Chapter 2

Elizabeth

I felt his presence about a mile from Longborn. I could almost see clearly his deep red almost black aura coursing towards us. Through him I could feel there were others with him. The amount I was unsure of. If he wasn't a mind reader I could read him once again to get more details. But after stating so clearly to leave our minds alone, I knew it was bad form to go picking around his. Even as tempted as I was.

I ran towards the house and connected with all my sisters at the same time.

The man that tried to read my mind is traveling here about a mile away. There are others with him, I don't know how many. We must surprise attack.

I can cloak us and we will surround them ready to attack. Jane thought while taking off her apron and cleaning off her dirty hands. She must have been in the still room working with the herbs, one of her favorite past times.

Let me gather the mini army Mary thought as she passed by me in the doorway and headed outside towards the forest behind the estate.

Mary please control Marcus better! He nipped me last time! I could almost hear Mary rolling her eyes at Kitty. Kitty had always been uneasy around Mary's army of woodland animals. What do I do? I never know how to help in an attack. None of my gifts are helpful for this. If only I could attack with embroidery or heal someone to death….

I couldn't help but chuckle at Kitty. I might be witty but she was hilarious. She had formed this since it was no secret that her gifts were not to the level of the rest of us. So instead of constantly being depressed about it, she had decided to make light of it. Which was always entertaining.

Lydia

Kit just do those moves we taught you and put on a menacing face. The one you always give me when I take your ribbons without asking.

They all snickered in understanding.

They won't have a clue you don't know what your doing with that look on your face. I thought this while fixing my hair in the looking glass.

I might be about to go into battle but I had to make sure my appearance was perfect as always. These men were our enemies, but you never knew what could happen. I thought to myself. Quick to guard my thoughts from Lizzy knowing she would reprimand me from thinking such thoughts. But I could not help it, the men of Hartforshire were mere boys in my eyes. I needed a man. Not a little boy who had no idea how to properly disband another Mage. I need someone that could challenge me. My gifts as a Guardian could only be challenged by a Mage with real combat knowledge.

By first glance, no one would ever assume that I was a powerful Guardian. I am only 5"2' with just slight curves. I'm a tiny thing. I had even cultivated a flighty, boy obsessed and concern for my own vanity personality to further help distract others from the truth.

We all gathered together outside the front entrance. We could hear the hooves of the horses from the carriage coming closer. We knew we only had seconds before we would be seen. We quickly held the hand next to each other and formed a circle. Jane reached within and cloaked herself and reached out to form a invisible cloak all around us. We crouched low ready to make a run for it as soon as the carriage came to a stop. We moved to the side of the carriage as quietly as possible. Once all three men stood outside of the carriage. We quickly surround them and assumed our attack positions. Jane nodded and then vanished the cloak.

Darcy

In an instance we were surrounded. There was Elizabeth aimed right at me with a fireball ready to strike. To her left was Jane with a tornado of wind hovering between her two palms. To Elizabeth's right was Mary looking to be able to control an army of woodland animals at her feet. The fox staring me down with a low growl, was a bit distracting. Next to Mary, Lydia stood with her palms pressed outwards with a constant stream of what looked like blue lightning coursing from her to each of her sisters. It seemed as if she was creating a block from any other gifts attacking her sisters. Kitty seemed to be the most uncomfortable but she stood with her hands in a martial arts stance. I so badly wanted to read her thoughts at that moment, I figured it would be thinking about how she had no clue what she was doing. The only gift anyone had ever seen her use was being a healer. Which was known to not be very developed at that.

"IF YOU STEP ONE MORE FOOT ONTO OUR LAND WE WILL BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!"

It took all of me not to not audibly gasp. She was breathtaking. Her drawing was nothing compared to the goddess standing in front of me. Huge emerald green eyes filled to the brim with passion. Her chestnut brown hair was fixed in a low bun, but a few wavy tendrils had escaped it and perfectly framed her face. She was of a medium height for a woman. I quickly glanced down at her small waist and lean figure. Trying hard not to wonder how shapely the rest of her was.

There was also this unmistakable pull to her. A connection so strong, it seemed I had known her longer then my own sister.

I started to feel both Charles and Fitz eyes on me in confusion

Darce, are you ready?

Darcy good man, I say it's time to say something…

I had to give my head a slight shake to snap out of my daze.

"Good day ladies. We are here sent by the Capitol to encourage you to go with us to work for the Capitol. After our many attempts to contact you otherwise, we are now here to help in person."

A snark laugh slipped out of Elizabeth

"Help? You call prying in our minds helping?"

Charles stepped forward, I could see him trying hard with all his power to ease the tension. "We apologize for any misunderstanding. Please let me introduce us properly. My name is Charles Bingley. This to my left is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and to my right is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy The Master of Pemberly."

We all bowed towards the ladies, praying that they will not strike as we offer this kind gesture.

"We truly do want to help you all through this difficult time. Our intentions are honorable." Charles ended with a small comforting smile, albeit a tad nervous.

I saw Jane glance towards Elizabeth, then Elizabeth gave Jane a small nod. Apparently having a telepathic conversation to each other.

Jane stepped forward and reached out her palm toward Charles. She paused before touching his chest.

"May I see if you are telling the truth sir?"

Charles gave a quick nod. Nothing could tear him away from that moment.

Jane reached out further and placed her ungloved palm on his chest. I decided to read his mind just in case she passed onto him some other knowledge that was not said out loud.

Good god this Angel is touching my chest. Do not grab her and kiss her like you want to… But I could just wrap her delicate arms around me so easily… and if I just slightly leaned forward I could taste how soft her beautiful pink lips are…

I stopped reading then. I did not want to hear where the rest of his thoughts were going. I glanced over at Elizabeth and notice the disgusted look on her face as well. I couldn't help but adding in…

Serves you right for listening in!

She looked at me with her eyebrow raised.

Obviously I'm not the only one…

Before she could finish her sentence Jane stepped back and looked toward her sisters. Apparently telepathically speaking with them all. All nodded in understanding except for one.

Except for the Brown haired, green eyed goddess still holding the fireball and staring me down.

"Listen- we will hear you out, you can come in and have tea. But if you try to pull something… I mean anything! I will not hesitate to set all three of you on fire. Got it?" She stared all three of us down with an intense direct gaze that would make lesser men urinate on themselves. The woman was terrifying. And for some strange reason I had never been more attracted to anyone ever. Maybe it was all the powerful Mage power coursing through her. Whatever it was I felt chills all over as she eyed me down.

We all three nodded knowing she would be true to her word.