Rena, Gabriel, and Ashton approached the reception desk at Cross Castle. The two men glared silently at each other as Rena sorted out their audience with the King. Once they moved off, Ashton was the first to speak. "You can't go off and do anything else until you help me."

"I'll go off and do whatever I damned well please." Gabriel growled at Ashton, his hands rising.

Rena gripped Gabriel's wrists tightly. She ignored the wince that the contact caused. "Both of you, stop acting like children." She let Gabriel go and turned to Ashton. "We have a job to do. An important one. I don't mind you coming along, and I don't think Gabriel would mind either, but stop accusing us for your little problem. We will help you, but we can't make any guarantees that it will be done before we finish our job." Rena looked at Gabriel expectantly.

"I don't want him along." Gabriel snarled out, glaring at Ashton.

"Do you want to sleep on the floor for the rest of the journey?" Rena turned to face Gabriel, crossing her arms over her chest and looking up at him.

"Fine." Gabriel looked away. He motioned to the stairs. "They're trying to get your attention."

Rena turned to look at the guards on the stairs. She didn't notice the childish gesture that Gabriel gave to Ashton or the resultant childish response. She walked toward the stairs with both men following her.

The audience with the King was short as well as not very informative. No new information was learned about the Sorcery Globe but they had their way to El. The trio decided to stay in town for the night and headed to the Inn.

Gabriel was the first to spot the trouble and headed in the direction of the argument in the streets. A woman was facing off against a man. A heated discussion about a map had caught the attention of several bystanders.

Rena and Ashton joined Gabriel to listen to what was going on. "This is awful!" Rena told her companions as she rushed forward.

Gabriel tried to stop her, but couldn't catch her fast enough. He followed behind, Ashton at his heels. They backed up the woman, but as it would turn out, she didn't need the help.

As her opponent was preparing to cast a spell, one that Gabriel realised would possibly destroy the city, the woman cast her own. A simple spell, but one that left the other mage smoldering and exhaling smoke.

Gabriel felt the corners of his mouth turn up in a small smile as he shook his head. "Didn't need our help, I'd say." He looked down at Rena who was shocked.

"She's a heraldic mage!" Rena whispered. Ashton frowned and shook his head.

"So am I. You didn't respond that way when you found that out about me." Gabriel chuckled as the strange woman approached them.

"Thanks for the back up. I didn't need it as you can see, but thanks for it anyway." The woman started to walk off.

"Wait!" Rena called after the woman to get her attention. She turned back and studied the three of them.

"You know, after that guy decided to try and attack me, maybe I need some help." She looked over at Ashton. "Too obvious." She looked at Rena. "Too small." She looked at Gabriel. "You, however, you're a heraldic mage. I can feel it from you. You're perfect." She walked over and linked her arm around Gabriel's.

Rena fumed silently as Gabriel was taken by surprise. "Wait a moment. What are you talking about? I'm perfect for what?" Gabriel tried to untangle his arm from the woman.

"My bodyguard of course! We'll go to the Cross Cave tomorrow!" The woman started to lead Gabriel away from the others. He stopped suddenly and looked at the woman.

"I don't think so. Who are you anyway?" Gabriel pulled his arm away from the woman and moved to stand beside Rena.

The woman noticed as the distance was closed between the two to where they were only inches apart. "Oh. I'm Celine. Celine Jules." She smiled brightly. "Are the two of you married? Dating? Just friends?"

Gabriel raised a brow as he studied Celine. "I don't see the significance of that question really, so I won't bother to answer it. Now, why do you want us to go with you?"

Celine waved the question off. "Oh, I overheard you speaking with the King. Apparently the treasure of Cross Cave may have some information regarding the Sorcery Globe, but if you aren't interested in going, it's really of no importance, is it?"

Rena stepped forward. "Wait. We'll go with you." She ignored the surprised look from Gabriel. "I'm Rena, this is Gabriel, and he's Ashton."

Celine smiled at the three of them. "Wonderful! We should get a good night's sleep and then head out tomorrow morning." She turned toward the inn and was followed by the others.

*******************************

Gabriel and Rena had insisted on three rooms only. They avoided the questions that popped up about the reasoning. Once the keys were handed out, Gabriel handed one to Ashton and one to Celine. He and Rena took the last key and headed down the hallway, leaving a stunned Ashton and a speechless Celine behind.

Rena took her cloak off and draped it over the chair and lie down on the bed. She grabbed the pillow and put it over her head and screamed.

Gabriel smirked as he closed the drapes and lit a candle. "I feel the same way." He watched her lower the pillow and remove the pendant. The pendant was set on a small table to the side of the bed. He crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Gabriel, please…" Rena looked up at him and lightly touched his arm.

"Hmm? What?" Gabriel looked down at her.

"Finish what we started last night?" Rena pulled lightly on Gabriel's robe. She watched him remove it and welcomed his weight as he lowered himself on her.

They had been followed and were still unaware of this fact.

"Don't tell me he's actually going to."

"I think he is."

"Damn. You tell Lucifer."

"Let's wait and see. He may fall asleep on her again."

"Let's hope so."