Let me know what you guys think! I have a couple of people commenting but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't like more. Enjoy!

-Chapter 12-

Erza stiffened briefly as she heard a female cry out but was soon on her feet requipping a sword for battle.

"Fucking Vander," Bickslow laughed as he rested his hand on her shoulder leading her back to her seat. Recognition quickly lit her expression at the sound she now identified as not pain but pleasure.

"Yes, I do believe he is having intercourse with Safra." Her stilted and formal reply made Bicks just want to get the woman drunk to relax but with no alcohol he'd have to do something else.

"It sounded like he moved them outside. You want to have a look around the temple? Maybe find the hidden door while the others are either still in bed," he looked from Lucy and Cristoff then toward where the sound had come from, "or just got back into one?"

Erza inwardly shook her head at his choice of words but nodded to him and stood back up. "I would like to have a look around."

"Excellent!" Bickslow jumped up offering his hand. "May I have the pleasure of escorting such a beauty?" he said in a mock bow. Erza couldn't help but giggle at his act.

"Yes of course," she said placing her hand in his. Taking her hand and putting into the crook of his elbow Bickslow led them back across the grass. Not the most romantic of first dates if looking through an ancient temple for treasure for a mission could be considered a date. Then again the rules applied: they were paired off together, he'd asked her to join him on a specific activity and she agreed plus she was flirting back. Totally a first date.

-DTRE-

Cristoff rolled his eyes at the all too familiar sound. He knew it was only a matter of time before those two landed in bed together after he left his brother. Back in the temple whenever Vander got closer to her, their arousals rose, and his brother was never known not to indulge mutual attraction. His sense of smell was nowhere near as keen as a dragon slayer's but it was good enough to have picked up her interest. With the almost guarantee that she was his mate? Yeah, he was surprised his brother even made it outside.

Vander was seen by most as a lazy over-sexed cocky smartass and a whole other slew of unflattering adjectives. They didn't see, however, his dedication and drive or his discipline when it came to training and his work. His brother had even passed the Holy Knight's induction with an officer ranking in the Order. Sure he was kicked out shortly after for having sex with one of the Maidens of Immaculate Light, but that wasn't the point. Yes the maidens were supposed to completely abstain from sex and be dedicated only to their orders but none of the Priests were held up to that so why just the women? The whole reason sex is encouraged among the ranks of the military, especially on missions, is to allow them to get distractions out of their systems so they can focus intently on what needed to be done. Why shouldn't it hold true for the Maidens? It's not like they couldn't still function in their roles and have sex, it was just an antiquated tradition. Vander and he both felt it was just a remnant of the old Boscan beliefs - most of his family did - only Vander was stupid enough to disregard it. The knights hadn't thought twice about kicking him out and his tattoo was demoted then filled in black as a reminder of his disgrace. Vander wore it like a badge of honor instead.

It all was just like the abhorrent law that allowed the Crown Princess to force normally unwilling men into her bed. Denying her "request" was seen as unpatriotic and an insult to The Royal Family which could ruin most and their families. He couldn't count the times he'd had to heal not only himself but Kaleb too after the ruthless whippings, cuttings and beatings they took for the sake of her pleasure. She'd wanted Farron, their oldest brother, in her bed too since before Cristoff could remember but his brother's standing in the consulate was high enough that she'd never been able to use the law to force him there. She hadn't seen Bickslow or Vander yet since either they were a wanted criminal hiding outside of her reach or kept so busy with his duties they never crossed paths, respectively, and he thanked the stars every day for that. It was essentially legal blackmail, rape and torture rolled into one just for her.

Turning his attention back to the beautiful woman in his arms Cristoff buried his nose in her hair. He needed to speak with Lucy about the Princess. Without them being legally promised or married the Princess could still request him to "attend" her and he knew if she found out he had found his mate she would probably only bring him to her bed that much sooner. She'd revel in ruining their new relationship and bond, had done just that with others before - albeit not a dragon slayer and their mate. That wouldn't save them from her and this time it would all end in both Lucy's and his deaths not just a failed relationship. From his brothers' warnings about Lucy he knew, even though it would have been forced, having sex with the Princess after knowing they were mates could irreparably damage her trust in him. The betrayal from the one man that was supposed to put her above all others? It would likely kill her. He'd follow shortly after her, he knew he would mated or not. There would be no way he could live through the guilt of being the reason his mate had died. While he didn't want to rush Lucy into anything, they needed to at least be promised before the next time he saw the Princess or everything would be lost. Pulling her closer Cristoff tried so hard to focus on the fact that they were safe now and together and far out of Kurino's reach.

-DTRE-

Lucy shifted into the warmth beside her as she started to wake up. No matter what she always seemed to be cold when she slept. The celestial mage snuggled into her most wonderful comfortable bed and sighed then froze as her senses started kicking in. She felt warm strong arms around her waist that could not possibly belong to Natsu or Gray. They were much to thickly muscled. Going on instinct Lucy kicked the intruder hard sending them far away from her screaming, "Pervert!" Taking a deep breathe to shore up her nerves, she opened her eyes with Loke's key at the ready to fight off her assailant. Her eyes scanned the area which only served to confuse her more. 'This is not my apartment…,' she thought before her eyes meet confused and hurt dark blues. Blinking, memories flooded her mind from the day before.

"Oh, Cristoff! I'm so sorry." She practically leapt at him on the floor giving him a once over to see if she hurt him. "I split your lip!" she squeaked horrified. "I am so sorry!"

Cristoff pulled his excitable mate onto his lap holding her excitable flailing limbs to her side. "Is this normal for you to wake up swinging?" he asked voice full of humor now. It had been a hell of a way to wake up but any sense of rejection disappeared as he watched Lucy bury her face in her hands.

"When I woke up I was all confused. I thought I was home and then I felt someone's arms around me I didn't recognize and just…reacted," Lucy confessed.

Cristoff chuckled, "Well I guess we'll have to get you used to my presence for in the future." He played with Lucy's loose hair until she looked up.

"In the future?" she asked her mind still not at 100%.

"Yes, it's easier on my instincts if I'm close to you so holding you while we sleep…" he said hesitantly at Lucy's shocked expression. "I promise nothing will happen you don't want." This wasn't exactly how he imagined this conversation going.

"Oh, right… of course," Lucy said woodenly.

"I don't mean to pressure you. You can say no," he tried to assure her. 'If sharing a bed to just sleep freaks her out this is going to be very hard.'

"No, I mean, yes, I mean…," taking a deep breathe she started running her finger over his injured lip as she watched the cut heal instantly like nothing happened, "What I mean to say is that I would enjoy it."

He looked at her incredulously. "You mean it? You're not just saying that?"

"Yes and yes," she answered and Cristoff's eyebrows shot up. Putting the rest of her hand over his mouth she stalled him from speaking. "You're my mate or will be and I want to make you happy. We barely know each other and I don't know when I might be ready to be more physical but I want to be why you're happy. I need to be."

"Holding you close makes me very happy," he said pulling her hand away from his mouth.

"Good."

"Lucy?"

"Yes?" she said laying her head on his shoulder. It had taken her time to get comfortable with the touches, cuddles, etc. that came with the territory of being surrounded by Boscans but she was very glad now she could at least do this for Cristoff without any freaking out episodes, well, at least while she was conscious.

"While no one else is around I wanted to ask you something but I'm not sure how to explain everything."

Lucy closed her eyes as her body went rigid. "You're not currently dating anyone or into super weird kinky stuff are you?" she asked with baited breathe. She got too much kink already from Virgo.

"What?" Cristoff chuckled out. "No, not really, geez you're just full of surprises. It's interesting how your mind works."

Relaxing in his arms again Lucy looked up at him. "Then just tell me."

"Will you be my Promised?" he asked directly as possible.

"Yes," at his hum of approval she smiled happily and added, "What's a Promised?"

"What's a? …Lucy! How can you agree to something you don't know?"

She shrugged her shoulders. When visiting Bosco to make sure Travis and his cohorts all got what was coming to them she remembered hearing something about people being promised but she was too distracted dealing with all the crap delving into Travis' mind caused to pay any particular attention. "I trust you."

Cristoff's disbelief and exasperation was gone in an instant and he felt his stomach flip at her admission. "Thank you," he said softly and then fully explained everything. For a Boscan being promised meant that the couple was legally exclusive and that sleeping with someone else without their Promised's permission was a legally actionable offence. It also gave them legal rights should something happen to their partner. Bosco didn't have divorce so this is what people did until they were absolutely sure marriage was what they wanted to do. It wasn't uncommon for a couple to be promised for years before they married. Lucy took in that knowledge easily enough asking some questions and nodding. Even told him that was how she'd already started thinking about him and to not expect any kind of permission coming from her to sleep with anyone else. He just smiled at that but hesitated before he continued about the Boscan Princess, the law and what she does. How he'd had a back-up plan if she had wanted to wait even though it would involve him having to leave Bosco to make sure the Princess was well away from getting at him. He wouldn't risk what would happen to them if he didn't. He just wanted her and his family safe from any repercussions had she wanted to wait. By the time he was done Lucy was livid.

Cristoff looked at his seething mate and was at a loss. He hoped she would understand but they had only known each other a day and their bond was weak at best. He hung his head afraid he'd ruined everything already anyway. "Thank you," she said calmly – too calmly, more controlled rage instead of calm. "You saved me from having to teach that the hypocritical bitch a lesson I would probably be hanged for," she explained finally meeting Cristoff's shocked eyes. She wasn't mad at her mate, no, but at a woman that would knowingly abuse her power over her subjects as if they didn't matter. It was like how many of her spirits used to be treated and she couldn't stand people like that. "Had she done that to us, to you, I wouldn't have blamed you." Her eyes soft as she kissed his cheek her hand cradling his other when they hardened again immediately. "No, I would have strung that bitch up in her own shackles and called Virgo and Aries to slowly dismember her as I watched leaving her alive just enough she could feel pain and was begging for me to kill her just so it would end. You're mine!" she growled deeply surprising Cristoff. He swore even her eyes flashed colors briefly but it could have been a trick of the light.

The imagery was violent and dark but his dragon purred in delight at being so openly claimed and defended. Cristoff had no words so he did the next best thing. He kissed Lucy with all he was worth. He poured into it all the pride and joy he felt in that moment and Lucy responded with equal fervor.

She didn't know quite what came over her but the threat to her happiness made something in her snap. All she wanted, no, needed to do in that moment was claim her mate. Spending another second not connected to him giving someone a chance to take him from her because of what now seemed a ridiculous childhood idea and fear. She knew all she needed to know about Cristoff when he didn't just take her answer but thought to explain why. All he cared about was her and how she'd feel about the situation. Even where and how they would live could be dealt with in time. All the questions that had made it so hard for her to fall asleep last night could wait. Right now she was ready to claim her mate and nothing was going to stop her!

She moved to straddle his lap and had never been more thankful that he didn't have a shirt on. Her hands were everywhere his skin was exposed as her tongue pushed into his mouth. When he tried to pull back she growled deeply then bit his lip sharply in warning. Cristoff growled back and pushed her onto her back holding her arms in the grass while she struggled to dominate him. He nipped her nose in warning then nuzzled her cheek to calm her down.

Cristoff wasn't sure why or how Lucy was acting like a threatened dragoness but it was seriously driving him to claim her then and there. He thanked the gods he'd grown up around Nurem and Emzadi or this little episode might have just gone too far. The last thing he wanted was everything to start like this, knew she would feel more pain than necessary if they did since he doubted he'd fully be in control. He wanted time to worship her and lick chocolate from her body. He wanted to take his time massaging her with warm scented oils until she was lost in pleasure. "You're so beautiful and sexy," he whispered as he kissed her temples, chin, cheeks, forehead, eyes lids and nose – anything to try and reassure her. "I want you so much but we can't here, can't now." He continued with his delicate kisses slowly bringing Lucy back to her normal self. "You have a job to finish and I have a perfect gift to find remember?" he said just barely pressing his lips against hers finally seeing the recognition back in Lucy's warm brown eyes.

"Sorry," Lucy choked out trying to hold back sudden tears. She been so focused on solidifying their bond she missed everything he said and was now humiliated at having to be forcefully stopped. She was ashamed of herself for acting so aggressive when he obviously didn't want her like that. Outright refused her advances even though the day before he'd been more than willing to take her in front of his brothers. Now they were Promised something he initiated and should could only reason her aggressiveness and throwing herself at him was a turn off. 'I'm apparently so revolting even my mate doesn't want me.' "I thought… never mind."

"Don't be sorry, by the stars and heavens above that was sexy!" at her obvious surprise he kissed her temple again and continued, "Listen, angry dominating dragon sex would be too painful for you right now." It was that thought alone that had allowed him to reign in his own passion. Lucy nodded her head trying to take his words at face value. He'd given her no reason not to believe him. Wiping her eyes she gave him a tremulous smile. "That's better, now what say we do some searching and get this job done so we can spend some real time together?" Cristoff asked as he stood up.

"Yes, that artifact isn't going to find itself," she said interlacing their fingers together. She felt so stupid and decided the best thing to do was to pretend none of that had just happened. "How did we get out of the room anyway?" she asked as they walk across the grass.

"When the spell finished the lock down lifted."

"Really? Did someone else get pulled here like we thought?"

"Funny story that. Yes, plus I think I know what the spell was for."

"What?" Lucy whined just a little she was so curious.

"I believe it's to find a person's mate," he said easily like they were discussing the weather.

"But you're the only dragon slayer here," she countered. "Humans don't have mates, Bicks told me that, so why do you think so?"

"Well, did Erza tell you about her mother?"

Lucy nodded, "Yes but I thought she was conceived before her mother was made a dragon slayer. She doesn't have any dragon slaying magic."

"That we know of," Cristoff said. "It could be that she just never learned. Everything else would be far too coincidental if it wasn't."

"What everything else?"

Cristoff gave her a sad smile. "Sorry, you'd have to ask Bicks and Van to tell you. But think about this, this temple was built in the Jacinto Mountains which is another word for Hyacinth, Apollo's first love. It seems appropriate for there to be a spell to help others find their love since Apollo was denied his."

"When did you learn all of that?" They'd been locked in a room all day and Crux had told them most of that before they had even found the temple!

"My father informed me while you were talking with Erza of what he found out and is expecting three weddings before the year is up."

Lucy shook he head. Arman was everything her father hadn't been in life so it would make sense he'd be anxious to see them happily settled. She had an inkling feeling what Vander and Bickslow saw in their visions supported that and was excited that Erza might have Bicks as a mate. 'They would be amazing together... She'd probably try to kill Vander the first time he stole food from her plate but Bicks knows better and only does that when it's "officially leftovers".' "So who was the third person?"

-DTRE-

Vander woke to the sunlight bearing down on his face through the shadows of tree branches above completely at ease but with one hell of a hard on from the dream he'd just woken from. That was definitely not a typical thing especially since he'd just had sex. Rubbing his eyes he reached for Safra only to find she was no longer next to him. Clearing his groggy mind and senses he heard what sounded like dishes clinking not too far away so looked over and saw the very still nakedly beautiful fairy stretching just so slightly to reach into a cupboard filled with wine glasses. The way her toes pointed lifting her ass and the slight arch to her back had his desire for her turning into absolute need. As if reading his thought she turned toward him and smiled brightly.

"I thought you could use a little repast," she said setting the glasses on the counter.

Vander gracefully rolled to his feet ignoring the way his thick erect cock bounced with the movement and joined her in the kitchen pressing her into the counter. From behind he held her hips and kissed along her neck while nestling his need between her cheeks. "Really? And what about you?" he said seeing only one place setting and what looked like wine but couldn't be sure given he was with someone not entirely human. He smelled something delicious coming from the oven that made his stomach rumble.

"I only require small amounts of food. Full fairies don't really need to eat at all but since I'm part human too I do have to eat just less frequently. I had my meal for the day before I left the Charm this morning." Humming in pleasure as her potential sýzygos tickled the underside of one of her breasts she opened the bottle ignoring his insistent prodding from behind. "Although they do love making and drinking wine," she said filling one of the glasses about 1/3 of the way up with a dark purple liquid swirling it a few times sniffing then passing it to Vander.

"What do they live off of then if they don't eat?" he took a sip of the wine and was surprised by the light sweetness it had with a bitter chocolate undertone. Vander's other hand continued to move down lightly teasing her warm skin.

"They mostly survive like the trees and plants do in the forest – sunlight, air and water – though they and I also need magic from the earth. They can eat and get some magic through that but they or I are not physically capable of consuming enough to sustain us for long. We'll eventually starve if we're cut off from Earthland's ethernano completely." She took a sip from her own glass as her other hand played with his earrings. God she loved how his ears looked studded with bits of metal and gems. Maybe she could do something similar? She could feel her breathing getting shallower as Vander's attentions started building a burning ach as she fought a little for control.

Vander nodded and set his glass back on the counter. The only way fairies could starve then would be if they were kept in magic cancelling rooms or binds. He'd have to make sure to use different binds than he had currently if they ventured into bondage. They'd been a practical purchase since losing control of his magic in situations like that was a lot more likely but if they actually harmed her, he could always afford to buy another pair. For now, they had a lot more things they could try that didn't require any of that starting with him finally exploring her body fully.

Turning Safra around Vander kissed her deeply unable to put off his hunger for her anymore. He thought that after their morning bout the pull he felt for her would lessen like with any of his conquests before but he craved her even more now. It was like a tangible pull he had no intention of fighting. Even his dreams were filled with Safra writhing under him in pleasure and here she was just standing there plying him with wine. Lifting her on the counter he spread her legs and pushed into her without warning. It wasn't often Vander initiated sex like this without driving his partner practically insane with foreplay first but Safra hadn't needed it and he knew his regular rule of once and done could not apply here. He could smell she wanted him just as much. Could feel the warm slickness of her arousal before he even turned her around. The smell was intoxicating and stirred up all sorts of cravings.

His pace was fast and hard, filled with nothing but raw base desires and animalistic noises. Still, he adjusted his angle often preventing Safra from being able to catch her breathe. His name was like a prayer she repeated over and over again. She begged him to go harder and faster and he loved how guttural she groaned when he bit on her nipples. Leaning her back on the counter he pulled her forward enough that her ass hanging off the counter with his hands supporting her waist as so he could slam into her without restraint. It didn't take long for them both to find their end breathing heavily and a bit in a daze from the heights they were coming down from.

Vander smirked into Safra's shoulder as he felt her sex still quivering around him trying to pull everything it could from his body. Surprisingly enough, this had been the first time he'd ignored most of his training as a Sudepah and just rutted like an animal in a field. Yes, he'd submitted himself similarly while doing his work for the Steel Council but he enjoyed teasing and pleasing his partners too much ever do this before until now. The fact that he'd still gotten Safra off first without even trying stroked his ego more than a little.

Taking in a deep lungful of air Safra chuckled, her head leaned back on the counter and her hands moved up and down his back.

"And here I thought I was going to be sexually frustrated for the next two moon cycles."

"Can't have that now, can we?" he said right before a timer went off.

"That'll be your lunch," Safra said as she tried to put her feet on the ground only to have Vander hold her firmly in place. After all that he was still fairly hard and seated in her comforting embrace. His need had barely even been touched and Safra looked like she would still be able to walk. There was no way they were even close to being done.

"The food needs to cool," he said as he used a shadow to take the baking dish out of the oven and set it on top of the stove, "this," he rolled his hips eliciting a groan from the fairy woman in his arms, "won't." He lightly licked the peak of her nipple then blew gently over it while his hands glided over her arms. The touch was feather light but to her already overly-sensitized skin Safra moaned at the contact. Vander took his time now exploring every inch of her body, something he'd wanted to do almost from the first moment he'd seen her.

His fingers moved up from her arms and into her loose long blond hair where he tugged gently. He was a little surprised, however, when he'd pulled the solo clip she'd worn free and the ear he was nibbling on was suddenly pointed. Running the tip of his nose over the outside edge he thought, 'I wonder what other little differences that illusion hid,' before turning his attention back to the newly discovered area with great success as Safra shuddered in his arms. It was time they both got to explore each other since there was nothing else all that pressing happening – at least nothing Vander considered more important than his getting his fill of the tall woman he still had dangling off the counter.

-DTRE-

"Any luck?" Lucy asked as she walked toward Bicks and Erza. She and Cristoff had spent the better part of the morning searching each room coming up empty while discussing Cristoff's plans for after the job was done. He and Erza had decided to stay until the job was finished the day before but he wanted Lucy's opinion before he decided anything else. They thought it best if Cristoff travelled with them all the way to Magnolia and since he had cleared at least that much with Kaleb already he settled in to thoroughly enjoy himself.

Lucy knew he wasn't sure if his Lieutenant duties could be covered for much longer without the preparation he'd planned to setup for his trip to visit Vander later, plus, all his money, IDs and clothing was still in Bosco and he'd have to pick them up eventually.

It was almost noon by the time they came across Erza and Bicks as they headed to the control room.

"No, we're headed to the security room to see if there are any clues that will help the search," Erza said in the more formal commanding tone she used around those she didn't know well.

"Great minds think alike. That's where we're headed before stopping for lunch since I missed breakfast." Lucy rubbed her empty stomach as the mages all started walking down the same hall.

"Has Vander come up for air yet?" Bicks' eyes were full of laughter.

"I haven't seen or heard from him since earlier," Cristoff answered. "Although I'm curious as to where he took her that even I can't hear them now."

"He should be more considerate of Fairy Tail's reputation while he is here and not get distracted with physical relations before the job is completed." Erza didn't care for his lackadaisical approach to life especially where Fairy Tail's reputation was concerned. It was her opinion that he should wait until the job was over before submitting to his base desires like everyone else. She didn't know it was common for Boscans to frequently bed with each other while on missions even from the military.

"Vander's actually the one who shut down and replaced the security here as well as mapped most of the trip out here. He even helped Pyxis plot our route home so I say let him have the day." Lucy's words eased her friend very little. They were only looking for a secret entrance and Vander had done a full search through the temple in his shadow form before they got trapped in the room so having him now wouldn't speed up the process that much if at all.

"He is somewhere unknown with someone unknown. How do we know she hasn't done anything to him?" Erza argued back. She didn't know him well but his reputation was that he was lazy, got into trouble when not supervised and slept with anything on two legs at any time – that he was currently proving as they spoke. Plus he should be with his team, bad things tended to happen when Fairy Tail mages split up like this on missions.

"He can handle himself Amazon. He hasn't eaten yet today so we'll probably see him soon," Bicks said as he scanned the floor plans for any help but there just wasn't enough detail in the grooves on the panels to even hint where this mysterious area could be hiding. Nothing was labeled and they didn't keep the same rules as most blueprints he'd seen. "I got nothing here. I say we get lunch and come up with a different plan."

"Yeah, walking around aimlessly isn't really helpful," Lucy added looking to Cristoff and Erza for their input. She'd enjoyed her morning with her mate but she was starving and wanted to bathe.

"This is your job, I'm only hanging out to spend time with you," her soon-to-be mate said.

"He is correct. It makes more sense for us to wait so we can all travel back together but you should make the decisions concerning the actual job," the red-head concurred.

"Well it's decided then. I wonder what Virgo will bring this time?" Bicks said with his tongue exposed from his hopeful smile.

-DTRE-

"We were hired by a group of people to find this temple and make sure it was safe to study as well as bring an artifact back as proof. All we have left to do before we can leave is find an artifact that isn't part of the actual structure. We think there's a hidden door to a section we haven't searched yet but haven't had any luck," Vander said walking with Safra through the temple.

"And this is how you make a living?" she asked. She didn't understand why humans didn't just take care of each other like fairies and to a lesser extent dragons did. She'd been taught that for dragons it was reserved to their tatsu, their family, so she could help in the raising of the eggs if the time came and there were no dragons to do so. As a fairy, any of them would often do or provide something for a need they saw without a second thought or being asked. Life was more important to them in all forms to deny what they could spare. She'd been taught that was why humans had started abusing her people and why to only act that way among those she trusted. Not all humans did it then, most not even maliciously, but humans tend to think of themselves and their comfort first before others, especially when the shape of the life form was not considered to be at the same level. All life was cherished by fairies be it plant, animal, insect or else, and she would kill only for survival and safety purposes with very few exceptions. There were some creatures that should not exist on Earthland to begin with. They were things that had been manipulated beyond the natural order and upset the balance of life for every other living thing. Those things she would kill without hesitation.

"For now," he answered somewhat cryptically. It was one thing for him to sleep with someone he just met but Vander didn't want to talk about the things he'd done as a Bloodhunter – which was still technically how he made a living currently. With any luck he wouldn't be one for much longer and she would never have to know. "Can you really read all this writing?"

Looking over Safra smirked. "This is a language based off of dragon writing and I it was required I learn as a dragon guardian. All of my people can."

"Then maybe you can help. Any of these say treasure this way?" he joked. "I'd be nice for something on this job to be straight-forward."

"No treasure this way but that says storage," Safra pointed at a normal looking blank spot on the wall a ways down the hall. From what Vander could see when they stopped walking before the spot Safra had indicated there was nothing there but Safra placed her hand over it and channeled her magic. Symbols flared briefly before the solid wall dissolved and exposed a staircase leading down.

"Well now, I'm not sure how long it would have taken for us to find invisible writing," Vander said as he led the way down the stairs. It was well lit and opened to exactly what they had been searching for, the missing section.

"So it is true Human eyes do not use the full light spectrum to see? Fascinating." Safra then added, "Dragon's don't either but I believe even they would have seen that once we got closer."

"So your eyesight is better than a dragon's?" the thought astounded the shadowquip mage. All of his senses were more sensitive than the average person, especially his night vision given his magic, but the dragon slayers could see things so clearly from so far and almost as well as him in the dark. Cristoff could see just as well as Nurem, his mother, but it hadn't occurred to him that it could be improved upon.

"I would say they are more effective not better. We can see more in general and about as far as they do. The real difference exists because our eyes use a larger span of wavelengths. That allows us to see what most cannot. Though dragons do have a much better sense of smell our hearing is about equal. I am unsure how my senses compare to regular humans." They walked through many empty storage rooms quietly discussing and comparing the different physical attributes of humans and fairies for a while. They were near the end of the space when Safra finally asked, "Are you sure the people would have left something small of value? They could have taken it all with them." They'd seen absolutely nothing but empty rooms and bare walls so far.

"Maybe, but if they did we'll still have to find something to bring back tangible proof. The professor said images can be faked and I don't really want to remove some huge statue." He found that whole insinuation insulting but held his tongue. The only reason they would ask for this kind of proof was if they thought they would be purposefully cheated and Fairy Tail had an honest, if destructive, reputation. It was just insulting and something like that wouldn't have happened in Bosco. As far as anyone knew Fairy Tail never left a job incomplete. There had been one but only because Arcnologia had gotten in the way and almost completely gutted Gildarts before he really had the chance to get there. Even still, Lucy's old team had gone back and finished it for the wandering red-head so their record was unblemished. The crash mage had joined them in the end when he found out where they had gone... probably why 2 entire mountains were destroyed in the process.

"Dishonesty is also true among your people?" Safra missed the look of instinctual outrage that crossed Vander's face before he checked himself.

'She was speaking in general and there would have been no reason for me to be an assassin or spy if it wasn't true." It wasn't a comforting thought since he made it a point to be honest with everyone even in his work for the Steel Council. There weren't often any witnesses to his presence and the few that were, were the targets of his assignations and weren't alive to say anything afterwards anyway.

Coming to the last room Vander held his breathe. If they didn't find something here their only option was to pull up a statue. Travelling with it wouldn't be an issue since he could store it in the voids though he didn't want to do it since sometimes the shades made off with things just because they could. Lucy could always ask Virgo to store it in the celestial realm but she tended to shy away from that option if at all possible. Said it made her feel like she was abusing Virgo when she asked for things like that. It had taken some serious negotiating on Virgo's part and a lot of time before she'd been allowed to clean Lucy's apartment and care for her in a thousand other little ways. Virgo had some serious patience and was slowly taking on more and more of Lucy's trivial takes. She just loved taking care of her Princess. Vander's deal with the spirit had finally given the spirit free reign of care on this job like she hadn't had before.

As far as Lucy storing it herself, she just didn't have the open space to requip something that large yet. She had just a little more space after her keys, whip and a few changes of clothes Dom had so far made her where stored. It's why she still carried a bag while on missions.

Erza, he assumed, had the space but filled it to capacity with all her armor and weapons. Thinking of Erza brought to mind they also had her cart to deal with on their way out now which was going to slow their progress significantly until they got out of the more densely forested areas.

Cristoff could requip some, it was required of a Holy Knight to keep their armor and weapons stored that way so they could wear it whenever they needed and to prevent anyone from getting to it. His brother most likely lacked the space as well since requipping did not come naturally and he had no reason to improve it past the function of storing his one set of armor and a pair of swords.

Vander opened the last door and was relieved. Inside the room there were shelves filled scrolls, vases, little sculptures, carvings and a few weapons. Small tables filled with coins, jewelry pieces and other valuable trinkets were also scattered about the open floor space. All he had to do was pick anything and they could leave. He grabbed the nearest item but dropped it immediately back on the table when he felt a foreign magic swell. In the next instant he had Safra held to his side and one of the many blades he always carried ready for use. He had not felt a trap or anything like that on the table but that did not me there hadn't been.

In the middle of the room that had once been clear now stood a young man about 10 years older than him with long beautiful dark wavy hair kept unbound. He had a wreath made of green-leafed tree limbs on his head like a crown and a Lyre in one had. He was incredibly beautiful, handsome would have been too masculine a word, and Vander would have loved to seduce him if not for the immense power wafting off of him. He knew instantly this man could not be mortal and he wanted nothing to do with beings like him.

"Who are you?" he said ready to take Safra with him into the shadows for a hasty retreat at the slightest sign of a threat; he'd not risk their lives for a trifle pendant or a mission like this. What made him good at being a Blood Hunter was knowing when to retreat and now was one of those times.

"Apollo?" Vander blinked at the recognition in Safra's tone. It only took him an instant to realize this was the very god whose temple they were in.

"Who else would I be Child of Mine? It hasn't been that long," the young man said as he sifted through a few objects. He would pick something up then set it back down only to move on to the next; a couple he kept back.

Vander tightened his arm around his fairy even more anxious now that Safra seemed to know the God that had been interfering in his life lately. More than that, Apollo had called her his child which he knew was impossible since Safra had already told him her parents had both been human. He could ask her about their relationship in the future, now he just hoped he survived without another curse.

"Twenty-six years Apollo. I had just been born that day and that was the first and last time I saw you!" Safra slid her arms around Vander's waist using him as a ground for her excited nerves. She knew she was shaking and hated the very sign of this man had such an effect on her.

Apollo was her very fist memory - even before her parents - and she remembered everything with perfect alacrity since seeing his bright smiling beautiful face. In her infancy she loved him in that moment fully. Wanted to be around him forever like her mama and papa but shortly after he left she lost her parents as well. She remembered her parents dying before the sun set that same day. It wasn't until later that she was able to understand that they did that to save her from being sacrificed by their village.

Suffice it to say she did not feel like he was a good omen where her life was concerned and she was terrified that she couldn't help still loving him and the warmth of his presence. It was a love formed by a child in complete innocence and he was not responsible for the actions of others that day, only her memory of it. Apollo was actually the only reason she'd not died along with her parents that day and she loved the life he'd made possible even with the memory of such loss.

"Drop in the bucket my dear. You will come to understand in time. I am glad you two seem to be getting along so well so quickly," he nodded to them and continued with his search unconcerned Vander was still wielding his blade.

"What are you doing?" Vander asked after the silence started to linger. Apollo had gather another item in the interim but his search was slow and meticulous.

"Well, since you're going to lead all those self-important idiots here I am collecting all the objects I want you two to protect and make sure no one knows about them until the right time." Walking over to them he held out five objects. The first was a bangle so small it wouldn't slip over the hand of the adult it was made for judging by the wrist size, much too large for a child. It lacked a hinge of any sort which while curious was not remarkable enough to need protection. Also, when looked at carefully you could see that the three gold braided bands were actually only one band cleverly designed to look like three. The second item was a matte black plain looking scepter that was only about 2 and a half feet long, much too short to be used as a staff or weapon. The length was completely smooth like a rod while the top adorned an onyx gem that had an unfamiliar symbol carved into its face. The third was a dark stained bow with runes carved with vines almost obscuring them. Fourth and fifth were long sheathed swords but instead of a cross guard there was an embossed circle where the blades met their handles.

"Why?" Vander asked bluntly making no move to take the items. He still wasn't sure how he felt about the interfering god, even less so now that he was directly in front of him. While he appreciated what he'd done for their little group so far overall, with gods things were never that simple.

"Because in the wrong hands millions will die but in the right ones an entire country will finally be freed," he said seriously. Up to that point Apollo had looked like he hadn't a care in the world but the hardness in his tone left no room for doubt. The god before them carried the weight of the future on his shoulders. A responsibility so heavy they couldn't even begin to imagine. Vander didn't want to, he had enough to worry about with only his family to consider.

Safra slid her bag off her back and held it open for Apollo to place the items in, too wary to touch them just then. "Is my skini secure enough?" She was very glad Vander had only adjusted his hold so she could maneuver her bag freely instead of completely removing his arm.

"Place this sealing enchantment on them and that should be just fine." He handed her a scroll and brushed the back of his hand across her cheek before withdrawing and smiling. "You two really are striking together. I will see you again soon," he finished before disappearing as suddenly as he appeared.

"That is what he said last time," Safra said turning her body more fully into Vander her bag held to her chest and pressed against his. She was shaking more now than ever now that Apollo had left, the memory of seeing her parents die fresh in her mind.

"Shh," he calmly stroked her back, "I won't say it'll be ok because no one can ever know that when immortals come out to play. I fucking hate gods and goddesses!" he said picking up the item he'd grabbed earlier from the nearest table again. "Let's go." He would be so much happier when this stupid mission was complete, maybe take the next two months off and join Safra's travels or just stay home wrapped around her if he could convince her to stay in Magnolia with him. What he was certain about was that he wasn't going to let her leave his sight until things were all sorted between them either as mates or not. 'Hopefully we're sýzygos. The shades in the void seem afraid of her magic and don't bother me when I'm touching her. What is her magic? It seems light based but the metal she made earlier... Could she be able to make that out of light like I make my knives from shadow?'