Maggie’s view from back on the roof:

*swaying with the music, I was lost in the night. My first reminder I wasn't alone was the brush of power tingling along my skin right before Lija turned me around and pulled me into him. It startled but didn't frighten me. Why did he always make me feel so safe? Without even thinking about it, I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck and we began to dance.

It was a magical night; the music was soft, the stars were out, the moon was nearly full, the scent of the flowers swirled around us and I felt protected, cherished and warm in arms of my Druidic friend.

I love Noah. He is the other half of my heart. Lija, no matter how attracted I am to him, can't be more in this lifetime than my cherished friend. I think he knew that. But this incredibly strong connection we felt forced my hidden walls down like few things could.

Trusting others didn't come easy for me. I could be friendly with just about anyone but there were very few people I felt connected enough with to trust with my innermost heart, Noah, Luna, and for some reason the man holding me in his arms. I hadn't been brought up as a big believer in reincarnation, but the truth of it was staring at me. I truly believe that the ones able to get through to me in this lifetime had soul connections to me that survived through past separations even death.

I had so much to worry about lately and really did need this break. I found myself relaxing in his arms without even thinking about it. I rested my head on his shoulder and try to memorize the way I felt. I wanted to store up the memory to give me a happy thought to pull out on my rainy days. If he did have to return to his old pard, I wanted this night be etched in my mind so I never forgot my dear friend.

The violin combined with the Chianti I had consumed had me floating on air. I looked up at Lija, and memorized the depth of blue in his eyes, the way the colors seemed to swirl as he watched me. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head on his shoulder once more. I could feel his power surrounding me. It had a tingly, electric feel, similar to Noah's and Luna's, yet different in a way I couldn't begin to explain to someone who wasn't sensitive to power.

I didn't know how long we had danced. I felt the rumble in Lija's chest from where I rested against him as we dance seconds before I heard his chuckle. Looking up at the mischievous glint in his eyes, I followed his gaze over to the violinist, asleep on the park bench under the trees. Why we didn't notice him stop playing or hear him snoring before now, I couldn't tell you.

Looking from the violinist, back to Lija, I started to giggle, which put a big smile on his face for some reason. "You'd think a musician would have a more melodic snore wouldn't ya?"

Noticing the rising sun, I asked "You think we should wake him up or leave him here? I should call Noah and tell him I'm still here assuming he got home from chatting with his security biz buddies at that meeting."

Belatedly remembering I had left Luna hooked up to the machines downstairs, I added, "And I should check the read out on Luna's sleep patterns. She had been resting pretty peacefully all evening. It's why I sent Noah on to his meeting when Zane showed up to relieve Caleb from guard duty. but it wouldn't hurt to check on her."

I moved away from him, intending to help clean up the scattered plates from dinner. Lija had headed over to wake up the violinist to send him home. I heard the roof door slam open seconds before I heard a familiar voice roar, "MAGGIE! Are you up here?"

Looking at Lija, I shrugged and hollered back, "Yeah the other side of the tree."

The word were barely out of my mouth when my mate came running up, pulling me into a hug that momentarily robbed my breath. Managing to squeak out, "Human, remember?" He loosed his grip.

Looking into his eyes, I noticed more than a hint of gold encroaching on the emerald of his eyes and realized he was pretty upset for his beast to leak through so much.

Worried about what had him so upset, I stood there silently. He looked me over, running his hands up and down my arms and back. He even turned me around to check my back. Finally getting frustrated, I asked, "So, do I pass inspection or you gonna trade me in on a new model."

"You look beautiful. I'm sorry baby." Pulling me into a tight hold against his chest, I was surrounded by his beast's power barely contained beneath his skin. He must have sensed my confusion and rising fear because he began to stroke my hair as he continued, "I was worried about you. You didn't come home or call all night." I could feel him tense as he addressed Lija, "You know, when you asked me if I would help you surprise Maggie with Dinner out, I didn't think OUT meant ALL night in a secluded rooftop garden."

Trying to diffuse the situation before it got worse, I pushed away from Noah's chest and looked up at him. Running a finger along his cheek, I smiled up at him, batted my eyelashes in a way that always makes him laugh and said, "But we weren't alone. The violinist was here."

Grabbing my hand, he smiled, kissed the palm and sighed, "I saw him leaving. I was just scared. Luna is injured in the padded room. She passed out before she could tell me if you were okay." Looking over at Lija he added, "It looks like claw marks running across her chest. We could probably use your help."
           

Lija’s POV:

*When Noah burst through the roof door, I could feel
his anger at me and his deep concern for Maggie. The
way he inspected her made me chuckle slightly. I knew
as long as he was hers, Maggie would be safe. Then he
told us that Luna was injured.*
"What do you mean claw marks? Where was Zane?"

*Now I was worried for the Oya. Maybe I had been
stupid to take Maggie away from her. I led the way
down from the roof.*

Maggie’s POV:

Noah and Lija were running down the stairs with me following close behind. I heard Noah tell the Tore that Zane was guarding the entrance to the roof because that's where I was. Noah has sent him back to watch Luna when he came up to find us.

My heart was racing and it was only partly because I couldn't keep up with the weres. How could I have been so foolish to leave Luna locked alone in a room with no one to watch her. If anything happened to my soul sister because of me, I would never forgive myself.

Reaching the door to the padded room, I saw the three guys were already in there with Luna. Zane was holding a bloody towel to her chest.

Barely able to speak, I entered the room and asked, "Luna, are you okay?"