"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course it is." Alex replied briskly, picking up Niyx's backpack slinging it over one shoulder while trying to hook her foot around their luggage.

"Here let me help with that." Kaiden leapt forwards, grabbed the bags and realised that Niyx was nowhere to be seen. "Niyx!" He called "We're going to be late!"

"We're going to leave without you!" added Alex. "Bye!"

"NOOO don't leave without me Mommy!" Niyx cried, flying down the stairs. Alex chuckled. "We'd never leave you Niyx." Kaiden nodded at her and she concentrated, before a doorway appeared. "Come on guys. Let's get to Tryllin." Niyx smiled broadly, and his brown-blue eyes lit up in excitement, glee on his face as he stepped through the doorway. "It never gets old does it?" Kaiden whispered to Alex, curling an arm around her waist. "No, it doesn't." she replied happily before running into the doorway. "Catch me if you can!" she yelled, turning her head as her hair whipped around her, her Meyarin speed allowing her to disappear into the doorway.

Kaiden glanced at the three suitcases next to him and sighed. "Really Alex?" He whispered, shaking his head as he grappled all the bags in a tangle and focused on getting through the door without tripping over. He was so focused that he didn't realise the black whirling shadow that slipped through the doorway, seconds before it closed.

Alex breathed in deeply, savouring the sweet smell of Ms. Gribbles bakery, and saw that Niyx was already pressing his button nose eagerly against the window, drooling at the fruit tarts, piped cupcakes and golden-brown treats. "Hey, we'll get you some later, okay?" Niyx pouted, then remembered what Kaiden had said a few days ago "Buddy, I can't give you these cookies, you know puppy dog eyes doesn't work on me. Try Mommy ok?" Niyx's expression melted into the perfect puppy dog face, and he even add a little
tremble to his bottom lip. Ah, he was getting better at this.

Alex tried to restrain herself. No, Alex she told herself, Niyx can't eat too many sweet foods. Alex smiled "Ok, we'll get you something now." Kaiden stumbled through the doorway and managed to catch her last few words. So gullible he thought, grinning as his wife and son entered the bakery. The wispy shadow snuck around Kaiden, and disappeared, leaving trails of back smoke as it's billowing cloak changed shape with every step.

Once Niyx had finished choosing his snack they walked down Main Street heading straight for the palace, where they would be seeing Dix and Jordan, then later Bear and Declan. The party of three reach the gates of the palace, and Alex gave her information to the guards, one of whom who Bubbledoors away, presumably checking with the Royals. A nod, and thy were let in, to see a small blur of a child heading towards them. "Daddy sayth to welcome you." Luka smiles, a gap in his teeth. "Lookth! I lost my front teeth!" He exclaimed happily, guiding them up the gravel path to the front of the palace.

Again, the happy family, the little child and the weary guards didn't notice the black shadow that changed shape and entered through the palace gates.