C68

"I wish we had some good news, but there is nothing," Laura said sadly, her face dropping. "The books in this library go back thousands of years but we have found nothing that can help us."

"Don't give up hope," Indianna said. "I'll give you a hand. I have nothing else to do."

"Well, pick up a book and start reading," Laura said and Mark passed her a heavy, leather-bound book with faded writing on the front. "If there is anything even remotely useful in it then it goes on the pile by the staircase, if it's not useful it goes on the pile by the window."

There was only one obvious pile: the one by the window. It was stacked high with books that Laura and Mark had looked through and found to be unhelpful.

Indianna made her way to a chair and sat down, opening the book. She looked around at the library and swallowed. There were thousands of books. Was it possible that one of them had something that could help them?

*

Two hours had passed and no progress had been made. Indianna was on her fourth book. She sighed and turned another page, her eyes scanning the words for anything that could be of use.

"Nothing," she sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Absolutely noth-"

The door to the library swung open and Indianna was shocked to see Lily walk in. She was dressed in all black and her blonde hair was scraped up into a bun. Indianna spotted the knife tucked into her boots and her crossbow was swung over her shoulder. It was shocking to think that this girl was only fifteen years old. She wasn't even old enough to shift, yet she walked with the confidence that many adults struggled to gain.

"Lily, hi," Indianna called, smiling at the blonde teenager. She placed her book on the side and gripped the arms of the chair, pushing herself up. "Are you okay?"

Lily barely glanced at Indianna, her eyes were scanning the library, searching for something. "I'm looking for something," she said and finally looked at Indianna. "Don't trouble yourself by getting up, Indianna."

"Looking for what?" Indianna asked and approached Lily.

"A book," Lily said. "How well do you know this library?"

"Not at all really, but I'm sure Laura will be able to help-"

"Laura? Greyson's mother? She's here?" Lily asked, her body stiffening. "I'll come back another time."

"She was just around the back-"

"I'll come back another time."

"Wait a minute," Indianna said firmly but her voice was gentle. Lily paused, respecting Indianna's order. "Why do you not want to see Laura?"

"I'm trying to keep away from as many people from my past as possible," Lily said dismissively. "It won't do any good to form attachments. Laura and Mark were close friends of my parents. I don't want to have to deal with them-"

"Well, you're going to have to." Laura had emerged from behind one of the large bookcases, her arms full of books. She looked Lily up and down and smiled. "My dear, you've grown into a gorgeous young woman."

Lily sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, avoiding Laura's curious eyes. "Thanks, but I really should be going."

"You and Harry have many things in common, don't you?" Laura said gently.

Lily's eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"

"Relationships don't come easy, do they? You cut yourself off from people. He does the same. Well, he did the same until he met Brooke."

"Yeah, well, when you grow up alone you tend not to get close to people," Lily said. "I've survived this long without anyone, I plan on continuing that. I should get going-"

"Didn't you come here looking for something?" Laura asked. "I miss your parents deeply, Lily, please let me do what I can to help you. If we get rid of Rogue I will get my oldest friends back, your parents. Please, let me help you."

Lily's eyes flickered to Indianna who nodded. "Fine," she muttered. "I'm looking for a book."

"About?" Laura asked.

"The Royals," Lily said. "It's some stupid children's book, but I need it."

Indianna blinked and she looked at Laura with wide eyes. "A children's book?"

"That's what I said," Lily nodded. "Do you know of any children's books about the Royals?"

"We do, actually," Indianna said. "Laura gave it to me as a present," she rubbed her stomach, "for them."

"I need it," Lily said immediately. "I've been researching something and I think the book is the key."

"Researching what?" Indianna asked.

"It's just a children's book, what help can that be?" Laura wondered.

"Do you have it or not?" Lily asked, narrowing her eyes in irritation.

"We do, but can you tell us what you plan on doing with it?" Indianna asked, raising her eyebrows at the stubborn teenager. "We all need to work together."

Lily sighed and turned to Indianna, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm going to resurrect the Royal family."

"You're... What?" Indianna gasped. "Are they even real?"

"That's what I'm going to try and find out," Lily said. "They kept the peace once, maybe they can do it again. If they actually do exist."

"But they've not been around for hundreds and hundreds of years!" Laura gasped. "Why do you think a children's book can help you find them?"

"Well, if you get it for me then maybe we'll all get the answers we want?" Lily said, raising her eyebrows impatiently.

Indianna nodded. "I'll go and-"

Indianna was interrupted by Greyson's voice in her head. She felt his emotions and tensed. He was on edge. *Sugar, where are you?*

*In the library with Lily-*

*Rogue is here.*

"Shit," Indianna gasped and looked at Lily. "You need to hide, now!"

*I've tried to stop him but he's pretty adamant about seeing his sister on Christmas Day.*

"Rogue is here," Indianna said and made her way to the door. "I'll try and stop him from coming in. Laura, you need to hide some of these books. Lily-"

"He cannot know about me-"

"Yes, I'm very aware of that, Lily," Indianna called and gripped the door handle. "Hide yourself, now!" Indianna watched as Lily disappeared into the library and she exited, looking out into the empty hallway, taking a deep breath. She made her way to the end of the corridor just as Rogue turned the corner.

"Ah, little sister, just the person I was looking for!" Rogue said. "Merry Christmas."

Indianna forced a smile, stopping in front of him. "Merry Christmas."

"Walk with me, sister," Rogue ordered and Indianna followed him through the house and outside, they walked through the woods but stayed near the house. "Are you enjoying your day? It's a wonderful holiday, isn't it?"

"It's certainly not what I expected," Indianna said. She looked down at her feet and saw that Rogue was wearing bright red socks with snowmen on them, they were pocking out of his shoes.

"I just love Christmas," Rogue mused. "I remember the last Christmas I had with our parents."

"You do?"

"I do. It's funny how they showed me so much love once upon a time. It was only months later when they threw me out."

"What are you doing today?" Indianna asked, quickly changing the subject. "Are you spending it with Stacey?"

"I am," Rogue nodded. "She would love it if you joined us for dinner tonight."

Indianna stiffened. "Oh. I would love to, but..." Indianna struggled to think of an excuse. "Greyson is back and we were all going to have dinner with his family and-"

"I understand," Rogue said calmly. "You have commitments with them."

"You do?"