This chapter is dedicated to icyquest4, who reminded me of the uplifting power of phoenix song. Thank you!

Chapter 4 – The Mages Council

Hera gazed curiously at the remarkable clearing before her. Though she knew she was in a jungle, there was a room somehow incorporated into the foliage. A large white marble platform took up half of the area and upon it was a magnificent navy blue shiny table shaped like a crescent moon. Many strands of lights were woven into the trees above the platform, and were not powered by any source of electricity that Hera could see. Behind the table was a large marble archway framing a corridor which lead to places unknown.

Seated at the table and facing her direction were one of the most beautiful groups of people she had ever seen… all were wearing white silk robes and they had wings like her! She remained partially hidden behind a tree so that she could continue to observe the four strangers without being noticed.

There were three men and a woman, all of which were talking with each other amiably. Two of the men looked so very much alike that Hera kept staring from one to the other, attempting to find a single difference. Both seemed tall like her brother Emmett and had dark, wild hair that reminded her of a lion's mane. They had kind eyes, though, the color of both pairs only a few shades lighter than the table before them. Being ignorant of the concept of identical twins, the little girl shook her head in frustration and focused instead of the woman who was next in line.

Her eyes and wings were almost a slate grey color, and her hair was a beautiful silver that looked almost like a liquid. Hera felt an urge to touch it, but was much too shy. The last man had short spiky hair the color of fire and his wings and eyes were a rich brown. Altogether he reminded the child of the color of trees in autumn. She gasped when she saw that the man on the end had noticed her perusal and was now smiling at her, beckoning her forward!

With four sets of eyes now resting on her, Hera was tempted to run away to find her brothers, but there was something about these people that called to her, making her instinctively trust them. So, after placing her thumb inside her mouth for security, Hera bravely climbed the small set of steps to the platform.

The lone woman gracefully rose from her seat and came around the table to stand before the small child. Never once losing her smile, she knelt down so as to be on a somewhat equal level with the tiny visitor. "Hello little one! What is your name?"

Feeling less shy since she didn't have someone towering over her, Hera removed her thumb and answered the pretty lady. "'M Hewa."

"Hera," she confirmed, beaming when the child nodded sagely. "That is a pretty name, for such a pretty girl." The woman opened her arms and seemed to light up with joy when Hera moved into them with only a brief hesitation. She stood back up with the child safely cradled in her arms. "My name is Ahna, child. These two on the end are Liko and Niko, and my other friend is Rynex."

Each of the men called out a friendly greeting that had Hera relaxing further. She pointed to the two who brought her the most confusion. "T'ame?"

The one named Niko laughed joyously before answering. "We're not the same, little one. We're twin brothers. He leaned closer to the child and mock whispered, "I'm told we look alike, but I think I'm much nicer looking than him, don't you?"

Though she didn't fully understand the question, Hera recognized it as his attempt to make her giggle and so appeased him as Ahna retook her seat with the girl now on her lap. Hera began playing with the tassels of the lady's robe as the adults spoke about her.

"She's so young, Ahna… not even yet a fledgling! How can this be," Rynex exclaimed.

Niko nodded. "She's the youngest yet. Ashtan was only eight summers old before he found himself before us, and his age left us bewildered for a century, if I remember correctly."

"I agree, brother," Liko added. "If she's half as powerful as he was, then perhaps it would be best for her to be brought up with her own kind," he spoke tentatively as if knowing the response to his suggestion would ruffle his companions' feathers.

Rynex's brown eyes narrowed in indignation. "We do not separate younglings from loving families, Liko Mahanne! You know this."

"I do know this! But you know my concerns are valid. Remember Ashtan's fledgling years? Tell me, Rynex… have the mortals yet discovered what became of Atlantis?"

Ahna's soft voice interrupted any rebuttal the auburn-haired phoenix was prepared to make. "She will not remain here. I can sense the bond of her mate pulling her from us as we speak." She gazed at her companions with eyes holding millennia of wisdom and love. "If fate has blessed her by allowing her to find her mate so young, then who are we to interfere?"

Liko sighed despondently, knowing that once Ahna has spoken no one would dare oppose her. "Well I hope she doesn't live in the Virgin Islands. I rather like vacationing there and I'd hate for it to disappear before I get to return."

Ahna's laughter rang through the clearing and made Hera feel giddy with joy. Stealing one last hug from the child, Ahna bade her farewell. "Go, my child. Return to your family before their worry grows any further."

Hera felt the same warmth in her tummy that she did before finding her way here and knew that she was going back home. Right before her vision was obscured by green flames she heard Ahna's voice in her head whispering that they would meet again someday.

Edward felt an unexplainable warmth within his chest a second before the mysterious green fire appeared on Hera's bed. He was up with his arms around his mate even before the flames completely disappeared. When Rosalie tried to snatch Hera from him he bared his teeth and growled at her before backing away from the others while scenting for any trace of blood or illness on the child.

Just as Rosalie was about to tackle Edward, Alice latched onto her. "Not while he's holding Hera, Rose!"

The blonde huffed in response and crossed her arms, glaring daggers at her older brother. "Well, Edward is she okay?"

Her answer was a feral growl. Emotions ran high despite Jasper's efforts at manipulating the air. Knowing he wouldn't succeed until Edward's vampire was out of its feral state, he gave up trying to calm everyone with his gift and resigned himself to the massive headache taking hold inside his skull.

As if sensing the fact that her brother was in pain, Hera peeked her bright green eyes out at Jasper from Edward's protective embrace and began to hum. None of them had ever heard the tune before and were wondering if it was something she'd learned or just made up on the spot. The amazing thing was the fact that Hera's humming infused them all with a sense of joy and contentment.

Jasper couldn't keep the smile off his face as the joy from Hera's song was amplified through the other vampires. He stared in amazement as the phoenix slid down from her suddenly content mate and ran to him. Kneeling down in order to receive the loving hug she offered, Jasper chuckled when Hera asked, "Aw bettah?"

Placing an affectionate kiss on his baby sister's forehead, he nodded. "All better. Thanks, darlin'."

The five eternal teens were relieved when they heard the sound of their father's car pulling into the long drive. Hera looked up with a squeal of delight from her blocks as she caught sight of her mommy and daddy.

Esme rushed around Carlisle, who was carrying their bags, and opened her arms wide. "Oh my sweet little Hera, I'm gonna get you!"

She wasn't expecting her five older children's gasp of horror, followed by a scream of "No!" Edward then pounced on his mate and held her tightly. Esme shared a bewildered look with Carlisle before her husband asked what was wrong.

Alice told them all about Hera's disappearance for hours, and how they never got a single clue out of the child that would suggest to them where she had been other than the fact that she smelled like a rainforest. The pixie-like vampire then summed up what she and the others had decided. "No more chasing games until she's got a handle on flashing. We're going to have to either contact Fredrickson, who has experience with phoenixes or figure out a way to help her ourselves."

Emmett nodded. "I suggested putting the necklace on her that dampens her powers until you guys returned but Edward threatened to barbeque me."

Carlisle plucked the child that had caused so much trouble this weekend from Edward's arms and looked her square in the eye. "Did you flash away, Hera?"

The three-year-old nodded solemnly.

"Do you remember how," he asked and was rewarded with another nod. "Okay. You're not allowed to flash away from us unless we say it's okay. Do you understand?"

Hera snuggled into his shoulder. "O'tay daddy."

Emmett snorted with amusement. "That'll never work!" He turned to Edward and asked, "Will it," in an unsure manner.

Edward just shrugged as he watched his mate reach for Esme. "I guess we'll find out."

This is the end of "Settling In". Thanks again to all the wonderful people who have reviewed and/or favorited my stories. I wasn't expecting a large amount of interest, so believe me when I say each and every one of you have brought me an indescribable amount of joy.

I know many of you are anxious to get to the upcoming Potter drama, but you're just going to have to be patient for a while longer. Hera will be five in the next story, and the Potters won't know the truth about her until she's seven. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but at the same time I want to make it into something that's worth the wait.