vampires who long ago plotted to overthrow my Father."

"They've gathered an army of Vampires and human slaves and attack us through ever means possible. They even attacked our unborn children." A woman baring several human weapons added.

"That's it?" Garm asked. "We were summoned for a single wizard and a few Vampires? By the powers! How on Earth could an entire race not be able to handle this?"

"Garm. Silence yourself before I do it for you." Phai said without turning to look at him. "But, loath as I am to admit it…Garm does have a point. Why has the situation deteriorated so very much that you were desperate for help?"

"We had thought all the Wizards dead. He was acting from the shadows for a very long time we only recently realized Xavier was still alive." Gregori answered.

Phai nodded a bit. "That would make a slight amount more sense." She closed her eyes as she thought for a minute. Then she reopened them and studied the woman bearing the arsenal of weapons. "You are Dragonseeker." She stated.

The woman nodded not seeming too surprised that Phai had zeroed in on her and her bloodline. "Natalya."

Phai inclined her head slightly. "Tell me then, Natalya. Do you know of the Dragonseeker that this Xavier captured?"

Natalya looked off to the side awkwardly. "She was my Grandmother."

"I see." Phai –noting the tension that had built with that single question- didn't ask anything more on the subject. She wandered a few steps away looking thoughtful. A moment later she turned to face them again. "The best way to fight a wizard –I have found- is with another wizard." She stated after a long moment.

"Too bad ours is yet to awaken." Garm commented.

"Then perhaps it is time to make him wake up." Phai said thoughtfully. She turned suddenly, eyes landing on the Jaguar under the stone bench. "Leif, my darling, where did Andamion say he was going to be putting his little magic filled head?"

Leif let out a Jaguar's huff of a laugh. Asia somewhere.

Phai nodded. "Then I suppose I shall have to travel to Asia…I wonder how the scenery has changed…" She turned back to the younger Carpathians with a half smile. "Don't worry, it shouldn't take too long to wake him. And Leif and Garm move far too slow so I'll be leaving them here should you need help before I get back."

"Hey, we are not slow!" Garm protested.

And why are we the babysitters? You know I'm not good with kids!

"You're not good with anybody." Garm said dryly.

"Enough you two." Phai said before Leif could spout off his next retort. "I shouldn't be gone long. So behave. Don't kill anyone I wouldn't." Her form shimmered like glass before shattering into a rainbow of droplets and streaming across the sky. The droplets came together and formed a huge black falcon before disappearing behind a wispy cloud.

I would pay to see her wake up, Andamion.

Garm nodded in agreement. "It should be a display of epic proportions. Lightening and earthquakes galore. Too bad we're always left behind…"

So unfair… Leif said looking up at the sky. After a minute he stretched and yawned loudly. Well…I think I'm going to go-

"No!" Garm interrupted instantly. "You just stay here."

But-

"No." Garm said again pointing to the large cat warningly. "Every time you decide to 'explore' we get into trouble. So just…stand there!"

Leif growled a bit and sat back on his haunches. Stupid overbearing mutt…