Penelope couldn't believe that the winter break was more than halfway over. She had enjoyed the time with the human family she lived with. They were a large family, ten kids in all, including her, so the holidays were always a noisy affair. She glanced at the calendar. The year was almost over. She needed to meet up with Liz and Sera and have some girl time.
She was sure that being stuck at home with her horrible family was probably wearing on Sera's nerves right about now. She picked up her phone and tried to call Sera. She frowned when it went to voicemail. She then tried texting. Her frown deepened. Sera always answered immediately, even if it meant just a quick text saying she'd text back in a few minutes.
Unease filled her. She called Liz. She wasn't surprised when her werewolf friend picked up on the first ring.
"What's up, Pen?"
"Have you talked to Sera lately?"
Liz's silence spoke volumes. "Liz, tell me," ordered Penelope.
"She's missing. We don't know where she is."
"We?"
"Romeo, George, and Danny have been trying for over a week to get in touch with her. They even called Al, but he gave them some lame ass story about Sera being on vacation. I'm really worried, Pen. I think her bitch sister did something to her."
Penelope silently ground her teeth. Damnit! She should have known something would happen after the dance went so well. Maybe her senses and powers were getting rusty. The first time she'd touched Sera, she'd felt that the girl was special. After seeing the Poten pendant around her neck, she became even more convinced. She had planned to talk to Sera during the break.
Angry at her lapse of judgment, she drummed her fingers on her desk.
"Pen, you still there?"
"Yep, just thinking. Look, I'm going to get off here and do some digging. Maybe I can find her."
"You mean it? I've tried everything on my side, and we've come up blank. Romeo isn't doing any better."
"I know shifters are strong and have some amazing abilities. Sometimes it takes old-fashioned detective work. Trust me, Liz, I've got this."
"I do trust you, Pen. You've never let me down before. I'll call Romeo and let him know I have some help in tracking Sera."
"Don't tell him about me, Liz," Penelope gently reminded her.
"Don't worry, Guardian of Fire. I won't let your secret slip."
"Good. I'll call you when I have news."
"Alright, later," Liz said and hung up.
Penelope rose, threw on a coat, and hurried outside. She loved her human family, but they didn't need to get wrapped up in the world of the paranormal. She made her way to the backyard fence and slid quietly out it into the forest behind the house. She walked for about a mile before stopping at an ancient tree.
"Hello, my friend." She caressed the tree and grinned when a small tremor ran beneath her fingers in greeting. "Please open the pathway."
She stepped back and watched as the tree's trunk parted, revealing darkness. Grinning, Penelope stepped inside. She was in darkness for mere seconds before the world became bright. She glanced about and spotted Griff, Drake, and Karl lounging on their thrones.
"Hello, Penelope, you're late," teased Drake.
"Am I?" she retorted before chuckling. "No, I do believe I'm right on time."
"True," added Karl with a laugh. "Usually we're late."
"At least you know your personalities well," she sassily replied.
Griff shifted on his throne, his eyes shining with curiosity. "You didn't come to banter, did you, Penelope?"
She shook her head. "No. There is news I have to share first. Then we need to come up with a plan of action."
She watched as Drake and Karl stiffened, all playfulness vanishing as the heat of their gazes landed on her.
"We're listening," said Karl.
"It's about Sera. I have to backtrack to what happened last month and go from there."
She waited until they all nodded agreement before explaining to them about the incident at the internship with Sera and her sister Amy. Penelope also told them about Sera having the Poten guardian pendant and how many things about Sera and Amy made sense after that day.
"I've been watching over her quietly to protect her from harm. I'm surprised Autem is using Sera. I'm amazed, as well, that we couldn't sense her Poten energy. It makes me wonder if our senses are dulling because we've been on Earth so long."
"Maybe Autem did something to hide her scent?" mused Drake.
Karl shrugged. "Maybe. I mean, it could be a protection from the darkness."
They grew silent as they contemplated Autem's possible reasons for hiding Sera.
"Well, worrying about it won't get us information. Drake, I would like you to use your seeking magic to find her. Liz's wolves came up empty. They've got the best noses, but even the physical senses can be fooled by magic."
"Sure, I'll give it a go. Before that, does Romeo know Sera is missing?"
"Yes. He tried getting information from Al, but the information was false."
"Dealing with humans will complicate things. No matter," Drake waved his hand about dismissively. "Time to get started."
Drake closed his eyes as his body was encased in a soft golden glow. Penelope felt the rise of Drake's magic and then, with an audible pop, waves of golden magic slammed outward and disappeared. Everyone's eyes were locked on Drake's face. It felt like an eternity before he spoke, his tone exasperated.
"I can't find her!"
"This is not good. Do you think maybe the darkness has her?" voiced Karl.
"I hope not. I've been sensing traces of it in the area for the last year. No matter how much I look, I can never catch its tail," growled Griff.
Penelope agreed. "We've all caught hints of it. Autem placed us here to guard this place and contain the darkness. Sera's arrival here changes things. She has the pendant. We need to tell her who we are and protect her at all costs until Autem's will is fulfilled."
"Damn him for dragging an innocent Poten into this fight with the darkness. I know we can't let the goddess revive, but he shouldn't be using mortal vessels in this fight of gods and legends," snapped Drake. "He's making everything harder for us and putting Sera in danger."
"We also have to keep Romeo in mind. He's human, and we can't have collateral damage," sighed Penelope. "I hate complications. This is why I wish Autem would release us from our oath."
"You know he won't ever do that," grumped Griff, crossing his arms across his chest. "He is always making schemes to make sure his grand plan never collapses. Plus, if the Poten, Cornibus, and the others stop worshipping him, he would lose power and fall prey to the darkness.
"True," murmured Karl. "We'll keep looking for her. I have a feeling she will turn up sooner rather than later."
Penelope smiled. Karl's sensitivity to possibilities was strong. If he had a "feeling," it usually came true.
"Well, I'll go back now and let Liz know to keep searching because we'll be doing the same."
"Keep us updated, Penelope," urged Drake.
"Sure thing. I'm out." She waved bye and returned the way she came.
She stepped from the tree and glanced up at the sky. "Don't worry, Sera. I will find you soon." Penelope clenched her fist and made her way back to her human family.