After breakfast, Mary came to inform her that her grandparents wanted to see her. Alannah and Kurt followed Mary to a large library with a roaring fire. Alannah was surprised to see Theo, Frank, James, and Vicktor there.
As soon as Alannah entered the room, Vicktor stood up and walked over to Alannah, where he got down on one knee. He then put his arm across his chest and said in Russian:
"Grand Princess, please accept my deepest apologies. I had no idea of your identity! I should have known because of your skill and beauty that you were someone special. "
Alannah blushes deeply before saying, "Please Vicktor, don't apologise! I loved fighting you, and the party was awesome! Can't we just continue being friends? "
"Freinds?" Vicktor said, surprised.
"Yes, friends! You know, we train together sometimes, grab a beer, watch the moves.. " Alannah said
Vicktor smiled broadly and said, "I would like that very much, Grand Princess."
"Good! Could you please get off the floor? It is making me nervous, and please call me Alannah, "Alannah said."
Vicktor did and grabbed Alannah's hand, bringing it to his lips. He gently kissed it before saying, "I would love to finish our dance later, Alannah."
"Sure, but I am taken with Kurt," Alannah said with a smile.
"Not officially," Vicktor said with a wink.
"Good morning, child. Let me introduce you to Vicktor Poletov, the heir to the Black Dolphin Gang and one of the Bear's oldest allies. As you already know, he is the leader of the Black Bears. He is also involved in the veterinary industry. As a fully qualified vet, Vicktor oversees all aspects of animal care for the Gang, "Anastasia said.
You are a vet? That is amazing! I love animals. I have a cat called Captain Mog. I mean, he has only got one eye, but he is good at catching rats. " Alannah rambled.
"You like animals? How interesting! I would love to show you the kennels and other animals here. In fact, my breeding Bitch has just given birth to a litter of puppies.If you would like, I'd be happy to show you. " Vicktor said with a dashing smile.
"What a kind offer and an excellent idea, Vicktor! Why don't you take Alannah on a tour? I am sure she would love that. " Anastasia said with an innocent smile.
"That would be great, wouldn't it, Kurt?" Alannah said excitedly.
Oh no, I am afraid it will have to be just you. Kurt has a meeting with me all day today, " Anastasia said.
Alannah felt Kurt stiffen beside her. "I think I should wait." Alannah started to speak, but Kurt stopped her.
"Don't worry, my sweetheart; as my future Queen, I completely trust you, and all I want is for you to be happy." Kurt said.
Really?" Alannah said
"Need you really ask?" Kurt said in a sultry tone.
"Then I would love to!" Alannah spoke to Vicktor.
"Perfect! Shall we go now? " Vicktor said
Just one minute, please. Alannah. " Kurt said before kissing her passionately on the lips. He then places his forehead on Alannah's, saying, "I will miss you, sweetheart. Be careful. If something happens to you,
"Nothing will happen," Alannah said, and Kurt kissed her one more time. Kurt wanted to make sure Vicktor knew Alannah was his. Alannah smiled and went out of the room with Kurt. The rest of the Black Bears exited the room.
"You are a clever woman, Anastasia, but it won't work. Alannah is Evans, and Evans fell in love forever, "Theo said.
"I am well aware of that, Theo. However, you can't blame me for showing her all the options available. Vicktor would be a great fit for Alannah. I can tell you that he is totally smitten with her. Anastasia said with a crooked smile. Kurt internally growled. He knew the old witch was clever.
The fact that she has Vicktor and the rest of the Black Bears eating out of her hand is quite incredible. They are known for being stubborn, wilful, and wary of outsiders, "Demitri said.
"She lived with fighters since she was 14, so she knows how they tick," James said.
"Indeed, whatever the reason, it is no small feat," Demitri replied.
"With due respect, what is the purpose of this meeting? Apart from allowing Vicktor and my future queen some alone time, of course. " Kurt growled.
"We want to discuss terms, of course," Anastasia said as she indicated everyone to sit down.
"While trying to tempt her away from me? How ironic! " Kurt said.
"Now, now Kurt. You can't blame me for trying? A marriage to Vicktor would have many positive benefits for everyone. Including Alannah's stay in Russia. " Anastasia said it smoothly.
"Her home will be in the UK. It was where she was born and raised." Theo said.
"Let's begin, shall we? This is what we are proposing. We will agree to the marriage of our granddaughter, along with exclusive access to trade routes, businesses, properties, and services. Alannah will have a married women's allowance of 60 million a year. Each child you and your partner will have will add an extra 20 million. " Demitri said
"That is a very kind offer, but what is the catch?" Theo asked. Kurt was thinking it was extremely generous, so what did they want in return?
"We will expect the following: any children will be brought up dual-gang. They will speak Russian as well as English. They will learn about both gang cultures and spend at least 4 weeks a year here. " Anastasia said.
"Reasonable," Kurt said. Why would he want to deprive his children of the chance to learn about their culture?
"Alannah and any of her children will have our gang sign," Anastasia said.
"Alannah, yes, the children... not till they are of age and only if they want to," Theo said.
"Fine, we don't want children to be tattooed," Anastasia said.
"Good," Kurt grumped.
"Next, when we pass, Alannah must agree to become the next Syndicate leader until one of your children is ready to take over, "Anastasia said.
"But that means she would have to be here!" Kurt pointed out.
"Yes, it would. Unless you produce children quickly, I am sure that is not going to be an issue for you two. " Anastasia said, and Theo rolled his eyes.
"She's not going to be here for years!" Kurt growled.
"This is non-negotiable. I won't risk a civil war in my syndicate." Anastasia snapped.
We can discuss the finer points a bit later. Shall we move on to the other points? " Theo suggested, and they all nodded.
Meanwhile, Alannah was having great fun looking around the kennels. She was delighted to see the puppies and felt like she had made a good friend in Vicktor. Vicktor and Alannah were walking back to the main estate. They were going through a wooded area, and the ground was thick with snow. It reminded Alannah of Narnia, and she told Vicktor that. He chuckled and smiled.
"You are most refreshing. It is a shame you are taken, "Vicktor said sadly.
"Well, not officially!" Alannah said with a wink, making Vicktor laugh more. Alannah felt uneasy and caught something in the corner of her eye. She converted it into Russian. Vicktor had wanted to practise his English, but now was not the time.
"Don't react, but somebody is watching us," Alannah said with a smile.
"Where?" Victor said, smiling as well, so that whoever was watching them thought they had not spotted them.
"Your 9, 7, 2, and 4 o'clock!" Alannah laughed as she said this.She pretended to crouch down to make a snowball as she slowly got her knife out of her boot.When she stood up, she was just in time to see one of the attackers throw five Assassins Needles. Small, sharp silver needles are often dipped in poison or a sedative. However, if the aim is right, it could block blood flow or nerves, causing the victim to be disabled. She rammed Vicktor out of the way, and the needles passed through her hand and embedded themselves in a pine tree.
"Quick! We need to get you to safety! " Vicktor said.
"No, they want us to do that! They are environmental fighters and use the snow to muffle their movements. We need to find cover. " Alannah said.
"Come quickly!" Vicktor said that as they ran down the path a little, there was a rocky outcrop. They both raced behind it.
"Now what?" Vicktor said
"We listen," Alannah whispered, as she lowered her heartbeat and breathing. Closing her eyes, she focused her thoughts. There was nothing for a few minutes, and then she heard a twig snap. Alannah quickly jumped up and threw her blade in that direction, hitting the man in the chest. He screamed, and then was silent. She quickly crouched down as a couple of flying fighting stars flew over her head and bounced on the rock.
"I fucking hate ninjas!" she muttered as she reached for the fighting star. Vicktor had a throwing knife and managed to take another one of them down.
"Good shot!" Alannah muttered, and Vicktor smiled.
Alannah managed to take the third one down when the fourth one managed to sneak up on them. Vicktor was in his element as close combat was his strength. Alannah, knowing Vicktor would be OK for a few minutes, went to grab her knife. This was a big mistake, as there was a fifth attacker!
Alannah managed to get out of the way before the Assassin's needles came flying. Alannah thought she got out of the way, but she felt a needle go into her chest. She gasped and vomited some blood.
"Who sent you?" Alannah gasped at the figure.
"You know whom and you know why," the man said as he came in for an attack. Alannah was quicker and did a high kick to the chest. The man went flying and hit his head on a rock, knocking him out. However, Alannah's attack cost her as the needle went further into her chest.
"Alannah! " Vicktor said, worried as Alannah was coughing up more blood.
"Need... to... get... John... now!" Alannah gasped. Vicktor picked her up and carried her back to the estate. He shouted for the alarm to be raised, and a siren went off. People started running all over the place. The black bears ran to Vicktor, who barked orders, and they all raced off in different directions.
Alannah was wheezing badly and still coughing up blood when Vicktor burst into John's office. "What? Alannah! Put her on the table there! What the heck happened? " John said.
"Assassin... needle," Alannah gasped, and John understood. He quickly ripped Alannah's top off and saw the needle head. Black bruising was already forming. ""
"OK, it is in between your ribs and punctured your lung. The fucker put an anticoagulant on the needle? " John explained
"That is why there is so much blood! I bet it is warfarin. It is easy to get hold of. " Vicktor said.
"Yes, Alannah, this is going to sting. " John said as he pulled out the needle.
"Ahhhhh fucking hell!" Alannah screamed as John stopped a stream of blood spurting out of a hole in the side.
"Fucking hooked, so it is more painful to take out than go in! Keep the pressure on Viktor, "John growled as he went to his medical cupboard. He found a syringe and filled it with medication. He quickly injected it into the injured site. This will help your blood clot. You will be alright now, but seriously, you need bed rest and to start looking after yourself. Your body can not take much more of this abuse, Alannah! " John, he retorted angrily.
Just then, the doors burst open and a furious looking Kurt walked out.