As Storm listened to the different groupings, her thoughts were hidden behind her pale face. Traveling through portals was still not pleasant, but she did not get as sick, and was even ready to begin on time. Once her name was called, she only raised her brow at Jeremiah. The two strongest with the two that held the most potential? It was a possibility. A finger tapping silently against the dark wood of the table, her gaze shifted over to Kiara. The Guardian that caused the most trouble grouped with the eldest? Highly unlikely, and that had her curving her lips.

The look was not held for long, and she could not help but tense with the new subject that was brought to the table. At the room held an eerie silence, Shawn continued, ?The plan for invasion is the beginning of summer, with intention of replacing harmony after the attacks of the Air and Earth Realms. About half of us will go, along with recruiting other Elementals.? He fell silent then, waiting for input or questions.

Storm did not hesitate, ?I request to push the date till the end of the year. We have not had much time to meld our gifts together. Not many are truly prepared for what is to come.?

?Would your personal choices reflect your request?? Another voice spoke through, this one smothered in disapproval.

Storm looked at Jeremiah, and expected him to say that. Instead, she was looking down the table at Emeric. Surprised but not caught off guard, she looked back to Shawn, ?Yes, that is part of my request.? She tried to ignore the rising flush in her cheeks, ?I will not be in any position to go, and-"

?That was your own mistake, not ours.? Andrew sent Emeric a distinct warning look, but he continued on, ?You have chosen your priorities. Do not expect the rest of us to alter plans just for you.?

More surprised than supportive, everyone stayed silent. Storm ran her tongue over the top row of her teeth, and faked a smile, ?I have already dedicated several years of my time and service for our people. What have you done??

?I am afraid that we cannot push the date back that long, Storm. We have already waited so long for the Guardians to be complete; time is not on our side. Though your gift is the one most needed, we must move forward. If you have another idea, please, share it with us.?

Storm?s lips pulled tightly at the corners, and gently shook her head. Her chin rose slightly, and she did not give Emeric the satisfaction of her anger. Instead, her face remained expressionless and she stayed quiet.

?Anyone else??

Paola visibly relaxed as her group was called. Her vibrant eyes went from one, to the other and she did not bother to hide her grateful smile. The most even-tempered of the whole lot! Her hands itched and begged for the parchment to be placed in it?s place, but she would make sure to read the cities as soon as the meeting was over.

The next series of moments took Paola?s grateful expression away to one of utter horror. How could Emeric say such cold words? Paola might not know Storm well, but she knew of her hard work and good intentions. ?Guardian of Ice, hmph,? she mumbled under her breath only to have Anton smartly nudge her. Smirking and not caring who saw, she only rolled her eyes at Storm?s response. Where was the wit and defense? And furthermore, why did everyone just keep their mouths shut. As if on cue, her eyes rolled to the Fires. They had an open mouth and opinion on everything; say something!

But Shawn steered clear of the snide remarks, and Paola could do nothing but let it go. It was not her problem, and if Storm needed her help, she would ask for it. Now her gaze moved to Celeste, and the Water barely shrugged. Bah.

All anger and resentment was pushed aside as Devin spoke. Like the intellect she was, it was like she was eating is words the way she lingered on each careful syllable. Her mind was already formulating the reactions of such a bold move; so involved that she nearly missed Devin?s look. ?It is a risky move,? she started, tapping lightly against her chin, ?such blood bonds can bring serious problems if they are so strong that they transfer gifts in exchange. I know there is a way to temporarily bring such an exchange. It?s called.. ah.. hmm,? her blanking brought a rosy complexion, and she looked to Shawn for assistance before embarrassment took over.

When the room fell silent again, Shawn nodded and placed an easy smile on his face as if they had been talking about pleasant things. "For now, that shall be the end of this meeting. We will meet again within the next couple of weeks to hear of Paola and Devin's findings and prepare further." With a lost nod, everyone began to stood and collect their personal belongings. "Storm, may I have a last word with you?"

"Of course." Waving her father's questionable look, she moved from her seat to the closest one to Shawn once it was vacant.

"I am sorry for the circumstances that have fallen upon you. While I wish I could fix the problem, I cannot. If, you are able to come up with another solution, bring it up at the next meeting along with Devin and Paola. If you cannot," he offered a sad smile, "then I have to go along with the summer. I hope you understand."

"I know that you seek the best for us. I will continue to think upon another solution," patting his arm lightly, she then stood and walked out of the room. Most had gone off to perform their daily tasks, while others stayed behind and conversed quietly amongst themselves. Storm saw Paola and Devin, preparing a date to meet so that they could begin their research, Rukiya and Kiara standing together, though Kiara was looking to Jeremiah and Cornelious. Despite her desire to know what conversations were at place, she gave a few parting words with her father before eagerly heading for the portal to Zephyr Cottage.


She allowed her anger to surface now, simmering and bringing an angry flush to her face. Emeric was old-fashioned in is ways, and Storm almost wished that he had stayed after so that she could truly say the words that reflected her thoughts. Her stomach began to feel uneasy with the emotions that stirred, but she plowed across the bridge to the Four Winds forest, and braced herself for the harsh portal.

After the kiss to her forehead, she scooted over so that he could at least sit down next to her. "The Guardians want to invade the Chaotics in the summer. I have to be there, and I cannot be. I tried to change the time until after the baby is born, and some.. " her face twisted as she tried to find the proper word and could not, "one told me that the Guardians cannot change their schedule just because of my personal decisions and priorities." Even now, her irritation was apparent.

He took the space offered to sit, and he listened to her frustrations. There was something to be said, but instead he only prompted, "And your response to that was?"

"That until he has made the same sacrifices I have, that he can keep his comments to himself." Though the look on her face reflected that she might have picked a better selection of words.

His own look revealed much the same, but a smile soon curved that expression. "Beloved, you can have such a temper. Storm indeed." It was light teasing, but he pressed the moment along, and asked. "What is the resolution then, or is there not one?"

Despite her frustration, she could not help but laugh softly, "Yes, I know," and she did not sound guilty over the matter. Feeling the need for physical comfort, she brought up one of his hands to kiss it's palm. "The resolution is to think of another solution, or they will continue with the plans."

He moved about, with care moving over her to lay next to her and gather her in his arms to cradle her against his chest. "Surely there is another solution. Why wait so long until summer? If you must be there it would be better before the physicality of your pregnancy became too demanding."

She went eagerly into his arms, finding the sense of security she needed. She snuggled up close, and breathed his scent in, "The reason why we are waiting is so that we have the time to work together more." She pondered his comments, biting on her bottom lip, "I suppose we could go sooner... but.." she stopped her sentence. How was she to tell him that the timing did not impact the risk? "... I will ask once we return."

"Do what you need to do, beloved. I wish I could be of some use, but this is your duty and your world, and all I can say is I will do my best to support you in this."

She smiled softly, wiggling up an arm so that she could gently caress his face. "Thank you, beloved." She moved so that she could rest her forehead to his, "What were you doing in the backyard?"

"Tending to the tree with the limb sagging over the rooftop. I thought it best to try and tie it away until the spring took off some of the weight."

"Hmm, and Avery was helping?" She let her hand slide to rest around his neck and closed her eyes. His gentle touches and support had erased her anger.

"That he was. Always good to have an extra pair of hands around when tending to yard work." A light chuckle and a kiss to the top of her head. "He should be working on the seasons project for school right now." The fact they could hear little, or at least Ewan could hear little, made him think that Avery was doing just that.

She released another soft sigh, and still did not open her eyes. "Perhaps next time I will be able to help." A soft smile, "I am sure he will do a fine job, he has excelled well under Phen's care. I will give it a look over tonight."

"You, beloved, have matters on your plate enough. Our son and I will see to the mundane things." He laughed, and revealed the cause of his laugh, "Unless, of course, taking a whack at a tree limb would help you with your business."

"And you do not have matters on your plate?" But she chuckled low, her body relaxing fully against him, "It might help with my mind, not necessarily my business, if you will."

He did not respond to the matters on his plate, but he did understand what she meant at the last comment. "Yes, indeed."

His lack of a response was enough of an answer for her. She smiled, but an unexpected roll of her stomach had her groaning softly. "This child better be a saint." She mumbled on a sigh as the moment passed, "I think I am going to try and nap, see if I feel better after."

"Let us get you properly settled then," and he moved to help remove her boots and see her under the covers. A kiss to her forehead, he whispered, "Rest well. I will check in on you later."

Even after Storm?s look gave Jeremiah no answers, he looked across the table at Paola and Devin. While there were no official seating arrangements, Jeremiah had always remained in the same seat, and so had everyone else. But today, Paola and Devin rearranged their seats so that they could seat together. While it only interrupted Anton and Renan, it seemed that everyone was giving this change some attention. Jeremiah assumed that it was so that they could ldook over their notes without having to pass down papers, but Storm?s continuous glances was giving him second opinions on the matter.

?Before we move on to the battle bonds,? Shawn briefly looked up from his notes to glance at Paola and Devin, ?I want everyone to know that we are going to start visiting the cities by the end of next month. Each group will take a day or two within each city, and go one right after the other. So, this should not take longer than a week. Rukiya?s group will go first, then Kiara?s, Renan?s, and last will be Devin?s. Clear?? When several heads bobbed in understanding, Shawn moved to the next item.

?First, we will hear of Devin and Paola?s findings. Then if anyone has anything else to add after that, they may speak.? This time Shawn?s deliberate glance went to Storm. When more head?s bobbed, Shawn offered a hand palm open to the duo to give them the floor.

Paola also was aware of the soft murmurs, casual ? and not so casual ? glances that they received with the changed seating. While Devin might now care and not return the glances, she did not understand what the commotion was about. No one told her that there was specific seating, and with only one set of notes, it made sense for them to sit next to each other. With having nothing to hide, Paola did not mind the faint exchanges of touch, or lingering looks from Devin. She was relieved to see that he was recovering well, though his limp tugged her brows down to lines of worry.

While Devin spoke, she kept her eyes glued to the several pages of notes, mentally checking off the things that he mentioned. The complexity of the bond was giving her some concern, and she knew that it would concern Shawn as well. She could hear the slight inhale within the room as Devin placed the bond just below marriage bonds. She could tell that he was struggling with description, and placed her hand lightly on his forearm for encouragement.

Once he placed his warm hand over hers, she cleared her throat softly. She could feel a particular pair of grey eyes fixated on their joined hands, but Paola acted like it was nothing, ?There are still several items that we have to sift through before we are completely certain that we are not missing any steps. I am sure that you all see the severity of what this bond is. I believe there is a reason that this technique has not been repeated since the Lost War. Consequences can be near fatal if we are not careful. However,? she smiled as if she was speaking of something completely different, ?I ? we, will not allow such mistakes to be made.?

?If everything goes according to plan, we could possibly begin the first bond within a few weeks. We have the potential to have either four or five cycles to train before we attack. That depends on the dates that we will be gone. Which, we can discuss at a later date.? A more pointed look to Shawn, ?Also, we may want to begin deciding which Elementals are going to be going. I know that we are all not going to go, and I know that some of us cannot bond,? now her eyes moved to Storm, ?and we are going to want to have enough people to have every available combination of bonding, if that is at all possible.?

There was little else that Paola could say without further discussion, and her vibrant eyes looked between the sixteen that were gathered.

Seething rage jerked Devin to his feet at that, and his chair went skittering backwards before it toppled over. The crash of the chair as it hit the floor sounded abnormally loud in the suddenly quiet room. ?Retract that.? His voice was very, very quiet, but his eyes were shading from gold to incandescent white. It was a warning of how very angry he was at Emeric?s words.

Paola?s eyes went wide and she flinched as she heard Devin?s chair go flying backwards. She looked at all the faces in the room, and the way all expressions faded into nothing. Her body went rigid, but she merged with their silence.

A warning that Emeric didn?t know to heed. The older Water was bitter at what he felt was the casual disregard of his skills and opinions. He was disdainful of the so-called abilities of the three younger Guardians. And he never backed down from his words. Emeric stood slowly, with great care to replace his chair before he stepped back from the table. ?I have nothing I wish to retract. I can understand such recklessness from a Fire,? the word dripped disdain, ?but obviously I should have expected no better from the Airs.?

?I would suggest that you reconsider your evaluation, Emeric.? Storm?s words were crisp and chilled. ?I think that there is something to be said that everyone else supports this decision except you. The Guardians are supposed to work together and be balanced, and instead you seek to take that away.?

The insults to Devin were nothing new ? it was the same condemnation he heard from every corner, from himself. Too reckless, no common sense, no restraint. But to lump in Paola, and yes, even Storm despite their differences, to the same insult; to accuse them of willfully risking the lives of others ? that was beyond the pale. Shawn?s half-formed words, designed to calm the situation, were cut off when Devin snarled back to Emeric. ?You will retract your words, you fething piece of Goddess-rejected scum, or I will make you eat them.?

Devin was rapidly losing what little grip he had left on his temper, the quick-flaring raging inferno of it, but there was enough restraint left that his Fire was well-contained. Instead it was several rapid steps that took him towards the older Water, the limp caused by his wrenched muscle only slightly slowing him down. Emeric backed a half-step and then flushed with anger at the reaction. He deliberately took a step closer to the young Fire, and his words were cold as ice. ?Rejected? I wasn?t the second-best choice.?

Paola?s face flushed again at Emeric?s words, and she leaned to whisper to Storm, ?Why is nothing being done about this?!? Storm only raised a finger in a sign of waiting, and they both looked towards the standing Guardians. Everyone was holding their breaths.

That was the final straw. The flimsy hold Devin had on his temper snapped, and he swung out with the back of his fisted hand at Emeric?s jaw. The impact of flesh on flesh sounded with an audible *crack*, and Emeric staggered back, lifting a hand to his bleeding mouth where the impact had split his lip. There was a look of stunned disbelief on his face. ?You? hit me.? The tone changed, from shock to anger. ?You hit me!? And Emeric straightened and lunged for Devin.

Jeremiah, Cornelious, Storm and Ewan headed for the meeting room, the silence comfortable among them. The silence echoed through the halls and reverberated into the rooms. ?I do not think the rest are here, yet.?

?We are a bit early yet. Not all Elementals arrive on a timely matter.? Cornelious directed the last comment to Ewan, opening the door to let everyone inside. Within the middle of the modest room was the large oval table with sixteen chairs, each engraved with different symbols.

Storm exited the room for a moment to return with an extra chair. Giving her husband a reassuring smile, she set his chair on the wall right behind her. There was no room to squeeze another chair under the table. It was designed for only the sixteen.

They were not only for very long. Soon the Guardians began to enter, either alone or with a small crowd. She introduced everyone to Ewan, and almost all seemed to know who he was without the introduction. While a few seemed curious to his attendance, no one questioned or opposed.

With only three Guardians still missing, Emeric stepped through, his face revealing nothing. His eyes instantly went to Ewan, and distain was evident on his face. Even as Storm tried to give a cheerful introduction, Emeric ignored Ewan altogether.

?You do not have to be here, if you do not wish to.? Shawn said without looking over his notes to the Ice Guardian. Emeric made no further indication, finding that ignoring the situation made more of a point to sit down. While everyone began to take their seat, Storm smiled over to Ewan with a wink before claiming her seat. The wait was only for Devin and Paola now.

They had left Devin?s house in the Fire Realm in good time for the meeting, walking at a brisk pace toward the portal to the Realm of the Guardians. Laughter as Paola gently mocked Devin was cut short when a tall Fire stepped squarely into their path. Faraji ? the Fire who had originally been selected by Renan for a position as Guardian; a position which had been yanked from his grasp and handing to Devin. Now his face was twisted into bitter rage as he confronted the pair.

Devin took a slight step forward, just enough to put himself a bit in front of Paola, and then went perfectly still. Tension knotted through his back, shoulders and neck, but it didn?t show on his calm expression or in his voice, level but touched with a hint of coldness beneath the pleasant words. They had never gotten along. ?Faraji. How unexpected to meet you here. I would love to stay and chat, but unfortunately we?re short on time at the moment.?

Faraji?s red eyes narrowed on Devin and then shifted over his shoulder to give a slow look, head to toe, over Paola?s form. It was a look that undressed her mentally, spoke wordlessly of possession, and then discarded her as of no further worth. It was a deliberate provocation, one that Devin did not miss. Finally Faraji?s voice grated out in response. ?Mixing with the lesser Elements, Devin? How very like you. She?s pretty enough in a pale way. Perhaps I?ll have her too.?

Jaw muscles set and jumped as Devin clenched his teeth hard to bite back his initial response. They didn?t have time for this ? their lead time before the meeting was rapidly melting away. But that initial restraint couldn?t take the sting from his response, or the threat that was also evident in the slight shift of his body weight. ?She?s much too good for you, Faraji, and wouldn?t want a discard. Now if we?re done here, step out of the way and let us move on.?

Paola did not flush or hide her face as she was deliberately gawked at. Her persona of the snobbish bookworm was carefully taken, having what seemed complete disinterest in the current happenings. Faraji did not bother her, nor did he get under her skin ? it was a waste of energy. Instead, she was concerned with the way Devin?s shoulder and back tensed and with how his anger immediately surfaced next to uncontrollable. She did not give the other Fire the satisfaction of her retort.

?We?re not done, Devin, and we won?t be until I get back the Guardianship you stole from me. I should have the White Fire, not you. You don?t have the guts to use it as it should be used.? Faraji?s features twisted with hate as his red eyes narrowed. Paola was forgotten for the moment as if he had never seen her ? he had only been using her as a prod to dig at Devin?s infamous temper. When the younger man hadn?t lost control as he would have only a few months before, Faraji?s hate increased as did the calculation in the back of his mind.

Devin?s fist clenched, hard, and then released. His eyes, changeable as the Fire he was, flared through shades of gold and yellow to searing white. Only the feel of a cool hand on his shoulder kept him from lashing out with the White Fire that Faraji felt he should hold. When he spoke again, his voice was cold as ice. ?Apologize to Paola and step out of the way, Faraji. Before this turns into something neither of us want.?

?I do not require apologies from animals.? Paola gave a sharp smile, ?It is beyond their capabilities.? She gave Devin a look that sent several messages: to calm down, to hurry, and her affection.

The mocking bow Faraji gave then was much too florid. His voice was as smooth as silk as he straightened and stepped off the path, addressing Paola directly. ?My sincerest apologies, Lady Paola. I shall hope to? meet? with you again.? The way he lingered over the word ?meet? made his implications more than clear. Rage shone clear in his red eyes as Paola just gave that sharp smile again, and his smile was twisted as he turned to walk away.

The confrontation had taken more time than they had to spare. They were several minutes late by the time they passed through the portal to the Guardian Realm, and later than that by the time they made it to the meeting hall. Devin was still agitated by the encounter, riding a knife-edge of restraint and rage. The white heat had faded from his eyes, but they were still sparking with flashes of orange and yellow over gold.

Emeric?s coldly polite, condescending tones were almost enough to snap Devin?s control when the Water spoke up as Devin and Paola entered the hall. ?So very nice of you to finally take time from your busy lives to join us. I suppose we must learn to make special exceptions for three now instead of just one.? It was a jab at Storm as well as Devin and Paola, and again the muscle along Devin?s jaw jumped and twitched while he clenched his teeth.

Crossing to the meeting table with Paola, Devin held in his words. If it weren?t for the telltale flare of white that shone and then vanished under yellow and orange in his eyes, or the jumping muscle of his jaw, it would have looked as if Emeric?s words hadn?t even been heard. Devin gave a curt nod of acknowledgement to Ewan and then held Paola?s seat for her before he took his own.

?If you need special exceptions as well Emeric, than please, share it with the rest of us so that we can be of service. We are here to support each other, are we not?? Paola adorned a rare, charming smile, she made sure to introduce herself to Ewan first, extending the starting time further, before taking her seat.