I'm baaaaack!

I know it's been a while, but I've been writing this whole time, and this story turned into one hellavu longfic. It has a lot going on, and is the result of a lot of set up that I hope was worth it. I'll be updating this story in three parts every weekend until Halloween, so subscribe or set up notifications to remember. Thank you to every one who has read my stories, and re-read my stories through this long hiatus. Last, but not least, a huge thank you and shout out to my editor. You're amazing!

I hope you enjoy!

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January 10, 1997
10:25 p.m.
Castle Wyvern

Margot Yale rode the elevator up the Eyrie Building to the medieval castle perched atop it. She stood stiffly, her briefcase clutched firmly in one hand as the car moved rapidly upwards. When the elevator slowed, then stopped, and chimed before the doors opened, she collected herself, putting on an air that was calm and collected, one that demanded respect and compliance.

As she stepped out of the elevator, her high-heeled pumps clicked against the polished stone floor, echoing around the high, vaulted ceilings of the Great Hall. A tall bespectacled man with blond hair and the personality of a broom met her as she walked out.

"Come with me, Ms. Yale," he said stiffly.

She followed the aide-de-camp through the castle and to the billionaire's personal office. Xanatos was reading a report with Alex sitting in his lap when Margot and Owen walked in.

"Assistant District Attorney Margot Yale here to speak with you, Mr. Xanatos," Owen said blandly.

Xanatos raised an eyebrow but made no other motion of surprise. Yale, on the other hand, looked at him expectantly, like the child should go somewhere else now while they spoke. Fox was away for the evening, and Xanatos was looking after Alex, but it wasn't an unusual occurrence. The boy was often with his father while he worked. The power couple had all the money in the world to hire a nanny, but considering his special abilities, they did not have anyone they could trust to deal with a quarter fae child, aside from Owen. Xanatos and Fox had also decided long before Alex was born that they would be more "hands on" parents compared to their peers.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Ms. Yale?" Xanatos said sardonically, setting down his report.

"Official business, Mr. Xanatos," Yale said in a no-nonsense tone. "About the gargoyles you are harboring."

"Gargoyles?" Xanatos said wryly.

"We don't need to play games. You're providing sanctuary for the gargoyles which would land a normal citizen in hot water, however, we both know you're not an ordinary citizen. You're… important," Yale replied, her tone dripping with annoyance and a little condescension.

"I see," Xanatos replied, his smirk ticking up a little more.

"But there are limits, even for you. To that end, the mayor, as well as the District Attorney, want to ensure that there isn't any… trouble. We've respected your home, no warrants have been issued, but a line has to be drawn somewhere. I'm here because the city wants to unofficially ensure that if the gargoyles are apprehended elsewhere in the city there won't be any... hard feelings."

"You mean they want to ensure that there won't be any repercussions if the gargoyles are ever arrested? I'm sure the mayor recalls that I made a considerable donation to his campaign four years ago… among other favors," Xanatos said bluntly.

"As I said, you're important," Yale responded icily, gesturing toward him with one hand.

Xanatos opened his mouth to respond when an alarm started blaring in his office. It wasn't obvious that it either startled or concerned the billionaire. His body language changed only slightly. He stood up behind his desk and shifted Alex in his arms, an expression of calm on his face. This wasn't something he was expecting, but his demeanor betrayed nothing—he made sure of that.

Owen briskly walked back into the office and leaned close to Xanatos's ear. The two men abruptly turned toward the expansive window overlooking the city, putting their backs to Margot so she couldn't discern what they were saying.

"Security alarms keep going off throughout the castle, sir. I have not been able to pinpoint a cause. Nothing is coming up on security footage or scans. It may be a glitch in the system, but I have not been able to determine that for certain," Owen whispered.

"Are Goliath and his clan here?" Xanatos asked under his breath.

"No, sir. There was a report of The Pack in Times Square earlier, and I assume they left a short while ago to intercept."

"Hmm," Xanatos intoned. "That justleaves us then, Owen."

He turned back to the woman who was waiting impatiently for him.

"Ms. Yale, how are you with children?" he said cheerfully, quickly stepping toward her.

"Wait. What?!"

Without further explanation, Xanatos thrust six-month-old Alex into her arms. Yale took the child reflexively, juggling her briefcase in one hand and the child in the other, a look of shock and disgust on her face.

"I'll be right back," he said with a charming smile, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

"Now, hold on!" she protested. "Shouldn't he be in bed?"

"He can't sleep because he's teething. Enjoy!" Xanatos said as he walked out the door with Owen, leaving the ADA alone with the baby.

"Xanatos! I'm a lawyer, not a goddamn babysitter!" she shrieked.