Moscow, Russia
18 years ago.
Tasha: Age 10
I skipped into the house. Yvan right behind me.
"Tasha, slow down." he commanded in Russian.
"Oh, stop worrying so much." I giggled.
"Didn't you realize that Natya is too good? She won't fall?"
I squealed happily turning back to look at my big brother, Lucas. I hadn't seen Luka since last Easter. I ran happily into his arms and he chuckled. Lucas had just turned twenty-three and had left the house five years ago, but he and I were still extremely close. He picked me up playfully.
"Moira, look what I found." He said carrying me.
Moira smiled brightly her red hair gleaming. She was Lucas's wife. They married when he turned twenty, but he's been with her since he turned eighteen. They met at college. I always thought she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. She was tall and graceful with big blue-green eyes and long curly red hair.
"Hello, Natya, how are you?" she said with her musical voice.
"I'm really good." I replied.
"And how is school?" she asked.
"Good." I answered grinning.
"Well, we have to show your parents something." Moira said smiling brightly. She turned around and picked up something wrapped in a blanket.
"Is that the baby?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes, look." She said moving the blanket so I could see the infant sucking on a pacifier.
"Oh, my goodness! He's so cute! What's his name?" I asked excitedly.
"Christian Maximus Ozera." Moira replied proudly.
I watched my baby nephew open his eyes. They were ice blue just like mine and Lucas. He truly was an Ozera, through and through. His hair was black just like mine. Lucas has mom's golden hair.
"He's so cute!" I squealed delighted.
Moira smiled and walked to the elevator carrying Christian. Their Guardian stepped in behind her. Lucas carried me to the elevator and we went up to my family's pent house. My mother sat regally, smiling as we walked in.
"Maximus, Lucas and Moira are here with the baby!" she called, "Tasha, get down from there. A respectable young lady does not run around being carried."
"Oh, come on, Mother, Tasha's still a little girl. She can get away with it." Lucas said good-naturedly.
I giggled as Lucas put me down.
"Let me see my grandson." my mother demanded.
Moira walked over and placed Christian into her arms.
"Oh, look at him." mom cooed rocking him, "He is absolutely beautiful."
"Don't you mean handsome?" Dad said as he walked in, "Hello, son. Moira."
He shook my brother's hand and kissed Moira's cheek. I grinned up at my father and he winked at me. He kissed the top of my head before walking over to Little Christian and picking him up. Christian grabbed onto Dad's beard and tugged.
Dad laughed, "Oh, he's definitely an Ozera. Look at those handsome features. And that fire in his eyes."
My parents sat down with my brother as they caught up. I was so intrigued watching them talk and discuss.
"Can we go out for ice cream?" I asked looking at my father. I knew my mother wouldn't approve.
"Of course, Natya. Let's go." he agreed before my mother had anything to say.
How I wish she would have said something. I'll never forget the things that happened next. Not if I live for an hour more or a hundred years from now.
We all rose to our feet and readied to go. Yvan stood near guard. I could barely see Nilsa and Chase walking far guard. We were in high spirits, chatting and laughing. As we sat eating ice cream I caught Lucas up on school. I'd actually be going back the next day to start sixth grade. My eleventh birthday was coming up too.
Yvan whispered in my father's ear and then we were getting up to leave. It was a breezy night. Not too cold, but not exactly warm either. And before we knew it three Strigoi attacked. My father bravely threw himself between us and the Strigoi. But, something else caught my eye as well...Lucas and Moira...they didn't looked frightened like my mother and myself. No...they looked...intrigued.
I went to school the next day, but that encounter with the Strigoi never left me...
St. Basil's Academy, Russia
12 Years Ago
Tasha: Age 16
I'd gotten the news yesterday. My dad was dead. He died protecting my mother. I stared out of the window in the common room in the dorm attempting to control my emotions.
"Are you okay, Tasha?"
I looked up into the face of Landon Zeklos. He was my best friend. We'd been friends since we were kids, but we hadn't gotten close until I was thirteen.
"No." I whispered, tears clouding my vision.
"What happened?" he asked concerned, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.
That's what I loved about Landon. He always cared about me. He didn't just see me as hot, confident, popular Tasha Ozera. He saw me as me, Natasha. He always looked at me like I was his queen, but he also didn't forget that we were friends. He didn't forget that I had feelings and a life outside of the academy. He didn't forget that I was more than just a royal. It's rare to meet another royal who was so open and not just some superficial jerk.
"My dad died." I whispered my voice trembling.
"Oh, Tasha," he said his face crumbling. He pulled me toward him, "I'm so sorry."
I buried my face into his chest and sobbed. I knew that we were sitting in a room anyone could enter and see my sobbing, but I couldn't stop and Landon didn't make me. He let me sob. I finally finished and looked up into his eyes. His turquoise eyes looked back at me tenderly.
"Better?" he asked gently.
"A little. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." he said caressing my cheek.
"Thank you."
"I'm your friend, Tasha. I'll always be here for you."
I blushed under the intensity of his gaze. His small smile grew and so did mine.
"When's the funeral?" he asked taking my hand, like a friend, but it felt like much more. He began walking me back to the girls' side of the dorm.
"The day after tomorrow." I answered walking with him, leaning against him slightly, "I go home tomorrow."
"Want some company?" he asked throwing his arm around me.
"You're asking me to come to my father's funeral?" I asked incredulously. I was feeling slightly better after crying my eyes out.
"Hey, you need a friend. I'll be your rock, Natasha, my love!" he said dramatically trying to distract me.
I giggled kissed his cheek, "You're so full of it. But, it would be nice."
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
He looked down at me with a look in his eyes that made me blush. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I kissed back then pulled away. He chuckled nervously and grinned running his fingers through his bronze hair.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow."
I giggled, "See you tomorrow."
"Night," he said grinning like a fool.
"Goodnight." I replied heading up to my dorm room.
The lovesick smile that played on my lips disappeared once I was back in my room. I should be happy. My crush, who's also my best friend, just kissed me. But, I wasn't. How would Landon react if he knew the truth? How will he react when he learns what really happened to my dad? How he really died?
I wasn't just crying for my dad, but for my family. Moira and Lucas...they'd betrayed us.
I watched as Hans took the stand. He stood there talking giving his testimony. I shivered as he spoke about my desperate attempt to flee. How did I let things go this far?
"And what did the defendant do?" the lawyer asked.
"Once Guardian Hathaway made her accusation Miss Ozera attempted to deny it."
"And that's when you say she shot Miss Hathaway?"
"No, Guardian Hathaway laid out her evidence and her Majesty suggested that we used Spirit induced compulsion to force Lady-Miss Ozera to tell the truth. The Defendant then fought against the Guardians who were attempting to take her in. She got a hold of a gun and pointed it at Miss Rinaldi who fought her off. The gun was then shot off a number of times and Queen Vasilisa was in the crossfire. Guardian Hathaway and Guardian Belikov ran toward her majesty. Guardian Hathaway threw herself and the way and was shot."
"Thank you, Guardian Croft."
I felt shame pour through me. God, what have I done? How much of this was my own sadistic need to get my views across? How much of this was really for the greater good?