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time ever, Ty saw Gion
struggle for what to say.  Usually, he was one of the most articulate people
she’d ever met.  Now, he seemed nervous.  He trailed off and then started over,
again, as if he just couldn’t find the words.  “The…”  He blew out a frustrated
breath.  “Fine.  Here.”  He dug a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket
and presented it to her.
    Ty had a real, visceral sense of déjà vu.
    Like she’d lived this moment before or had been waiting for it for
a long time.
    Ty was a scientist and she absolutely didn’t believe in ESP or
premonitions.  Still, her hand shook slightly as she took the paper from Gion. 
It was the email that Job had sent out offering amnesty to the Air Phases.
    In an effort to reduce Parald’s number and throw a life preserver
to the Air Phases trapped behind enemy lines, the Council of All Houses had
offered them amnesty.  Any Air Phase who promised to denounce Parald was
eligible, so long as they could find a new House that would take them in.
    That was harder than it sounded, since most Phases hated the Air
House, blaming all the Air Phases for the Fall.  The plague had killed so many
people that the Elementals teetered on extinction.  No one came through it
without scars and no one wanted to let the Air Phases into their kingdoms.
    The Water House had been one of the only kingdoms that agreed to
take in Air House refugees, even though none had actually moved in yet.  Still,
Ty had certainly never expected Gion to want to jump ship.  That didn’t
make any sense.
    Ty blinked down at the email.  “I don’t understand.”  Her gaze cut
back up to Gion.  “You seriously want to switch Houses?”
    Gion couldn’t possibly want to leave the Air Kingdom.  He was the
most powerful Air Phase alive.  Within the Air Kingdom, he was feared and
respected.  If Gion walked away from his House, he’d be vulnerable to everyone
in the vast universe who already wanted him dead, plus he’d have
to face Parald’s fury.  He’d still have all his powers, but without the
protection of the House, he’d be on his own.  “Why would you…”?
    Gion cut her off.  “It doesn’t matter why.”  He’d clearly regained
his verbal aptitude, because his expression became more arrogant than ever.  “I
have to get out of the Air Kingdom and you owe me that promise.  The Water
House needs to give me amnesty.  Starting now.”
    “Me?!”  Ty squeaked.  Why wouldn’t he go to the Earth House?  Job
would let him in.  Tessie would make him.  Job’s Match and the elusive keeper
of the Quintessence, Tessie had her own weird friendship with Gion.   He’d
spent a few decades reluctantly protecting her.  “You want to come to my kingdom?”
    “No, I’m going to come to your kingdom.”  Gion corrected
mercilessly.  “I’ve considered my options, because, obviously, I’m a citizen
that so many Houses would love to welcome with open arms.  But, I find that
I’ve developed a real desire to immigrate to some sweet, little Munchkin Land
of pastel castles and rainbow waterfalls.  Also with very few people to get in
my way.”  He crossed his arms over his chest.  “That means that the Water
Kingdom is the lucky destination spot for me to fulfill my manifest destiny.”
    Ty had no idea how to respond to that.  She just gaped at him.
    Gion arched his brows.  “Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to help
me move.  I’ve already packed.”
    “You really want to live in the Water Kingdom?”  Ty translated,
too amazement to know what to feel.  Her homeland was a peaceful, gentle place
filled with magical pools and seaside beauty.  She just couldn’t imagine the
Darth Vader of the Elemental realm tolerating the pastel serenity of the Water
Kingdom for more than half-an-hour with cracking.  “Gion, have you thought
about this?  I don’t think you’ll like it there, at all.”
    He laughed and it wasn’t a pleasant sound.  In fact, it