AN:

As you can see I merged the two books together. Thought it would be easier.

I was reading back over my story...and Xainy and Nathan are kind of Mary Sues...and I apologize for it. Xainy with being the seventh child of the seventh child and red hair, and Nathan with his dad just so having a private plane for them to travel on. I was younger when I started this. I hope to decrease their Mary Sue percentage a lot by the end of this book, and I want to thank my roomie for helping me out. :D

Enjoy.

Chapter 5:

In Which, Things Take an Unexpected Turn

Nathan paced around the hotel room, unable to sleep. There had to be something they could do to save Xainy. Sure the Banshee was holding Xainy's shirt, but that couldn't really mean she was going to die was it? From what Natasha had been explaining on they way here, Banshees could sense when the death of someone was coming soon, but the cases were usually with elderly people, or someone who was deathly sick. Xainy was in perfect health, that they knew of, and didn't show any signs of sickness. The only thing they knew for certain, was that the banshee was not the cause of the killings.

"Ooo, the towels are so soft," Natasha giggled coming out of the bathroom. Nathan found it very uncomfortable to share a room with Natasha. He would have been sharing it with Xainy too if she were here, and in a way he was happy she wasn't.

"And room service is great," Michael grinned, lounging on the sofa. "Had a friend who staid here once. Great food." Nathan narrowed his eyes at him. Michael insisted on coming with them here to help figure out what to do about Xainy. He said three heads were better two. He didn't really like Michael, and tried to get him not to come, but Natasha bubbled happily at the idea of it. Nathan was in his pyjamas, still pacing the room, and Natasha sat down on the bed, codling Reginald. Mr. Jitters sat in his cage beside Michael, scurrying around frantically. It was time to finally discuss this issue.

"Alright," he said, getting their attention. "From what we know, the gargoyles have been in the Cathedral for forever, and then the Banshee shows up, soon before killings start happening. So far, if the banshee is seen holding something that belongs to you, the next time you enter the cathedral, you die. We've ruled out that the banshee is behind this. So who, or what is? Brainstorm."

"Well, perhaps it's another Faerie?" Michael suggested, tapping his fingers on the arm of the couch.

"No, the gargoyles said there was no other creature that lived there," Nathan counted,continuing to pace. "What else could it be?"

"Perhaps they are killed else where, and then thrown inside?" Natasha asked, picking through Reginald's feathers.

"If that were so, don't you think they would have said that were the case?" Michael said, scratching his head. "I mean,they said the next time the person entered they died. So they must have been alive when they entered."

"The only ones who know anything really are the gargoyles," Nathan nodded, stopping his pacing. "Perhaps they are keeping something from us. Perhaps it's not something else killing the people..."

"How dare you suggest such a thing!" Natasha gasped, looking horrified. "The Ones would never!"

"You don't know that," Nathan countered, folding his arms. "I mean, it's been years since you last saw them right? I mean, they could have gotten corrupted over time, or have always been that way, but are great at acting. From what Xainy has told me, and what little things you have talked about, Faeries aren't all that trustworthy, and very mischievous."

"No, not The Ones, never." Natasha shook her head back and forth, like a little child, in denial.

Nathan turned to Michael. "Have you noticed anything odd about them? I mean, besides Tall One." He could see the gargoyle's creepy eyes shining in his mind.

"No," he replied, shaking his head. "They don't seem at all mischievous to me."

"But they are the only ones who can account for what has happened," Nathan continued, "and if one of them was the killer, the others would protect him without another thought. Especially if he was their leader."

"How dare you keep suggesting such a thing?" Natasha shouted, jumping to her feet. "The Ones would never, and I mean never, cause harm to humans!"

"Have you any proof they are not behind this?" Nathan asked, lifting an eyebrow. He didn't like arguing with her and making her upset, but he couldn't deny the facts. He'd watched enough crime and detective shows to know how this should be thought over.

"W-well...," Natasha stammered, looking like her head might explode. She looked like she was struggling internally, like she had contradicting thoughts, or couldn't remember something specific. There was a knocking on the front door, catching them all by surprise.

"Must be room service," Michael said, getting up. Natasha's face straightened out with curiosity. Michael opened the door and the desk clerk was standing there, with a displeased look on his face.

"Evening Monsieur," he said, his jaw set. "I'm sorry to say your payment on the room has been withdrawn."

"What?" Nathan asked, coming over. "What do you mean withdrawn?"

"I mean, the owner of the credit card you have used, has withdrawn the payment you made with it for this room," he answered, narrowing his eyes at them. "Now, if you cannot come up with another way for paying for this room, I am going to have to kick you out." Nathan's heart dropped. How could that be possible? His father had made sure they had enough to travel around. What happened?

"May I call my father first?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, but the phone is for guests only," the clerk replied, his arms folded behind his back. "Now I'll ask you to please be out of the hotel in the next 10 minutes. Merci." With that, he turned on his heels and marched down the hall.

"What?" Natasha asked, looking completely lost.

"Looks like you guys are getting kicked out," Michael repeated, looking sympathetic. "You can stay at my place. I'll have to sneak you guys in, but it won't be that hard." Nathan silently went to the bathroom to change out of his pyjamas. This doesn't make any sense, he thought, taking off his shirt. I don't get it. Money is never a problem. With dad's job, and mom as an arts dealer. Something must have happened back home...

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"I notified Xainy's parents, and they are sending her a ticket home as well," Nathan's father explained. "Your ticket should be waiting for you at the airport tomorrow. So please just come home." Nathan bunched his free hand into a fist, upset by what he was hearing. His father gotten laid off, and his mother wasn't getting as much business as they had, so they sold the jet. As of right now, his parents weren't doing so good financially, and couldn't afford for him to continue to travel with his friends. Plus his mom thought she could deal with him being away, but couldn't and wanted him to come home. He sat in the basement of Michael's house, with him and Natasha. Natasha seemed to take the news well, and Michael continued to look sympathetic toward them.

The situation was now, that Nathan's parents had enough to spare to send him a ticket home, and they told Xainy's parents, and they were sending her a ticket as well. As for Natasha, she didn't seem to care one way or the other, but she was going to be stranded in Paris. Nathan could see her living with the gargoyles up in the rafters. He didn't like this plan. He didn't want this. He wanted a fun summer, with crazy things happening, and he was getting it. He didn't want it to end so soon. The only way to continue on he knew was going to put him in trouble, and get him grounded big time when he got home. Not to mention it was going to be hard to travel around without money, but he was going to try.

"No," he said into the phone, feeling very nervous.

"Excuse me?" his father demanded, trying to remain calm.

"I'm already out here, and I don't want to leave yet," he continued, swallowing a lump in his throat. "You don't have to give me any money, or need to worry. We'll find cheaper ways to travel, and get money on our on."

"Nathan-!"

He quickly hung up before his dad could say anymore. He gave a deep sigh and slid down in his seat. He knew Xainy was going to kill him when she found out what he did, but she didn't have to find out really. Not the exact truth anyways. He looked over at Michael and Natasha, who were giving him mixed looks.

"Our adventure has gotten more interesting...," Natasha said thoughtfully, stroking Reginald.