"I apologize for this meeting," Xuilan began. "But I will be going back to China tomorrow and taking Nianzu with me to face the punishment he has earned. I will also be talking to the other members of the Wing to…"

"The Wing?" Demona burst out. "You have Wing members in your clan?"

Xuilan nodded, her face stoic. "The gargoyles who began the Wing were members of our clan many generations ago. They broke off to form a clan of their own. One that would remain focused on the old ways and the legends that had been the basis of the Gargoyle way. They were…" she waved a hand, as if looking for the right word.

"Fanatical," Demona ground out. "I knew of them, but they were too focused on their interpretation of the old legends and the old ways. I did not feel as though it would be wise to make them a part of the council, so I did not include them on purpose."

"Yes," Xuilan said with a nod. "I knew of their resistance to move away from the old legends and ways that had been either abandoned or adapted long ago. But they are Gargoyles. We wanted to give them the chance to return to the clan. It is why I brought Nianzu, so that he would get a sense of what we are doing here."

Demona growled softly, then crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

Elisa was expecting to see steam from her temper begin rolling out her ears any moment, but surprisingly, Demona held her tongue.

There was a quiet murmur from the group.

Elisa looked up and down the table, and for the first time it struck her just how many there were. They had all seated themselves around the table, and there had barely been enough seats to accommodate them all. Every clan leader and their council representative was there, with the exception of Michael from the Avalon Clan. He sat on one side of Angela who had sat in for him during the first meeting while the Avalon clan had been still negotiating with Oberon on the journey back and forth to Manhattan.

And, apparently, it had grown by one member with the addition of Demona, bringing the total in attendance to twenty-three gargoyles.

Not including the one down in the dungeon, that is.

Xuilan addressed the large gathering of gargoyles then, by looking up and down the large wooden table that ran the length of the Great Hall. "I can only apologize for the actions of one of my own clan members," she turned to look directly at Goliath and Elisa. "And especially to you both. Had I had any idea that he would go so far as to…" She trailed off and shook her head sadly. "Nianzu will be dealt with upon our return to China." She bowed as deeply as she could without face planting on the table. "I give you my word that he will not trouble you again."

Goliath nodded slowly. "You need not apologize for the actions of one clan member. We have all had experiences with one who goes rogue."

He didn't turn to look at Demona, but he might as well have.

Demona studied her talons like a school girl studies her painted nails to ignore her parents.

"You have my gratitude, Goliath," Xuilan said. "I wish I could say that I would be so understanding if something like this had happened to my mate and child."

There was another murmur from the end of the table, before Chun-Hei, the Korean clan leader stood to address the group. "If I may?"

Xuilan nodded, and took her seat.

Chun-Hei got to her feet and grimaced. "I am not sure that I am comfortable, having so many from one country here to guard the child. Lei-Ji," she gestured to her side, where her clan's representative sat, straight and proud in her seat, "and I have discussed the situation, and we would like to request that Lei-Ji, as long as she sits on the council, be allowed to remain at the castle, to make sure that these Wing members do not attempt to steal Nayeli or Elisa away again."

"Aye," Lachlan said, slapping the palms of his hands against the table and pushing himself roughly to his feet. "In truth, we have been discussing this very thing as well. Garia," He gestured to the tiny female at his side, "Would like to remain here as well."

There were mumbles of agreement, as one by one, the clan leaders stood to offer their counterparts in service to the Council and in aid to the Manhattan clan.

Elisa sat in stunned silence.

What the hell was happening? Elisa shook her head in an effort to clear it. Her tired brain was having trouble understanding, but it sounded as if…

"It is decided, then," Xuilan said, a smile crossing her face.

Elisa lightly touched Goliath's arm to get his attention. "What's decided?"

Goliath leaned down, close to her ear, "Manhattan has been made the official seat of the council, and every sitting council member will remain here at the castle."

"Oh," She said. "Wait… EVERY council member?"

Demona scoffed. "Not to worry, human. I will not be staying at the castle."

Elisa fought the urge to heave a long, loud, and probably over-dramatic sigh of relief.

"But I will be once more making my home here in Manhattan," She sent a sneer at Elisa, "To be near by for the council meetings, of course."

"Of course," Elisa replied between clenched teeth.

"You will need to go through the training required by the Police to join their ranks," Goliath pointed out. "Or you will not be allowed to go on patrols." At a few uneasy glances between the foreign members, Goliath said pointedly, "We have only begun to build our relationship with the police here. We do not want to put that relationship at risk by having their requests ignored."

"If nothing else," Elisa said softly, "It will give you a better understanding of the laws and people here in America."

One by one, the council members who would be staying behind rose to stand with their clan leaders and nodded their agreement.

Xanatos was going to have to increase his food budget, Elisa thought with something approaching glee.

By a lot.