Fauna started to walk out of the cave and they followed her. Amor had hope. Perhaps they could find Artis before she hurt herself and put everyone else in danger.

"She's broken and angry and miserable. She cried for a moment, then she... Come on." Fauna almost ran into a wall, but she stopped right in front of it and step sided, then she carried on until they were out in the scorching sun once more.

She realized it was easier to feel Artis while in the cave as it was enclosed. It was a lot wider outside and other emotions rushed to her. There was a fox that was chasing after a very frightened squirrel, but it felt like the fox only wanted to play. There were birds that were returning to their starving chicks. She even felt an owl throwing its terrified young one out of the nest so it could fly on its own.

Where was Artis?

Fauna turned around, then around again as she desperately tried to block out the other creatures that passed that particular spot. There was a snake which was resting after the huge meal it had, but it was startled by something... Artis was the something.

"I've got her again." Fauna's voice was loud and unexpected, it caused Ava to jump and let out a small squeak which she tried to cover up with a light chuckle. "She headed... No! That's not..."

From where she was standing, Fauna tried to smell where the path lead to while simultaneously feeling for Artis to make sure she stayed on the path.

"What's wrong, Fauna?" Amor was worried. Even though Fauna wasn't paying attention to her, it was hard to miss it. She was worried and she was frightened for her friend.

"There's a waterfall close to my territory. This path leads to the land below that waterfall." Fauna reached even further. If Artis was going to water, why didn't she just swim? Maybe she didn't want to be found by the other merfolks? "There's a path beside the water. There are boulders all around it and well... It seems like she's there. She feels angry. Very angry."

"Is she safe? Is she cornered?" Ava's voice was small and all excitement was drained from it.

Fauna felt like her eyes and ears were going to pop. She had never reached that far before. Her head felt like it was going to explode and her chest hurt. She needed to stop. She needed to breathe, but she had to hold on just longer. Why exactly was the mermaid there?

"I can't smell that far, so I can't say. All I know is that she's angry... Well, anger is what she's letting herself feel right now. There's a lot of grief in there. A lot! She wants to kill someone. She's determined to kill – wait a minute..."

Fauna was suddenly disconnected from the livid mermaid. Someone was there. Someone was there earlier. Someone that made her skin crawl and the hairs on the back of her neck rise. He was brimming with malicious intent and his usual narcissistic view on things.

"Her daughter is dead... And I know who killed her." Fauna finally opened her eyes.

She didn't need to feel the emotions of others to read the pain that was on Amor's face. Ava staggered backwards a couple of steps as though she was physically hit. Despite everything, they had hoped the child was still alive. Unfortunately, that wasn't so.

Somehow, Ari had found out merfolks existed. Somehow, he had gotten his hands on one, and he probably got bored of her because when he got tired of what he described as his toys, he simply discarded them.

"I think you should swim there. I'll run and we'll catch up. It's at least a day's journey and you won't make it in this sun."

There was no way they would last. Ava's skin was already rapidly drying up and though she refused to say, Fauna could tell she was desperate for water. The young girl had probably never been in the sun before.

She thought about Lyle and the other merfolks. They had been out for a long time. Were they okay?

Amor turned to Fauna. She had rearranged her face to a stoic one and Fauna could tell that whatever she was about to say, she wouldn't like it.

"I can't leave you on your own. I'm sorry. But you're right to say we won't make it in the sun." She grabbed her daughter's hand and with her other hand, took Fauna's and led them back into their cave.

"What then are we going to do? We can't leave Artis there, can we?" Ava looked up at her mother with huge glossy eyes. It wasn't fun anymore and though she knew she wasn't supposed to show vulnerability; she couldn't help it.

"We go. Fauna, you stay," Amor made up her mind and Fauna shook her head. Surely, they didn't expect her to sit still and do nothing. She started to shake her head, but Amor was quick to speak up. "We don't have time for this. I know you mean well, but I also need you to be safe. We can't lose you again."

She placed her palms on the girl's shoulder and Fauna saw the sincerity in her eyes. In that moment, she wasn't just Lyle anymore. She was a woman who loved her. A woman who watched her grow and was devastated when she went missing. A woman who would so anything to keep her and her son happy. She didn't like it, but she understood Amor was just being protective, so she nodded to show she understood.

Amor offered a genuine smile before she stepped away. Ava looked at Fauna with huge golden eyes before she wrapped her little arms around her. Fauna hugged her back. She wanted her to stay, she was too young for this, but she felt it was important to them both. Ava was also a leader of the merfolks and she had to show up for those who needed her.

Fauna thought the merfolks and the bears were lucky to have Amor and her children.

When Ava let go of her, Fauna pressed her palm against her chest, then with a small bow of her head, she extended her palm to Amor who reciprocated the gesture. Then, the mermaids were on their way, leaving Fauna alone feeling more useless than a mermaid child.

The air seemed thinner and heavier; Fauna could barely breathe. She paced as she laced and unlaced her fingers. Her legs suddenly buckled beneath her and she fell to the ground with a soft groan. Her eyes watered and a splitting ache formed in her head. Something was wrong. Something was awfully wrong.

The pain dissipated into nothingness before she could figure it out and she just stayed on the ground for a bit as she tried to catch her breath. She racked her brain with a plausible explanation for the weird feeling. She knew for sure that she sensed danger, but who was in danger?

Artis didn't seem in danger when she felt her. She was simply angry and grieving. Ava and Amor were in the water and Fauna believed they would be safe as long as they transported using water. Was it Lyle? Could he be leading his people into danger? No. He was smarter than that. And strong. Lyle was strong and could take care of himself. Moreover, he had Saber and Zara.

However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was awfully wrong, so she stood up and decided to head out in search for her mate.

It was easy to pick up his emotions when she was above and she had a feeling it was because they were mates and hence connected. She ran in the direction that he did, paying no attention to everything that was happening around her. The only thing she was aware of was the dark voice at the back of her mind that was telling her that something was wrong and there was nothing she could do about it.

Could it be the full moon? Lyle did say it was messing with her emotions. Was that all it was? She tried to convince herself, but she wasn't so sure.

She stopped running when she smelt Saber in the distance. He was beside Lyle and they were by a pond. The merfolks had stopped to dip themselves, but they didn't seem too happy about it. Lyle especially. Beneath the anger and worry, Fauna could sense his helplessness.

He was the first to look up and his eyes met with hers. Immediately, they softened and Fauna felt his emotions brighten a little bit. It made her happy to think she was capable of making him feel a little better.

She approached them and Saber looked up at her and furrowed his brows, then he spared her a small smile. At least, he wasn't completely shutting her out anymore. That was a good thing she couldn't take for granted.

"What are you doing here? You should be back in the cave." Saber's voice was stern and filled with care, but his smile told her he was happy she was okay.

Lyle who had his legs dipped in the water gestured for her to sit by him. She obliged as she looked around. The two other mermen who were morphed in the water smiled politely at her and she mirrored the expression before she turned to Saber.

"I found Artis. Amor and Ava have gone to get her. Ari killed her girl." Fauna sighed as she felt the disappointment and sadness of the mermen present. Thankfully, the other two didn't say anything to her. They simply murmured to themselves.

"I was worried about you being out of water for so long, so I came to find you," she leaned her head on her mate's shoulder and smiled at his sharp intake of air. "Where's Zara?"

"She's with another search party. She insisted they needed someone to take care of them," Lyle explained and Fauna nodded. That sounded a lot like Zara.

They were quiet for a moment and Fauna watched the two men discuss in the water. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could feel their sadness. They really cared about Artis and her young one and had hoped they were okay. It saddened her that she had to destroy their hope, but it wasn't like she could hide the truth.

The environment was somewhat serene. The pond was located in a slightly deserted hill. There were barely any trees present and it was quiet. The sky was clear and a cloud had covered the sun, providing them with some shade. It was a shame she couldn't enjoy the peace.

How could she? Her insides were still twisted in knots and she felt like she would throw up.

"What's wrong?" Lyle looked down at her, but she offered him a smile. He was already bothered enough as it was. She didn't want to add to the list of things that were troubling him.

"I think we should round up the search party and head back," Saber suggested and Lyle nodded.

"I have already sent a signal to the sky. Only merfolks can see it. I've received responses from three groups. Remaining one."

Fauna thought it was incredible, but she didn't say anything. Lyle looked to the sky for a moment, then he nodded. She sat straight, allowing him to pull his legs from the water and stand, then he stretched his hand out to her which she took.

"Let's get going then. Everyone is safe and accounted for."

They made it to the caves without encountering much trouble other than the time they had to hide from cheetahs who were going to a run.

The temperature change they felt once they were below was like a slap to the face for Fauna and it took a couple of seconds and the help of her magical clothing for her body to adapt to the biting cold.

They headed to the clearing where everyone was already gathered. Amor was Ava were back with Artis, but they were in the water. The others were above and Doka was addressing everyone. The fear in the area was too overbearing for Fauna, she didn't think she could deal with it.

Luckily, she was surrounded by the most amazing people. Realizing her discomfort, Lyle gestured to Saber, Zara and Honey and together, the five of them retreated to Fauna's room. Fauna and Lyle sat atop her levitating bed, Zara took the hammock while Saber and Honey took the couch and they were all happy they could finally relax.

"Amor said she smelled someone. She got there in time to whisk Artis away. I think a lion was approaching the territory," Honey narrated and Fauna bit the inside of her cheeks, not knowing what to say.

"All thanks to Fauna." Zara beamed at her friend. Someone had helped Zara tame her hair and braid it into a ponytail.

Zara looked the least stressed amongst all of them. She even seemed to have put on a little flesh. Her cheeks were flushed with colour and she had freckles characterizing her face along with the small red heart tattooed beside her cheek. She dangled on the hammock like a cub and her violet eyes were bright and intense as always.

"You were really good out there." Lyle nudged her gently, though Fauna noticed he avoided her eyes.

Something was bothering Lyle and the fact that he refused to talk about it bothered Fauna. What exactly was he keeping from her?

"I didn't do much, really." She modestly smiled. "I just..." Fauna trailed off. She felt like the air suddenly got knocked out of her and she would have fallen over if Lyle wasn't quick enough to catch her.

"What's wrong?" He asked and Saber and Zara rushed to her, concern in their eyes.

She looked around as she drew in deep breaths. She was fine. She could breathe fine again.

She tried to smile at them, but Lyle suddenly frowned as he raised his hand that wasn't keeping her from falling to her forehead.

"She's burning up," he told their friends.

Saber started to say something but his voice was distorted to Fauna. The room started to blur around Fauna and she stared around frantically as she tried to clear her head. It wasn't working.

Fauna felt like she was swimming, but she wasn't sure. She didn't even think she was moving. All she was sure of was that something was wrong, and not just with her. She still hadn't shaken off the hunch of danger. Something was wrong, and she couldn't do anything about it.

"She's really burning up bad! We should get her into the water." Fauna heard Lyle. She thought he sounded desperate, but she wasn't sure.

She felt him scoop her up. His body was cool, but it did nothing to soothe her.

Her heart was pounding and she could hear her pulse drumming in her ears, distracting her from everything else. Her body was flooded with more adrenaline than usual and the ache in her head made her feel like it was about to split into two.

Just when she thought she had gotten the worst of it, Fauna felt hot. She trashed around as she felt like she was suddenly plunged into an inferno. Why was she so hot? What was happening? Someone was in danger and she couldn't do anything about it.

But, who?

"You're okay, dear Fauna. I'm here, and you're going to be okay."

Lyle's voice in her head only made her feel worse. It felt too loud, but at the same time, it felt like it was coming from very far away.

She was suddenly dropped into cold water and she heard the sizzling sound as it made contact with her skin. Lyle was still holding on to her, that much she knew. She also knew that the water wasn't really doing much to cool her. She wanted to tell Lyle that something big and scary was coming, but she couldn't get words out.

"I'm going to get my mom!" Lyle decided, seeing as his mate wasn't getting any better. He didn't want to leave her side, but he needed to make sure she was okay.

Before he could let go of her though, Doka and Penny barged into the room and looked around until their eyes landed on Fauna and Lyle in her bath. Honey rushed to them and started explaining everything, but Doka seemed to already know what was going on.

"Zara, go tell Ava and the other merfolks they need to ready the clearing!" Doka barked and Zara looked to Fauna, then to Doka. She didn't want to leave her friend, and it wasn't like Doka was telling her what exactly was going on.

"NOW!" Doka screamed, causing Zara to jump in fright, and the tigress was barely ever frightened. Her nose was red and she felt a sob get stuck in her throat, but she nodded and ran out of the cave, hoping and praying to all the dragons that Fauna would stay safe.

She couldn't lose her friend. She just couldn't.

"I should help them," Lyle offered, but Doka shook his head.

"You can't leave her side. She needs your strength if she's going to stay alive."

Lyle swallowed hard and nodded. She was going to stay alive. She had to.

"What's going on here?" Saber asked just as a deafening crack was suddenly heard and they all turned to Fauna who was screaming in pain. Her arm was bent at an awkward angle and it was most definitely broken.

Lyle felt every pain she felt, but he couldn't allow himself react. He couldn't allow himself wince or cry out or show any discomfort. He didn't mind feeling her pains. He didn't mind trying to take some of it away, but what he couldn't stand was her screams.

"I'll get her to the clearing then. Obviously, there's no time." He told Doka as he carried her in his arms.

He had definitely caught on and he knew he had to act fast. They all did if they wanted Fauna to stay alive.

'Please, dear dragons, keep my mate safe!' Lyle offered a silent prayer.