"Maiya.. Maiya where are you?" whimpered Alexa in a soft whisper as she searched fervently around the silent house.
The blood that dripped from Alexa's wounds began to disappear while she continued to search for Maiya. A thump from an upstairs room peaked her interest, gripping the bloodied dagger tighter she swiftly went upstairs. The smell of Strigoi and Moroi blood filled her nostrils. Papa, she thought worriedly running to the room with double doors splattered with Moroi blood. Gently pushing the door open she was graced with a gruesome sight. Bodies of dead Strigoi, Guardians, and her parents were scattered across the room. Running to her father side, she kneels by him and held him in her arms, the dagger she held resting underneath her hand on his chest.
"Papa.. Papa its me A-Alexa," whimpered Alexa, caressing her father's head in her right arm.
"Alexa," he breathed in painfully, "My beautiful daughter-"
"Papa I can heal you know I ca-"
"No Alexa," he pauses to cough up blood, "Let me die. You must represent our family, the Headmistress should have the letter I sent her telling of your existence. If Maiya is still alive, God let her be alive, she'll be with you."
"I haven't found her yet," cried Alexa, tears seeping down her face.
"She's strong... you be strong and don't worry about those rebyatishek (brats) at the academy, just remember what we taught you," he praised, his voice hoarse.
Falling limp into her arms, his piercing blue eyes fading to grey as he drew his last breath. As she began to cry she brought her father closer to her bending over to close his eyes her forehead pressed against his.
"Alexa," said a voice coming from the hallway.
"Maiya!" she cried louder, dagger tight in her hand and her body still bent over her father's as Maiya entered the room.
Joining her on the floor, Maiya wrapped her arm around Alexa and held her close. Shushing and more crying filled the eerie room. Letting him slip out of her arms, she hugs Maiya back and cries on her shoulder.
"Lexie calm down," said Maiya soothingly as she rubs in a circle on her back, "Did you talk to him before he passed?"
Raising her head and sitting back, Alexa wipes her tears and looks Maiya in the eye.
"Yes I did, he contacted the Headmistress of Vampire Academy, telling her what I am and that I'm not a risk to the school. He also said that you would come with me," added Alexa shyly, looking down to her folded hands.
"Me, go to vampire academy? He must've been hallucinating didn't he know that I have an illegitimate brother there who's already demoted due to his parents stupidity?" asked Maiya taking a long breath a worried look crossing her face.
"Of course he knew Maiya and who would you go to if not with me?" she shrugs, "Exactly, we've been friends since we were babies we're staying together," added Alexa with a smile.
Returning the smile, Maiya hugged Alexa as they both heard footsteps downstairs from the front entrance. Separating from the hug Maiya sprang to her feet and went to the doorway to listen in on who it was.
"Dimitri, they're d-dead, all of them," said a female voice.
Alexa began to whimper and joined Maiya in the doorway. She mouthed, 'What do we do?' Maiya shrugged and pulled her to another room and locked the door.
"Did you hear that?" said a male voice.
"Maybe there's more."
"I hope there isn't, listen, someone's crying," added the male voice.
"Alexa! SHUSH!" warned Maiya putting her back to the door, "Go hide," she mouthed.
Nodding Alexa hid in the closet, her fear protruding into Maiya. Shaking it away, Maiya put her ear to the door. Soft cautious footsteps had entered the hallway, Alexa began to whimper causing the footsteps to quicken. Stepping away from the door, Maiya stood in attack mode, a dagger in each hand. Kicking the door open the strangers entered the room and Maiya attacks them. Hissing from the cut on her face, the girl kicks Maiya in the knee and points the dagger at Maiya's neck.
"WAIT!" boomed Dimitri, causing them both to stare questioningly at him, "Maiya? Is that you?"
"Dimitri Belikov?" she asked in return, disarming the girl and pointing her other dagger at the girls neck.
"Stand down Maiya we mean you no harm," said Dimitri in a calm voice as he raised his hands, "Maiya who you have under your knife is Rosemarie Hathaway, a senior at Academy."
"Oh," said Maiya taking her dagger out of Rose's neck, "My apologies, I thought you were Strigoi."
"Where's Alexa?" asked Dimitri worriedly walking towards Rose and helping her up.
"She's fine," answered Maiya walking towards the closet and opening it slightly, "Put on the glasses, NOW!" she ushered handing Alexa a pair of dark glasses.
Putting on the glasses, she walks out cautiously her arms crossed and her head down. Dimitri joins her and hugs her tight, turning towards Rose he is graced with another questioning stare.
"How do you know these girls?" asked Rose, crossing her arms slowly.
"Alexa is my goddaughter-"
"Who is she?" she motioned to a shivering Alexa.
"Badica's illegitimate daughter-"
"And the glasses?" added Rose.
"She's half Strigoi, her eyes are laced with a red lining and pupil. Maiya's mother died giving birth to her and was given to the Badica's by her father," explained Dimitri calmly.
"Who's her fa-"
"Lucas Ozera, my mother was of noble blood but her family died off early leaving her and her cousin, Alma Dashkov Dragomir," answered Maiya joining Alexa but standing in front of her.
"My mother was forced into being a Strigoi and was pregnant with me when it happened. She was 8 months pregnant and starved herself so I wouldn't become the same. Sadly it didn't work and she died giving her last push bringing me into the world," added Alexa holding onto Maiya's arm.
"Don't worry I won't hurt you," eased Rose relaxing her worried features.
"Come Alexa tell me what happened," added Dimitri gently grabbing her hand and putting it in his.
Following him to the sitting area, Alexa relaxed her features and let go Maiya. Joining Rose on the opposite side of the room where a bar resided.
"What would you have today mam? Rum? Tequila? or just plain ole Beer?" joked Maiya bringing out the three choices.
"Just leave 'em out for now," laughed Rose half-heartedly, "So you were raised by the Badica's?"
"Yup my father was in a 'dark time' before he turned Strigoi," she said pouring something red in a glass mixed with rum and tequila, "In fact he willing sought out my mother, old flame," she shivers.
"He cheated on his wife-"
"No fiancee, they weren't married yet just promised but Moira was 3 months pregnant and my mom was 4 months pregnant. My mother and Lucas were in deeeeeeeeep love with each other before he was promised. When Moira came into the picture he fell in love with her as well. Lucas ended his fling with my mother when she was reaching 7 months of pregnancy but married Moira when she was 5 months pregnant and went on their honeymoon at 7 months of pregnancy. So when Lucas went on his honeymoon, my mother became severely depressed and ill. Alma was already gone and she was on her own. In the end Badica convinced her to have me and Badica became my ward," explained Maiya, with a sigh at the end.
"Whoa, Lucas he had problems huh?" laughed Rose.
"No he just loved too much," snickered Maiya.
"So you're pretty good with a knife, huh? Arthur Schoenberg must've taught you," added Rose sitting on a bar chair.
"Yes and my Aunt Ellis, Queen Tatiana had her train to fight and she knew Lex and I would have problems given our lineage," she laughs, "So she said, to take care of those problems, we needed to know how to protect ourselves. Bada bing bada boom presto badass half-breeds are born."
"Wow," chuckles Rose, "Where will you two go?"
"Back to the academy with us, I've called the clean-up crew and the Headmistress. She says they're clear to come onto campus," interjects Dimitri, his Dark brown eyes meeting Rose's worried stare.
"This was cleared by the Headmistress? Are you sure?" asked Rose as she faced Dimitri.
"Yes it was. Maiya take Alexa and get her cleaned up you as well and pack up all the things you need. Rose and I will meet you both downstairs in an hour," she nods and walks over to Alexa who's already standing, "Rose come with me."
His tone very demanding and powerful, Rose followed silently keep her eyes on Dimitri. While the two headed downstairs, Alexa and Maiya swiftly gathered their things.
"Hey Lex look what I found," called Maiya showing her a letter addressed to them both.
Opening it the letter read:
To my dearest daughter and ward, if you are reading this something terrible has become of our family. All of our belongings now belong to you both: the houses, money, cars, heirlooms, and the crest. Alexa I was going to announce to all the Royals of your existence and claim as my legitimate daughter and Maiya we were going to tell you that we finally adopted you into the family on your birthday. However both of these things have not come to pass and we are deeply sorry they didn't. Do know that Ellis will handle all affairs and be visiting you both frequently to check on your progress in Academy. If anything goes wrong you contact her. The are two necklaces specially made for you both with the family crest and your full names on it. The future is bright for you both.
All my love,
Prince Alexander Patrick Badica
"He left everything to us," said Maiya softly.
"He adopted you into the family," added Alexa.
"We're sisters," they said together and hugged each other.
After they finished packing, washed up, and changed their clothes they went downstairs with their bags. They clean up crew had arrived and they were ready to leave. As the group exited the house, Alexa and Maiya looked back then at each and smiled. Their new lives were just beginning.