TamLin laughed. “Wonderful. It’ll be nice to have some help from people who can actually accomplish things in the morning.” The last part of the comment was directed at Marcus’s back, which received a grunt in return as he headed towards the woods. There was a pot sitting on the fire pit just outside the cave. “If you could start up that bundle there, we’ll get some oatmeal made for the little ones. It’ll stick with us on the road for a while as well.” As she spoke she poured the water into the pot.<br/><br/>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<br/><br/>Perhaps I should explain. I have a few places where we can find shelter, that much is true. The more effective hiding comes from illusion. It’s my specialty. No one will be able to recognize you when I’m do-” She cut herself off, looking Phoenix up and down. She thought about the fact that she wasn’t completely sure about a few things when it involved phoenix. “Magic does work on you, yes? You aren’t highly naturally resistant or anything like that?”<br/><br/>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~  ~ ~ ~<br/><br/>“Raith. The King might think that you are an asset to this mission, but I have my doubts. You were close to her. This is an emotionally compromising situation for you. I want you to know that I have my eyes on you. Do. Not. Mess this up for us.” The Faeries were camped inside the temple that Aria once lived in. Whether they thought it was a form of rebellion against humans, or just a way of leaving their imprint on the area, it was difficult to tell but pieces of nature were taking over the church. Vines had grown over night along the walls and up the tower, creeping into the cracks and pushing deeper, until even the sturdy walls were shaky. The statue of the goddess was split by a sapling tree that grew quickly under the magic they used.<br/><br/>The leader of the search party lay haphazardly across one of the benches, with his hand over his eyes. One of the higher fae creatures in the Summer King’s court, he had once been a leading officer and the brother of the King’s consort’s shadow guard. Before Aria, that was. Now he was a grieving higher fae who was questioned by his second in command. It was sorry state for a person of his standing. A sorry affair is what they had called the death of his sister and friend, the consort. He couldn’t wait to see Aria again. A bit of closer would be nice. His second in command was right, though. He didn’t know how he would react when he found her. Kiss or kill. Which would he do first and which would come next? The key was finding her.