Goliath hurried to the rear of the main area of the playroom, following Liam to the door of the indoor gym area that the Xanatos family had put together to aid in the training of the twins once they needed to begin their flight training.
It had helped, considering that the only other way for them to strengthen their wings would have been outside the castle, fighting the winds at this altitude, and any mistakes could be dangerous at this height.
Nayeli had begun showing interest in the structures and in attempting to glide. So far, she'd managed to climb to the lowest of the platforms and hurl herself into the ball pit.
'Had she hurt herself?' Goliath worried now. It was unlikely, considering the close watch that Liam kept on his small sister, and yet…
The door had closed behind him when he spotted Demona, Brenna and Conner in the corner.
He felt his stride falter for a moment, then decided that that particular situation would have to wait.
He looked around the room, and could not find his youngest daughter. He frowned, "Liam, where is…"
"She's in there," Liam said, pointing to the ball pit. "She hopped in, and was having fun tossing the balls, but then she just got really quiet." He motioned his father towards the multi colored balls. "She's there, in the corner," he said, pointing to where a small, dark head of hair was just barely visible.
Goliath moved forward, leaning forward to knock a few balls from in front of his daughter's face. "Nayeli," he said softly, holding a hand out to her. "What is wrong, my daughter?"
Nayeli stood, and waded towards her father's outstretched hand. Liam had been right, in that there appeared to be something wrong. She was rarely this quiet, and her face was a study of unease.
She finally reached his outstretched hands, and he hefted her gently to his shoulder.
"What is wrong, little one?" he asked gently.
Nayeli simply turned her face into his neck. She didn't say anything, but he could practically feel the tension thrumming through the small child.
He sent a look to Liam who simply shrugged. "I don't know what happened," he said. "She was fine, laughing and playing, then suddenly she froze and has been like this for a few minutes. We couldn't get her out."
Goliath looked around the room, trying to see what could have caused his normally vivacious daughter to act in that manner.
The only odd thing in the room was Demona, but judging by Nayeli's reaction to her earlier, that couldn't be it.
The twins were standing, expressions serious, one on either side of Demona and gazing at Goliath.
"We don't know, Grandpa Goliath," Brenna said softly.
"She really was fine earlier," Conner said. "She introduced us to our grandmother, then she started playing like normal."
"I came in here when everyone else started coming in the playroom," Liam said. "She started climbing the platforms and jumping off, then she was like this."
"Are you hurt?" Goliath asked Nayeli softly.
Face still buried in her father's neck, she shook her head in the negative.
"Are you ill?" Honestly, she'd never actually been ill in her life, but he had to ask.
Again, she shook her head.
He sighed, his chest expanding and deflating. "Then what…?"
The door opened behind him, and her wings expanded so suddenly he almost lost his grip on her.
Not that she would have fallen, such was her grip around his neck.
Goliath turned and spotted Taurus as he took a single step inside the door. "I am sorry to interrupt, Goliath," he said, his deep voice filling the room. "But the others are…" he blinked, then seemed to focus on the small winged figure in the gargoyle's arms. "I am sorry. I seem to have frightened the young one."
Goliath patted his daughter's back. She seemed to be reacting to Taurus. Perhaps it was just the unfamiliar voice and appearance of the visitor.
"I will join you in a moment," he said quietly.
Taurus nodded in acknowledgement, then slipped back through the door.
Goliath turned away, facing Liam, "Please take Nayeli," he said, attempting to pry the small talons away to hand her off to her brother. "I will be back before sunrise."
Liam nodded, concern etched in his face. "Should we call mom?" he asked in a near whisper.
Goliath hesitated, but only shook his head. "I believe that she may just be frightened by our unexpected guest," he said, finally managing to get free of his daughter's grasp. "There is no need to call your mother. She will be here soon enough."
Liam nodded, taking Nayeli from Goliath. Nayeli immediately turned to her brother wrapping her limbs around him tightly, wings still extended and all but trembling.
Goliath hated leaving his daughter like this, but knew that she'd be safe in this room with the clan outside and the older children with her.
"I shall send the Xanatos children in with you as well," he said. Perhaps with all of you near, she will be comforted."
Liam nodded, rubbing slow circles on her back. "Thank you, father."
Goliath nodded to his son, then got to his feet. Turning to the door, he motioned for Demona to follow him out to the others.
Demona sighed, then placed her hands, one each on a twin and gave a gentle squeeze.
Brenna looked up at her with wide eyes. "Will you come back?"
Demona seemed to hesitate, her eyes meeting Goliath's. "I will try," she said.
"It was nice meeting you," Conner said with a small smile.
Demona dropped her hands and walked forward to join Goliath. Without a word exchanged between them, the two of them moved to join the others.
Goliath, however, paused at the door.
"I am almost afraid to ask," Goliath admitted quietly to Demona, tension in his voice, "How you managed to get past Angela and Broadway to the children."
"Your daughter," Demona nodded to where Nayeli was being held by her brother, "Is a force to be reckoned with."
"Yes," Goliath said on a sigh. "She seems to have that effect on everyone."
"What is it about her?" Demona asked, a frown creasing her brow. "It is almost as if when she turns her gaze on you, it is impossible to tell her no."
"Not impossible," Goliath admitted, reaching for the door handle, "Just very, very difficult. When she has her mind set on something, on making something happen, it takes an act of willpower to get past it."
"That could be dangerous," Demona pointed out.
"Perhaps," Goliath said, turning the handle, "But only if she learns how to misuse such a gift. She has her friends and family around her to make sure that never happens."
Demona wanted to point out that the clan had thought something similar about herself, once upon a time, but she wisely held her tongue. Instead, she followed Goliath in silence out into the main room to try to figure out what their next steps should be.