"Well now you have me." Meryn said without thinking and took another bite of cake.

"Without guile, with no thought of gaining favor or station. A true offer of friendship. You couldn't ask for a more precious gift." Elder Vi'Ailean said to his mate. She nodded a look of wonder and gratitude on her face.

"I would love to be your friend Meryn McKenzie. There's so much I can teach you about navigating the social waters here, especially how to avoid the sharks." Vivian said, happiness radiating from her.

Meryn shrugged. "Sharks don't bother me. I'll just shoot them."

Elder Vi'Ailean chuckled. "I wish the reporters from the paper could have heard you say that. The article in this morning's paper reported you to be a shy and sweet girl, too timid to answer for herself."

"Yeah, I kind of panicked when those reporters started shouting questions at me, so I let Byron answer." Meryn sat back holding her teacup to her chest.

"Smart move." Vivian agreed.

"Adelaide thought so too." Meryn was just reaching forward to put her cup down on the table when the small sprite from before emerged from the holly bush. He now carried a tiny cloth bundle. He flew over and landed on her shoulder.

"Um, Vivian?" Meryn turned to her host in confusion. Vivian was staring at them in shock.

"He wants to go with you." She whispered.

"What!" Meryn reached up and carefully lifted the tiny sprite in her hands.

"You don't want to come with me! I don't have a fancy house or garden, in fact I have no idea where I'll end up living." The sprite just nodded.

"I'm backwards and spend a lot of time alone on my laptop, I would be horribly boring." The sprite nodded enthusiastically.

"Are you sure?" Meryn asked. He gave one determined nod.

Meryn looked up at Vivian. "Is that okay?"

"I think, maybe, you two belong together. He hasn't been very happy here with the others and he seems to adore you. Just keep him warm as sprites are very susceptible to the cold." Vivian warned.

"I will." Meryn gazed down at the sprite.

"Do you have a name?"

"If you still your mind, you will be able to hear him tell you." Elder Vi'Ailean told her.

Meryn looked at him aghast. "My mind is never still!" Ryuu snorted. She turned around.

"Yes?"

He straightened. "Nothing, Denka."

"Just think about him, look at his face, his clothes. That will help." Vivian suggested.

Meryn lifted the little guy until he was eye level. He was staring up at her hopefully. She took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind of everything but him. In her mind's eyes she saw him standing there, in his brown trousers and dark green vest. He had shaggy red hair and bright green eyes that twinkled with mischief.

Felix. The whispered name floated through her mind.

"He said his name is Felix!" Meryn grinned down at her new friend who nodded.

"Well the two of you have a standing invitation to visit whenever you like." Vivian offered.

"Councilman! Councilman!" An extremely tall fae male came rushing from the house.

"You've been summoned My Lord. There's been an attack on the outskirts of Lycaonia, it was ferals. They are reporting at least a dozen!" The man's voice shook.

"What? That's impossible!" Elder Vi'Ailean stood.

"Sire they are calling a council meeting with the other pillar cities now. Units Alpha, Gamma and Epsilon have been sent to the border." The servant explained.

Meryn gasped. Aiden!

Vivian turned to her. "Are you okay returning on your own?"

Ryuu stepped forward. "No one will harm my mistress."

Meryn stood. She placed Felix on her shoulder.

"Hang on." She told him and he grabbed a handful of hair above her ear. "Ryuu let's go."

"I wish our visit could have ended on a happier note." Vivian fretted.

"Don't worry, I'll come again soon." Meryn promised.

"This way Denka." Ryuu escorted her through the garden and back towards the carriage. Behind them Vivian was already giving orders to the servants to prepare bandages and medicines to be sent to the clinic.

The entire trip back to the shifter council house Meryn imagined the worst. She knew that Aiden had a job to do, but it was hard knowing he was in danger.

"Denka, we've arrived." Ryuu informed her. He helped her down and she practically ran for the front door. She flung it open.

"Mom!" She shouted.

"Oh thank all the Gods you're safe! I was just about to send Marius to come get you." Adelaide emerged from the drawing room and rushed over to her. She pulled her into a tight hug.

"Aiden and Ben have been sent out and Byron has been called into an emergency council meeting." Adelaide wiped her tears.

"They'll be fine, you'll see." Meryn turned to Marius and Ryuu.

"Maybe a cup of that calming tea?"

Marius nodded and turned towards the kitchen. Meryn wrapped an arm around Adelaide's shoulders.

"Come on Mom, let's go sit down. They'll contact us the second those feral things have been killed." Meryn steered the older woman back into the sitting room and sat her down. She couldn't stand the look of worry etched on Adelaide's face.

"I know. Let me introduce you to a new friend." Meryn pulled back her hair.