It's SUNDAY and I'm even early in the day with this chapter update. Woo, on a roll baby! Enjoy the latest addition to the book. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Jessica dusted her hands and paraded over claiming a spot next to Jaxon at the table. Her peppy step, bouncing curls, and cheery disposition made me think she was working a little too hard to get back in Jaxon's favor.

Elena stared at the golden flames wrapping my thigh, her thick, dark lashes unblinking. "A spiral ring, now that's something you don't see every day."

I fidgeted with my dress and focused on a discolored spot on a floorboard in front of me. "I suppose not."

The heavy, entrance door creaked shut behind us. Vega took only two steps inside, then looked directly at me. "It's about time that secret's out. I'm tired of tiptoeing around pretending not to know."

She'd only been here ten seconds, and I knew she'd already read half the people's minds in the room and had summed up our conversation.

I wiped my hand down my face when I realized how she knew about the ring. "Sage?"

Vega nodded and placed a stack of books on a nearby table.

"That's it. I want a helmet." Sage let go of the mop handle, and the head flipped out of the bucket landing on the floor. "Traveler's and your freaky talents—hackers all of you."

"Hey... that's not my skill." Rygar picked up the mop. "I can't read your mind." He nudged her to take the handle from him. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to."

Sage blushed and took hold of the mop, her hand resting next to his. Rygar didn't let go, but instead stuffed the wet mop back into the metal bucket making it clang against the floor before releasing his grip.

"I'm sure Robin would love to know that," Jaxon said in a sarcastic tone.

Sage looked up at Jax and leaned forward on the mop. "Where is Robin anyway?"

Jax shrugged as if he knew, but wasn't willing to share. "On an errand."

Sage glanced at me, and I shook my head. Jaxon hadn't confided in me where Robin was.

"Jaxon if you don't intervene," Elena interrupted, "two lives will be lost—one of them Wren's." She walked over and stood beside me, but kept her sight on Jaxon.

"Wren's well being is the only reason I'm still entertaining this conversation." Jaxon extended his hand to me. "Come here, sweetness."

Sweetness? Ughhh, please, Kellan groaned.

I don't think you're in a position to complain right now. I placed a shaky hand on Jaxon's.

"What Elena's asking isn't exactly easy. His circle will want to question both of us in front of their court." Jax gave me a half smile. "And the stuff they'll want to know won't be easy to hear for either of us."

"But you'll go?"

His eyes paled to a faint green, and he appeared genuinely hurt that I'd even question he wouldn't.

"You think I'd leave you to die?"

"I..."

"No matter how angry I might still be or how much I hate Kellan, I'd never let that happen." He stood, pulled me close to him and rested his chin on the top of my head. "We're in this together, okay?"

With my cheek pressed against Jax's leather coat, I watched a grin spread across Jessica's face.

That girl doesn't understand the meaning of no. I could sense Kellan lie back on a cot. Leaving her was the best decision I've ever made—zero regrets there.

Well, I think she missed that memo.

"Elena." Jaxon released me and looked up at her. "We'll be ready to leave in a turn."

"Well, I'm not staying here," Jessica spoke up. "Count me in too."

"Still dreaming I see." Jaxon chuckled.

"I'm not staying here by myself." Jessica put her hands on her hips. "It's not like I know anyone here, and besides, I'm just as invested in your success as you are."

"You're not kidding anyone. It's Kellan you're interested in, not Wren's safety."

Elena smirked and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her dress.

Jessica crossed her arms and her perfect auburn curls rested over her shoulder. "What doesn't it matter to you? If we both get what we want, what do you care?"

That's not going to happen, Kellan said stressing the word not.

"I'm coming too," Sage said directing her answer to me. "It's easier to treat patients when they don't arrive in a bloody mess at my feet." She rested the mop against a bookcase. "You nearly gave me a heart attack when you arrived, tackling me in the hallway, and where would you be then?"

"I told you, I didn't plan it that way," I replied, feeling like I'd answered that questions more than once over that past few days.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Rygar said in a stern tone.

I tossed my hands in the air. "What is this? Gang up on Wren day?"

"You tend to act before you plan," Rygar said very matter a factly.

Jaxon tilted his head closer to me and whispered, "He's right you know."

For the first time ever, I have to agree with Jaxon. Planning isn't your strong suit.

"It will be easier to protect the two of you if I'm there." Rygar smiled at Sage.

I'd never seen Rygar be so forthright with any girl before. This sweet, awkward side of him gave him a certain charm.

"Excuse me?" Sage scoffed. "Maybe you need a refresher." She wiggled her fingers in the air. "I don't need protecting."

Jaxon let out a boisterous roll of laughter. "Rygar, if you know what's good for you, you'll take that back."

With his palm facing Sage, Rygar held his hands in the air. "Stand down... I didn't mean you couldn't protect yourself. And by the circle, I don't need you breaking any more of my fingers to prove it."

"Uh-huh. You're getting closer to an apology."

"All I meant was..." Rygar looked at the ground and rolled back on his heels. "I didn't want to see anything happen to you, and if I could help keep you safe, I'd want to be there." He glanced up at her with a half smile on his face.

Sage's mouth dropped open like it suddenly dawned on her that Rygar liked her.

"Okay all, if you're coming be ready to leave in a turn at the front gate."

"You don't have to ask me twice." Sage tapped the bucket with her foot. "I'd do just about anything to get out of mopping duty and curing pox cases."

"Look at the bright side," Rygar said to her when they were about halfway to the door. "You've stopped scratching."

Before turning to leave with the rest of the group, Elena curtsied, dipping her head in Jaxon's direction. When she took a step closer to me, she tossed her around my shoulders and drowned me in an affectionate hug.

"I know you and my brother are meant to be," she whispered in my ear. "You'll see."

She gave me a final squeeze then pranced off to catch up to the others.

"Wren," a stern female voice echoed across the room.

My entire body froze hearing Astra call me.

Jaxon kissed the crown of my head. "You didn't think we'd get to leave without facing your aunt, did you?"

"No..." I scuffed the bottom of my shoe against the floor. "But a girl can dream can't she?"

I'd been avoiding my aunt since Nebula's death, and I still wasn't ready to face her. Each step closer to her desk, my shoes gained ten pounds. By the time only a few feet separated us from her, I thought Jax would have to slide me forward the last few feet.

"She can't be that bad," Jax whispered.

The smell of wet paper and ink made me want to sneeze. A tower of soggy books dripped water onto several pages on Astra's desk, making the inky handwriting run.

"Astra..." I said, ready for her to blast me with her worst.

Holy crap, Kellan hollered. What did you do to Astra's books?

What did I do? Half this mess is your fault, and I'm about to get blamed for all of it.

Astra loves books. If you weren't her niece, you'd already be strung up by your toes. He cracked his knuckles and stretched out his arms. You know, I can help you pull the water from the pages.

Right, I'm sure Jax would love that. Why didn't Elena do it, if it was possible?

Because it's tricky. A crafter needs to be able to separate the water from within the page but maintain the paper's structural form at the same time. It's the same principle I used to dry your clothes in the cafe when we first met on Earth.

Pass. I'm in enough trouble already.

"It seems we're once again discussing the damage you've done to guild property and your disregard—"

"Hey, wait a minute," Jax interrupted. "Wren has donated more money to the Traveler's Guild than probably any other member to repair things around here. Her generosity paid for the medical wing." He pointed in the direction of where it was located. "Not to mention the new roof directly above our head. If I know one thing about Wren, she didn't do this on purpose."

Jaxon coming to my defense after everything I'd put him through made me want to throw my arms around him in thanks. Instead, like the oaf I am, I knocked one of the soggy books from the tower onto Astra's desk.

"It was an accident," I said, not sure if I was referring to knocking the book over, drenching the library, or both.

I picked up the swollen tome, and stared at the splattered water ring marking the shape of its form on Astra's desk. "I never wanted to harm any of your books—I know how much they mean to you." I fingered the water on her desk. "I really am sorry."

I could already feel my emotions getting the better of me, and my necklace flashed on and off only confirming it.

"I'm sorry for everything." I looked up from under my damp lashes at Jax and then to Astra. "I wish I could take back all the damage I've done to your books. But—"

Wish granted, Kellan said, interrupting my thoughts. Now get a bucket.

"Get a bucket?" I said aloud.

Jax glanced at the bone-dry book I held in my hand. It looked like new—as if it'd never seen a drop of water in its entire history. His gaze traveled to my other hand, where a sphere of rippling, water clung to my palm.

Jaxon groaned and pursed his lips. "Kellan."

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Next update: Dec 24th. Just in time for everyone who celebrates Christmas. :)