There was a sadness in his eyes that she wished she could erase.

"That must be hard. I'll make sure that I properly 'Ooooh' and 'Aaaah' at the appropriate moments." Meryn promised.

"You really are anti-social aren't you?"

"I like the guys and your family. But I don't like being fake or being polite to assholes."

Aiden's mouth twitched. "Tomorrow should be interesting."

"I'll be good. Promise." She looked around. "Where are we?"

"This is the Council Manor. My father let me know that the council wanted to speak to me this morning at breakfast. He left about a half an hour before we did to let them know we were coming."

"Is it okay that I go in?" She gawked up at the imposing building. It looked like the Library of Congress. Meryn watched the people walk by their parked car. The men were wearing official looking robes that gaped to reveal pressed and perfectly tailored suits and cravats. The women were visions of gentility in fall-colored full length dresses. She glanced down at her Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tee-shirt with her hoodie tied haphazardly around her waist. She glared at Aiden. He didn't even seem to notice. Damn the man. She hated sticking out. Aiden straightened his tie and pulled a military type hat from the backseat. Of course, he fit right in with his uniform. He opened his car door.

"Father said it shouldn't take long, they just want me to look into something. Then we can go explore the city." Aiden took her hand. "Ready?"

"I guess so."

He kissed her hand before letting it go and then got out of the car. He walked around and scowled down at her as she opened her own door, refusing to wait for him. She stuck her tongue out and he surprised her by laughing. Since he was constantly frowning, it made her feel good that she could make him laugh.

Meryn appreciated that Aiden took her hand and was leading the way otherwise she knew she would have run into something. The outside of the building was nothing short of amazing, but the inside took her breath away. The stone architecture peaked in rounded archways. The exterior windows tossed rainbows of color on the floors and walls with its stained glass. Statues and old oil paintings decorated the walls. Aiden literally pulled her along as she looked around in childlike wonder. When they turned the corner Meryn gasped.

"What?" Aiden asked.

Meryn stared at the statue in front of them.

"Don't blink. Don't even blink." She whispered.

"What in the hell are you talking about?" Aiden looked around trying to identify a possible hidden threat.

"You blink and you're dead." Meryn stared at the two large stone angel statues on either side of a heavy looking wooden door unblinking. Aiden's hand went to his sidearm.

"Meryn that is just a statue."

"But what if it isn't? I mean up until this week I didn't think paranormals existed and now you're all over the fucking place. I can't take the chance." Meryn continued to stare at the statue.

"Why don't I ever understand a word that comes out of your mouth? It's like you're not even speaking English!"

"Oh my God, what if the Doctor is real too! That would be awesome!" Meryn felt Aiden pulling her closer to the doors, she refused to take her eyes off of the statues.

"I give up! There's something wrong with you." Meryn could hear the exasperation in his voice.

"You just don't speak geek. That's okay, I can train you." Meryn closed one eye, then the other. Then opened them quickly. The statues remained statues.

"These might not be dangerous." She let out a relieved sigh.

"You think?" Aiden asked acerbically. Meryn turned her attention to the highly polished dark wood doors in front of them.

"Those are some impressive looking doors. Is it to keep us out, or them in?" Aiden closed his eyes and looked like he was mentally counting to ten.

"Most days to keep us in. Come in Aiden, let us meet your clever mate." A voice called from beyond the doors. Meryn covered her mouth with her hands. She kept forgetting about paranormal hearing. Aiden peered down at her, a smile twitching on his lips. He lifted the large iron ring and pulled the door open. Meryn watched as his biceps flexed under his long sleeved uniform shirt. Yum.

They walked on a soft red carpet up to a long wooden panel. Behind it sat four very powerful looking men. Only one of whom she recognized.

"Esteemed council members, may I present my mate, Meryn Evans. Meryn, I have the distinct honor of introducing Lycaonia's council members; Elder Celyn Vi'Ailean our fae representative. Elder Rowan Airgead our witch representative; Elder René Évreux our vampire representative; and of course you have already met my father, the shifter representative."

Aiden bowed at the waist. Not knowing what to do Meryn just waved. Grinning broadly the large fae elder waved back. Byron nodded. The witch elder smiled warmly, but the vampire elder sniffed and turned up his nose. Meryn felt herself frown.

Please don't let me say anything to get Aiden into trouble.

"What was it that you wished to see me about?" Aiden asked standing to his full height.

"We would like for you to investigate a set of disappearances. Two paranormal couples living in Madison have vanished. The mother of one of the missing women is frantic. If you could take a few men out there and ask around, we would appreciate it. I know that would ease everyone's worries." Elder Airgead explained.