Chapter 3 Fate Mate

Returning to her home self as she let herself enjoy the reaction of Cassy as she had first come into the house. A smile took over Keren's lips as she could still hear "Holy cow you have to be kidding me." As the girls sat in the living room discussing the new house and the idea of Cassy moving in she broke in asking Cassy about her boyfriend situation. "So Cassy what is going on with you and Cody?"

Her daughter frowned looking to her. "We broke up. I have decided to play the field for a while."

Relief filled Keren as she could now with her new gifts see that Cody was not her daughter's fate mate. In fact her last boyfriend Justice was her fate mate. As she listened to her other daughters asking twenty questions about what happened with them she looked to Cassy. Thinking over the idea of converting her older daughter she could see that it would not directly benefit her people. Yet she could see that the children of Cassy and Justice however would benefit them. Her gift was saying their children would be fate mates of a few of the Darbin people. This alone would be enough of a reason for their conversion. She hoped that in time she would be able to convince Cassy to go through with the conversion after she learned of the Darbin people. Technically it was not exactly needed for the ones being converted to consent to it. She could do it if she felt it was best for her people. As she decided to let the matter rest for now to be addressed later the next day or so. Keren was watching her daughters contently when Leana jumped up asking, "Mom what do you say? Can we go get Cassy's things so she can move in?" Followed by Serena and Tabby agreeing, "Yeah, it is not like we do no have enough rooms."

Smiling Keren looked up as Hawk come walking into the living room at her silent mental summons, "Go help them move their sister." As the girls left, each saying something about taking the limo Hawk spoke on their mental link. "My Queen, have I truly been so bad that you would plague me with this?" Laughing at the pained sound of her strong Guardian. "Old man try to remember what it was like to be a teen." At his sarcastic reply she pretended not to hear him and got up to go in search of Saran. Walking through the house she admired the way her guardians had strategically placed pictures from her human life throughout the house mixed with pictures of the past Kings and Queens whose memories Keren now claimed. She also knew that they had used duplicates of her pictures in her many other homes so that when she traveled she would feel comfortable.

Walking into the library were Saran was dusting, she stood watching with a half smile. Curious at the fact the woman now considered one of her most powerful Guardians was walking around the library and dusting each piece of furniture by hand. Keren knew if it were her doing it she would wave a hand to clean the whole room at one time. As she stood watching Saran turned around looking at her, "My Queen, is something wrong?"

Shaking her head Keren turned to move around the room stopping at the table the woman had been dusting. "Nothing is wrong. I was only curious as to why a person as powerful as you would go around and doing house work like a human housekeeper?"

Saran laughed at her young Queen, "My Queen, after so many years of being in this world you will start to appreciate the need for the slower pace of the human way to doing things."

As the girls were riding to Cassy's apartment to pack up her belongings they began to plan a shopping trip soon in the days to come. Excitement had the girls trying to tell their sister of the fact they no longer were human. Each time Leana tried to say something about being Darbin or having the ability of speed faster than a mere human all she found she could do was speak of how pretty the day was. Frustrated she turned to Serean and then Tabby speaking mentally, "Why can I not tell her about what has happened to us? Each time I try I end up telling her how lovely the day is. You guys try."

Both Tabby and Serean exchanged looks of confusion at what their sister just told them. First Tabby tried to tell Cassy they were no longer humans instead it come out how nice the day was and how they should go swimming. After which Serean tried to tell how fast she could run since the conversion, however instead of that she commented to how it was a nice day and they should go swimming later tonight. The three girls began to worry growing anxious at the inability to speak of the Darbin conversion.

Hawk drove into the driveway feeling an unease in the car. Thinking it odd as the conversation he could hear with his hearing was harmless enough. Too harmless to cause the unease he was feeling from the three of his charges. Touching their mind to see what had the three upset he smiled at the idea of them trying to share the exciting news. Using the mental link granted to him as one of the Guardian race he spoke to the three at one time, "You can not tell or speak of the Darbin People with out the Queen allows it. No one can." He heard a chorus of "Oh!" on the mental link from the three girls. Saved from anymore on the subject Hawk put the limo into park.

As the limo come to a stop in front of the apartment Leana stopped Cassy before she got out of the limo. "Let us go in and get the stuff ready while you help Hawk get the trunk in order. You do not want to bring any clothes or furniture do you?" Serean spoke after Leana stopped, "You only want your pictures and the two trunks right?" Tabby stepped next to them looking to her sister, "We will get the collectibles as well." At the three asking so swift Cassy glanced from one to the next finally speaking to Leana, "Yeah okay. I will help Hawk. Do not forget the trunks." Leana nodded to her sister knowing their father's things were in the trunks. Leana led her two sisters to the apartment. As the last of them entered Tabby closed the door and Serean said, "Go." At the small two letter word the three used their Darbin speed to pack everything. As they finished the whole room each of them was closing the top of a box when the front door open. Cassy was walking in stopping a bit shocked to have the house already packed up. "Wow you guys are fast."

Laughing Leana looked to her sisters, "we have been exercising." As the girls took a box a piece carrying them to the limo trunk Tabby glanced to Hawk, "Could you get the trunks?"

With a silent nod Hawk felt an impatience grow in him as he could feel energy from those as powerful if not more pass over head him, the urge to use his powers to wave the trunks to the limo. Remembering that Cassy was there he jogged to the apartment picking up both trunks at one time. As the girls deposited their boxes he set the trunks in the middle of the trunk.

Cassy glanced to her sisters as the four of them were sliding into the limo. "I could have helped pack, but you guys were fast." At her comment Hawk knew it would be hard for the girls to answer without bringing up the weather again he slid into the limo looking in the rear view mirror asking, "Are you ready to go home?" At his question the four jumped to answer with a shouted, "Let's go!"

Walking into the kitchen Keren looked to Darmus feeling a wave that seemed to flow over the house at first. Glancing to him letting her mind open to the feeling. She soon realized that it was the Fighting Guardians that she had commanded to come to her home tonight beginning to gather in the courtyard. Going through the house as she could hear Hawk turning up the driveway in the limo with the girls. Feeling the unease of her Guardians, Keren decided to throw up a shield that would keep the power locked away from any other Darbins in the area. Any Darbin that had a small amount of experience would recognize the feeling if she did not shield the power. Finding Saran standing at the doors in the library looking out to the courtyard she walked into the room waving her hands causing the curtains to close. As the woman turned around she looked at her, "Tell the girls that I have a meeting tonight." Thinking to what was to come she realized that she was uncertain to the outcome of this meeting. "Tell them I will be going to bed after the meeting. Then tell Leana that they can go swimming in the indoor pool tonight if they want to." Looking to the doorway before turning to go to the kitchen, "Cassy does not need to see the Fighting Guardians. Keep her in the house." Departing she could hear Saran, "yes my Queen."

Walking to the patio door Keren let the power flow out of her as she pushed open the doors. The release caused her eyes to turn a bright silver where moments before they were soft blue, as her hair turned from auburn to a golden blonde almost like the sun and a light fly away style. As she walked into the courtyard she began to turn in a slow circle watching as men and women gathered from all over the world. Some come in animal form some come in a mist form while others come look as they were mere humans. As her eyes made contact with each of her Fighting Guardians she could feel the years of battles and even those who were suffering the fate mate remorse. Some who suffered with their fate mates being dead to them and this world. A heavyhearted feeling swamped her as she thought how daunting this was. She was created to be the one to save these people. To create a way for these people to grow once more strong and happy in life. In a world that they lived side by side with those whom knew nothing of them or their kind. The Fighting Guardians who suffered from fate mate remorse thought they were doomed by losing their mates while serving a King like Audin. He had purposely made them pay the price of their fate mate's life to serve him in a honorable way. He had created a numerous amount of suffering for the Darbins. If Keren's memories from Audin were right he created more than sufferings for the Darbins. Shaking her head noticed there was two hundred and fifty warriors who stood around her waiting for her to start the meeting and to tell them how she would perform her duty to the Darbin people and them. Her task was to repair the injustice caused by Audin and even some of the minor ones caused by the other Kings and Queens of the past. Taking a deep breath she stood tall.

Speaking in a loud voice that was kept within the confines of the courtyard with the shield she created to hold in the spillage of the power from the Fighting Guardians and herself. "My Fighters, today I must apologize for my slowness in my duties to you." She could hear the collective gasp and then the outrage as those surrounding her began to deny her words. Holding up her hand she turned slowly to get their attention and to stay their words. "My being young or new is no excuse. My slowness almost got your fellow fighter killed today." Looking to Zeke she once more apologized to him. "I especially owe you that apology." After that admittance she turned once more to the rest of the Fighters. "My conversion gave me the complete history, memory and knowledge of the Kings and Queens before me. So my knowledge was sufficient enough that there is no excuse for my not responding to a call for help today. My slowness to use the knowledge given to me almost cost Zeke his life."

Walking around the courtyard taking in the view of each of the Fighters surrounding her. She could see they were listening with great attention. "I know that in the past all of you had issues with Audin coming when you were in battles protecting our people. He chose to not do as the Kings and Queens of the past, answer your call to come save your lives by giving blood or settling the arguments. Now his actions has cost some of you fate mates, causing your fate mate remorse to grow deeper." Silver eyes touched on each Fighting Guardian within the circle. It still amazed her how so many could fit in one area. As well as so many could be so loyal. As she come to the fifty who was in fact left without their fate mate due to Audin's actions she spoke on a private mental link, "Once this is over please remain after the others take their leave." To this she heard their mental "Yes my Queen."

As she broke the connection with the last of the fifty her circle of eye contact had come to an end. Returning to where she first stood once more she began speaking to the group. "I will not lie to you by saying you never have to fight again now that I have been converted." She could feel some with a slight reluctance at her words, "My conversion however will decrease the fighting as I will soon start to open the fertile cycles. When the time comes that you do have to go in to a fight again, I will come at a call. As is the connection of a Queen and her Fighting Guardians I can and will feel when your life is in jeopardy. I expect and demand that you call on me. It is my duty and privilege to come to you in your time of need as you are giving your protection to my people as well as myself." Seeing the Fighters start to shake their heads as their concern grows. They began to look to one another as they were mentally discussing how this was not something they would do. Shaking her head, Keren raised her voice to get their attention. "I am no fool. I know as any Darbin does that I can not be so flippant with my life that I would attempt to fight a battle I do not have to. I know my death will bring the death of all the Darbin Species." At the collective sigh of the group Keren offered a soft smile, "I am not willing to do that no more than you are willing to allow me to do such. That is why I am ordering you not asking you to call me to you when you find yourself in a battle that is close to taking your life and taking it out of my hands."

As she finished the one order that she had planned to give her Fighting Guardians she took a breath dropping her head letting her eyes go back to the human blue as before the meeting. Shaking her head to settle the auburn hair as it returned to the original color. "After this day I will open the first fertile cycle. It will be open for thirty days. As I am uncertain what is demanded of me for this process I can not allow it to go much longer. From this day forward the Darbin birth cycles will mimic the human cycles instead of the short few months. It will take a full forty weeks for a Darbin to reach childbirth. Along with this change the first eighteen years of a Darbin child will also mimic the human children." Only pausing to take a breath to allow her words soak in she once more began to explain her reason for this. "In the past our people had taken the ability of childbirth for granted. Some would have more than a dozen of children in a year. This would cause the Kings and Queens so much pain that even before Audin they began to grow weary from the childbirth. I am not saying this is what made Audin to become as he was, but I am certain it did not help."

At the few nods of the Darbins surrounding her, Keren spoke one final time. "I do hope that within the next thirty to fifty years to have the Darbin population to a manageable population. In a Darbin life span that is no more than a few moments." Looking to the ground at the sorrow of the next statement to come, lifting her head to focus on those around her. "As with any of your past Kings and Queens there are going to be some deaths that I can not repair or prevent. Perhaps that is meant to work with our long lives to be natures way of keeping our people balanced. So do not think I am a miracle worker. I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to come this evening. You are free to return to your homes and think over what I have said. Know that I intend to do my best to live up to the great honor I have been given by becoming one of you."

Much to her shock as she ended the speech the Fighting Guardians knelt it seemed in one motion. Each of them knelt on one knee with their heads lowered and their right hand over their heart. This one act Keren knew from her memories is the act used by those who give their complete devoted loyalty to someone. As they lowered their head they spoke two words sealing the pledging act. "My Queen." Still a bit shocked she nodded speechless to each of them as they rose and began to take their leave.

Watching as two hundred of the warriors took leave from the meeting Keren let her eyes move to the fifty warriors left that she had told to stay behind. Looking to the heavens as she let the idea of what she was going to offer this night to these men and women who were so badly wronged by Audin. Looking around as she sealed the area even more closely than before. Closing any from being able to hear them verbally or mentally. She thought over the conversation she had with Jaudin before his death during her conversion. Shuddering at the thought of the pain to come to her so that these people can once more be whole and happy.

As those left behind stepped closer to where she stood, Keren let her heart take over. She knew the human part of her would deny doing this even for these strong men and women who have given so much for the people they loved. "It is thought that when a mate dies unclaimed that the mate is left behind and can do no more other than suffer. This is not actually the truth." At the look of utter shock on their faces from this news, she knew it had taken them by surprise. She knew from the past memories that only one King had known of how to do this. King Jaudin had known how to do this. He had in fact attempted it leaning on his great love of his people. After doing it only one time he swore to never do so again. The pain had been too great for even him. She knew that the promise that she was making to these warriors was not a small one. It would in fact cost her dearly.

"Please understand, I am not making this offer lightly. It is a very painful process for both you and myself. As you have to endure a laying of a new fate mate path. I have to endure the relaying of your path as well as that of a new fate mate. This is not much different from the price I pay from the birth of the future Darbin. It is my duty to endure so that our people can once more grow. I can and will take as much of the pain for a new fate mate paths that I can if you decide to do this."

Looking around she could see that some were shaking their heads in denial at the idea of doing something such as this. While with a look of want mixed with shame some seem to consider the idea of not suffering the fate mate remorse. Keren knew as those shaking their head in denial aged and the remorse became painful and so forlorn they to would begin to consider her offer. "Do not think I do this lightly or without thought of what could come of it. As I have said before I have the memory of those before me. I know and have experienced all they have in their lives. I offer this only to those that over the many centuries that have had to pay the price of losing a fate mate due to the actions of the Kings and Queens before me. While I understand the majority of these were from Audin, I also know that not all of them were from his actions. Even as I speak to those of you standing before me I have already searched the Darbin Species and found others who were forced to suffer from these horrible acts. In the same manner which you suffer. When the time comes they to will be given this same offer. I know you now deny this offer, yet when you go home tonight think it through. If you decide this is what you want contact me." Looking at these men and women who still denied her offer she could read in them it was out of loyalty to her not wanting her to suffer for them. They still have much to realize. Like she would do a lot to make up for the sufferings they had to go through in their lives, because they gave so much to the Darbin people and their Kings and Queens.

As she watched once more the Fighters knelt to take the position of loyalty before saying as one, "My Queen." With that they began to leave. Letting her breath out slowly feeling a state of relief until she felt a lingering touch of power still in the courtyard. Turning she saw Isaac was remaining behind. She knew he was the oldest of the Fighting Guardian Race. He looked uneasy at what he was going to ask yet he still walked to her. "My Queen, I know I ask a lot of you. You have only been the Queen of the Darbin People a short time. I also know these circumstances are not your fault. They are Audin's fault for the most part as well as the ones who ruled before you."

Seeing the war this strong warrior was fighting within himself Keren walked to him laying a hand on his arm to silence his awkward speech. "Isaac, I know what I am offering. Or at least I know second hand what I am offering. It matters very little of the pain to me. I will see this through to set right all the damage done to the Darbin people. As it is my duty to see to the longevity of the Darbin People." At his exhale she looked at the man before her. Keren knew as she saw his life during the time his fate mate died. Unlike many of the Darbins without their fate mate, Isaac had known his fate mate. He had planned the night with great detail that he was going to claim his fate mate. Audin had found out of what was to take place. He had caused a riot knowing he would have to send the two Fighting Guardians to settle it. During the battle Isaac's mate had given her life by jumping behind him to deflect a rogue swinging a sword at his neck. Instead of beheading Isaac the action had pushed him away from the arc of the sword. However the female had not been so lucky. The sword beheaded her during the short lived but vicious riot caused by Audin. "Give me just a moment Isaac and we will go."

She saw his questioning look, but Keren knew she had to take care of something first. Letting her mind relax she connected with Saran. "When the girls wake tomorrow tell them I have business to attend to and have Hawk take them in the limo shopping or whatever they wish to do. Just keep them busy."

She could feel the hesitation in the woman even as she started to reply, "My Queen do I need to go with you?"

Sending a reassuring smile to the Guardian who knew something was up due to the fact she and the other Guardians had been closed out of the last part of the meeting Keren spoke in a firm yet soothing voice as she sent the answer back, "Saran that will not be necessary as of yet. I may have to call on you and Stephan later though. At this point I do not know."

As she heard the answer of her dragon Guardian, she could tell that Saran was not pleased to have to obey her Queen. Yet when it was done and said she would indeed obey, "Yes my Queen. If you have need of any of us all you have to do is call on us. We will come immediately."

Listening to the house a moment the sound of the girls swimming in the pool was like music to her ears. It made her heart swell with love. Without thought she let her mind drift to were her other three girls where in the states. Soon the other all of her girls would be told of the changes taking place in her life. For now though she had another who needed her. As she saw that all of her children were happy and enjoying their night, Keren turned looking at Isaac. The feelings that she felt now for her children was why she would do this for the Darbins who had suffered the great wrong of the Kings and Queens of the past. Letting mental link to touch on the path the warrior had taken to come to her home, Keren followed it along the sky until she saw the place. It was a cave high in the mountains buried deep in the forest far from any homes or roads. The only thing capable of coming to the cave would be the forest animals. While linked with the Isaac she spoke, "Isaac follow me. I do not wish to chance my children or the Guardians sensing or hearing anything."

As she turned from the house she pictured herself jumping off the ground into the body of a great eagle. The feeling of the wind rushing past her body was exciting. Feeling a bit odd with the change from human form to eagle Keren looked quickly, pausing in flight as the shock of being no longer human caught her off guard. Isaac not realizing this was her first time to shift momentarily passed her by. The movement caught her attention enough to bring her back to what they were doing. "I was just distracted a moment." Following once more the path she had seen of his journey.

Isaac, flew around his Queen before dropping in slightly behind her. Letting his body take over the act of flying he took a moment to look at the eagle who was his Queen leading him to healing his fate mate path. As he watched he remembered, she was not that long in the Darbin world, "This is your first time in flight my Queen?"

Hearing the Fighter speak in her mind Keren could not stop a smile from entering her words. "Yes, I have yet to use a lot of my gifts."

The Fighter flew for a short time in silence thinking over what she had said before once more continuing his conversation, "I can wait if you wish to give yourself time to grow with our people, your Highness."

As the cave come into sight Keren shifted smoothly. As the talons made contact with the cave entrance she allowed her bird to fly into the human body she saw in her mind. Looking down she dressed in a wrap around dress and sandals stepping back to allow Isaac to land and shift. Knowing he would feel a need to look inside before allowing her to enter. As she watched him she answered his offer. "I appreciate that Isaac, but I could not allow anyone to suffer when I had it in me to ease it. I have centuries to explore my gifts. Besides I have the memories of those before me, using the gifts." Following behind the Fighter she could tell that while he had offered to wait, he was relieved that she had refused to wait.

Pausing just inside the cave while Isaac inspected the holes where predators such as mountain lions or such may hide Keren took the time to let her spirit power touch Isaac. As the spirit touched the man she saw the fate mate path that had been a part of him since birth. Taking a deep breath she pulled the spirit from him sending it to fly out into the world. The spirit searched for one who would fill the hole left by the death of an unclaimed fate mate. Frowning at what she saw when the spirit seemed to stop and hover over something. It was not necessarily of something in this world. Studying what she was seeing Keren come to the realization that it was of this world just not during this time period. Looking around she could tell it was a time in the near future.

Before her was a woman no more than twenty-four years of age. The woman was walking through a house with a toddler on her hip. The idea that a fate mate would have a child seemed wrong as she knew fate mates must be joined in order to birth a child. Not to mention that Audin would have had to suffer a birthing period to have done this. Letting the spirit get closer to make certain of what she was seeing, Keren felt it then. The key to why the scene was causing her unease. It was not the wealth of the woman or lack of it as Keren, herself had been a poor human woman raising her children. The thing that brought questions was; how had this woman come to be raising so many human children with the powers of Darbin People and that were fate mates to some of the younger Darbin people. She knew that she had no choice. Not only did Isaac need a fate mate, but these children needed to have someone to guide and teach them for what was to come in their life.

Bringing the spirit back to her body as she was walking into the cave she touched on Audin's memories. Anger toward a man who was dead now began to build. She could see in the memories how the events took place that would soon in the future put these children with the woman she saw. There would be over a dozen children in this woman's home soon. He had known these children were fate mates to future Darbin because he had created them some how although she would have to delve into his memories more to see the details. He had began early on working to make the children orphans in hopes it would bring their deaths causing more to depend on him for their fate mate. Some he had deliberately taken from their homes, killing their families and discarding them on the streets or in the forest. He had never expected someone to save them. Had he known the woman would end up being a fate mate he would have surely killed her. Shaking her head she could not believe what she had learned. Audin had been slowly killing the people he was meant to protect and save.

Looking to the Fighter now standing next to her, Keren could see the worry on his face. "My Queen have you changed your mind?"

A deep breath left her lungs as she faced the mighty Fighter who would be getting more than he could imagine with his new fate mate. "No, I have not changed my mind Isaac. I have began to learn that the more I learn of Audin my anger begins to fester more. It was at first a mild annoyance at the things he had done or neglected. It seems his crimes against the people though was greater than that."

A haunted look passed over Isaac's face as he nodded in understanding, "He caused much turmoil, grief and suffering my Queen."

Letting the matter drop, Keren slowly looked around the cave. Amazement took hold of her as she realized that her sight inside the dark cave was as good as it had been outside in the day light earlier today. Walking back into the cave she could see an alcove at the end, using her mind she opened two graves in the ground. One grave was six feet deep down into the cool soil. While the second one was barely two feet deep. As Isaac followed her to the graves he stopped next to the deepest of the graves. Shaking her head Keren pointed to the shallow grave. "The deep grave will be for me when we are done. There are somethings we need to discuss before we do this. Once we are done I will not be able to speak much."

Isaac began to grow worried at what the woman was saying, "My Queen if this is that dangerous, I will not do this. I can not risk your safety for myself."

Eyes going from blue to silver she looked to the man willing to continue his sufferings so she would not have to suffer momentarily. "Isaac, this must be done. First for the fact that I will not allow any to suffer when their only crime is protecting and loving their people. The second reason you will learn in time. When this is done you will go to my ranch in Montana. When you get there you will find it is in great need of repair. I suggest you do this by hand as you do not want to raise questions. I will not tell you where your new fate mate will be, but this is the area you will find her. Fate is tricky do not try to push it by hunting your fate mate. Let fate bring her to you. As I told James just the other day. Live your life and let fate take care of the rest. I know that is not going to be easy, but it is what you must do." She saw no reason to tell him that his fate mate would be next door. This was something he would learn soon enough.

She could see the Fighter did not like the command she gave. Like her Guardian Saran, the Fighting Guardian Isaac will also follow orders. Something inside of the Guardian race forbid them from doing any different. Letting her mind begin to relax as she guided him to the shallow grave motioning for him to lay down. Once he laid down on the soil she waved a hand over his body removing his clothes to leave them laying on a rock folded neatly for when the new path was finished. Lifting his arm she felt incisors lengthen as she bent her head to drink just enough blood to create a bond that would allow her to follow his fate mate path and create a new one. Once she had taken enough blood she left the wound open to allow an entry for the spirit when it was time. Using her incisors to open her wrist and allow the blood to flow, before placing it to his lips. As he drink her blood she sent a block to hold the blood from going through his body. The blood would heal his wounds which would prevent her from creating a new fate mate path. Pulling her arm away as their had been enough blood exchange to finish the process Keren allowed the fate mate spirit that saw the fate mates in the world moved from her to the body before the cut on Isaac's wrist. The moment the spirit passed through it stopped the bleeding from his body. Using her healing ability she closed the cut on her own wrist as she began to work.

Focusing on the spirit that flowed along the fate mate path through Isaac, she could see that the path was well defined. As it ended close to the heart she could see it like a gaping hole. This was were the fate mate would have completed him. As the spirit moved around the hole she could see the many paths leading to the hole. There were five paths all as well laid as the one she followed to the center of the man's very being. Using the mental link created she spoke, "Now we begin." Not giving him a chance to reply in speech or telepathic Keren allowed the spirit begin to spray a line of flames at the beginning of each fate mate path even as she allowed the Fighters blood begin to flow from his wrist once more.

The sudden flash of heat and pain took her by surprise bringing out a scream that would rival with Isaac's. Pausing momentarily to make certain that the block surrounding them was still in place to keep out any and all Darbin from hearing or feeling their pain. Even as she reinforced the barrier, she slipped into his mind deeper to take some of his pain. Using her mind like vaults she created a place to lock the pain into or she would not be able to endure for the completion of the new fate mate path. Once more she let the flames began again to scorch away the old fate mate path. A fate mate path was much like birth as it was with the Darbin at birth. To make a new path you had to remove the original path and lay a new path. This was similar to a rebirth. She could feel her body screaming from the pain of the scorching of fate mate path. Even as she held some of the Fighter's pain she could hear his scream sounding to war with her own. As the spirit come to the wound pushing out the old path with the blood she let herself take a deep breath before healing the wound and turning around to lay the new path.

Pulling the woman's fate laying it before her, the flames once more poured over the paths as they rolled out to make its way to the gaping hole awaiting her to complete him. As the path come to an end the spirit raced to where her blood was blocked from flowing throughout his body. Once the spirit exited from him the blood flow was released. Feeling the spirit return to her body Keren looked to the warrior who now was sweating and panting from the pain. In a soft voice she commanded "Sleep the sleep finish what I have started. When you wake go on your journey."

She could see that he was going to argue although she knew it was due to her own paleness, not wanting him to try to stop her as now there was no stopping the process she sent him to sleep without hesitation. Looking to her arms and legs she could see streaks that followed the same path as Isaac's did on his body. Letting her mind pull up the sounds of her own children she once more remembered why she was doing this.

Moving to stand at the foot of the deepest grave, Keren turned toward the entrance of the cave. Lifting her arms looked to her wrist until a small wound open to start her blood to drip. She knew her weakness would claim her once she is done. She can only pray that she has the strength to call on Saran and Stephan. Sending the spirit out in the world she found the woman. The woman was a sleep in a small room. Letting the spirit float over the dwelling Keren could see it was a small house on the edge of the property. Uncertain where the other children came from as she could only sense two in the house even before the spirit floated down to the woman.

As the spirit stood by the bed Keren let her body materialize next to the woman. A mere thought had the room sealing up to close out the power within and any noise. One more precaution to keep any sound and pain from waking the woman. This process was worse than before as she would have to direct the screams of pain back to her body in the cave. She would also have to take all of the human woman's pain. Allowing the spirit to flow free it entered into the woman's body through her mouth. Following the path that was lightly laid through the human body she seared the path with the spirit flames. The screams in the cave caused it to vibrate and the streaks on the Queens body to turn a ruby red. As the fate mate paths found in humans was washed away by flames, the path leading to the Fighter was swiftly laid. Knowing her time was running short Keren worked quickly. Even as she hurried she also made certain not to miss a spot in laying the new path. As the spirit floated from the woman's body, a wave of Keren's hand had a glass appearing on the nightstand. As she watched a small amount of blood filled the glass. Looking at the glass she thought of it being a clear liquid that would appear to the human as a glass of water. The blood was needed to heal the fate mate path just laid, but there was no other way unless she woke the woman. Letting the spirit form once more take her body to float her outside the window she watched as the female seemed to wake rubbing her chest as if she had heartburn. Even as the woman sat in bed she was reaching for the glass of water drinking all of the clear cool liquid. The fact that it was warm and thick blood did not seem to register. Keren decided to store this memory away for a later date, as her body and spirit were growing so weak that she began to worry of her own journey back to the cave. Once entering the cave the spirit and body at once called for Saran and Stephan before the spirit hit the body so hard it knocked it back into the grave. As sleep claimed her the barrier keeping all from feeling the power and pain in the cave fell. Somewhere in her senses she could feel the barrier return. She knew that her Guardians had heard her call for them. That was the last thought Keren had before the world went black.

As one the two large dragons racing through the skies landed at the entrance of the cave shape shifting from dragon to Guardian. Saran and Stephan exchanged worried looks as the entered the dark cave. As they walked to the rear of the cave both felt a since of deja vu. Saran looked worried to her mate, "Stephan it has happened again. Remember when we found Jaudin and his trusted Guardian laid in graves like this?"

Stephan let his mind search the area making certain there were no enemies whom could have caused this as he touched his Queen in the deep grave he felt her life force was still vibrant. Releasing a deep breath. "She has merely exhausted herself. Her streaks though are not fading as Jaudin's had." Shaking his head he looked to his mate. "What is it they did to cause this?"

Jumping down into the grave watching her mate as he followed she bit her wrist placing it to her young Queen's lips before answering. "We never learned what happened back then. I suspect we may not learn this time either. I just know that it had to be something important for anyone to suffer so greatly." Nodding with a deep gush of breath laced with worry and agreement to what his mate had said, Stephan bit his own wrist leaning down to feed his Queen. Saran closed her wound as she jumped from the hole looking to the already healing Fighting Guardian. As she looked down at him, Stephan joined her to watch over the two Darbins in their own graves.

As the two Guardians looked down on the Fighting Guardian rays of sun began to filter into the cave. Even as the light seeped into the cave Isaac's chest began to rise and fall. Raising up he looked around for his Queen. Fear slammed into him as he saw not his Queen, but her Guardians. "The Queen?"

Stephan offered the Fighting Guardian his hand to aide him from the shallow grave, "She is fine. She only rest for now. I would ask what happened, but the last time we saw this the Guardian was not able to say what happened. He just kept talking of how beautiful the day was."

Nodding slowly as he looked to the other grave he remembered from earlier, Isaac walked to stand next to the hole even as the dirt began to roll from it. The three were stepping close to look into the deep hole. Inside was their Queen sitting up still holding the marks of blood streaks on her body and moving slow enough to cause the three worry. "Do not look so worried. I am alive. Isaac you have things to do. Go you will find much works needed at the Montana ranch."

Isaac nodded dropping to one knee in the pose of loyalty, "yes my Queen."

As Keren could feel the Fighter's power slip from the cave she turned to the Guardians, "You will need to let the others come. I am still very weak."

Shaking her head like a serious mother scolding a child. "My Queen this time we will not obey. We will stay and see to you. Do not force us to as this is our duty."

Nodding Keren could do no more than accept the choice of her two dragon Guardians as her weakness and the pain still rocking her body would not allow differently. As the day passed the two fed her one more time their blood to replace what she had lost in the laying of a new fate mate path. Neither asked as they both felt if it was meant for them to know then the Queen would share what had happened the night before. As the second feeding ended, Keren rose from the grave to look over the cave. Not wanting none to find the cave or evidence of what had taken place she thought of the rock pushing up from the ground to fill the cave. As the three of them shifted each to dragons, rocks began to fill the cave as if bumps grew from the floor of the cave. Looking to the dragon Guardians flying next to her, Keren knew that her life was going to be full of times when her very life and that of her people would depend on her Guardians.