Aria's POV

We made our way around the side of the motel and then our jaws dropped. In the fields across the road, we could see thousands upon thousands of lycans, werewolves, and shapeshifters all set up in tents, trailers, and RV's. Kids playing, and men and women training at hand to hand combat. It seemed to go on for miles. We were completely awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the gathering on such short notice. "I guess the Hotel must be full," I muttered with quiet sarcasm, as I looked up to Richard with an uneasy smile. With his arm around my waist, he pulled me in closer to his side protectively.

"We better go through the lobby and see if there is anywhere left to stay." He grinned wolfishly at me. "Never hurts to check, right?" Nodding, I figured it was in our best interests.

As we made it down the walkway between the two buildings where the palm trees and pool were, people turned to stare and they whispered behind their hands while looking at us.

I watched them back. Vaguely, through Annie's memories some kids doing such things, but on schoolyards. Only we were not kids and it made me feel a bit uncertain in my confusion over such a new situation.

We had been spotted. Within a matter of moments, Roarke yelled down from the balcony above. "How the hell are ya?!" He grinned down over the railing.

A smile broke through my darkening thoughts as he jumped down from the balcony above In his burgundy suit with a black button-down shirt. Richard stepped forward and shook hands with Roarke, as Roarke's eyes widened with surprise.

"Doing well, I see. Damn, Richard. Did that old leech try and turn you or something? You're stronger..." He leaned forward and sniffed the air near both of us. "Holy shit!" His eyes widened like saucers. "How did this happen? You're both Immortals?" At my nod, be made a long thin whistle in the air.
"There is only a handful like you in existence. I gotta hear about this, but later."

Roarke continued in his excited, chatter-box mode as we walked. He placed a hand on Richard's shoulder, guiding us both toward the end suite of rooms. "Aria, you still look as lovely as ever, your old rooms were made clean for you."

Stepping toward him, I wrapped my arms around Roarke in a big hug. Having taken him by surprise, he slowly returned the sign of affection. "Thank you for all that you have done for us, Roarke. Is Gabriel aware we are here too?" Stepping back, he nodded and waved a hand at all the faces staring at us.

"You're welcome. Uh...Aria, they all know. Look at them. They all know you from the newspapers, news, internet, and media. They all know who you and Richard are now. You are both household names. So yeah, that leech knows you are here." Inwardly I cringed at hearing this but remained outwardly calm. Though I think Richard knew it was a bit upsetting for me since he moved closer and pulled me up against him again.

Smiling, I met his brown eyes and nodded. "Well, alright then. I need to see Gabriel ASAP to learn all the politics that are going on to help keep the peace here between the species."

Richard nodded, "That's a good place to start. Roarke, we may need to have you and Janos on standby too, as two pack leaders. Is that feasible?" Richard seemed to be standing forward a bit more, and it made me happy to see him like this.

"I'll page the Vamp, and it will be no problem staying on call as you all meet. But I gotta tell you something Aria, being what you are, and seeing you develop into a black hole with soul, has been our honor. You have helped, selflessly, a human..." He looked directly at Richard. "...and a lycan, with his shapeshifting brother, Gabriel, the most selfish Vamp I have ever known, too. You saved us all in one way or another when you didn't have to." He stopped and looked away a bit embarrassed

"Among us all, you are at the top of the power game, yet you help set an example to our children, that is amazing. All the packs and clans of vamps tell your stories. You have fast become a legend among us supernaturals, all over the world. Wake up Aria, you lovely woman, you're a celebrity." Roarke reached out and touched my shoulder as a big brother would.

I was at a loss for words, and my core was spinning wildly. Blushing furiously and unable to meet his eyes, I took the key card for the suite from his other hand then opened the door.

Laughing, Roarke followed us into the main room. I barely recognized it. The carpet was still burgundy, but the huge triple cushioned leather couches were now a bright white. The 80 inch TV was still there but the table and chairs were different. White leather cushioned with mahogany wood legs. The sliding glass doors were now reinforced. I almost laughed about that...

Richard walked past me with the bags filled with our amenities, into the bedroom. "Roarke, was all this quality stuff brought here because of me?" I gazed at him with my eyes wide, but they got wider still...

"Yeah, the pack members agreed that it should be this way. Kind of a 'welcome back' type of thing... Anyway, I'll go get Gabriel for you." He began to turn away, but shifted back and spoke quietly. "Aria, Um... Thank you for forcing the issue between me and Janos. Now I have my brother back in my life. I owe you for that." Before I could answer him, he had already walked out the door. Embarrassed, maybe? Hmm...

Staring at the door for a moment, I then turned and walked into the bedroom where Richard was unpacking our belongings and sat down on the corner edge of the turquoise blue duvet. "It's all a bit overwhelming isn't it?" He asked as he turned back from the tall, burnt oak dresser.

"Uh yeah, you can say that," I replied as he sat down next to me.

His warm brown eyes searched mine as he took my hand into his much larger one. "So, what do you plan to do?" His fingers weaved with mine and he smiled.

"I think you know, Richard. Deep down inside, I really believe you know." Pulling me close, he laid us back on the bed with our legs dangling from the knee on down.

"Ahh... What a lovely couple..."

Both of us sat up at the sound of Gabriel's voice. Coming around the doorway he grinned showing fang tips. "Sneak into our rooms like that again Gabriel, and I swear I'll knock you flat on your ass!" Richard's raised voice boomed throughout the room, as he stood up and I followed suit, our fingers untangling as he made a fist. I made one too.

"Alright, alright. I won't do it again." Gabriel paused to look at me. "Some people are so touchy..."

Stepping forward, I hauled off and punched Gabriel hard enough in the face, that he spun to the side and lost his footing, only to land flat on his ass. Turning to Richard I grinned, "Something like that?"

Sitting on the burgundy carpet, Gabriel chuckled while Richard laughed outright. Wiping the blood from his split lip, Gabriel accepted the hand up that Richard offered. "Damn! She really hits hard! I don't envy you anymore, Richard..." He chuckled until he saw me glaring at him. "Kidding, Aria, just kidding..." He held up two hands in peace.

Pushing past them both, I walked out into the main room and sat back on the soft white leather cushions of the couch. "You need to tell them all to go home, Gabriel. If they stay and Xavier comes, they can all get killed. He will not hold back or hesitate, whereas I would."

Both men came and sat on either side of me. "Aria, I can't do that. Not now. Things are only escalating. Vampire clans, and lycan/werewolf packs, plus shifters are coming from all over the world. Not to mention the human government is involved now, as well. The US Army, Marines, and Airforce are coming." I just looked at Gabriel with growing horror.