“Well, that’s ‘something’ of a relief,” Siri smirked as he pulled her against his chest. “I can’t find our star here, do you know where it is?” He smiled widely as she immediately pointed it out to him, only to realize that was exactly what he was hoping for. “I take it you have a habit of gazing at our star, don’t you, gra? I‘m sorry I wasn‘t here for you, you should never have had to stare at it alone for so long.”……

“Hamish? Can we talk?” Rick whispered as he heard his brother sigh deeply.

“You worried about this whole Cash and Raul thing too?” Hamish whispered back, relieved to see Rick nod his head. “Come on, lets take a walk, but not too far, just in case.”

Hamish paused as he silently closed the wall behind them, taking a long look at Angus and Cash as they slept. “Raul’s gone” he heard Rick whisper, “I was hoping he would be here.”

“After the glare Cash gave him? I wouldn’t have hung around either.” Hamish picked up a piece of wax covered paper, “Daithi’s seal.”

“He did say his prince was sending more of us…no, wait, excuse me, sending ‘real’ Gangrels.” Rick smirked.

“Don’t encourage them or feed into it, please. We are going to have our hands full enough as it is. I really want to talk to Raul, things have been bad enough, I don’t want this to fester.”

“He’s probably with Desiree, you know ‘Primogens stick together’ and all that.” Rick suggested.

“Actually” a soft voice said through a yawn, “he came to me. But he’s been having nightmares, so I came here. Mind if I bunk with you?” Dimitri asked as his grey eyes smiled at them. “I didn’t have the heart to wake him, he keeps mumbling something about Prince Daithi and a Ravnos.”

“Ravnos? Those criminals? He said Daithi was sending more Gangrels, he never mentioned anything about Ravnos.” Hamish growled.

“Not that he got the chance to say much.” Rick reminded him.

“I was wondering about that,” Dimitri confessed, “I’ve never seen a man look so distraught, at first I thought it was because of….well, Roel” he said, his voice dropping to barely a whisper “but I thought he would take comfort in his own clan rather than come to me. He barely knows me.”

“Yeh, well, things have been kinda tense over the past few days.” Hamish sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. “Rick and I were just discussing that, oddly enough.” Hash looked to Rick for support and assistance.

“Raul and Cash have been at odds for quite a while now, but I’m afraid losing our brother has pushed them both too far. Words were exchanged tonight, harsh words.” Rick’s shoulders slumped as he shook his head. “We need to be a clan, to act as one not to be at one another’s throats. But I have no idea how to stop it. Both of them are so stubborn…”

“Dimitri? How are the Roma holding up? I haven’t had the chance to spend as much time with them as I had hoped.” Hash asked.

“Yes, a fact they have noticed, but Fallon and the other’s understand, they’ve lost family too.” Dimitri casually took a seat, leaning his head against the wall as he tried to stay awake. “But to be honest, I think they are happy to be warm and have enough food to keep the children alive and well.” he yawned.

“Poor baby, he can hardly keep his eyes open.” Hash smirked to Rick, only to laugh as he heard Dimitri’s sarcastic response. “Okay, kiddo, take a nap. Rick and I will be back soon, I think we both need to talk to Raul and then this evening we’ll try Cash.”……..

Harry’s eyes grew wide as he stepped on board the tall mast ship. He had seen pictures of them before but he never thought he would ever actually sail on one. “Mum, why is the sail that colour? I thought they were either white or white and red striped.”

“Normally they are, sweetie.” Cat explained as she helped Sirius get comfortable. “But if you take a close look at our dear captain, you’ll see that he travels by night, hence the deep blue sail.” Cat smiled and winked as the captain, a MacLeod Gangrel, gave her a friendly wink as he waved for Harry to join him at the helm. “Go on, Harry, I’ll be there as soon as I get your father settled.”

Harry smiled as the captain waved to them, remembering what Hamish had told him about the blue sails when he saw a piece of it tied to his bagpipes. His legs felt a little wobbly as he walked the length of the deck and took the Gangrel’s hand.

“So, you’re the little prince I’ve heard so much about.” The man responded as he offered his hand to Harry. “I am Murchadha MacLeod, Captain of the sock an rokhs” His eyes twinkled as he saw the friendly smile on the boy’s face, he was completely unafraid, albeit a bit unsure of his feet. “Don’t worry boy, it will take some time to get your ‘sea legs’ and the journey is not long at all.” He laughed, giving Harry a rough tussle as the child rolled his eyes.

Harry had to smile when he saw the man, he was large, broad chested and wild looking. His brown hair was long and plaited with bits of cloth and beads here and there, making him look somewhere between a rock star and a pirate. His skin had the same strange tone as the other Gangrel he had met, and his brown eyes twinkled with mischief and good humour. “How long will it take until we get to Dia? Da doesn’t look too good.”

“Aye, I heard about his ‘accident’, it has us all concerned.” He scowled, “Fernglennis is our safehaven, it’s were we send the children to be protected and educated. If we aren’t safe there, then no where is safe for us.”

“Aunt Orpha seems to think they wanted Sirius particularly, she thinks someone doesn’t want he and Mum to have children.” Harry whispered as he cast a worried eye towards Cat and Sirius.

“Tell you that, did she?” Murchadha asked, a knowing grin on his face.

“No, no one tells me anything, but Sara and I overheard them talking. Can you tell me exactly who Maharet is?”

“They mentioned her by name?”

“Mostly her, they also mentioned a few other people; Billowitch, Daithi, the Grisanti Family.”

Murchadha nodded, “All of them likely candidates, but Maharet is by far the most powerful of them, and she knows the secrets of Fernglennis. The others may wish to harm us, but they are all but powerless in our land.” He sighed as he added, “However, I don’t think it was just your father they were after, several of our ilk have been attacked, including two of your uncles.”

Harry nodded slowly, “Calli’s family was attacked too, but I thought that was just, I don’t know” he shrugged, “one of those things. I mean with Voldemort getting stronger more and more things have been happening.”

“Which is why you and the others are coming here. Deo can be a royal pain in the arse, but the land itself will rise up to protect you if he wills it. And no doubt your mother will insist you learn dragon magic while you’re here. She’s always been one for educating the young in all aspects of magic.” He winked.

“Dragon magic? I thought they were just teasing me.” Harry gulped as he recalled with vividness the close calls he had with dragons, particularly at the triwizard tournament.

“Don’t worry, prince, your mother would never allow you to be placed in harm’s way. Besides, the ones you’ll train with will more than likely be the youngsters; the elementals that the draconaires use. Lady Emma personally trains the children of the nobles, hand picking those that are talented enough to continue on and become true elemental mages.” Murchadha assured him. “You’ll see the bigger ones as we get closer, they ride patrol But the sea dragonaround the island at night, the flyers are easy to find, you can see them when they spit fire. s….well, we’ll have to hope we don’t run into any of those. They tend to get a bit cranky when you hit them with the boat.” He sighed.

“I take it that happens a lot?” Harry asked as he saw the look on the man’s face.

“More often than I care for, which is why ‘I’ captain this vessel now. With my senses I can pick them up faster than most, and normally Aeranna would be on the island and I could let her know I was coming so the pathway would be cleared.”

“Don’t worry so much, they know we’re coming” Aeranna interrupted, placing a friendly hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Not only will the sea dragons not be a problem, I’m half tempted to believe Deo will have half the island there waiting to greet us.” She groaned, “He’s not one to miss an opportunity like this.”

“He better not be planning anything like that.” Cat growled as she joined them, “Don’t worry, Harry, Sara and Calli are with him. Aeranna, I specifically remember insisting that NO production be made of this. Look at Sirius, do you really want…” she fell silent as the Toreador held up her hands in protest. “I heard you and Orpha both insist, but I don’t answer for him.”

“Well, he’ll sure as hell answer to me.” Cat insisted, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. “I do NOT want people to see Sirius like this, he’s going there to heal, not to be put on display. If they want to introduce him properly, that’s fine, in a few days time after he’s had the chance to rest….”

“Down girl, you’re frightening the boy.” Murchadha snarled. Turning towards Harry he added, “See, I told you she was overprotective of her own.”

“Yeh, so I’ve notice, although I guess I should be glad to know how much she obviously cares for him…now if only she would make it official…” Harry snickered as he ducked behind Aeranna, avoiding the look Cat was giving him. “And when am I going to be a big brother?” he added as he poked his head around the Toreador, smiling as he heard both vampyres laughing good naturedly.

“Keep it up, oh son of mine, and you’ll be an only child forever.” Cat smirked, trying very hard not to laugh with the others, “And you two, stop encouraging him, trust me, he does NOT need…” she paused as she heard Sirius groan. “I’ll be right back.”

Harry watch with amazement as Cat quickly sprang from the raised deck down to the main deck, speeding to Sirius’s side as he leaned over the railing. He cringe as he watched Sirius wretch, he had hoped he would be getting better much quicker than this.

Just as Harry moved to join them, he felt Aeranna’s hand on his shoulder once more. “Let them be, child. She needs to tend to him and she can’t give him her full attention if she’s worried about you. Give them a few minutes together, let her clean him up and settle him down. Look, even your cousins are coming to us.” She added, nodding her head towards Sara and Callista.

“Sara, my evil little demon childe,” Murchadha grinned, “Come up here and give your uncle a hand steering. Or is the great S’rar suddenly afraid of the sea?”

“As if” Sara smirked as she quickly scurried up to the ladder to join the others, “come on, Calli, you’re too slow. And stop worrying about Uncle Sirius, Aunt Kitty won’t let anything happen to him.”…..

“Can’t let you alone for five minutes, can I?” Cat teased as she rubbed her hand over his back, “Poor baby, I was afraid the trip might be a bit much for you, but I was hoping you’d be alright since the sea is so calm tonight.”

“Lucky me, imagine what I’d be like if it were rough.” He groaned as he remained over the railing. “Gra, you may want to stand back, wouldn’t want to ruin those shoes.”

“And still, you try to make jokes.” Cat sighed, pulling his hair back to keep it from getting soiled. “Let me know when you think its over and I’ll fix you up.” leaning closer she whispered, “And don’t worry about the kids, Aeranna is keeping them busy.”

Sirius nodded, he was glad they had forethought to keep the children away, he felt miserable enough as it was, he didn’t want to worry about what they might be thinking or feeling if they witnessed this. “In that case, can you keep rubbing my back, it helps.” He immediately felt the warmth of her hand on his back as she rubbed little circles between his shoulder blades. Gods above, he felt so weak and washed out, he hated this, “How long can I expect this to go on, gra?”

“I’m honestly not sure, it will depend on how long it takes the poison to leave your blood. Hopefully only a few days, but until then..”

“Until then I’m going to be miserable.” He groaned as another wave of nausea hit him……

“So how much longer until we get there?” Harry asked, his eyes constantly darting over to Cat and Sirius. “He’s not doing much better, I think being on the ship is making it worse.”

Murchadha nodded his head in agreement, “True, but your Mum seems to be keeping him comfortable, at least he’s sleeping now. Poor fellow, but still, it beats the alternative.” “I just wish Sara and I could stay with you now.” Calli whined, “Its not fair to send us back, at least its not fair to send me back. Not if they’re going to foster me, I should stay here with you to help take care of him.”

“None of that, Callista.” Aeranna warned, “I told you before you’re lucky I let you come this far. Orpha intended for Duncan to return you both as soon as we set sail. As it is you should count your blessings that Duncan is a sucker for that puppy dog look.” ……

“So, do you want to wake him or should I?” Hamish grinned as he and Rick stood over Raul.

“I say you, he already dislikes me,” Rick smirked, “he thinks I’m not ‘tough’ enough to be a true Gangrel.”

Hamish rolled his eyes, returning Rick’s smirk, “Little does he know. He’s never seen you ‘actually’ fight, has he?” Seeing Rick shake his head no, Hamish’s grin grew wider. “Well, if he keeps pushing Cash, maybe he’ll get to see exactly what you are capable of.”

“Heaven forbid I should ever get that angry again.” Rick sighed, “Go on, no point putting it off, its nearly sundown anyway.” He paused as if listening to something, “They’re almost to Dia, I had forgotten the time difference, Aeranna and Murchadha are with them. He’s worried about Sirius, he’s not looking good.”

“Don’t tell me that,” Hamish scowled, “the last thing I need to hear is Snape’s possibility of being with her is growing. I can’t believe Orpha is paying him so much attention, it makes me nervous for Sirius.”

“I’m surprised to hear you care,” Raul grimaced as he woke, “I though your clan had abandoned him in favour of the Slytherin.”

“Nice to see you too,” Hamish snipped, “and that comment alone is enough to bring on a beating. What is it with you lately?”

“With me? I’m not the one who has turned his back on the laws and traditions, I’m not the one who has thrown away…”

“Stop. Both of you stop right there.” Rick insisted. “I can see this leading to bickering and blaming already. Raul, wake up first and then we’ll talk. Hamish and I will wait for you, we’ll be checking in on the Roma. Come on, Hamish, let’s go….Now.”

Raul knit his brow as he wondered what two of Cash’s clan would be doing looking for him, and how had they known he was with the Roma. Stretching his arms high over his head as he tried to wake up, he felt something jabbing him. He reached inside his shirt to find the crumpled letter from Prince Daithi, Raul shook his head slowly as he wondered what he was going to do. Granted he had already done several things for the Prince that had gone against his better judgement, and against his fondness for Angel, but this was something completely different. This wasn’t stealing letters or passing on information, this was delivering her into the hands of her enemies.

Under normal conditions, his Gangrel blood would have raised up, rallying the clan to protect her, but now….well, ‘what clan’ would have been his first comment. But then, that wasn’t her fault, when she was here everything was fine, however every time she left ‘something’ seemed to happen. Whether it was an attack or death or simply tempers flaring – it didn’t really matter anymore. Daithi would have his way one way or the other and Raul knew it, that is what made him and kept him as Prince. So unless someone managed to kill him, Angel’s fate was as good as sealed…..

“So, a private meeting with the lovely Elsabeth, Primogen of Clan Toreador, I am honoured.” Julian said as he took a seat. “But I know you, Elsabeth, you are not the sort for idle chatter, at least not with me. So what is it you want from me this time?”

“Poor Julian Court, you just don’t trust me, do you?” Elsabeth cooed as she smiled seductively, her full, red lips beckoning the foreign Prince to move closer. “And here I thought I was doing you a favour.”

“A visit with you is always pleasant, but a favour? I thought you had outgrown such things.” He smirked, waiting for her expected witty comeback, only to be surprised as she placed her delicate, well-manicured hand on his chest. “Elsabeth?”

“I need several things from you, oh Prince, and I have the distinct feeling you will be very generous with me.” The Toreador whispered as she cosied up next to him, her hand moving from his chest to his jet black hair. “I would like to talk to you about a ‘partnership’ of sorts. One that will benefit both of us, and the Kindred as a whole.”

“Why am I suddenly nervous?” Julian smirked as he removed her hand from him and moved further away. “Tell me what you want Elsabeth, I don’t have time for games, delightful though they may be.”

“You know, I would have preferred to whisper this to you under more intimate circumstances.” She sighed.

“So my passion clouded mind would agree to whatever you want? Give me some credit for learning from my past mistakes.” Julian smirked, pausing to pick up her hand and give it a gentle squeeze “Come now, tell me, what is it you want this time?”

“I want you to kill Daithi and take over his conclave.” Elsabeth purred, “Nothing too difficult for you.”

“You want me to kill a fellow Prince?” Julian gasped, not bothering to hide his shock, “And why, pray tell would I do this?”

“Because he endangers us all. He thinks to betray the Rion of the MacLeods, sacrificing her and her son to their enemies in order to prevent an alliance between her kind and the wizards.” Elsabeth scowled, “The Gangrels and Caitiffs as a whole will revolt, tearing down the masquerade, and losing us our bodyguards and warriors. Is this reason enough?”

Julian’s face grew dark, “He wants to harm the MacLeods? But why? They have always been a firm ally to us, sheltering our kind from the hunters who would slay us, offering us warmth and compassion.” He shook his head, “I don’t understand his reasons.”

“His reasons are painfully simple. Power. If she allies herself with the wizards, the very beings who train and assist the hunters; that gives her the power to destroy us. Or so he says, but I know its more than that, he fears her and her ways. Too many of our clans have been ‘seduced’ by the ways of the MacLeod’s, he fears that Princes will no longer be necessary.” Elsabeth spat.

“Then he is a fool. She could easily destroy us if she chose to. She knows where the mother is hidden, she could kill her and wipe us all out in one blow.” Julian rose and began pacing the floor. “I know her, I have sent abandoned childer to her rather than see them waste away or be harmed. I recently sent her a gypsy kinder, Dimitri, he has nothing but the highest of praise for her and Cash. And it seems he had become close friends with her husband, who may I add IS a wizard. He also told me that Cash and her husband are extremely close, it seems the Methuselah is encouraging them to bear children.” Julian laughed as he rolled his eyes. “I’ve heard all the stories, but I still cannot picture Cash MacLeod as a wetnurse. I’ve seen him hack the head off of his enemies and rip their hearts out through their chests. To think of him playing ‘daddy’….”

“But Cash is my other main concern. We all know what happened last time one of his mortal clan was in danger from one of our kind. I don’t even know if the clan exists anymore, he and his wiped them all out. They hunted them down, killing them all for their treachery. Even their very name is a curse amongst our kind.” She shivered, “And he wasn’t nearly as old or powerful then as he is now.”

Julian slumped down next to Elsabeth, “That leaves us with a very bad situation, I know the current Primogen was hand picked by Daithi. He may be working under Daithi’s orders, which would endanger her even more. She has been raised to trust Clan Gangrel as if they were her own kith and kin.”

“And how would you know that?”

Julian gave her a sad smile, “Remember my friend Daedelus?” he nodded as Elsabeth’s eyes grew wide. “Yes, the Nosferatu Methuselah. He and she have had many long and enlightening conversations together. Both before and after he saved her life, and mine. Do you know he prevented Cash from killing me when I was forced to call the blood hunt on her? That was when he finally confessed she was not as dead as she appeared, he had used his knowledge of potions to place her under a powerful spell. I believe he referred to it as the draught of living death. Luckily his potion was quickly reversed once he was assured of her safety.”

“So you’re not exactly on Cash’s good side then.” She asked, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Even better, if you destroy the Prince that thinks to kill her and her son, he could hardly hold your previous actions against you.” ……

“I think we have company, gra.” Sirius whispered as Harry’s shadow fell over them. “Come on, Harry, sit with us, I promise not to …”

“Don’t you dare say it, Siri.” Cat warned, smirking as Sirius and Harry laughed at her. “Go on, laugh at me, but I’m warning you now, - once more and someone will be taking care of me.”

“Talk about sympathy” Sirius commented, “she’s even willing to join me in my foray over the railing.” Rolling his eyes, he added, “Now if only I could get her to ….

“Sirius Onoir Black, you think long and hard before completing that sentence in front of your son.” Cat warned.

“Ouch, full name.” Harry teased, “Better quit while you’re ahead, she looks like she means it. What is it Uncle Duncan says to Sara… angry eyes?”

“Very funny, very funny” Cat sighed, “Come on, Harry, why don’t you help me take Siri for a little stroll, I can tell you both a little about Dia while we walk. Siri, are you up for it? I imagine you must be getting a bit stiff by now.” She paused as she saw the mischievous look in his eyes. “You say it and I’ll toss you right overboard.”

“I wonder if that’s what happened to Mickey and Minerva.” He teased, doing his best to smile as his muscles spasmed.

“We’ll have to ask for details next time Tanta Minnie is in a good mood.” Cat quipped, “Right now, I want you to take it slow, I can see the spasms in your back already. I was hoping we would be settled before they came on.”

“You knew this would happen?” Harry asked

Nodding her head, Cat sighed, “Yes, the venom will work its way out little by little, first from the body fat, of which Siri has none.” She frowned, “Then from the muscles, then the organs and finally the blood itself. He’s going to be in a bad way over the next day or two, but he’s healing a lot faster than I thought he would.”

They walked up and down the length of the deck for several minutes, until Sirius became too tired and sore to continue. “Mum, how about that bench by the railing, just in case.” Harry suggested.

“Good idea, and it will give us a nice view of the veil.” Cat stated, smiling as she saw the questioning look in his eyes.

Harry waited until Cat had gotten Sirius comfortable before he began his questions. “When you said the veil, that isn’t ‘our’ veil, is it?”

“Yes, dear, it is, it divides our worlds from the mortal one, much like the magic in the wizard’s world keeps the muggles at bay. Oh, and by the way, ‘this’, my dearest son, is the ocean. This is Mac Lir’s realm, the heart of the world.”

“The heart of the world?” Harry repeated.

“Yes, look at the water, see how it moves, how it pulses like the blood in your veins. Without water, without the sea, life on this planet would die. Everything that ever was has come from the water; the stones, the animals, us, it connects us all to one another.” She explained. “It is also the basis of our magic. The understanding that all things, through one path or another is connected to us and us to them; it allows us to influence fate, control the weather, change reality, the possibilities are endless. The world is truly open to us.”

“Wow” Harry said softly as he stared out at the ocean, watching the waves crest and fall. He could almost swear he heard the sound of a heart beating as he watched the rhythm of the sea. “uhm, Mum? Is that who I think it is?” he asked as he pointed out to the middle of the sea. Only to feel Cat’s hands on both of his shoulders, as if ready to tear him away from the railing and back to the safety of the main deck.

“What, where!?… oh for the love of….” Cat sighed, “Leumadair, apparently he’s either too curious to wait or he’s keeping an eye on us.”

“Wait, Leumadair… the guy you were telling me about earlier? The one ‘someone’ thinks you should marry. That Leumadair?” Sirius asked as he rose on unsteady feet.

“Whoa, tiger.” Cat insisted as she ran to his side, “Sit down and relax, I doubt Leuma will even come on board, I’m sure he’s just keeping an eye on us to make sure we stay safe.” she paused as she felt Sirius’s body stiffen as he looked at Harry. Cat stomach turned, expecting to see her son in some sort of danger, only to see him waving happily at Leumadair, who, it seemed had sent some dolphins over to entertain the children. “Sirius, stop it and behave. He’s Harry’s cousin too you know.”

“As long as he doesn’t become his father….”

“Elora, we have company.” Fallon called out as she smiled widely at Rick and Hamish. “And handsome company at that.” She added, winking as Rick blushed and Hamish grinned.

“You know, I like her more and more each day.” Hamish said as he slipped his arm around her waist. “She’s funny, smart and very, very observant.”

“Yeh, and you’re so humble its sickening.” Rick replied sarcastically, only to smile as Elora appeared with her children in tow. “Ah, there they are, Dimitri’s little charges,” he grinned as he picked up the two older ones, easily lifting them onto his shoulders. His smile widened as he heard their delighted giggles, “my, my, but how you two have grown.” He teased, walking a short distance away with the children as Hamish pulled Fallon and Elora closer to discuss several issues….

“Not that I mind the company,” Fallon whispered, “but after last night, I wasn’t expecting to see any of you for a least a day or two. But I’ve seen Raul and now you and Rick….what’s going on?”

“Like I said, Fallon, smart and very observant.” Hamish sighed, “I’m afraid Raul and Cash had a little ‘head to head’ last night. We tried to prevent them from talking, it was pretty obvious neither of them was in any sort of mood to discuss anything rationally.”

“It went badly?” Fallon asked.

“Very badly. Which is why Raul came here to sleep and Angus stayed with Cash. Rick and I are hoping to get things settled over before it gets any worse.” He looked deeply into Fallon’s eyes as he reached over and squeezed Elora’s hand. “I want both of you to be very careful. I’m sure you’ve already been told, there is a spy amongst us. We don’t know who or how, but whoever it is….well, they’re good, I’ll give ‘em that.”

“How much damage has been done?” Elora asked, “And to that matter, how do we know we can trust either of you? Couldn’t one of you be the spy?” She almost laughed as she saw the look of pure shock on Hamish’s face.

“US!? A spy?! One of US?” Hamish replied, only to be shushed by Rick and Fallon. “Are you mad? We’re the ‘good guys’, you know, the ones trying to keep everyone safe.”

“It was an appropriate question though, wasn’t it?” Raul said evenly as he joined the others. “Rick, let the children be and join us, please.” He shook his head as he watched the man rise up from the floor where he had been playing with the children, keeping them occupied as Hamish talked to the women. “Is Erich here? I would prefer not to have to repeat myself or….Rick.. now..”

“I am trying” Rick laughed as he tried to walk to the others, dragging the children with him as they clung to his legs. To be honest, he would have rather stayed with the children, after the pain and sorrow of the past several days their joyous laughter was a welcome change. He looked down as the little girl wrapped her legs around his, “You aren’t going to leave me go, are you?” he teased as he picked up his leg, lifting her with it.

“Oh, Bibi, for the love of…come here you little devil.” Elora sighed as she tried to unwrap her daughter from the vampyre’s leg. “I am so sorry.” She apologized, but judging by his smile, the man didn’t really mind. “You know.. you have eyes just like Paddy.”

“Oh no, not Paddy again.” Fallon sighed, laughing as Hamish burst out with a loud laugh. “I see you’ve heard.”

“Yes, it had been mentioned a few times at home. It seems he has it bad too.” Hamish grinned, “I’m glad to finally meet her. Although I have no doubt Tris and Orpha will be stopping by sooner or later to meet her as well.” He added, whispering into Fallon’s ear as Raul smirked at them.

“I am beginning to think every man in Clan MacLeod thinks himself a matchmaker.” Raul smirked, doing his best not to laugh outright as Hamish shot him a look that spoke volumes. “It’s true and you know it. I have ‘never’ seen any group of men so interested in….”

“So we like children,” Rick laughed, prying the little boy off of his leg and tossing him up into the air to the delight of the child. “what can I tell you, it’s a clan thing. Healthy children, healthy clan.” He caught the boy once more, smiling as the child clamoured to be thrown again. “Maybe later, little one, the adults need to talk first.” He crouched down on the floor as both children scampered to him. “Stay here and be good for your mother, and maybe she’ll let me take you to the kitchen for a snack. Have you ever had ice cream before?”

“Ah, the old stand by, bribery.” Hamish laughed as he heard Rick’s comments. “Don’t worry Elora, he’s always been a sucker for the kids. You should see him at home, this is nothing.” He added rolling his eyes as Rick stuck out his tongue.

Raul leaned against the wall, waiting for the others to join him. He couldn’t help but smile as he saw the children giggling and jumping around Rick while the others laughed and smiled. This is what he wanted, to know that there was hope for the future, to feel as if he were part of his own clan once more. In fact, he could almost believe last night was nothing more than a nightmare, that Roel was still alive and Cash was still his friend, but their very absence only reinforced the feeling of emptiness growing within him. …..

“Mum, Mum! Look, up there, look!” Harry gasped as he ran to Cat and Sirius; pointing up to the darkened sky at the bursts of flames that seemed to appear out of the blackness. “Are those the dragons you were talking about? I thought they were trained, no one said that the roamed free.” He added, a nervous twinge to his voice.

“Relax, Harry,” Cat replied, her voice soothing as she stroked Harry’s messy hair. “Those are the patrols and they aren’t ‘roaming free’ they are being ridden by the draconieres.”

“No kidding, they actually let themselves be ridden?” Sirius commented, “I can’t wait to see that. Think I can talk myself into a ride?”

“Not until I say you’re well enough for one, no.” Cat replied quickly, “Harry on the other hand is more than welcome to try his hand at it. You did so well on the firebrands I’m sure you’ll have no problem at all with them. In fact, I’m sure Emma and Dia will encourage you to try your hand at all of them.”