It only took one minor misunderstanding to start a riot in the bar. It wasn't my misunderstanding though, that credit goes completely to Liz.

She squeals in laughter as she ducks, dodging a flying mug of crystal ale. All around us joyous shouts of men and women echo, the patrons howling as they hurl various objects back and forth, all the while taking cover behind overturned pine tables whenever the need arises.

Liz takes my arm as she pulls me behind another table nearby, resting her back against it and wheezing with laughter. "I was just pushing him, I didn't think he'd actually do it," she manages between breaths, bringing her arms around her stomach as she drowns in glee.

"Which means we better leave before he comes collecting that kiss he thinks you promised," I say, grinning.

The smile escapes her face, replaced with a nonchalant smirk. "Good point."

I spot a familiar raven head two tables away, crouched on all fours behind a table barrier, like us. Ethan looks up and meets my eye, then he motions to Justin and the two crawl their way towards us, joining us behind our chosen table.

Vibrations ring through the wood as a glass mug smashes to pieces on the other side. I feel them carry over in my spine, traveling to my toes.

"Elizabeth Miranda Otium I specifically told you to stay out of trouble. We were supposed to meet Sheriff Lau here!" Ethan scolds, nostrils flaring.

"It's not her fault, Hulk Hogan over there was not giving up- we had to shake him off somehow," I defend, glancing towards Liz. She nods in agreement, flashing me a thumbs-up.

"Right, and I suppose she told you egging him on and provoking him was the only way he'd leave?" Ethan counters, eyebrows raised in challenge.

I freeze, realizing that his words hit bullseye. That's exactly what Liz told me.

"How'd you...?"

"It's her most basic ploy, I've been dealing with it since the eighth grade. Elizabeth here thrives on chaos, and she'll manage to convince you it's necessary."

I turn to Liz, lips pursed. She shrugs sheepishly, managing an awkward chuckle.

Justin sighs, his sigh soon shifting to a light laugh. "Liz we've been in Neris for only fifteen minutes, how did you even manage to turn The Belly Boomerang upside down?"

"One of my many endearing qualities, good sir," she replies, giggling.

Then she sits up straight, her midnight eyes sparkling. "This is prime pickpocketing weather," she states, rolling her shoulders.

"How do you even know that?" Justin asks, shaking his head as he watches her.

"My ma used to be a pickpocket in her heyday, supposedly legendary. It's how she met pops," Liz recounts.

Justin nods, impressed. "That explains a lot actually."

Ethan looks up from the phone he was preoccupied with for the past few minutes and says, "I spoke with John, he said to meet him and Lau at the sixth victim's crime scene, Queen's Court Diner."

We all nod in agreement, following closely behind Ethan as he cautiously crawls his way across the floor of The Belly Boomerang.

We quickly push through the peeling lime green gates and exit the local bar. I take a deep breath, drinking in the fresh air.

As the four of us walk down the sloping cement sidewalk, all I can think about is this town, Neris. It's been four days since I was told about the way things work here, and it still amazes me. This beautiful town is what is known as a 'Star Station' by other mages. A town heavily populated with magical beings, a town where the residing invads are not only aware but accepting. Which explains why the Sheriff Department asked for our help.

I can't help but wonder, what are the other Star Stations in the US? What about ones in Canada? Or anywhere else for that matter? Surely places like these exist all around the world.

We reach Queen's Court Diner with a few minutes of brisk walking. The golden paper mache crown encompassing the entire roof and the angled cobblestone turrets on the towers flanking each side of the building indicate this is one of those 'themed' places.

My suspicions are confirmed when we arrive at the entrance and are greeted by a woman dressed in medieval maiden clothes. She adjusts her white cotton bonnet and clasps her hands in front of her.

Offering us a sincere smile she says, "I'm very sorry but for the time being, the Court is closed to the public. The Queen will greet you all with a grand feast in a fortnight, please grace us with all of your attendances then, thank you."

The four of us exchange glances, unsure of exactly how to respond. I'm stumped because I'm not sure what type of English I should respond with.

Fortunately, we're spared of decision making by John. He hastily exits the Diner and joins us outside. John informs the woman we are with the Sheriff, like him. She nods impassively, herding us inside.

The tables, while separated like any other diner, are made of magnificent mahogany with carved edges and shaped in such a way that together, they give the illusion of one massive round table. The type a King feasts on.

"I know this is wrong to say, considering the reason we're here, but I love themed places," Justin whispers as his head continues to swivel in every direction.

"Yeah, me too," I concur, mirroring his actions.

We walk down the right side of the diner, stopping beside one of the last booths near the back. Sheriff Lau stands beside John, the two of them whispering away. Once the Sheriff notices us, she straightens and addresses us in a uniform tone.

"The sixth victim, Roman Shay, was found in this booth five days ago." She gestures to the booth beside us and continues, "He was here all day before someone noticed there was anything wrong. Nobody can recall when he was brought in or who brought him in. Forensics have already investigated every inch of this building, as well as a fifty-yard radius. However, as you know, there are certain things forensic does not cover. Therefore, I will leave your team with this task."

Sheriff Lau then nods briefly to us once before exiting the diner. So, we have to investigate this place... how exactly?

"I have to handle a conflicting witness account. Roman's sister says one thing and his wife another. Once you lot finish up here come join me at the Neris Mage Bureau. Sage, I'll send you the address," John explains and he too leaves.

"Since you two are veterans at this, mind filling us in on what exactly we're supposed to be doing?" I ask, glancing at both Ethan and Liz.

Ethan slides into the booth we're standing near and places his hands on the table, folded neatly. "We're supposed to be investigating the crime scene from a magic oriented perspective."

"First," he continues, "we need to do a scan of the floor, ceiling, and walls. We need to make sure there's nothing in them. Liz, will you?"

"My pleasure your majesty," she chimes, bowing in a grand manner. She then squares her shoulders and firmly plants her feet. Moments of stillness pass before she inhales deeply. The air around us becomes charged, the hems of our t-shirts beginning to float.

"Alright, I'm beginning the checking. So far, I see nothing extraordinary. Plaster and wood, the usual," she explains, thoroughly examining the walls. When she faces us, I see the change I've become so used to in the past few days. Her dark eyes are now a misty grey and the metallic silver markings around her right eye are shining.

The marking on her top lid sits in the shape of dramatic eyeliner, ending with a single sharp wing. The lower half markings are almost twice as thick, with three ascending wings on the outside. On the inner part below her eye, there are three tiny solid semi-circles.

This is her guardian mode, one that shakes me every time I see it. The air guardian, emanating power.

With her second sight, she can look through various objects of varying thickness and properties, the way air flows through objects.

Finally, she stops and shakes her head 'no'. Her markings disappear and her eyes revert back to black.

"Which means it's my turn," Ethan states. He pulls himself out of the booth and stands in the aisle, perched against the table.

We experience the same static around us as before, the physical feel of another gaurdian's power. The feel of one of us slipping into guardian mode. Ethan's grey eyes turn a blazing yellow, as if the sun was at home in his eyes.

His markings are around his left eye. One small golden vertical spike on the arch of his top lid and three vertical spikes underneath. The middle spike is long, leveling with his nose, while the ones on each side are shorter and rest on his cheekbone.

The golden of his markings is breathtaking. I want to feel the burning shine under my fingertips.

He takes his time, walking around the entire diner. Analyzing each side of the room then turning to look at another.

Finally Ethan stops and faces us, his eyebrows scrunching together as he frowns deeply. "I see nothing..." he trails off.

"How's that possible? How far back are you reading?" Justin asks.

"Around six days, when Roman should have been brought in. I'm excluding movements that correspond with regular patrons. Checking specifically for ones that are irregular and trace to this booth."

"And of course, you won't see Roman's signature since he didn't have one, what with the whole 'dead' thing," Liz mumbles.

"But he didn't walk here on his own, some person had to have brought him..." I trail off, unable to make sense of the situation.

Ethan rests a hand under his chin, lost in thought. He quietly says, "but living things always have a heat signature. Living things can always be read by me. People can't hide from my sight."

I take a moment before asking the questioning all of us are wondering.

"What does this mean?"

"I... don't know."

/\/\/\*/\/\/\

What are your thoughts on the chapter?

Any theories on what is happening? I'd love to hear them :D

Also, what could Justin's second sight be? And Tori's?

Please vote if you liked the chapter, it means a lot!

Chp pic: [will be up shortly]