23.3

Lightning danced between me, and the back wall of the elevator. Neither one of the escorts wanted to step in the elevator with us. They were too late by the time the door closed. They'd have to take a different elevator. It didn't take long for us to get to the forth floor.

I pushed off the back wall of the elevator, and walked down the hall. Speeding down the hall at a speed that resembled running while maintaining a walking stride. I sped up as I rounded the corner. I found the door to the temporary lodging Savannah, and Jax had been assigned. I didn't bother to knock since both of my bonded already knew I was here.

Surprising Erik with the sudden intrusion.

"Savannah," I locked my eyes on my trusted bonded, "I came over to visit. I didn't expect Erik to be here." A sly glance toward the guild leader was enough to express some of my displeasure, "What are you doing here Erik?"

I watched his eyes drift down to my chest. A bead of sweat forming on his forehead. He remembered what happened the last time he looked me in the eye.

"What's the matter Erik?" I smirked at his discomfort about the time the other two escorts caught up to me, "Don't try to poach my people again."

My tone was dark. My anger obvious in the mana that swirled around me. I pulled my mana back in slowly. Allowing him to breath easy again. He hadn't seen me at full power.

He had no clue what full power looked like for me. I still wasn't at full power just yet. I amassed maybe half of the total power I could hold. Savannah was hiding a small smile at the mention of her being one of my people. Her bond had advanced a good amount in the last few weeks.

A look down my stats told me that her bond was ready to advance. I'd been so wrapped up in Ethan's advanced bond that I didn't notice the difference in our bond. I didn't know if I was ready for Savannah's bond to advance just yet. I'd let Ethan in completely when I advanced our bond. The thing I was worried about her knowing about was probably my system.

"I thought you were going to meet me at my office," Erik tried to get some confidence back in his voice.

"Why don't we go there now?" I smiled, "You lead."

Erik looked more then a little irritated, but he led the way anyways. I followed him as he walked back toward the elevator. Ethan was in stride with me just behind me. Savannah was with Jax close behind Ethan. Our group drew a lot of curious stares.

My bonded, and I were one thing. The four men escorting us with Erik in the lead. It didn't take us long to walk to his office near the center of the guild. That made me wonder what kind of buildings were along the walls. Surprisingly I was dressed much nicer then most of the guild members.

I smirked at that fact. My clothes would go away if I needed them to, and I could use my mana to repair them. Regular clothes couldn't take damage, and just undo it with time. I sat down in the chair across from him. Savannah, and Jax took the couch to my left.

Ethan just stayed standing by the door. Only one of the escorts actually came in the office with us.

"So you've decided where you want to put us?" I dropped the smirk going all business.

"I'd like to throw you on the front lines," Erik looked at me, "Ethan would go with you, and the other two would..."

"The other two are coming with me," My tone said there would be no argument, "Unless they say differently then they will be traveling with me for this entire trip."

Erik didn't like being interrupted.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Erik started, "It's obvious that you, and Ethan are close, and well versed in fighting in tandem. Savannah, and Jax aren't nearly as quick to react to your moods, and abilities."

I glanced over to Savannah.

{What do you think?} I asked the question to both Savannah, and Jax.

{I think we should stick together,} Savannah tapped her finger on her knee.

I waited several seconds for Jax's reply. He had to think it over more.

{I'd rather be in the fight,} Jax answered slowly.

"Savannah, and Jax stay with me," I refocused on Erik, "I've been helping them improve their ability to cast magic. Unless you have some high level mages around then their studies will stagnate."

Erik looked at the two mages on the couch. I could tell that he was grinding his teeth. He didn't like that we were flat out refusing to play along with whatever plan he was trying to make.

"I'll be sending all three of you to the front lines then," Erik frowned.

"We'll fly south right away then," I stood up casually, "I'm assuming that you want us to follow the orders of whoever's in command down there."

Erik didn't respond. I'd botched his second attempt at poaching my people. Of course he was going to be more then a little irritated with me. We left the office heading for the southern gates. The escorts stayed with us as we walked through the guild.

Distrust, and fear flashed across the faces of the people that now knew for sure who, and what I am. There was no way that someone hadn't helped spread the word along. If I had to guess it had been pushed along on Erik's orders. I didn't like that he was trying to push our tight knit group apart. It was both irritating, and inconvenient.

At the same time I had wanted everyone to know what I was. That was working in my favor. The escorts didn't stay with us once we cleared the gates. I switched to my true form, and invited all my bonded up onto my back. Jumping into the air once they all had a good grip, and heading south.