*****

"How in the hell did you drug Keelan?" Rheia demanded checking Keelan's pupils the next morning at breakfast.

"I slept great," he said, yawning.

"You were completely non responsive, I thought you quit breathing at one point last night." Rheia glared at her mate who chuckled. Colton swallowed his laughter and turned his attention back to his omelette.

Amelia stretched. "I feel great, too. No trace of a headache now."

Rheia finished with Keelan by taking his pulse. "No more Valium for you."

"Yes ma'am." He grinned shyly.

Rheia sat down and pulled her medical bag into her lap and put her penlight away. "I need to get with Adam later and create a list of medicines and how different paranormals react to them."

Gavriel leaned forward. "Not to ruin anyone's good mood," he turned to Aiden, "what do we do now?" Everyone got quiet.

Aiden leaned back in his chair. "The council has reclaimed the remaining necklace from Adam and has it under guard. Now that they know what they are dealing with they are starting a new barrage of tests."

"You're kidding me, right?" Amelia said, feeling her blood pressure rising.

Aiden winced. "I wish I were."

"Aiden, it's no longer just a necklace. Those beads are people! They are trapped in a moment of pure terror, we have to destroy the necklace and set them free!"

Aiden turned to her sorrow on his face. "If it was up to me, it would have been done yesterday. But the council has taken over the investigation; it's out of my hands."

"So what do we do?" Meryn asked quietly.

"We do what we always do. You and Beth will take over my office to do your computer magic. Penny will go to school. Rheia will head to the clinic, and the men will begin our morning drills." He looked at Amelia. "You are to rest. I'm exhausted today just from watching you yesterday."

Rheia nodded. "I agree, Amelia. You stay put today."

Amelia snuck a glance at her mate. While getting ready this morning, she had noticed that he was even more withdrawn than normal. He felt emptier now than before they had made love.

"I'd like to watch you all train if that's okay? I'm comfortable on the training field. I grew up on one." She gave Aiden her ten thousand megawatt smile.

He smiled back at her. "Of course, but no joining in. I heard you hold several speed records in Storm Keep."

"I'll just watch," she promised.

Aiden stood. "Okay people, let's start our day."

Amelia turned to Darian and grabbed his hand. When he looked down, his eyes were devoid of emotion. "I'll cheer you on, okay?"

He nodded and extricated his hand from hers making his way toward the foyer. She had to do something. She was losing him! But she had no idea what to do or who to turn to. She debated going to Aiden when the conversation with Caiden popped into her mind. Darian had a brother! Maybe Oron could help. Taking a deep breath, she went to the hallway and grabbed her coat out of the closet. If Oron couldn't help, she didn't know what she'd do.

She went outside and searched the faces of the men. What if he wasn't here today? She took a chance and walked up to the first fae warrior she saw. "Oron?"

The warrior looked down at her and smiled. "No, I'm Larik Li'Milerlen of the Beta Unit. Oron is the one working the ropes." He pointed to the shirtless warrior doing battle rope exercises.

"Thanks!"

"Anytime."

She crossed the training field to the brother of her mate.

"Hello," she said.

"Hello, little one. I was wondering how long it would take before you sought me out. Did Darian tell you about me?" Oron asked, setting the thick ropes down.

She shook her head. "No, I heard about your relationship from my brother, Caiden."

"Brothers are funny things, aren't they? The only people in the entire world you would gladly die for, but they are also the only ones in this world who can drive you crazy." He grinned at her, his brown eyes full of life and light.

She couldn't help her reaction. She felt her face crumple as tears sprang to her eyes.

Oron looked around in a panic. "Whatever I said to upset you, I'm sorry." He wrapped an arm around her and cuddled her in a way that reminded her of her brothers. That thought brought on a fresh wave of tears.

"Shhuush honey, it's okay. Tell me what is wrong. I'll do whatever I can to help." Oron picked up his discarded shirt and started patting her face, accidentally poking her in the eye.

"Ow!" She took the shirt and dried her tears. His dejected expression made her smile. He was very bad at this.

"Excuse me while I go ask my Unit Commander to kick my ass." Oron sighed and went to walk away.

She laughed and pulled at his arm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Though I find it highly amusing a few tears put you in such a tizzy."

Oron's face softened. "My mother always taught us that a woman's tears were priceless and should only be shed in times of great joy."

"Is that Darian's mother, too?"

Oron nodded. "In a way."

"Would she be able to help him? He's so very close. This morning he looked right through me." She shuddered at the memory.

Oron was suddenly all business. "I don't mean to get personal, but has he claimed you?"

She shook her head. "He won't chance turning and destroying my soul. We have been intimate though." She blushed furiously. "It seemed to help for a little while, but today it's almost as if he's worse because of it."