"About what?"
"Having a kid."
"Nothing. I can't have one with Jackson, so I won't have one."
"Mom said he'd be okay with you doing… whatever they call it."
"Well, I wouldn't." She stood. "I'm going to unpack, see you later."
"I got your back, whatever happens."
She held her palm to his cheek, appreciation apparent in her smile. "Thanks. That means more than you know."
*****
The sound of a helicopter brought everyone to attention. Elisabeth rushed out with the masses to greet the five Elders. She and Thomas found their parents and stood with the rest of the ruling pack as Lucas, Xavier, Jeremiah, Artemis and Gideon climbed out of the helicopter and approached the throng.
Someone handed Artemis a microphone. He held his other hand in the air and bellowed, "Welcome to the two-thousand thirteen Wolf Moon Festival. Let the games begin."
A roar erupted that shook the ground. The attendees howled and clapped while the elders marched to the resort, their entourage parting the sea of people. Xavier leveled his eyes on Elisabeth as he passed, not a hint of warmth intended.
Thomas grabbed her shoulders, breaking through her anxiety. "You-me-the grappling ring-now."
He led her through the crowd announcing, "Sidwell sibs rematch. Come one, come all!"
A large crowd had gathered by the time they reached the ring, and money was flying with barkers calling, "Place your bets, folks. Can the lovely Liz take down Thomas the tank again?" Caleb stood ring-side, grinning; Miriam paced the length of the ring, wringing her hands.
The combatants climbed in, each choosing a corner. Thomas shook his arms out and cracked his neck. He mouthed something to Elisabeth she couldn't hear over the crowd. The expression on his face assured her it was something cocky so she shook her head and waved a dismissal at him.
The referee brought them to the center of the ring and held each by a wrist. "Okay, let's have a fair fight." His mischievous grin matched his next words, "The rules are… there are no rules." He held their arms in the air then dropped them and yelled, "Go!"
Elisabeth and Thomas circled each other, testing their balance. Thomas lunged, attempting to throw his sister off, but she side stepped and he flew past her into the ropes. She planted her feet and held her arm out to him, imitating Morpheus in The Matrix. The crowd roared its approval.
Thomas' nostrils flared. She had pushed a button that would cause his ego to mess with his skills. The advantage was hers. He rushed her again. This time she tripped him as his hands reached within an inch. He jumped to his feet and charged like a bull, catching her waist. They tumbled on the mat for a bit before Thomas spread himself out, Superman style, across her. The referee dropped to the mat and started slapping out the ten count. Elisabeth flailed against the crushing weight of her brother whose face flashed a smug grin. "Looks like that vamp has turned you soft."