Annika looked into the room before she let Danica pass. Gregori stood between the prince and her family. We didn't make that good of a first impression, she told Danica dryly.
Danica shrugged.
Andre caught her gaze, Everything is fine Sivamet. They understand completely. They agree that it is too soon for Danica to be claimed. She is in no danger. Take it easy on Tariq. He is the closest thing I have to a friend.
Annika inclined her head ever so slightly. Mikhail came toward her. "It is good to meet you. My name is Mikhail, this is Gregori, my second."
Annika gave a brief smile. "I apologize for not finding out what the situation was before I acted. I'm afraid I lost my temper."
"It is very understandable. Danica is your sister, under your protection," Mikhail smiled at the teen.
"Let me introduce you to everyone, this is Danica, my second, those two over there are Griffin and Fawn, that's Natika and Shira, and that little rascal is Raoul. Then there is Celyn and Forrest, they just had a baby girl, Kanya," Annika pointed out her family members. "Our father figure, Oliver, didn't come with us, but Tabitha is downstairs. She's quite taken with Slavica."
Natalya shifted, a small movement but it drew Annika's attention. Natalya smiled tentatively. "I'm so glad that you've been found. Several of my brother's children have been recovered, I'm glad that you're here and safe." Her eyes moved to Andre who had his hands an Annika's shoulders. "I'm shocked that he allows you to fight. He was quite outspoken about it at the warrior's meeting."
"What?" Annika asked, confused.
"Yes, he was of the opinion that women shouldn't be fighting. I believe his exact words were, 'When you go into battle, look behind you and there will be a legion of warriors defending you'."
Annika turned to Andre, one eyebrow raised. He was glaring at Natalya. She coughed, bringing his attention to her. "Well?" she asked.
"You will not be fighting the vampire," he stated simply.
Annika kept her voice low and menacing. "Lucky for you that I don't want to, but things happen and I will defend myself. I have defended my family for years. Anyone who tells me that I am not allowed to fight for my family will be severely punished."
Andre looked at Mikhail, "Life used to be simple," he commented.
"Not nearly as enjoyable though," the prince retorted. He turned to Annika, "Andre told me that each of your family had talents, what are they?"
Annika smiled and summoned the vine, "I have a report with plants. They like me." The vine curled around her hand. She smiled and sent it back. "Danica can control the weather," the girl held up a hand and showed the lightning that shone there. Annika tried not to notice the proud smile that Tariq gave. "Griffin and Fawn both have animal forms that they prefer," Tan fur swept over the boy's face while feathers swept over his sisters. "Raoul has no specific talents but shows a strong ability when it comes to fighting. Natika and Shira both have shape shifting abilities as well." Both girls ears turned to a fox's. Annika hesitated before she told about Shira's other talent, Andre hadn't taken it very well.
It was taken out of her hands though. Shira cried out, placing her hands over her ears and closing her eyes. She took one off to point at Gregori, "Stop doing that!"
"Stop doing what?"
"Stop saying those gross things to your lifemate!"
"What?!"
Annika sighed, "And Shira can hear and speak on all the communication paths."
Gregori glanced at Mikhail, Is it possible? Only the Dubrinsky line holds that power. Before Mikhail could answer Shira broke in, It must be possible, because I'm doing it. The things you were thinking to your lifemate were really gross!
What was he thinking to his lifemate? Mikhail asked the girl. She showed him. Mikhail growled.
Shira's eyes were wide with fright. She hid behind Annika and Andre, Natika followed her.
"Shira, baby, what did you do?" Annika asked.
"I showed Mikhail what Gregori was thinking to his lifemate. He got really mad. So did Gregori," Shira whimpered into Andre's shirt.
Annika's eyes went hard. She pushed her way between the glaring men, ignoring Natalya and Vikirnoff's gasp. "Hey! I don't care what kind of macho crap you to do, just do it on your own time! You scared Shira, now reassure her that you aren't going to hurt her!"
Gregori stared down into the the blue-green eyes that spit fire at him. The woman didn't seem at all afraid of him. He raised an eyebrow, "And if I do not?"
"Then you will find yourself wrapped in vines dangling off the balcony with Danica using you as target practice within the next ten seconds," Annika growled.
I like her, Savannah whispered to him. Gregori bent to the child, "I am sorry Mikhail and I frightened you, little one. Fathers don't like knowing what's going on in their daughter's sex lives, and Mikhail is the father of my lifemate. Do you think you could not do that again?"
Shira peeked at him, "But it was funny how he was calling you names! But I won't do it again."
Annika glared at Mikhail, "I know you weren't using inappropriate language."
Mikhail had the sense to look remorseful. He also had the sense to change the subject, "Forrest, do you or your lifemate have talents?"
Forrest shrugged, "I can get garnets out of the rocks in our stream. Nothing major. Celyn knows a lot about herbs and how they can be used for healing."
Mikhail nodded, "Where were you before you joined Annika's family?"
Celyn answered, "We don't remember any of our past. One day we were just there. We somewhere around Burlington, Vermont. We only remembered our names, and that we loved each other."
"How old were you?" Gregori asked.
"We think that I was around 19 and Forrest 20," Celyn answered.
Mikhail frowned, "I wonder how you got there."
"Join the club," Forrest said sarcastically. Kanya started fussing and he turned his attention to her. A flailing fist bopped him on the nose. Raoul snickered and Forrest sent him a withering glare. Celyn rolled her eyes and snagged the diaper bag. Annika bit her lip to keep from laughing at the horror struck expression on Gregori's face. Mikhail wasn't as nice. He laughed out loud and jabbed him in the ribs. "Just think, you get to do this times two!"
Andre caught Annika's confusion, His lifemate is expecting twins. Annika nodded her understanding.
Tabitha came into the room and raised her eyebrows at the amount of people in the room. Annika went over to her, "Tabitha, this is Mikhail, Gregori, Tariq, Natalya and Vikirnoff. Everyone, this is Tabitha Jensing, our mother for all intents and purposes."
The old woman propped her fists on her hips and glowered at Mikhail. Oh crap, Annika thought, she's going to give a speech.
"So you are the prince. I want to make it very clear that I am not at all happy with you for not finding these youngsters before they went through all the horrible things that they never talk about. And don't give me the excuse that you didn't know about them, you never cared enough to find out! And I also want to make it very clear that I am not giving them up, they are my children and I look after them! Annika is the sweetest soul I've ever met and don't be fooled by the innocent look, she's as mean as a tiger if someone threatens her family. So am I so don't even think about it!" The younger members of Annika's family laughed at Mikhail's flabbergasted expression. Even Andre and Tariq smiled.
Tabitha finished with, "And you're invited to our family full moon sing."
"I accept," Mikhail stammered.