Andre flew over the forests of the Green Mountains. Smoke filled his nostrils. Good, humans. I need to feed, he thought dispassionately.
Andre was a Carpathian hunter of the Vampire. He had lost his emotions and the ability to see color several centuries back.
And we've got another one! Everyone, I am proud to announce that we have a new member of the family.
Andre's vision exploded. He lost the image of the barn owl that he was holding and plummeted toward the ground. Quickly he pulled up and with single minded purpose, sought out his lifemate.
Annika cuddled her new niece. "She's gorgeous. Aren't you Kanya?" She looked up at her two younger siblings Celyn and Forrest.
Annika had a large unusual family. She, as the oldest, 23, was the head of her group. Danica, who was 16,was next in command. She helped with the others. Griffin and Fawn were 15, Natika and Shira were 13, and Raoul was 12, soon to be 13.
Her group had found their way to the remote Vermont farm 9 years ago. The kindly old farmers, Tabitha and Oliver, had taken them in and given them a home, not turning them over to the State foster care system. They all lived together in the old farm house. Tabitha and Oliver had accepted the children's gifts.
All of them were physic, able to do powerful things with their minds, such as create clothes. Annika could heal the earth, bringing nutrients to the soil. Danica could control the weather, bringing rain and lightning. The two sets of twins, Griffin and Fawn, Natika and Shira were able to change forms and turn into animals. Griffin often ran with the local coyotes, while Fawn flew about as an owl. Natika and Shira both preferred fox form. Raoul was just discovering his gifts as a warrior. The girls had bright red hair and unusual birthmarks, the boys had extremely muscular bodies and black hair that they refused to cut. All of them had bright green eyes that turned to blue when they practiced their gifts.
Celyn and Forrest had wandered in 3 years ago. Both of them could control the minds of people, which they never did, and animals, which came in handy when it was time to move the cattle. They both had black hair and black eyes. Neither remembered where they had come from or if they had any kind of childhood. Annika wished that were true for her.
Annika shook herself out of her reverie and handed Kanya to her grandmother. "I'll be outside Tabby," she told her adoptive mother. The old woman nodded, her attention on the baby trying to pull her silver braid.
Annika shook her red mane out of her face and checked the chores list. "Danica? Have Griffin and Fawn mucked out the stables?" she shouted.
There's no need to shout! Yes they have. They're off seeing who can bag the most mice in under five minutes. Oliver wants to know if you can come decompose the fertilizer for the west field. I'm heading out that way, he wants it washed into the soil.
Sure, I'm on my way. Wait up for me, Annika said as she sprinted into the evening. They often worked at night as all of them burned quickly and easily. Grinning, she caught up with Danica and raced her to the west field. Danica won, drawing on the energy from the lightning building up in the clouds above.
Annika smiled and started to decompose the soil. Great Earth, I am your daughter, please help me speed up your natural cycle, she chanted while Oliver looked on. Danica was throwing lightning bolts for fun.
Finally when the manure had settled into the soil, Danica brought the rain closer. All three ran for the house, when the deluge started.
Annika looked into the pouring rain. She had the feeling that something was watching her. Her eyes hardened. Nothing would ever harm her or her family again. Frowning, she turned to go inside.
Annika, the coyotes say that there's a new predator in the woods, Griffin said. They say he's like us.
I knew I felt something. Come in, now. Fawn, Natika, Shira, you too. Raoul, where are you? Annika asked.
I'm in the stable, checking on Mercury. I'll come in as soon as I can, Raoul said. Annika knew not to push him, Mercury was his favorite horse who had been having lung trouble lately.
Whoever it is isn't showing himself, just be careful, Annika warned. We don't know it's an enemy, but it's likely.
She felt her family's ascent. Feeling better, she walked inside with one last worried look out into the storm.
Andre watched her go. She was everything a lifemate should be. She had deep red hair, and flashing green eyes. Her figure was full, curvy and lush. He could bury himself in her hair and never surface. She knew that he was there, even if he was masking his presence. He had to strain to hear what she was saying to her siblings. They weren't using the common path. The entire situation reminded him of the Dark Troubadours, and how they had been found. Except that this family was clearly Dragonseeker. They must be Razvan's children.
There were also two part Carpathians who lived with them. From what he had heard, they had just had a baby girl named Kanya. He would watch for now, wait for the right moment to claim his lifemate.
