Sora looked up in time to find that Mikael was already at the door, blocking the path of what looked like Kian and someone else.

The hairs on the back of her neck rose and she knew she had intervene.  A part of her clairvoyant side warned her it would go very wrong if Mikael succeeded in whatever he had planned for the unwelcome guest.

Sora’s normally turquoise gaze flashed a brilliant amber.  One moment she was seated comfortable by the living room area, and the next she was standing by Mikael’s side.  She placed a warning hand on his forearm, as he continued to lock gazes with the guest.

Sora allowed her power to strengthen the compulsion in her voice.  “Stand down, Mikael.”

Mikael glanced sideways at the petite figure and raised an eyebrow.  “Stay out of this Sora.”  He barely veiled his anger and annoyance, out of respect for her.

Sora Sinclair may be small and often overlooked due to her easygoing nature compared to the more boisterous individuals in the bunch, but Mikael recognized the inner strength.  

The group is familiar with the stories of each in the tight knit group but not all details were shared.  Mikael knew Sora was the youngest in a large family from long ago, in the Middle Ages.  The plague took the family and she was left alone.  According to the others, Mikael had pieced together that she had wandered for days, with no food or water, before coming across Kian.

The surprising part was that by the time she had crossed paths with Kian, she was already not human.  He could sympathize with her need to keep the group together.  

It was the closest to family they would ever have.

Sora responded by tightening her hold on his arm.

“This is not the time or place.”  She continued, a lulling siren in her voice.

Mikael frowned, trying to shake off the influence of her powers but another hand clamped casually on his shoulder.

“Stand down.”

Hearing Julian’s calm and low voice repeating Sora’s words, the anger slowly dissipated into a slow smile.

He raised his hands in surrender and took a step back.

“Maybe next time.”  He promised.

Sahara returned the smile with a nod of her own.

The exchange must have lasted only a few moments but Sora could feel the chilly atmosphere suddenly warm again.

Sora exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and felt a hand on her own shoulder.  She glanced up to see Kian nod at her in approval.

Sora managed a small smile back before Kian guided Sahara towards the living room area in the center of the room.

She turned to find Mikael wrapping a casual arm around Julian and he reached out with twinkling eyes.  She knew this was as much as an apology she was going to get with this cheeky guy and she grudgingly stepped forward.

“You just had to make me use my power when you were planning to stop anyways.”  She muttered.

Mikael grinned as he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.

“Hey, it was appreciated.  I got to hear that sexy voice of yours.”  He teased.  “Although, you can make me do anything even without the compulsion, you know.”

Sora glowered at him, glancing at Julian for his reaction in the corner of her eyes but found him calm as usual.

“The priority guest has arrived.  Guess we can start the party properly.”  Mikael’s grin was eager and already hinted at mischief.

Julian shrugged Mikael off and kept his hands in his pockets as he matched the pacing of the two.  

“Be good.  You’ve fainted once today already.”  

Mikael tipped his head back in laughter, so used to Julian’s dry humor.  Meanwhile Sora faintly smiled, also shrugging off Mikael.

“Asshole.”  Mikael affectionately responded in good nature, his face creased into a wide grin.