Hey everyone!

Here's another chapter albeit a little short but again I'll attach another short story at the end! This was meant to be posted earlier but life got in the way…

A little inside look at my personal life: I totally cleaned up at my school prize giving- 7 trophies! I was a little bit excited!

Just so you know, I'm gonna work my butt off and try to get another chapter done soon – like within two weeks – if not, you have my full consent to yell at me.

Disclaimer: I don't own VA :C


Excuse me?" A timid but strong voice called out. I halted my walking and turned around. Her long blond hair streamed down her back like a waterfall, radiant and proud. Her jade eyes shone with nervousness yet also confidence, bright and excited. I could feel her anxiousness clearly through the bond. It was Lissa. And her other half.

"Yes?" I answered politely, wishing on my lucky stars nothing would give me away.

"I just wanted to thank you for saving me back at the manor. I never got a chance after everything so… Thank you." She smiled gratefully.

"My pleasure. It's my job." I let out a small smile.

"How did you know where she was? I mean, no one at Court knew, Hans didn't, but you, a total stranger happened to know where she was." Folding his arms, Christian hopped into the conversation. He raised an eyebrow. Everyone but me.

"As I said before, it's my job."

He looked at me sceptically but didn't say anything.

"Your aura is drowned in black!" Lissa gasped suddenly.

I pretended to look confused. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Your aura… your aura is covered completely in darkness. I can't even see any glimpse of colour. How are you even alive? How are you even sane? That much darkness is dangerous."

"Who ever said I was sane?" I asked. "Also, dangerous is my life. I kill evil vampires for a living with no guarantee on waking up tomorrow."

Christian raised his eyebrow. "While we are on the topic of the Strigoi, I have heard rumours about a possible 'Strigoi War'- "

I interrupted him, "Yes, a war is brewing. I'm here to protect Court."

"How are you supposed to do that? From what I've heard there is over one hundred Strigoi and there is only you."

Silently I took out my stake, leaned against the wall and twirled my stake around my fingers. "Go to guardian's gym 12pm tomorrow and you'll understand." And with that, I walked away.

As I walked, I mulled over what Lissa said. I knew I was harbouring a lot of darkness. Just, the extent of it was where I wasn't so sure. Now that I knew the damage I could cause, I had to be more careful. I couldn't get out of control and start attacking innocents.


For the rest of the day, I did nothing but discuss battle tactics with Sydney and Mase. We weren't going to do any more raids tonight as last night's was successful and another attack too soon could provoke them.

"I'm heading over to the gym. Anyone coming?" I asked. I stood up and rolled my shoulders.

Mason stood up as well and stretched. "Sure, you coming Syd?"

"I'll join you in a bit, I think I'm getting somewhere with this." She said both distractedly and excited.

"Okay then."

We went through the different workouts, supporting each other when needed. It wasn't until we sparred that we actually broke a sweat. Hand to hand we were both equally matched and it was always a tough fight.

I got into my stance. I eyed his. No flaws as far as I could see… but wait… his right foot jutted out a little too far… I advanced. Aiming to trip him before pinning him, I struck out, simultaneously sending and upper cut to his chest. He jerked back, my hits narrowly missing. He caught hold of my arm and went in for a swift kick. I jumped up and hit out at his chest. Mason tumbled to the floor. Pinning him, I tried claiming myself victorious but was boosted back by Mason. This was how it went for quite a while. One of us would get the advantage and loose it immediately. I finally got him pinned and was helping him up before Sydney ran in.

She didn't stop running till she reached us.

"What's the hurry?" Mason teased.

"Ring, necklace, disguise now!" She slipped a ring from my finger and placed it on hers. Her facials began to distort and change, her blonde hair becoming duller, duller and finally turning a chocolatey brown. The power in the rings were strong and more advanced than the ones we'd used at Tarasov. But I wouldn't know why she would need it. "Good."

I looked at her questionably, "Explanation please?"

She looked around cautiously and worriedly, "Adrian. He almost spotted me."

"Why is Adrian a problem?" Mason asked, raising an eyebrow.

Her eyes still flickering side to side she said, "I may or may not have fallen in love with him and left him believing I hate him. But I'm better safe than sorry."

I just shook my head. Trust Adrian to fall for the smart one. "Okay, let's get training."


The rest of the day and morning were uneventful. A few stares and pointing of fingers but nothing I wasn't used to.

Today was the day of the fight. We spent the morning gearing up and discussing battle strategies. Finally, the time came.

We walked inside. Grandstands were set up and the seats were full with guardians and even a few Moroi. A sparring mat was set up in the middle and around it were many guardians stretching and preparing themselves for the fight.

My hand stretch upward and I take the final steps toward the mat. "Let's do this."

"Alright!" I called the room to attention, "So let's get this started! If you don't know the rules, you can't hit above the neck, blah, blah, blah and otherwise anything goes. Who's up first?"

Three people stepped forward and the fights began. They stepped up with a boosting confidence: they were young and most probably unexperienced in the field.

A blonde-haired boy stood before me and readied his stance. I stayed as I was and raised both eyebrows tauntingly. He flew at me with a punch which I sidestepped and as he flew past from loss of balance, I elbowed him between the shoulder blades before following him down to finish. He got up with a glare before storming off.

"Next!" I called. I knew Mason and Sydney would have finished off their opponents.

A few more hours went by like this. They would come up all high and mighty and then get their ass' kicked.

"Next." I called and looked up. My opponent was Eddie. I almost felt sorry for him.

We took our stances. I watched him and waited for his first move. He was playing the same game. But I could play it longer. I waited. So did he.

He struck out at my shoulder and kicked at my legs. I caught his hand and as he was off-balance from the kick, used it in my power to get him to the ground. He wasn't giving up though. He tried using the momentum to flip us but I quickly place my hand at his heart. Dead.

I stood up and leant a hand. "You're pretty good." I said.

He looked at me incredulously, "You just beat me down in ten seconds flat."

"Well that's longer than all the others." I shrugged.

"Thanks."

"Next!" I called. My opponent walked up. I looked up at him. Dimitri.

He hadn't changed. Yes there were the tell-tale signs of age but otherwise he was the same. His hair was tied at the nape and I could almost smell the one smell I associated with Dimitri from here; his aftershave. His stance was ready.

I wasn't. It wasn't that I didn't expect him to be here, being Lissa's guardian and all, but it came as quite a shock to see him again after so long. Practise managed to keep my guardian mask firm. I readied my stance.

After so many spars, he would expect me to do the same routine as all others. Instead, I attacked. A swift punch was sent his way and, as I expected, he caught it. I pulled back and he went for a kick. I jumped. Using his weight against him, I fought him to the ground and prepared to pronounce him dead. He rolled us and a nauseating feeling began to creep into my stomach. A pressure started to form in my brain and I forced my mental walls up higher and harder.

The wards were down. The war had begun.


Reaching My Destination. – Short story

Far in the distance, civilisation was beginning to form. Building by building, skyscraper by skyscraper, my destination was coming into view. The concrete, dusty ground beneath me scorched my toes through my light sandals and the flaming, calescent heat above me did nothing to quench my thirst. Sweat glistened on my brow like icicles in winter. Also, I was stupid enough to forget to bring a hat or any form of protection. I could feel my skin blistering almost, from the heat emanating from the sky above. The road was gradually getting shorter. This walk felt like a marathon, but the heat felt like a desert.

The leather knapsack on my back was heavy and annoying, its contents so useless and unneeded by me that I was considering dumping it where I stood. Apparently though, this equipment was 'crucial' and 'of greatest importance'. I rolled my eyes objectionably. It was just a nuisance.

Though my walk was getting shorter, as was my strides. My legs were tiring and my back was aching. I looked at the watch on my wrist. 12:48 pm it shone. Uh oh. It was supposed to start at 1 and the 'Crucial Supplies' were on my back.

Despite my discomfort, despite my pain, despite the sun, I started running. My legs ran in sync with my arms and my breath was getting ragged. It was a matter of one step in front of the other, no thoughts discouraging me. I was panting like a madman. Sweat dripped down my neck ten times faster than before.

The buildings and skyscrapers were getting closer and suddenly, I was in the city. I ran along the roads, humid air streaming through the curly, stuck-up strands of hair escaping my ponytail. I watched the store signs beside me and finally found the one I was looking for. The huge banner that stretched the front of the building read 'CHARLESTOWN ANNUAL COOKING COMPETITION' and the steps welcomed me as I tread up the stairs. Cold air blasted my face as I walked in the door and I almost stopped to unwind in the gratifying chill air. Air conditioners! I almost swooned. Expeditiously and rushed, I checked my watch. 12:58. Phew! And two minutes to spare! My head moved frantically from side to side looking for my mother. Many contestants were setting up around the place and finally I spotted the bright, flaming red hair I resemble with my mother. On my way over, I dodged roughly ten other contestants and nearly broke a toe. Why corners were invented, I would never understand. Finally, I made it to my mum.

"Mum!" I called.

I came to a stop in front of her. Placing my hands on my knees, I panted, "Mum… I've… I've got the… the stuff!" and dropped the knapsack on the floor anterior to her.

"That's great darling… but, I just realised that they already supply the equipment! Silly me!"

"What!" And I walked off to the air-conditioners.


BTW I didn't edit this fully – I checked it over but I plainly can't be bothered.

There you have it! Happy New Year! I had to post this 5mins from the New Year :D Please Review :D