Chapter 37

'Hey Dad,' Taylor half leant into the study his father was working in.

'Are you alright,' his fingers traced the page in front of him as his uncertain gaze lifted towards Taylor.

'Yeah, I just thought I should tell you the Power Limitless girl is back. Also we know now she's the host of the beast.'

'She just offered that information up to you?' He frowned.

'Well… we did force it out of her, but…'

'I should report this to the Council, they need to know what Jack's really been up to.'

'No,' Taylor was firm, 'we can't do that. It's not our information to give to them.'

'I appreciate your loyalty to her Tay, but they really do need to know about this. You have no idea what that man is capable of.'

'And you do?'

'Unfortunately I do have a pretty good idea,' he sighed, 'and that's why I know he needs to be stopped now before things get any worse.'

'You're probably right,' Taylor shifted his gaze away, 'but aren't things complicated enough right now. Shouldn't we get the battle with Ni over with first and then talk to the Council about… whatever?'

For a few long moments his father was silent. Then he gave a heavy sigh and began massaging his temples.

'You're right, of course; things are complicated enough as it is, it's just…'

'Just what?'

'Nothing,' he shook his head, 'it's not important.'

'Okay…'

'Taylor, really, it's nothing for you to worry about.'

'If you say so,' he couldn't help but feel there was something his parents weren't telling him.

'You should go now, I need to concentrate on this,' he indicated towards the books in front of him.

'Right, okay,' Taylor backed out of the room, 'later then.'

Arados arrived back in the Southern Palace, just as his Mum was making her way out of the kitchen.

'Well hey there,' she smiled, mostly at her granddaughter, 'where have you two been all day.'

'It's a long story,' he allowed his mother to take Princess out of his arms, 'but I think everyone needs to start preparing for this war now. I mean seriously preparing for it, I don't think we have much longer to wait.'

'What makes you so sure?'

'The Power Limitless girl is back.'

'I see,' his Mum sighed, 'okay, I guess I'll have to let your Dad know.'

'And everyone else.'

'Well, obviously, I…' she hesitated and frowned. 'What are Tristan and Catilin doing here?'

'What?' He wasn't sure what to make of her assertion.

'I can sense them, here, in the palace.'

'I didn't know you could sense them,' he frowned.

'It's not something I normally pay much attention too, but… Here,' she passed Princess back to him, 'I need to find out what's going on.'

Without another word she took off down the corridor leaving Arados to stare after her. For a few moments he was silent, then Princess started gurgling, bringing his attention straight to her.

'Hey little one, are you hungry? Well it is feeding time soon and you are my daughter,' he laughed, 'so yes, yes you are and very hungry at that, huh?'

'Whatever it is you're thinking about doing Catilin, don't,' Mai was suddenly in the corridor next to them, 'this isn't how things are supposed to be.'

'Then why do I feel…'

'No,' she cut her off, 'Tristan, tell her.'

'I have,' he sighed, 'but she won't listen to me. That's why I've brought her here, I figured Joey could talk some sense into her.'

'But I can't go on like this,' Catilin's lower lip trembled, 'don't make me go on like this; I can't stand it anymore.'

'But if you do it then who's going to help take care of Kasey,' out of nowhere SK and Crovell appeared, with SK holding the little girl.

'Kasey,' her eyes brimmed with tears as she took a few steps forward, 'how…?'

'It was one hell of a battle,' Crovell scratched the back of his head, revealing more than a few cuts and scrapes, 'but in the end it's what she wanted.'

'What do you mean?' Mai frowned, clearly a little edgy around the child.

'She used one of his attacks against them, giving us the opportunity to grab her and run,' SK smiled proudly at the little girl. 'Isn't it fantastic, we have our little girl back.'

Instantly everything in Catilin became tight and bristling. She clearly hadn't like SK's choice of words any more than Tristan had, but at the end of the day he knew the guy couldn't help it.

'Can I have her,' Catilin held out her arms.

'Sure,' he half lowered the anxious girl to the ground.

Her big eyes turned up towards her mother as though she wasn't quite sure what she was seeing. Then tears began to roll down her cheeks and she threw herself into her arms.

'They said you were gone away forever,' whatever traces of adult like speech had been in her voice were gone completely now. 'I missed you Mummy.'

'I missed you too Kasey,' Catilin's eyes were also running with tears, 'I'm so glad you're home now.'

'I don't ever wanna leave again.'

'I know, I don't want you too either. I promise I'll keep you safe now, forever.'

'I love you Mummy.'

'I love you too my beautiful little girl.'