Elisa finished her story, and a few smaller side-stories about the Manhattan clan and their adventures, about the same time as Nayeli finished with hers. With a short time before sunrise, the Australian clan, Goliath and Bolin climbed into the various caves and natural tunnels in the rock formations.

Goliath was hesitant to leave, but Elisa encouraged him to go, offering everything up to and including a blood oath that she would not leave their children's sides. She would have done it anyway, because she was determined to not let them out of her sight again while they were in Australia.

They were taken to the small cabin again, and to Elisa's surprise, there were four cots inside. Liam and Nayeli, exhausted from the physical and mental acrobatics of the night before, each collapsed on a cot and slept almost before their heads hit the pillow.

Fox entered soon after, took in the room in a glance and gave Elisa a wan smile. "I'm really looking forward to getting back to civilization, my thick mattress and my masseuse."

"I was with you, up to the masseuse," Elisa said with a tired chuckle.

Fox gingerly lowered herself to one of the remaining cots. "I spoke to David about an hour ago," she said. "He is currently gathering up the gargoyles he took to Ireland and flying them back to Manhattan today. Despite my protest, he will be here sometime late tomorrow if he can swing it."

Elisa nodded. "I didn't talk to him, but I did talk to Owen. He had a feeling that was going to be the plan. Honestly, I'm half surprised he didn't just up and fly straight here and send someone else to pick up the gargoyles in Ireland."

Fox chuckled. "You and me both."

"Go ahead and sleep," Elisa encouraged.

Fox gave a soft grunt in acknowledgement, but was out like a light.

Elisa sighed. She moved the one empty cot in front of the door so that she'd wake up if anyone tried coming in during the day.

Laying down on her back, left arm thrown over her eyes to help block the daylight, she let herself slide into a light doze.

She dreamed of home… and her own soft bed.