Chapter 1

Wind was blowing gently in Portland. I placed a clip in my hair to stop the little pieces of hair to fly out of my bun. It was hard to resettle down among humans; we couldn't return to Lissa's house that she had all rights to own, we couldn't go anywhere except a little apartment in downtown Portland. I always wanted to return back to this city, I always felt like I truly belong here.

After graduation, the Council gave me the rights to be Lissa's guardian, her only guardian. After Dimitri was found he turned himself in that me and him almost had sex (due to the lust spell). The school sent him away. Christian informed me he was assigned to his aunt, Tasha. I didn't hear of him since.

Lissa and I walked over to a Starbucks. It was empty inside for a Tuesday night. Inside, a feeling whelmed over me: happiness and hunger. I ordered Lissa a hot chocolate with extra whip cream and a double chocolate muffin: for me, coffee.

We sat at a small table next the window. I had a good view of the street outside incase anything did happen. People were walking by their hands in their pockets trying to stop the winter wind from hitting them. I quickly noticed a girl; her hair was pulled up into a ponytail with a piece of dark brown hair wrapped around the hair band. She was extremely curvy with wide hips and a skinny upper body. She walked into Starbucks, her high-heeled boots clanked across the floor. The boys behind the counter stared at her with opened mouths.

She pulled the collar up of her long plaid jacket. The boy behind the counter handed her two cups that were red with green fern trees on them. She gave him a nod and turned around to leave. Our eyes met.

Her mouth dropped and she quickly made her way over to us. She placed the cups on a near by table. "Princess Vasilisa Dragomir." It was a mere whisper that escaped her mouth. She placed an open hand over her heart and bowed. "Queen Ursula Czech has been wanted to see you for days."

Months after Victor Dashkov's court, Queen Tatiana was killed by Victor's old guardians. Later on they discovered the guardians were actually Strigois. They were killed on the spot. Victor had all rights to be King after the death of the Queen but since both were dead they went to the next possible person in line, Ursula Czech.

The Czechs are the most powerful royal families out there now. They were one of the twelve families unharmed during a raid of Strigois a year ago that interfered our Christmas break back at the academy.

A hum of unconcerned filled me. "Who are you?" I asked.

"Guardian Kyra Carter. Guardian of Princess Audrey Czech and second in command of the Guardian Council."

Many women guardians never were given such a high-ranking spot before.

"What does the Queen want with Lissa?"

"Queen Czech wants Princess Vasilisa to take throne."

M mouth dropped. "What?"

"Queen Czech wants Princess Vasilisa to take throne."

"I got you the first time but…why?"

"Princess Audrey is unfit to be Queen and she doesn't want David Czech to have the throne because he isn't a true royal. She believes it is Princess Vasilisa's duty to take throne."

I felt Lissa's feelings to this right away. Happiness. Unsure. But one stood out the most, the undying truth that she Christian will be married together starting a new royal family.

"When do we meet her?" Lissa had to ask.

A black Subaru Forester with tinted windows was driving down Interstate 5. Kyra was driving with a boy next to her. He was around six something with blonde surfer hair. His eyes were an icy blue reminding me of Mason's. My stomach sank.

I missed Mason so much. After his death I was able to see him but whenever I think of him my throat becomes tight and dry. I never did cry anymore about him.

The two were going on about something happening at the Queen's house. I slid deeper into the seat behind the driver's. Lissa rested her head back and fell asleep.

"P.J. told me Ursula kicked her out." He had a slight southern accent.

"I don't believe you. Mother kicking the head women out of the house?" She shook her head. "I mean the women was a bitch but I didn't think she would drop her. Where did she assign her to?"

The blonde boy shrugged. "She got her stuff together and left. But you have to leave it that Janine was a killer fighter. Wonder what she did to get the Queen mad."

"Caden!"

"What? Janine was a bitch and only thought of work. Work. Work. Work. Nothing else! Whenever we had anything going on around the place she was always 'we must look over the Queen'. Blah. Blah. Blah."

"Caden Sarong!"

"What?"

"Oh. My. God. Did you not hear me before leaving?"

"Yeah not to say Janine Hath-" He turned and faced me. "Sorry kid."

I shrugged and looked out the window. "Doesn't bother me." Truth was it was bothering me, what did my mother do?

Trees and more trees filled the area. Moving during the light was most effective since Strigois don't move at this time. I patted Lisa's hair while she slept. I felt better being in an area that surpassed being heavily guardian. I didn't need to look over my shoulder every three seconds making sure no one was there.

We pulled up to a fence. A small little house was to the left. A man came out; he was dressed completely in black. Kyra rolled the window open and tilted her head in our direction.

"Guardian Hathaway and Princess Dragomir, you need to step out of the car fast."

I followed her orders and slid outside into the cold. Snow was building up under my feet. Slowly the man walked over with a square he lifted it up to my eyes. There was a click and he smiled.

"All clear."

Some weird I am Legend is going on.

Lissa was next and seriously, she passed.

Kyra continued passed the gates and up to a large Victoria looking mansion. Dead Ivy vines were climbing up the side of the building covering two side windows. Up close the building had to other ones attached to the sides; they were a tan brick like the middle building.

"What was the eye checking thing for?"

"Making sure you guys aren't Stringers." The blonde boy said.

"Here is the deal you guys." Kyra cut the engine off. "Guardian Hathaway, the Queen has set a challenge up for you."

"She does it to everyone." The other guardian said.

"Most likely you will go against another one from the house but here is a hint stay to your left and slip on good running sneakers on now. Once she sees you she will make you go through it."

The surfer guardian slipped out and opened the door for Lissa. She smiled at him and stepped out. As he lightly closed the door I slipped on my running sneakers.

There was a large over hang patio over the front door. A women walked to the edge of the patio her hair was a dark brown like Kyra's but her eyes were pure golden. She smiled at us and presented both arms out to the side.

"Welcome to our superb house. I am Queen Ursula. Welcome Princess Dragomir." She smiled exposing her fangs. "Oh, welcome also Guardian Rosemarie Hathaway."

The way my name rolled off her tongue made me think I've entered hell.