Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Riley-

I hugged her close. "Why don't you try to get some sleep before we head off again? I'll stay up and watch over you. You look exhausted."

I smile at her, waiting to see if she'll accept my offer.

Natan-

I watched as Val and Isabella started up the hill towards me, though i was powerless to stop them or warn them.

Don't hurt them, i growled.

Or what?

For that i didn't have an answer. I continued to watch helplessly as the two people i care most about came up the hill.

Ariana

I smiled and started to let my defenses down and drift off to sleep. I would much rather have spent my last few hours with him awake, but this would have to suffice. I fell asleep.


Max.

"I could always make him follow us?" I suggested. "I doubt even a mage could get outta that. You'd have to be careful not to let him curse me. Can you do that?"

Isabella nodded, "I think so."

I kissed her temple, "good girl."

Natan started walking towards us.

Isabella-

"Ho Natan!" I said, trying to be conversational. I swear he rolled his eyes at me.

"What are you doing here?" he replied unenthusiastically, not moving from where he stood.

"We came to see you, brother," I replied, still remaining my calm.

Natan-

I took a step...or, felt myself take a step towards Isabella and Val just as Max walked out of the shadows and says something to them quietly. My eyes narrowed.

Isabella called something up to me, walking forward again. My mouth moved in response. I was too busy fighting it to bother hearing what i had said or what she said back.

Finally, i won for a split second. I seized the moment.

"Run!"

A flaring pain erupted in my head again, quickly spreading to the rest of my body. Mocking laughter bubbled through my veins as i collapsed again. I hoped the others would heed my words.

I warned you not to try and overpower me.

Val-

"Now Max!" I said quietly, knowing his vampire sense would kick in and he would hear me. I walked toward Natan, never faulting nor slowing, even as the magic began building in his palm.

(Theres not gonna be a show about it! All he has to do is THINK it and it happens!!!!)

(Well then make him think!!!)

(Its too drematic! No!)

**Gah, I don't have anythign at the time. When y'all figure out what you are doing bring my peeps back in. Pretty please with sugar on top. **

Riley-

As Ariana fell asleep, i looked around the dimming cave and saw Velna and Trent sitting at the back of the cave. Trent was still awake, but Velna had fallen into a deep sleep.

I laid Ariana down on the ground and covered her up with a warm blanket before walking over to Trent, lifting my feet off the ground slightly using my wings.

"We should go find the others. It's getting late and they've been gone a while now." I said quietly, glancing outside into the night.

He nodded and stood up. He gestured at the two sleeping girls. "What about them?"

"They'll be fine. We should only be gone a few minutes." i respond and start walking off. Trent hesitates only a moment before following me.

Max

I held Natan under the mental command and had us and started back towards the camp. Half way there we came across Trent and Riley.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Hey," Riley replied.

Valentina~

I walked alongside Natan, hoping that if anything were to happen, I would be able to help. I knew I could grab him if necessary, until Isabella could calm him down with her magic. She was on his other side, just as ready as I was.

"Isabella," I said quietly, looking over at her.

--------------------
Isabella~

"Yes?" I replied, meeting Val's eyes. I didn't know her well, like my brother did, but I knew he cared for her deeply.

"Will Natan be alright?" the tone of her voice, the pure innocent worry, told me that she cared about him as much as he did her, if not more.

"Yes, Val, I think he'll be fine," I answered.

Riley-

We arrived back at the cave after a few minutes of walking. Davnix still hovered by the entrance, his eyes dark and stony. I nodded to him courteously as i walked into the dim camp and went to rekindle the fire. Glancing at Ariana, i sighed in relief that she was still asleep. So was Velna.

I stood after i had got the fire going again and went over to Natan and Max.

"What did you do to him?" i asked in wonder.

Max shrugged. "Vampire mind control, basically."

"So he'll come with no problem now?" i asked, casting Natan a cautious glance. He was regarding the two of us coldly, but didn't seem about to do something drastic.

"He should, though he is still struggling. I should be able to hold him until we get to the tower, though."

"Then we should get going." i said, going over to wake Ariana.

Ariana

I was slowly awakened to the sound of Riley's voice calling my name, but there was no reason to panic, it was slow and calm. Slowly I pulled myself out of oblivion. "Ready to go?" Riley asked me.

"As in flying?"

"Yup."

"Then..." I knew saying no wouldn't do any good, even if I wasn't going to go track down my demon, I knew I wouldn't be ready to fly. So I sighed, "I suppose so."

Riley-

I pulled Ariana up and turned to the others.

"We're going to fly. We'll look for the demon as well as the tower. As soon as we see either, we'll return to tell you how far."

"I can change into a dragon," Trent offered. "The rest of them can ride on my back. That way we get there faster."

I nodded. "Good idea."

As Trent changed and allowed everyone to load onto his back, i picked Ariana up and walked outside, launching into the air. After a brief moment, Trent flew beside me.

*TN, if this doesnt work, just tell me. I'm not sure if Trent can change into a dragon so...*