Welcome to Gaia! ::

Carolyn looked at Jin, a grin spreading across her face. Kasumi worked quickly and silently. Jin hadn't noticed that anything was changing about him. But Rosalyn had noticed. The woman was trying to hide the grin on her face as she held back laughter.

Rosalyn looked up at Jin, her eyes widened slightly as she suppressed the laugh that was threatening to break free. She cleared her throat and turned to Amelia and Kyos. "Well now that everyone is here. What's going on?"

Amelia sighed. "We have encountered a new power. Well actually an old power that was thought lost a long time ago." She pushed some hair behind her ear as she looked at Kyos. While she knew a little about it, he knew much more than she did.

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Arianna blushed slightly as she looked away from Tasuil. Such simple words, and yet she was quivering at the thoughts that ran through her head. This man was simply amazing. She put her hands on her hips as she smiled. "Well what are you waiting for? Get your lazy butt up and let's get something," she teased him lightly.

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Lorelei smiled as she lead Ren through the streets. That had been an interesting time when she had accompanied her father here. The chef did not know what to do when she was able to out cook even him.

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"Good evening," One of the men said. "I am Mikhail. This is my wife, Raven. Our daughter, Savannah and our son-in-law, Gregori." The man had a deep, yet kind voice. The man smiled at Aelina's question. "We are Carpathian. You are of our blood, although many times removed. You, your mother and your cousins. We have watched over you, stayed away. But now we can no longer. Those who have fought against us, will come for you and Lorelei next. You have none of our weaknesses, and a lot of our strengths. You heal well, yes? Able to travel into another's body and heal from the inside out." He saw the girl's eyes widen, and he grinned, his fangs showing.

Liliana grinned at Hisuki. "A simple yes would suffice." She turned when she heard the newcomer's voice. She raised an eyebrow slightly. "You dont look old enough to have a grown daughter." Liliana took a step forward. "Fangs?"

"Looks can be deceiving," Gregori said. "All of you should know that. There are those among you who are much older than they look." Gregori broke into the conversation as Liliana took a step forward. "I can see it in your eyes. Yes we have fangs, but we are not vampires." He spit the word out as if it were a curse. "Vampires drink the blood of their victims and kill them. We take from those who offer freely, and they do not die. You can sense no evil on us. Vampires are different. You can feel the darkness in them."

Aelina looked at the four newcomers. "Forgive me, but why are you here? What are you?" Her hand gripped Maesuki's arm tightly. All kinds of thoughts were racing through her head.

Rosalyn smirked as she shook her head. "Oh nothing at all. I just...love the hair is all." She giggled softly. She reached up and pulled a strand of hair slightly so that he could see it.

"A new power? Does it have to do with that boy that Lil brought here?" Carolyn asked as she turned her gaze to Amelia.

"Yes it does." Amelia said with a nod. "Kyos...care to explain?"

~~~~~

Arianna's eyes closed as she kissed Tasuil back, gripping his arms to keep herself steady. He had quite literally nearly knocked her off her feet. After a moment she pulled away. "Hmm, you keep doing that and we'll never leave this room."

~~~

Lorelei threw back her head and laughed. Several people turned to look at them, seemingly enraptured with her laugh. "Yes, they have." Her fingers laced with Ren's.

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"The great Gregori, startled when he is greeted in our tongue." Savannah laughed as she placed her hand gently on his arm.

Aelina looked to Maesuki before her gaze went back to the others. "Why would they bother with me and Lorelei?"

Mikhail sighed. "The vampires were once Carpathians. As the males of our race grow older, we lose the ability to see in color and to feel emotions. A lot of us can hold out for a long time. And when we cannot wait anymore we either embrace the darkness and become vampire or we walk into the sun and meet our death with honor." He looked to Liliana when she spoke. "We wait for the one who completes us. There is only one woman who can make us regain our sight and feelings. Sometimes it takes generations to find her, but when we do...we are eternally bound." His hand took a hold of Raven's. "We protect our mates with our very lives. For without her we are lost. If Raven were to die...I would follow her to the next world."

Liliana frowned. "What exactly are you guys waiting for?" That would really suck. Losing the ability to see in color and to not feel any emotions. She listened to Mikhail's explanation. "But that still doesn't explain why the vampires will go after our friends."

Gregori broke in at this point. "It is because they have Carpathian blood. The vampires believe that if they were able to get a Carpathian women, whether she be full blooded or not, they will regain what they have lost. Lorelei, Aelina, Constance and Cassandra will be sought after."

Rosalyn turned her gaze to Kyos as he spoke. She frowned slightly and then shook her head. "Well we've had a good run of peace. It couldn't last forever." Everyone around the room was silent as they looked at each other.

Carolyn saw the look that came over Kasumi's face. "Kasumi, honey is something wrong?" She asked softly. It looked like she was trying to remember something important, but could not quite grasp it.

Cassandra's gaze went to the window, her gaze seemingly far away. Automatically her mind had reached out to something familiar. She did not remember it, but she had met Gregori and Mikhail before. They had come to see her mother when she was a small girl.

~~~~~

Arianna giggled as her hair braided by itself, hanging down her back. "Oh that would be an interesting conversation. While it would be hard explaining it to Mom..imagine having to explain it to my Dad."

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Lorelei chuckled. "With how much they cook...I am surprised none of us are as big as a house." She glanced down at her flat stomach. "We've got excellent metabolisms." Her steps faltered for a moment and she looked around. She had thought she felt someone reaching for her.

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Raven laughed softly at the way that Maesuki reacted. "Mikhail...I do believe that the vampires will have a hard time getting to these women. They are very well loved and protected. Maybe even more so than the way you and Gregori take care of Savannah and I." Her arm linked with her husband's.

Aelina looked to Maesuki and smiled, slipping her hand into Maesuki's. "Don't worry. They won't get near me. I know this because I have you." She looked up at Gregori. "Mom has taught me."

"We would like to teach you more about healing," Gregori said to Aelina. He shook his head slightly. "Yes she has taught you, but your gift is so much greater than you realize. We would teach all of you of Mikhail's bloodline."

Liliana crossed her arms over her chest. To think that some of the others had a trace of 'vampire' heredity in them. This day had definitely become very, very interesting.

"You're right." Rosalyn said with a smile. All the kids were very protective of each other. Her eyes widened as she looked to the window where a bright flare of light could be seen.

Cassandra gripped Lorcan's arm. "Aelina is out there." She didn't wait for answer, she just disappeared and reappeared where she knew her daughter would be. When she saw the two men her eyes widened. Even though it had been years since she had seen them she recognized them. When the memories of her brother had been unlocked, so had these men. And then her gaze went to the grotesque creatures. She didn't need to be told what they were. Just as she remembered the men, she remembered the conversation they had, had with her mother. Vampires. "The heart, take out the heart." Cassandra said to Hisuki. And then Zacharia was there as well. It seemed he knew about the creatures too because he tore out of their hearts, and said her name as he threw it into the air. Without hesitation lightening formed around her hand and when she moved it shot at the heart, bursting it into flames.

Zacharia's nostril's flared as if he smelled something foul. "Well isn't this just pleasant?" In a flash of smoke he was gone and outside. "Great...Vampires." He said as he looked at the two rotting things. They weren't even bothering to make themselves look normal. He walked up the second Vampire who had materialized. The thing looked as if it were pleased to see him and then it's eyes widened. In a blink of an eye Zacharia had reached his hand into the thing's chest and pulled out it's shriveled, black heart. "Cassandra dear..." He tossed the organ up into the air.

Aelina jumped to her feet as the vampires attacked and would have moved forward to help Hisuki if Maesuki hadn't grasped her arm just as her mother appeared. She saw the Carpathians look at the older woman with surprise at how fast she had appeared.

Gregori had moved in front of Mikhail and the others as the vampires attacked. His first priority was to protect the Prince of the Carpathian people. And then there was another woman suddenly there. He recognized the woman immediately as the little girl they had come to see all those years ago. And then a second person appeared. A man with a feel of evil suppressed around him. The man moved quick, even too quick for Carpathian's to follow. The heart was in his hand and then in the air where Cassandra easily burst it into flames. The vampire's blood didn't seem to faze the man and he knew then what he was. Demon.

Liliana had jumped away from Hisuki as he fought with the ugly creature before them. She could smell the rot on the thing and her lips curled in disgust. These were the things after Aelina and the others? Now that was just disgusting.

~~~~~

Arianna grinned and chuckled. The laugh died in her throat when a flash of bright light illuminated the room for just a moment. "What in the world was that..." Her stomach seemed to knot up when she felt the pure evil presence outside of the building.

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Lorelei gave her head a shake as she turned her gaze to Ren. "I thought I felt something..something strange reaching out to me."

Cassandra turned and hurried over to her daughter. "You are alright?" She pushed the hair from her face even as Aelina nodded. She then turned her gaze to the Carpathians. "Mikhail, Gregori...it has been a great many years since I have seen you." She was taken by surprise as Mikhail stepped forward, taking her hand in his own. Her cheeks flushed when he kissed her hand, and then her gaze went to the two women. "It is a pleasure to meet you." She took a deep breath. "What brings you here now?"

Mikhail looked over at Kyos, giving him a small grin. "As much as my nanny will allow me." He nodded to Gregori who just glared at him. He moved forward, taking Cassandra's hand in his own. "It has. I did not think you would remember us." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "You are the spitting image of my mother. As your mother was." He saw the young woman flush and he smiled. "This is my wife, Raven and our daughter, Savannah. Savannah is Gregori's life mate."

"The vampires have found out about you and your family," Gregori spoke up. "You should always be on your guard. We can clearly see that you are very capable of taking care of yourself. As are your men."

Aelina had moved back to Maesuki's side, keeping close. She had come across demons and they didn't scare her as much as these vampires had. She shivered slightly.

Liliana took a deep shuddering breath. She then went to Hisuki as the last vampire was dispatched. "Are you okay?" She asked him softly. She looked around, seeing that the other adults had all shown up outside.

"They'll be well protected here," Zacharias said as he looked to the Carpathians. He had met one or two in his lifetime. "They are all very hardy...very powerful."

Constance had heard the whole thing between the Carpathians and her aunt. She reached out with her mind, searching for Lorelei. She knew that Tasuil was still in the house. She had felt him earlier. She nearly gave a sigh of relief when she found Lorelei's presence. Ren was with her. That was good.

~~~~

Arianna went to the window and looked out, seeing several people she did not know. She saw smoldering remains on the ground and she frowned. "It seems our peaceful time is at an end. I have a feeling a lot is about to happen."

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Lorelei looked to Ren and nodded. She stopped again, sensing her mother reaching out for her. "Mom wants us to be careful...someone looking for me?" She frowned as she concentrated more. "Vampires?"

Rosalyn looked to Jin, smiling slightly as she wrapped an arm around his waist. She had known about vampires and the Carpathians. But she hadn't realized that Cassandra and her long dead husband were related to the Carpathians. Even if it was a distant relation.

Savannah shifted a little uneasily at Kyos' remark. She hadn't told any of them yet, but she suspected that she was indeed pregnant. Her eyes widened when there was a small flash of light. The boy who had fought the vampire had been led to sit on the bench next to Aelina, and when the girl looked at his wounds and touched them, they healed miraculously.

"Here, come sit," Liliana said as she led Hisuki to the bench were Aelina was sitting. She sat him down, frowning at the wounds on his arms. They already looked red and angry. As if they were infected. She gasped when Aelina reached over at touched Hisuki's arm. There was a small flash of light and the wounds were gone.

Aelina looked over to Hisuki as Liliana made him to sit on the bench. She could sense the pain in his arm so she reached over to touch them. As she did so there was a small burst of light and then the wounds were gone. She gasped, snatching her hand back.

Gregori and Mikhail both looked to each other as Aelina suddenly healed the young man's arm without even trying. "You have a great gift, Aelina." Gregori said softly. "Untapped potential." He looked to Cassandra. "Would you allow me to teach her? And the rest of your family how to heal?"

Cassandra nodded her head slowly. "Of course. It would be greatly appreciated."

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Arianna smiled as she turned to look at Tasuil. "You are right." She walked up close to him, looking at the leftovers. Her stomach gave a growl and she flushed.

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Lorelei shivered as she looked around. She had caught a glimpse of the vampire's through her mother's memories. "Like demons aren't enough," she said softly. "Now there is something else after us."

Rosalyn chuckled as she shook her head. She had to agree with Jin. She had enjoyed the peaceful time that they had, had....but she had recently become antsy. She needed action. She needed something to do.

"Our daughter is even better at healing than I am. A simple touch..." Cassandra spoke softly to Lorcan. Even her thoughts betrayed the hint of unease she had. This would only make Aelina more desirable to those hunting for them.

"No problem," Aelina said with a nod as she gently stroked Maesuki's head. She looked up as Gregori spoke.

"That would be the parasites," Gregori said to Hisuki. "A vampire's simple scratch and their bite send not only a venom into your bloodstream, but little dark parasites."

Mikhail turned his gaze to Kyos. It had been a while since he had seen the man and frankly he was kind of surprised to find him here with his own blood family. He was also grateful for that. Kyos was a very able protector. "I cannot say that I have," he said softly. "Why do you ask?"

Carolyn gave a startled jump at Kasumi's words. "What are you talking about dear?" Her head tilted to the side.

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Arianna giggled softly as she poured them some drinks. "I would be honored." She batted her eyes at him. She sat down and watched him with a smile on her face.

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Lorelei laughed softly as she hugged Ren back. "You're right. Besides these vampires will have a hard enough time getting to me. Not only will you be here to protect me, but I'll kick their butts as well."

"Please, why don't you all come into the house?" Cassandra said as she motioned back towards the house. She was still uneasy about the whole vampire thing. At least if they were inside, they could not get in.

Mikhail looked to his wife, his hand going to hers. He had learned that if she thought something was true, then it probably was. She did her research very well. His gaze then went to Cassandra and he nodded. "Yes, we can discuss this more." His gaze flickered to Kyos. He wasn't aware that the other man had a brother, but then he didn't know much about his family.

Gregori looked relieved when Cassandra suggested they all go into the house. "Yes, very well. Let's do that."

Aelina didn't want to go inside. She felt most at home out here, but she knew her mother was right. With what had just happened she needed the security of the house for just a little while.

Carolyn's eyes widened as her mouth gaped open slightly. After a moment she shut it. "You really think that is what he was talking about?" She had sat up a little straighter. "If so...Lil has found herself a unique one. A very unique one."

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Arianna smiled widely. Strawberries were her favorite food in the world, and he knew it. When he dipped the strawberry and brought it to her lips she bit into it gently. She sighed softly, her eyes closing for a moment. "That tastes so good."

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Lorelei chuckled as she shook her head. "I think a little more peaceful time for us is in order. At least for tonight." She stood on tiptoes and brought her lips to his. "Don't you agree," she breathed softly.