Circe returned with her kill and was greeted by three very hungry tigers. After their meal, Cloud took Circe aside. 'You never hunt this long,' the powerful animal said. 'I had a visitor,' Circe responded. 'Who?' Cloud inquired, his silver-blue eyes filled with wonder and fear. 'My guardian,' Circe met his eyes with a look that assured him she was in no danger. The rest of the day the two tigers rested, all the while keeping a watchful eye on their cubs.
Lily and Alana were just starting to learn the skills of hunting and enjoyed practicing stalking each other. Unfortunately, Alana, being the younger of the two was not as strong as her sister and tended to lose the battles fought between them. This day, Lily was very aggressive and leapt out of some low brush and tackled her. The look in her crystalline blue eyes was one of great power. This was no longer a game but reality to the young tigress and she let it be known. She extended her claws and made to hurt her younger sister. Circe, sensing a change in her cub's behavior, quickly slunk over to them. Seeing the fire in Lily's eyes, Circe grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and pinned her to the ground. 'Enough Lily,' the fearsome tigress said. 'Leave her be. Tomorrow I will take you hunting with me.' Cloud went over to his youngest cub and nestled her. 'She is too old for such play now Alana,' he whispered gently. 'You must accept this and become ready to hunt for real prey soon.'
Meanwhile, in the heavens Demia heard of Vetus Tutela's visit to Circe. She demanded the guardian's presence immediately. "You called for me?" Vetus Tutela asked timidly, her eyes cast down. She couldn't bring herself to meet the eyes of the most powerful goddess in the heavens. "You have spoken with your mistress haven't you?" Demia demanded, making every effort to cause discomfort. "Yes," Vetus Tutela mumbled. "What was your purpose for seeing her?" Demia continued. "It was�was to warn her of your plans," Vetus Tutela said, raising her eyes and meeting Demia's with a defiant look. "How dare you!" Demia screamed. "It is my sole duty to protect the ancient enchantress and protect her I shall!" Vetus Tutela said proudly. "Guards!" Demia yelled angrily. "Lock her away," she commanded viciously. And so, Vetus Tutela was locked away on command of the sun goddess.
As the days past, Circe looked for any sign of her guardian. On the fifth day, the day after the fourth setting of the sun, the tigress was very vigilant in her search for the young woman whom had sworn her eternal service, divinus aeternitas. She had brought Lily with her and kept the young predator close, fearing some cheetah or lion would attack. 'Mother, what are you searching for?' Lily asked as the two of them stopped just feet from where Circe had last seen Vetus Tutela. 'Food of course,' the tigress answered. 'You're looking for something else. I can sense it,' Lily continued. Circe did not respond to her daughter. She was too busy searching for her guardian, a flash of white from her dress, her mystical blue eyes or shiny brown hair. Her voice, any sign of her at all.
Circe turned to Lily. 'Stay here until I return for you,' she said. 'I thought we were hunting together?' Lily responded, puzzlement in her eyes. 'We will, but I think I heard something over amongst those trees and I don't want you getting hurt,' Circe lied. She headed off towards the trees and silently called out to her guardian. If the young woman were close enough, she would be able to hear the enchantress and answer her. However, on this day, Vetus Tutela was as far from Circe as Demia could get her. Instead of Vetus Tutela, Circe found something unexpected.
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