Elisa POV
"So how did the whole meet the kid thing go?" I ask Matt as he enters the precinct. He didn't look crestfallen or worried that he may have done something bad with the possibility of no return. So I took it as a good sign that he had a good time.
"Not bad after she was given a sandwich."
"See what did I tell you? Nothing to worry about. All you need is a sandwich." I switch gears from home life to work. "What is tonight going to be like?"
"Chief says nothing too big. Routine patrol duty really. A possible call on patrol but seems like today has been a pretty slow day for the crime world."
"Sounds good to me. A quiet day at the office is just what the doctor ordered."
"You and me both. But not for Ilaria." He said fidgeting with his seatbelt while he said it. Was this going to be a bad thing he was going to tell me?
"Hmm? What's Ilaria got planned for the night? More homework?" I ask. I hope she doesn't have something like that. I feel bad enough that she had no choice but to come with us on the Avalon expedition. I didn't need to see her turn into a zombie from studying so much in order to catch up with her classes. I would have been in the same case with my rent if I hadn't thought ahead to pay a couple months in advanced some time ago.
"No, she has a babysitting job..." I was about to say that's good when he finished his sentence. "…for Xanatos's son." Now I wanted to slam the breaks of my car, but I didn't. I just kept driving.
"Is that wise? I mean the guy kidnapped her and had a mad scientist try to take her DNA for cloning or human like robots."
"According to her he made a contract promise not to use her for any sort of experiment or tack her DNA in any way shape or form. Wouldn't take no for an answer."
"Smart girl. Probably doesn't need us to check up on her to see how she is doing." I say gripping the wheel a little tighter.
"You're going to swing by Xanatos's home to check on her aren't you?" He knows me too well.
"No…Not right now…Maybe later." Oh yeah I was going to be seeing her later and Xanatos. He better hope my safety is on if he tries something. "Calling all units!" If the night will let me.
Owen/Puck POV
"Do you really think that it is wise to allow Ilaria to babysit Alexander while Coldstone is in the castle, Mr. Xanatos? You did promise that nothing would come to harm her that you had dealings with" I said as we had left the said robotic gargoyle that lay in pieces.
"Ilaria went up against Oberon to save my son, even after the lab incident and she has stood up against some formidable opponents in the past." Ones sent by you I wanted to say but as Owen I couldn't at this time. "She should be just fine. It's not that she is alone; she has you here with her. Besides I'm worried about touching that cursed lava rock of Pele's than Ilaria not being safe while she babysits Alexander."
'Yes, but I was hoping to teach Alexander magic tonight. Oh such merriment we would have had. But perhaps the lovely girl can be a part of the fun?' We had arrived at the main hall when the elevator door opened to reveal the entrapping gorgon.
"Ilaria, right on time I see. Owen please show Ilaria to Alexander's room. I have to go and find my cufflinks for the event tonight." I see a fair blush upon her cheeks as she looks upon me. I see she remembers our last encounter well. Tis a pity that I could not enchant her with my mystical arts before Bid Daddy Oberon had restricted my powers. She may have found me too forward, but the restriction of power makes one a person of action in decisions.
"Ah Ilaria, He'll be ready for bed soon. He's been playing hard all day." Fox said handing the little hellion to Ilaria. Alexander took hold of Ilaria the minute he was placed in her arms.
"Boys will be boys. I trust you will enjoy yourselves." I said to Fox as she walked away to take hold of Xanatos's arm before the two of them left for the party.
"Let's fix you a bottle, Alex." She said walking towards the door.
"Ms. Floros. I hope that we may discuss a few things tonight."
"What kind of things? If it's about what happened…"
"Ilaria, you shouldn't be embarrassed about the kiss shared between the two of us. Even if it was perhaps not in the best timing."
"Owen, I should be getting Alexander that bottle. Come on Alex." She walks in quick pace to the kitchen as I trail behind her. She heats up a bottle of formula for the bundle of joy that he happily drinks. Once the bottle had been emptied of its contents she burped him and took him back to his room. Pulling out a fairy tale book. She read to him about princess and princes, dragons and witches that reminded me of my three identical sisters. The dears. A few stories down and she found that it was best to lay him down to sleep. How quaint she believes that it is his bedtime now. But hark the trickster puck shall tend to make the amends again. With a tiny smidge I shall lend. The sleep of one mortal for the gargoyles Alex must tend.
In our borrowed forms we took Coldstone to his clan and forged a spell to be placed upon the group. With the help of my little prodigy. We were able to transfer the souls from within Coldstone into Angela, Broadway and well into Brooklyn. These three do not know what mischief I have caused for them and their clan, but oh what a romp it shall be! Such fin I must take in stride for if I rush too soon then I shall be all at lost for minutes added for fun to be. To which way shall I be tempted to steer this in?
So many choices each one a delight. And each one a gem. But only one way can the Puck and Alexander use. Now to guide the boy before his parents return. After all…
"When the parents are away the Puck will play." As well as when the gargoyles whose bodies hold the spirits of the two lovers are away. Time for some animatronic playtime. I float on the wind in form unseen and take over the body of Coldstone. With each metal plate and stone part I subdue the green one named Lexington and stash him just in time to greet Goliath and Hudson. Of course they run to their 'brother'.
"My brother you have come home to us!" Goliath was ready to reach out his hand in friendship, but the old gargoyle restrained him. He had a sharp memory of Coldstone's personalities and knew that one of them certainly wasn't trustworthy. That changed with the aid of the spell I had used on Bronx. The little mutt was a good unknown deceiver. Oh if they only knew about the one tied up. How is it that I am able to keep the laughs from flying amazes me?
"We have much to catch up on."
"There's no time." I warned for in truth there wasn't for what has to be done. "Xanatos has created monsters to unleash against you. We must destroy them." That on the one hand was not so much truth. We glide back to where this was to all go down. Hopefully my little surprise was still in the same way she was when I had left her. Don't want to rush things too quickly now. A few choice words and it gets them riled for a fight. The others should be coming back to the clock tower about now. It won't take too long for them to think that it was time to destroy. Better show them Coldfire and Coldsteel.
I take them down to the laboratory ad introduce the two new players in our game.
"Brother, these were clearly modeled after the other gargoyles." He said. I backed away in this form and took a wire. "How can this be? And why?"
"Patience my brother. You're about to find out." I smile most wonderfully at the push of the button that activates Coldfire and Coldsteel. Coldsteel grabs hold of Goliath while Coldfire gives a powerful kick to Hudson sending him into a computer. Goliath pushes off Coldsteel not that it did as much as Goliath had hoped. Coldfire sets Hudson a blaze; sadly I don't think that he can return the same affection. Especially with the sprinklers pouring down. The battle lasted for a short while as Goliath and Hudson were knocked out by the two machines.
"I trust you have no more questions." Laughing at the end at how things are going according to plan.
Brooklyn POV
I can't believe this! That jerk took over my body! He's up to something and I can't stop it! Stupid spell Goliath sure made a mess of this spell. How am I supposed to get out of this?
It makes it worse that I can hear what he is thinking and see what he is doing. Leading on everyone to make him think that he is really me. He has no idea how I talk. Makes me sound like an idiot. Then he went and attacked Lex man this guy has no shame. If it wasn't taking over my body I would say that he had no soul.
Wait a minute. Who is that in the trees? Hudson? Goliath? What are they doing in the trees? I didn't get an answer to that question not that anyone could answer me right now. That and a robotic gargoyle was firing at us. My body dodges and doesn't get hit to the point of unconsciousness like Angela and temporary immobility like Broadway. The creep tells the shooter no surprise that it is Coldstone, that he wants him to continue with his rampage in order that he kills Broadway so he could have Angela. Well not Angela specifically but the female gargoyle soul that was taking over her subconscious. Still it ticks me off that he is trying to kill my friends! When I get control over my body I am going to make that guy pay!
Metal tentacles restrain my body from doing any more damage than what it could have done had he gotten free. I might be in line for that. This robot that resembled another gargoyle from our past had found himself tangled with his soul. Another came in the form of the female gargoyle occupying Angela's body.
"Someone tell me what's going on here!" Coldstone turns to Goliath.
"Goliath, haven't you guessed yet? This was all done for your benefit. Xanatos wished to thank you for saving his son, by reuniting you with your dear brother. Coldfire and Coldsteel were manufactured to house Coldstone's other personalities. But Broadway, Angela and Brooklyn wound up with their souls." Coldstone's robotic form reported.
"It is a handsome body, but I was looking for something a bit more practical." The spirit puppeteered by use of my mouth.
"As you wish." Replied Coldstone. A button was pressed and the animatronic moron threw us for a loop. Literally. The force of such a blow had knocked us out. This was the opportunity I need in order to take back control of my body. I fought him on the inside but he ended up winning again for we awoke to the sight of Broadway appearing in front of us.
"Brooklyn's body does not belong to you. Give it back." Broadway demanded. The creep show replied to him this way.
"So that I can return to cyberspace or fade out of existence entirely? Is that the choice that you were leaning towards? Because I do not choose those options." His gaze leaves Broadway and goes towards…Ilaria? Where did she come from? Oh god no! He lunges at her and stands upon the railing, with my claws at the ready for her throat.
"Nobody is going to force me to do anything unless they wish to see her blood on the floor. My, wouldn't that be hard to explain to everyone?" he said with a sick pleasure from the words he spoke.
"Brooklyn!"
"Oh look at that she speaks." He forces my claws closer to her throat but are stopped by the sound of Goliath telling him that they would not force him into leaving my body if they let her go.
"I don't know about that just yet. She is the only thing keeping me in power here. I might have to keep her where she is."
"Brooklyn I know you're in there. Fight him!"
"Oh isn't that just precious the little girl thinks he can take over again." He laughs a hearty laugh that was deep in the throat at her before griping harder. He even drew a thin line of blood at her neck. His actions towards her were driving me up the wall in fury. What gives him the right to act this way?! He is no gargoyle! He is a monster! "But we know the truth. I'm in control now, little one."
Summoning all my strength I do battle with his soul. My body jerks from the new power struggle within as each of try to reinstate control. I gain control enough to release her and tell her to run before he tried to subdue me out of it. I saw her make it to the safety of Hudson and Goliath. Relief that she is safe allows him to gain control again and get hit by one of the others.
"Actually I am disappointed with Brooklyn's fighting skills and his attempts at control. Xanatos's robot looks like it might have been a better deal after all. Look it even heals itself." He said gazing at what he wanted to be his new form as it mended its tentacles. "I wouldn't mind changing possession of this scrawny gargoyle for that." Who the hell is he calling scrawny?! I'll show him the extoplasmic disappointment.
"That's just what we needed to hear." The robotic Coldstone said while he rose up from the ground. "Go for it kid." He said to Lexington who gleefully dashed close to us.
"For the spirit to be willing. The…the?"
"The flesh." Coldstone corrected him. Allowing Lexington to continue the chanting of the spell.
"The flesh must first grow weak. Just long enough for soul in flight to pass from cheek to cheek." The soul of that slime ball leaves my body and I can see his spirit smirk as it enters the body of the robot. He in stupid strutting ways gloats about his new body before he flees knowing that I would peel every part of his metal parts for what he had done.
"Try not to miss me too much. I'll be back!" he said before flying away from us.
"This scrawny gargoyle will be waiting!" I shout to him shaking my fist as I did so. I came down from the upper walkway to the ground.
"Brooklyn you know what he called you?"
"I know every creepy thing that jerk made me do. I couldn't stop him. I'm sorry." I looked away in shame over what I couldn't stop. I can't believe I allowed that jerk to trick my friends and worst of all hurt Ilaria.
"That's not true Brooklyn. You stopped him from seriously hurting me." She said placing her hand to her throat where the blood stopped flowing, but the line was still visible.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I wish we could say the same." Angela said. When she came to Broadway she continued on. "My love you know what we must do." She said so sad as if she was excepting the end.
"Yes, I am ready." Broadway said as he held on to Angela.
"Finally." Coldstone said. A spirit came out of his body. "I thought you two would never grow a conscious." The spirit was Puck and Goliath said it best when he appeared. We should have known. We also should have known that he lived for subterfuge.
"Besides soul transfers are tricky. And require voluntary participation. I needed the evil one to be impressed enough to ask for Coldsteel." Puck explained. He then whistled for Coldfire to come. She rose out of the moat that Angela had done battle with her in before and landed next to Coldstone. Lexington repeats the spell that he used on Coldsteel. The souls go into the respective robots. The two embrace and thank of us for what we did for them. They didn't stay since their duty was to stop the evil one. They promised to return when the evil one was vanquished.
"There is still one thing that I do not understand. Puck, why are you working your magic through Lexington?"
"Moi? I haven't done any magic in hours. It was my prize pupil. Passing his first lesson with flying colors." Lexington changed and transformed into the baby Alexander. The real Lexington said that he had a little help and Puck insisted on him having a great teacher.
"Who is in a lot of trouble with me." Ilaria said taking the baby Alexander out of his hands. Puck looked like he was expecting this.
"Now, now Ilaria are you still holding a grudge over me knocking you out in order to help Alexander learn his lesson?"
"What do you think?" I asked looking at her then Puck. She began to walk away with Alex, but Puck poofs next to her and the three of them leave.
Ilaria POV
I placed Alex in his crib the little angel was so sleepy from all the excitement of the night. It wasn't almost worth it to yell at Puck. Almost. I just had to move Puck and I into another room. I shut his bedroom door and then turn to face him.
"What the hell were you thinking?! Did you ever think that someone could be hurt by what you were doing?"
"Believe me when I say there were precautions."
"Where were you when the claws were out or when Brooklyn was possessed? Brooklyn is my friend."
"Interesting you would say that." He said with a cock of his eyebrow. What a weird guy. I leave his presence since now he was reverting back to his Owen form. At least Owen doesn't try to make up crazy lessons that may put people at risk. Together the two of us reenter Alex's room so we could check on him. Two minutes after we came in Xanatos and Fox entered.
"Mr. Xanatos, Fox, how was the event?"
"We had a good time. Did Alexander behave himself?" Fox asked as she looked over her baby, sleeping peacefully in his crib.
"He behaved himself very well. Unlike some people I could mention." Owen makes no motion of hearing the hint, but inside I bet Puck is rolling his eyes or is thinking something sarcastic. Owen told Xanatos about the Coldstone project being taken care of, but convent ally forgot to mention all the details of the ordeal. Figures he would go straight to the cake and skip the icing.
Fox thanks me for babysitting and pays me telling me that we will be in touch about another opportunity to babysit the tyke at a later time. I was going to go home when there was a light of some kind that blocked the doorway of the baby's room. It was truly bright at first, but faded into solid form of the one and only king Oberon. Oh this is not going to be good. King Lear is back.
"Oberon." Fox said softly in fear and with a gentle hint of anger that he was going back on his word about not taking Alexander to Avalon.
"What are you doing here? You gave us your word that Alexander would be allowed to stay with us so long as Alexander was taught by Puck in the use of magic." Xanatos said coming between Oberon and his wife and child.
"Take heed mortal. I am not here for the child." He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Like Xanatos was an annoying gnat.
"Then what are you doing here if it is not for Alexander? To my understanding all of Oberon's children have come to Avalon and there is no reason for you to be off the island."
"Oh but there is a reason for me to be here. I sense one of my blood. One with power long hidden from view. I have come to collect them." He said looking at us as if we knew who he was talking about. Only one of us knew…well sort of knew. I mean yes I was practicing magic when no one was looking or thought they were looking. But that didn't mean that I was of his blood. My father is of gorgon blood not fae blood and my mother died in childbirth. I don't think that is possible for the fae to die like that, considering Titania gave birth to what more than twenty children? I never bothered to count on our adventures. Some of them could be adopted for all I know.
"If you should be found to be harboring this being who knows it is time to return home then I shall be most unhappy with you, unless you should hand them over now." He put out his hand for the being to come forward.
"I have no idea who you are referring to, besides Puck that is, but you know he is here. Therefore I am unaware of another one of your blood being here." Xanatos said with his guard still up should the king make a move against him.
"I see. Then you would not mind if I should take a look around the premises." As if he was going to let him say no.
"By all means Lord Oberon look all you want." Xanatos watched as Oberon moved around coming dangerously close to the cursed lava rock.
"Please don't touch that. It was a gift of sorts from Pele." Oberon chuckled a bit under his breath at the mention of Pele.
"Ah yes Pele. Such a fiery woman. I see you got on her bad side if she allowed you to hold on to a lava rock. Normally the person is plagued with problems when they take a lava rock off the islands of Hawaii. It is the reverse in your case." Oberon went on through the castle and I started heading out. One can only stand so much Oberon.
"Hey." I look to find Brooklyn had come back in.
"Hey yourself stranger." I said back to him. "Come to walk me home or something like that?" I ask him.
"Just wanted to check up on you, since the incident tonight…" He was still bumming about that.
"Brooklyn, it's alright. You didn't do anything. It was the evil one who was doing all the bad things. You tried to get control away from him and you did long enough to allow me to escape. Brooklyn I can't blame you for any of what he did, not when I li….find you as such a good friend." I said hoping he didn't hear the almost said part.
"Okay. You want a ride home?" He asked. A bit awkwardly by the way he shifted on his strong legs. I guess he remembers the last time I flew with him and how that ended, not like he did anything that was intended to hurt me.
"Sure." I tell him. Even though flight still causes me issues, but it wasn't like I was worried he would drop me anytime soon. He would more likely break my bones from preventing me from falling. "Just let me put my coat on first."
"There's no hurry. Unless you have a date or something." His voice dropped a bit towards the mention of date. Was he still feeling down about Maggie the cat? I hope not since he had mentioned she was with Talon. But wait a minute. He and the others had been fighting normally when Angela was in view. Fights normally about who was more important or better, meaning that they were trying to make themselves look better to Angela. He is crushing on Angela now. Great. Another one who is going to ask me to give in a good word to her. Did He have to be one of them? Or is it a farce? Could it be…?
"Not likely. With the way my life has been lately. I'm lucky I even know my teachers' names." I said pushing my arm through the last sleeve. Then I straightened my coat out. All ready to go flying. Well enough for now. He looked up at me and then combed his hand through his long hair in one swift motion.
"We should head to the courtyard. It will be easier to get a lift without anyone really taking notice." He said. Not like many really would notice either way. New York I had noticed was funny like that. A ballerina on a unicycle juggling fire doesn't get nearly as much attention as a guy asking for directions to tourist spots. Go figure. We walk to the courtyard and already there was a fierce breeze. "It wasn't this bad when I arrived."
"Mother Nature has a sense of humor. That's why it's always the best day to be outside during the first week of school then the weekend it is all rain and wind." I told him with a louder vocal range as the wind was sending my voice down the other way. It was a scary sort of wind. The kind that meant more storms were to come with bolder force. "We should wait it out a bit."
"You think?" He said in his usual sarcastic bravado. At that minute the wind seemed to pick up more. As if it was urging us to get inside the building for it was going to get worse. Our trek began in a few steps not knowing what was to come our way. It started with a noise that stopped us in our tracks. As it was able to catch our attention from the wind and rain that pounded against our skulls and backs. I perk my head but do not turn it as I listen for it again. It took a few seconds till the sound came back again. Only louder and more immediate. I quickly move my head towards the sound and find that a side of a tower was crumbling down in a landslide towards us.
"Ilaria!" Brooklyn shouted as he pulled me into his arms to wrap his wings around me like a shield as he pulled me out of the way of the stone and cement. The danger passes swiftly as his wings have unfolded by now. Revealing the cool glow of the moon and the swift pelt of rain against my skin. "Are you alright?" Brooklyn asks me gently.
"I think so. But what about you the rocks must have hit your wings." He stretches one of them out to view it where there could be seen the bruises of where the rocks had hit. "Thank you." My voice was meek. I couldn't think of what else to say to him. Not without sounding like a cliché in a romance movie or heaven forbid a romantic comedy.
"It's nothing I don't get from what I do. Could have been worse." He said looking at the bruises with faint interest before folding them into his 'cape'.
"You could have broken a wing?" I ask him. Pushing a hair out of my face. I feel the warmth of a hand encase itself over mine. It was his.
"A broken wing I can deal with." If he says broken heart I cannot I will faint. "Only if it was to keep you safe." Not what I was thinking but that was very sweet. His hand is still clasping mine which is so close to my face that his hand was practically on my cheek. I look into his kind eyes not noticing much around me. I think it is the same way for him as he hadn't taken notice of a rock larger than the earlier ones was heading for him. The wideness of my eyes must have given him the hint at impending doom as he looked up at the falling stone. In haste I forgot the words of warning that Pele had said to me and used my powers to form the rain into a dome to take the impact of the stone and send it away. It worked and in the very nick of time. If it had been any later than the stone may have hit Brooklyn.
"How long have you been able to do that?" He asked. Calm, not surprised as I had expected since it was the reaction that most came with when they found someone with magic powers.
"Not very long. I found out about them when I went to Avalon with Goliath and Elisa." He turned his head to me as he had been looking out at the sky since the rock had flown through it. "I couldn't use them for some time since we came back and until now I never really had the chance to use them. Since I have been benched since coming back."
He doesn't say anything to me and I feel the sense of nerves bundling together to create worry build inside of me. Magic hasn't been his friend lately and I just used it. Sure it was to save his life because of something about him I like. But he might not notice it was to save his life and instead the look of magic could be a bad memory trigger.
"That was actually pretty cool." Or maybe I worry too much. "It's an interesting move." He said moving in closer.
"Yes, it is a rather interesting move." A voice of deep nobility came against the wind. The voice to be frank did more than that it stopped the wind and rain. Oberon stood upon the stone steps we were to ascend. He stood there proud and smug at the sight of what lay before him. "How could we have not guessed that you were the one in hiding?" Oh great the creepy we thing he does.
"What are you talking about?" Brooklyn asked not yet sensing that danger was coming.
"We see the gargoyles are sticking their noses in our affairs again. But this time you will not be given a chance to ruin the gathering."
"The Gathering? You completed it weeks ago. You have everyone there already."
"Yes, so we had thought, but a curious thing happened we sensed another in this land. One who did not heed the Gathering. This one." He said indicating to me. How could I be one of his blood? I mane hello wouldn't he have noticed I was when we were on Avalon? Or when he was trying to take Alexander away? He has had opportunities to figure out that I am not of his blood and he chooses now to accuse me of being. What is up with that?
"You are accusing her of being one of your blood when she could just be a witch?"
"A witch needs incantation, a wand or a staff to channel magic in order that they can use it. She did not need either to do so. Only those of my blood can do that but only in short doses. Too long and well we would rather not discuss it." He was quiet for but a second before he was demanding again. "We grow weary of this conversation. Move yourself from her as we must take her with us now." Instead of waiting for Brooklyn's response he moved Brooklyn forcefully from my side. I shout to him worried that he may have been hurt by the action. The sound drew the attention of Xanatos and Fox who came out demanding what was provoking Oberon to attack their guests and home.
"Honestly must we have to repeat ourselves every two minutes?" His tone did not inhibit an answer, but Xanato's gave him one.
"When a party was not present during the first explanation of what you were doing to the guests and house. Then yes. I would say that you would have to."
"So be it. I have found the one who has hidden their magic and shall be taken them to Avalon as I should have done weeks ago." Oberon explained to him. Sighing at both the beginning and end of the sentence. He used his magic to allow me hover off the ground and pull me over to him. The path was blocked halfway by Brooklyn. Not through some kind of magic it was more of surprise to Oberon that broke his concentration.
"You dare to defy me again? Do you wish to suffer the same punishments as you had before when you tried to take me on in battle?" Oberon demanded more than asked. His temper reflected in the storm as it began to grow fiercer. "It matters not to us what becomes of your fate."
"Stop!" I shout before he could smoke Brooklyn with lighting or something worse if I let my imagination run to that way. "Please, grant a pardon or favor."
"You dare to ask me for favors?" Oberon bellowed with the voice amplification of a megaphone. Really unnecessary for what I was going to ask him about.
"If you wish to make things easier for both parties then yes. I do ask for favors well a favor. You had granted twenty four hours of time to the gargoyles at Avalon when you had come to reclaim the island as your home. You had also granted twenty four hours for to Xanatos and Fox when you had come for their child."
"Yes, we recall those incidences rather well. We also recall the repercussions of those agreements. A battle was fought with a weapon most foul used against me with the first and the second was a worse battle fought. What causes you to believe I will grant you such a request?"
"Because this time you will not have a battle on your hands or opposition of any kind."
"We are listening." He said with interest clearly noted in his voice. The others unsure about what was going to happen kept their mouths shut, except for Brooklyn who harshly whispered in my ear about what was I thinking or trying to pull. I quickly whisper back to him that I knew what I was doing and to trust me.
"If you were to grant me twenty four hours to say goodbye to my friends and family then I will go to Avalon with you. No fuss, no mess and no large battle to be fought. How does that sound to you?"
"It is short and simple. We agree to your reasonable favor. We shall be back in twenty four hours' time at this very spot to escort you to your new home. If you should back out of our fair bargain then great suffering shall come to both you and your friends and family. Do you understand our terms?"
"I understand and will agree to them." Brooklyn tried to protest along with encouragement from surprisingly Xanatos. But it was too late for their words the agreement was made and sealed. Oberon dashed somewhere most likely back to his home in Avalon. The feeling on knowing that it was going to be my home held a more dreary air than the weather had.
"Ilaria how could you agree to something like that?" Brooklyn asked me as he swirled me around to look him in the eye.
"I had to think of something to buy me some time. I can't just disappear again like before without notice. And you heard Oberon he was going to take me away forever because he thinks that I am someone of his blood."
"I heard that part. It doesn't mean that I believe that. You can't just agree to his fantasy whims."
"I'm not agreeing with them so much as I am giving myself time to come up with a way to convince him otherwise of what he has gotten wrong in his head."
"How?"
"If I go with him to Avalon and he finds that in truth the magic I have is simply that of a witch or wizard then he will see reason and send me back."
"And what if he shouldn't?"
"Then I will find a way back."
"He will see that coming. He could hurt you worse than he ever had before in those battles from the past. I can't let you go through with this!"
"If I don't worse things can happen to bot just me, but you as well and what of the others?"
"All of us will find a way to help you hide from him."
"Brooklyn, why are you protesting so much about me leaving?"
"Why you think I shouldn't?!"
"There's no need to get mad."
"Why shouldn't I be mad?! You agreed to live in Avalon!"
"I didn't agree to live in Avalon. I'm just going there to lay this whole thing about me being one of his blood to rest!" The sentence and sound froze in the air blocking some of the words from going on till Brooklyn sighed closing his eyes.
"You don't understand." He said jerking away from me. I pull on his arm to get him to face me.
"What don't I understand?" He sighs again this time without the anger. He looks at me with a kind expression. His hand rose up and cupped my face gently. Allowing me to feel the warmth of his calloused hand.
"Ilaria, I love you."