Rain pored over the books that Sky had found in his father's library. They had decided that all their research and study would happen at Uni, and since Rain was the lynchpin of the whole attack that they were planning, the other three took the responsibility of finding the resources for him. One of the tomes that Sky had found had been super helpful with respect to battle planning. "Look at this," he said suddenly, and the others moved in. "What is it?" Team asked. Rain pointed to a paragraph as the others read over his shoulder. "Jeez Rain, isn't this too risky?" Pharm asked, his eyes wide in shock. Sky and Team also looked rattled.

"Rain, are you sure? This is something neither our Draugs nor our families will permit us to do," Team said. "I am sure. And this is the only way to keep everyone safe. Our energy signatures are the only one that will be invisible. We have promised to keep ourselves safe, but that doesn't mean we will let our Draugs or family to be in danger, in the line of fire, right?" Rain asked. The other three looked thoughtful. "Okay. So, what is the next step?" Pharm asked. "We have already cast the protective circle. A direct attack is the only way, right? We need people in our corner, and our Draugs will ensure that. As for the Lycans, your fathers are doing what they can. But we need to find a route into the minds of the Council," Rain said.

"The Council would be heavily protected," Sky said. "But not P'Pakin and P'Chai. And they will trust us blindly," Rain said. "Rain no! No one will ever allow us to get close to them!" Pharm said. "Then we have to do anything we can," Rain said, sounding stubborn. "How about going and asking them about our kidnapping?" Team asked thoughtfully. "It's a good idea. And we know where to find them as well," Pharm said. "And a genuine concern," Sky said, as Rain nodded. "But we need to cloak really well. If they suspect even a bit, we could be in serious trouble," he said. "When do we go there?" Sky asked. "As soon as we can," Pharm said, wanting it to be done before his courage ran out.

The four of them stood outside the Wat Arun, hidden from sight of the Council office. "We are here," Team said unnecessarily. "Are you all cloaked?" Rain asked. The others hummed in agreement. "So how are we doing this Rain?" Sky asked, still staring at the Council office like it held the secrets of the world. "Pharm, you should go," Rain said. "What? Why me?" Pharm asked, sounding shocked. "Because you are the only one of us who will not give off a visible energy signature," Rain said, sounding practical. "And I can make you invisible too. Just don't bump into people and things, because you are just not 'visible', but you will still have your physical body. So that might be weird for people to bump into something that's not there," Rain said, trying to think up the ways to send Pharm without rousing suspicion.

"I wish we could turn you into water droplets. Then there would be zero hassle," Team said. "Oh. My. Fucking. God! That's it! That's exactly it!! We can try that!" Rain said, excitement pumping out of in waves. "What do you mean?" Sky asked. "Water molecules! We may have the power to use the elements, but the human body is made up of water, right? To a large extent? So what if we use our powers to draw that from inside of us and become like mist, or dew?" Rain asked. "Can we do that?" Team asked, sounding extremely doubtful. "We can. I am sure we can," Rain said, as he rummaged in his bag and pulled out one of the books Sky had chosen. He quickly flipped through it until he came to a particular page, which he then showed to his friends. "This looks doable," Sky said thoughtfully. "So?" Rain asked, looking expectantly at his best friends. "Let's do this Rain. But we need to find a more secluded space," Pharm said. Team nodded and the four of them moved further behind the Wat Arun, completely hidden from view.

Pharm floated through the corridors of the Council office, trying to locate Pakin and Chai. He was nervous, to say the least, but he trusted Rain implicitly. They all did. And they knew their faith was not unfounded. Rain had proved time and again that he could protect them, and well! Rain had laid an insane amount of cloaking spells before he had started the spell. Since he had the element of water, he had first used those powers to put Pharm in a bubble, and then slowly used his and Sky's elements to squeeze the bubble until it was particles. Pharm had felt the compression, a slight wrenching pain, but it had been surprisingly easy. Sky had then used his powers to push Pharm into the Council office, and he had been doing his best to look for the two men. He could sense his brothers in his head too, so he felt quite at ease, knowing they would pull him out as and when needed.

"We are going to be in trouble Phi! I hope you know that!" A voice spoke up, a familiar voice. "That's the voice of Khun Chai," Sky's voice sounded in his head, so Pharm slipped through the keyhole, wanting to hear them from up close. "I know Chai. I am not a fool. But do you think I will let them hurt the boys?" Pakin asked. "Phi, I am sure that this playing of double agent is going to get us in more trouble that we think. We are getting doubted on from both sides," Chai said. Pakin sighed. "I love those four boys like my own, but at the end of it all, our loyalties lie with the Council Chai. Plus, now, they have found their mates and families. It makes them even more powerful than we can imagine. We are answerable to the Council, so we need to do everything in our powers to stop Phayu, Pai, Win and Dean from doing anything foolish. I know very well that Phayu was behind the death of the two Council members 50 years ago," Pakin said, his tone controlled, but Pharm could hear the fear in it, as could his own brothers.

"How are we going to give this information to our mates Rain," Pharm asked, his voice troubled. "We don't," Rain said. His best friends looked at him, waiting for him to clarify. "We don't tell them now. We wait. We have to gather more information. That's what the book said. In any battle, information is the most important," he continued. The others looked thoughtful. "We can't skip Uni much Rain," Sky said. "I know. Pakin and Chai are afraid of something. Didn't we always think they were fearless? Which means there are other people involved. Someone higher," Rain said. "Higher than the Council?" Team asked. Rain nodded. "We always thought our parents and our Uncles were the oldest vampires in existence, right?" Rain asked. The others nodded. "I am pretty sure there are those older," Rain said, his voice grim, striking horror into the hearts of his friends.

Phayu looked up, as he suddenly felt a disturbance in the air. Since morning, Rain had been locked up tight against him, almost like a vault, and Phayu was feeling the pangs of separation. He had worked out, then practiced with swords and other weapons, both regular and charmed ones with his brothers and families. He had tried to read, to write, draw, do anything to take his mind off of what his Draugs was up to. He knew Rain would not take unnecessary chances, and he would call Phayu if there was anything wrong, but something prickled under his skin. Something was coming, almost as if the winds were changing.

Pete stepped into his line of vision, but stopped short, noticing his son's unfocused eyes. He knew that Phayu, as well as the other boys, had been trying to get in touch with their mates, but to no avail. Pete stepped forward when he saw Phayu return. "Still no Rain lu?" he asked. Phayu shook his head, looking worried. "Rain is a smart boy lu. And I am sure he will not break his promise to you. Maybe he has classes?" Pete tried to comfort his son. "I know Pa. But you see, how could all four of them have classes at the same time? Aren't they in different faculties?" Phayu asked. "They usually do Phayu," Type spoke up from the doorway. Phayu waiied. "Khun," he said politely. "They have tried to keep pretty close to their timings, so that they can go and come together. Don't worry so much," Type said.

He had just finished speaking when there were noises from the doorway, and Rain ran towards Phayu, jumping into his arms, ignoring his Pa and his Uncle Pete completely. Phayu caught him easily, hugging him close, just breathing in the scent of mate. It was then he actually realised how tense he had been when his breath evened out, feeling thrilled with having his mate back in his arms. Type huffed out a snort. "You and I are chopped liver apparently Pete, when Phayu is around," he said, fake whining to catch Rain's attention. "I am your son Pa. I am chopped liver when Dada is around too," Rain said, his voice coming out muffled from where his face was buried in Phayu's neck, refusing to let go.

It was Pete's turn to snort this time. "Like father, like son?" he asked, the smirk clear in his voice. Rain hmphed as he jumped down, his arms still banded around Phayu. "As if Uncle Pete and Uncle Vegas are any better," his voice clearly disdainful in Phayu's head, making his Draugs throw back his head and laugh. Pete and Type watched mesmerised. Phayu was soft and quiet, a force of nature, his smiles rarer and more precious than diamonds. But when he laughed? It was like the entire joy of the world coalesced into that one face, like the sun shining after a long day of clouds. Rain's joy at his Draugs' laughter was such a beautifully palpable thing to see as well. He stared at Phayu as if his whole breath had stopped, and he would begin to breathe only when the man would stop laughing.

Phayu quickly placed a kiss on Rain's forehead, still smiling at what he had said, shaking his head, then realised that there was complete silence. He looked around. Vegas and Pete's house was full of people, all of whom were just staring at Phayu. He cleared his throat. "Something on my face?" he asked, a little disgruntled. "You look so beautiful when you laugh Phi Mate," Rain said, the awe in his voice clear. "And I don't otherwise little one?" he asked, scrunching his nose and bopping Rain's. "You always look handsome Phi Chaai. But when you laugh, it's like the blooming of flowers in spring," Pai said, looking at his older brother. Phayu blushed, not used to such compliments or even so much attention directed at himself.

"Why is everyone here?" Phayu asked, desperate to change the topic. "We called everyone Phi," Sky said, looking at him, then at Rain. "What happened? Does this have anything to do with your radio silence today?" Dean asked. Pharm nodded. "We debated whether we wanted to tell you, but it seemed that it would be doing all a disservice if we didn't," he said. "But before we say anything, you must promise that you will all listen to us without saying anything. It is extremely important that you do that. Could you?" Sky asked, looking around. The elders as well as their mates, all shared a look, then nodded reluctantly. "Please sit down, and we will begin," Team said, as Rain joined them in the front of the room. Somehow they were sure that whatever they would hear was going to make them lose their breath!