Aella POVThe Sanctuary was unusually lively that morning.For once, the throne room wasn't filled with discussions about mutants, barriers or bloodlines.Instead, everyone seemed... excited.Order had announced the previous evening that Marcus and Pamela were returning from the Spirit Realm.Even though only a relatively short time had passed for us, the Spirit Realm flowed differently.For them...Two years had gone by.Two years of training.Two years of learning.Two years of growing.I stood beside Sol near the entrance, unable to stop smiling.Queen Samantha, Queen Genoviva, Queen Silveira, Leo, Aurora, Hunter, Chaos and even the babies had gathered to welcome them home.Xander floated impatiently in front of the doorway.Riot kept trying to climb the nearest pillar.Althea sat quietly in a maid's arms, watching the entrance with unusual interest.Then the great doors opened.Marcus walked in first.For a moment...I barely recognized him.He looked older.Not physically.There
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