“Next up is clans.” Diamond said as she wrote the word ‘Clan’ on the board. “Clans are broken up by genetic features and special passive or active power that only show up in said clan.” Diamond wrote down ‘Sahara’ on the board. “The Sahara clan have bright orange eyes and the power to understand any oral language that they hear. They can not speak the language but only understand what the person is saying in their own tongue.”

“The Sahara Clan were once many smaller clans that were from Africa and Asia. Around the 9th century they came together as one clan due to finding no true difference between them, even having the same clan power.” Mrs. Silvervine explained as Diamond went to put her jeans back on. “This will also explain there is culture difference before within clans, like Sahara clan members from Egypt tattoo under their left eye at.”

“So that's why you know my clan by a glance.” Aziza said as she touched under her left eye. “What clan ar-” Aziza was cut off from Diamond tossed Aziza’s sweater into her face.

“Get dressed, class is over for now and I’m hungry,” Diamond said as she grabbed her coat to throw over her shoulder, “Brutus probably had the kitchen cook something up the moment we went down.” 

“I did smell something being cooked up while I was coming down from the bedroom.” Mrs. Silvervine chimed as Aziza finished putting on her sweater. “An early supper sounds good to me.” The three went to the elevator and once inside Mrs. Silvervine leaned to Aziza. “Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Amaris Silvervine, just call me Amaris~” 

“A-Alright,” Aziza said nervously as a strange smell came off Amaris but Aziza noticed Diamond had the same strange smell coming off her too. The smell was overwhelming and made Aziza start feeling greatly uneasy and wanting to run. Next Aziza thought she started hearing a heartbeat in her ear but quickly realized the beats were too slow and loud to be her own. 

Diamond and Amaris started to notice Aziza start shaking and go in cold sweat, “Aziza, deep breathes through your mouth and once the door opens rush outside.” Diamond explained as both Diamond and Amaris moved to have her back against the wall. Aziza was gripping her chest and as she tried her best to make deep breaths through her mouth as Diamond said to do. 

When the doors of the elevator opened up Aziza burst into a full sprint to the front doors and she only stopped running when she was at the bottom of the stairs. Aziza closed her eyes before falling to her knees and started to breathe deeply and slowly before her heart stopped racing. Aziza slowly opened her eyes and she couldn’t explain what she was seeing but best she described it was the most beautiful night sky she had ever seen. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Diamond's voice came from the left of her and Aziza looked to Diamond. “I’m sorry, I forgot your sense would be delayed.” Aziza started to notice Diamond’s face had smaller scars not noticeable to human eyes but even with all scars Diamond looked quite beautiful. “Stuff you in an enclosed space with two apex therianthropes, not my best choice.”

“The smell was so strong, and it…” Aziza paused as closed her eyes. “Smelt like a strong metallic scent, almost a mixture of copper and iron.” When Aziza opened her eyes and looked at Diamond and Diamond had a slight guilty look on her face for a second before shifting back to her resting stoic face. “Dia-”

“It’s best if you don’t get in an enclosed space until you have more control of your new senses.” Diamond said as she held a hand to Aziza. Aziza stared at Diamond for a second before taking her hand and standing up with Diamond’s help. “Come on, let’s go inside.” 

Diamond led Aziza back inside her and when Diamond took a step into the lobby an orange blurry tackled Diamond. Diamond didn’t fully give in to what tackle her and caught whatever tackle her. “So who do we have here?” Diamond asked with the softest and motherly voice that Aziza had ever heard come from Diamond and even Diamond’s face softened up.

The thing that had tackled Diamond was a young four foot tall teenage girl, who looked to be fourteen years old, and she buried her face into Diamond’s chest. Her hair was silky black that was tied in a long loose braid, which reached her butt, and the end of the braid tip was bright blonde. She was wearing bright orange with black accent hoodie that was too big on her, the sleeves were long enough hiding her hands in them, and under that hoodie she was wearing a forest green with gold accent modern ao dai with white pants. The young lady moved her head to look up to Diamond and showed both she looked to be of Asian descent and the same bright silver eyes as Diamond and Amaris’s eyes, and her bangs had the same blond tips as her braid. “Big Sis, I’m home!” The girl chuffed as Diamond nuzzled the top of the young girl’s head.

“Welcome home, Tullia.” Diamond whispered as she gave Tullia a small squeeze.Tullia let out a giggle but when she noticed Aziza, Tullia’s eyes widened and her hair slightly puffed up. Her reaction reminded Aziza of the cat puffing up and Tullia moved in Diamond arms so Diamond was between the two. Diamond chuckled as she petted Tullia’s head, “Tullia is very shy with new people.” Diamond said and Aziza now only could see Tullia poking one eye around Diamond’s chest to stare at Aziza and under Tullia’s tired eyes were wide black ‘V’ shape like markings.

“Tullia~” Amaris’ voice called to Tullia as she stood in the middle of the lobby and arms open to her. In a flash of orange the young lady tackle hugged like she did with Diamond and Amaris hugged her back happily. Aziza noticed on Amaris’ right hand, that was petting Tullia’s head, was missing her pinky finger all the way down to the knuckle. 

“I figure she would be a good surprise to get after being away, Sweetie.” A male voice with a light irish accent said from the left side of the lobby. Standing in the archway on the left stood a six foot tall caucasian man with bright green eyes, and a scar running across the bridge of his nose. His hair was dark brown, on his face he had goatee and sideburns, and his ears were pointed. The clothes he wore were a white dress shirt, deep red tie around his neck, dark blue vest, pair of black jeans, black leather dress shoes, and on top of his head was black flat cap. 

“Best surprise, Darling,” Amaris said as she nuzzled the top of Tullia’s head and Tullia made small chuffing sounds. “And just in time for dinner.” Diamond nodded and Aziza looked slightly confused from seeing Mr. Silvervine. 

“Well that is good timing,” Mr. Silvervine said as he took off his hat and revealed his right brow had a small scar on the end of it. “I can have a conversation with your ward, since it looks like she has a question or two.” Aziza felt slightly uneasy from his gaze, and she also found how handsome he was, it was very off putting to her. “Don’t worry, Miss. Smith, I don’t bite.”

“Not that hard,” Diamond said under her breath and normally wouldn’t have been heard but everyone in the room had a heightened sense of hearing. 

They moved into a large dining room and were clearly made to have a large long table to seat more people but instead the setup was a large round table that could seat at least eight people around it. Tullia was seated between Mr. Silvervine and Amaris while Diamond sat on the other side of Amaris, and Aziza was seated beside Mr. Silvervine. In front of everyone, except for Mr. Silvervine, was a plate with knife and fork and Aziza was confused why Mr. Silvervine didn’t have a plate set up, instead just a wine glass.

“So, Miss. Smith or would you prefer Aziza? What are you studying to become in college?” Mr.Silvervine asked as he leaned back in his chair. “Also you can call me Anderson if that would make you feel more comfortable.” A maid came into the room with a wine bottle and started to uncork it.

“Aziza is fine,” Aziza said as she shifted in her seat, still feeling nervous. “I was planning to study as a doc-” Aziza cut off from smelling that strong copper and iron smell once more, making her feel sick, and only started when a maid started to fill Anderson’s wine cup.

Anderson noticed right away and waved away the maid then covered the top of his wine cup. “I’m sorry, I should have waited until the food was in the room.” Anderson said and the smell was gone when Anderson covered the top of the wine glass with his hand. Aziza was confused why wine would make her feel sick but as she eyed the wine she noticed the wine was a lot thicker looking and deep red than normal wine. “Guessing my daughter and wife didn’t tell you about vampires yet?”

“Vampires!?” Aziza squeaked as her eyes flickered to look into Anderson’s eyes and noticed his pupil was slited. Aziza started to realize what she was smelling was blood and she looked towards Diamond.

“I was focusing on what she was first, since there is less historical drama to therianthrope.” Diamond said as food started to be brought into the room and put in the center of the table. The food was in large amounts and looked like a holiday feast with a large turkey. Anderson moved his hand from the wine class, the smell from the food covered up the smell of blood, and he took a sip from the wine glass. “We will cover vampires at a later date, for now we will eat some food.” Diamond pulled off a turkey leg to put on her plate while Amaris and Tullia joined in tearing into the turkey.

“You eat and I will do little to explain our little family.” Anderson said as he glanced over to Amaris and she smirked back with a small wink. “First off you should know, vampires and therianthrope can not cross breed.” Aziza paused as she dished up some slices of cooked ham onto her plate and clicked in her brain why Diamond and Tullia didn’t have any of Anderson’s features. “That fact doesn’t change anything, these thr-two girls are my daughters.” 

Aziza was about to ask about his slip up but felt a chill going down her spine and looked to Diamond to see her giving Aziza a cold stare. “I understand that my adopted parents are still my parents.” Aziza said as she felt Diamond’s stare no longer on her. 

“Why don’t you two stay for the night and in the morning I can drop you at the shop.” Anderson said to Diamond and Diamond glanced at Aziza then back to Anderson. “I know Tullia would love to spend time with you and your mother.” 

Diamond sighed, “Twist my rubber arm, alright.” Diamond said as she waved her turkey leg in her hand. “Now enough talk, it’s time to eat.” 

Aziza was set up in the guest bedroom in the mansion, alone, and she was restless moving in the large bed she was laying in. Tullia had asked for Diamond to sleep in the same room as her and Aziza just watched Diamond’s will crumble from Tullia’s puppy eyes. Aziza sat up in bed and slipped out of it to put on slippers she got today from the cloth shopping spree with Diamond and Ophelia.

Aziza was wearing a new pair of blue sleep pants and white loose tank top from the same shopping spree. Aziza no longer needed to turn on the light as she saw fine in the darkened room, grabbed a dark gray sleeping robe before she walked out into the hallway. 

In the hallway there were no lights on and Aziza tried her best to keep a quiet walk as she wandered around the large mansion. She was mindlessly wondering as she processed all what happened to her in the last twenty four hours and she would pause when she saw a maid and paused as well in seeing her. Each time Aziza would stare before returning to walking and the maids would return to their own duties. 

Aziza didn’t know how long she was walking before finding herself standing in front of a large window door that led out to the second floor balcony, which allowed a good view of the full moon. She opened one of the doors, the rush of cold air hit her but it didn’t faze her as much as before in her weaker state. Aziza noticed that the balcony was cleared of snow and she walked to the stone railing to lean on as she looked to the moon.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Amaris’ voice asked behind Aziza and Aziza looked behind her to see Amaris. Aziza slightly blushed seeing Amaris was only in a pair of blue panties and her bone necklace. 

“Yes,” Aziza said quickly before returning to looking up to the moon. “So is going walking around only in panties a therianthrope thing or a Silvervine thing?” Amaris let out a small chuckle from Aziza’s question. 

“It’s a personal choice,” Amaris said as she walked to stand beside Aziza and looked to the moon. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Aziza silently nodded and Amaris paused before gently petting the top of Aziza’s head. “I know the feeling is out of place in the new world.” Aziza looked at Amaris and saw the gentle and soothing silver eyes of Amaris. “I know this is all overwhelming but just take one step at a time and you will be okay.”

“Thank you for the advice.” Aziza said as Amaris moved some of Aziza’s messy bangs out of her face. “I forgot to ask, what clan are your family from.”

Amaris paused a bit then smiled, “One more piece of advice, if anyone claims to be part of Luna Clan, they are lying because there are only three members of that clan.” Amaris said as her eyes shined in the moonlight even brighter than normal. “And all three of them are currently under this home.” Aziza was about to open her mouth to ask questions but stopped herself and nodded to Amaris’ words. “Now don’t stay up for too long, little one, alright?”

“Yes, Amaris.” Aziza said as Amaris smiled before walking back inside. Aziza looked back to the moon before letting out a sigh, “One step at a time, Aziza, one step at a time.”