Alex Xanatos, Nayeli Maza and Skyler Henricks were all in their daily magic lesson with Puck. Their lessons had been upped to once daily after recent events, when everyone had seen that Nayeli's magical abilities were quite a bit stronger than anyone had believed them to be.
That, and with Nayeli's rapid development, it had been decided that she would begin to join in the regular magic lessons.
Skyler had to admit that the little girl was amazing. Even underdeveloped as they were, Nayeli's powers had already surpassed Skyler's own meager supply. Since Skyler was so new to the training, she was actually a little behind Alex and about on par with Nayeli.
Today was an exercise in stamina, control and maintaining focus with distractions. It had sounded so simple, but Skyler's concentration was being tested as Puck floated through the air, juggling what looked close to ten balls at once, taunting her all the while.
Why just her? Because the kids were juggling the same amount of balls and not only were they having no problems, they were having an actual conversation with each other without dropping a single ball.
Skyler felt a fine film of sweat break out over her forehead as she was straining to keep the balls going.
"You're wavering a bit, Skyler," Puck said. "Remember to focus."
"I'm trying," she bit out, wanting to glare at him, but afraid to look away from the balls.
"Try harder," He said.
Skyler practically growled at him in frustration.
Puck dove to miss a small ball that had come flying at his head, barely missing being hit. He sent a censuring look towards Nayeli, who was glaring at him.
Skyler gave a chuckle, and managed, barely, to keep her own colorful balls in the air.
"Now, now," Puck said, turning to face the small female child. "None of that…"
Suddenly, all of Pucks plastic balls fell from the air, bouncing and rolling across the mats of the dojo style gym. There was an audible thud, and Skyler chanced a glance to see Puck laying on the floor.
She turned her attention back to the juggling balls.
"Nice try," she muttered. She was NOT going to lose her concentration again, no matter what he did.
Despite that, her own balls fell and bounced as a small body slammed into her. Instinct had her circling the child's body as she was knocked sideways from her seated position and onto the floor herself.
"Nayeli, what…" she burst out as soon as she could get her breath back.
"Skyler?" Alex called out, and she looked where he was pointing to find Puck, still laying on the ground, a look of pure terror on his face.
One arm wrapped around the shaking body of Nayeli, the other pushing against the floor so that she could get to her feet, she cautiously approached the normally jovial Fae man. "Puck?" She asked, cautiously.
"She's free," He said in the barest of whispers. His eyes moved to meet Skyler's and she felt her own shudder at the fear swimming in those green eyes. "She's here."
"Who?" Skyler asked. "Who's here?"
"The queen," He said.
"Titania?" Skyler asked, confused.
"No," Puck said, getting to his feet in a hurry. "The former queen," He clarified. "No one use their powers," he instructed, any sign of humor having fled. "She will be able to track it, and believe me when I say that you do not want her to find you."
"Okay," Skyler said. She gave the girl in her arms a small bounce. "Do you understand, Nayeli? No magic, okay?"
Nayeli leaned back and looked into Skyler's eyes. Nayeli was clearly uneasy, but she didn't look afraid.
Nayeli nodded her understanding.
"Alright," Skyler said, looking to Puck for help. "What do we need to do?"
"We need to get out of here," Puck said. "And to a place where we can get to a mirror."
"A mirror? Alright," Skyler said. "How far away?"
"We don't need to go far," he assured her. "But we need to be in a place where it would take her a while to find us."
"Like a crowded building?" Skyler asked, with an idea in her mind. "One with a lot of steel and iron?"
"Yes," he said, then looked at her with something approaching his normal humor. "Oh…clever."
"Give me a minute," Skyler said, handing the Fae man Nayeli. She ran to the door, and stuck her head outside. Spotting the ever present Wing guards just outside the doors, she told one of them to gather as many gargoyles they could find and send them here, and be quick about it. Turning to the other, she informed them that the castle either already had an unexpected and unwelcome guest, or was about to. "Expect a Fae," she warned them, then hurried back to take Nayeli in her arms.
Moments later, the gargoyles began arriving.
"What happened?" Bolin demanded.
"Long story," Puck bit out.
"And no time to explain," Griff guessed from the looks on their faces.
"No," Skyler said. She looked around and spotted Demona. "Protect the twins," she said. "Christopher and Liam are with them in the playroom. We're taking the magic wielding children out of range." Demona turned to leave and Skyler looked around at the remaining gargoyles. "Something nasty is apparently on its way here, and it can sense magic. Let the Xanatos's know, and try to call the others."
"We can take care of the castle, lass," Garia said, turning to hurry to alert the castle.
"In the meantime," Skyler said to the group at large. "We're going to need a ride."
Lei-Ji, Michael, Griff and Jade stepped forward.
"The three of them can carry you," Michael said. "You will need someone with their arms free for added protection."
The other nodded and began breaking off to do what they could to prepare.
"Where are we going?" Lei-Ji asked, and Skyler was thankful that she didn't ask complicated questions.
"The condo," Skyler said, and hurried with the group to the nearest door outside where the gargoyles would be able to take flight.