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Outwardly prepared, Michael stepped through the ate the Elders used as a e-- Beware of the Key that turns the Lock--had given the Guardians both a goal and hope, two things required to e of the coup contained, the e could continue to serve its purpose

As he crossed the open-air center courtyard, he left a trail of droplets in his wake His robes were still soaked from his confrontation with Bruce and would have to re

He was expected, and punctuality was the best way to stave off unwanted curiosity

Knowing he was being watched through the vid monitors, Michael kept his movements to a leisurely pace He paused at the chôzuya Dipping the waiting ladle into the fountain, he rinsed out hisover the center courtyard, a place that brought comfort tohis breath, he cleared his ant h the audience ahead He had suggestedthat discussion were entirely of his own design It was a coed in, and a

Michael crossed the center courtyard and entered the haiden where the other Elders awaited him

His peers Or so they called themselves In truth, there were very few of the ulfed him, the rooht that illuminated only the dead center of the space He came to a halt within that beaures who sat before him in semicircular rows

"Has Captain Bruce connected with Cross and the Key, Elder Sheron?"

"If he has not done so yet, he will shortly"

The benches above him exploded in a hum of dozens of conversations Michael waited patiently, his stance wide, his hands clasped at the small of his back With a toss of his head, his wet coas thrown back to better convince the others of his sincerity No one feigned sincerity as well as he did

"What do you suggest we do now that Bruce is out of the Twilight?"

"We should send an Elder to lead the teaain, hundreds of voices co to be heard over the din

"Sheron"

He smiled inwardly at the feminine voice "Yes, Elder Rachel?"

"Who would you send on our behalf?"

"Who would you prefer?"

Rachel stood, pushing her hood back to reveal raven tresses and snapping green eyes "I will go

And lead"

"You were exactly who I had in ular skill who had a rare gift for command, much like Cross and Bruce Her appearance was also a plus Only the female

Elders

retained

their

youthful

attractiveness She would not be as conspicuous as thea woe ill need"

"And Bruce?" someone questioned "I still do not understand how his presence in the mortal realm helps us in any way"

"Each of theether, they are fluid They lean on each other They have more to lose when they know their actions affect the other one They will become more firmly rooted in the mortal plane They will venture farther, experience er risks than they would have apart"

"It will take too long!" sohed inwardly "If we hope to have the Dreaive thee and until they feel secure enough in their future together, they won’t chance pregnancy Regardless, the gestational period for a hued"

"But she is not like other huued

"We cannot rush this We must be patient and allow the pieces of the puzzle to fall where they may"

Discussion ensued and lasted for hours It was always this way The Guardian coht it was a fortuitous circumstance that they were immortal Otherwise, they would never have the lifespan required to accomplish any task

In the end, however, he achieved his aiin preparations?" an Elder asked "The accliainst Captain Cross will test you"

Her lush reen eyes "I will be ready"

"It is decided then," the Elder said, speaking for the collective "We will proceed to the next chapter"

Stacey finished packing up her stuff and took one last look around Lyssa’s guest bedroo to suck going home to an empty house, but there was no reason to stay and she really didn’t want to The vibe would be too weird now that Lyssa and Aidan knew she’d been intimate with Connor Besides, Connor was here on business Knowing how singularly focused Aidan was about his antiquities, they’d probably want to get started right away She had things to do, too, so…

Slinging one strap of her backpack over her shoulder, Stacey headed downstairs

She was surprised to find Connor alone He was seated at the dining table, gingerly cleaning some dirt-encrusted object A black T-shirt stretched to its lis were encased in loose-fitting faded jeans

"Hi," she said, as she passed hi her purse from the top of the breakfast bar "Where’s Aidan and Lyssa?"

"They went to sleep Apparently, they drove all night and they’re wiped out"