Yay! New chapter! thanks to all of you who've been reviewing this story. I loves you all! Gaw...another shorter than I wanted chapter...It seems they all come out slightly shorter than my goal...sorry about that...

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Autumn wandered around the large library, touching every surface and completely ignoring everyone else. The introductions to the rest of the Dubrinksy clan had proved to be far more awkward than originally thought. Autumn had clearly been uncomfortable with the twins and with Stephen touching her while she had barely tolerated Savannah and William's greetings.

Partly to relieve the tension of the meeting and partly so that they could speak more freely Mikhail had moved them inside the house. Now, Autumn was sufficiently distracted by the new environment to be worried about the people she couldn't remember being related to.

Why hasn't she spoken, Dominic? Mikhail asked sounding vaguely worried.

She has not spoken a word to anyone. She clearly understands us but she cannot seem to vocalize her own thoughts. She has been speaking to me with images since I found her. Dominic supplied.

Autumn turned slightly to give Dominic a reproachful look. Mikhail's face swum in his mind. Dominic suppressed his sudden urge to smile. I believe she knows we're talking about her.

We are speaking on a private path.

She is very perceptive, Mikhail.

"Autumn, honey, I have something I want to show you." Raven said suddenly. She could sense that her lifemate and their new son-in-law wanted to have a discussion but were worried about upsetting Autumn. Besides, she wouldn't mind a few more moments alone with her daughter.

Autumn looked over instantly. Raven reached out and gently grabbed her hand before leading her out of the room and deeper into the house. Autumn moved slowly, looking in every direction as she walked. She wanted to take in every detail of this beautiful house. Just in case it wasn't there when she next rose. It wouldn't be the first time.

Raven lead her upstairs, letting her walk at her own pace. After a minute they came to a room tucked down at the end of the hallway. "This was your room." Raven said opened the door to reveal a brightly colored nursery.

Autumn hesitated outside the room but after a moment of looking in at the sunshine yellow walls she slowly entered. The furniture was white with colorful leaves painted in strategic places. "I didn't have the heart to change anything. Not until you came home." Raven commented as Autumn reached into the crib and fingered the edge of the yellow baby blanket.

She brought the blanket up to her face. It was remarkably soft. She'd never felt anything so soft. A gentle smell of lavender reached her nose. Autumn sighed slightly. Just like before, she knew this scent. It was remarkably comforting. Still holding the blanket, Autumn turned to look at the rest of the room. Every here and there a few subtly incorporated symbols stuck out to her. The strange shapes carved into the wood and painted into the mural on the wall made her feel safe. Like nothing could possibly hurt her in this room.

Raven sat down in the rocking chair, like she had done countless times before. But this time, instead of imaging her daughter, she was watching her. Autumn paid her little attention as she made her way around the small room. Suddenly Autumn paused and moved closer to the dresser. She picked up a small silver-framed picture that was sitting on the top.

It was a picture of Raven, Mikhail, Savannah, a young boy –William immediately came to mind- and an infant held in Raven's arms. Autumn's fingers traced invisible lines on the glass before she gently put the picture back. Behind that picture was another one, also framed in silver.

The second picture was a close up of just the infant that Raven had been holding. Autumn tilted her head slightly as she examined the picture. "You were only a few weeks old when that was taken." Raven commented. "We'll have to take a new one since you've grown so much."

As soon as Raven and Autumn were upstairs Mikhail turned to Dominic. "Where did you find her?"

"Xavier was holding her hostage and using her as a blood supply." Dominic supplied keeping his voice as emotionless as possible. He quickly turned his mind away from the memory of Autumn's state when he had found her. That would only cause him to get angry, which would alert Autumn to their conversation. But still there was a twinge of rage that he could not control.

Mikhail's face darkened. "His treachery knows no bounds."

Dominic nodded. "He has created some new threat. I only could sense it through my Dragonseeker blood. It travels beneath the ground, killing everything it touches. Autumn seems to have some knowledge of it but I would prefer not involving her with Xavier or his atrocities anymore than she already has been."

"Agreed." Mikhail said instantly. "Dominic…there was no way to tell you before you left for your task but your sister's daughters were found alive some time ago."

Dominic's surprise showed. "I thought they had perished."

"As did we, however Natalya and Lara freed them from their prison some time ago." Mikhail said.

Dominic pushed down the overwhelming emotions that were trying to swamp him. He was very happy that they were alive which to be honest made almost no sense since he had never even laid eyes on them. All of these new and powerful emotions were difficult to get used to.

"I have sent word to them that you've returned to us, they are quite eager to meet you for the first time." Mikhail continued. "However they are in the Americas at the moment and it will take some time to return here."

Dominic nodded slightly. "I would prefer some time to better get to know Autumn anyway." He commented. "I suppose I will need to renovate my home again. I have not been there in twenty years. I imagine it has aged much."

Mikhail shook his head. "Your nieces have kept your home in good condition. They were adamant that you'd return to us sooner or later."

"It looks as if they inherited my sister's stubbornness…" Dominic commented with a half smile. How had his world changed so very quickly? Not five days ago he was walking amongst vampires and now he was surrounded by light and warmth that Autumn had brought him.

Suddenly they heard Raven's voice coming down the stairs. A moment later both Carpathian women appeared in the doorway. Raven immediately went to Mikhail's side, while Autumn became almost instantly distracted by the variety of nick-knacks on the shelves. "It is late." Mikhail said glancing at the sky that was beginning to turn a lighter shade of blue-purple. "There is plenty of room in our sleeping chambers. You will stay here today."

Autumn turned, a slight frown on her face. Dominic was beginning to recognize that look; it was the look of defiance. Instantly Dominic moved to Autumn's side, wrapping his arms around her waist. Only if you wish it, Cistri.

Autumn looked over her shoulder at him. Slowly green filtered into his mind. Dominic almost sighed in relief. Crisis averted. Come Cistri, you have expended much energy these past nights, I would like it if you went to ground early. Again it took a few minutes before Autumn agreed. Perhaps Dominic was getting the hang of speaking to Autumn so that she did not become agitated. He sincerely hoped so. He found he didn't much like it when Autumn was angry at him. And it hadn't even happened that often